EQUITABLE COMPANIES INC
10-Q, 1997-11-13
LIFE INSURANCE
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                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549
                                  -------------

                                    FORM 10-Q

                   QUARTERLY REPORT UNDER SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
                     OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934


For the Quarter Ended September 30, 1997             Commission File No. 1-11166
- ---------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------


                      The Equitable Companies Incorporated
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


                       Delaware                                   13-3623351
- --------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------
           (State or other jurisdiction of                     (I.R.S. Employer
            incorporation or organization)                   Identification No.)


   1290 Avenue of the Americas, New York, New York                  10104
- --------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------
       (Address of principal executive offices)                   (Zip Code)


  Registrant's telephone number, including area code            (212) 554-1234
                                                          ----------------------


                                      None
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         (Former name, former address, and former fiscal year if changed
                              since last report.)


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) been subject to such filing requirements
for the past 90 days.
                                                               Yes  x   No
                                                                   ---     ---


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


                                                          Shares Outstanding
                Class                                    at November 11, 1997
- -------------------------------------------------   ----------------------------

     Common Stock, $.01 par value                             222,077,372



                                                                   Page 1 of 40


<PAGE>

                      THE EQUITABLE COMPANIES INCORPORATED
                                    FORM 10-Q
                    FOR THE QUARTER ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1997

                                TABLE OF CONTENTS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                                    Page #

<S>             <C>                                                                                 <C>
PART I          FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1:         Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements
                   Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 1997 and
                  December 31, 1996..............................................................      3
                   Consolidated Statements of Earnings for the Three Months and Nine
                  Months Ended September 30, 1997 and 1996.......................................      4
                   Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity for the Nine Months
                  Ended September 30, 1997 and 1996..............................................      6
                   Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Nine Months Ended
                  September 30, 1997 and 1996....................................................      7
                   Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements....................................      8

Item 2:         Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
                Results of Operations............................................................     22

PART II         OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1:         Legal Proceedings................................................................     39

Item 6:         Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K.................................................     39

SIGNATURES.......................................................................................     40
</TABLE>

                                       2
<PAGE>


PART I  FINANCIAL INFORMATION
          Item 1:  Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements.
                                      THE EQUITABLE COMPANIES INCORPORATED
                                          CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                                                  (UNAUDITED)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                               September 30,        December 31,
                                                                                   1997                 1996
                                                                              -----------------    -----------------
                                                                                         (In Millions)
<S>                                                                           <C>                  <C>     
ASSETS
Investments:
  Fixed maturities:
    Available for sale, at estimated fair value.............................  $    20,848.4        $    18,556.2
    Held to maturity, at amortized cost.....................................          144.6                178.5
  Trading account securities, at market value...............................       17,982.6             15,728.1
  Securities purchased under resale agreements..............................       26,585.9             20,492.1
  Mortgage loans on real estate.............................................        2,604.7              3,133.0
  Equity real estate........................................................        3,225.8              3,298.4
  Policy loans..............................................................        2,436.8              2,196.1
  Other equity investments..................................................        1,265.2              1,081.9
  Other invested assets.....................................................          183.7                125.0
                                                                              -----------------    -----------------
      Total investments.....................................................       75,277.7             64,789.3
Cash and cash equivalents...................................................        1,448.9                755.3
Broker-dealer related receivables...........................................       25,256.6             16,661.7
Deferred policy acquisition costs...........................................        3,185.7              3,106.5
Amounts due from discontinued GIC Segment...................................          657.1                996.2
Other assets................................................................        4,740.4              4,361.1
Closed Block assets.........................................................        8,676.0              8,495.0
Separate Accounts assets....................................................       36,319.8             29,646.1
                                                                              -----------------    -----------------

Total Assets................................................................  $   155,562.2        $   128,811.2
                                                                              =================    =================

LIABILITIES
Policyholders' account balances.............................................  $    21,742.2        $    21,863.8
Future policy benefits and other policyholders liabilities..................        4,514.4              4,416.6
Securities sold under repurchase agreements.................................       36,672.4             29,378.3
Broker-dealer related payables..............................................       27,530.0             19,497.0
Short-term and long-term debt...............................................        8,146.2              5,379.6
Other liabilities...........................................................        6,458.7              5,598.3
Closed Block liabilities....................................................        9,196.3              9,091.3
Separate Accounts liabilities...............................................       36,117.6             29,598.3
                                                                              -----------------    -----------------
      Total liabilities.....................................................      150,377.8            124,823.2
                                                                              -----------------    -----------------

Commitments and contingencies (Note 13)

SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Series C convertible preferred stock........................................            -                   24.4
Series D convertible preferred stock........................................          429.1                294.0
Stock employee compensation trust...........................................         (429.1)              (294.0)
Series E convertible preferred stock........................................            -                  380.2
Common stock, at par value..................................................            2.2                  1.9
Capital in excess of par value..............................................        3,623.2              2,782.2
Retained earnings...........................................................        1,162.6                632.9
Net unrealized investment gains.............................................          409.3                179.3
Minimum pension liability...................................................          (12.9)               (12.9)
                                                                              -----------------    -----------------
      Total shareholders' equity............................................        5,184.4              3,988.0
                                                                              -----------------    -----------------

Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity..................................  $   155,562.2        $   128,811.2
                                                                              =================    =================
                 See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

</TABLE>

                                       3
<PAGE>


                      THE EQUITABLE COMPANIES INCORPORATED
                       CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS
                                   (UNAUDITED)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                              Three Months Ended                 Nine Months Ended
                                                                September 30,                      September 30,
                                                       ---------------------------------  ---------------------------------
                                                            1997             1996              1997              1996
                                                       ---------------  ----------------  ---------------   ---------------
                                                                                  (In Millions)
<S>                                                    <C>              <C>               <C>              <C>  
REVENUES
Universal life and investment-type
  product policy fee income..........................  $      240.6     $      220.7      $      707.2      $     651.4
Premiums.............................................         137.2            145.8             430.0            439.2
Net investment income................................       1,000.1            833.4           2,842.7          2,437.6
Investment gains, net................................         213.8             91.8             825.9            464.5
Commissions, fees and other income...................         905.8            639.2           2,451.5          2,006.6
Contribution from the Closed Block...................          30.1             35.8              95.6             95.1
                                                       ---------------  ----------------  ---------------   ---------------
      Total revenues.................................       2,527.6          1,966.7           7,352.9          6,094.4
                                                       ---------------  ----------------  ---------------   ---------------

BENEFITS AND OTHER DEDUCTIONS
Interest credited to policyholders' account
  balances...........................................         313.9            316.0             958.5            949.4
Policyholders' benefits..............................         235.9            270.7             718.3            798.8
Other operating costs and expenses...................       1,611.2          1,175.1           4,609.3          3,690.0
                                                       ---------------  ----------------  ---------------   ---------------
      Total benefits and other deductions............       2,161.0          1,761.8           6,286.1          5,438.2
                                                       ---------------  ----------------  ---------------   ---------------

Earnings from continuing operations before
  Federal income taxes, minority interest
  and cumulative effect of accounting change.........         366.6            204.9           1,066.8            656.2
Federal income taxes.................................         116.5             61.3             376.2            198.2
Minority interest in net income of
  consolidated subsidiaries..........................          63.5             38.9             112.6            127.9
                                                       ---------------  ----------------  ---------------   ---------------
Earnings from continuing operations before
  cumulative effect of accounting change.............         186.6            104.7             578.0            330.1
Discontinued operations, net of Federal income
  taxes..............................................           (.2)             -                (2.9)             -
Cumulative effect of accounting change,
  net of Federal income taxes........................           -                -                 -              (23.1)
                                                       ---------------  ----------------  ---------------   ---------------

Net Earnings.........................................  $      186.4     $      104.7      $      575.1      $     307.0
                                                       ===============  ================  ===============   ===============
</TABLE>

                                       4
<PAGE>

                      THE EQUITABLE COMPANIES INCORPORATED
                       CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS
                             (UNAUDITED) - Continued
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                              Three Months Ended                 Nine Months Ended
                                                                September 30,                      September 30,
                                                       ---------------------------------  ---------------------------------
                                                            1997             1996              1997              1996
                                                       ---------------  ----------------  ---------------   ---------------
<S>                                                    <C>              <C>               <C>               <C> 
Per Common Share:
  Assuming No Dilution:
    Earnings from continuing operations before
      cumulative effect of accounting change.........  $        .83     $        .52      $       2.79      $      1.65
    Discontinued operations, net of Federal
      income taxes...................................          -                -                 (.01)
    Cumulative effect of accounting change,
      net of Federal income taxes....................          -                -                 -                (.12)
                                                       ---------------  ----------------  ---------------   ---------------
    Net Earnings.....................................  $        .83     $        .52      $       2.78             1.53
                                                       ===============  ================  ===============   ===============

  Assuming Full Dilution:
    Earnings from continuing operations before
      cumulative effect of accounting change.........  $        .79     $        .49      $       2.52      $      1.54
    Discontinued operations, net of Federal
      income taxes...................................          -                -                 (.01)            -
    Cumulative effect of accounting change,
      net of Federal income taxes....................          -                -                 -                (.10)
                                                       ---------------  ----------------  ---------------   ---------------
    Net Earnings.....................................  $        .79     $        .49      $       2.51      $      1.44
                                                       ===============  ================  ===============   ===============

Cash Dividends Per Common Share......................  $        .05     $        .05      $        .15      $       .15
                                                       ===============  ================  ===============   ===============


                 See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

</TABLE>

                                       5
<PAGE>

                      THE EQUITABLE COMPANIES INCORPORATED
                 CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
                  NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1997 AND 1996
                                   (UNAUDITED)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                    1997                 1996
                                                                              -----------------    -----------------
                                                                                          (In Millions)
<S>                                                                           <C>                  <C>          
Series C convertible preferred stock, beginning of year.....................  $        24.4        $        24.4
Exchange of Series C convertible preferred stock............................          (24.4)                 -
                                                                              -----------------    -----------------
Series C convertible preferred stock, end of period.........................            -                   24.4
                                                                              -----------------    -----------------

Series D convertible preferred stock, beginning of year.....................          294.0                286.6
Exchange of Series D convertible preferred stock............................          (54.8)                 -
Change in market value of shares............................................          189.9                 20.9
                                                                              -----------------    -----------------
Series D convertible preferred stock, end of period.........................          429.1                307.5
                                                                              -----------------    -----------------

Stock employee compensation trust, beginning of year........................         (294.0)              (286.6)
Exchange of Series D convertible preferred stock in the stock employee
  compensation trust........................................................           54.8                  -
Change in market value of shares............................................         (189.9)               (20.9)
                                                                              -----------------    -----------------
Stock employee compensation trust, end of period............................         (429.1)              (307.5)
                                                                              -----------------    -----------------

Series E convertible preferred stock, beginning of year.....................          380.2                380.2
Exchange of Series E convertible preferred stock............................         (380.2)                 -
                                                                              -----------------    -----------------
Series E convertible preferred stock, end of period.........................            -                  380.2
                                                                              -----------------    -----------------

Common stock, at par value, beginning of year...............................            1.9                  1.8
Issuance of common stock....................................................             .3                  -
                                                                              -----------------    -----------------
Common stock, at par value, end of period...................................            2.2                  1.8
                                                                              -----------------    -----------------

Capital in excess of par value, beginning of year as previously reported....        2,782.2              2,561.1
Cumulative effect on prior years of retroactive restatement for
  accounting change.........................................................            -                  192.2
                                                                              -----------------    -----------------
Capital in excess of par value, beginning of year as restated...............        2,782.2              2,753.3
Additional capital in excess of par value...................................          841.0                 20.8
                                                                              -----------------    -----------------
Capital in excess of par value, end of period...............................        3,623.2              2,774.1
                                                                              -----------------    -----------------

Retained earnings, beginning of year as previously reported.................          632.9                590.7
Cumulative effect on prior years of retroactive restatement for
  accounting change.........................................................            -                    6.8
                                                                              -----------------    -----------------
Retained earnings, beginning of year as restated............................          632.9                597.5
Net earnings................................................................          575.1                307.0
Dividends on preferred stocks...............................................          (15.6)               (20.0)
Dividends on common stock...................................................          (29.8)               (27.8)
                                                                              -----------------    -----------------
Retained earnings, end of period............................................        1,162.6                856.7
                                                                              -----------------    -----------------

Net unrealized investment gains, beginning of year as previously reported...          179.3                328.3
Cumulative effect on prior years of retroactive restatement for
  accounting change.........................................................            -                   58.3
                                                                              -----------------    -----------------
Net unrealized investment gains, beginning of year as restated..............          179.3                386.6
Change in unrealized investment gains (losses)..............................          230.0               (336.4)
                                                                              -----------------    -----------------
Net unrealized investment gains, end of period..............................          409.3                 50.2
                                                                              -----------------    -----------------

Minimum pension liability, beginning of year and end of period..............          (12.9)               (35.1)
                                                                              -----------------    -----------------

Total Shareholders' Equity, End of Period...................................  $     5,184.4        $     4,052.3
                                                                              =================    =================
                 See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
</TABLE>
                                       6
<PAGE>

                                      THE EQUITABLE COMPANIES INCORPORATED
                                     CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
                                  NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1997 AND 1996
                                                  (UNAUDITED)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                    1997                 1996
                                                                              -----------------    -----------------
                                                                                          (In Millions)
<S>                                                                           <C>                  <C>          
Net earnings................................................................  $       575.1        $       307.0
  Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash (used) provided by
    operating activities:
    Interest credited to policyholders' account balances....................          958.5                949.4
    Universal life and investment-type policy fee income....................         (707.2)              (651.4)
    Net change in trading activities and broker-dealer related
      receivables/payables..................................................       (3,777.8)                64.6
    (Increase) decrease in matched resale agreements........................       (4,522.5)            (1,126.1)
    Increase (decrease) in matched repurchase agreements....................        4,522.5              1,126.1
    Investment gains, net of dealer and trading gains.......................         (425.1)               (98.8)
    Changes in clearing association fees and regulatory deposits............          116.9               (115.5)
    Change in accounts payable and accrued expenses.........................          475.6                222.9
    Change in Federal income taxes payable..................................           14.3                (85.8)
    Other, net..............................................................         (275.3)              (290.5)
                                                                              -----------------    -----------------

Net cash (used) provided by operating activities............................       (3,045.0)               301.9
                                                                              -----------------    -----------------

Cash flows from investing activities:
  Maturities and repayments.................................................        2,158.6              1,743.3
  Sales....................................................................         8,093.5              7,323.2
  Return of capital from joint ventures and limited partnerships............           48.4                 64.3
  Purchases.................................................................      (10,770.1)           (10,227.0)
  Decrease in loans to discontinued GIC Segment.............................          336.2                827.0
  Sale of subsidiaries......................................................          261.0                  -
  Other, net................................................................         (320.7)              (121.4)
                                                                              -----------------    -----------------

Net cash used by investing activities.......................................         (193.1)              (390.6)
                                                                              -----------------    -----------------

Cash flows from financing activities:
 Policyholders' account balances:
    Deposits................................................................        1,026.9              1,402.2
    Withdrawals.............................................................       (1,417.6)            (1,839.5)
  Net change in short-term financings.......................................        3,652.6                137.1
  Additions to long-term debt...............................................          847.7                296.3
  Repayments of long-term debt..............................................         (159.8)              (307.6)
  Proceeds from issuance of common stock....................................           82.8                  -
  Other, net................................................................         (100.9)               114.6
                                                                              -----------------    -----------------

Net cash provided (used) by financing activities............................        3,931.7               (196.9)
                                                                              -----------------    -----------------

Change in cash and cash equivalents.........................................          693.6               (285.6)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year................................          755.3              1,200.4
                                                                              -----------------    -----------------

Cash and Cash Equivalents, End of Period....................................  $     1,448.9        $       914.8
                                                                              =================    =================

Supplemental cash flow information:
  Interest Paid.............................................................  $     2,928.4        $     2,129.9
                                                                              =================    =================
  Income Taxes Paid.........................................................  $       338.2        $        79.1
                                                                              =================    =================

                 See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
</TABLE>

                                       7
<PAGE>

                      THE EQUITABLE COMPANIES INCORPORATED
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                                   (UNAUDITED)


 1)   BASIS OF PRESENTATION

      The preparation of the accompanying  consolidated  financial statements in
      conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions
      (including normal, recurring accruals) 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. These statements should
      be read in conjunction with the consolidated  financial  statements of The
      Equitable for the year ended  December 31, 1996. The results of operations
      for  the  nine  months  ended  September  30,  1997  are  not  necessarily
      indicative of the results to be expected for the full year.

      The terms "third quarter 1997" and "third quarter 1996" refer to the three
      months ended September 30, 1997 and 1996,  respectively.  The terms "first
      nine  months of 1997" and "first  nine  months of 1996"  refer to the nine
      months ended September 30, 1997 and 1996, respectively.

      Certain  reclassifications  have been made in the  amounts  presented  for
      prior periods to conform those periods with the current presentation.

 2)   ACCOUNTING CHANGES AND PRONOUNCEMENTS

      In June 1997, the FASB issued SFAS No. 131, "Disclosures about Segments of
      an  Enterprise  and  Related  Information".   This  statement  establishes
      standards for the way public business enterprises report information about
      operating  segments in annual and interim  financial  statements issued to
      shareholders.  It also establishes standards for related disclosures about
      products and services,  geographic areas and major  customers.  Generally,
      financial information will be required to be reported on the basis used by
      management  for  evaluating  segment  performance  and for deciding how to
      allocate  resources to segments.  This  statement is effective  for fiscal
      years beginning after December 15, 1997 and need not be applied to interim
      reporting  in the initial  year of adoption.  Restatement  of  comparative
      information for earlier periods is required.

      In June 1997,  the FASB  issued  SFAS No.  130,  "Reporting  Comprehensive
      Income". This statement establishes standards for reporting and displaying
      comprehensive  income and its components in a full set of general  purpose
      financial  statements.  This statement  requires an enterprise to classify
      items  of  other  comprehensive  income  by their  nature  in a  financial
      statement  and  display  the  accumulated  balance of other  comprehensive
      income separately from retained earnings and additional paid-in capital in
      the equity section of a statement of financial position. This statement is
      effective   for  fiscal   years   beginning   after   December  15,  1997.
      Reclassification of financial  statements for earlier periods provided for
      comparative purposes is required.

      In February 1997, the FASB issued SFAS No. 128, "Earnings Per Share". This
      statement  simplifies  the  standards  for  computing  earnings  per share
      ("EPS")  previously set forth in APB Opinion No. 15, "Earnings Per Share".
      Basic EPS will replace primary EPS. Basic EPS will be computed by dividing
      income available to common  shareholders by the weighted average number of
      common  shares  outstanding  for the period.  Diluted EPS will be computed
      similarly to the present fully diluted EPS. Dual presentation of basic and
      diluted EPS will be required on the face of the  statement of earnings . A
      reconciliation   of  the  numerator  and  denominator  of  the  basic  EPS
      computation   to  the  numerator  and   denominator  of  the  diluted  EPS
      computation  is also  required.  SFAS No. 128 is effective  for  financial
      statements  issued for periods  ending after  December  15, 1997;  earlier
      application  is not  permitted.  Restatement  of all prior period EPS data
      will be  required.  Had The  Equitable's  EPS  calculations  for the third
      quarter and the first nine months of 1997 been computed on an SFAS No. 128
      basis,  basic  EPS would  have  been  $.87 per share and $2.87 per  share,
      respectively  and diluted EPS would have been $.79 per share and $2.54 per
      share, respectively.  Basic EPS calculations for the third quarter and the
      first nine  months of 1996 on an SFAS No.  128 basis  would have been $.53
      per share and $1.55 per share,  respectively.  Diluted  EPS would not have
      been materially different from reported amounts in 1996.

                                       8
<PAGE>

      In 1996, The Equitable  changed its method of accounting for long-duration
      participating life insurance contracts, primarily within the Closed Block,
      in  accordance  with  the  provisions  prescribed  by SFAS No.  120.  This
      accounting  change,  including its impact on the Closed  Block,  increased
      previously reported earnings from continuing  operations before cumulative
      effect of  accounting  change by $7.4  million and $14.6  million,  net of
      Federal  income taxes of $4.1 million and $7.9 million  ($.04 and $.08 per
      share  assuming  no  dilution  and $.03 and $.06 per share  assuming  full
      dilution),   for  the  third  quarter  and  first  nine  months  of  1996,
      respectively.

 3)   INVESTMENTS

      Investment valuation allowances and changes thereto are shown below:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                         Nine Months Ended
                                                                                           September 30,
                                                                                 -----------------------------------
                                                                                      1997                1996
                                                                                 ---------------     ---------------
                                                                                           (In Millions)
      <S>                                                                        <C>                 <C>        
      Balances, beginning of year............................................... $      137.1        $     325.3
      SFAS No. 121 release......................................................          -               (152.4)
      Additions charged to income...............................................         99.2               88.7
      Deductions for writedowns and asset dispositions..........................        (61.7)            (105.2)
                                                                                 ---------------     ---------------
      Balances, End of Period................................................... $      174.6        $     156.4
                                                                                 ===============     ===============

      Balances, end of period:
        Mortgage loans on real estate........................................... $       51.6        $      93.3
        Equity real estate......................................................        123.0               63.1
                                                                                 ---------------     ---------------
      Total..................................................................... $      174.6        $     156.4
                                                                                 ===============     ===============
</TABLE>

      For the third  quarter and first nine months of 1997 and 1996,  investment
      income is shown net of investment  expenses (including interest expense to
      finance  short-term  trading  instruments)  of  $826.1  million,  $2,355.3
      million, $634.9 million and $1,809.0 million, respectively.

      As  of  September  30,  1997  and  December  31,  1996,  fixed  maturities
      classified as available for sale had amortized costs of $20,129.6  million
      and $18,196.1 million,  fixed maturities in the held to maturity portfolio
      had estimated fair values of $163.5 million and $195.1 million and trading
      account  securities had amortized costs of $17,482.6 million and $15,758.3
      million, respectively. Other equity investments included equity securities
      with  carrying  values of $750.1  million and $614.9  million and costs of
      $732.4 million and $627.5 million, respectively.

      For the first nine months of 1997 and of 1996,  proceeds received on sales
      of fixed maturities  classified as available for sale amounted to $7,600.7
      million and $6,784.1 million, respectively.  Gross gains of $126.4 million
      and $94.9 million and gross losses of $95.2 million and $58.8 million were
      realized  on these  sales for the first  nine  months of 1997 and of 1996,
      respectively.  Unrealized  investment  gains  related to fixed  maturities
      classified as available for sale  increased by $358.8  million  during the
      first nine  months of 1997,  resulting  in a balance of $718.8  million at
      September 30, 1997.

                                       9
<PAGE>

      Impaired  mortgage  loans  along  with the  related  provision  for losses
      follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                 September 30,       December 31,
                                                                                      1997               1996
                                                                                -----------------  -----------------
                                                                                           (In Millions)
      <S>                                                                        <C>                <C>        
      Impaired mortgage loans with provision for losses.......................   $     203.0        $     340.0
      Impaired mortgage loans without provision for losses....................           3.3              122.3
                                                                                ----------------   -----------------
      Recorded investment in impaired mortgage loans..........................         206.3              462.3
      Provision for losses....................................................          47.9               46.4
                                                                                ----------------   -----------------
      Net Impaired Mortgage Loans.............................................   $     158.4        $     415.9
                                                                                ================   =================
</TABLE>

      During  the  first  nine  months  of 1997 and of 1996,  respectively,  The
      Equitable's  average  recorded  investment in impaired  mortgage loans was
      $307.3 million and $548.7  million.  Interest  income  recognized on these
      impaired  mortgage  loans  totaled  $13.3  million and $30.9 million ($1.5
      million and $13.7  million  recognized on a cash basis) for the first nine
      months of 1997 and of 1996, respectively.

 4)   SECURITIES SOLD UNDER REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS

      Securities  sold under  repurchase  agreements  are  treated as  financing
      transactions   and  carried  at  the  amounts  at  which  the   securities
      subsequently  will  be  reacquired  in the  respective  agreements.  These
      agreements with  counterparties  were  collateralized  principally by U.S.
      government  securities.  The weighted average interest rates on securities
      sold under  repurchase  agreements  were 5.98% and 6.08% at September  30,
      1997 and December 31, 1996, respectively.

 5)   ALLIANCE - CURSITOR TRANSACTION

      On February  29,  1996,  Alliance  acquired  the  business of Cursitor for
      approximately  $159.0 million. The purchase price consisted of 1.8 million
      Alliance  Units,  $94.3  million in cash,  $21.5  million in notes payable
      ratably over four years and  substantial  additional  consideration  which
      will be determined at a later date. The Equitable recognized an investment
      gain of $20.6  million as a result of the  issuance of  Alliance  Units in
      this transaction.

      On June 30,  1997,  Alliance  reduced the  recorded  value of goodwill and
      contracts  associated  with  Alliance's  acquisition of Cursitor by $120.9
      million.  This charge reflected Alliance's view that Cursitor's continuing
      decline  in  assets  under  management  and  its  reduced   profitability,
      resulting from relative investment  underperformance,  no longer supported
      the  carrying  value  of its  investment.  As a  result,  The  Equitable's
      earnings from continuing operations before cumulative effect of accounting
      change  for the  first  nine  months  of 1997  included  a charge of $59.5
      million, net of a Federal income tax benefit of $10.0 million and minority
      interest of $51.4 million.

      In  addition  to its 1%  general  partnership  interest  in  Alliance,  at
      September 30, 1997, The Equitable  owned  approximately  57.0% of Alliance
      Units.

                                       10
<PAGE>

 6)   CLOSED BLOCK

      Summarized financial information of the Closed Block is as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                               September 30,         December 31,
                                                                                    1997                 1996
                                                                              -----------------    -----------------
                                                                                          (In Millions)
      <S>                                                                     <C>                  <C>    
      Assets
      Fixed maturities:
        Available for sale, at estimated fair value (amortized cost of
          $4,101.5 and $3,820.7)............................................. $     4,236.7        $     3,889.5
      Mortgage loans on real estate..........................................       1,393.4              1,380.7
      Policy loans...........................................................       1,715.2              1,765.9
      Cash and other invested assets.........................................         300.8                336.1
      Deferred policy acquisition costs......................................         794.2                876.5
      Other assets...........................................................         235.7                246.3
                                                                              -----------------    -----------------
      Total Assets........................................................... $     8,676.0        $     8,495.0
                                                                              =================    =================

      Liabilities
      Future policy benefits and other policyholders' account balances....... $     8,976.0        $     8,999.7
      Other liabilities......................................................         220.3                 91.6
                                                                              -----------------    -----------------
      Total Liabilities...................................................... $     9,196.3        $     9,091.3
                                                                              =================    =================
</TABLE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                       Three Months Ended                 Nine Months Ended
                                                         September 30,                      September 30,
                                                ---------------------------------  ---------------------------------
                                                     1997              1996             1997              1996
                                                ---------------   ---------------  ---------------   ---------------
                                                                           (In Millions)
      <S>                                       <C>               <C>             <C>                <C>
      Revenues
      Premiums and other income................ $      161.4      $     171.3      $      510.8      $      539.1
      Investment income (net of investment
        expenses of $6.5, $6.9, $21.3 and
        $21.0).................................        145.8            140.2             424.1             408.4
      Investment (losses) gains, net...........          (.4)            (4.6)              5.0             (13.2)
                                                ---------------   ---------------  ---------------   ---------------
      Total revenues...........................        306.8            306.9             939.9             934.3
                                                ---------------   ---------------  ---------------   ---------------

      Benefits and Other Deductions
      Policyholders' benefits and dividends....        258.7            263.8             795.5             817.9
      Other operating costs and expenses.......         18.0              7.3              48.8              21.3
                                                ---------------   ---------------  ---------------   ---------------
      Total benefits and other deductions......        276.7            271.1             844.3             839.2
                                                ---------------   ---------------  ---------------   ---------------

      Contribution from the Closed Block....... $       30.1      $      35.8      $       95.6      $       95.1
                                                ===============   ===============  ===============   ===============
</TABLE>

      Investment  valuation  allowances  amounted  to $13.6  million  and  $13.8
      million on mortgage loans and $2.7 million and $3.7 million on equity real
      estate at September  30, 1997 and December  31,  1996,  respectively.  The
      adoption of SFAS No. 121 at January 1, 1996 resulted in the recognition of
      impairment losses of $5.6 million on real estate held and used.

                                       11
<PAGE>

      Impaired  mortgage loans (as defined under SFAS No. 114) along with the 
      related  provision for losses were as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                               September 30,       December 31,
                                                                                    1997               1996
                                                                              -----------------  -----------------
                                                                                         (In Millions)
      <S>                                                                      <C>                <C>           
      Impaired mortgage loans with provision for losses......................  $       106.0      $        128.1
      Impaired mortgage loans without provision for losses...................             .1                  .6
                                                                              -----------------  -----------------
      Recorded investment in impaired mortgages..............................          106.1               128.7
      Provision for losses...................................................           13.1                12.9
                                                                              -----------------  -----------------
      Net Impaired Mortgage Loans............................................  $        93.0      $        115.8
                                                                              =================  =================
</TABLE>

      During the first nine months of 1997 and of 1996, respectively, the Closed
      Block's average recorded  investment in impaired mortgage loans was $115.0
      million and $131.1 million.  Interest income  recognized on these impaired
      mortgage  loans  totaled $6.7 million and $8.7 million  ($2.8  million and
      $3.6 million recognized on a cash basis) for the first nine months of 1997
      and of 1996, respectively.

 7)   DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS

      Summarized financial information for the GIC Segment is as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                               September 30,         December 31,
                                                                                    1997                 1996
                                                                              -----------------    -----------------
                                                                                          (In Millions)
      <S>                                                                     <C>                  <C>
      Assets
      Mortgage loans on real estate.......................................... $       872.1        $     1,111.1
      Equity real estate.....................................................         853.6                925.6
      Cash and other invested assets.........................................         242.5                474.0
      Other assets...........................................................         214.2                226.1
                                                                              -----------------    -----------------
      Total Assets........................................................... $     2,182.4        $     2,736.8
                                                                              =================    =================

      Liabilities
      Policyholders' liabilities............................................. $     1,094.3        $     1,335.9
      Allowance for future losses............................................         276.3                262.0
      Amounts due to continuing operations...................................         657.1                996.2
      Other liabilities......................................................         154.7                142.7
                                                                              -----------------    -----------------
      Total Liabilities...................................................... $     2,182.4        $     2,736.8
                                                                              =================    =================
</TABLE>

                                       12
<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                       Three Months Ended                 Nine Months Ended
                                                         September 30,                      September 30,
                                                ---------------------------------  ---------------------------------
                                                     1997              1996             1997              1996
                                                ---------------   ---------------  ---------------   ---------------
                                                                           (In Millions)
      <S>                                       <C>              <C>              <C>                <C>   
      Revenues
      Investment income (net of investment
        expenses of $23.7, $31.8, $73.3
        and $96.1)............................. $       49.9      $      50.2      $      128.3      $      182.4
      Investment losses, net...................          (.4)            (6.2)             (4.5)            (23.8)
      Policy fees, premiums and other
        income, net............................          -                 .1                .1                .2
                                                ---------------   ---------------  ---------------   ---------------
      Total revenues...........................         49.5             44.1             123.9             158.8

      Benefits and Other Deductions............         40.8             56.9             131.4             196.2
      Earnings credited (losses charged)
        to allowance for future losses.........          8.7            (12.8)             (7.5)            (37.4)
                                                ---------------   ---------------  ---------------   ---------------
      Pre-tax loss from operations.............          -                -                 -                 -
      Pre-tax loss from strengthening of
        the allowance for future losses........          (.4)             -                (4.5)              -
      Federal income tax benefit...............           .2              -                 1.6               -
                                                ---------------   ---------------  ---------------   ---------------
      Loss from Discontinued Operations........ $        (.2)     $       -        $       (2.9)     $        -
                                                ===============   ===============  ===============   ===============
</TABLE>

      The  Equitable's  quarterly  process for  evaluating  the loss  provisions
      applies the current  period's results of discontinued  operations  against
      the allowance,  re-estimates future losses, and adjusts the provisions, if
      appropriate. The evaluation performed as of September 30, 1997 resulted in
      management's decision to strengthen the loss provisions by $.4 million for
      third quarter 1997 to $4.5 million, resulting in a post-tax charge of $2.9
      million to  discontinued  operations'  results for the nine  months  ended
      September 30, 1997.

      Management  believes the loss  provisions  for Wind-Up  Annuities  and GIC
      contracts  at  September  30, 1997 are  adequate to provide for all future
      losses; however, the determination of loss provisions continues to involve
      numerous  estimates  and  subjective   judgments  regarding  the  expected
      performance of discontinued  operations investment assets. There can be no
      assurance  the  losses  provided  for will  not  differ  from  the  losses
      ultimately realized. To the extent actual results or future projections of
      discontinued  operations differ from  management's  current best estimates
      and assumptions  underlying the loss  provisions,  the difference would be
      reflected  as  earnings  (loss)  from   discontinued   operations  in  the
      consolidated statements of earnings. In particular,  to the extent income,
      sales  proceeds  and holding  periods  for equity real estate  differ from
      management's  previous  assumptions,  periodic  adjustments  to  the  loss
      provisions are likely to result.

      Investment  valuation allowances amounted to $5.0 million and $9.0 million
      on  mortgage  loans and $19.9  million  and $20.4  million on equity  real
      estate at September  30, 1997 and December 31, 1996,  respectively.  As of
      January 1, 1996,  the  adoption  of SFAS No. 121  resulted in a release of
      existing  valuation  allowances of $71.9 million on equity real estate and
      recognition of impairment  losses of $69.8 million on real estate held and
      used.

                                       13
<PAGE>

      Impaired  mortgage loans (as defined under SFAS No. 114) along with the 
      related  provision for losses were as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                               September 30,       December 31,
                                                                                    1997               1996
                                                                              -----------------  -----------------
                                                                                         (In Millions)
      <S>                                                                      <C>                <C>         
      Impaired mortgage loans with provision for losses......................  $      75.8        $       83.5
      Impaired mortgage loans without provision for losses...................           .3                15.0
                                                                              -----------------  -----------------
      Recorded investment in impaired mortgages..............................         76.1                98.5
      Provision for losses...................................................          5.0                 8.8
                                                                              -----------------  -----------------
      Net Impaired Mortgage Loans............................................  $      71.1        $       89.7
                                                                              =================  =================
</TABLE>

      During  the  first  nine  months  of 1997 and of 1996,  the GIC  Segment's
      average recorded  investment in impaired  mortgage loans was $88.4 million
      and $140.9  million,  respectively.  Interest  income  recognized on these
      impaired  mortgage  loans  totaled  $4.6  million and $8.1  million  ($3.5
      million and $6.0  million  recognized  on a cash basis) for the first nine
      months of 1997 and of 1996, respectively.

      Benefits and other deductions included $12.7 million, $42.4 million, $23.3
      million and $94.8 million of interest  expense related to amounts borrowed
      from continuing  operations for the third quarter and first nine months of
      1997 and of 1996, respectively.

 8)   FEDERAL INCOME TAXES

      Federal  income  taxes for interim  periods  have been  computed  using an
      estimated annual  effective tax rate. This rate is revised,  if necessary,
      at the end of each  successive  interim  period  to  reflect  the  current
      estimate of the annual effective tax rate.

 9)   CAPITAL STOCK

      In December  1993,  the Holding  Company  established  a SECT to provide a
      source of  funding  for a portion  of  obligations  arising  from  various
      employee compensation and benefits programs of subsidiaries. At that time,
      the Holding  Company sold 60,000 shares of Series D Preferred Stock to the
      SECT. Periodically, the SECT is required to distribute an amount of Series
      D Preferred Stock (or Common Stock issued on conversion  thereof) based on
      a predetermined formula. In April 1996, the Holding Company had registered
      with the SEC  approximately  11.9 million  shares of Common Stock issuable
      upon conversion of shares of Series D Preferred Stock held by the SECT. In
      July 1997,  the SECT  released  8,040  shares of Series D Preferred  Stock
      which  were  converted  into 1.6  million  shares  of  Common  Stock.  AXA
      purchased  960,000 shares  directly  while the remaining  shares were sold
      through an agent to the public. The net proceeds of the sale totaled $54.8
      million, increasing shareholders' equity by this amount.

      On August 4, 1997,  the Holding  Company  redeemed in full $364.2  million
      principal amount of its 6.125%  Subordinated  Debentures due 2024,  50,017
      shares  of its  Series C and  822,460  shares  of its  Series E  Preferred
      Stocks.  Upon  redemption  of all  Subordinated  Debentures  and shares of
      Series C and E Preferred  Stocks,  approximately  32.5 million  additional
      shares of Common Stock were issued by the Holding Company.  Holders of the
      Series C and E  Preferred  Stocks  received  cash  representing  dividends
      accrued from the prior dividend  payment date through the date of sale. As
      a result of those transactions,  shareholders'  equity increased by $339.7
      million.

      Supplementary  net  earnings  per share,  computed as if the  transactions
      discussed  above had  occurred  as of  January  1, 1997 for the first nine
      months  of 1997 and as of July 1,  1997 for the  third  quarter  1997 were
      $2.51 and $.80 per share assuming no dilution and $2.49 and $.79 per share
      assuming full dilution, respectively.

                                       14
<PAGE>

10)   SALE OF SUBSIDIARIES

      On June 10, 1997, Equitable Life sold Equitable Real Estate (other than EQ
      Services,  Inc. and its interest in Column  Financial,  Inc.) ("EREIM") to
      Lend  Lease  Corporation   Limited  ("Lend  Lease"),  a  publicly  traded,
      international  property and  financial  services  company based in Sydney,
      Australia.  The total  purchase  price was $400.0 million and consisted of
      $300.0  million in cash and a $100.0  million note maturing in eight years
      and bearing interest at the rate of 7.4%, subject to certain  adjustments.
      The  Equitable  recognized an investment  gain of $162.4  million,  net of
      Federal  income  tax of $87.4  million  as a result  of this  transaction.
      Equitable Life entered into long-term  advisory  agreements  whereby EREIM
      will  continue to provide  substantially  the same  services to  Equitable
      Life's General Account and Separate  Accounts,  for substantially the same
      fees, as provided prior to the sale.

      Through June 10, 1997 and the year ended December 31, 1996,  respectively,
      the businesses sold reported combined revenues of $91.6 million and $226.1
      million and  combined  net  earnings of $10.7  million and $30.7  million.
      Total  combined  assets and  liabilities  as reported at December 31, 1996
      were $171.8 million and $130.1 million, respectively.

11)   RESTRUCTURING COSTS

      During the first nine months of 1997 and of 1996,  The Equitable  recorded
      pre-tax  provisions  of  $42.4  million  and $2.6  million,  respectively,
      primarily for employee termination and exit costs. The amounts paid during
      the first nine months of 1997 totaled  $19.3  million.  At  September  30,
      1997, the liabilities  included costs related to employee  termination and
      exit costs, the termination of operating  leases and the  consolidation of
      insurance operations' service centers and amounted to $65.4 million.

                                       15
<PAGE>

12)   COMPUTATION OF PER SHARE EARNINGS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                       Three Months Ended                 Nine Months Ended
                                                         September 30,                      September 30,
                                                ---------------------------------  ---------------------------------
                                                     1997              1996             1997              1996
                                                ---------------   ---------------  ---------------   ---------------
                                                                           (In Millions)
      <S>                                       <C>               <C>              <C>               <C>         
      Net earnings............................. $      186.4      $     104.7      $      575.1      $      307.0
      Less - dividends on preferred stocks.....         (2.2)            (6.7)            (15.6)            (20.0)
      Less - effect of assumed exercise of
        options of publicly held subsidiaries
        assuming no dilution...................         (8.6)             (.9)            (18.6)             (3.8)
                                                ---------------   ---------------  ---------------   ---------------
      Net earnings applicable to common
        shares - assuming no dilution..........        175.6             97.1             540.9             283.2
      Add - dividends on convertible
        preferred stock and interest on
        convertible subordinated debt..........          3.5             10.5              24.5              31.5
      Less - incremental effect of assumed
        exercise of options of publicly held
        subsidiaries assuming full dilution....         (1.1)             -                (7.0)              -
                                                ---------------   ---------------  ---------------   ---------------
      Net Earnings Applicable to Common
        Shares - Assuming Full Dilution........ $      178.0      $     107.6      $      558.4      $      314.7
                                                ===============   ===============  ===============   ===============

      Weighted average common shares
        outstanding - assuming no
        dilution(1)............................        211.1            185.5             194.8             185.2
      Add - assumed exercise of stock
        options................................          2.7              1.3               2.2               1.2
      Add - assumed conversion of
        convertible preferred stock............          5.9             17.8              13.9              17.8
      Add - assumed conversion of
        convertible subordinated debt..........          4.9             14.7              11.4              14.7
                                                ---------------   ---------------  ---------------   ---------------
      Weighted Average Shares
        Outstanding - Assuming
        Full Dilution..........................        224.6            219.3             222.3             218.9
                                                ===============   ===============  ===============   ===============

<FN>
    (1) The Equitable's stock options were not included because their effect
        was less than 3%.
</FN>
</TABLE>

      Shares of the Series D Convertible Preferred Stock (or common stock issued
      on  conversion  thereof)  are  not  considered  to be  outstanding  in the
      computation  of weighted  average  shares of common stock until the shares
      are allocated to fund the obligations for which the SECT was established.

13)   LITIGATION

      There  have  been  no new  material  legal  proceedings  and  no  material
      developments in matters which were previously  reported in The Equitable's
      Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for the year ended December 31,
      1996, except as follows:

      On September 12, 1997,  the United States  District Court for the Northern
      District of Alabama, Southern Division,  entered an order certifying James
      Brown   as  the   representative   of  a  class   consisting   of   "[a]ll
      African-Americans  who  applied but were not hired for,  were  discouraged
      from  applying  for, or would have applied for the position of Sales Agent
      in the absence of the discriminatory  practices,  and/or procedures in the
      Southern Region of The  Equitable  from May 16, 1987 to the present." The


                                       16
<PAGE>

      second amended  complaint in James W. Brown, on behalf of others similarly
      situated v. The Equitable  Life  Assurance  Society of the United  States,
      alleges,  among other things,  that  Equitable Life  discriminated  on the
      basis of race against African-American applicants and potential applicants
      in hiring  individuals  as sales  agents.  Plaintiffs  seek a  declaratory
      judgment and affirmative  and negative  injunctive  relief,  including the
      payment of back-pay, pension and other compensation.  Although the outcome
      of any litigation  cannot be predicted  with  certainty,  The  Equitable's
      management believes that the ultimate resolution of this matter should not
      have a material adverse effect on the financial position of The Equitable.
      The  Equitable's  management  cannot make an estimate of loss,  if any, or
      predict whether or not such matter will have a material  adverse effect on
      The Equitable's results of operations in any particular period.

      On September 11, 1997, an action  entitled  Pamela L. and James A. Luther,
      individually and as  representatives  of all people similarly  situated v.
      The Equitable Life Assurance  Society of the United States,  The Equitable
      Companies Incorporated,  and Casey Cammack,  individually and as agent for
      The  Equitable  Life  Assurance  Society  of the  United  States  and  The
      Equitable Companies  Incorporated,  No. 97-2009B, was filed in Texas state
      court.  Plaintiffs  purport to  represent  a  nationwide  class of persons
      having an ownership or  beneficial  interest in whole and  universal  life
      policies  issued by Equitable  Life from January 1, 1982 through  December
      31,  1996.  Also  included in the  purported  class are persons  having an
      ownership  interest in variable  annuities  purchased  from Equitable Life
      from  January 1, 1992 to the  present.  The basis of the  complaint is the
      allegation that uniform sales presentations,  illustrations, and materials
      which  misrepresented  the stated number of years that premiums would need
      to be paid  were  used to sell  whole  and  universal  life  policies  and
      variable  annuities.  The complaint  further  alleges that  Equitable Life
      agents  misrepresented  the  extent to which the  policies  at issue  were
      proper  replacement   policies.   Plaintiffs  seek  compensatory  damages,
      attorneys' fees and expenses. On October 20, 1997, Equitable Life served a
      general  denial of the  allegations.  The same day,  the  Holding  Company
      entered a special appearance  contesting the court's jurisdiction over it.
      Although the outcome of any litigation cannot be predicted with certainty,
      particularly in the early stages of an action, The Equitable's  management
      believes  that the  ultimate  resolution  of the action  should not have a
      material adverse effect on the financial position of The Equitable. Due to
      the early stage of this matter, The Equitable's  management cannot make an
      estimate of loss, if any, or predict  whether or not such matter will have
      a material adverse effect on The Equitable's  results of operations in any
      particular period.

      In Cole,  the Court  extended the time for filing a Note of Issue (placing
      the case on the trial calendar) to January 5, 1998. The Court  rescheduled
      a  conference  to  schedule a trial  date to  January 8, 1998.  Briefs for
      plaintiffs' motion for class certification have been filed with the Court.
      A hearing on plaintiffs' motion for class  certification will be scheduled
      at the discretion of the Court.  The plaintiffs  filed their memorandum of
      law and affidavits in support of their motion for class  certification  on
      June 30, 1997. That memorandum indicates that plaintiffs seek to certify a
      class  solely  on their  breach of  contract  claim,  not their  negligent
      misrepresentation  claim. On August 11, 1997, Equitable Life and EOC moved
      for summary judgment dismissing  plaintiffs' remaining claims of breach of
      contract and  negligent  misrepresentation.  Briefs on Equitable  Life and
      EOC's motion for summary judgment have been filed with the Court.

      In Duncan,  plaintiff  moved to have the action  certified as a nationwide
      class action with two plaintiff  subgroups:  one comprising those alleging
      misrepresentations  concerning  the extent to which  their  policies  were
      proper  replacement  policies,  and the other  comprising  those  alleging
      misrepresentations  concerning the number of years that the annual premium
      would need to be paid. Equitable Life will oppose the motion. Discovery as
      to class certification has begun. On September 23, 1997, with leave of the
      court,  plaintiff  filed a second amended  petition  naming six additional
      plaintiffs and three new individual  defendant agents.  Plaintiffs purport
      to represent a class of all persons who purchased  whole or universal life
      insurance  policies from  Equitable Life from January 1, 1981 through July
      22, 1992. Plaintiffs also allege  misrepresentation  concerning a policy's
      suitability  as an  investment  vehicle.  Plaintiffs  seek  damages  in an
      unspecified   amount.  On  October  20,  1997,   Equitable  Life  asserted
      deficiencies  of venue  and  vagueness  in  pleading  the  second  amended
      complaint and filed a motion to strike certain allegations.

                                       17
<PAGE>

      In  Bradley,  on March 3,  1997,  EVLICO  served a notice of appeal of the
      Court's order denying  EVLICO's motion to remove the Bradley action to New
      York  County  and to  consolidate  or  jointly  try the Cole  and  Bradley
      actions.  Hearings on plaintiff's  motion for class  certification are not
      expected to be held until early in 1998.

      In Dillon,  on February 24, 1997,  Equitable Life and EOC moved to dismiss
      the complaint on several  grounds.  On May 12, 1997,  plaintiffs  served a
      motion for class certification. On July 10, 1997, the parties submitted to
      the  Court  a  Joint  Scheduling  Report,  Joint  Scheduling  Order  and a
      Stipulation  Governing The Confidential  Treatment of Discovery  Material.
      The Court signed the latter stipulation, and the others remain sub judice.
      Oral  argument is  scheduled  for January 16, 1998 on  Equitable  Life and
      EOC's motion to dismiss the complaint.

      In Chaviano,  plaintiff  filed an amended  complaint on April 14, 1997. On
      July 14,  1997,  Equitable  Life  served a motion to dismiss  the  amended
      complaint or, in the alternative,  for summary judgment.  On September 12,
      1997, plaintiff moved for class certification.

      In  Bowler,  Equitable  Life has  filed its reply  brief,  urging  summary
      judgment  on all  claims  but  one.  Issues  of  fact  are  raised  by one
      plaintiff's  claim  (that he was misled by the  representation  concerning
      state approval),  and accordingly this claim only could not be resolved on
      summary  judgment.  The  summary  judgment  motion is now  under  judicial
      review.

      In Bachman,  plaintiff  filed its response to the summary  judgment motion
      and  Equitable  Life asked  permission to file a reply brief in support of
      its motion for summary judgment and for oral argument.

      In Fletcher,  on April 24, 1997, the magistrate granted plaintiffs' remand
      motion,  and Equitable  Life has filed an  application  with the judge for
      reconsideration.  Equitable  Life's time to answer the  complaint has been
      extended  until 30 days after the Court's final  resolution of plaintiffs'
      remand motion.

      In each of the Bowler, Bachman and Fletcher actions, proceedings have been
      stayed,  and in the previously  reported Golomb action plaintiff's time to
      perfect  the  appeal  has  been  extended,  in  each  instance  to  permit
      settlement  discussions.  There can be no assurance that these discussions
      will result in one or more settlement agreements,  or if so what the terms
      of any settlement would be.

      In connection with the previously reported  investigation  relating to the
      Prime Property Fund ("PPF") by the U.S.  Department of Labor ("DOL"),  the
      DOL has made no specific  allegation that Equitable Life or Equitable Real
      Estate  Investment   Management,   Inc.  ("EREIM")  acted  improperly  and
      Equitable Life and EREIM believe that any such allegation would be without
      foundation.  Equitable  Life agreed to  indemnify  the  purchaser of EREIM
      (which  Equitable  Life sold in June  1997)  with  respect  to any  fines,
      penalties  and rebates to clients in connection  with this  investigation.
      While  the  outcome  of  this  investigation   cannot  be  predicted  with
      certainty,  in the opinion of management,  the ultimate resolution of this
      matter  should  not have a  material  adverse  effect  on The  Equitable's
      consolidated financial position or results of operations in any particular
      period.

      In connection with the previously  reported  actions  relating to Harrah's
      Jazz Company and Harrah's Jazz Finance Corp., the parties to these actions
      have agreed to a settlement,  subject to the approval of the U.S. District
      Court for the Eastern  District of Louisiana which was granted on July 31,
      1997.  The settlement is also subject to the approval by the United States
      Bankruptcy  Court  for the  Eastern  District  of  Louisiana  of  proposed
      modifications  to a confirmed  plan of  reorganization  for Harrah's  Jazz
      Company and Harrah's Jazz Finance Corp., and the satisfaction or waiver of
      all conditions to the effectiveness of the plan. There can be no assurance
      of the Bankruptcy  Court's  approval of the  modifications  to the plan of
      reorganization,  or that the conditions to the  effectiveness  of the plan
      will be  satisfied  or waived.  In the  opinion of DLJ's  management,  the
      settlement,  if approved, will not have a material adverse effect on DLJ's
      results of operations or on its consolidated financial condition.

                                       18
<PAGE>

      On May 2,  1997,  DLJ  was  named  as a  defendant  in the  First  Amended
      Derivative  Complaint in James G. Caven v.  Charles R. Miller,  et al., an
      action in the United States  District  Court for the Southern  District of
      Texas. The action is a derivative  action  allegedly  brought on behalf of
      Paracelsus Healthcare Corporation ("Paracelsus"), and in turn on behalf of
      Champion   Healthcare   Corporation   ("Champion"),   in  connection  with
      Champion's  merger with  Paracelsus  on or about  August 16,  1996.  Other
      defendants  named  in the  amended  complaint  are  certain  officers  and
      directors  of Champion,  Paracelsus,  certain  officers  and  directors of
      Paracelsus, and Paracelsus' outside auditors. The plaintiff in this action
      filed a notice of voluntary  dismissal  without  prejudice  with regard to
      DLJ, which was approved by the Court by order dated October 14, 1997.

      On August 15, 1997, DLJ was named a defendant in Robert Orovitz v. Charles
      R. Miller,  et al., an action in the United Stated  District  Court of the
      Southern   District  of  Texas.   The   allegations  in  this  action  are
      substantially  similar  to  the  allegations  in  the  Caven  action.  The
      plaintiff  in  Orovitz  filed a  notice  of  voluntary  dismissal  without
      prejudice  with  regard to DLJ,  which was  approved by the Court by order
      dated October 28, 1997.

      On July 15, 1997, in the action  relating to the Alliance  North  American
      Government  Income  Trust,  Inc.,  the District  Court denied  plaintiffs'
      motion for leave to file an amended complaint and ordered that the case be
      dismissed (the  "Decision").  On October 29, 1997, the United States Court
      of Appeals  for the Second  Circuit  dismissed  plaintiffs'  appeal of the
      Decision as premature  on the grounds  that the  District  Court failed to
      enter a final  judgment in respect of the  Decision.  The Court of Appeals
      remanded the case back to the District Court with  instructions to enter a
      final judgment in respect of the Decision.

      In addition to the matters  previously  reported and the matters described
      above,  the Holding Company and its  subsidiaries  are involved in various
      legal actions and proceedings in connection with their businesses. Some of
      the actions and proceedings have been brought on behalf of various alleged
      classes of  claimants  and  certain  of these  claimants  seek  damages of
      unspecified amounts.  While the ultimate outcome of such matters cannot be
      predicted with  certainty,  in the opinion of management no such matter is
      likely to have a material  adverse effect on The Equitable's  consolidated
      financial position or results of operations.

14)   BUSINESS SEGMENT INFORMATION
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                       Three Months Ended                 Nine Months Ended
                                                         September 30,                      September 30,
                                                ---------------------------------  ---------------------------------
                                                     1997              1996             1997              1996
                                                ---------------   ---------------  ---------------   ---------------
                                                                           (In Millions)
      <S>                                       <C>               <C>             <C>                <C>
      Revenues
      Insurance Operations..................... $      996.5      $     941.8      $    2,986.2      $    2,787.4
      Investment Services......................      1,527.0          1,022.1           4,357.8           3,295.5
      Corporate and Other......................         11.3             12.8              34.5              40.6
      Consolidation/elimination................         (7.2)           (10.0)            (25.6)            (29.1)
                                                ---------------   ---------------  ---------------   ---------------
      Total.................................... $    2,527.6      $   1,966.7      $    7,352.9      $    6,094.4
                                                ===============   ===============  ===============   ===============

</TABLE>

                                       19
<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                       Three Months Ended                 Nine Months Ended
                                                         September 30,                      September 30,
                                                ---------------------------------  ---------------------------------
                                                     1997              1996             1997              1996
                                                ---------------   ---------------  ---------------   ---------------
                                                                           (In Millions)
      <S>                                       <C>              <C>              <C>               <C>  
      Earnings from Continuing Operations
        before Federal Income Taxes,
        Minority Interest and Cumulative
        Effect of Accounting Change
      Insurance Operations..................... $      152.6      $      99.7      $      402.1      $      257.7
      Investment Services......................        240.5            135.5             755.5             487.3
      Corporate and Other......................          4.1              5.6               9.7              15.0
      Consolidation/elimination................          (.4)             (.4)             (1.3)               .7
                                                ---------------   ---------------  ---------------   ---------------
        Subtotal...............................        396.8            240.4           1,166.0             760.7
      Corporate interest expense...............        (30.2)           (35.5)            (99.2)           (104.5)
                                                ---------------   ---------------  ---------------   ---------------
      Total.................................... $      366.6      $     204.9      $    1,066.8      $      656.2
                                                ===============   ===============  ===============   ===============
</TABLE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                               September 30,         December 31,
                                                                                    1997                 1996
                                                                              -----------------    -----------------
                                                                                          (In Millions)
      <S>                                                                     <C>                 <C>          
      Assets
      Insurance Operations................................................... $    69,483.1        $    60,464.9
      Investment Services....................................................      85,975.9             68,205.3
      Corporate and Other....................................................         647.5                774.3
      Consolidation/elimination..............................................        (544.3)              (633.3)
                                                                              -----------------    -----------------
      Total.................................................................. $   155,562.2        $   128,811.2
                                                                              =================    =================
</TABLE>

                                       20
<PAGE>

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


The following  analysis of the consolidated  results of operations and financial
condition of The Equitable  should be read in conjunction  with the Consolidated
Financial Statements and the related Notes to Consolidated  Financial Statements
included  elsewhere  herein,  and with the Management's  Discussion and Analysis
section  included in The Equitable's  1996 Report on Form 10-K. The terms "third
quarter 1997" and "third quarter 1996" refer to the three months ended September
30,  1997 and 1996,  respectively.  The terms  "first  nine  months of 1997" and
"first nine months of 1996" refer to the nine months  ended  September  30, 1997
and 1996, respectively.

Closed Block

The  contribution  from  the  Closed  Block  is  reported  on  one  line  in the
consolidated statements of earnings. The Closed Block includes revenues, benefit
payments,  dividends  and premium taxes  applicable to policies  included in the
Closed Block but excludes many costs and expenses  associated with operating the
Closed  Block and  administering  the  policies  included  therein.  Since  many
expenses  related to the Closed Block were excluded from the  calculation of the
Closed  Block  contribution,  the  contribution  from the Closed  Block does not
represent the actual profitability of the Closed Block.

CONSOLIDATED RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The following  table  presents the  consolidated  results of operations  for the
periods noted.  In this  presentation,  the  contribution of the Closed Block is
combined on a line-by-line  basis with the results of operations  outside of the
Closed  Block.  The  Insurance  Operations  analysis,  which  begins on page 23,
likewise  includes a table  presenting  the combined  Closed Block  amounts on a
line-by-line basis.  Management's discussion and analysis addresses the combined
results of operations unless noted otherwise. The Investment Services discussion
begins on page 26.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                       Three Months Ended                 Nine Months Ended
                                                         September 30,                      September 30,
                                                ---------------------------------  ---------------------------------
                                                     1997             1996              1997              1996
                                                ---------------  ----------------  ---------------   ---------------
                                                                           (In Millions)
<S>                                             <C>              <C>               <C>               <C>        
Consolidated Results of Continuing Operations(1)

Policy fee income and premiums................  $      539.0     $      537.3      $    1,647.5      $   1,628.7
Net investment income.........................       1,145.9            973.6           3,266.8          2,846.0
Investment gains, net.........................         213.4             87.2             830.9            451.3
Commissions, fees and other income............         906.0            639.7           2,452.0          2,007.6
                                                ---------------  ----------------  ---------------   ---------------
  Total revenues..............................       2,804.3          2,237.8           8,197.2          6,933.6

Total benefits and other deductions...........       2,437.7          2,032.9           7,130.4          6,277.4
                                                ---------------  ----------------  ---------------   ---------------
Earnings from continuing operations before
  Federal income taxes, minority interest and
  cumulative effect of accounting change......         366.6            204.9           1,066.8            656.2
Federal income taxes..........................         116.5             61.3             376.2            198.2
Minority interest in net income of
  consolidated subsidiaries...................          63.5             38.9             112.6            127.9
                                                ---------------  ----------------  ---------------   ---------------

Earnings from Continuing Operations
  before Cumulative Effect of
  Accounting Change...........................  $      186.6     $      104.7      $      578.0      $     330.1
                                                ===============  ================  ===============   ===============

<FN>

(1) Includes the Closed Block on a line-by-line basis.
</FN>
</TABLE>

                                       21
<PAGE>

Continuing Operations

Compared to the comparable 1996 period, the higher pre-tax results of continuing
operations  for the first nine months of 1997 reflected  increased  earnings for
Investment  Services and Insurance  Operations.  The $1.26  billion  increase in
revenues for the first nine months of 1997 compared to the corresponding  period
in 1996 was  attributed  primarily to an $800.4  million  increase in investment
results  which  included  the gain on the second  quarter  1997 sale of EREIM of
$252.1 million and to a $444.4 million  increase in commissions,  fees and other
income   principally  due  to  increased  business  activity  within  Investment
Services.

Net investment income increased $420.8 million for the first nine months of 1997
principally due to increases of $333.2 million and $101.2 million, respectively,
for  Investment  Services and  Insurance  Operations.  The  Investment  Services
increase  was  attributed  to  higher  business  activity  while  the  Insurance
Operations  increase  was due to higher  overall  investment  yields,  primarily
attributable to other equity investments, as well as due to a larger asset base.

Investment  gains  increased by $379.6 million for the first nine months of 1997
from  $451.3  million for the same  period in 1996.  There was a $252.1  million
gross  gain  recognized  on the  sale  of  EREIM  during  second  quarter  1997.
Investment  gains at DLJ  increased  by $68.3  million  with  higher  dealer and
trading gains of $35.0 million and higher gains of $33.3 million on other equity
investments.  The gains on other equity  investments  in 1996 included a gain of
$79.4  million  on the  sale  of the  remaining  shares  of a  single  corporate
development  portfolio  investment.  Also in 1996,  a gain of $20.6  million was
recognized  as a result of the issuance of Alliance  Units to third parties upon
completion of the Cursitor  acquisition.  There were  investment  gains of $20.2
million on General  Account  Investment  Assets as  compared  to losses of $55.1
million in the first nine months of 1996.

For the first nine months of 1997, total benefits and other deductions increased
by $853.0 million from the comparable  period in 1996,  reflecting  increases in
other operating costs and expenses of $946.8 million and a $9.0 million increase
in  interest  credited to  policyholders  partially  offset by a $102.8  million
decrease in policyholders'  benefits.  The increase in other operating costs and
expenses was  attributable  to increased  costs of $794.1  million in Investment
Services and a $153.3 million increase in Insurance  Operations primarily due to
increases in DAC amortization and in the provision for employee  termination and
exit costs recorded in the second quarter.

The $178.0  million  increase in Federal income taxes was due to the increase in
earnings  from  continuing  operations.  Minority  interest  in  net  income  of
consolidated  subsidiaries was lower principally due to the effect of Alliance's
second quarter 1997 write down of the carrying value of the Cursitor  intangible
assets.  See "Combined Results of Continuing  Operations by Segment - Investment
Services".

Discontinued Operations

The  Equitable's  quarterly  evaluation  of the GIC  Segment's  loss  provisions
applies the current period's results of the discontinued  operations against the
allowance,   re-estimates   future  losses  and  adjusts  the   provisions,   if
appropriate.  The  evaluation  performed  at  September  30,  1997  resulted  in
management's  decision  to  strengthen  the  loss  provisions  by $0.4  million,
resulting in a year-to-date $4.5 million total increase. The factor contributing
to the net  strengthening  in the  first  nine  months of 1997 was  higher  than
anticipated investment losses, principally on other equity investments.

Excluding the effect of the aforementioned reserve  strengthening,  $7.5 million
of pre-tax  losses were incurred and charged to the GIC Segment's  allowance for
future  losses in the first nine months of 1997 as compared to $37.4  million in
the first nine months of 1996.  Investment  results declined by $34.8 million in
the first  nine  months of 1997 as  compared  to the year  earlier  period.  Net
investment income declined by $54.1 million, principally due to the yield impact
of a significantly  reduced GIC Segment  Investment Asset base. The reduction in
GIC Segment  investments  was primarily due to the  repayments of  approximately
$336.2 million and $1.02 billion of loans from continuing  operations during the
first  nine  months of 1997 and fiscal  1996,  respectively.  Investment  losses


                                       22
<PAGE>

decreased $19.3 million to $4.5 million in the first nine months of 1997.  There
were  $2.9  million  and $0.1  million  of gains on  mortgage  loans  and  fixed
maturities  as compared to $2.7  million and $3.2 million in losses in the first
nine months of 1996, respectively.  Lower losses on equity real estate and other
equity  investments  of $10.0  million  and  $0.4  million,  respectively,  were
reported  for the first  nine  months  of 1997.  Benefits  and other  deductions
declined  by $64.8  million  principally  due to the  aforementioned  1996  loan
repayments  resulting  in the decrease in interest  expense on lower  borrowings
from continuing operations.

COMBINED RESULTS OF CONTINUING OPERATIONS BY SEGMENT

Insurance Operations

The Closed Block is part of Insurance  Operations.  The following table combines
the Closed Block amounts with the reported results of operations  outside of the
Closed Block on a line-by-line basis.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                              Insurance Operations
                                  (In Millions)

                                                                   Nine Months Ended September 30,
                                                  ------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                       1997
                                                  ------------------------------------------------
                                                       As             Closed                              1996
                                                    Reported           Block           Combined         Combined
                                                  -------------    --------------    -------------    --------------
<S>                                               <C>              <C>               <C>              <C>         
Policy fees, premiums and other income..........  $  1,218.9       $    510.8        $    1,729.7     $    1,702.4
Net investment income...........................     1,656.6            424.1             2,080.7          1,979.5
Investment gains (losses), net..................        15.1              5.0                20.1            (55.3)
Contribution from the Closed Block..............        95.6            (95.6)                -                -
                                                  -------------    --------------    -------------    --------------
  Total revenues................................     2,986.2            844.3             3,830.5          3,626.6
Total benefits and other deductions.............     2,584.1            844.3             3,428.4          3,368.9
                                                  -------------    --------------    -------------    --------------
Earnings from Continuing Operations
  before Federal Income Taxes,
  Minority Interest and Cumulative
  Effect of Accounting Change...................  $    402.1       $      -          $      402.1     $      257.7
                                                  =============    ==============    =============    ==============
</TABLE>

The earnings from  continuing  operations in Insurance  Operations for the first
nine  months of 1997  reflected  an  increase  of $144.4  million  from the year
earlier  period.  Investment  gains in 1997  versus  losses in 1996,  higher net
investment income,  higher policy fees on variable and  interest-sensitive  life
and individual annuities contracts,  lower life insurance mortality and improved
DI and group  pension  results  were offset by higher  amortization  of deferred
acquisition  costs and the  provision  for employee  termination  and exit costs
established  in the second  quarter.  The improved DI and group pension  results
reflect the establishment of premium deficiency reserves in fourth quarter 1996.
To the extent periodic results from these businesses differ from the assumptions
used in establishing  those reserves,  the resulting earnings (loss) will impact
Insurance Operations' results.

Total revenues  increased by $203.9 million primarily due to investment  results
which increased by $176.6 million, a $55.8 million increase in policy fees and a
$8.5 million increase in commissions,  fees and other income, offset by an $37.0
million  decline in premiums.  The decrease in premiums  principally  was due to
lower  traditional  life  and  individual  health  premiums.   The  increase  in
investment  results  reflected  improvements  in both  investment  income and in
investment  gains/losses.  Insurance  Operations'  $101.2  million  increase  in
investment income principally was due to $142.0 million higher overall yields on
a larger General Account  Investment  Asset base,  offset by $52.4 million lower
interest  received on reduced amounts due from discontinued  operations.  Income
from other equity investments increased during 1997 by $24.4 million as compared
to 1996. Returns on other equity investments have fluctuated  significantly from
period to period.  There were gains on the General Account investment  portfolio
in 1997 as compared to losses in 1996.  Gains of $82.8  million were reported on
fixed maturities,  an increase of $39.5 million over the comparable 1996 period.
The General Account's other equity investments produced gains of $9.7 million as
compared  to $2.8  million  during  the first  nine  months  of 1996.  Losses on
mortgage loans decreased  $50.7 million to $8.5 million,  while losses on equity
real estate totaled $63.8  million,  $21.8 million higher than in the first nine
months of 1996. Policy fee income rose by $55.8 million to $707.2 million due to
higher insurance and annuity account balances.

                                       23
<PAGE>

Total benefits and other deductions for the first nine months of 1997 rose $59.5
million from the comparable  1996 period as increases of $174.0 million in other
operating  expenses and $64.8 million  higher DAC  amortization  were  partially
offset by $85.5 million higher DAC capitalization,  the effects of the favorable
mortality  experience  on variable and  interest-sensitive  life  policies and a
decrease in policy benefits.  The increase in other operating  expenses resulted
from higher variable expenses related to increased sales,  higher  restructuring
costs of $39.1  million  and  higher  costs  related to the  annuity  wholesaler
distribution  system  implemented  in the latter part of 1996.  The  decrease of
$102.8  million  in  policyholders'  benefits  primarily  resulted  from a lower
increase in reserves on DI business and  improved  mortality  experience  on the
larger in force  book of  business  for  variable  and  interest-sensitive  life
policies. This lower mortality experience and higher investment spreads resulted
in an increase in the  amortization  of DAC on variable  and  interest-sensitive
life policies. Interest credited on policyholders' account balances in Insurance
Operations increased by $9.0 million reflecting moderately lower crediting rates
applied to a larger in force book of business.

Premiums  and  Deposits - The  following  table  lists  premiums  and  deposits,
including  universal life and investment-type  contract deposits,  for Insurance
Operations' major product lines.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                              Premiums and Deposits
                                  (In Millions)

                                                       Three Months Ended                 Nine Months Ended
                                                         September 30,                      September 30,
                                                ---------------------------------  ---------------------------------
                                                     1997             1996              1997              1996
                                                ---------------  ----------------  ---------------   ---------------
<S>                                             <C>              <C>               <C>               <C>        
Individual annuities
  First year..................................  $      862.0     $      488.1      $    2,255.8      $   1,560.0
  Renewal.....................................         283.6            256.2             968.2            918.0
                                                ---------------  ----------------  ---------------   ---------------
                                                     1,145.6            744.3           3,224.0          2,478.0
Variable and interest-sensitive life
  First year recurring........................          43.8             41.3             141.5            131.4
  First year optional.........................          42.8             34.4             159.7            118.9
  Renewal.....................................         286.9            268.2             917.1            871.1
                                                ---------------  ----------------  ---------------   ---------------
                                                       373.5            343.9           1,218.3          1,121.4
Traditional life
  First year recurring........................           3.1              4.4              10.4             14.1
  First year optional.........................           0.8              1.2               2.7              3.7
  Renewal.....................................         192.4            199.7             602.0            623.2
                                                ---------------  ----------------  ---------------   ---------------
                                                       196.3            205.3             615.1            641.0
Other(1)
  First year..................................           4.4              4.2              12.7             22.3
  Renewal.....................................          85.5             91.4             267.2            279.3
                                                ---------------  ----------------  ---------------   ---------------
                                                        89.9             95.6             279.9            301.6

Total first year..............................         956.9            573.6           2,582.8          1,850.4
Total renewal.................................         848.4            815.5           2,754.5          2,691.6
                                                ---------------  ----------------  ---------------   ---------------
Total individual insurance and
  annuity products............................       1,805.3          1,389.1           5,337.3          4,542.0

Participating group annuities.................          49.9             65.1             144.8            183.5
Conversion annuities..........................           0.0              0.0               1.5              0.0
Association plans.............................          34.3             37.1             103.0             87.3
                                                ---------------  ----------------  ---------------   ---------------
Total group pension products..................          84.2            102.2             249.3            270.8
                                                ---------------  ----------------  ---------------   ---------------

Total Premiums and Deposits...................  $    1,889.5     $    1,491.3      $    5,586.6      $   4,812.8
                                                ===============  ================  ===============   ===============

<FN>

(1) Includes health insurance and reinsurance assumed.
</FN>
</TABLE>

                                       24
<PAGE>

First year premiums and deposits for individual  insurance and annuity  products
for the first  nine  months of 1997  increased  from the prior  year's  level by
$732.4  million due to higher  sales of  individual  annuities  and variable and
interest-sensitive  life products.  Renewal  premiums and deposits  increased by
$62.9 million during the first nine months of 1997 over the prior year period as
increases  in the  larger  block of  variable  and  interest-sensitive  life and
individual  annuities policies were partially offset by decreases in traditional
life policies and other product  lines.  Traditional  life premiums and deposits
for the first nine months of 1997  decreased  from the prior  year's  comparable
period by $25.9  million  due to the  decline  in the  traditional  life book of
business.  The 44.6% increase in first year  individual  annuities  premiums and
deposits  in 1997 over the prior year  period  included  $688.6  million  from a
recently  introduced line of retirement  annuity  products sold through both the
career agency force and complementary distribution channels. First year variable
and  interest-sensitive  life premiums and deposits for the first nine months of
1997 included  $41.0 million of premiums and deposits from the sale of two large
COLI cases.  Management  believes the strategic  positioning of The  Equitable's
insurance  operations  continues  to have a positive  effect on premium  growth.
Particular  emphasis  will  continue  to  be  devoted  to  the  support  of  The
Equitable's  needs based selling approach and the  establishment of consultative
financial  services as the  cornerstone of the sales  process.  Changes in agent
recruitment and training  practices have resulted in retention and  productivity
improvements  which,  in  addition  to strong  increases  in  established  agent
productivity, are contributing to higher premiums.

Surrenders  and   Withdrawals  -  The  following  table   summarizes   Insurance
Operations'   surrenders   and   withdrawals,   including   universal  life  and
investment-type  contract  withdrawals,   for  major  individual  insurance  and
annuities' product lines.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                           Surrenders and Withdrawals
                                  (In Millions)

                                                       Three Months Ended                 Nine Months Ended
                                                         September 30,                      September 30,
                                                ---------------------------------  ---------------------------------
                                                     1997             1996              1997              1996
                                                ---------------  ----------------  ---------------   ---------------
<S>                                             <C>              <C>               <C>               <C>        
Individual Insurance and Annuities'
  Product Lines:
Individual annuities..........................  $      650.5     $      507.4      $    1,814.0      $   1,706.1
Variable and interest-sensitive life..........         129.8             99.0             376.3            328.0
Traditional life..............................          91.4             76.6             288.8            263.1
                                                ---------------  ----------------  ---------------   ---------------

Total.........................................  $      871.7     $      683.0      $    2,479.1      $   2,297.2
                                                ===============  ================  ===============   ===============
</TABLE>

Policy and contract  surrenders and withdrawals  increased $181.9 million during
the first nine months of 1997 compared to the same period in 1996. Surrenders of
variable and interest-sensitive  life products increased by $48.3 million due to
the  increased  size of the book of  business.  The $107.9  million  increase in
individual  annuities  surrenders was principally due to increased surrenders of
Equi-Vest  contracts as favorable market  performance  increased account values,
consequently increasing surrender amounts with no significant increase in actual
surrender rates.  Surrenders and withdrawals in 1996 included $88.0 million paid
in January 1996 for two small pension clients who terminated their contracts.

                                       25
<PAGE>

Investment Services

The  following  table  summarizes  the  results  of  operations  for  Investment
Services.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                               Investment Services
                                  (In Millions)

                                                       Three Months Ended                 Nine Months Ended
                                                         September 30,                      September 30,
                                                ---------------------------------  ---------------------------------
                                                     1997             1996              1997              1996
                                                ---------------  ----------------  ---------------   ---------------
<S>                                             <C>              <C>               <C>               <C>    
Third party commissions and fees..............  $      867.9     $      609.3      $    2,327.0      $   1,915.8
Affiliate fees................................          13.7             31.6              72.0             93.7
Other income(1)...............................         645.4            381.2           1,958.8          1,286.0
                                                ---------------  ----------------  ---------------   ---------------
Total revenues................................       1,527.0          1,022.1           4,357.8          3,295.5
Total costs and expenses......................       1,286.5            886.6           3,602.3          2,808.2
                                                ---------------  ----------------  ---------------   ---------------
Earnings from Continuing Operations
  before Federal Income Taxes,
  Minority Interest and Cumulative
  Effect of Accounting Change.................  $      240.5     $      135.5      $      755.5      $     487.3
                                                ===============  ================  ===============   ===============
<FN>

(1) Includes net dealer and trading gains, investment results and other items.
</FN>
</TABLE>

On June 10, 1997,  Equitable Life sold EREIM to Lend Lease for $300.0 million in
cash and a $100.0  million  eight  year note,  subject  to certain  adjustments.
Equitable Life entered into long-term advisory agreements whereby the businesses
sold will continue to provide  services to Equitable  Life's General Account and
Separate  Accounts.  The  Equitable  recognized  a gain on this  sale of  $249.8
million  (net  of  $2.3  million  related  state  income  tax).  See  Note 10 to
Consolidated Financial Statements for further information.  EREIM's results from
operations  continue to be included in  Investment  Services'  results up to the
date of sale.

Also during the second  quarter 1997,  Alliance wrote down the recorded value of
goodwill and contracts  associated  with its  acquisition  of Cursitor by $120.9
million.  This  charge  reflected  Alliance  management's  view that  Cursitor's
continuing  decline in assets under  management  and its reduced  profitability,
resulting  from  relative  investment  underperformance,   no  longer  supported
Cursitor's  carrying value.  Cursitor's  assets under  management  declined from
approximately  $10.0  billion  at the date of  acquisition  to $4.0  billion  at
September 30, 1997. At September 30, 1997, The Equitable owned approximately 58%
of Alliance. The impact of Alliance's charge on The Equitable's net earnings was
approximately $59.5 million.

For the first nine months of 1997,  pre-tax  earnings  for  Investment  Services
increased by $268.2  million from the year earlier  period  primarily due to the
gain on the sale of EREIM and higher earnings for DLJ, partially offset by lower
earnings  at Alliance  reflecting  the effect of the  abovementioned  intangible
assets write down.  Total segment revenues  increased $1.06 billion  principally
due to higher revenues at DLJ. DLJ's earnings were higher in 1997 largely due to
strong  merger  and   acquisition   activity,   private  fund  capital   raising
assignments,  higher investment banking fees and the growth in trading volume on
most major  exchanges.  Other  income for the three months and nine months ended
September  30,  1997  included a gross gain of $6.7  million on the  issuance of
additional  DLJ  shares.  Other  income also  included a pre-tax  gain of $252.1
million from the sale of EREIM in June 1997 and a gross gain of $20.6 million on
the issuance of Alliance  Units during the first  quarter of 1996 in  connection
with the Cursitor transaction.

Total costs and expenses  increased by $794.1  million for the first nine months
of 1997 as  compared to the  comparable  period in 1996  principally  reflecting
increases  in  compensation  and  interest  and  other  expenses  at DLJ  due to
increased  activity and the  aforementioned  writedown of  intangible  assets at
Alliance of $120.9 million.

                                       26
<PAGE>

The following table summarizes results of operations by business unit.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                               Investment Services
                     Results of Operations by Business Unit
                                  (In Millions)

                                                       Three Months Ended                 Nine Months Ended
                                                         September 30,                      September 30,
                                                ---------------------------------  ---------------------------------
                                                     1997             1996              1997              1996
                                                ---------------  ----------------  ---------------   ---------------
<S>                                             <C>              <C>              <C>               <C>  
Business Unit:
  DLJ(1)......................................  $      176.1     $       84.6      $      459.1      $     329.3
  Alliance....................................          67.4             50.4              58.7            144.5
  Equitable Real Estate(2)....................           -               10.1              14.8             26.6
  Gain on sale of EREIM(3)....................           -                -               249.8              -
  Consolidation/elimination(4)(5).............          (3.0)            (9.6)            (26.9)           (13.1)
                                                ---------------  ----------------  ---------------   ---------------
Earnings from Continuing Operations
  before Federal Income Taxes,
  Minority Interest and Cumulative
  Effect of Accounting Change(6)..............  $      240.5     $      135.5      $      755.5      $     487.3
                                                ===============  ================  ===============   ===============

<FN>

(1) Excludes  amortization expense of $1.0 million,  $0.9 million,  $3.1 million
    and $1.5 million for the third  quarter and first nine months of 1997 and of
    1996,  respectively,  on goodwill and intangible assets related to Equitable
    Life's    acquisition   of   DLJ   in   1985,    which   are   included   in
    consolidation/elimination.

(2) Includes results of operations through June 10, 1997, the sale date of EREIM
    to Lend Lease.

(3) Gain on sale of EREIM is net of $2.3 million related state income tax.

(4) Includes  interest expense of $3.1 million,  $2.8 million,  $9.0 million and
    $8.9 million  related to intercompany  debt issued by  intermediate  holding
    companies  payable to  Equitable  Life for the third  quarter and first nine
    months of 1997 and of 1996, respectively.

(5) Includes  a gain of $6.7  million  for  the  three  and  nine  months  ended
    September  30, 1997 on issuance of  additional  DLJ shares.  Also includes a
    gain of $16.9 million (net of $3.7 million related state income tax) for the
    nine months ended  September 30, 1996 on issuance of Alliance Units to third
    parties upon the  completion  of the Cursitor  transaction  during the first
    quarter of 1996.

(6) Pre-tax minority  interest related to DLJ was $50.7 million,  $25.9 million,
    $130.6 million and $98.3 million for the third quarter and first nine months
    of 1997 and of 1996,  respectively,  and $28.7 million, $21.2 million, $24.9
    million and $61.0 million for Alliance for the same respective periods.
</FN>
</TABLE>

DLJ - DLJ's  earnings  from  operations  for the first nine  months of 1997 were
$459.1  million,  up $129.8  million  from the  comparable  prior  year  period.
Revenues  increased  $774.1 million to $3.31 billion  primarily due to increased
net investment  income of $334.2  million,  higher fee income of $223.2 million,
higher  commissions of $76.8 million and higher  underwriting  revenues of $62.8
million. DLJ's expenses were $2.85 billion for the first nine months of 1997, up
$644.3  million from the  comparable  prior year period  primarily due to higher
interest expense of $213.0 million,  $273.1 million increase in compensation and
commissions and $31.6 million higher brokerage and exchange fees.

                                       27
<PAGE>

Substantially  all of DLJ's  activities  related to  derivatives  are,  by their
nature,  trading  activities  which are  primarily  for the  purpose of customer
accommodation.  DLJ enters into certain  contractual  agreements  referred to as
derivatives  or  off-balance-sheet   financial  instruments  involving  futures,
forwards and options.  DLJ's derivative  activities are not as extensive as many
of its competitors.  Instead, DLJ's derivative activities consist of writing OTC
options to accommodate  its customers'  needs,  trading in forward  contracts in
U.S.  government  and agency  issued or  guaranteed  securities  and engaging in
futures  contracts  on equity  based  indices,  interest  rate  instruments  and
currencies,  and issuing  structured notes.  DLJ's involvement in swap contracts
and commodity  derivative  instruments is not  significant.  As a result,  DLJ's
involvement in derivatives  products is related primarily to revenue  generation
through the  provision  of products to its clients as opposed to hedges  against
DLJ's own positions.

Options  contracts  are  typically  written for a duration of less than thirteen
months.  Revenues from these activities (net of related  interest  expense) were
approximately  $51.5 million and $51.2 million for the first nine months of 1997
and of 1996,  respectively.  Option writing  revenues result  primarily from the
amortization of option premiums.

The notional value of written options  contracts  outstanding was  approximately
$5.8 billion and $7.5 billion at September 30, 1997 and 1996, respectively.  The
overall  decrease in the  notional  value of all options  was  primarily  due to
decreases in customer  activity  related to foreign  sovereign debt  securities.
Such written options  contracts are  substantially  covered by various financial
instruments that DLJ had purchased or sold as principal.

As part of DLJ's trading activities, including trading activities in the related
cash market instruments, DLJ enters into forward and futures contracts primarily
involving securities,  foreign currencies,  indices and forward rate agreements,
as well as options on futures contracts.  Such forward and futures contracts are
entered into as part of DLJ's covering  transactions  and are generally not used
for speculative purposes.

Net trading losses on forward contracts were $(38.2) million and $(39.7) million
and net trading  (losses) gains on futures  contracts  were $(33.3)  million and
$20.9 million for the first nine months of 1997 and of 1996, respectively.

Treated as  off-balance-sheet  items, the notional contract and market values of
the  forward  and  futures  contracts  at  September  30,  1997 and 1996 were as
follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                  September 30, 1997                     September 30, 1996
                                           ----------------------------------    -----------------------------------
                                             Purchases            Sales            Purchases             Sales
                                           ---------------    ---------------    ---------------     ---------------
                                                                        (In Millions)
<S>                                        <C>                <C>                <C>                 <C>       
Forward Contracts
  (Notional Contract Value)..............  $   18,174         $    29,044        $    18,610         $   24,290
                                           ===============    ===============    ===============     ===============

Futures Contracts and Options on
  Futures Contracts (Market Value).......  $    1,724         $     2,664        $     2,653         $    3,546
                                           ===============    ===============    ===============     ===============
</TABLE>

Structured  notes are customized  derivative  instruments in which the amount of
interest  or  principal  paid on a debt  obligation  is linked to the  return on
specific cash market financial instruments.  At September 30, 1997 and 1996, DLJ
had issued long-term structured notes totaling $177.5 million and $216.2 million
outstanding,  respectively.  DLJ  covers its  obligations  on  structured  notes
primarily by  purchasing  and selling the  securities  to which the value of its
structured notes are linked.

Alliance - Alliance's earnings from operations for the first nine months of 1997
were $58.7  million,  a decrease  from the $144.5  million of earnings  from the
prior year's  comparable  period.  Revenues totaled $695.5 million for the first
nine months of 1997, an increase of $120.0 million from the comparable period in
1996,   primarily  due  to  increased  investment  advisory  and  service  fees.
Alliance's costs and expenses increased $205.8 million for the nine months ended
September 30, 1997 primarily due to the abovementioned  $120.9 million writedown
of  intangible  assets  and to  increases  of $44.9  million  in  promotion  and
servicing expenses and $31.0 million in employee compensation and benefits.

                                       28
<PAGE>

Equitable Real Estate - This  business'  earnings from  operations  included the
results  of EREIM  through  June 10,  1997,  the  date of sale.  Equitable  Real
Estate's  earnings from  operations were $14.8 million for 1997 and its revenues
were $91.6 million. Operating expenses totaled $76.8 million in 1997.

Fees From Assets Under  Management - As the following table  illustrates,  third
party  clients  continued  to  represent  an  important  source of revenues  and
earnings.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                        Fees and Assets Under Management
                                  (In Millions)

                                                                                            At or For the
                                                       Three Months Ended                 Nine Months Ended
                                                         September 30,                      September 30,
                                                ---------------------------------  ---------------------------------
                                                     1997             1996              1997              1996
                                                ---------------  ----------------  ---------------   ---------------
<S>                                             <C>              <C>               <C>               <C>        
Fees:
  Third Party.................................  $      204.4     $      186.5      $      611.8      $     537.9
  Equitable...................................          12.0             28.6              62.6             84.7
                                                ---------------  ----------------  ---------------   ---------------
Total.........................................  $      216.4     $      215.1      $      674.4      $     622.6
                                                ===============  ================  ===============   ===============

Assets Under Management:
  Third Party(1)..............................                                     $   212,478       $  173,298
  Equitable...................................                                          60,242           54,812
                                                                                   ---------------   ---------------
Total.........................................                                     $   272,720       $  228,110
                                                                                   ===============   ===============

<FN>

(1) Included Separate Account assets under management, as well as assets managed
    on behalf of other AXA affiliates.
</FN>
</TABLE>

Fees from assets under  management  increased  for the first nine months of 1997
from the prior year's  comparable  period  principally  as a result of growth in
assets under  management for third parties.  Alliance's third party assets under
management  increased by $40.05 billion primarily due to the market appreciation
and mutual fund sales.

Fees received for assets under  management by EREIM totaled $0.0 million,  $94.1
million,  $51.6 million and $153.3  million for the third quarter and first nine
months of 1997 and 1996,  respectively,  of which $0.0 million,  $63.7  million,
$32.0 million and $96.6 million were received from third parties, respectively.

                                       29
<PAGE>

CONTINUING OPERATIONS INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO

The  continuing  operations  investment  portfolio  is  composed  of the General
Account investment portfolio and investment assets of the Holding Company Group.
The General  Account's  portfolio  is  discussed  first,  followed by a separate
discussion on the Holding Company Group investments.

General Account Investment Portfolio

The following table reconciles the  consolidated  balance sheet asset amounts to
the amounts of General Account Investment Assets.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                General Account Investment Assets Carrying Values
                               September 30, 1997
                                  (In Millions)

                                                                                                          General
                                        Balance                                            Holding        Account
                                         Sheet            Closed                           Company       Investment
Balance Sheet Captions:                  Total            Block           Other(1)        Group (2)        Assets
- ----------------------------------- ----------------   -------------   ---------------  --------------  -------------
<S>                                 <C>                <C>             <C>              <C>             <C>         
Fixed maturities:
  Available for sale..............  $   20,848.4       $   4,236.7     $    (127.8)     $     405.8     $   24,807.1
  Held to maturity................         144.6               -               -              144.6              -
Trading account securities........      17,982.6               -          17,982.6              -                -
Securities purchased under
  resale agreements...............      26,585.9               -          26,585.9              -                -
Mortgage loans on real estate.....       2,604.7           1,393.4             -                -            3,998.1
Equity real estate................       3,225.8             194.7           (17.8)             -            3,438.3
Policy loans......................       2,436.8           1,715.2             -                -            4,152.0
Other equity investments..........       1,265.2              95.4           317.3              9.2          1,034.1
Other invested assets.............         183.7              88.6           146.3              1.2            124.8
                                    ----------------   -------------   ---------------  --------------  -------------
  Total investments...............      75,277.7           7,724.0        44,886.5            560.8         37,554.4
Cash and cash equivalents.........       1,448.9             (79.0)          457.7             68.9            843.3
                                    ----------------   -------------   ---------------  --------------  -------------

Total.............................  $   76,726.6       $   7,645.0     $  45,344.2      $     629.7     $   38,397.7
                                    ================   =============   ===============  ==============  =============

<FN>

(1) Assets listed in the "Other" category  principally consist of assets held in
    portfolios  other than the Holding  Company  Group and the  General  Account
    (primarily  securities held in inventory or for resale by DLJ) which are not
    managed  as  part  of  General   Account   Investment   Assets  and  certain
    reclassifications  and  intercompany  adjustments.  The "Other"  category is
    deducted in arriving at the General Account Investment Assets.

(2) The  Holding  Company  Group  investment  assets are not  managed as part of
    General  Account  Investment  Assets and are deducted in arriving at General
    Account Investment Assets.
</FN>
</TABLE>

The General Account  Investment  Assets  presentation set forth in the following
pages  includes  the  Closed  Block's   investments  on  a  line-by-line  basis.
Management  believes it is appropriate to discuss the  information on a combined
basis in view of the  similar  asset  quality  characteristics  of  major  asset
categories in the portfolios.

Writedowns  on fixed  maturities  were $15.0  million and $26.7  million for the
first nine months of 1997 and of 1996,  respectively;  writedowns on equity real
estate  during the first nine months of 1997 were $7.3  million.  The  following
table shows asset valuation allowances and additions to and deductions from such
allowances  for  mortgages  and equity  real estate for the first nine months of
1997 and of 1996.

                                       30
<PAGE>

                        General Account Investment Assets
                              Valuation Allowances
                                  (In Millions)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                    Equity Real
                                                                  Mortgages            Estate             Total
                                                                ---------------    ---------------    --------------
<S>                                                             <C>                <C>                <C>        
September 30, 1997
Assets Outside of the Closed Block:
Beginning balances............................................  $     50.4         $      86.7        $     137.1
Additions.....................................................        27.7                71.5               99.2
Deductions(1).................................................       (26.5)              (35.2)             (61.7)
                                                                ---------------    ---------------    --------------
Ending Balances...............................................  $     51.6         $     123.0        $     174.6
                                                                ===============    ===============    ==============

Closed Block:
Beginning balances............................................  $     13.8         $       3.7        $      17.5
Additions.....................................................         7.1                 0.5                7.6
Deductions(1).................................................        (7.3)               (1.5)              (8.8)
                                                                ---------------    ---------------    --------------
Ending Balances...............................................  $     13.6         $       2.7        $      16.3
                                                                ===============    ===============    ==============

Total:
Beginning balances............................................  $     64.2         $      90.4        $     154.6
Additions.....................................................        34.8                72.0              106.8
Deductions(1).................................................       (33.8)              (36.7)             (70.5)
                                                                ---------------    ---------------    --------------
Ending Balances...............................................  $     65.2         $     125.7        $     190.9
                                                                ===============    ===============    ==============

September 30, 1996
Total:
Beginning balances............................................  $     83.9         $     264.1        $     348.0
SFAS No. 121 release(2).......................................         -                (152.4)            (152.4)
Additions.....................................................        62.4                42.3              104.7
Deductions(1).................................................       (19.6)              (88.4)            (108.0)
                                                                ---------------    ---------------    --------------
Ending Balances...............................................  $    126.7         $      65.6        $     192.3
                                                                ===============    ===============    ==============
<FN>

(1) Primarily reflected releases of allowances due to asset dispositions and
    writedowns.

(2) As a result of the  adoption  of SFAS No. 121 at  January  1,  1996,  $152.4
    million of  allowances  on assets  held for  investment  were  released  and
    impairment  losses of $149.6 million were recognized on real estate held and
    used.
</FN>
</TABLE>

                                       31
<PAGE>

General Account Investment Assets by Category

The following table shows the amortized cost,  valuation  allowances and the net
amortized cost of the major categories of General Account  Investment  Assets at
September 30, 1997 and the net amortized cost at December 31, 1996.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                        General Account Investment Assets
                              (Dollars In Millions)

                                                  September 30, 1997                             December 31, 1996
                              -----------------------------------------------------------   -----------------------------
                                                                                % of                            % of
                                                                  Net        Total Net          Net          Total Net
                                Amortized      Valuation       Amortized     Amortized       Amortized       Amortized
                                   Cost        Allowances         Cost          Cost            Cost            Cost
                              --------------- -------------   ------------- -------------   -------------   -------------
<S>                           <C>             <C>             <C>               <C>         <C>                 <C> 
Fixed maturities(1).......... $   23,942.2    $      -        $  23,942.2        63.8%      $  21,711.6          62.1%
Mortgages....................      4,063.3          65.2          3,998.1        10.7           4,513.7          12.9
Equity real estate...........      3,564.0         125.7          3,438.3         9.2           3,518.6          10.1
Other equity investments.....      1,034.1           -            1,034.1         2.7             965.1           2.8
Policy loans.................      4,152.0           -            4,152.0        11.0           3,962.0          11.3
Cash and short-term
  investments(2).............        968.1           -              968.1         2.6             277.7           0.8
                              --------------- -------------   ------------- -------------   -------------   -------------
Total........................ $   37,723.7    $    190.9      $  37,532.8       100.0%      $  34,948.7         100.0%
                              =============== =============   ============= =============   =============   =============
<FN>

(1) Excludes  unrealized  gains of $864.9  million  and $432.9  million in fixed
    maturities  classified  as  available  for sale at  September  30,  1997 and
    December 31, 1996, respectively.

(2) Comprised of "Cash and cash equivalents" and short-term investments included
    within the "Other  invested  assets"  caption  on the  consolidated  balance
    sheet.
</FN>
</TABLE>

Management  has a policy of not investing  substantial  new funds in equity real
estate  except  to  safeguard  values  in  existing   investments  or  to  honor
outstanding  commitments.  It is management's continuing objective to reduce the
size of the equity real estate portfolio  relative to total assets over the next
several years on an opportunistic basis.  Management anticipates that reductions
will depend on real estate market conditions, the level of mortgage foreclosures
and the level of expenditures required to fund necessary or desired improvements
to properties.

                                       32
<PAGE>

Investment Results of General Account Investment Assets
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                   Investment Results by Asset Category
                                             (Dollars In Millions)

                                 Three Months Ended September 30,                      Nine Months Ended September 30,
                         --------------------------------------------------   --------------------------------------------------
                                  1997                      1996                       1997                      1996
                         ------------------------  ------------------------   ------------------------  ------------------------
                            (1)                       (1)                        (1)                       (1)
                           Yield       Amount        Yield       Amount         Yield      Amount         Yield       Amount
                         ---------- -------------  ---------- -------------   ------------------------  ---------- -------------
<S>                        <C>      <C>              <C>      <C>               <C>     <C>               <C>      <C>       
Fixed Maturities:
  Income..............      7.88%   $    457.7        7.93%   $     408.7        7.93%  $   1,340.1        7.92%   $  1,186.9
  Investment
    Gains/(Losses)....      0.64%         37.4        0.16%           8.2        0.49%         82.8        0.29%         43.3
                         ---------- -------------  ---------- -------------   --------- --------------  ---------- -------------
  Total...............      8.52%   $    495.1        8.09%   $     416.9        8.42%  $   1,422.9        8.21%   $  1,230.2
  Ending Assets.......              $ 23,942.2                $  20,927.4               $  23,942.2                $ 20,927.4
Mortgages:
  Income..............      8.81%   $     90.0        8.89%   $     106.1        9.35%  $     298.5        8.88%   $    324.4
  Investment
    Gains/(Losses)....     (0.54)%        (5.5)      (0.66)%         (7.9)      (0.26)%        (8.5)      (1.62)%       (59.2)
                         ---------- -------------  ---------- -------------   --------- -------------- ----------- -------------
  Total...............      8.27%   $     84.5        8.23%   $      98.2        9.09%  $     290.0        7.26%   $    265.2
  Ending Assets.......              $  3,998.1                $   4,720.7               $   3,998.1                $  4,720.7
Equity Real
  Estate (2):
  Income..............      2.55%   $     17.1        2.59%   $      20.0        2.50%  $      50.7        2.78%   $     65.0
  Investment
    Gains/(Losses)....     (7.31)%       (49.1)      (1.37)%        (10.6)      (3.15)%       (63.8)      (1.80)%       (42.0)
                         ---------- ------------- ----------- -------------   --------- --------------- ---------- -------------
  Total...............     (4.76)%  $    (32.0)       1.22%   $       9.4       (0.65)% $     (13.1)       0.98%   $     23.0
  Ending Assets.......              $  2,602.2                $   3,069.4               $   2,602.2                $  3,069.4
Other Equity
  Investments:
  Income..............     25.44%   $     64.6       15.18%   $      35.9       17.66%  $     130.7       15.72%   $    106.3
  Investment
    Gains/(Losses)....      1.30%          3.3        0.17%            .4        1.31%          9.7        0.42%          2.8
                         ---------- ------------- ----------- -------------   --------- -------------- ----------- -------------
  Total...............     26.74%   $     67.9       15.35%   $      36.3       18.97%  $     140.4       16.14%   $    109.1
  Ending Assets.......              $  1,034.1                $     930.2               $   1,034.1                $    930.2
Policy Loans:
  Income..............      7.02%   $     72.2        7.16%   $      70.1        6.97%  $     212.3        6.98%   $    202.5
  Ending Assets.......              $  4,152.0                $   3,946.1               $   4,152.0                $  3,946.1
Cash and Short-term
  Investments:
  Income..............      7.21%   $     13.5       10.65%   $      12.1        8.23%  $      37.8        8.62%   $     43.0
  Ending Assets.......              $    968.1                $     379.6               $     968.1                $    379.6
Total:
  Income..............      7.97%   $    715.1        7.73%   $     652.9        7.86%  $   2,070.1        7.69%   $  1,928.1
  Investment
    Gains/(Losses)....     (0.16)%       (13.9)      (0.12)%         (9.9)       0.07%         20.2       (0.22)%       (55.1)
                         ---------- ------------- ----------- -------------   --------- --------------- ---------- -------------
  Total(3)............      7.81%   $    701.2        7.61%   $     643.0        7.93%  $   2,090.3        7.47%   $  1,873.0
  Ending Assets.......              $ 36,696.7                $  33,973.4               $  36,696.7                $ 33,973.4

<FN>

(1) Yields have been  annualized and calculated  based on the quarterly  average
    asset  carrying  values   excluding   unrealized  gains  (losses)  in  fixed
    maturities.  Annualized  yields  are not  necessarily  indicative  of a full
    year's results.

                                       33
<PAGE>

(2) Equity  real  estate  carrying  values are shown net of third party debt and
    minority  interest in real estate of $836.1 million and $838.4 million as of
    September  30, 1997 and 1996,  respectively.  Equity  real estate  income is
    shown net of operating expenses,  depreciation, third party interest expense
    and minority  interest.  Third party interest expense and minority  interest
    totaled $12.4 million,  $12.9  million,  $38.2 million and $41.2 million for
    the three  months and the nine  months  ended  September  30, 1997 and 1996,
    respectively.

(3) Total yields are shown before  deducting  investment fees paid to investment
    managers  (which  include  asset   management,   acquisition,   disposition,
    accounting  and legal fees).  If such fees had been  deducted,  total yields
    would have been 7.54%,  7.33%,  7.65% and 7.20% for the three months and the
    nine months ended September 30, 1997 and 1996, respectively.
</FN>
</TABLE>

For the first nine months of 1997,  General Account  investment  results were up
$217.3 million from the year earlier period reflecting higher income on a larger
asset base and investment  gains as compared to losses in the prior year period.
On an annualized  basis,  total  investment yield increased to 7.93% from 7.47%.
Investment income increased by $142.0 million or 7.4%,  resulting in an increase
in the  annualized  income  yield to 7.86% from  7.69%.  Excluding  SFAS No. 121
related  permanent  impairment  writedowns  of $149.6  million  and  releases of
valuation  allowances  totaling $152.4 million relating to equity real estate in
1996, additions to asset valuation allowances and writedowns of fixed maturities
and equity  real  estate  were  $129.1  million in the first nine months of 1997
compared to $134.5 million in the first nine months of 1996.

Total investment results for fixed maturities  increased $192.7 million or 15.7%
for the  first  nine  months  of  1997  compared  to the  year  earlier  period.
Investment  income  increased by $153.2 million  reflecting a higher asset base,
primarily from  reinvesting  nearly all available  funds into fixed  maturities.
Investment  gains were $82.8  million for the first nine months of 1997 compared
to $43.3 million in 1996.  Writedowns on fixed  maturities were $15.0 million in
the first nine  months of 1997 as compared  to $26.7  million in the  comparable
period of 1996. Total investment results on mortgages increased by $24.8 million
or 9.4% in the first nine months of 1997  compared to the same period a year ago
largely due to fewer additions to asset valuation  allowances.  Total investment
results for equity real estate  decreased  $36.1  million  during the first nine
months of 1997  compared to the year earlier  period  reflecting a $21.8 million
increase in  investment  losses  largely due to higher  additions  to  valuation
allowances and a $14.3 million reduction in investment income primarily due to a
declining asset base. Investment income on other equity investments increased by
$28.7  million  and $24.4  million  during the three  months and the nine months
ended September 30, 1997, respectively, principally reflecting the strong equity
market environment in the third quarter of 1997.

Fixed Maturities.  Fixed maturities  consist of publicly traded debt securities,
privately  placed debt  securities  and small  amounts of  redeemable  preferred
stock, which represented 75.0%, 24.3% and 0.7%,  respectively,  of the amortized
cost of this asset category at September 30, 1997.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                       Fixed Maturities By Credit Quality
                              (Dollars In Millions)

                                            September 30, 1997                          December 31, 1996
               Rating Agency      ---------------------------------------    -----------------------------------------
NAIC            Equivalent          Amortized       % of     Estimated          Amortized       % of      Estimated
Rating          Designation            Cost        Total     Fair Value           Cost          Total     Fair Value
- -------    ---------------------- --------------- --------- -------------    ---------------- ---------- -------------
<S>                               <C>               <C>     <C>             <C>                 <C>     <C>        
1-2        Aaa/Aa/A and Baa...... $  20,773.7(1)     86.8%  $  21,477.4     $  18,994.8(1)       87.5%  $  19,334.0
3-6        Ba and lower..........     3,005.7(2)     12.5%      3,156.8         2,575.2(2)       11.9       2,665.7
                                  ------------  ----------- --------------  ------------      --------- -------------

Subtotal........................     23,779.4        99.3%     24,634.2        21,570.0          99.4      21,999.7
Redeemable preferred stock
  and other.....................        162.8         0.7%        172.9           141.6           0.6         144.8
                                  ------------  ----------- --------------  ------------      --------- -------------
Total...........................  $  23,942.2       100.0%  $  24,807.1     $  21,711.6         100.0%  $  22,144.5
                                  ============  =========== ==============  ============      ========= =============

<FN>

(1) Includes Class B Notes with an amortized cost of $12.8 million and $67.0 million at September 30, 1997 and
    December 31, 1996, respectively, eliminated in consolidation.

(2) Includes Class B Notes with an amortized cost of $100.0 million, eliminated in consolidation.
</FN>
</TABLE>

                                       34
<PAGE>

At September 30, 1997,  The Equitable  held CMOs with an amortized cost of $2.43
billion,  including  $2.32 billion in publicly  traded CMOs.  About 57.7% of the
public CMO holdings  were  collateralized  by GNMA,  FNMA and FHLMC  securities.
Approximately  34.6% of the public CMO holdings were in PAC bonds.  At September
30, 1997, IO strips  amounted to $0.3 million at amortized  cost.  There were no
holdings of PO strips at that date.  In  addition,  at September  30, 1997,  The
Equitable held $3.23 billion of mortgage pass-through  securities (GNMA, FNMA or
FHLMC  securities)  and also held $529.9  million of Aa or higher  rated  public
asset backed securities,  primarily backed by home equity mortgages, airline and
other equipment, and credit card receivables.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                Fixed Maturities
                 Problems, Potential Problems and Restructureds
                                 Amortized Cost
                                  (In Millions)

                                                                                 September 30,       December 31,
                                                                                     1997                1996
                                                                                ----------------   -----------------
<S>                                                                             <C>                <C>          
FIXED MATURITIES..............................................................  $   23,942.2       $    21,711.6
Problem fixed maturities......................................................          28.7                50.6
Potential problem fixed maturities............................................          16.7                  .5
Restructured fixed maturities(1)..............................................           2.5                 3.4

<FN>

(1) Excludes restructured fixed maturities of $2.1 million and $2.5 million that
    are  shown as  problems  at  September  30,  1997  and  December  31,  1996,
    respectively.  No  restructured  fixed  maturities  are  shown as  potential
    problems at September 30, 1997 and December 31, 1996.
</FN>
</TABLE>

Mortgages. Mortgages consist of commercial,  agricultural and residential loans.
At September 30, 1997,  commercial mortgages totaled $2.36 billion (57.9% of the
amortized cost of the category),  agricultural  loans were $1.71 billion (42.0%)
and residential loans were $2.6 million (0.1%).
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                    Mortgages
                 Problems, Potential Problems and Restructureds
                                 Amortized Cost
                              (Dollars In Millions)

                                                                                 September 30,       December 31,
                                                                                     1997                1996
                                                                                ----------------   -----------------
<S>                                                                             <C>                <C>          
COMMERCIAL MORTGAGES..........................................................  $   2,355.3        $     2,901.2
Problem commercial mortgages..................................................         47.3                 11.3
Potential problem commercial mortgages........................................        149.4                425.7
Restructured commercial mortgages(1)..........................................        223.5                269.3
VALUATION ALLOWANCES..........................................................         65.2                 64.2

AGRICULTURAL MORTGAGES........................................................  $   1,705.4        $     1,672.7
Problem agricultural mortgages................................................         17.8                  5.4
Potential problem agricultural mortgages......................................          -                    -
Restructured agricultural mortgages...........................................          1.2                  2.0
VALUATION ALLOWANCES..........................................................          -                    -

<FN>

(1) Excludes restructured commercial mortgages of $38.3 million and $1.7 million
    that are shown as problems at  September  30, 1997 and  December  31,  1996,
    respectively,  and excludes $27.7 million and $229.5 million of restructured
    commercial  mortgages that are shown as potential  problems at September 30,
    1997 and December 31, 1996, respectively.
</FN>
</TABLE>

                                       35
<PAGE>

Problem commercial  mortgages  increased by $36.0 million from December 31, 1996
to September 30, 1997 as previously  identified  potential  problem loans became
delinquent.  Potential  problem loans declined as mortgages were reclassified to
performing  status or to  problem.  During  the first nine  months of 1997,  the
amortized cost of foreclosed  commercial mortgages totaled $153.5 million with a
$1.5 million reduction in amortized cost required at the time of foreclosure.

The original  weighted average coupon rate on the $223.5 million of restructured
mortgages  was  9.7%.  As a result  of these  restructurings,  the  restructured
weighted average coupon rate was 8.5% and the restructured weighted average cash
payment  rate  was  7.9%.  The  foregone  interest  on  restructured  commercial
mortgages (including  restructured  commercial mortgages presented as problem or
potential problem commercial  mortgages) for the nine months ended September 30,
1997 was $2.1 million.

At September 30, 1997,  the $47.3 million of problem  commercial  mortgages were
all classified as retail type properties.  Their  distribution by state was: New
York ($43.2 million or 91.3%) and Mississippi ($4.1 million or 8.7%).  Potential
problem commercial mortgages were classified by property type as: retail ($108.0
million or 72.3%), industrial ($18.8 million or 12.6%), office ($16.7 million or
11.2%),  hotel ($4.4 million or 2.9%) and apartment  ($1.5 million or 1.0%).  By
state, their distribution was: New York ($58.8 million or 39.4%),  Massachusetts
($26.8  million or 17.9%),  Puerto Rico ($18.7  million or 12.5%),  Pennsylvania
($18.5 million or 12.4%),  and Virginia ($16.3 million or 10.9%). No other state
had 5.0% or more of the total.

At September 30, 1997 and 1996,  management identified impaired commercial loans
as defined under SFAS No. 114 with a carrying value of $249.7 million and $562.6
million,  respectively.  The  provision for losses for these  impaired  mortgage
loans was $60.9  million  and $111.0  million at  September  30,  1997 and 1996,
respectively.  Income earned on these loans in the first nine months of 1997 and
of 1996 was  $19.9  million  and $39.5  million,  respectively,  including  cash
received of $17.6 million and $34.1 million, respectively.

For the first nine months of 1997, scheduled principal amortization payments and
prepayments on commercial  mortgage loans received aggregated $319.1 million. In
addition,  during the first nine months of 1997,  $368.8  million of  commercial
mortgage loan maturity  payments were  scheduled,  of which $173.2  million were
paid as due.  Of the amount not paid,  $125.3  million  were  foreclosed,  $59.9
million were granted  short term  extensions  of up to six months,  $4.6 million
were extended for a weighted average of 3.0 years at a weighted average interest
rate of 9.7% and $5.8 million were  delinquent or in default for  non-payment of
principal.

Equity Real Estate.  As of September 30, 1997,  on the basis of amortized  cost,
the equity real estate  category  included $2.49 billion (or 69.7%)  acquired as
investment real estate and $1.08 billion (or 30.3%) acquired  through or in lieu
of foreclosure (including in-substance foreclosures).

Real estate properties with amortized costs of $251.8 million and $294.6 million
were sold during the first nine months of 1997 and of 1996, respectively. In the
first nine  months of 1997 and 1996,  respectively,  gains of $13.5  million and
losses of $.2 million were recognized on equity real estate which was sold.

At September 30, 1997 and 1996, respectively, allowances totaling $125.7 million
and $65.6 million were held on properties  identified as available for sale with
amortized costs of $510.9 million and $411.4 million.

At September 30, 1997, the vacancy rate for The  Equitable's  office  properties
was  12.4% in total,  with a vacancy  rate of 9.2% for  properties  acquired  as
investment real estate and 22.1% for properties  acquired  through  foreclosure.
The national  commercial  office vacancy rate was 11.2% (as of June 30, 1997) as
measured by CB Commercial.

Holding Company Group Investment Portfolio

For the first nine months of 1997, Holding Company Group investment results were
$38.2  million,  as compared to $40.6  million in the year earlier  period.  The
decrease principally was due to lower investment income on the Holding Company's
smaller fixed maturities portfolio.

                                       36
<PAGE>

At September 30, 1997, the Holding Company Group investment  portfolio's  $629.7
million carrying value was made up of $550.4 million of fixed maturities ($400.5
million with an NAIC 1 rating), $70.1 million of cash and short-term investments
and $9.2  million  of other  equity  investments.  At  December  31,  1996,  the
portfolio's carrying value was $705.7 million,  which included $657.7 million of
fixed maturities  ($444.9 million with an NAIC 1 rating),  $40.6 million of cash
and short-term investments and $7.4 million of other equity investments.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                     Holding Company Group Fixed Maturities
                                By Credit Quality
                              (Dollars In Millions)

                                            September 30, 1997                         December 31, 1996
               Rating Agency      ---------------------------------------   ----------------------------------------
NAIC            Equivalent         Amortized        % of     Estimated       Amortized        % of      Estimated
Rating          Designation           Cost         Total     Fair Value         Cost         Total      Fair Value
- ---------- --------------------   -------------   --------- -------------   -------------   ---------  -------------
<S>                               <C>               <C>     <C>             <C>               <C>      <C>        
1-2        Aaa/Aa/A and Baa....   $     475.4        86.5%  $     491.7     $      525.0       80.1%   $     537.8
3-6        Ba and lower........          74.1        13.5          77.7            130.4       19.9         136.5
                                  -------------   --------- -------------   -------------   ---------  -------------

Total..........................   $     549.5       100.0%  $     569.4     $      655.4      100.0%   $     674.3
                                  =============   ========= =============   =============   =========  =============
</TABLE>

At September 30, 1997, the amortized  cost of problem fixed  maturities was $4.5
million  and $8.0  million  for  restructured  fixed  maturities.  There were no
potential problem fixed maturities at that date.


LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

Since  becoming  a  public  company  in 1992,  the  Holding  Company's  Board of
Directors  has  declared  quarterly  cash  dividends  of $0.05  per share on the
outstanding shares of its Common Stock.

On  August  4,  1997,  the  Holding  Company  redeemed  all of  its  outstanding
Subordinated  Debentures and all outstanding shares of its Series C and Series E
Preferred Stock. Upon redemption,  the Holding Company issued approximately 32.5
million  additional  shares  of its  Common  Stock.  Holders  of  record  of the
Subordinated  Debentures were entitled to receive 40.4040 shares of Common Stock
for each $1,000 principal amount of Subordinated Debentures redeemed, along with
cash  representing  interest  accrued  from July 22,  1997,  the prior  interest
payment date. Holders of the Series C and Series E Preferred Stock were entitled
to receive  20.4082  shares of Common  Stock for each share of  Preferred  Stock
redeemed,  together with cash or shares of Common Stock  representing  dividends
accrued from July 22, 1997,  the prior  dividend  payment  date.  As a result of
those  transactions,  shareholder's  equity  increased by  approximately  $339.7
million.  Dividends  paid in 1997 for the Series C Preferred  Stock and Series E
Preferred Stock were $0.7 million and $14.8 million, respectively.

Due to the abovementioned  conversions  earlier in the quarter, at September 30,
1997,  only the Series D Convertible  Preferred Stock remains  outstanding.  The
Series D Preferred  Stock  increases  shareholders'  equity only when shares are
released from the SECT. In April 1996, the Holding  Company had registered  with
the SEC  approximately  11.9  million  shares  of  Common  Stock  issuable  upon
conversion  of shares of the Series D Preferred  Stock held by the SECT. In July
1997, the SECT released 8,040 shares of the Series D Preferred  Stock which were
converted into 1.6 million shares of Common Stock. AXA purchased  960,000 shares
directly  while the  remaining  shares were sold through an agent to the public.
The net proceeds of the sales totaled $54.8  million,  increasing  shareholders'
equity by this amount.  At September 30, 1997, the aggregate market value of the
remaining  unissued  registered  securities  was  $429.1  million,  based on the
closing market price on the NYSE.

See  Note 9 of  Notes  to the  Consolidated  Financial  Statements  for  further
information on the redemptions and the SECT transaction.

Equitable  Life has a  commercial  paper  program  with an issue  limit of up to
$500.0 million.  This program is available for general corporate purposes and is
supported by Equitable  Life's  existing  $350.0  million bank credit  facility,
which expires in June 2000.  Equitable  Life uses this program from time to time
in its  liquidity  management.  At  September  30,  1997,  there were no amounts
outstanding  under either the commercial  paper program or the revolving  credit
facility.

                                       37
<PAGE>

DLJ continues to be active in raising  additional  capital.  In April 1997,  DLJ
commenced a program  for the  offering  of up to $300.0  million of  medium-term
notes under a shelf  registration  statement.  At September  30,  1997,  DLJ had
$200.0  million  fixed rate  notes  outstanding  under  this shelf  registration
statement with a weighted  average rate of 6.45%.  DLJ has entered into interest
rate swap  transactions  to convert  $190.0  million of such notes into floating
rate notes based upon  LIBOR.  At  September  30,  1997,  the  weighted  average
effective  interest  rates on these notes was 5.89%.  In June 1997,  DLJ filed a
shelf registration  statement which enables DLJ to issue from time to time up to
$1.0  billion  in  aggregate  principal  amount of senior or  subordinated  debt
securities.  In  September  1997,  DLJ  commenced  a program  under  such  shelf
registration for the offering of up to $500.0 million medium-term notes due nine
months or more from the date of  issuance.  At September  30,  1997,  there were
$150.0  million notes  outstanding  under this program at a fixed rate of 6.90%.
Additionally,  in September 1997, DLJ issued $350.0 million global floating rate
notes from the $1.0 billion shelf registration statement,  bearing interest at a
floating  rate equal to LIBOR plus 0.25% and  maturing in  September  2002.  The
notes are redeemable by DLJ in whole or in part on or after  September  2000. On
August 8, 1997, DLJ converted its $28.8 million aggregate principal amount of 5%
junior  subordinated  convertible  debentures  into 685,204 shares of DLJ common
stock.  During the third quarter of 1996, DLJ completed an offering from a shelf
registration of $200.0 million of 8.42% mandatorily  redeemable preferred stock,
redeemable in whole or in part, at DLJ's option, on or after August 31, 2001.

To  address a  possible  year end change in its tax  status,  on June 24,  1997,
Alliance  announced  plans  for a  conversion  to a public  corporate  ownership
structure to become  effective in December 1997. On August 5, 1997, The Taxpayer
Relief Act of 1997 was  signed  into law.  It  included  the option for  certain
publicly traded  partnerships to maintain  partnership tax status and pay a 3.5%
tax on  partnership  gross  income.  On August 6, 1997,  Alliance  announced its
intention  to  utilize  this  option  and  remain  a  publicly   traded  limited
partnership and that it would not implement the previously  announced conversion
to a public corporate ownership structure.

Consolidated Cash Flows

The net cash used by operating  activities  was $3.05 billion for the first nine
months of 1997 compared to net cash  provided by operating  activities of $301.9
million for the same period in 1996.  Cash used by operating  activities in 1997
principally  was  attributable  to the  $3.78  billion  net  change  in  trading
activities and broker-dealer related  receivables/payables  at DLJ reflecting an
increase in operating assets.

Net cash used by  investing  activities  was $193.1  million  for the first nine
months of 1997 as  compared to $390.6  million  for the same period in 1996.  In
1997, investment purchases exceeded sales, maturities,  repayments and return of
capital by $469.6 million. The EREIM sale produced net proceeds of approximately
$261.0  million.  Discontinued  operations  reduced its  outstanding  loans from
continuing operations by $336.2 million during the first nine months of 1997. In
the 1996 period, investment purchases exceeded sales, maturities, repayments and
return of  capital  by $1.10  billion.  Discontinued  operations  repaid  $827.0
million  of loans from  continuing  operations  during the first nine  months of
1996.

Net cash provided by financing  activities  was $3.93 billion for the first nine
months of 1997 as compared to net cash used by  financing  activities  of $196.9
million  in the  first  nine  months of 1996.  Net cash  provided  by  financing
activities during the first nine months of 1997 primarily  resulted from a $3.65
billion  increase in short-term  financings,  principally  due to net repurchase
agreement activity. There was a net increase of long-term debt of $687.9 million
primarily   due  to  new  debt  at  DLJ.   Withdrawals   from  General   Account
policyholders'  account balances  exceeded deposits by $390.7 million during the
nine  months  ended  September  30,  1997.  In the  first  nine  months of 1996,
withdrawals  from  General  Account  policyholders'  account  balances  exceeded
deposits by $437.3 million.  During the first nine months of 1996, cash provided
by  additional  long-term  debt of $296.3  million and the net increase of 137.1
million in short-term financing, principally at DLJ, was partially offset by the
debt repayments of $307.6 million.

The operating, investing and financing activities described above resulted in an
increase  in cash and cash  equivalents  during the first nine months of 1997 of
$693.6 million to $1.45 billion.

                                       38
<PAGE>

PART II        OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1.        Legal Proceedings

There have been no material legal  proceedings  and no material  developments in
matters which were  previously  reported in the  Registrant's  Form 10-K for the
year ended December 31, 1996 except as set forth in Note 13 to the  Registrant's
Unaudited  Consolidated Financial Statements in Part I of this Form 10-Q for the
quarter ended September 30, 1997.


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

                (a) Exhibits

                    Exhibit 27      Financial Data Schedule

                (b) Reports on Form 8-K

                    None

                                       39
<PAGE>

                                   SIGNATURES


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


Date:    November 11, 1997    THE EQUITABLE COMPANIES INCORPORATED


                              By:         /s/Stanley B. Tulin
                                  ----------------------------------------------
                                  Name:   Stanley B. Tulin
                                  Title:  Executive Vice President and Chief
                                          Financial Officer


Date:    November 11, 1997                /s/Alvin H. Fenichel
                                  ----------------------------------------------
                                  Name:   Alvin H. Fenichel
                                  Title:  Senior Vice President and Controller

                                       40


<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE>                                       7
<MULTIPLIER>                                                1,000
                                                 
<S>                                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                               DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                                  JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                                    SEP-30-1997
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE>                                   20,848,400
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>                                     144,600
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>                                       163,500
<EQUITIES>                                              1,265,200
<MORTGAGE>                                              2,604,700
<REAL-ESTATE>                                           3,225,800
<TOTAL-INVEST>                                         75,277,700
<CASH>                                                  1,448,900
<RECOVER-REINSURE>                                              0
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>                                  3,185,700
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                        155,562,200
<POLICY-LOSSES>                                                 0
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS>                                             0
<POLICY-OTHER>                                          4,514,400
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS>                                  21,742,200
<NOTES-PAYABLE>                                         8,146,200
                                           0
                                                     0
<COMMON>                                                    2,200
<OTHER-SE>                                              5,182,200
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                          155,562,200
                                              1,137,200
<INVESTMENT-INCOME>                                     2,842,700
<INVESTMENT-GAINS>                                        825,900
<OTHER-INCOME>                                          2,547,100
<BENEFITS>                                                718,300
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION>                               227,900
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER>                                    4,381,400
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                         1,066,800
<INCOME-TAX>                                              376,200
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                       578,000
<DISCONTINUED>                                             (2,900)
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                                 0
<CHANGES>                                                       0
<NET-INCOME>                                              575,100
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                                   2.78
<EPS-DILUTED>                                                   2.51
<RESERVE-OPEN>                                                  0
<PROVISION-CURRENT>                                             0
<PROVISION-PRIOR>                                               0
<PAYMENTS-CURRENT>                                              0
<PAYMENTS-PRIOR>                                                0
<RESERVE-CLOSE>                                                 0
<CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY>                                         0
                                                 

</TABLE>


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