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               FIRST PROVIDIAN LIFE AND HEALTH INSURANCE COMPANY
                              SEPARATE ACCOUNT C

                      SUPPLEMENT DATED DECEMBER 19, 1997
                                    TO THE 
                        PROSPECTUS DATED JULY 31, 1997
                                   FOR THE 
                   PROVIDIAN ADVISOR'S EDGE VARIABLE ANNUITY

                                  OFFERED BY 
               FIRST PROVIDIAN LIFE AND HEALTH INSURANCE COMPANY
                          (A NEW YORK STOCK COMPANY)

The following four Portfolios are not yet available for investment through the 
Providian Advisor's Edge Variable Annuity:

SteinRoe Capital Appreciation Fund ("SteinRoe Capital Appreciation Portfolio")
 Strong International Stock Fund II ("Strong International Stock Portfolio") 
Warburg Pincus International Equity Portfolio ("Warburg Pincus International 
                          Equity Portfolio")         
 Warburg Pincus Small Company Growth Portfolio ("Warburg Pincus Small Company 
                              Growth Portfolio")

                                     *****

All references to "SteinRoe Capital Appreciation Fund" are hereby deleted and 
replaced with "Stein Roe Special Venture Fund, Variable Series."

                                     *****

All references to "SteinRoe Capital Appreciation Portfolio" are hereby deleted 
and replaced with "Stein Roe Special Venture Portfolio."
        



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