SERVICE CORPORATION INTERNATIONAL
10-Q, 1998-11-16
PERSONAL SERVICES
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<PAGE>

                                       FORM 10-Q

                          SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                                WASHINGTON, D. C. 20549




       (X)QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15 (D) OF THE SECURITIES
                                 EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

                   For the quarterly period ended September 30, 1998

                                          or

       ( )TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15 (D) OF THE SECURITIES
                                 EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

                For the transition period from            to


                            Commission file number 1-6402-1
                                 --------------------

                        SERVICE CORPORATION INTERNATIONAL
               (Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)

               Texas                                       74-1488375
  (State or other jurisdiction of            (I. R. S. employer identification
  incorporation or organization)                           number)

1929 Allen Parkway, Houston, Texas                          77019
(Address of principal executive offices)                 (Zip code)

                                    (713) 522-5141
                 (Registrant's telephone number, including area code)
                                 --------------------


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

The number of shares outstanding of the registrant's common stock as of November
10, 1998, was 257,872,934 (excluding treasury shares).




<PAGE>




                           SERVICE CORPORATION INTERNATIONAL



                                         INDEX

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S>     <C>                                                              <C>
                                                                            Page
Part I. Financial Information

        Consolidated Statement of Income (Unaudited) -
         Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 1998 and 1997             3

        Consolidated Balance Sheet -
         September 30, 1998 (Unaudited) and December 31, 1997                4

        Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows (Unaudited) -
         Nine Months Ended  September 30, 1998 and 1997                      5

        Consolidated Statement of Stockholders' Equity (Unaudited) -
         Nine Months Ended  September 30, 1998                               6

        Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)      7 - 12

        Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
         and Results of Operations                                     13 - 23


Part II Other Information                                                   24

       Signature                                                            24

</TABLE>

                                           2

<PAGE>

                           SERVICE CORPORATION INTERNATIONAL
                           CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME
                                      (Unaudited)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                               Three Months Ended         Nine Months Ended
                                  September 30,             September 30,

(Dollars in thousands,
except per share amounts)       1998        1997          1998         1997
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                           <C>         <C>          <C>          <C>
Revenues...................   $712,520    $600,995     $2,101,594   $1,870,014
Costs and expenses.........   (538,814)   (449,223)    (1,524,070)  (1,366,907)
                              --------    --------     ----------   ----------
Gross profit...............    173,706     151,772        577,524      503,107

General and administrative
 expenses..................    (15,422)    (16,775)       (49,681)     (49,215)
                              --------    --------     ----------   ----------
Income from operations.....    158,284     134,997        527,843      453,892

Interest expense...........    (47,816)    (32,734)      (125,990)    (100,365)
Dividends on preferred
 securities of SCI
 Finance LLC...............       -           -             -           (4,382)
Other income...............     18,087       9,330         35,266       21,185
Gain on sale of investment.       -           -             -           68,077
                              --------    --------     ----------   ----------
                               (29,729)    (23,404)       (90,724)     (15,485)
                              --------    --------     ----------   ----------
Income before income taxes
 and extraordinary loss....    128,555     111,593        437,119      438,407
Provision for income taxes.    (45,342)    (38,869)      (154,172)    (155,735)
                              --------    --------     ----------   ----------

Income before
 extraordinary loss........     83,213      72,724        282,947      282,672
Extraordinary loss on early
 extinguishment of
 debt (net of income taxes
 of $23,383)...............       -          -            -            (40,802)
                              --------    --------     ----------   ----------
Net income.................   $ 83,213    $ 72,724     $  282,947   $  241,870
                              ========    ========     ==========   ==========

Earnings per share:
 Basic:
  Income before
   extraordinary loss......   $    .32    $    .29     $    1.11    $     1.17
  Extraordinary loss
   on early extinguishment
   of debt.................       -           -             -             (.17)
                              --------    --------     ---------    ----------
  Net income...............   $    .32    $    .29     $    1.11    $     1.00
                              ========    ========     =========    ==========
 Diluted:
  Income before
   extraordinary loss......   $    .32    $    .28     $    1.08    $     1.11
  Extraordinary loss on
   early extinguishment
   of debt.................      -           -              -             (.16)
                              --------    --------     ---------    ----------
  Net income...............   $    .32    $    .28     $    1.08    $      .95
                              ========    ========     =========    ==========

Dividends per share........   $    .09    $    .08     $     .27    $      .23
                              ========    ========     =========    ==========

Basic weighted average
 number of shares..........    257,380     251,634       255,673       243,256
                              ========    ========     =========    ==========
Diluted weighted average
 number of shares..........    263,416     258,614       262,308       257,282
                              ========    ========     =========    ==========
</TABLE>

(See notes to consolidated financial statements)

                                           3

<PAGE>



                           SERVICE CORPORATION INTERNATIONAL
                              CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                     September 30,
                                                         1998       December 31,
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)      (Unaudited)      1997
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                   <C>           <C>
Assets
Current assets:
   Cash and cash equivalents......................... $   116,980   $    46,877
   Receivables, net of allowances....................     611,587       557,481
   Inventories.......................................     183,039       172,169
   Other.............................................      51,239        34,881
                                                      -----------   -----------
     Total current assets............................     962,845       811,408
                                                      -----------   -----------

Investments - insurance subsidiaries.................   1,275,234       574,728
Prearranged funeral contracts .......................   2,455,649     2,610,632
Long-term receivables ...............................   1,237,827       981,121
Cemetery property, at cost...........................   1,907,117     1,636,859
Property, plant and equipment, at cost (net).........   1,774,243     1,644,137
Deferred charges and other assets....................     671,468       549,862
Names and reputations (net)..........................   1,769,592     1,498,116
                                                      -----------   -----------
                                                      $12,053,975   $10,306,863
                                                      ===========   ===========
Liabilities & Stockholders' Equity
Current liabilities:
   Accounts payable and accrued liabilities.......... $   425,142   $   425,631
   Current maturities of long-term debt..............      83,269        64,570
   Income taxes .....................................     147,706        45,241
                                                      -----------   -----------
     Total current liabilities.......................     656,117       535,442
                                                      -----------   -----------

Long-term debt.......................................   3,365,982     2,634,699
Reserves and annuity benefits - insurance subsidiaries  1,221,478       570,366
Deferred prearranged funeral contract revenues  ......  2,458,898     2,592,991
Deferred income taxes.................................    741,470       701,221
Other liabilities ....................................    606,365       546,140
Stockholders' equity:
   Common stock, $1 per share par value,
   500,000,000  shares  authorized,
   257,820,737 and 252,923,784,  respectively,
   issued and outstanding.............................    257,821       252,924
   Capital in excess of par value.....................  1,554,834     1,493,246
   Retained earnings..................................  1,196,893       983,353
   Accumulated other comprehensive income.............     (5,883)       (3,519)
                                                      -----------   -----------
     Total stockholders' equity.......................  3,003,665     2,726,004
                                                      -----------   -----------
                                                      $12,053,975   $10,306,863
                                                      ===========   ===========
</TABLE>

(See notes to consolidated financial statements)

                                           4

<PAGE>
                           SERVICE CORPORATION INTERNATIONAL
                         CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
                                      (Unaudited)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                            Nine Months Ended
                                                               September 30,
(Dollars in thousands)                                      1998          1997
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                         <C>        <C>
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income................................................. $ 282,947  $241,870
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided 
by  operating activities:
   Depreciation and amortization...........................   133,880   113,982
   Provision for deferred income taxes.....................    26,762    33,033
   Extraordinary loss on early extinguishment of debt,
    net of income taxes....................................      -       40,802
   Gains from dispositions (net)...........................   (24,426)  (83,303)
   Change in assets and liabilities, net of effects
    from acquisitions:
     (Increase) in receivables.............................  (162,353)  (87,109)
     (Increase)  in other assets...........................   (70,405)   (7,795)
     Increase in payables and other liabilities ...........    65,204    25,211
     Other.................................................     4,329    11,210
                                                            ---------  --------
Net cash provided by operating activities .................   255,938   287,901
                                                            ---------  --------

Cash flows from investing activities:
   Capital expenditures....................................  (152,990) (163,294)
   Change in prearranged funeral balances..................    53,097   (41,551)
   Purchases of securities - insurance subsidiaries........  (768,315) (825,010)
   Sales of securities - insurance subsidiaries............   759,477   818,136
   Proceeds from sales of property and equipment...........    27,563    30,827
   Acquisitions, net of cash acquired......................  (668,830) (306,148)
   Loans issued by finance subsidiary......................  (115,527)  (68,158)
   Principal payments received on loans issued by
    finance subsidiary.....................................    62,631    29,117
   Proceeds from sale of equity investment.................      -      147,739
   Purchases of equity investments.........................    (8,412)     -
   Other...................................................     9,788   (32,776)
                                                            ---------  --------
Net cash (used in) investing activities....................  (801,518) (411,118)
                                                            ---------  --------

Cash flows from financing activities:
   Increase in borrowings under revolving credit agreements   257,226    73,291
   Long-term debt issued...................................   500,000   650,000
   Payments of long-term debt..............................   (61,433)  (66,036)
   Early extinguishment of long-term debt..................      -     (449,998)
   Dividends paid..........................................   (65,156)  (50,998)
   Bank overdrafts and other...............................   (14,954)  (15,059)
                                                            ---------  --------
Net cash provided by financing activities..................   615,683   141,200
                                                            ---------  --------
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents..................    70,103    17,983
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period...........    46,877    44,131
                                                            ---------  --------
Cash and cash equivalents at September 30, 1998 and 1997... $ 116,980  $ 62,114
                                                            =========  ========
Cash used for:
   Interest................................................ $ 117,992  $ 98,663
                                                            =========  ========
   Taxes...................................................    87,746   101,604
                                                            =========  ========
Non-cash investing and financing transactions:
   Common stock issued in acquisitions..................... $  47,757  $ 57,864
                                                            =========  ========
   Common stock issued under restricted stock plans........     1,226     2,017
                                                            =========  ========
   Debt issued in acquisitions.............................      -        9,656
                                                            =========  ========
   Debenture conversions to common stock...................     2,594     5,127
                                                            =========  ========
   Conversion of preferred securities of SCI Finance LLC...      -      167,911
                                                            =========  ========
</TABLE>

(See notes to consolidated financial statements)


                                           5

<PAGE>

                           SERVICE CORPORATION INTERNATIONAL
                    CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
                                      (Unaudited)


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                 Capital in              Accumulated
(Dollars in thousands,             excess                   other
except per share         Common    of par    Retained   comprehensive
amounts)                 stock     value     earnings      income       Total
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                    <C>       <C>        <C>           <C>        <C>

Balance at
December 31, 1997..... $252,924  $1,493,246 $  983,353    $(3,519)   $2,726,004

Comprehensive income:
 Net income...........                         282,947                  282,947

Other comprehensive
 income:
 Foreign currency
  translation.........                                                  (14,693)
 Unrealized gain
  on securities.......                                                   12,329
                                                                     ----------
Total other
 comprehensive income.                                     (2,364)       (2,364)
                                                                     ----------
Comprehensive income..                                                  280,583

Common stock issued:
 Stock option
  exercises and
  stock grants.......     3,504      12,630                              16,134
 Acquisitions.........    1,208      46,549                              47,757
 Debenture conversions      185       2,409                               2,594

Dividends on
 common stock
 ($.27 per share).....                          (69,407)                (69,407)
                       --------  ----------  ----------   --------   ----------

Balance at
 September 30, 1998... $257,821  $1,554,834  $1,196,893   $ (5,883)  $3,003,665
                       ========  ==========  ==========   ========   ==========
</TABLE>


(See notes to consolidated financial statements)

                                           6

<PAGE>

                           SERVICE CORPORATION INTERNATIONAL
                    NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                   (Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
                                      (Unaudited)


1.  Nature of Operations
The Company is the  largest  provider  of death care  services in the world.  At
September 30, 1998, the Company  operated 3,370 funeral service  locations,  430
cemeteries and 180 crematoria located in 18 countries on five continents.
   The  funeral  service  locations  and  cemetery  operations  consist  of  the
Company's funeral homes, cemeteries,  crematoria and related businesses. Company
personnel at the funeral service  locations  provide all  professional  services
relating  to  funerals,  including  the  use of  funeral  facilities  and  motor
vehicles.  Funeral related  merchandise is sold at funeral service locations and
certain  funeral  service  locations  contain  crematoria.   The  Company  sells
prearranged  funeral  services  whereby a customer  contractually  agrees to the
terms of a funeral to be  performed  in the  future.  The  Company's  cemeteries
provide cemetery  interment rights (including  mausoleum spaces and lawn crypts)
and certain merchandise  including stone and bronze memorials and burial vaults.
These  items  are sold on an at need or  preneed  basis.  Company  personnel  at
cemeteries  perform interment services and provide management and maintenance of
cemetery  grounds.   Certain  cemeteries  contain  crematoria.   There  are  152
combination  locations that contain a funeral service  location within a company
owned cemetery.
   The financial  services  segment  represents a  combination  of the Company's
prearranged  funeral  marketing,  funeral  and  cemetery  trust  administration,
investments,  life  insurance  operations,  and Provident  Services,  Inc.,  the
Company's finance subsidiary.

2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Basis of Presentation: The consolidated financial statements for the nine months
ended  September  30, 1998 and 1997 include the accounts of Service  Corporation
International  and  all  majority-owned  subsidiaries  (the  "Company")  and are
unaudited but include all adjustments,  consisting of normal recurring  accruals
and any  other  adjustments  which  management  considers  necessary  for a fair
presentation of the results for these periods.  These financial  statements have
been prepared  consistent with the accounting  policies  described in the annual
report on Form 10-K filed  with the  Securities  and  Exchange  Commission  (the
"Commission")  for the  year  ended  December  31,  1997 and  should  be read in
conjunction  therewith.  Certain  reclassifications  have been made to the prior
period  to  conform  to the  current  period  presentation  with  no  effect  on
previously reported net income, financial condition and cash flows.

Use of Estimates in the Preparation of Financial Statements:  The preparation of
financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles
requires  management to make estimates and assumptions  that affect the reported
amounts  of assets and  liabilities  and  disclosure  of  contingent  assets and
liabilities at the date of the financial  statements and the reported amounts of
revenues and expenses during the reporting period.  As a result,  actual results
could differ from these estimates.

3. Acquisitions
The Company  acquired  255  funeral  service  locations,  40  cemeteries  and 14
crematoria  during the nine months ended September 30, 1998 (226 funeral service
locations,  34  cemeteries  and 13  crematoria  during  the  nine  months  ended
September 30,  1997).  The  consideration  for these  acquisitions  consisted of
combinations  of cash,  common stock of the Company and issued or assumed  debt.
The operating  results of all of these  acquisitions  have been  included  since
their respective dates of acquisitions.
   Effective  July  17,  1998,  the  Company  acquired  American  Memorial  Life
Insurance  Company (AML),  the pre-need  funeral  services  division of American
Annuity Group,  for $164,000 in cash. AML offers a variety of pre-need and final
expense life insurance and annuity products to finance prearranged funerals. AML
is part of the Company's financial services segment.

                                           7

<PAGE>

   The effect of acquisitions on the consolidated balance sheet at September 30,
was as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                       1998              1997
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                  <C>              <C>
Current assets...................................... $ 55,577         $ 15,072
Investments - insurance subsidiaries................  622,379             -
Prearranged funeral contracts.......................   47,802           63,014
Long-term receivables...............................   74,690           18,020
Cemetery property...................................  163,680          218,901
Property, plant and equipment.......................   84,342           98,104
Deferred charges and other assets...................  138,391            9,077
Names and reputations...............................  350,099          129,023
Current liabilities.................................  (65,588)         (24,197)
Long-term debt......................................  (62,907)         (19,439)
Reserves and annuity benefits -
 insurance subsidiaries............................. (594,848)            -
Deferred prearranged funeral contract revenues......  (45,870)         (79,094)
Deferred income taxes and other liabilities.........  (51,160)         (70,059)
Stockholders' equity................................  (47,757)         (52,274)
                                                     --------         --------
       Cash used for acquisitions................... $668,830         $306,148
                                                     ========         ========
</TABLE>

4. Prearranged Funeral Activities
The Company sells price guaranteed prearranged funeral contracts through various
programs  providing for future funeral  services at prices  prevailing  when the
agreements  are  signed.  Payments  under  these  contracts  are placed in trust
accounts (pursuant to applicable law) or are used to pay premiums on life 
insurance policies.
   Unperformed  price guaranteed  prearranged  funeral contracts are included in
the consolidated balance sheet as "Prearranged funeral contracts".  This balance
represents amounts due from trust funds,  customer  receivables,  or third party
insurance companies. A corresponding credit is recorded to "Deferred prearranged
funeral contract revenues".  Amounts paid by customers under prearranged funeral
contracts are recognized in funeral revenue at the time the funeral services are
performed.  Trust  earnings and  increasing  insurance  benefits are accrued and
deferred  until the  service is  performed,  at which time these  funds are also
recognized in funeral revenues and are intended to cover future increases in the
cost of  providing  a price  guaranteed  funeral  service.  Included in deferred
prearranged  funeral contract  revenues are net obtaining costs incurred through
the sales of trust  funded and third  party  insurance  funded  prearrangements.
These  obtaining  costs  include  sales  commissions  and certain  other  direct
marketing costs which are deferred and amortized over a period  representing the
actuarially determined life of the prearranged contracts.
   Prearranged  funeral  contracts  may also be  funded  by  insurance  policies
written  by  the  Company's  two  wholly-owned  insurance  subsidiaries.   These
insurance  subsidiaries follow generally accepted accounting principles for life
insurance  companies.  Funds  collected are included in  "Investments-insurance
subsidiaries," while actuarially computed insurance reserves and annuity benefit
liabilities   are  recorded  in  "Reserves   and  annuity   benefits-insurance
subsidiaries." At September 30, 1998, approximately $443,000 of the reserves and
annuity  benefits are associated with policies funding  prearranged  funerals at
non-Company owned funeral  locations.  Policy  acquisition costs are deferred to
"Deferred  charges and other  assets" and  amortized as  prescribed by generally
accepted accounting principles for life insurance companies.
   The total value of unperformed prearranged funerals at September 30, 1998 was
$3,395,916 ($3,163,357 at December 31, 1997).




                                           8

<PAGE>

5. Debt
Debt at September 30, 1998 and December 31, 1997, was as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                   September 30,    December 31,
                                                        1998            1997
                                               --------------------------------
   <S>                                              <C>             <C>
   Bank revolving credit agreements and
    commercial paper............................... $  870,573      $  588,539
   6.375% notes due in 2000........................    150,000         150,000
   6.75% notes due in 2001.........................    150,000         150,000
   8.72% amortizing notes due in 2002..............    114,259         141,108
   8.375% notes due in 2004........................     51,840          51,840
   7.375% notes due in 2004........................    250,000         250,000
   7.2% notes due in 2006..........................    150,000         150,000
   6.875% notes due in 2007........................    150,000         150,000
   6.5% notes due in 2008..........................    200,000            -
   7.70% notes due in 2009.........................    200,000         200,000
   6.95% amortizing notes due in 2010..............     57,178          58,859
   Floating rate notes due in 2011
    (putable in 1999)..............................    200,000         200,000
   7.875% debentures due in 2013...................     55,627          55,627
   7.0% notes due in 2015 (putable in 2002)........    300,000         300,000
   6.3% notes due in 2020 (putable in 2003)........    300,000            -
   Medium term notes, maturities through 2019,
    fixed average interest rate of 9.32%...........     35,720          35,720
   Convertible debentures, interest rates range
    from 4.75% - 5.5%, due through 2008,
    conversion price ranges from $11.25 - $45.69...     47,379          45,673
   Mortgage notes and other debt with maturities
    through 2015...................................    177,493         184,981
   Deferred loan costs.............................    (10,818)        (13,078)
                                                    ----------      ----------
   Total debt......................................  3,449,251       2,699,269  
   Less current maturities.........................    (83,269)        (64,570)
                                                    ----------      ----------
        Total long-term debt....................... $3,365,982      $2,634,699
                                                    ==========      ==========
</TABLE>

The Company's primary  revolving credit agreement  provides for borrowings up to
$1,000,000  and  consists of two  committed  tranches - a 364-day  tranche and a
5-year,  multi-currency tranche - which are primarily used to support commercial
paper issuance and for general corporate needs.
   The 364-day  tranche  allows for  borrowings  up to $300,000.  This  facility
expires June 25, 1999, but has provisions to be extended for additional  364-day
terms. At the end of any term, the  outstanding  balance may be converted into a
two-year term loan at the Company's option.  Interest rates are based on various
indices as  determined by the Company.  In addition,  a facility fee of 0.08% is
paid quarterly on the total commitment amount.
   The 5-year tranche allows for borrowings up to $700,000,  including  $500,000
in various foreign  currencies.  This facility  expires June 27, 2002.  Interest
rates on this  facility  are  based on  various  indices  as  determined  by the
Company.  In addition,  a facility fee is paid quarterly on the total commitment
amount.  The facility  fee,  which  ranges from 0.07% to 0.15%,  is based on the
Company's  senior debt ratings and is currently  set at 0.08%.  At September 30,
1998, there was approximately $193,000 of revolving borrowings outstanding under
this facility at a weighted average interest rate of 6.15%
   As of September 30, 1998, there was $536,000 of commercial paper  outstanding
backed by the above two tranches at a weighted average interest rate of 5.73%.
   On September 30, 1998, the Company  entered into a $141,000 bank facility and
borrowed the full  amount.  This  facility  will mature  November  13, 1998.  On
October 13, 1998,  the Company  entered  into a $250,000  bank  facility.  As of
November 9, 1998, $100,000 had been borrowed under this facility.  This facility
will also  mature  on  November  13,  1998.  It is the  Company's  intention  to
refinance these two facilities with commercial paper borrowings.

                                           9

<PAGE>

   On November 3, 1998, the Company entered into a new revolving credit facility
in the amount of  $800,000.  This  facility  will be used  primarily  to support
commercial paper issuance, has a 364-day maturity, and expires November 2, 1999.
The fee for this facility is set at 0.09%. As of November 9, 1998, this facility
had no commercial paper borrowings drawn against it.
   The credit facilities  described above have financial  compliance  provisions
that contain  certain  restrictions  on levels of net worth,  debt,  liens,  and
guarantees.
   The Company's  outstanding  commercial  paper and other  borrowings under its
various  credit  facilities  are  classified as long-term debt. The Company 
uses these revolving  credit  agreements  primarily to finance the Company's  
ongoing  acquisition  programs.  From time to time,  the Company raises debt 
and/or equity in the public markets to refinance its revolving credit
facility  balances.  The  timing of these  public  debt or equity  offerings  is
dependent on numerous factors including market  conditions,  long and short term
interest rates, the Company's capitalization ratios and the outstanding balances
under the revolving  credit  facilities.  Therefore,  the Company has classified
these borrowings as long-term debt.
   On October 29, 1998 the  Securities  and  Exchange  Commission  declared  the
Company's  new  $1,500,000  shelf  registration  effective.   This  registration
replaced a $1,000,000  shelf  registration.  As of November 9, 1998, the Company
had $1,500,000 of issuance  capacity  under the new shelf.  The shelf allows for
issuance  of debt,  equity,  and  combinations  of such  instruments  for use in
acquisitions and general corporate needs.

6. Derivatives
The  Company  enters  into  derivative  transactions  primarily  in the  form of
interest  rate swaps to manage  its mix of fixed and  floating  rate  debt,  and
cross-currency interest rate swaps in combination with local currency borrowings
to  substantially  hedge the Company's net  investment  in foreign  assets.  The
Company has  procedures  in place to monitor and control the use of  derivatives
and  only  enters  into  transactions  with a  limited  group  of  credit-worthy
financial  institutions.  The Company does not engage in derivative transactions
for  speculative  or  trading   purposes,   nor  is  it  a  party  to  leveraged
transactions.
   At September 30, 1998,  after giving  consideration  to the interest rate and
cross-currency  swaps, the Company's debt (excluding Provident debt) consists of
approximately  63% of fixed  interest  rate debt at a weighted  average  rate of
6.29%,  and  approximately  37% of  floating  interest  rate debt at a  weighted
average rate of 5.69%.  Approximately  $1,816,000 of the Company's debt has been
converted from US dollar  denominated debt to foreign currency  denominated debt
as  the  result  of  cross-currency   swaps.   Including  these  swaps,  foreign
denominated debt totals $2,082,000.
   The net fair value of the Company's  various swap agreements at September 30,
1998, was an asset of $131,000. Fair values were obtained from counterparties to
the agreements and represent  their estimate of the net amount the Company would
receive to  terminate  the swap  agreements  based upon the  existing  terms and
current market conditions.

7. Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                   Nine Months
                               Ended September 30,
                               1998        1997
                              -------------------
                               <S>         <C>
                               3.88        4.35
</TABLE>

For  purposes of  computing  the ratio of earnings  to fixed  charges,  earnings
consist  of  income  from  continuing   operations  before  income  taxes,  less
undistributed income of equity investees which are less than 50% owned, plus the
minority  interest of  majority-owned  subsidiaries  with fixed charges and plus
fixed  charges  (excluding  capitalized  interest).  Fixed  charges  consist  of
interest expense,  whether capitalized or expensed,  amortization of debt costs,
dividends on  preferred  securities  of SCI Finance LLC and  one-third of rental
expense which the Company considers representative of the interest factor in the
rentals.  The decrease in the  Company's  ratio of earnings to fixed  charges is
primarily attributable to the 1997 gain on the sale of a Company investment.



                                          10

<PAGE>

8. Geographic Segment Information 

Geographic segment information was as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                     North                  Other        Other
                                    America       France   European     Foreign
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                               <C>            <C>       <C>         <C>

Revenues:
Three months ended September 30:
 1998............................ $  471,032     $147,970  $ 62,281    $ 31,237
 1997............................    400,698      120,718    51,579      28,000
Nine months ended September 30:
 1998............................ $1,387,260     $446,063  $188,757    $ 79,514
 1997............................  1,229,212      403,194   162,931      74,677

Income from operations: 
Three months ended September 30:
 1998............................ $  120,803     $ 21,324  $  5,126    $ 11,031
 1997............................    107,912        8,684     7,556      10,845
Nine months ended September 30:
 1998............................ $  425,987     $ 52,206  $ 28,331    $ 21,319
 1997............................    360,797       37,084    32,211      23,800

Funeral services performed: 
Three months ended September 30:
 1998............................     61,186       35,085    28,283      8,619
 1997............................     58,734       35,062    23,692      8,585
Nine months ended September 30:
 1998............................    196,363      111,182    85,819     22,690
 1997............................    187,899      111,548    76,451     22,133

Number of locations at 
September 30:
 1998............................      1,837        1,200       782        161
 1997............................      1,664        1,093       679        148

</TABLE>

                                          11

<PAGE>

9. Earnings Per Share
A  reconciliation  of the numerators and  denominators  of the basic and diluted
earnings per share computations are presented below:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                  Three Months ended         Nine Months ended
                                      September 30,            September 30,
                                    1998        1997          1998        1997
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                               <C>        <C>             <C>       <C>
Income (numerator):
 Income before extraordinary
  item - basic................... $ 83,213   $ 72,724        $282,947  $282,672
 After tax interest on
  convertible debentures.........      392        348           1,162     4,264
                                  --------   --------        --------  --------
 Income before extraordinary
  item - diluted................. $ 83,605   $ 73,072        $284,109  $286,936
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shares (denominator):
 Shares - basic..................  257,380    251,634        255,673    243,256
 Stock options and warrants......    3,959      4,860          4,515      4,753
 Convertible debentures..........    2,077      2,120          2,120      4,891
 Convertible preferred securities
  of SCI Finance LLC.............     -          -              -         4,382
                                  --------    -------        -------    -------
 Shares - diluted................  263,416    258,614        262,308    257,282
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Earnings per share before 
extraordinary item:
  Basic.......................... $    .32   $    .29        $  1.11   $   1.17
  Diluted........................ $    .32   $    .28        $  1.08   $   1.11
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>



10.Other Matters
   On August 6, 1998,  the Company  announced  that it has reached a  definitive
agreement  with  Equity  Corporation  International  (ECI)  to  form a  business
combination between the two companies. ECI, the nation's fourth largest publicly
traded death care company, currently owns 326 funeral homes and 81 cemeteries in
35 U.S. states and one Canadian  province.  The combination will occur through a
stock-for-stock  transaction  that  will  result in ECI  shareholders  receiving
common   shares  of  the  Company,   and  will  be   accounted   for  under  the
pooling-of-interests method of accounting.
   The  transaction,  subject to regulatory  approval and an affirmative vote of
ECI shareholders, is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 1998.

                                          12

<PAGE>

                        MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
                      FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
                   (Dollars in thousands, except average sales prices)

Overview:
The majority of the  Company's  funeral  service  locations and  cemeteries  are
managed  in groups  called  clusters.  Clusters  are  established  primarily  in
metropolitan areas to take advantage of operational  efficiencies,  particularly
the  sharing  of  operating  expenses  such  as  service  personnel,   vehicles,
preparation  services,  clerical  staff and  certain  building  facility  costs.
Personnel  costs,  the largest  operating  expense for the Company,  is the cost
component most beneficially affected by clustering. The sharing of employees, as
well as the other costs mentioned, allow the Company to more efficiently utilize
its operating  facilities  due to the  traditional  fluctuation in the number of
funeral  services  and cemetery  interments  performed  in a given  period.  The
Company  conducts  funeral,  cemetery and  financial  services  operations in 18
countries.  The Company's  largest  markets are North America and France,  which
when combined,  represent  approximately  76% of the Company's  total  operating
locations, and 87% of the Company's consolidated revenue.

                          Nine Months Ended September 30, 1998
                    Compared to Nine Months Ended September 30, 1997

Results of Operations:
Segment information for the Company's three lines of business was as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                          Nine Months Ended September 30,                  %
                                1998              1997         Increase Increase
                       ---------------------------------------------------------
  <S>                      <C>         <C>   <C>         <C>   <C>        <C>
  Revenues:
    Funeral................$1,351,603        $1,269,346        $ 82,257    6.5%
    Cemetery...............   636,138           538,153          97,985   18.2
    Financial services.....   113,853            62,515          51,338   82.1
                           ----------        ----------        --------
                            2,101,594         1,870,014         231,580   12.4
  Costs and expenses:
    Funeral................ 1,042,981           977,825          65,156    6.7
    Cemetery...............   385,773           337,021          48,752   14.5
    Financial services.....    95,316            52,061          43,255   83.0
                           ----------        ----------        --------
                            1,524,070         1,366,907         157,163   11.5
  Gross profit and margin 
  percentage:
    Funeral................   308,622  22.8%    291,521  23.0%   17,101    5.9
    Cemetery...............   250,365  39.4     201,132  37.4    49,233   24.5
    Financial services.....    18,537  16.3      10,454  16.7     8,083   77.3
                           ----------        ----------        --------
                           $  577,524  27.5% $  503,107  26.9% $ 74,417   14.8%
                           ==========        ==========        ========
</TABLE>





                                           13

<PAGE>

FUNERAL
Funeral revenues were as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                      Nine Months ended
                                       September 30,      Increase    %Increase
                                       1998       1997     (Decrease) (Decrease)
                                  ----------------------------------------------
   <S>                              <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>
   North America....................$  752,151  $  720,467  $31,684       4.4 %
   France ..........................   385,361     351,220   34,141       9.7
   Other European...................   171,136     146,872   24,264      16.5
   Other foreign....................    42,955      50,787   (7,832)    (15.4)
                                    ----------  ----------  -------
      Total funeral revenues........$1,351,603  $1,269,346  $82,257       6.5
                                    ==========  ==========  =======
</TABLE>

   The $31,684 increase in revenues from North American operations was primarily
the result of a $34,788  increase in revenues from existing  clusters  partially
offset by  reduced  revenues  from  disposed  operations.  The number of funeral
services performed by existing clusters in North America increased 4.8% (192,800
compared to 183,924),  while the average  sales price  remained  stable  ($3,830
compared to $3,834).  Included in the existing cluster increase was $49,549 from
locations  acquired  since  January  1,  1997 and a  decrease  of  $14,761  from
locations  acquired prior to January 1, 1997. The decline  reported at locations
owned prior to January 1, 1997,  reflects  continued weakness in mortality rates
throughout many of the Company's service areas.
   Revenues from French operations  increased $34,141 due to additional  revenue
from locations acquired since January 1, 1997 and increased monument revenues in
1998.  These  increases  were  partially  offset by a $12,700  decrease  in 1998
revenue due to an unfavorable change in the French to US currency exchange rates
and a slight decline in total funeral services performed.
   The $24,264 increase in revenues from other European operations was primarily
the  result of a 12.3%  increase  in the number of  funeral  services  performed
(85,819  compared  to  76,451).  This  volume  increase  reflects  the effect of
continued growth through acquisition in Europe.
   The decrease in revenues from other foreign  operations is due primarily to a
17% decrease in the Australian to US currency  exchange rates,  partially offset
by a 2.5% increase in the number of funeral services  performed (22,690 compared
to 22,133).  The additional  funeral services are due primarily to the Company's
acquisition in Argentina during fourth quarter 1997.
   During the nine months ended September 30, 1998, the Company sold $420,349 of
prearranged funeral services compared to $425,029 for the same period in 1997.

   Funeral gross margin was as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                         Nine Months ended September 30,
                                % of              % of     Increase   %Increase
                         1998  Revenue     1997  Revenue  (decrease) (decrease)
                      ----------------------------------------------------------
   <S>                <C>       <C>     <C>       <C>       <C>        <C>
   North America....  $231,706  30.8%   $219,779  30.5%     $11,927      5.4 %
   France ..........    44,659  11.6      32,265   9.1       12,394     38.4
   Other European...    22,457  13.1      25,533  17.4       (3,076)   (12.0)
   Other foreign....     9,800  22.8      13,944  27.4       (4,144)   (29.7)
                      --------          --------            -------
   Total funeral
    gross margin....  $308,622  22.8    $291,521  23.0      $17,101      5.9
                      ========          ========            =======
</TABLE>

   The slight improvement in gross margin percentage in North America is due to 
the increase in funeral revenues mentioned above.
   The 1998  increase  in French  gross  margin is  primarily  the result of an
increase in higher margin  monument sales,  as well as,  continued  efforts to 
control costs.
   Other  European  gross margin  decreased  in 1998 due primarily to increased
merchandising and promotional expenses incurred in the United Kingdom.

                                           14

<PAGE>

   The decrease in gross margin from other foreign  operations was primarily the
result of a 17% decrease in the Australian to US currency exchange rates.

CEMETERY
Cemetery revenues were as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                      Nine Months ended
                                       September 30,        Increase  %Increase
                                       1998       1997     (Decrease) (Decrease)
                                  ----------------------------------------------
   <S>                               <C>        <C>          <C>         <C>
   North America..................   $581,958   $498,202     $83,756     16.8%
   Other European.................     17,621    16,059        1,562      9.7
   Other foreign..................     36,559    23,892       12,667     53.0
                                     --------   --------     ------
      Total cemetery revenues.....   $636,138   $538,153     $97,985     18.2
                                     ========   ========     =======
</TABLE>

   The $83,756 increase in North American cemetery revenue is due primarily to a
$82,448  increase in revenues from existing  clusters.  Included in the existing
cluster increase was $56,200 from locations acquired since January 1, 1997.
   The $12,667  increase in other  foreign  cemetery  revenue is due to the 1998
contribution of the Company's cemetery operations in Argentina (acquired in late
1997 and early 1998),  offset by a decrease in cemetery  revenue from Australia.
The  decrease in  Australia is due  primarily  to an  unfavorable  change in the
Australian to US currency exchange rates.
   Cemetery gross margin was as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                         Nine Months ended September 30,
                                % of              % of     Increase   %Increase
                         1998  Revenue     1997  Revenue  (decrease)  (decrease)
                      ----------------------------------------------------------
   <S>                 <C>       <C>     <C>       <C>     <C>         <C>
   North America...... $232,972  40.0%   $184,592  37.1%   $48,380      26.2%
   Other European.....    5,874  33.3       6,678  41.6       (804)    (12.0)
   Other foreign......   11,519  31.5       9,862  41.3      1,657      16.8
                       --------          --------          -------
   Total cemetery
    gross margin...... $250,365  39.4    $201,132  37.4    $49,233      24.5
                       ========          ========          =======
</TABLE>

   The  increase  in gross  margin from the  Company's  North  America  cemetery
operations is due primarily to additional revenue from locations acquired before
January 1, 1997,  as well as,  increased  trust  investment  income and property
sales in 1998.  The gross margin  percentage  benefited  from  increased  trust
investment income and lower merchandise costs.
   The  decline  in the other  foreign  gross  margin  percentage  is due to the
acquisition  of the  Company's  Argentina  cemetery  operations in late 1997 and
early 1998.  These  operations  have a lower gross  margin  percentage  than the
Company's Australian cemeteries.

FINANCIAL SERVICES
For segment  reporting,  financial  services  represents  a  combination  of the
Company's existing finance subsidiary, Provident Services, Inc. (Provident), and
the Company's two insurance subsidiaries.
   Financial services revenues were as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                      Nine Months ended
                                       September 30,        Increase
                                       1998       1997     (Decrease) %Increase
                                  ----------------------------------------------
   <S>                              <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>
   Insurance:
    North America...................$ 38,912    $  -        $38,912
    France..........................  59,976     50,425       9,551     18.9%
                                    --------    -------     -------
    Total insurance.................  98,888     50,425      48,463     96.1
   Provident........................  14,965     12,090       2,875     23.8
                                    --------    -------     -------
   Total financial services
    revenues........................$113,853    $62,515     $51,338     82.1
                                    ========    =======     =======
</TABLE>


                                           15

<PAGE>

   Financial services gross margin was as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                         Nine Months ended September 30,
                                % of              % of     Increase
                         1998  Revenue     1997  Revenue  (decrease)  %Increase
                      ----------------------------------------------------------
   <S>                 <C>       <C>     <C>      <C>      <C>         <C>
   Insurance:
    North America..... $  3,853   9.9%   $  -              $ 3,853
    France............    7,547  12.6      4,819   9.6%      2,728      56.6%
                       --------          -------           -------
    Total insurance...   11,400  11.5      4,819   9.6       6,581     136.6
   Provident..........    7,137  47.7      5,635  46.6       1,502      26.7
                       --------          -------           -------
   Total financial
    services gross
    margin............ $ 18,537  16.3    $10,454  16.7     $ 8,083      77.3
                       ========          =-=====           =======
</TABLE>

   The  increase  in North  American  revenue  and  gross  margin  is due to the
acquisition of American  Memorial Life Insurance Co. (AML)  effective July 17,
1998 (see note 3).
   Provident  reported  a gross  profit  of  $7,137  for the nine  months  ended
September 30, 1998, compared to $5,635 for the same period in 1997.  Provident's
average  outstanding  loan  portfolio  during the current  period  increased  to
$218,475  compared to $179,378 in 1997,  while the average  interest rate spread
remained stable at 3.2%.

Other Income and Expenses
General and  administrative  expenses  remained  constant  compared to the prior
year. Expressed as a percentage of revenues, general and administrative expenses
decreased  slightly  to 2.4% for the  nine  months  ended  September  30,  1998,
compared to 2.6% for the comparable period in 1997.
   Interest expense, which excludes the amount incurred by Provident,  increased
$25,625 or 25.5% period to period.  The  increased  interest  expense  primarily
reflects the Company's funding of acquisitions with debt.
   During the first  quarter of 1997,  the Company  sold its  interest in Equity
Corporation International ("ECI") producing a pre-tax gain of $68,077.
   The provision for income taxes  reflected a 35.3%  effective tax rate for the
nine months ended September 30, 1998, compared to a 35.5% effective tax rate for
the  comparable  period in 1997.  The decrease in the  effective tax rate is due
primarily to lower tax rates on  international  operations  in 1998 and the 1997
tax  impact  from the gain on sale of the  Company's  interest  in ECI which was
reflected at the Company's higher domestic tax rate.

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

Results of Operations:
Segment information for the Company's three lines of business was as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                        Three Months Ended September 30,                   %
                             1998             1997           Increase   Increase
                       ---------------------------------------------------------
  <S>                      <C>       <C>    <C>       <C>    <C>        <C>
  Revenues:
    Funeral............... $432,814         $396,777         $ 36,037     9.1%
    Cemetery............... 213,831          182,624           31,207    17.1
    Financial services.....  65,875           21,594           44,281   205.1
                           --------         --------         --------
                            712,520          600,995          111,525    18.6
  Costs and expenses:
    Funeral................ 347,698          315,670           32,028    10.1
    Cemetery............... 135,446          115,135           20,311    17.6
    Financial services.....  55,670           18,418           37,252   202.3
                           --------         --------         --------
                            538,814          449,223           89,591    19.9
  Gross profit and margin 
  percentage:
    Funeral................  85,116  19.7%    81,107  20.4%     4,009     4.9
    Cemetery...............  78,385  36.7     67,489  37.0     10,896    16.1
    Financial services.....  10,205  15.5      3,176  14.7      7,029   221.3
                           --------         --------         --------
                           $173,706  24.4%  $151,772  25.3%  $ 21,934    14.5 %
                           ========         ========         ========
</TABLE>

                                           16

<PAGE>

FUNERAL
Funeral revenues were as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                     Three Months ended
                                        September 30,       Increase  %Increase
                                       1998       1997     (Decrease) (Decrease)
                                  ----------------------------------------------
   <S>                                 <C>        <C>       <C>        <C>
   North America....................   $234,880   $228,214  $ 6,666      2.9 %
   France ..........................    126,049    102,916   23,133     22.5
   Other European...................     56,431     46,476    9,955     21.4
   Other foreign....................     15,454     19,171   (3,717)   (19.4)
                                       --------   --------  -------
   Total funeral revenues...........   $432,814   $396,777  $36,037      9.1
                                       ========   ========  =======
</TABLE>

   North America  funeral  revenues  increased  $6,666 due primarily to a $8,662
increase from existing clusters. The number of funeral services  performed 
by existing clusters in North America increased 4.9% (59,537 compared 
to 56,738),  while the average sales price decreased  slightly  ($3,853
compared to $3,890). Included in the existing cluster increase was a $16,847 
increase from locations  acquired after January 1, 1997, while locations
acquired  prior to  January  1, 1997,  decreased  $8,185. The decline reported 
at locations owned prior to January 1, 1997,  reflects  continued  weakness 
in mortality  rates  throughout many of the Company's service areas.
   The $23,133  increase in revenues from French  operations was the result of a
slight increase in funeral services performed, increased monument revenue and 
a favorable change in the French to US currency exchange rates.
   Revenues from other European  operations  increased $9,955 due primarily to a
19.4% increase in the number of funeral services  performed  (28,283 compared to
23,692).  The additional  other European  funeral services are primarily the  
result of the Company's acquisitions in Norway and Portugal during 1998.
   Funeral gross margin was as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                        Three Months ended September 30,
                                % of              % of     Increase   %Increase
                         1998  Revenue     1997  Revenue  (decrease)  (decrease)
                      ----------------------------------------------------------
   <S>                 <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>         <C>
   North America...... $59,254  25.2%    $61,893  27.1%    $(2,639)     (4.3)%
   France ............  17,609  13.9       7,651   7.4       9,958     130.2
   Other European.....   3,573   6.3       5,049  10.8      (1,476)    (29.2)
   Other foreign......   4,680  30.3       6,514  34.0      (1,834)    (28.2)
                       -------           -------           -------
   Total funeral
    gross margin...... $85,116  19.7     $81,107  20.4     $ 4,009       4.9
                       =======           =======           =======
</TABLE>

   The  North  American  gross  margin  decreased  due to higher  personnel  and
facility  costs.  In  addition,   locations   acquired  after  January  1,  1997
experienced  a  lower  gross  margin  percentage  than  the  Company's  existing
locations. Typically, acquisitions will temporarily exhibit slightly lower gross
margins,  at least until such time as the locations are fully  assimilated  into
the cluster management strategy.
   The  increase  in French  gross  margin  percentage  is the  result of higher
revenues  reported  above.  The gross  margin  from  other  European  operations
decreased due to increased  merchandising  and promotional  expenses incurred in
the United Kingdom,  partially offset by increased gross margin by the Company's
other European operations.

CEMETERY
Cemetery revenues were as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                     Three Months ended
                                        September 30,       Increase
                                       1998       1997     (Decrease) %Increase
                                  ----------------------------------------------
   <S>                              <C>         <C>         <C>          <C>
   North America.................   $192,199    $168,692    $23,507      13.9%
   Other European................      5,851       5,103        748      14.7
   Other foreign.................     15,781       8,829      6,952      78.7
                                    --------    --------    -------
   Total cemetery revenues.......   $213,831    $182,624    $31,207      17.1
                                    ========    ========    =======
</TABLE>


                                           17

<PAGE>

   The $23,507  increase in revenue from North American  cemetery  operations is
due  to an  $26,508  increase  in  revenues  from  existing  clusters.  Cemetery
locations acquired after January 1, 1997, contributed $24,283 of the increase in
revenue from existing clusters.
   Cemetery  revenue from other foreign  operations  increased $6,952 due to the
expansion into Argentina during fourth quarter 1997 and early 1998,  offset by a
decrease in cemetery  revenue from  Australia.  The decrease in Australia is due
primarily  to a  18.5%  unfavorable  change  in the  Australian  to US  currency
exchange rates.
   Cemetery gross margin was as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                        Three Months ended September 30,
                                % of              % of     Increase   %Increase
                         1998  Revenue     1997  Revenue  (decrease)  (decrease)
                      ----------------------------------------------------------
   <S>                 <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>          <C>
   North America...... $70,481  36.7%    $60,822  36.1%    $ 9,659       15.9 %
   Other European.....   1,553  26.5       2,336  45.8        (783)     (33.5)
   Other foreign......   6,351  40.2       4,331  49.0       2,020       46.6
                       --------          -------           -------
   Total cemetery
    gross margin...... $78,385  36.7     $67,489  37.0     $10,896       16.1
                       ========          =======           =======
</TABLE>

   The North American gross margin increased due to the aforementioned  increase
in revenue of 13.9%.  The  increase  in other  foreign is  primarily  due to the
contribution from the Company's acquisitions in Argentina in late 1997 and early
1998.

FINANCIAL SERVICES
   Financial services revenues were as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                      Three Months ended
                                       September 30,        
                                       1998       1997      Increase %Increase
                                  ----------------------------------------------
   <S>                               <C>       <C>          <C>        <C>
   Insurance:
    North America.................   $38,912   $  -         $38,912
    France........................    21,658    17,210        4,448     25.8%
                                     -------   -------      -------
    Total insurance...............    60,570    17,210       43,360    251.9
   Provident......................     5,305     4,384          921     21.0
                                     -------   -------      -------
   Total financial
    services revenues.............   $65,875   $21,594      $44,281    205.1
                                     =======   =======      =======
</TABLE>

   The increase in North  American  revenue is due to the  acquisition  of AML
effective July 17, 1998 (see note 3).

   Financial services gross margin was as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                        Three Months ended September 30,
                                % of              % of     
                         1998  Revenue     1997  Revenue   Increase  %Increase
                      ----------------------------------------------------------
   <S>                  <C>      <C>     <C>       <C>      <C>         <C>
   Insurance:
    North America...... $ 3,853   9.9%   $  -               $ 3,853
    France.............   3,715  17.2      1,033   6.0%       2,682     259.6%
                        -------          -------            -------
    Total insurance....   7,568  12.5      1,033   6.0        6,535     632.6
   Provident...........   2,637  49.7      2,143  48.9          494      23.1
                        -------          -------            -------
   Total financial
    services gross
    margin............. $10,205  15.5    $ 3,176  14.7      $ 7,029     221.3
                        =======          =======            =======
</TABLE>

   Provident  reported  a gross  margin of $2,637  for the  three  months  ended
September 30, 1998, compared to $2,143 for the same period in 1997.  Provident's
average  outstanding  loan  portfolio  during the current  period  increased  to
$229,408  compared  to $191,040  for the  comparable  period in 1997,  while the
average  interest  rate spread  increased  slightly to 3.3%  compared to 3.2% in
1997.



                                           18

<PAGE>

Other Income and Expenses
General and  administrative  expenses declined 8.1% due to lower personnel costs
and professional fees.
   Interest expense, which excludes the amount incurred by Provident,  increased
$15,082 or 46.1% period to period.  This increased  interest  expense  primarily
reflects the Company's funding of acquisitions with debt.

Financial Condition and Liquidity at September 30, 1998:
General
Historically,  the  Company  has funded its  working  capital  needs and capital
expenditures  primarily  through  cash  provided  by  operating  activities  and
borrowings under bank revolving credit agreements and commercial paper.  Funding
required for the Company's acquisition program has been generated through public
and private offerings of debt and the issuance of equity securities supplemented
by  the  Company's   revolving  credit  agreements  and  additional   securities
registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the  "Commission").  The
Company  believes cash from  operations,  additional  funds  available under its
revolving credit  agreements,  and proceeds from public and private offerings of
securities  will be sufficient to continue its current  acquisition  program and
operating  policies.  For the  nine-month  period ended  September 30, 1998, the
Company acquired 255 funeral service locations,  40 cemeteries and 14 crematoria
(see Note 3). As of September 30, 1998, the Company has received  signed letters
of intent to acquire an additional 117 funeral service locations,  15 cemeteries
and 2 crematoria  for an aggregate  purchase  price of  approximately  $249,000.
Combined, these  businesses are expected to produce  approximately  $334,000 in 
annualized revenues,  including  $129,000 in North  American  operations  and 
$205,000 from operations  outside  North  America.  In  addition,  the  Company 
has reached a definitive  agreement to merge with ECI (see note 10) which will 
add 326 funeral homes and 81 cemeteries in a stock for stock transaction valued 
at approximately $578,000.  The merger with ECI will add approximately $252,000 
in assumed debt.
   At  September 30, 1998, the Company had net working capital of $306,728 and 
a current ratio of 1.47:1,  compared to working  capital of $275,966 and a 
current ratio of 1.52:1 at December 31, 1997.

Sources And Uses of Cash
Cash flows from operating activities:  Net cash provided by operating activities
was $255,938 for the nine months ended September 30, 1998,  compared to $287,901
for the same period in 1997, a decrease of $31,963.  This decrease  results from
increased non-cash changes in the Company's working capital accounts  (primarily
increased  levels of cemetery  sales  which  generate  additional  receivables),
partially offset by higher operating profits.

Cash flows from investing activities:  Net cash used in investing activities was
$801,518 for the nine months ended September 30, 1998,  compared to $411,118 for
the same period in 1997,  an increase of  $390,400.  Cash used for  acquisitions
increased  by  $362,682  while  the  level  of  capital  expenditures   remained
relatively  unchanged  during the nine months ended  September  30, 1998, as the
Company continues to expand through both acquisitions of existing businesses and
through increased construction of funeral and cemetery facilities. Additionally,
in 1997,  $147,339 in cash was provided by the sale of the Company's interest in
ECI. Cash used relating to prearranged  funeral activities  decreased due to the
timing of cash payments to and withdrawals from trusts.

Cash flows from financing activities:  Net cash provided by financing activities
was $615,683 for the nine months ended September 30, 1998,  compared to $141,200
for the same  period in 1997,  an increase of  $474,483.  The nine months  ended
September   30,  1997  included  a  use  of  cash  of  $449,998  for  the  early
extinguishment of certain higher interest rate debt.
   As of September 30, 1998,  the  Company's  debt to  capitalization  ratio was
53.5%  compared to 49.8% at December 31, 1997.  The interest rate coverage ratio
for the nine months  ended  September  30,  1998 was 4.29:1,  compared to 4.36:1
(excluding the gain on the sale of the Company's investment in ECI) for the same
period  in  1997.   This  interest  rate  coverage  level  has  been  relatively
consistent,  despite higher levels of debt  outstanding,  for several years. The
Company believes that the acquisition of funeral and cemetery  operations funded
with debt or  Company  common  stock is a prudent  business  strategy  given the
stable cash

                                   19

<PAGE>

flow  generated and the low failure rate exhibited by these types of businesses.
The Company believes these acquired firms are  capable  of  servicing  the
additional debt and providing a sufficient  return on the Company's  investment.
   The Company expects adequate sources of funds to be available to finance its
future  operations  and  acquisitions   through   internally   generated  funds,
borrowings  under  credit  facilities  and the  issuance  of  securities.  As of
September 30, 1998, the Company's  various revolving credit facilities and lines
of credit provide for aggregate borrowings of approximately $1,141,000 ($270,000
available at September 30, 1998). As of November 13, 1998, the Company's  credit
facilities  provided for an aggregate  borrowings of $1,800,000 (see note 5). As
of October 29,  1998,  the Company also had the ability to issue  $1,500,000  in
securities  registered  with  the  Commission  under  a shelf  registration.  In
addition,  14,161,000  shares  of  common  stock  and a  total  of  $197,000  of
guaranteed  promissory notes and convertible  debentures are registered with the
Commission under a separate shelf registration to be used exclusively for future
acquisitions.

Prearranged Funeral Services
The Company has a marketing  program to sell prearranged  funeral  contracts and
the funds  collected  are  generally  held in trust or are used to purchase life
insurance or annuity  contracts.  The principal  amount of each such prearranged
funeral  contract will be received in cash by a Company funeral service location
at the time the funeral is  performed.  Earnings  on trust funds and  increasing
benefits under  insurance and annuity funded  contracts also increase the amount
of cash to be received upon performance of the funeral and are intended to cover
future increases in the cost of providing a price guaranteed  funeral service as
well as any selling costs.  During 1997,  the Company  completed a review of the
prearranged trust investment  process which included an  asset/liability  study.
This has resulted in a new investment program which entails the consolidation of
multiple trustees,  the use of institutional  managers with differing investment
styles and consolidated  performance  monitoring and tracking.  This new program
targets  a real  return  in  excess  of the  amount  necessary  to cover  future
increases in the cost of providing a price guaranteed funeral service as well as
any selling costs.  This is  accomplished by allocating the portfolio mix to the
appropriate  investments that more accurately match the anticipated  maturity of
the contracts.  The Company anticipates an asset allocation of approximately 65%
equity and 35% fixed income.
   Marketing costs incurred with the sale of prearranged funeral contracts are a
current use of cash which is partially  offset with cash  retained,  pursuant to
state laws, from amounts trusted and certain  commissions  earned by the Company
for sales of  insurance  products  issued by third party  insurers.  The Company
sells  prearranged  funerals in most of its service markets  including its major
foreign  markets.  AML has been a provider of insurance  and annuity  products
used  to fund  Company  prearranged  funerals  for  several  years.  Auxia,  the
Company's French life insurance  subsidiary,  primarily sells insurance products
used to fund  prearranged  funerals  to be  performed  by the  Company's  French
funeral service locations.  Prearranged funeral service sales afford the Company
the  opportunity to both protect  current market share and mix as well as expand
market share in certain markets. The Company believes this will stimulate future
revenue growth. Prearranged funeral services fulfilled as a percent of the total
North American funerals performed  annually  approximates 25% and is expected to
grow, thereby making the total number of funerals performed more predictable.

Other Matters:
Year 2000 issue
The Year 2000  issue,  also  known as "Y2K,"  refers  to the  inability  of some
computer programs and  microprocessors to correctly interpret the century from a
date in which  the year is  represented  by only two  digits  (e.g.,  98).  As a
result,  on January 1, 2000,  computer systems used by companies  throughout the
world may experience operating difficulties unless they are modified or upgraded
to properly  process  date related  information.  The Y2K issue can arise at any
point  in  a  company's  supply,  manufacturing,  processing,  distribution,  or
financial chains.
   The Company has established Y2K Program  Management  Offices at its corporate
offices in Birmingham,  England and Houston, Texas. These program offices, under
the direction of senior management,  are responsible for overseeing the numerous
facets of the  Company's  Year 2000  Preparedness  Project  (the  Project).  The
Company has engaged an external  consulting  firm to assist in  oversight of the
Project  and various  assessment  activities  associated  with  discovering  the
seriousness of the Y2K issue

                                           20

<PAGE>

in the Pacific Rim and South  America.  Additionally,  the Company is  utilizing
internal personnel, contract project managers,  programmers and testers, as well
as vendors, to identify Y2K issues, test and implement the chosen solutions.
   In order to  adequately  address the Y2K issue,  the Project has been divided
into the following  categories:  production systems,  networks,  desktops,  user
developed    applications,    vendor    supplied    software,    facilities    &
telecommunications,  and  merchandise  supply chain.  The  following  phases are
common to all of these categories: inventory (includes determining criticality),
discovery to determine Y2K problems,  analysis to determine  corrective  action,
correction,  testing,  and  implementation.  In  addition  to these  activities,
promotion of Y2K awareness and  development of contingency  plans is part of the
Project plan.

State of Readiness:
The majority of the  Company's  internal Y2K  exposure  exists at the corporate
office locations where the accounting and processing of the Company's business
transactions   takes  place.   Individual   funeral  homes  and  cemeteries  are
substantially  technology  independent and thus face few Y2K risks from internal
systems.

   Production  systems:  In  1998,  in  order  to  improve  access  to  business
information  through a common,  integrated  computing system across the company,
the Company began a worldwide  computer systems  replacement  project  utilizing
systems  from  Oracle  Corp.  (Oracle).  While  this  project  has  begun at the
Company's  European  headquarters,  global  implementation  will not be achieved
prior to the turn of the century.  Therefore,  all computer programs expected to
be replaced by Oracle are being made Y2K ready. The only exception to this is in
the United Kingdom where the  implementation of Oracle is proceeding in order to
achieve Y2K  readiness.  In  general,  the  Company's  production  systems  have
progressed  through the  inventory,  discovery,  and analysis  phases and are in
various  stages  of  correction  and  testing.  Production  systems  make up the
majority of the Company's  "mission critical systems" and are expected to be Y2K
ready by mid-1999.

   Networks: Inventory, discovery, and analysis of critical Networks has already
been  completed in several of the Company's  locations and these networks are in
various stages of correction and testing.  Some  non-critical  networks exist at
individual  operating  locations and will be assessed and made Y2K ready as time
allows.  Expectations  are  that  all  critical  networks  will be Y2K  ready by
mid-1999.

   Desktops:  In an effort to ensure the continued  operability of the Company's
many  personal  computers,  testing is underway to determine the extent to which
the Y2K problem  associated  with desktops will affect the Company's  ability to
conduct  business.  It is expected  that the impact  will be  minimal;  however,
contingency  plans are  already in place  should  upgrades  or  replacements  be
required.  These  contingency plans allow for the Y2K readiness of the Company's
critical desktops to be achieved by mid-1999.

   User developed  applications:  Although applications in this category are not
expected  to be mission  critical  in nature,  the  Company is in the process of
conducting  inventory  at both  headquarters  locations  and  plans  to have all
critical user  developed  applications  ready by the end of the first quarter in
1999.

   Vendor  supplied  software:  It is the  policy of the  Company  to query each
manufacturer  of critical  "off-the-shelf"  software to  ascertain  the vendor's
statement  regarding  the Y2K readiness of their  product(s).  Once the vendor's
statement is obtained, upgrades, replacements and testing will be implemented to
minimize the risk of Y2K issues arising from the software.  Although much of the
progress in this risk  category is dependent on external  vendors  supplying Y2K
ready products in a timely fashion, the Company expects that all critical vendor
supplied software in use at the Company will be Y2K ready by mid-1999.

Facilities & telecommunications: The Company recognizes the potential for Y2K
issues to arise from embedded technology systems which may be in use at its
numerous facilities. Inventory, discovery, and analysis are underway at the
Company's headquarters and preparations are being made for the same to occur at
the Company's various operating locations. Upon

                                           21

<PAGE>

completion of these phases, upgrades and/or replacements are expected to be made
in time to achieve Y2K readiness by mid-1999.

   Merchandise  supply  chain:  Due to the  Company's  disparate  locations  and
methods of operation,  assessing the Y2K readiness of the Company's  merchandise
supply chain must occur at both the corporate level (for core merchandise supply
chain  relationships) and the local level (for those  relationships  unique to a
location). Inventory and discovery are already underway at some of the Company's
locations.  Assessment of corporate  relationships is expected to begin prior to
the end of 1998 and be concluded,  along with the  establishment  of contingency
plans, by mid-1999.

Costs:
The aggregate costs for the Company to achieve Y2K readiness are not expected to
exceed  $25,000.  These costs will be  incurred  over the three year period from
1998 through the year 2000,  with the majority to be expended in 1999. All costs
associated  with Y2K readiness  will be funded from  operating  cash flows.  The
Company's  costs  associated with Y2K readiness  through  September 30, 1998 are
estimated at $2,500.

Risks:
The  majority  of the  Company's  internal  Y2K  exposure  exists  at  corporate
locations.  The  failure to correct a material  Y2K  problem at these  locations
could result in an interruption of certain normal corporate business activities.
Such a failure  would not,  however,  render  the  Company's  various  operating
locations  unable to deliver goods and services.  The Company  believes that the
greatest  risks arise from the  uncertainty  of the Y2K  readiness  of key third
party suppliers - both private businesses and government entities, especially in
the Company's international markets. The possible consequences of the Company or
its key third  party  suppliers  not being Y2K ready by January 1, 2000  include
temporary  location  closings,  delays in the  delivery  of goods and  services,
delays in the  receipt of goods and invoice and  collection  errors.  Due to the
inherent  nature  of the  Y2K  problem,  including  the  uncertainty  of the Y2K
readiness of key third party suppliers,  the Company's is unable at this time to
accurately determine whether Y2K related failures will have a material impact on
the business and results of operations  of the Company.  The Project is expected
to significantly  reduce the Company's level of uncertainty and, through the use
of contingency planning, the possibility of significant  interruptions in normal
operations should be reduced.

Contingency Plans:
Contingency  planning is an integral  part of Y2K  preparedness.  Because of the
many  uncertainties  that  exist,  it is part of the  Project  methodology  that
contingency  plans be established for critical systems in each of the categories
outlined above. The Company is continually  developing  contingency plans as new
risks are uncovered and will continue to plan and implement  these plans through
all of 1999. The Company does not currently have comprehensive contingency plans
for Y2K failures  experienced by key third party suppliers;  however, as part of
the assessment of the corporate  merchandise  supply chain,  these plans will be
established  to combat the  uncertainty  that exists in this  category.  The Y2K
program offices plan to review all project  contingency  plans and advise senior
management in early 1999 of any significant shortcomings.

Recent Accounting Standards
The Company will adopt Statement of Financial  Standards No. 133 "Accounting for
Derivative  Instruments and Hedging  Activities" for the year ended December 31,
2000. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this standard,  but does
not anticipate  that it will have a material  impact on the Company's  financial
position, results of operations, or statement of cash flows.

Cautionary Statement on Forward-looking Statements
The statements contained in this filing on Form 10-Q that are not historical
facts are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private
Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  These statements may be accompanied
by words such as "believe," "estimate," "expect," "anticipate," or "predict,"
that convey the uncertainty of future events or outcomes.  These

                                           22

<PAGE>

statements are based on assumptions  that the Company  believes are  reasonable;
however many important  factors could cause the Company's  actual results in the
future to differ materially from the forward-looking  statements made herein and
in any other  documents  or oral  presentations  made by, or on behalf  of,  the
Company. Important factors which could cause actual results to differ materially
from those in forward-looking statements include, among others, the following:

   1)     Changes  in  general   economic   conditions  both   domestically  and
          internationally  impacting financial markets (e.g. marketable security
          values as well as currency and interest rate fluctuations).

   2)     Changes in domestic  and  international  political  and/or  regulatory
          environments  in  which  the  Company  operates,   including  tax  and
          accounting  policies.  Changes in regulations may impact the Company's
          ability to enter or expand new markets.

   3)     Changes  in  consumer  demand  for the  Company's  services  caused by
          several factors such as changes in local death rates, cremation rates,
          competitive pressures and local economic conditions.

   4)     The Company's ability to identify and complete additional acquisitions
          on terms that are favorable to the Company, to successfully  integrate
          acquisitions into the Company's  business and to realize expected cost
          savings in connection  with such  acquisitions.  The Company's  future
          results  may  be  materially  impacted  by  changes  in the  level  of
          acquisition activity.

The  Company   assumes  no   obligation   to  publicly   update  or  revise  any
forward-looking  statements made herein or any other forward-looking  statements
made by the Company.




                                           23

<PAGE>

                            SERVICE CORPORATION INTERNATIONAL
                               PART II. OTHER INFORMATION



ITEM 6.  EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K
         (a)  Exhibits
              12.1   Ratio of  earnings  to fixed  charges  for the nine  months
                     ended September 30, 1998 and 1997.
              27.1   Financial data schedule.

         (b)  Reports on Form 8-K
              There were no reports  on Form 8-K during the three  months  ended
              September 30, 1998.



                                        SIGNATURE

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

November 16, 1998
                                             SERVICE CORPORATION INTERNATIONAL

                                             By: /s/ George R. Champagne
                                             ----------------------------------
                                             George R. Champagne
                                             Senior Vice President
                                             Chief Financial Officer
                                             (Principal Financial Officer)


                                    24



<PAGE>
                  SERVICE CORPORATION INTERNATIONAL                Exhibit 12.1
                  RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                           Nine Months Ended
                                                             September 30,
                                                           1998        1997
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Thousands, except ratio amounts)
<S>                                                       <C>         <C>

Pretax income from continuing operations................. $437,119    $438,407

Undistributed income of less than 50% owned
 equity investees........................................   (5,814)     (2,618)
Minority interest in income of majority owned
 subsidiaries with fixed charges.........................      320         128
Add fixed charges as adjusted (from below)...............  146,651     126,782
                                                          --------    --------
                                                          $578,276    $562,699
                                                          --------    --------

Fixed charges:
 Interest expense:
  Corporate.............................................. $126,386    $ 99,372
  Financial services.....................................    7,372       5,857
  Capitalized............................................    2,431       2,681
  Amortization of debt costs.............................     (396)        993
  1/3 of rental expense..................................   13,289      16,178
  Dividends on convertible preferred stock of subsidiary.     -          4,382
                                                          --------    --------
Fixed charges............................................  149,082     129,463
  Less: Capitalized interest.............................   (2,431)     (2,681)
                                                          --------    --------
Fixed charges as adjusted................................ $146,651    $126,782
                                                          ========    ========

Ratio (earnings divided by fixed charges)................     3.88        4.35
                                                          ========    ========
</TABLE>

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE>                     5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET OF SERVICE CORPORATION INTERNATIONAL AS OF
SEPTEMBER 30, 1998 AND THE RELATED STATEMENT OF INCOME FOR THE NINE MONTHS
THEN ENDED AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE
TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>

<MULTIPLIER>                                     1,000

       
<S>                                        <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                    9-mos
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          Dec-31-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               Sep-30-1998

<CASH>                                         116,980
<SECURITIES>                                 1,241,460
<RECEIVABLES>                                1,170,662
<ALLOWANCES>                                    93,594
<INVENTORY>                                    183,039
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               962,845
<PP&E>                                       2,225,758
<DEPRECIATION>                                 451,515
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              12,053,975
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          656,117
<BONDS>                                      3,365,982
                                0
                                          0
<COMMON>                                       257,821
<OTHER-SE>                                   2,745,844
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                12,053,975
<SALES>                                      1,957,340
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             2,101,598
<CGS>                                        1,516,242
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                1,524,070
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                50,137
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                20,747
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             133,362
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                437,119
<INCOME-TAX>                                   154,172
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            282,947
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   282,947
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.11
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.08
        


</TABLE>


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