UNITED STATES
                    SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                          Washington, D.C. 20549

                                 FORM 10-K

[X]  ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE
     ACT OF 1934
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 1997
                                         OR
[  ] TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES
     EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from                    to

                 Exact name of each Registrant as specified in  I.R.S. Employer
  Commission     its charter, state of incorporation, address   Identification
   File No.      of principal executive offices, telephone          Number
- --------------   ----------------------------------------------  ---------------

   1-8349        FLORIDA PROGRESS CORPORATION                       59-2147112
                 A Florida Corporation
                 One Progress Plaza
                 St. Petersburg, Florida 33701
                 Telephone (813) 824-6400

   1-3274        FLORIDA POWER CORPORATION                          59-0247770
                 A Florida Corporation
                 3201 34th Street South
                 St. Petersburg, Florida 33711
                 Telephone (813) 866-5151

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

                                                  Name of each exchange
            Title of each class                    on which registered
   --------------------------------------         ----------------------

   Florida Progress Corporation:
      Common Stock without par value and          New York Stock Exchange
      Preferred Stock Purchase Rights             Pacific Stock Exchange

   Florida Power Corporation:  None

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:

   Florida Progress Corporation:  None

   Florida Power Corporation:  Cumulative Preferred Stock,
                               par value $100 per share

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

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent  filers  pursuant to Item 405
of Regulation  S-K is not contained  herein,  and will not be contained,  to the
best  of  each  registrant's  knowledge,  in  definitive  proxy  or  information
statements  incorporated  by  reference  in Part  III of this  Form  10-K or any
amendment to this Form 10-K. [ ]

 2

The aggregate market value of the voting stock held by non-affiliates of Florida
Progress  Corporation as of December 31, 1997 was $3,743,134,026  (determined by
subtracting  the number of shares held by directors  and  executive  officers of
Florida Progress  Corporation from the total number of shares outstanding,  then
multiplying the difference  times the closing sale price from the New York Stock
Exchange Composite Transactions).

The aggregate market value of the voting stock held by non-affiliates of Florida
Power  Corporation  as of February  28, 1998 was $-0-.  As of February 28, 1998,
there were  issued and  outstanding  100 shares of Florida  Power  Corporation's
common stock,  without par value,  all of which were held,  beneficially  and of
record, by Florida Progress Corporation.

The number of shares of Florida  Progress  Corporation  common stock without par
value outstanding as of December 31, 1997 was 97,062,954.

                      DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

Portions of the  definitive  Proxy  Statement for Florida  Progress  Corporation
dated March 12, 1998,  relating to the 1998 Annual Meeting of Shareholders,  are
incorporated by reference in Part III hereof.

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

This  combined  Form  10-K  represents  separate  filings  by  Florida  Progress
Corporation and Florida Power  Corporation.  Florida Power  Corporation makes no
representations as to the information relating to Florida Progress Corporation's
diversified operations.










                       [THIS SPACE INTENTIONALLY BLANK]

 3

                                TABLE OF CONTENTS
                                                                       -Page-
                                                                       -------

PART I.

     Item 1.   Business. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   6
     Item 2.   Properties. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  15
     Item 3.   Legal Proceedings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  19
     Item 4.   Submission of Matters to a Vote of
                Security Holders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  26

PART II.

     Item 5.   Market for the Registrants' Common Equity
                 and Related Stockholder Matters . . . . . . . . . . .  27
     Item 6.   Selected Financial Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  28
     Item 7.   Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
                 Condition and Results of Operations . . . . . . . . .  29
     Item 7a.  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About
                 Market Risks. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  41
     Item 8.   Financial Statements and Supplementary Data . . . . . .  42
                 Combined Report of Independent Certified Public
                   Accountants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  42
                 Consolidated Financial Statements of Florida Progress  43
                 Financial Statements of Florida Power . . . . . . . .  48
                 Combined Notes to the Financial Statements. . . . . .  53
                 Quarterly Financial Data (unaudited). . . . . . . . .  73
     Item 9.   Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on
                 Accounting and Financial Disclosure . . . . . . . . .  73

PART III.

     Item 10.  Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrants . .  74
     Item 11.  Executive Compensation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  76
     Item 12.  Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and
                 Management. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  80
     Item 13.  Certain Relationships and Related Transactions. . . . .  81

PART IV.

     Item 14.  Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules, and Reports
                on Form 8-K. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  81

     Signatures - Florida Progress Corporation . . . . . . . . . . . .  87
     Signatures - Florida Power Corporation. . . . . . . . . . . . . .  89

     Financial Statement Schedules . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  91

 4

                                     GLOSSARY

     When used herein, the following terms will have the meanings indicated:

       TERM                                   MEANING

1935 Act. . . . . . . . . . . . .Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935
APB . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Accounting Principles Board
AST . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Advanced Separation Technologies, Incorporated
Btu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .British thermal units
CAAA. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990
Calgon. . . . . . . . . . . . . .Calgon Carbon Corporation
CERCLA or Superfund . . . . . . .Comprehensive Environmental Response
                                   Compensation and Liability Act
Commissioner. . . . . . . . . . .Insurance Commissioner of the State of Oklahoma
CR3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Florida Power's nuclear generating plant,
                                   Crystal River Unit No. 3
Dade. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Metropolitan Dade County
DOE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .United States Department of Energy
Echelon . . . . . . . . . . . . .Echelon International Corporation
Electric Fuels. . . . . . . . . .Electric Fuels Corporation
EMF . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .electromagnetic fields, or electric and
                                   magnetic fields
EPA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .United States Environmental Protection Agency
EPA of 1992 . . . . . . . . . . .Energy Policy Act of 1992
EPS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Earnings per share
FASB. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Financial Accounting Standards Board
FDEP. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Florida Department of Environmental Protection
FERC. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
Financial Statements. . . . . . .Florida Progress' Consolidated Financial
                                   Statements  and  Florida  Power's   Financial
                                   Statements,  for the year ended  December 31,
                                   1997 contained under Item 8 herein
Florida Power . . . . . . . . . .Florida Power Corporation
Florida Progress. . . . . . . . .Florida Progress Corporation
FPSC. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Florida Public Service Commission
FRCC. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Florida Reliability Coordinating Council
Georgia Power . . . . . . . . . .Georgia Power Company
KV. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .kilovolts
KVA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .kilovolt amperes
KWH . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .kilowatt hours
Lake. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .NCP Lake Power, Inc.
LTIP. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Florida Progress Long-Term Incentive Plan
MD&A. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Management's Discussion and Analysis of
                                   Financial Condition and Results of Operations
MEMCO . . . . . . . . . . . . . .MEMCO Barge Line, Inc.
MICP. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Management Incentive Compensation Plan
Mid-Continent . . . . . . . . . .Mid-Continent Life Insurance Company
Montenay. . . . . . . . . . . . .Montenay Power Corporation
MW. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .megawatts
NEIL. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Nuclear Electric Insurance Limited
NERC. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .North American Electric Reliability Council
NRC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission
NWPA. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Nuclear Waste Policy Act
OCL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Orlando Cogen Limited, Ltd.
PAA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Proposed Agency Action
PCBs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .polychlorinated biphenyls
Progress Capital. . . . . . . . .Progress Capital Holdings, Inc.
Progress Credit . . . . . . . . .Progress Credit Corporation
Progress Packaging. . . . . . . .Progress Packaging Corporation
Progress Rail . . . . . . . . . .Progress Rail Services Corporation
Proxy Statement . . . . . . . . .The definitive proxy statement dated March 12,
                                   1998, relating to Florida Progress' 1998
                                   Annual Meeting of Shareholders
PRP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .potentially responsible party, as defined in
                                   CERCLA

 5

PURPA . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978
QFs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .qualifying facilities
RI/FS . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Remedial Investigation and Feasibility Study
Sanford site. . . . . . . . . . .gasification plant site, Sanford, Florida
SBUs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Strategic Business Units
SEC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .United States Securities and Exchange
                                   Commission
Seminole. . . . . . . . . . . . .Seminole Electric Cooperative, Inc.
SERP. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Florida Progress Corporation Supplemental
Executive Retirement Plan
SOP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Statement of Position issued by American
                                  Institute of Certified Public Accountants
SNF . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .spent nuclear fuel
the nuclear plant . . . . . . . .Florida Power's nuclear generating plant,
                                   Crystal River Unit No. 3
the utility . . . . . . . . . . .Florida Power Corporation

 6


                                   PART I

ITEM 1.  BUSINESS
                              FLORIDA PROGRESS

Florida   Progress   Corporation   ("Florida   Progress,"  which  term  includes
consolidated subsidiaries unless otherwise indicated), is a diversified electric
utility holding company.  Florida Progress' revenues for the year ended December
31,  1997 were $3.3  billion  and  assets  at year end were  $5.8  billion.  Its
principal  executive offices are located at One Progress Plaza, St.  Petersburg,
Florida 33701,  telephone number (813) 824-6400.  The Florida Progress home page
on the  Internet's  World  Wide Web is located  at  http://www.fpc.com.  Florida
Progress was incorporated in Florida on January 21, 1982.

Florida  Progress  defines  its  principal  business  segments  as  utility  and
diversified  operations.  Florida  Power  Corporation  ("Florida  Power" or "the
utility"),  Florida  Progress'  largest  subsidiary,  is the utility segment and
encompasses  all  regulated  public  utility  operations.  See Item 1  "Business
Utility Operations - Florida Power".  Progress Capital Holdings, Inc. ("Progress
Capital") is the downstream  holding company for Florida  Progress'  diversified
subsidiaries  which  consolidates the financing of non-utility  operations.  The
diversified  operations  segment includes Electric Fuels Corporation  ("Electric
Fuels"), an energy and transportation  company.  For information  concerning the
operating profit and assets attributable to the business segments, see Note 8 to
Florida  Progress'   consolidated   financial  statements  and  Florida  Power's
financial statements for the year ended December 31, 1997 contained herein under
Item 8 (the "Financial Statements").

In December 1996,  Florida Progress spun off Echelon  International  Corporation
("Echelon").  Echelon,  successor  to  Progress  Credit  Corporation  ("Progress
Credit"),  was the Florida  Progress  subsidiary with lending,  leasing and real
estate  operations.  The  spin-off  was  accomplished  through a tax-free  stock
dividend to Florida Progress' shareholders,  thus completing a strategy begun in
1991 to exit those businesses.

Florida  Progress is a public utility  holding  company under the Public Utility
Holding Company Act of 1935 ("1935 Act"). Florida Progress is exempt from
registration with the United States Securities and Exchange  Commission  ("SEC")
under the 1935 Act and attendant  regulation  because its utility operations are
primarily intrastate.

                    UTILITY OPERATIONS - FLORIDA POWER

Florida Power was  incorporated  in Florida in 1899, and is an operating  public
utility engaged in the generation, purchase, transmission, distribution and sale
of  electricity.  Florida  Power  has a  system  generating  capacity  of  7,717
megawatts ("MW"). In 1997, the utility accounted for 74% of Florida Progress'
consolidated  revenues and 85% of its assets.  Florida Power contributed  $134.4
million to Florida  Progress'  earnings  after the reduction for nuclear  outage
costs.

Florida Power provided electric service during 1997 to an average of 1.3 million
customers in west central Florida from its headquarters in St.  Petersburg.  The
service area covers  approximately  20,000 square miles and includes the densely
populated  areas around  Orlando,  as well as the cities of St.  Petersburg  and
Clearwater. Of Florida Power's 1997 electric revenues billed,  approximately 55%
were  derived  from  residential  sales,  24%  from  commercial  sales,  9% from
industrial  sales,  6% from  other  retail  sales and 6% from  wholesale  sales.
Important  industries  in the  territory  include  phosphate and rock mining and
processing,  electronics  design  and  manufacturing,  and citrus and other food
processing.  Other  important  commercial  activities are tourism,  health care,
construction and agriculture.

 7

COMPETITION

Florida Power continued to prepare for increased competition in the electric
utility  industry.  In 1996,  the utility  began the  transition  to a strategic
business  unit  organization,  and in 1997  continued to redefine  Florida Power
along  functional  lines.  By dividing  the  organization  into three  Strategic
Business Units ("SBUs"), the electric generation, transmission and distribution,
and marketing  operations are given the  opportunity to more closely focus their
attention on the needs of their respective  future customers while still meeting
today's needs.  In 1997, the evolution to the SBU structure was  complemented by
the start of a corporate-wide management effort called Reinvention.  Reinvention
focuses on redefining  work  procedures and improving  processes to be more cost
effective, while pursuing new opportunities to increase profits.

For additional  information with respect to Florida Power and  competition,  see
Item 7 "Management's  Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results
of Operations ("MD&A") - Operating Results - Florida Power Corporation  "Utility
Competition - Industry Restructuring".

FUEL AND PURCHASED POWER

GENERAL: Florida Power's consumption of various types of fuel depends on several
factors,  the most important of which are the demand for  electricity by Florida
Power's   customers,   the  availability  of  various   generating   units,  the
availability  and  cost of fuel,  and the  requirements  of  federal  and  state
regulatory  agencies.  Florida  Power's  energy mix for the last three  years is
presented in the following table:

                           ENERGY MIX PERCENTAGES*

                 Fuel Type            1997   1996   1995
                 ---------            ----   ----   ----
                 Coal                  45%    43%    39%
                 Oil                   18%    16%    12%
                 Nuclear                0%     6%    19%
                 Gas                    6%     3%     4%
                 Purchased Power       31%    32%    26%

*  See "NUCLEAR" below for information regarding an extended outage at Florida
   Power's nuclear  generating  plant beginning in September 1996 and continuing
   until February 1998.

Florida Power is permitted to pass the cost of recoverable fuel and purchased
power to its customers through fuel adjustment  clauses.  In June 1997,  Florida
Power reached an agreement with the Florida Public Service  Commission  ("FPSC")
regarding costs related to the extended  nuclear  outage.  (See Notes 1 and 9 to
the Financial Statements).

The future prices for and availability of various fuels discussed in this report
cannot be predicted  with complete  certainty.  However,  Florida Power believes
that its fuel supply contracts, as described below, will be adequate to meet its
fuel supply needs.

 8

Florida Power's average fuel costs per million British thermal units ("Btu") for
each year of the five-year period ended December 31, 1997 were as follows:

                                   AVERAGE FUEL COST
                                   (per million Btu)

                                1997    1996   1995    1994    1993

             Coal              $1.91   $1.91   $1.93   $1.96   $1.96
             Oil                2.75    2.80    2.70    2.39    2.49
             Nuclear              --     .50     .49     .55     .54
             Gas                2.87    2.78    1.98    2.46    4.27
             Weighted Average   2.24    2.04    1.69    1.75    1.79

OIL AND GAS:  Oil is  purchased  under  contracts  and in the spot  market  from
several suppliers. The cost of Florida Power's oil is determined by world market
conditions.  Management  believes  that Florida  Power has access to an adequate
supply of oil for the reasonably foreseeable future. Florida Power's natural gas
supply is purchased  under firm  contracts  and in the spot market from numerous
suppliers  and  is  delivered  under  firm,   released  firm  and  interruptible
transportation contracts. Florida Power believes that existing contracts for oil
are sufficient to cover its requirements  when natural gas transmission  that is
purchased on an interruptible basis is not available.

NUCLEAR:  Florida Power has one nuclear generating plant, Crystal River Unit No.
3 ("CR3" or "the nuclear plant").  After completing a record performance in 1995
by achieving a capacity  factor of 100%,  CR3 was shut down for much of 1996 and
all of 1997.  Beginning  in  February  1996,  the plant  underwent  a  scheduled
refueling outage that lasted until May 1996, when the plant returned to service.
In September 1996, an oil pressure  problem in the main turbine forced the plant
to shut down until  repairs could be made.  After the repairs were  completed in
October,  the plant  remained  down while  certain  backup  safety system design
issues  were  addressed.  CR3  returned  on-line  in  February  1998.  For  more
information regarding the outage, see Item 7 "MD&A - Operating Results - Florida
Power  Corporation  Extended  Nuclear  Outage Costs" and Note 9 to the Financial
Statements.

Nuclear fuel is processed  through four  distinct  stages.  Stage I and Stage II
involve  the  mining  and  milling  of the  natural  uranium  ore to  produce  a
concentrate  and  the  conversion  of  this  uranium  concentrate  into  uranium
hexafluoride.  Stage III and  Stage IV  entail  the  enrichment  of the  uranium
hexafluoride,  and the  fabrication of the enriched  uranium  hexafluoride  into
usable fuel assemblies. Florida Power has contracts in place which provide for a
supply of enriched uranium and fuel fabrication through 2004.

It will be necessary  for Florida  Power to enter into future fuel  contracts to
cover the  differences  between the total unit lifetime  requirements of CR3 and
the requirements  covered by existing  contracts.  Although no assurances can be
given as to the future  availability or costs of such  contracts,  Florida Power
expects that future  contract  commitments  will be obtained at the  appropriate
time.

Spent  nuclear fuel ("SNF") is stored at CR3 pending  disposal  under a contract
with the United States Department of Energy ("DOE"). (See Note 4 to the
Financial Statements.) At the present time, Florida Power has facilities on site
for the temporary storage of SNF generated through the year 2010.

COAL: Florida Power anticipates a requirement of approximately 5,800,000 tons of
coal in 1998. Current environmental  regulations limit sulfur content, at 12,000
Btu per pound,  to 1.2% for  Crystal  River Unit Nos. 1 and 2, and 0.7% for Unit
Nos. 4 and 5. Most of the coal is expected to be supplied  from the  Appalachian
coal  fields  of the  United  States.  Approximately  two-thirds  of the coal is
expected  to be  delivered  by rail  and the  remainder  by  barge.  The coal is
supplied by Electric  Fuels  pursuant to  contracts  between  Florida  Power and
Electric Fuels.

 9

For 1998,  Electric  Fuels has  long-term  contracts  with  various  sources for
approximately 60% of the coal requirements of Florida Power's coal units.  These
long-term contracts have price adjustment provisions.  Electric Fuels expects to
acquire  the  remainder  in the spot  market  and  under  short-term  contracts.
Electric Fuels does not anticipate any problem  obtaining the remaining  Florida
Power requirements with short-term  contracts and in the spot market.  (See Note
11 to the Financial Statements.)

PURCHASED POWER:  Florida Power,  along with other Florida  utilities,  buys and
sells economy power through the Florida energy  brokering  system.  In addition,
Florida Power has long-term  contracts for the purchase of approximately  465 MW
of purchased power with other utilities, including a contract with The Southern
Company for approximately 400 MW. Also, Florida Power has entered into purchased
power  contracts  with  certain  qualifying  facilities  ("QFs")  for  946 MW of
capacity,  of which 831 MW have been completed and are currently operating.  The
capacity  currently  available from QFs represents  about 9% of Florida  Power's
total  system  capacity.  The  purchased  power  component  was  reduced in 1997
primarily through the purchase of the Tiger Bay Cogeneration  Facility. See Item
2 "Properties - Utility  Operations",  Item 7 "MD&A - Fuel and Purchased  Power"
and Note 11 to the Financial Statements.

REGULATORY MATTERS AND FRANCHISES

Florida Power is subject to the  jurisdiction of the FPSC with respect to retail
rates,  customer  service,  planning,  construction  of facilities,  accounting,
issuance of securities and other matters. In addition,  Florida Power is subject
to regulation by the Federal Energy Regulatory  Commission ("FERC") with respect
to  transmission  and sales of wholesale  power,  accounting  and certain  other
matters. The underlying concept of utility ratemaking is to set rates at a level
that  allows  the  utility to collect  revenues  equal to its cost of  providing
service plus a reasonable rate of return on its equity.  Increased  competition,
as a result of industry  restructuring,  may affect the ratemaking process.  See
Item 7 "MD&A - Florida Power - Utility Competition - Industry Restructuring".

The FPSC oversees the retail sales of the state's investor-owned  utilities. The
FPSC authorizes  retail "base rates" that are designed to provide a utility with
the opportunity to earn a specific rate of return on its "rate base", or average
investment in utility  plant.  These rates are intended to cover all  reasonable
and prudent expenses of utility operations and to provide investors with a fair
rate of return.  The FPSC generally allows utilities to recover fuel,  purchased
power and  conservation  costs through an adjustment  charge on monthly electric
bills. Beginning in 1995, the FPSC ordered Florida Power to conduct a three-year
test of  revenue  decoupling  for its  residential  customers.  This test  ended
December 31, 1997. (See Notes 1 and 9 to the Financial Statements.)

Florida  Power  is  interconnected  with  22  municipal  and  9  rural  electric
cooperative  systems.  Major wholesale power sales  customers  include  Seminole
Electric  Cooperative,  Florida Municipal Power Agency and Reedy Creek Utilities
District.  During 1997, about 6% of Florida Power's electric  revenues were from
wholesale customers whose rates are subject to the jurisdiction of the FERC.

For  further  information  with  respect to rates,  see Note 9 to the  Financial
Statements.

Florida  Power's CR3 nuclear plant is subject to regulation by the United States
Nuclear Regulatory Commission ("NRC"). The NRC's jurisdiction  encompasses broad
supervisory and regulatory powers over the construction and operation of nuclear
reactors,  including matters of health and safety,  antitrust considerations and
environmental impact.  Florida Power has a 90.4% ownership interest in CR3. (See
Note 4 to the Financial Statements.)

By virtue of state and municipal legislation, Florida Power holds franchises
with varying expiration dates to provide electric service in nearly all
municipalities in which it distributes electric energy. Approximately 99% of
revenues from customers in incorporated areas are covered by franchises. The

 10

general effect of these  franchises is to grant Florida Power the right to enter
upon  and  use  streets,  alleys  and  other  public  places  for  erecting  and
maintaining  poles,  wires and other apparatus for the sale and  distribution of
electric energy.  All but one of the existing  franchises cover a 30-year period
from the date granted,  the maximum allowed by Florida law. The one exception is
a franchise that covers a 10-year period from the date granted. There are 112
franchises,  of which 5 expire  before  December  31,  2000,  26  expire  before
December 31, 2001, 33 expire between  January 1, 2002 and December 31, 2012, and
48 expire between January 1, 2013 and December 31, 2027.

ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS

Florida Power is subject to federal,  state and local  regulations  dealing with
air and water quality and other environmental matters.

AIR: All of Florida Power's air emission sources meet the air quality  standards
currently set by the Florida  Department of  Environmental  Protection  ("FDEP")
and/or the United States Environmental Protection Agency ("EPA").

The Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990 ("CAAA"), under Title IV, Acid Rain
Control,  set a permanent cap on emissions of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides
beginning in the year 2000. The cap is to be implemented in two phases.  Phase I
limitations became effective in 1995 and Phase II cap will be effective in 2000.
Florida  Power has not been and does not  expect to be  materially  affected  by
either  Phase I or Phase II. In addition,  nitrogen  oxide  emissions  from coal
units are being limited by the CAAA. Continuous emission monitors were installed
on most of Florida  Power's units by the end of 1994 as required  under Title IV
of the  CAAA at a total  cost of $11  million.  To meet  Phase  II  limitations,
Florida Power expects to spend about $10 million by 2000 to implement a strategy
based  primarily on burning  cleaner  fuels and  installing  burners that reduce
nitrogen oxide emissions on some coal units.

Under Title III of the CAAA,  the EPA is studying the emission of hazardous  air
pollutants  and,  where  appropriate,   promulgating  emission  limitations  for
specific  source  categories.  Depending on the results of these studies and the
EPA's determination of the need for additional limitations,  Florida Power could
be required to incur additional capital expenditures and operating expenses.

Under Title V of the CAAA,  Florida  Power is  required to pay annual  operating
fees based on the previous year's emissions. In 1998, these fees are expected to
total  approximately  $800,000 and may increase to  approximately  $1 million by
2000.

Florida  Power's  construction  program  includes  approximately  $7  million of
planned  environmental  expenditures  for air quality  projects for the two-year
period ending December 31, 1999.

WATER: To help meet the future electricity needs of its customers, Florida Power
is building a new power plant complex in Polk County, Florida. Florida Power
plans to have the  complex's  first plant on line  during the fourth  quarter of
1998. This plant will use combined cycle  technology and be capable of producing
up to 470 MW of power.  (See Item 2,  "Properties - Utility  Operations  Planned
Generation".) Approximately $27.6 million was spent through December 31, 1997 on
environmental  projects related to site  development,  mainly for water resource
related  facilities.  Florida  Power  expects  that  approximately  $600,000  of
additional  costs will be expended  on  environmental  projects  related to site
development.   In  addition,   Florida  Power's  construction  program  includes
approximately  $4 million of  additional  environmental  expenditures  for water
resource  projects at other Florida  Power  facilities  for the two-year  period
ending December 31, 1999.

WASTE MATERIALS: Florida Power is nearing completion of its program to reduce
electrical equipment utilizing polychlorinated biphenyls ("PCB"). All regulatory
compliance dates have been met. All PCB transformers (i.e. those having greater
than 500 ppm PCB) have been  removed from Florida  Power's  electric  generating
plants,  except for one small plant. Removal of PCB transformers from this final

 11

plant will be delayed until  Florida Power decides  whether and for how long the
plant will remain in operation.

STORAGE TANK PROGRAM: The regulation of underground and above-ground storage
tanks has expanded to affect virtually every Florida Power storage tank with a
capacity of 100 gallons or greater, including vehicular fuel tanks, bulk fuel
storage tanks, mineral acid tanks, hazardous material tanks and compression
vessels. The FDEP's storage tank regulations require the replacement or
upgrading of tanks that are not protected from corrosion, and the installation
of release detection and containment capabilities for spills and leaks. These
requirements  must be met by 1999.  Florida Power  expects the annual  operating
expense and  construction  expenditures  through 1999 related to compliance with
these regulations to be $1 million and $3 million, respectively.

Under a FDEP  program,  revenues  from taxes on imported oil either have been or
are  expected to be used to  reimburse  Florida  Power for the  majority of past
storage tank contamination cleanup expenditures.  In March 1995, the Governor of
Florida  ordered a  moratorium  on this FDEP  program.  However,  Florida  Power
expects to receive reimbursement for cleanup activities completed prior to the
moratorium.  The FDEP has  implemented a new  reimbursement  program that should
reimburse Florida Power for the majority of storage tank contamination clean- up
expenditures incurred after the moratorium.  The expenditures needed to clean up
the remaining storage tank contamination are not expected to be material.

With  expansion of  regulation  and the resulting  increased  monitoring of tank
systems  and  oil  filled  electrical   equipment,   further   expenditures  for
contamination  cleanup and retrofitting and upgrading  equipment are likely, but
these expenditures are not expected to be material to Florida Power.

ELECTROMAGNETIC  FIELDS: The potential adverse effect of electromagnetic fields,
or electric and magnetic  fields ("EMF"),  upon human health  continues to be an
important  issue  in  the  siting,   construction   and  operation  of  electric
transmission and distribution systems. EMF from a variety of sources,  including
transmission and distribution lines, has been the subject of many studies and
much public discussion in recent years. Currently, the National EMF Research and
Public Information Dissemination Program is in its fifth and final year of an in
depth  research  program.  This  program  was  co-funded  by federal and private
utilities,  including  Florida Power. The findings,  to be presented to the U.S.
Congress in 1998, are expected to have a major impact on the EMF issue.

Because of its exclusive  jurisdiction  to regulate EMF associated with electric
transmission and distribution  lines and substation  facilities in Florida,  the
FDEP has adopted rules that  establish  certain EMF limits for new  transmission
lines and  substations.  The rules also require an annual review of the state of
the  scientific  research into the potential  adverse  effects of EMF upon human
health.  The staff of the FDEP provided its progress report to the Environmental
Regulation  Commission in February  1997.  Based on its review of the scientific
research, the staff recommended that no revision of the current EMF standards be
made at that time. The Environmental  Regulation  Commission adopted the staff's
recommendation  and made no revision to EMF  standards.  Florida Power  believes
that compliance with these EMF rules, which at present essentially  maintain the
status quo with  respect  to  regulated  EMF  exposure  levels,  will not have a
material  adverse  effect  on  the  cost  of  constructing  or  maintaining  new
transmission  lines or  substations.  However,  there always is a potential  for
lawsuits brought by plaintiffs alleging damages caused by EMF.

Florida  Power's  management  monitors and reports to Florida  Power's  Board of
Directors at least annually on developments in research concerning the potential
health  effects  of  EMF,  EMF  mitigation  technologies  and  procedures,   and
significant actions by principal federal and Florida agencies related to EMF.

OTHER  ENVIRONMENTAL  MATTERS:  Florida Power has received  notices from the EPA
that it is or  could  be a  potentially  responsible  party  ("PRP")  under  the
Comprehensive Environmental Response Compensation and Liability Act ("CERCLA" or
"Superfund")  and the  Superfund  Amendment and  Reauthorization  Act and may be
liable,  together with others, for the costs of cleaning up several contaminated
sites identified by the FDEP. In addition to these designated  sites,  there are

 12

other sites where Florida Progress  affiliates may be responsible for additional
environmental  cleanup. For further information concerning certain environmental
matters  relating to Florida Power,  see paragraphs 8 and 11 under Item 3 "Legal
Proceedings"  and  "Contaminated  Site  Cleanup"  in  Note  11 to the  Financial
Statements.

EMPLOYEES

As of December 31, 1997, Florida Power had 4,799 full-time employees. The
International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers represents approximately 2,058
of these full-time employees. The current union contract was ratified in May
1997 and expires in December 1999.

                            DIVERSIFIED OPERATIONS

Florida  Progress'  diversified  operations  are owned  directly  or  indirectly
through Progress Capital,  a Florida  corporation and wholly owned subsidiary of
Florida Progress. Progress Capital holds the capital stock of, and provides
funding for, Florida Progress' non-utility subsidiaries. It's primary subsidiary
is Electric Fuels Corporation.  Formed in 1976,  Electric Fuels is an energy and
transportation  company with  operations  organized into three  business  units.
Electric  Fuels'  energy and related  services  business  unit  supplies coal to
Florida  Power's  Crystal River Energy  Complex and other utility and industrial
customers.  Electric Fuels' inland marine  transportation  business unit,  MEMCO
Barge Line, Inc. ("MEMCO"), transports coal and dry-bulk cargoes primarily along
the  Mississippi  and Ohio  rivers.  The rail  services  business  unit,  led by
Progress  Rail Services  Corporation  ("Progress  Rail"),  is one of the largest
integrated  processors and suppliers of railroad materials in the country.  With
operations  in 16 states,  Progress  Rail offers a full range of railcar  parts,
rail and other track material, railcar repair facilities,  railcar scrapping and
metal recycling as well as railcar sales and leasing.

As of  December  31,  1997,  Progress  Capital  and its  subsidiaries  had 3,162
full-time  employees.  (For  additional  information  with  respect to  Progress
Capital and its subsidiaries, see Item 7 "MD&A - Operating Results - Diversified
Operations" and paragraph 10 of Item 3 "Legal Proceedings.")

COMPETITION

Florida  Progress'   non-utility   subsidiaries   compete  in  their  respective
marketplaces in terms of price, service reliability, location and other factors.
Electric Fuels competes in several distinct markets: its coal operations compete
in the eastern  United States utility and  industrial  coal markets;  its marine
transportation and barge operations compete in the coal, grain and bulk products
transportation  markets  on the Ohio and lower  Mississippi  rivers;  its marine
equipment  repair  business  competes in the inland  river and gulf coast repair
markets;  and its rail  operations  compete  in the  railcar  repair,  parts and
associated  services  markets in the  eastern  United  States  and, to a limited
extent, in the midwest and west. Factors contributing to Electric Fuels' success
in these markets include a competitive cost structure,  strategic locations and,
in the case of its marine transportation  operations, a modern fleet. There are,
however,  numerous  competitors  in  each  of  these  markets,  although  no one
competitor is dominant in any industry.  The business of Electric  Fuels and its
subsidiaries,  taken  as  a  whole,  is  not  subject  to  significant  seasonal
fluctuation.

For  further   information  with  respect  to  Florida   Progress'   non-utility
subsidiaries and competition, see Item 7 "MD&A - Operating Results - Diversified
Operations".

ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS

Electric Fuels is subject to federal,  state and local  regulations which govern
air and water quality,  waste disposal and other environmental matters. The coal
mining business is affected  primarily by the Clean Water Act, the Clean Air Act
and the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation  Act of 1977. The  transportation
and the railcar  and marine  repair  businesses  are  primarily  affected by the

 13

Resource  Conservation  and Recovery Act, the  Emergency  Planning and Community
Right-To-Know Act and the Clean Water Act.

The  Environmental  Services  Department of Electric Fuels reviews  existing and
emerging  environmental   regulations,   disseminates  applicable  environmental
information throughout the organization and conducts site specific environmental
compliance audits.  Transactional environmental assessments are performed on new
acquisitions  to determine the potential  environmental  liabilities  associated
with the facilities being  considered.  Compliance with  environmental  laws and
regulations   has  not  had  a  material   effect  on  Electric  Fuels'  capital
expenditures,  earnings or  competitive  position,  and Electric  Fuels does not
anticipate making any material capital expenditures for environmental facilities
through the end of 1999.

For further  information  concerning certain  environmental  matters relating to
Florida Progress' diversified  operations,  see paragraph 12 under Item 3 "Legal
Proceedings" and Note 11 "Commitments and Contingencies", Notes to the Financial
Statements.

 14

                             EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

Roy A. Anderson, Senior Vice President, Energy Supply, and
Chief Nuclear Officer of Florida Power, Age 49.

Mr. Anderson became Senior Vice President, Nuclear Operations, effective January
20, 1997,  was named Chief Nuclear  Officer,  effective  April 1, 1997,  and now
serves as the Senior Vice President of Energy Supply.  Prior to joining  Florida
Power,  Mr.  Anderson  was employed by Carolina  Power and Light,  where he held
numerous  executive  officer  positions  since  1993  in the  areas  of  nuclear
operations,  fossil generation, and distribution and customer service. From 1987
to 1993,  he was  employed  by Boston  Edison  Company  where he served as Plant
Manager,  Vice  President  and  ultimately  as Senior  Vice  President,  Nuclear
Operations.

Kenneth E. Armstrong, Vice President and General Counsel of Florida Progress
and Florida Power,  Age 50.

Mr. Armstrong has served as General Counsel of Florida Progress since July 1990
and as Vice President  since April 1992. In April 1995, he became Vice President
and  General  Counsel of Florida  Power.  In addition  to these  positions,  Mr.
Armstrong  served as Assistant  Secretary of Florida Progress from April 1992 to
April 1993 and as  Secretary  from April 1993 to April  1996.  He also served as
Assistant Secretary of Florida Power from 1987 until April 1993 and as Secretary
from April 1993 until April 1996.

Janice B. Case, Senior Vice President, Energy SolutionsSM of Florida Power,
Age 45.

Mrs. Case was named Senior Vice President,  Energy SolutionsSM effective June 1,
1997,  after serving as Vice President  since 1996. From October 1990 until July
1996, she served as Vice President, Suncoast Florida Region of Florida Power.

Jack B. Critchfield, Chairman of the Board of Florida Progress, Age 64.

Since June 1, 1997,  Dr.  Critchfield's  principal  occupation has been as shown
above.  Since  1983,  he has held  numerous  executive  positions  with  Florida
Progress and its  subsidiaries  including  President,  Chief Executive  Officer,
Chief Operating Officer,  Group Vice President,  President of Electric Fuels and
Vice President of the Eastern and Ridge  Divisions of Florida Power. He has been
a director  of  Florida  Power  since  1988 and  served as a director  from 1975
through  1978 and as Chairman  of its Board from 1990 until April 1996.  He is a
director of Florida Progress.

Michael B. Foley, Jr., Senior Vice President, Energy Delivery of Florida Power,
Age 54.

Since July 1996,  Mr.  Foley's  principal  occupation  has been as shown above.
Mr. Foley served as Vice President in that position since February 1995.  From
October 1988 until  February  1995, Mr. Foley served as Director of System
Planning of Florida Power.

Stanley I. Garnett, II, Executive Vice President of Florida Progress, Age 54

Mr.  Garnett  was  appointed  Executive  Vice  President  of  Florida  Progress,
effective  June 1, 1997.  From 1996 and until he joined  Florida  Progress,  Mr.
Garnett was employed as Senior  Advisor by Putnam,  Hayes & Bartlett,  Inc.,  an
economic and management  consulting  firm. From 1981 to 1995, he was employed by
Allegheny  Power  System,  Inc.,  where he served as Vice  President,  Legal and
Regulatory  and Chief Legal Officer and  ultimately as Senior Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer. He is a director of Baycorp Holdings, Ltd.

 15

Jeffrey R. Heinicka, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of
Florida Progress and Florida Power, Age 43.

From  December  1990 until  appointment  to his current  positions in 1994,  Mr.
Heinicka  served as Vice  President  and  Treasurer  of  Florida  Progress.  Mr.
Heinicka also served as Vice President and Treasurer of Florida Power from April
1993 to March 1994, a position he held  concurrently with his Vice President and
Treasurer position at Florida Progress.

Richard D. Keller,  Group Vice President,  Energy and  Transportation of Florida
Progress, and President and Chief Executive Officer, Electric Fuels, Age 44.

Since May 1990, Mr. Keller's principal occupation has been as shown above.
He has served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Electric Fuels since
February 1988.

Richard Korpan,  President and Chief Executive Officer of Florida Progress, and
Chairman of the Board of Florida Power, Age 56.

Since June 1, 1997, Mr. Korpan's  principal  occupation has been as shown above.
He has held the position of  President  since 1991,  and became Chief  Executive
Officer of Florida Progress in June 1997. Since April 1996 he has also served as
Chairman  of the Board of  Florida  Power,  and  until  June 1,  1997,  as Chief
Executive  Officer of  Florida  Power.  He joined  Florida  Progress  in 1989 as
Executive  Vice  President  and Chief  Financial  Officer.  He is a director  of
SunTrust Bank of Tampa Bay.

Joseph H.  Richardson,  Group Vice President,  Utility Group of Florida Progress
and President and Chief Executive Officer of Florida Power, Age 48.

Since  1996,  Mr.  Richardson's  principal  occupation  has been as  Group  Vice
President,  Utility Group of Florida  Progress and President and Chief Operating
Officer  of  Florida  Power.  Effective  June 1, 1997,  he was  appointed  Chief
Executive Officer,  in addition to President,  of Florida Power. From April 1995
to April  1996,  he served as Senior  Vice  President,  Energy  Distribution  of
Florida  Power.  From  October  1993 to April  1995,  he served  as Senior  Vice
President,  Legal and  Administrative  Services,  and General Counsel of Florida
Power.  From  August  1991  through  April 1995,  Mr.  Richardson  also held the
position of Senior Vice  President of Florida  Progress.  He was  President  and
Chief Executive Officer of Talquin  Corporation,  a former subsidiary of Florida
Progress from May 1990 until September 1993. He is a director of Echelon.

There are no family relationships  between any director or any executive officer
of Florida  Progress  or Florida  Power.  The  executive  officers  serve at the
pleasure of their  respective  Boards of Directors.  Each  executive  officer is
appointed annually.

ITEM 2.  PROPERTIES

Florida  Progress  believes  that  its  physical  properties  and  those  of its
subsidiaries  are  adequate to carry on its and their  businesses  as  currently
conducted.  Florida Progress and its subsidiaries  maintain  property  insurance
against loss or damage by fire or other perils to the extent that such  property
is usually insured. (See Note 11 to the Financial Statements.) Substantially all
of Florida  Power's  utility plant is pledged as collateral for Florida  Power's
First Mortgage Bonds. Certain river barges and tug/barge units owned or operated
by Electric Fuels are subject to liens in favor of certain lenders.

                               UTILITY OPERATIONS

GENERATION: As of December 31, 1997, the total net winter generating capacity of
Florida  Power's  generating  facilities,  including  CR3,  was 7,717  MW.  This
capacity  was  generated  by 13 steam  units with a capacity  of 4,661 MW and 45
combustion turbine units with a capacity of 3,056 MW. Florida Power's ability to
use its  generating  units may be  adversely  impacted  by various  governmental
regulations  affecting  nuclear  operations and other aspects of Florida Power's
business.  (See "Regulatory Matters and Franchises" and "Environmental  Matters"

 16

under Item 1 "Business Utility  Operations - Florida Power.") Operation of these
generating units may also be substantially  curtailed by unanticipated equipment
failures  or  interruption  of fuel  supplies.  Florida  Power  expects  to have
sufficient system capacity, access to purchased power and demand-side management
capabilities to meet anticipated future demand.

Florida Power's  existing  generating  plants (all located in Florida) and their
capacities at December 31, 1997 are as follows:
                                                                  Winter Net
                                                                   Maximum
                                                      Combustion  Dependable
                    Primary     Location      Steam     Turbine    Capacity
    Plants           Fuel       (County)        MW        MW          MW
- ----------------    -------   -------------  -------   -------   ----------
Crystal River:                 Citrus
  Unit #1           Coal                        373         -         373
  Unit #2           Coal                        469         -         469
  Unit #3           Uranium                     755*        -         755
  Unit #4           Coal                        717         -         717
  Unit #5           Coal                        717         -         717
                                              -----                 -----
                                              3,031                 3,031
Anclote:                       Pasco
  Unit #1           Oil                         517         -         517
  Unit #2           Oil                         517         -         517
Bartow              Oil        Pinellas         449       217         666
Turner              Oil        Volusia            -       200         200
Intercession City** Oil        Osceola            -       912         912
DeBary              Oil        Volusia            -       786         786
Higgins             Oil        Pinellas           -       148         148
Bayboro             Oil        Pinellas           -       232         232
Avon Park           Oil        Highlands          -        64          64
Rio Pinar           Oil        Orange             -        18          18
Suwannee River      Oil        Suwannee         147       201         348
Tiger Bay           Gas        Polk               -       236         236
University of Fla.  Gas        Alachua            -        42          42
                                              -----     -----       -----
                                              4,661     3,056       7,717
                                              =====     =====       =====

*  Represents 90.4% of total plant capacity. The remaining 9.6% of capacity
   is owned by other parties. The CR3 nuclear plant was shut down in
   September 1996 for repairs and to address certain backup safety system design
   concerns. CR3 was restarted in February 1998.

** Florida Power and Georgia Power Company  ("Georgia Power") are co-owners of a
   168-MW advanced combustion turbine located at Florida Power's Intercession
   City site.  Georgia Power has the exclusive right to the output of this unit
   during the months of June through September. Florida Power has that right for
   the remainder of the year.

PLANNED GENERATION AND ENERGY SALES:  Florida Power has agreed to sell 605 MW of
year round capacity to Seminole  Electric  Cooperative,  Inc.  ("Seminole") from
1999 through 2001. While 150 MW of this transaction represents a continuation of
existing business, 455 MW represents new sales to Seminole. In addition, Florida
Power has agreed to sell from 150 to 300 MW to  Seminole  from  2000-2002.  This
contract  was  awarded to  Florida  Power as a result of a  competitive  bidding
process initiated by Seminole.

In 1992, the FPSC granted Florida Power a certificate of need to build 470 MW of
new generation using combined cycle technology. In September 1994, Florida Power
purchased  approximately  8,100 acres of  mined-out  phosphate  land for the new
power plant site. The site is located in Polk County, Florida, approximately 50
miles east of Tampa,  and has been  designated  the Hines Energy  Complex.  Site
development  activities were completed in 1996.  Commencement of construction of
the  initial  unit  began in January  1997.  The first  power  block is a 470-MW

 17

combined  cycle unit that is expected to come on line during the fourth  quarter
of 1998.  Florida  Power plans to use natural gas to fuel the first phase of the
Hines  Energy  Complex.  (See Item 7 "MD&A - Liquidity  and Capital  Resources -
Florida Power Corporation".)

Florida Power has obtained capacity on the Florida Gas Transmission Company's
system for the transportation of natural gas to the Hines Energy Complex in Polk
County.   Florida  Power  began  using  the  capacity  in  January  1998.   This
transportation will serve a portion of the plant's  requirements.  Florida Power
also has  contracted  for  natural  gas  supply and its  transportation  for the
remaining portion of the plant's requirements.

Some of the  capacity  at the  Hines  Energy  Complex  will be used to meet  the
requirements  of a wholesale  contract  signed in 1995,  in which  Florida Power
agreed to sell an additional 455 MWs to Seminole Electric Cooperative, beginning
in 1999.

In connection  with the  construction  of new power plants in Florida,  the FPSC
requires each investor-owned electric utility to engage in a competitive bidding
process for the construction of new generation,  unless the utility demonstrates
on a case-by-case  basis that such a process is not in the best interests of the
utility's ratepayers.

NUCLEAR PLANT AND NUCLEAR INSURANCE:  Information regarding nuclear plant and
nuclear  insurance  is  contained  in Note 4  "Nuclear  Operations"  and Note 11
"Commitments and Contingencies," Notes to the Financial Statements.

TRANSMISSION  AND  DISTRIBUTION:   As  of  December  31,  1997,   Florida  Power
distributed  electricity  through 362 substations with an installed  transformer
capacity of 42,392,415  kilovolt amperes ("KVA").  Of this capacity,  28,690,260
KVA is located in  transmission  substations  and 13,702,155 KVA in distribution
substations.  Florida  Power has the  second  largest  transmission  network  in
Florida.  Florida Power has 4,622 circuit miles of transmission  lines, of which
2,620 circuit  miles are operated at 500,  230, or 115 kilovolts  ("KV") and the
balance at 69 KV. Florida Power has 24,311 circuit miles of  distribution  lines
which operate at various voltages ranging from 2.4 to 25 KV.

Florida  Power  along  with  21  other  in-state   electric   utilities  and  14
non-utilities  comprise the Florida Reliability  Coordinating  Council ("FRCC"),
which was approved by the North American Electric  Reliability  Council ("NERC")
as the  tenth  region  of  NERC.  The  FRCC  is  responsible  for  ensuring  the
reliability of the bulk power electric system in peninsular Florida.

Florida  Power and five  other  FRCC  transmission  providers  have  established
Florida  Open Access  Sametime  Information  System.  This is a single  internet
location where transmission  customers may obtain  transmission  information and
submit requests for service or resell service rights.

 18

                             DIVERSIFIED OPERATIONS

Electric  Fuels  owns  and/or  operates   approximately   5,000   railcars,   50
locomotives,  900  river  barges  and 30  river  towboats  that are used for the
transportation  and  shipping of coal,  steel and other bulk  products.  Through
joint ventures,  Electric Fuels has five oceangoing tug/barge units. An Electric
Fuels subsidiary,  through another joint venture, owns one third of a large bulk
products terminal located on the Mississippi  River south of New Orleans,  which
handles coal and other products.  Electric Fuels provides  drydocking and repair
services to towboats,  offshore supply vessels and barges through  operations it
owns near New Orleans, Louisiana.

Electric Fuels controls, either directly or through subsidiaries,  coal reserves
located in eastern Kentucky and southwestern  Virginia.  Electric Fuels owns, in
fee,  properties  that contain  estimated  proven and probable  coal reserves of
approximately 185 million tons and controls,  through mineral leases, additional
estimated proven and probable coal reserves of approximately 30 million tons.
The reserves controlled by Electric Fuels include substantial quantities of high
quality, low sulfur coal that is appropriate for use at Florida Power's existing
generating  units.  Electric  Fuels'  total  production  of coal during 1997 was
approximately 3.2 million tons.

In connection with its coal  operations,  Electric Fuels  subsidiaries,  own and
operate an underground mining complex in southeastern  Kentucky and southwestern
Virginia.  Other  Electric  Fuels  subsidiaries  own  and  operate  surface  and
underground  mines, coal processing and loadout  facilities and a river terminal
facility  in eastern  Kentucky,  a  railcar-to-barge  loading  facility  in West
Virginia,  and  three  bulk  commodity  terminals:  one on  the  Ohio  River  in
Cincinnati,  Ohio, and two on the Kanawha River near Charleston,  West Virginia.
Electric Fuels and its  subsidiaries  employ both company and contract miners in
their mining activities.

An Electric Fuels subsidiary owns railroad car repair and parts reconditioning
and rail and trackworks facilities in 16 states and Mexico,  including a railcar
hydraulic  cushioning unit  manufacturing  and  reconditioning  facility in Fort
Worth,  Texas.  Electric  Fuels  subsidiaries  are also  involved in scrap metal
recycling and railcar leasing.

Another subsidiary of Electric Fuels owns and operates a manufacturing  facility
at the Florida Power Energy Complex in Crystal River, Florida. The manufacturing
process  utilizes the fly ash  generated by the burning of coal as the major raw
material  in the  production  of  lightweight  aggregate  used  in  construction
building  blocks.   Electric  Fuels  also  operates  an  environmental   testing
laboratory in Tampa, Florida.

 19

ITEM 3.  LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

Purchased Power Contracts with Qualifying Facilities ("QFs")

Florida Power has interpreted the pricing  provision in these contracts to allow
it to pay an  as-available  energy  price rather than a higher firm energy price
when the  avoided  unit upon  which the  contract  is based  would not have been
operated.  Several  QFs  filed  suit  against  Florida  Power  over the level of
payments made by Florida Power under the contracts.  All but the three discussed
below have been  settled.  Four QFs are involved in matters  pending  before the
FPSC. Additional details regarding the legal proceedings with these four QFs are
covered in paragraphs 1, 2, 3 and 4 below:

1.       In re: Conservation Cost Recovery Clause, Florida Public Service
         Commission, Docket No. 960002-EG

         In re:  Petition  for Approval of Early  Termination  Amendment to
         Negotiated Qualifying  Facility Contract with Orlando Cogen Limited,
         Florida Public Service Commission, Docket No. 961184-EQ.

In October 1996,  Florida Power filed a petition with the FPSC seeking  approval
of an early termination amendment with Orlando Cogen Limited, L.P. ("OCL") which
would  reduce  the term of the  contract  with  OCL  from 30 years to 20  years,
expiring in the year 2013. In return for  terminating  the last ten years of the
contract,  the amendment  provides for the payment to OCL of $49,405,000  over a
five-year  period,  which the  petition  asks to recover  from retail  customers
through Florida  Power's  capacity cost recovery  clause.  In February 1998, the
FPSC denied Florida Power's petition to approve the early termination amendment.

2.       Metropolitan Dade County and Montenay Power Corp. v. Florida Power
         Corporation, Circuit Court of the Eleventh Circuit for Dade County,
         Florida, Case No. 96-09598-CA-30

         Metropolitan Dade County and Montenay Power Corp. v. Florida Power
         Corporation, U.S. District Court, Southern District, Miami Division,
         Case No. 96-0594-C.V.-LENNARD

On February 13, 1996, Metropolitan Dade County ("Dade") and Montenay Power Corp.
("Montenay")  filed a complaint in the  above-referenced  state court  seeking a
declaratory  judgment that their  interpretation of the energy pricing provision
in the contract is correct,  and damages in excess of $1.3 million for breach of
that contract.  On May 14, 1996,  Dade and Montenay  filed suit against  Florida
Power in the  above-referenced  federal  district court based on essentially the
same facts as presented  in the state court case,  but  alleging  violations  of
federal antitrust laws and demanding  unspecified treble damages. In March 1997,
the plaintiffs  amended the federal court case to include  Florida  Progress and
Electric  Fuels.  A jury trial date has been set for October 1998 in the federal
case and in the meantime, the case has been referred to mediation.

On  February  23,  1998,  Florida  Power  filed a  petition  with the FPSC for a
Declaratory  Statement  that the  previous  FPSC  approved  negotiated  contract
between the parties limits energy payments thereunder to the avoided costs based
upon an analysis of a hypothetical unit having the characteristics  specified in
the contract.

3.       NCP Lake Power, Inc. v. Florida Power Corporation, Florida Circuit
         Court, Fifth Judicial Circuit for Lake County, Case No. 94-2354-CA-01

         In re:  Petition for Expedited Approval of Settlement Agreement With
         Lake Cogen Ltd., Public Service Commission, Docket No. 961477-EQ

On October 21, 1994, NCP Lake Power,  Inc.  ("Lake"),  a general partner of Lake
Cogen,  Ltd., filed suit in the  above-referenced  circuit court against Florida
Power  asserting  breach of contract and requesting a declaratory  judgment.  On
January 23, 1996, the court entered a partial summary judgment for Lake ordering
Florida  Power to pay the firm energy cost rate when the avoided unit would have

 20

been  operating,  and the as available  energy cost rate during those times when
the avoided unit would not have been operating.

In October  1996,  Lake filed suit against  Florida  Power  seeking  unspecified
damages for breach of contract with respect to Florida Power's interpretation of
the pricing provision in the contract.  In December 1996, Florida Power and Lake
resolved  their dispute by executing a final  settlement  agreement,  subject to
approval by the FPSC and  lenders to Lake.  In  November  1997,  the FPSC denied
approval  of the  settlement  agreement.  Lake filed a petition  protesting  the
FPSC's decision,  and Florida Power filed a motion to dismiss Lake's petition as
moot.  In March 1998, the FPSC voted to dismiss the petition for expedited
approval of the settlement agreement because the agreement upon which the
petition was based has expired.  The case has been set for trial in November
1998.

4.       In re:  Standard  Offer  Contract for the Purchase of Firm Capacity and
         Energy From a  Qualifying  Facility  Between  Panda-Kathleen  L.P.  and
         Florida Power Corporation,  Florida Public Service  Commission,  Docket
         No. 950110-EI

         Florida Power Corporation v. Panda-Kathleen Corp., United States
         District Court for the Middle District of Florida, Tampa Division,
         Case No. 95-2145-CIV-T-25-B.

On  January  23,  1995,  Florida  Power  petitioned  the FPSC for a  declaratory
statement that Florida Power's standard offer contract is not available to Panda
if it constructs a 115 MW facility.  Florida Power's  petition  further sought a
declaration  that the  contact  term is 20 years  rather  than 30  years.  Panda
intervened in the proceeding and filed its own declaratory statement petition on
the  issues  raised by  Florida  Power and raised  additional  issues  regarding
postponement of significant  milestone dates in the contract  pending the FPSC's
resolution of the issues in the proceeding.

On May 20, 1996, after a hearing,  the FPSC issued an order ruling against Panda
on two of the  three  material  issues in the  case.  First,  the FPSC held that
Panda's  proposed  115 MW  facility  does not comply  with the 75 MW  limitation
contained  in the FPSC's  standard  offer  rules.  The FPSC found that the 75 MW
limitation  applies to the output of the plant, not to the contract's  committed
capacity.  Second, the FPSC held that under its rules, Florida Power is required
to make  capacity  payments  for 20 years  rather than for 30 years as argued by
Panda.  Third,  the FPSC ruled against  Florida Power by extending for 19 months
the "milestone"  dates  contained in the standard offer contract,  including the
construction commencement date and the commercial in-service date.

On  September  18,  1997,  the  Florida  Supreme  Court  ruled that the FPSC had
jurisdiction  over this  matter and  further  affirmed  the FPSC's May 20,  1996
order.  On February  11, 1998,  Panda filed a petition for a writ of  certiorari
with the U.S.  Supreme Court to review the Florida Supreme Court  decision,  and
Florida Power has filed its response.

On January  6,  1998,  Panda  filed a motion  with the FPSC to again  extend the
"milestone"  dates.  Florida  Power has  opposed  Panda's  motion to extend  the
milestone  dates.  On February  25, 1998,  Florida  Power sent Panda a Notice of
Default for its failure to adhere to the  previously  revised  milestone  dates,
conditioned upon the FPSC's denial of Panda's motion.

5.       Wanda L.  Adams,  et al.  v.  Florida  Power  Corporation  and  Florida
         Progress Corporation,  U.S. District Court, Middle District of Florida,
         Ocala Division, Case No. 95-123-C.V.-OC-10.

On October  13,  1995,  Florida  Power and Florida  Progress  were served with a
multi-party lawsuit involving 17 former Florida Power employees.  The plaintiffs
generally  alleged  discrimination  in violation of the Age  Discrimination  and
Employment Act and wrongful interference with pension rights in violation of the
Employee  Retirement  Income  Security  Act as a  result  of  their  involuntary
terminations  during Florida Power's reduction in force.  While no dollar amount
is specified,  each Plaintiff seeks back pay, reinstatement or front pay through
their projected dates of normal retirement, costs and attorney's fees.

 21

The  plaintiffs  subsequently  filed  several  motions  attempting  to add  more
plaintiffs,  including one present  employee who contends he was demoted because
of his age.

On November  10,  1995,  Florida  Power  filed its  answer,  a motion to dismiss
Florida Progress,  and a counterclaim  against five of the plaintiffs who signed
releases,  promising,  among other things, not to sue Florida Power with respect
to matters  involving their employment or termination.  The  counterclaim  seeks
enforcement of the agreement,  dismissal of plaintiffs' complaints, and an award
of attorneys fees and costs of litigation.

On October 29, 1996, a joint stipulation to provisionally  certify the case as a
class action pursuant to the Age  Discrimination in Employment Act was approved.
A notice was sent to all former employees  involuntarily  discharged  during the
reduction  in  force,  who  were 40  years  of age or older at the time of their
discharge,  informing  them of  their  right  to opt into  this  action  if they
believed  they were  discriminated  against on the basis of age.  Florida  Power
reserved  the  right to file a motion to  decertify  the class at the end of the
opt-in period.

On May 28, 1997,  the final day for  individuals  to "opt into" this action,  61
additional former employees elected to do so, for a total of 117 plaintiffs.  On
August 28,  1997,  the parties  filed an amended  case  management  report which
included a proposed schedule. To date, no scheduling order has been entered.

6.       Florida Power Corporation v. United States, U.S. Court of Federal
         Claims, Civil Action No. 96-702C.

On  November 1, 1996,  Florida  Power  filed suit  against  the U.S.  Government
alleging  breach of  contract  and  illegal  taking  of  property  without  just
compensation.  The  suit  arises  out  of  several  contracts  under  which  the
government provided uranium enrichment  services at fixed prices.  After Florida
Power  paid for all  services  provided  under the  contracts,  the  government,
through  federal  legislation  enacted  in 1992,  imposed  a  retroactive  price
increase  in  order  to fund  the  decontamination  and  decommissioning  of the
government's gaseous diffusion uranium enrichment facilities.  The government is
collecting this increase through an annual "special  assessment" levied upon all
utilities that had enrichment services contracts with the government. Collection
of the special  assessments  began in 1992 and is  scheduled  to continue  for a
fifteen-year period.

To date,  Florida Power has paid more than $9.5 million in special  assessments,
and if continued  throughout  the  anticipated  fifteen-year  life,  the special
assessments  would increase the cost of Florida  Power's  contracts by more than
$23 million.

Florida Power seeks an order declaring that all such special assessments are
unlawful,  and an injunction  prohibiting the government from collecting future
special assessments, and damages of approximately $9.5 million, plus interest.
On December 23, 1996, the case was stayed pending the U.S. Supreme Court's
potential review of a similar case.  (Yankee Atomic Electric Co. v. U.S.).
There,  a petition for a writ of  certiorari  has been filed by Yankee Atomic
Electric Co.

7.       Gulf  Power  et al.  v.  United  States  of  America  and  the  Federal
         Communications  Commission,  U.S. District Court,  Northern District of
         Florida, Pensacola Division, Case No. 3:96-CV-381-LAC

On July 30, 1996, Florida Power together with Gulf Power Company,  Alabama Power
Company,  Georgia Power, Mississippi Power Company, Ohio Edison Company and Duke
Power  Company  filed  suit  challenging  the   constitutionality  of  the  pole
attachment  amendments to the  Telecommunications  Act of 1996. The suit seeks a
declaration that the pole attachments are unconstitutional because they impose a
mandatory obligation on utilities to provide access to poles they own or control
to cable television and  telecommunications  service providers without providing
just compensation for this use. The claim is based on the Fifth Amendment to the
United States  Constitution  which  provides that private  property shall not be

 22

taken for public use without just compensation.  The suit also seeks a permanent
injunction  against the Federal  Communications  Commission  preventing  it from
enforcing the mandatory access provision.

In February  1997, the  Association  for Local  Telecommunications  Services and
American  Communication Services intervened as party defendants in this case. On
February 21, 1997,  Florida Power filed a Motion for Summary Judgment.  On March
20, 1997, the defendants filed their Motion for Summary Judgment. Oral arguments
on the motions were on February 18, 1998.

On March 6, 1998, the Court granted the U.S.'s Motion for Summary Judgment.  The
judge  opined  that  while  mandatory  access to  utility  poles  constitutes  a
"taking", it was not an unconstitutional taking and just compensation would have
to be determined.

8.       Sanford Gasification Plant Site, Sanford, Florida

The Sanford  Gasification Site is a former  manufactured gas site located in the
city of Sanford, Florida. It began operation in the 1880's and continued through
the early 1950's.  Originally owned by Southern Utilities Company, the plant was
purchased in 1924 by the City of Sanford, then sold again in 1928 to Sanford Gas
Company.  Sanford Gas Company,  which merged into Florida Power  Corporation  in
1944,  operated  the plant  until  1946 when it was sold to South  Atlantic  Gas
Company  (later  Atlanta Gas Company).  The plant was conveyed three more times,
being  purchased by the current owner,  Florida Public  Utilities,  in 1965. The
FDEP began investigating the site in 1990. Florida Public Utilities initiated an
action styled Florida  Public  Utilities  Company v. Florida Power  Corporation,
Florida  Power and Light  Company,  Atlanta  Gas  Company  and City of  Sanford,
Florida, United States District Court of the Middle District of Florida, Orlando
Division, Civil Action No. 92-115-C.V.-ORL-19,  seeking contribution for cleanup
from former  owners or  operators of the site,  including  Florida  Power.  That
action was dismissed without prejudice on February 17, 1995.

On June 27,  1996,  the EPA  completed an Expanded  Site  Investigation/Remedial
Investigation  at the site. On July 11, 1997, the EPA sent a general and special
notice  letter which  advised  Florida  Power and other PRPs of their  potential
liability  for  cleanup.  The  investigation  concluded  that  such  release  or
threatened  release includes the site itself and down gradient  contamination in
sediment  through an unnamed  tributary for storm water drainage flowing through
Cloud Branch Creek into Lake Monroe.

On October  20,  1997,  the PRPs filed a good faith  offer to conduct a Remedial
Investigation  and Feasibility  Study  ("RI/FS"),  which, if accepted by the EPA
would allow the PRPs to perform and finance cleanup activities at the site under
the  guidance  of the EPA.  The PRPs have  reached a tentative  agreement  on an
allocation  of costs to fund the RI/FS and  subsequent  remedial work up to $1.5
million.   Additional   contributions  for  subsequent  cleanup  costs  will  be
negotiated  among the PRPs as the scope of clean-up efforts become more defined.
(See  Note  11  "Commitments   and   Contingencies,"   Notes  to  the  Financial
Statements).

9.       Northern  States Power  Company et al. v. United  States  Department of
         Energy, U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit, Case No. 97-1065.

On January 31,  1997,  in response  to the DOE's  announcement  that it would be
unable to meet its statutory  obligation to commence  disposing of spent nuclear
fuel by January 31, 1998, Florida Power joined  approximately 35 other utilities
with nuclear  power plants in this lawsuit  against DOE under the Nuclear  Waste
Policy Act  ("NWPA").  The NWPA and  contracts  between  the  utilities  and DOE
require  utilities to make  payments  into the Nuclear  Waste Fund based on each
kilowatt  hour of  electricity  generated  and  sold  from  nuclear  plants.  In
exchange,  the NWPA and  those  contracts  require  DOE to  begin  disposing  of

 23

utilities'  spent  nuclear  fuel by January  31,  1998.  In their  lawsuit,  the
utilities  requested the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit to (1) order
DOE to begin  accepting  spent fuel not later than January 31, 1998, (2) declare
that the  utilities  are relieved of their  obligation to make payments into the
Nuclear Waste Fund unless and until DOE commences disposing of their spent fuel,
and (3) prohibit DOE from taking any adverse action against utilities suspending
payments.

In its November 14, 1997 ruling, the D.C. Circuit affirmed its previous decision
in Indiana  Michigan Power Co. v. DOE, 88 F.3d 1272 (D.C. Cir.  1996),  and held
that DOE has an  unconditional  obligation  to begin  disposing of spent fuel by
January 31,  1998.  The court also  prohibited  DOE from using the  "unavoidable
delays"  clause in its  contracts  with the utilities as a means of avoiding its
unconditional  obligation to begin  accepting  utility spent fuel by January 31,
1998. Although the court refused to require DOE to begin accepting utility spent
fuel based on its view that utilities had a potentially  available  remedy under
their contracts with DOE, the D.C. Circuit nonetheless retained  jurisdiction in
the event DOE failed to comply with the court's mandate.

On December 29, 1997,  DOE requested  rehearing of the D.C.  Circuit's  decision
asserting that the D.C.  Circuit lacked  jurisdiction  to hear the case. On that
same day, Yankee Atomic Electric Company filed a separate  rehearing petition of
the Northern States decision requesting a move fuel order from the court. Unlike
most other utility  petitioners in the Northern  States case,  Yankee Atomic has
largely  completed  decommissioning  its  nuclear  plant and has fully  paid its
Nuclear Waste Fund fees.

Based on statements  made by DOE in its  rehearing  petition,  approximately  40
states  and state  utility  commissions  and more than 40  utilities,  including
Florida Power,  filed motions to enforce the mandate issued by the D.C.  Circuit
in Northern States. The state and utility  petitions,  filed on January 30, 1998
and February 19, 1998 respectively,  request the D.C. Circuit for relief similar
to that sought in the Northern States litigation.

Failure of DOE to accept spent nuclear fuel will not immediately  affect Florida
Power,  which has sufficient on-site spent nuclear fuel storage capacity through
the year 2010.

10.    State of Oklahoma,  ex rel.  John P.  Crawford,  Insurance  Commissioner
       v. Mid-Continent Life Insurance Company, District Court of Oklahoma
       County, State of Oklahoma, Case No. CJ-97-2518-62

       State of Oklahoma,  ex rel, John P. Crawford,  Insurance  Commissioner as
       Receiver for  Mid-Continent  Life Insurance  Company v. Florida  Progress
       Corporation,  a Florida  corporation,  Jack  Barron  Critchfield,  George
       Ruppel, Thomas Steven Krzesinski,  Richard Korpan, Richard Donald Keller,
       James Lacy Harlan,  Gerald William McRae,  Thomas Richard Dlouhy,  Andrew
       Joseph Beal and Robert Terry Stuart, Jr.

On  April  14,  1997,  the  Insurance  Commissioner  of the  state  of  Oklahoma
("Commissioner")  received  approval from the Oklahoma  County District Court to
temporarily  seize control of the  operations of  Mid-Continent  Life  Insurance
Company  ("Mid-Continent").  On May 23,  1997,  the  District  Court of Oklahoma
County granted the application of the Commissioner to place  Mid-Continent  into
receivership  and ordered the  Commissioner to develop a plan of  rehabilitation
for Mid-Continent.  The Commissioner alleged that Mid-Continent's  reserves were
understated  by  more  than  $125  million,  thus  causing  Mid-Continent  to be
statutorily  impaired,  and further  alleged  that  Mid-Continent  had  violated
Oklahoma law relating to deceptive  trade  practices in connection with the sale
of its "Extra Life" insurance policies.  Mid-Continent is appealing the decision
to the Supreme Court of Oklahoma.  Mid-Continent  believes it is not statutorily
impaired  because the court ruled that it could raise  premiums on the insurance
policies at issue.

In connection  with this matter,  the  Commissioner of Insurance of the State of
Texas  entered  a  cease  and  desist  order  on  July  10,  1997,   prohibiting
Mid-Continent  from  writing any new  policies in the state of Texas.  The Texas

 24

Commissioner   cited  the  lack  of  permanent   management   at,  and  plan  of
rehabilitation for,  Mid-Continent and the alleged reserve deficiency as reasons
for the action.

On December  22,  1997,  the  Commissioner  filed with the court a petition  for
damages  against  the  defendants  alleging  alter  ego,  negligence,  breach of
fiduciary  duty,  misappropriation  of funds,  unjust  enrichment,  ultra vires,
violation of Oklahoma  statutory  insurance law, violation of Oklahoma statutory
corporate law, and seeking equitable relief.

On February 13, 1998, the Commissioner  filed with the court a "Report Regarding
Rehabilitation  Plan". This report did not put forward a serious  rehabilitation
plan,  but rather  stated  that the  Commissioner  has filed a petition  seeking
recovery of damages from the defendants,  the proceeds of which would be used to
offset the alleged reserve deficiencies.

On February 26, 1998, the  defendants  filed motions to dismiss the petition and
Mid-Continent  filed a  response  to the  report  regarding  the  Commissioner's
rehabilitation   plan  and   requested   approval  of  its   proposed   plan  of
rehabilitation.   Mid-Continent's   proposed   rehabilitation  plan  presents  a
multi-faceted approach to rehabilitation,  including raising premiums. A hearing
before the court has been set on March 17, 1998, for the proposed rehabilitation
plans.  A hearing  before  the court has been set on the  motions  to dismiss on
April 17, 1998.

Florida  Progress  intends to  vigorously  defend  itself  and other  defendants
against  these  charges  and  support  Mid-Continent  in its efforts to gain the
court's approval of its  rehabilitation  plan. (See Item 7 MD&A,  "Mid-Continent
Life Insurance Company").

11.    Peak Oil Company, Missouri Electric Works, 62nd Street, AKO Bayside, and
       Bluff Electric.

Florida  Power  has been  notified  by the EPA that it is or could be a PRP with
respect  to each of the  above  Superfund  sites.  Based  upon  the  information
presently  available,  Florida  Power has no reason  to  believe  that its total
liability  for the  cleanup of these  sites will be  material or that it will be
required to pay a significantly  disproportionate share of those costs. However,
these matters are being reported because  liability for cleanup of certain sites
is technically joint and several,  and because the extent to which Florida Power
may  ultimately  have to  participate  in those  cleanup  costs is not presently
determinable.

12.    Zellwood Groundwater Superfund Site

In 1992,  Florida  Progress  was  notified  by the EPA that  Progress  Packaging
Corporation  ("Progress  Packaging")  is or could be a PRP in  reference  to the
Zellwood  Groundwater  site.  Florida  Progress  sold  the  assets  of  Progress
Packaging  in  1988.  The EPA  issued  Special  Notice  Letters  to  potentially
responsible parties in 1996. Florida Progress has been advised orally by the EPA
that if no letter was received,  then Progress Packaging will not be held liable
for any damages  related to this matter.  Progress  Packaging  did not receive a
letter. On November 7, 1996,  Florida Progress  requested  written  confirmation
from the EPA that Progress  Packaging was not mailed a Special Notice Letter. No
confirmation has been received to date. Based upon the above stated  information
and the fact that the last written  communication  received  from the EPA was in
1994, the file on this matter has been closed. This report concludes this matter
for reporting purposes.

13.    In re:  Petition  of  IMC-Agrico  Company for a  Declaratory  Statement
       Confirming   Non-Jurisdictional   Nature  of  Planned  Self-Generation,
       Florida Public Service Commission, Docket No. 971313-EI.

       In re: Petition of Duke Mulberry Energy,  L.P., and IMC-Agrico  Company
       for  a  Declaratory   Statement   Concerning   Eligibility   to  Obtain
       Determination  of Need Pursuant to Section 403.519,  Florida  Statutes,
       Florida Public Service Commission, Docket No. 971337-EI.

 25

       In re: Petition of Duke Energy New Smyrna Beach Power Company,  LLP for
       a Declaratory Statement Concerning  Eligibility to Obtain Determination
       of Need Pursuant to Section 403.519,  Florida Statutes,  Florida Public
       Service Commission Docket No. 971446-EI.

IMC-Agrico  Company,  a retail  customer of Florida  Power and Duke Energy Power
Services,  announced  their  intention to  construct,  own and operate a natural
gas-fired combined cycle power plant in Florida,  with a capacity of between 240
and  750  megawatts.  A  portion  of the  plant's  capacity  would  be  used  in
IMC-Agrico's  operations and the remainder  sold on a "merchant  plant" basis to
wholesale customers by an affiliate of Duke Energy.

IMC-Agrico  filed a  petition  with  the  FPSC in 1997,  seeking  a  declaratory
statement that its proposed  ownership and operation of an interest in the plant
will  constitute  self  generation and not render it a public utility subject to
regulation by the FPSC. On November 14, 1997, Florida Power filed a Petition for
Leave to Intervene in this proceeding. Florida Power's petition asserts that IMC
has provided  insufficient  information to enable the FPSC to determine  whether
its proposal constitutes a non-jurisdictional retail sale. On December 16, 1997,
the FPSC decided to set this matter for a hearing pursuant to the Administrative
Procedures  Act, at the conclusion of which, a decision would be rendered on the
jurisdictional  question.  On  February  3,  1998,  IMC-Agrico  filed  notice of
withdrawal of its petition.

In Docket No. 971337-EI,  IMC-Agrico and Duke Mulberry Energy,  L.P.  petitioned
the FPSC for a declaratory statement that the joint venture to construct and own
a generation  plant gave them standing as an  "Applicant"  under the Power Plant
Siting Act to seek a Determination of Need from the FPSC for the proposed plant.
On November 17,  1976,  Florida  Power filed a Petition for Leave to  Intervene,
asserting  that the  declaration  being sought  raised broad and serious  policy
questions that are inappropriate  for  consideration in a declaratory  statement
proceeding.  On December  16,  1997,  the FPSC  agreed  with the  Florida  Power
position and denied the IMC-Agrico/Duke petition. The FPSC directed its staff to
review the matter and submit recommendations on the appropriate proceeding to be
utilized in reviewing similar merchant plant requests.

In Docket No.  971446-EI,  Duke  Energy  New Smyrna  Beach  Power  Company,  LLP
petitioned the FPSC for a declaratory statement that its proposed plant near New
Smyrna  Beach gave it standing as an  "Applicant"  under the Power Plant  Siting
Act. On December 16,  1997,  the FPSC denied the petition on the same grounds as
reported regarding FPSC Docket No. 971337-EI, above.

This  concludes  the  IMC-Agrico,  Duke  Mulberry  Energy,  L.P. and Duke Energy
New Smyrna Beach Power  Company,  LLP petitions for reporting purposes.

14.      Florida Power Corporation and Seminole Electric Cooperative v. Ronald
         J. Schultz,  Circuit Court for Citrus County

On December 15, 1997,  Florida Power and Seminole  filed suit against the Citrus
County  Property  Appraiser and Citrus County Tax Collector  contesting  1997 ad
valorem tax  assessments  on pollution  control  equipment at the Crystal  River
site.  Florida Power is seeking,  among other things, a $5 million refund of all
taxes paid in excess of those lawfully due.

Under Florida Statutes,  pollution control  facilities are subject to assessment
for ad valorem  taxation at an amount  which does not exceed the market value of
such facilities as salvage.  Florida Power contends that the 1997 assessment has
the effect of assigning a taxable  value to Florida  Power's  pollution  control
equipment  of  approximately  $286  million.  On  February  19,  1998,  Property
Appraiser Schultz filed a motion for summary judgment.

15.     Calgon Carbon Corporation v. Potomac Capital Investment Corporation,
        Potomac Electric Power Company, Progress Capital Holdings, Inc., and
        Florida Progress Corporation, United States District Court for the
        Western District of Pennsylvania, Civil Action No. 98-0072.

 26

Calgon  Carbon  Corporation  ("Calgon")  filed a complaint  on January 12, 1998,
asserting  securities  fraud,  breach of contract and other claims in connection
with the sale to it by two of the defendants in December 1996 of their interests
in Advanced Separation Technologies, Incorporated ("AST"), a corporation engaged
in the business of designing and assembling  proprietary  separation  equipment.
Prior to  closing,  Progress  Capital,  a wholly  owned  subsidiary  of  Florida
Progress,  owned 80 percent of the outstanding  stock of AST and Potomac Capital
Investment  Corporation (an entity  unaffiliated  with PCH or Florida  Progress)
owned 20 percent. Calgon paid PCH an aggregate of approximately $57.5 million in
respect of PCH's  share of AST's  stock.  Calgon  claims  that AST's  assets and
revenues were overstated and liabilities and expenses were understated for 1996.
Calgon also alleges undisclosed facts relating to accounting  methodology,  poor
products,  manufacturing  and quality control problems and undisclosed  warranty
claims.  Calgon  seeks  damages,  punitive  damages and the right to rescind the
purchase. Florida Progress and PCH intend to vigorously defend this case.

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

   Not applicable.

 27

                                     PART II


ITEM 5.  MARKET FOR THE REGISTRANTS' COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER
         MATTERS

                                FLORIDA PROGRESS

Florida  Progress' common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange and the
Pacific Stock  Exchange.  The high and low price per share of Florida  Progress'
common stock for each  quarterly  period and the dividends per common share paid
on shares of Florida  Progress'  common  stock  during the last two fiscal years
appear in Item 8 on the "Quarterly Financial Data" table for Florida Progress at
the end of the Notes to the Financial Statements,  and is incorporated herein by
reference.

In February 1998,  Florida  Progress' Board announced an increase of 4 cents per
share in the common  stock  quarterly  dividend,  which on an annual basis would
increase the dividend from $2.10 to $2.14 per share.  This  represents an annual
dividend growth rate of 1.9%. In 1997,  Florida Progress'  dividend payout ratio
from continuing  operations before  non-recurring  items was 80.18% of earnings.
Information  concerning the Florida Progress  dividend payout ratio and dividend
policy is set forth in Item 7 "MD&A - Liquidity and Capital Resources".

Florida Progress'  Restated Articles of Incorporation do not limit the dividends
that may be paid on its common stock. However, the primary source for payment of
Florida Progress'  dividends  consists of dividends paid to it by Florida Power.
Florida Power's Amended Articles of Incorporation  and its Indenture dated as of
January 1, 1944, under which it issues first mortgage bonds,  contain provisions
restricting  dividends in certain  circumstances.  At December 31, 1997, Florida
Power's ability to pay dividends was not limited by these restrictions.

Florida  Progress  and Progress  Capital have entered into a Second  Amended and
Restated Guaranty and Support Agreement dated as of August 7, 1996,  pursuant to
which Florida  Progress has  unconditionally  guaranteed the payment of Progress
Capital's debt (as defined in the agreement).

Florida  Progress did not sell any equity  securities  during 1997 that were not
registered under the Securities Act.

The  approximate  number of equity  security  holders of Florida  Progress is as
follows:

                                  Number of Registered Holders*
       Title of Class                 as of December 31, 1997
- -------------------------------    ----------------------------
Common Stock without par value                48,550

*    The  computation of registered  holders  includes record holders as well as
     individual positions in the Progress Plus Stock Plan.

 28

                                   FLORIDA POWER

All of  Florida  Power's  common  stock is owned by Florida  Progress,  and as a
result there is no established public trading market for the stock. For the past
three years,  Florida  Power has paid  quarterly  dividends to Florida  Progress
totaling the amounts  shown in the  Statements  of  Shareholder's  Equity in the
Financial Statements.

Florida Power's amended articles of incorporation, and its Indenture dated as of
January 1, 1944, as  supplemented,  under which it issues first mortgage  bonds,
contain provisions restricting dividends in certain  circumstances.  At December
31, 1997,  Florida  Power's  ability to pay  dividends  was not limited by these
restrictions.

ITEM 6.  SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA


                                        Annual Growth Rates
                                           (in percent)
                                            1992-1997      1997      1996      1995      1994      1993      1992
 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                       
 FLORIDA PROGRESS CORPORATION
 Summary of operations (in millions)
      Utility revenues                           6.7     $2,448.4   $2,393.6  $2,271.7  $2,080.5  $1,957.6  $1,774.1
      Diversified revenues (continuing)         25.3        867.2      764.3     736.1     644.8     430.3     281.1
      Income from continuing operations        (21.6)        54.3      250.7     238.9     212.0     196.0     183.8
      Income (loss) from discontinued
         operations and change in accounting      -             -      (26.3)       -         -        0.6      (8.1)
      Net income                               (20.9)        54.3      224.4     238.9     212.0     196.6     175.7
 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Balance sheet data (in millions):
      Total assets                               3.0     $5,760.0   $5,348.4  $5,550.4  $5,453.1  $5,338.0  $4,978.8

      Capitalization:
            Short-term capital                   5.3     $  230.0   $   39.0    $173.7    $ 99.9    $195.2    $177.6
            Long-term debt                       7.6      2,377.8    1,776.9   1,662.3   1,835.2   1,840.5   1,651.3
            Preferred stock                    (31.1)        33.5       33.5     138.5     143.5     148.5     216.0
            Common stock equity                   .4      1,776.0    1,924.2   2,078.1   1,984.4   1,820.5   1,737.6
 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                  Total capitalization           3.2     $4,417.3   $3,773.6  $4,052.6  $4,063.0  $4,004.7  $3,782.5
 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Common stock data:
      Average shares outstanding (in millions)   2.6         97.1       96.8      95.7      93.0      88.3      85.4
      Earnings per share:
            Utility                             (7.1)        $1.38      $2.40     $2.27     $2.05     $2.06     $1.99
            Diversified (continuing)                          (.82)       .19       .23       .23       .16       .16
            Discontinued operations and change
              in accounting                       -              -       (.27)      -         -         .01      (.09)
            Consolidated                       (22.9)          .56       2.32      2.50      2.28      2.23      2.06
      Dividends per common share                 2.0          2.10       2.06      2.02      1.99      1.95      1.905
      Dividend payout                                       375.3%      88.9%     81.0%     87.7%     87.6%     93.0%
      Dividend yield                                          5.4%       6.4%      5.7%      6.7%      5.9%      5.9%
      Book value per share of common stock      (1.6)       $18.30     $19.84    $21.55    $20.85    $20.40    $19.85
      Return on common equity                                 2.9%      10.9%     11.8%     11.1%     11.1%     10.6%
 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Common stock price per share:
            High                                            39 1/4     36 3/8    35 3/4    33 5/8    36 3/8    33 1/4
            Low                                             27 3/4     31 5/8    29 3/8    24 3/4    31 1/4    27 7/8
            Close                                3.8        39 1/4     32 1/4    35 3/8    30        33 5/8    32 5/8
      Price earnings ratio (year-end)                        70.1       13.9      14.2      13.2      15.1      15.8
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Other year-end data:
      Number of employees                        1.8          7,990     7,291     7,174     7,394     7,825     7,301
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                            [CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE]

 29


                                        Annual Growth Rates
                                           (in percent)
                                            1992-1997      1997     1996      1995      1994      1993      1992
 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FLORIDA POWER CORPORATION
 Electric sales (million of KWH)
                                                                                      
      Residential                                3.3    15,079.8   15,481.4  14,938.0  13,863.4  13,372.6  12,825.8
      Commercial                                 4.2     9,257.3    8,848.0   8,612.1   8,252.1   7,884.8   7,544.1
      Industrial                                 5.2     4,187.8    4,223.7   3,864.4   3,579.6   3,380.8   3,254.5
      Total retail sales                         4.0    30,850.3   30,784.8  29,499.5  27,675.2  26,528.3  25,414.0
      Total electric sales                       4.0    33,289.9   33,492.5  32,402.6  30,014.6  28,647.8  27,375.5
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Residential service (average annual):
      KWH sales per customer                     1.2     12,993    13,560    13,282    12,597    12,420    12,214
      Revenue per customer                       4.8     $1,115    $1,138    $1,114    $1,038      $983      $884
      Revenue per KWH                            3.5    $0.0858    $0.0839   $0.0839   $0.0824   $0.0792   $0.0724
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Financial Data:
      Operating revenues                         6.7    $ 2448.4   $2,393.6  $2,271.7  $2,080.5  $1,957.6  $1,774.1
      Net income after dividends
        on preferred stock                      (4.6)   $  134.4   $  232.6    $217.3    $190.7    $181.5    $170.2
      Total assets                               4.2    $4,900.8   $4,264.0  $4,284.9  $4,284.5  $4,259.5  $3,980.6
      Long-term debt and preferred stock
        subject to mandatory redemption          5.8    $1,745.4   $1,296.4  $1,304.1  $1,393.8  $1,433.6  $1,318.3
      Total capitalization including
        short-term debt (in millions)            4.2    $3,727.7   $3,180.8  $3,202.2  $3,265.4  $3,240.4  $3,029.2
      Capitalization ratios:
        Short-term capital                       2.2        4.9%       0.8%      1.0%      2.8%      5.3%      4.4%
        Long-term debt                           2.8       46.8%      40.8%     39.9%     41.7%     43.1%     40.8%
        Preferred stock                        (33.8)        .9%       1.0%      4.3%      4.4%      4.6%      7.1%
        Common stock equity                      (.1)      47.4%      57.4%     54.8%     51.1%     47.0%     47.7%
      Ratio of earnings to fixed charges
        (SEC method)                            (6.5)       2.75       4.80      4.41      3.90      3.83      3.84
      Embedded cost of long-term debt           (1.4)       7.0%       7.2%      7.2%      7.1%      6.8%      7.5%
      Embedded cost of preferred stock          (8.8)       4.6%       4.6%      6.8%      6.8%      6.8%      7.3%
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Operating Data:
  Net system capacity (MW)                       2.0       7,717     7,341     7,347     7,295     7,563     6,998
  Net system peak load (MW)                      2.9       8,066     8,807     7,722     6,955     6,729     6,982
  Capital expenditures (in millions)            (3.9)     $387.2    $217.3    $283.4    $319.5    $426.4    $472.9
  Net cash flow to capital expenditures          7.9         76%      175%      125%      103%       63%       52%
  Fuel cost per million BTU                      3.8       $2.24     $2.04     $1.69     $1.75     $1.79     $1.86
  Average number of customers                    2.1   1,314,508 1,292,075 1,271,784 1,243,891 1,214,653 1,182,170
  Number of full-time employees                 (3.7)      4,799     4,629     4,658     4,972     5,807     5,806
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION
          AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

OPERATING RESULTS

Florida  Progress' 1997  consolidated  earnings from continuing  operations were
$54.3  million.  This compares to $250.7  million in 1996 and $238.9  million in
1995.  Florida Progress' 1997 operating results were negatively  impacted by the
extended outage of Florida Power's Crystal River nuclear plant and the provision
for loss on its investment in Mid-Continent  Life Insurance  Company.  These two
events  reduced  Florida  Progress'  1997  earnings by $200 million or $2.06 per
share.

Excluding these one-time charges,  Florida Progress' 1997 consolidated  earnings
from  continuing  operations  were $254.3  million.  This  compares  with $252.4
million in 1996 and $238.9 million in 1995.  Florida Power earned $240.9 million
in 1997 before  nuclear  outage costs,  compared with $232.6 million in 1996 and
$217.3 million in 1995.  Earnings from  recurring  diversified  operations  were
$13.4 million in 1997,  compared with $19.8 million in 1996 and $21.6 million in
1995.

 30


                       EARNINGS PER SHARE

                                                1997      1996      1995
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                          
  Florida Power Corporation                    $2.48     $2.40     $2.27
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Electric Fuels Corporation                     .33       .28       .25
  Mid-Continent Life Ins. Co.                     -        .02       .07
  Other                                         (.19)     (.09)     (.09)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Diversified                                    .14       .21       .23
  Continuing operations before
    nonrecurring items                          2.62      2.61      2.50
  Nuclear outage costs                         (1.10)       -         -
  Loss related to
    Mid-Continent Life Ins. Co.                 (.96)       -         -
  Provision for loss on
    coal properties                               -       (.26)       -
  Gain on sale of business                        -        .24        -
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Total continuing operations                    .56      2.59      2.50
  Discontinued operations                         -       (.27)       -
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Consolidated                                $  .56     $2.32     $2.50
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Excluding nuclear outage costs,  Florida Power's 1997 earnings per share were up
3.3 percent over 1996,  primarily due to strong  customer  growth.  During 1997,
Florida  Power  added  more  than  22,000   customers.   Customer  growth  among
residential and commercial  customers averaged about 2 percent in 1997 and 1996.
Florida  Power's  Crystal River nuclear plant was out of service  during 1997 to
address design issues related to the plant's safety systems.  As a result of the
outage,  Florida Power's earnings were reduced by $1.10 per share. This resulted
from $100 million in additional  nuclear operating and maintenance  expenses and
$73 million of disallowed  replacement power costs. (See Item 7, "MD&A - Nuclear
Outage Costs".)

In April 1997,  Mid-Continent  Life Insurance Company was placed in receivership
over allegations that its policy reserves were inadequate.  While  Mid-Continent
has appealed an Oklahoma district court judge's ruling to keep  Mid-Continent in
receivership,  Florida  Progress  has  recorded a provision  for the loss on its
investment  in  Mid-Continent  as well as an accrual  for legal fees for pending
litigation. This resulted in a $.96 after-tax charge to 1997 earnings. (See Item
7, "MD&A - Mid-Continent Life Insurance Company".)

In 1996, Florida Progress divested Echelon International  Corporation,  formerly
Progress Credit Corporation, through a tax-free stock dividend. This resulted in
a  $26.3-million  charge to earnings  for the  write-down  of certain  assets of
Echelon and other costs.  Also in 1996,  Florida  Progress  sold its  80-percent
interest in Advanced Separation Technologies,  Inc. for $56 million and realized
an after-tax gain of $23.5 million, or $.24 per share.

Lastly,  Electric  Fuels  recorded  a  $25.2-million  after-tax  charge  to 1996
earnings to establish a provision for loss on its unprofitable  coal properties,
now available for sale. The provision was necessary  because  management did not
consider the unfavorable  market conditions for low-sulfur coal to be temporary.
While  significant,  the one-time  charges  incurred in 1997 and 1996 should not
affect the  future  earnings  prospects  of Florida  Progress.  Florida  Power's
growing  customer  base and  good  cost  control  combined  with  the  expanding
operations of Electric Fuels are the fundamental  drivers of earnings growth for
Florida  Progress.  The growth of these core businesses is forecasted to provide
earnings per share growth of four to five percent  annually for Florida Progress
over the next five years.

The  financial  return on Florida  Power's  common equity was 13 percent in 1997
before considering  nonrecurring  items,  compared with 12.9 percent in 1996 and
12.7  percent  in 1995.  Florida  Power's  above  average  customer  growth  and
continued  control over  operating and  maintenance  costs should enable Florida
Power to maintain its return on equity and  continue  its earnings  growth while
pursuing  strategic  initiatives  designed  to prepare  the  utility  for a more
competitive  environment.  Return on equity  from the energy and  transportation

 31

subsidiary was 17.3 percent in 1997, 14 percent in 1996 before its provision for
loss on coal properties and 13.8 percent in 1995.

FLORIDA POWER CORPORATION

Utility Competition - Industry Restructuring

The  electric  utility  industry  is  undergoing  changes  designed  to increase
competition in an industry that, since inception,  has been considered a natural
monopoly.  Starting with the Public  Utilities  Regulatory  Policies Act of 1978
("PURPA") and the Energy Policy Act of 1992 ("EPA of 1992"),  competition in the
wholesale  electric  generation  market has greatly  increased,  especially from
non-utility generators of electricity.

In 1996,  the FERC  issued  new  rules on  transmission  service  to  facilitate
competition  in  wholesale  generation  on a  nationwide  basis.  The rules give
greater flexibility and more choices to wholesale power customers.

The  effect  of  these  changes  on the  wholesale  generation  market  has been
significant.  In the last five years,  power supplied by non-utility  generators
has increased over 100 percent. From 1990 through 1995,  non-utility  generation
capacity grew at a rate of 47 percent,  compared to utility generation  capacity
which grew at a rate of two percent.

Electricity in Florida is supplied largely through existing  generation capacity
located in the state. Florida's peninsular shape and limited transmission access
into the state set Florida apart from other regions of the country.

The amount of  electricity  that  presently  can be imported  into  Florida from
adjoining  states is limited to about ten percent of the total daily  demand for
electricity  in Florida.  Most of the demand for  electricity is in the southern
portion of the state,  which  increases the amount of  transmission  line losses
when importing electricity from a generating source outside the state.

These two unique  characteristics of Florida make it difficult to compete in the
Florida  wholesale  generation  market  without  access to generation  resources
within the state.

The  regulatory  changes  described  above  relate to the  wholesale  market for
electricity  which is  regulated  by federal  law.  The sale of  electricity  to
residential,  commercial and industrial  customers is governed by the states. To
date,  several states have adopted  legislation that would give retail customers
the right to choose their  electricity  provider  (retail choice) and many other
states are considering the issue.

California,  Pennsylvania  and some  states  in the New  England  region,  where
legislation  to allow retail  choice has passed,  have rates that are well above
the national  average.  In states where  electricity rates are more competitive,
such as  Florida,  there has been less  incentive  to push  forward  legislative
proposals concerning retail choice.

In addition to restructuring activity in various states, there have been several
industry  restructuring bills introduced in Congress. A key issue concerning the
passage  of any  industry  restructuring  legislation  by federal  lawmakers  is
whether the federal  government has the authority to mandate  legislation by the
states.  Several  of the  federal  bills  being  considered  require  states  to
implement retail choice between 2000 and 2003.

The changes  taking  place in the industry  today have caused many  companies to
develop new corporate  strategies.  Some of these corporate  strategies  include
alliances,  mergers with or  acquisitions  of other electric or gas utilities or
other types of service providers including home security and  telecommunications
companies.

During  the last five  years  there  have been 30  mergers  or  acquisitions  of
investor-owned  utilities  announced,  of which 11 have been  completed  and the
others are either pending regulatory approval or have been withdrawn.

 32

While it may be several years before  retail  choice exists in Florida,  Florida
Progress  believes  that retail  choice will  eventually  exist in every  state.
Florida  Progress  has  developed  a  corporate  strategy  to  compete in a more
competitive marketplace.  Florida Progress is focused on establishing a national
retail energy services business to efficiently develop new products and services
for its customers.

To be successful in this market,  a retail  services  company will likely need a
sizeable  number  of  customers  in  order to  realize  the  economies  of scale
necessary to keep the cost of such  products and services  competitive.  Florida
Progress has set a goal of achieving a customer  base of at least 10 million and
will pursue this goal through joint ventures,  alliances,  mergers, acquisitions
or some combination  thereof. In September 1997, Florida Progress entered into a
joint venture with two other utilities,  Cinergy Corp. and New Century Energies.
The joint  venture,  named Cadence,  is a marketing  alliance aimed at providing
national chain account  customers with a variety of energy  management  services
and products.

An important and frequently contentious issue surrounding industry restructuring
is the recovery of  "stranded  costs."  Stranded  costs  include the  generation
assets of utilities whose value in a competitive  marketplace would be less than
their current book value as well as above-market  purchased power commitments to
QFs.  States  that have  passed  legislation  for  industry  restructuring  have
provided for utilities to recover some portion of their stranded costs.

Assessing  the  amount  of  stranded  costs  for  a  utility   requires  various
assumptions  about  future  market  conditions  including  the  future  price of
electricity. For Florida Power, the single largest stranded cost issue lies with
its commitments to QFs.

Florida  Power is  continuing  to seek ways to mitigate the impact of escalating
payments from contracts it was obligated to sign under provisions of the federal
Public  Utilities   Regulatory  Policies  Act  of  1978.  (See  Item  3,  "Legal
Proceedings", Paragraphs 1-4.)

In 1997 Florida Power reduced its purchased power commitments by over 20 percent
through the buy-out of the Tiger Bay purchased power contracts.

Utility Revenues and Sales

Florida Power's operating revenues were $2.4 billion in 1997 and 1996,  compared
to $2.3 billion in 1995.

The utility's retail  kilowatt-hour  sales were  essentially  level in 1997 when
compared to 1996.  The lack of sales growth was due primarily to milder  weather
in 1997 than 1996. Kilowatt-hour sales in 1996 were up 2.9 percent when compared
to 1995.

Normally, Florida Power's revenues are heavily influenced by weather, especially
among residential  customers.  However in 1995, Florida Power, as ordered by the
Florida  Public  Service  Commission,  began a  three-year  test of  residential
revenue decoupling.  This ratemaking concept is designed to eliminate the direct
link  between  kilowatt-hour  sales  and  revenues.  Under  revenue  decoupling,
abnormal  weather  does  not  impact  earnings  from  residential  sales,  which
represents  the  single-largest  customer  group for Florida  Power. A change in
customer  usage due to extreme  heating or cooling  conditions  would not have a
material effect on Florida Power's earnings,  whereas customer growth and higher
usage due to nonweather-related factors can affect earnings.

Over  the  three-year  period,  the  earnings  impact  of  residential   revenue
decoupling was not material.  As of December 31, 1997, the cumulative adjustment
to revenues  was a reduction of less than $.5  million.  Florida  Power does not
intend to seek approval to use residential  revenue  decoupling beyond 1997. The
termination  of  residential  revenue  decoupling  will likely result in Florida
Power's earnings being subject to greater fluctuation due to changes in weather.
(See Note 1 "Summary of Significant Accounting Policies", Notes to the Financial
Statements.)

 33

Fuel and Purchased Power

Fuel and  purchased  power costs are recovered  primarily  through an adjustment
recovery  clause  established by state and federal  regulators.  Fluctuations in
these costs have little  impact  year to year on net  income,  but could  become
increasingly important in a more competitive environment.

Factors   influencing   fuel  and  purchased  power  costs  include  demand  for
electricity,  the availability of generating plants and the price of electricity
purchased from QFs and other utilities.

Total fuel and purchased power expenses for 1997,  including amounts incurred as
a result of the nuclear  outage,  were up $80.7 million over 1996 due largely to
the extended outage of Florida  Power's Crystal River nuclear plant.  The outage
forced  Florida  Power to replace  nuclear  generation  with other,  higher-cost
replacement power. (See "Extended Nuclear Outage Costs" contained herein.)

In 1996, fuel and purchased power expenses  increased $73.5 million  compared to
1995.  This  was due to  increased  purchased  power  costs  and  higher  system
requirements.

The nuclear plant is not scheduled to be taken out of service until 1999,  which
will be for  refueling.  Having the  nuclear  plant in service  for most of 1998
should help lower Florida  Power's fuel and purchased  power costs for 1998 when
compared to 1997. (See Item 7, "MD&A - Extended Nuclear Outage Costs".)

As mentioned  above, a key factor  influencing  Florida Power's  purchased power
costs are the  prices  paid to QFs for  electricity.  Currently,  Florida  Power
receives  831  megawatts  of total  capacity  from QFs.  This amount is down 220
megawatts  from  1996  due to the  buy-out  of the  Tiger  Bay  purchased  power
contracts. (See Item 7, "MD&A - Impact of Tiger Bay Buy-Out".)

In addition to the Tiger Bay buy-out,  the FPSC approved Florida Power's buy-out
of the last four  years and seven  months  of a  cogeneration  contract  between
Florida Power and Pasco Cogen Ltd.

In 1997,  Florida  Power  spent  $233.6  million for  purchased  power under all
cogeneration  contracts.  This represented  approximately 23% of system fuel and
purchased power expenses for the year.

Costs associated with those contracts raised Florida Power's system average cost
for generation in 1997 and 1996, and this trend is expected to continue based on
the contracts currently in place and the escalating payment schedules associated
with each contract.

Florida  Power will  continue  its effort to mitigate  the impact of  escalating
payments  from its purchased  power  contracts.  Under the  provisions of PURPA,
Florida Power was obligated to sign contracts with those QFs.

Florida  Power's  present  strategy  is to pursue  opportunities  to buy-down or
buy-out  those  contracts  whose prices are  projected to be above future market
prices.

While this  strategy  requires  paying  higher  amounts in the  short-term,  the
long-term  benefit  to  customers  can  be  significant.  Long-term  savings  to
customers  resulting from the buy-out of the Tiger Bay purchased power contracts
are estimated to be more than $2 billion over the next 30 years.

Other Utility Expenses

Utility  operation and  maintenance  expenses  increased by $8.9 million in 1997
exclusive of nuclear  outage  costs.  The  increase  was due  primarily to costs
associated  with  planned  fossil  plant  outages and  expenditures  designed to
improve reliability and customer service.

 34

In 1996,  operation  and  maintenance  expenses  increased by $19.7 million when
compared with the previous year,  primarily due to additional  costs  associated
with the outage of the nuclear  plant as well as expenses  related to  improving
service and reliability.

Cost control is a primary focus of each strategic business unit at Florida Power
as each  looks  for ways to  efficiently  meet its  customers'  needs.  This has
resulted in Florida Power's recurring operation and maintenance costs growing at
an annual rate below inflation since 1994.

It is one of management's  goals to continue to limit increases in operation and
maintenance costs to less than the national inflation rate.

Recoverable energy conservation  program costs increased by $4.4 million in 1997
over 1996. In 1996 these costs decreased by $21.4 million from the previous year
due to a reduction in the credits paid to customers who  participated in Florida
Power's load management program.

The change had no significant  impact on earnings because Florida Power recovers
substantially  all of these costs through a clause in electric  rates similar to
the fuel  adjustment  clause.  Florida Power does not expect the level of energy
conservation  costs to vary  materially in the future from the 1997  expenditure
level since little growth is forecast for this program.

In  1997,  Florida  Power  wrote-off   approximately  $20  million  of  contract
termination  costs  related to the Tiger Bay  buy-out.  In 1996,  Florida  Power
amortized  approximately $31 million related to two oil-fired power plants and a
canceled transmission line.

Extended Nuclear Outage Costs

In September 1996,  Florida Power's Crystal River nuclear plant was taken out of
service to fix an oil  pressure  problem in the main  turbine.  When the repairs
were  completed in October  1996,  Florida  Power decided to keep the plant shut
down to address certain backup safety system design issues.

The NRC had been  critical of the  plant's  overall  performance  in 1996 and in
January  1997  placed the  nuclear  plant on its "Watch  List" as a plant  whose
operations would be monitored closely until Florida Power  demonstrates a period
of improved  performance.  In March 1997,  the NRC  outlined  necessary  actions
Florida Power must complete before returning the nuclear plant to service.

In late January 1998,  Florida Power  notified the NRC that it had completed all
of the  requirements  and was  subsequently  granted  permission  to restart the
plant.  Florida  Power's  Crystal  River  nuclear  plant  returned to service in
February 1998.

Florida Power's  operating results for 1997 were  significantly  impacted by the
costs associated with the extended outage.  These costs included $100 million in
additional  operation and maintenance expenses and approximately $173 million in
replacement  power costs.  Capital  expenditures  related to the outage were $42
million in 1997.

In June 1997, the FPSC approved a settlement agreement between Florida Power and
several parties who objected to Florida Power recovering replacement power costs
resulting from the extended outage.

The  settlement  allows  Florida  Power to  recover,  through  rates  charged to
customers,  approximately $38 million of $174 million of replacement power costs
incurred from  September  1996 through  December  1997.  Florida Power can begin
recovering  the $38 million  once the plant has been  operating  at  100-percent
power for 14 consecutive  days. Of the remaining  $136 million,  $63 million was
recorded as a  regulatory  asset and is being  amortized  over four  years.  The
remaining  $73 million was expensed in 1997 and,  along with the $100 million of
additional  operation and maintenance  costs, is classified as "Extended Nuclear
Outage Costs" on the consolidated  statements of income. The amortization of the

 35

$63-million  regulatory  asset is being recovered by the suspension of an annual
accrual for fossil plant dismantlement costs for a period of up to four years.

Actual  replacement  power costs  incurred in 1998 prior to the nuclear  plant's
return to service will be expensed as incurred.

The settlement  agreement also provided that, for purposes of monitoring Florida
Power's earnings, the FPSC would exclude the nuclear outage costs when assessing
Florida Power's regulatory return on equity.  Florida Power is currently allowed
to earn  between  11 and 13 percent on its common  equity.  By  excluding  these
outage costs, Florida Power's future earnings capacity will not be penalized for
the one-time charge for outage costs.

Impact of Tiger Bay Buy-Out

In July 1997,  Florida Power bought-out the purchased power contracts related to
Tiger Bay, a 220-megawatt  cogeneration  facility. In addition to buying-out the
purchased power  contracts,  Florida Power acquired the  220-megawatt  facility.
Costs  associated  with the termination of the purchased power contracts and the
acquisition of the facility totaled $445 million.  Tiger Bay was Florida Power's
largest  cogeneration  supplier,  representing  more than  20-percent of Florida
Power's  total  capacity  received  from QFs. The purchase was funded  primarily
through the issuance of medium-term notes with maturities ranging from two to 10
years at interest rates between six and seven percent.

The FPSC-approved purchase allowed Florida Power to record a regulatory asset of
approximately $350 million for contract termination costs and add $75 million to
its electric plant.

Florida  Power  continues to collect  from  customers an amount equal to what it
would have been  allowed to recover for  capacity  and energy  payments  made in
accordance with the original Tiger Bay purchased  power  contract.  Based on the
contract's  capacity  payment  schedule,  Florida  Power should  recover  enough
revenues by the year 2008 to fully  amortize  the  regulatory  asset and related
interest charges.

The  Tiger Bay  expenses  including  operation  and  maintenance,  depreciation,
interest and property taxes are expected to be absorbed  through Florida Power's
growing base revenues.  These  additional  expenses are expected to be about $20
million annually. The utility's base revenues increase largely from the addition
of new retail customers, particularly residential customers.

DIVERSIFIED OPERATIONS

In 1997,  Florida  Progress  established a provision for loss on its $87 million
investment in  Mid-Continent  Life Insurance  Company and accrued for litigation
costs.  (See Item 7, "MD&A -  Mid-Continent  Life Insurance  Company".) In 1996,
Florida Progress made two restructuring  decisions that had a significant impact
on earnings from diversified  operations.  The spin-off of Echelon resulted in a
$26.3-million after-tax charge to earnings while the sale of Advanced Separation
Technologies  contributed an after-tax gain of $23.5 million.  Another item that
affected 1996  diversified  earnings was the provision for loss on  unprofitable
coal properties owned by Electric Fuels. This resulted in an after-tax charge of
$25.2 million.

The actions taken to restructure its diversified operations reflect management's
commitment  to  establishing  a  diversified  group of  businesses  more closely
aligned to its core utility operations.

Electric Fuels Corporation

Electric Fuels,  Florida  Progress' energy and  transportation  subsidiary,  has
three  principal  business  units:  energy and related  services,  inland marine
transportation,  and  rail  services.  Florida  Progress  continues  to build on
Electric Fuels' existing  operations  through internal expansion and by pursuing
new market  opportunities,  primarily with its inland marine  transportation and
rail services units.

 36

Over the last five years Electric Fuels has grown significantly:


                                                            Five-Year
                1993    1994    1995     1996     1997     Growth Rate
                            (In millions)

                                           
Revenues       $ 581   $ 784    $ 844    $ 881   $1,037      17.4%
Earnings       $14.9   $22.6    $24.0    $27.1*  $ 32.1      21.6%
Assets         $ 397   $ 489    $ 574    $ 620   $  799      19.4%


*Before provision for loss on coal properties

Most of the  growth of  Electric  Fuels has come from  acquisitions  in its rail
services business unit and expansion of the inland marine barge fleet.

During 1997 and 1996, Progress Rail expanded its operations through acquisitions
of railcar wheel shops, rail welding, and rail anchor manufacturing  operations,
railcar leasing and metal recycling operations. Over this period Progress Rail's
acquisitions totaled nearly $71 million.

Today, Progress Rail is one of the largest integrated suppliers of rail services
in the United States,  with locations in 16 states.  Revenues from rail services
in 1997 were $476.3  million,  an increase of $122.6  million or 35 percent over
1996.  The increase  reflects the  expansion of these  operations  as well as an
increase in demand for rail services as railroads continue  outsourcing  certain
service and repair needs.

Expansion of MEMCO,  Electric Fuels' inland marine transportation unit, has been
achieved  primarily  through the  purchase  of river  barges.  MEMCO's  fleet of
barges,  which hauls coal,  agricultural  products  and other dry bulk  products
along the Ohio and lower Mississippi  rivers,  totaled  approximately 900 at the
end  of  1997.   During  1997  and  1996  MEMCO  added   approximately  300  new
high-capacity  river  barges to its fleet and plans to purchase  200  additional
barges and two new towboats in 1998.

Further  expansion of the barge fleet  depends  largely on the future demand for
barge capacity and MEMCO's  ability to secure  long-term  contracts for hauling.
MEMCO's objective is to maintain at least 70 percent of its barge capacity under
long-term  contracts.  The remaining  capacity is used to take  advantage of new
market opportunities as they arise.

Electric  Fuels'  energy  and  related  services  business  unit  includes  coal
operations, river terminal services and off-shore marine transportation.  Annual
sales of coal  average  about 12 million  tons of which five to six million tons
are sold to Florida Power.  In 1997,  increased  tonnage of coal  transported by
Electric Fuels' energy and related  business unit resulted in improved  earnings
compared to 1996. In December 1996,  Electric Fuels  established a provision for
loss on certain  coal  properties  after it  determined  that  depressed  market
conditions for low-sulfur coal were not temporary.  The impact of the write-down
was a one-time after-tax charge to earnings of $25.2 million.

Electric Fuels' business plan for its coal operations includes supplying Florida
Power with  high-quality,  competitively-priced  coal and increasing output from
company-operated  mines which can be directed to more profitable  niche markets.
Earnings from Electric Fuels in 1997 were $32.1 million, up $5 million over 1996
earnings before the provision for loss on unprofitable coal properties. Although
Electric Fuels' earnings continued to grow at a double-digit rate, 1997 earnings
were lower than  Electric  Fuels'  target for the year  because of March  floods
along the Ohio and Mississippi  rivers that temporarily  disrupted barge traffic
and terminal services.

Partially  offsetting the impact of the floods were increased earnings from rail
services and the energy and related  services  business units.  Acquisitions and
higher production at a trackworks  facility  contributed to the improved results
at Progress Rail.  Increased coal  deliveries to Florida  Power's  Crystal River
coal units  resulted  in higher  volumes of coal  transported  by the energy and
related services division.

 37

The higher  volume was due largely to  increased  coal  requirements  of Florida
Power's coal-fired plants. The lack of availability of its nuclear plant in 1997
forced Florida Power to increase the generation of its coal plants.

Mid-Continent Life Insurance Company

When  Mid-Continent  was  acquired  in  1986,  it  sold  a  popular,  low-priced
death-benefit insurance policy. In 1996, Mid-Continent replaced this policy with
a new product after it was determined that premiums on the old policy would have
to be raised.

Mid-Continent   was  hoping  to  rebuild  market  share  and  achieve  increased
profitability  with  the  new  product,  but  sales  did not  meet  management's
expectations.  In  December  1996,  Mid-Continent  reduced  its work force in an
effort to compete on a more focused and cost-efficient  basis and was developing
a plan to raise premiums on its prior low-priced death benefit policy.

The  business  plan  would  increase  premiums  and  lower  dividends  so that a
projected  reserve shortfall in 2020 could be avoided.  Mid-Continent  discussed
the  outline  of its plan  with the  Insurance  Commissions  of both  Texas  and
Oklahoma, states where the majority of Mid-Continent's policyholders reside.

On April 14, 1997, the Oklahoma Commissioner obtained approval from the Oklahoma
County  District  Court  to  temporarily  seize  control  of the  operations  of
Mid-Continent.  The Commissioner  claimed that  Mid-Continent's  policy reserves
were currently  understated and that  Mid-Continent  could not raise premiums to
address this issue.

During  hearings on this matter,  the  Commissioner's  actuary  conceded that if
Mid-Continent  could raise  premiums,  it was not insolvent.  Although the judge
agreed with  Mid-Continent  that it had the right to raise  premiums,  in May he
ordered  Mid-Continent  to remain  in  receivership.  Both  sides  appealed  the
decision to the Oklahoma Supreme Court.

In December 1997, the Commissioner filed a lawsuit against Florida Progress and
certain directors and officers making a number of allegations and seeking access
to Florida Progress' assets to satisfy policy holder and creditor claims.

On February 13, 1998, the Commissioner  filed with the court a "report Regarding
Rehabilitation  Plan". This report did not put forward a serious  rehabilitation
plan,  but rather  stated  that the  Commissioner  has filed a petition  seeking
recovery of damages from Florida  Progress and certain  directors  and officers,
the proceeds of which would be used to offset the alleged reserve deficiencies.

On February 26, 1998, the  defendants  filed motions to dismiss the petition and
Mid-Continent  filed a  response  to the  report  regarding  the  Commissioner's
rehabilitation   plan  and   requested   approval  of  its   proposed   plan  of
rehabilitation.   Mid-Continent's   proposed   rehabilitation  plan  presents  a
multi-faceted approach to rehabilitation,  including raising premiums. A hearing
before the court has been set on March 17, 1998, for the proposed rehabilitation
plans.  A hearing  before  the court has been set on the  motions  to dismiss on
April 17, 1998.

Florida  Progress  intends to  vigorously  defend  itself  and other  defendants
against  these  charges  and  support  Mid-Continent  in its efforts to gain the
court's approval of its rehabilitation plan.

The actions taken by the  Commissioner  significantly  impacted  Mid-Continent's
business plan for addressing its projected reserve  deficiency,  leading Florida
Progress to conclude  that the full amount of its $86.9  million  investment  in
Mid-Continent at December 31, 1997 was impaired.  As a result,  Florida Progress
recorded a provision for loss on its investment in December 1997 and accrued for
estimated legal costs, resulting in a $.96 per share reduction to 1997 earnings.

 38

Other

Florida  Progress does not  anticipate  incurring  significant  costs related to
modifications of Florida Progress'  information  systems to prepare for the year
2000. In addition,  Florida  Progress  expects to complete the  modifications on
time.

Florida  Progress has adopted several new accounting  standards  during the last
three years. (See Note 1 "Summary of Significant Accounting Policies",  Notes to
the Financial Statements.)

Florida  Power and a former  company  subsidiary  have been notified by the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency that each is or may be a potentially responsible
party  for the  cleanup  costs  of  several  contaminated  sites.  (See  Note 11
"Commitments and Contingencies", Notes to the Financial Statements.)

Florida  Progress has off-balance  sheet risk related to debt of  unconsolidated
partnerships. (See Note 11 "Contingencies",  Notes to the Financial Statements.)
Florida Power entered into a single  forward  treasury lock agreement in 1997 to
effectively  fix the  treasury  rate  component  of an  anticipated  issuance of
medium-term notes. (See Note 2 "Financial Instruments", Notes to the Financial
Statements.)

Florida  Progress is  involved  in other  litigation  as  described  in Note 11,
"Commitments and Contingencies", Notes to the Financial Statements.

Even though the  inflation  rate has been  relatively  low during the last three
years, inflation continues to affect Florida Progress by reducing the purchasing
power of the dollar and  increasing  the cost of  replacing  assets  used in the
business.  This has a  negative  effect  on  Florida  Power  because  regulators
generally  do not  consider  this  economic  loss when  setting  utility  rates.
However,  such losses are partly  offset by the economic  gains that result from
the repayment of long-term debt with inflated dollars.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

Cash  from  operations  has been the  primary  source  of  capital  for  Florida
Progress.  Other sources of capital over the last three years  include  proceeds
from the sales of properties and businesses, debt financing,  issuance of common
stock and the orderly  withdrawal from Florida Progress' lending and leasing and
real estate portfolio.

Florida Progress has issued new equity in recent years primarily to fund Florida
Power's  construction  program.  Florida Power is forecasting lower construction
expenditures  in the years ahead.  The utility does not expect  construction  to
require  any  significant  increase  in equity or debt over the next five years.
Because of the reduced equity requirements, the dividend reinvestment plan began
purchasing  shares in the open market instead of issuing new shares beginning in
July 1996.

For the first half of 1996 and for all of 1995  approximately $57 million of new
equity was issued through Florida Progress' dividend reinvestment plan.

Florida  Progress  contributed  $12.5 million in 1996 and $50 million in 1995 to
Florida Power from the proceeds of the dividend  reinvestment  plan. These funds
were used to further strengthen Florida Power's financial position.

Florida  Progress'  capital  structure as of December 31, 1997, was 40.2 percent
common equity,  59 percent debt and .8 percent preferred stock of Florida Power.
On December 31, 1996,  Florida Progress' capital structure was 51 percent common
equity,  48.1 percent debt and .9 percent  preferred stock. The increase in debt
in 1997 over 1996 is due  primarily  to the  buy-out of the Tiger Bay  purchased
power  contracts.   Florida  Progress'  current  goal  is  to  maintain  capital
structures for its utility and diversified operations at levels that will enable
its subsidiaries to preserve their current credit ratings.

 39

CREDIT RATINGS

                              Standard                 Duff &
                              & Poor's     Moody's     Phelps
Florida Power Corporation
  First mortgage bonds           AA-         Aa3        AA-
  Medium-term notes              A+          A1         A+
  Commercial paper               A-1+        P-1        D-1+

Progress Capital Holdings, Inc.
  Medium-term notes              A           A2
  Commercial paper               A-1         P-1

Florida Power Corporation

Florida  Power's  construction  expenditures in 1997 totaled about $387 million.
This was primarily  for  distribution  lines  related to the  utility's  growing
customer base and the construction of a new  470-megawatt  power plant scheduled
to begin  commercial  operation in the fall of 1998.  Florida Power's  five-year
construction  program totals $1.2 billion for the 1998-2002  forecast period. It
includes planned expenditures of $294 million,  $263 million, $210 million, $268
million and $204 million for 1998 through  2002.  Florida  Power  expects  these
construction  expenditures will be financed primarily with internally  generated
funds.

In July 1997,  Florida Power issued $450 million of medium-term  notes primarily
to  finance  the  buy-out  of  purchased  power  contracts  associated  with the
220-megawatt  Tiger Bay  cogeneration  facility.  (See Item 7, "MD&A - Impact of
Tiger Bay Buy-Out".)

In February 1998, Florida Power announced that it would redeem in March 1998 all
of its outstanding $150 million principal amount of First Mortgage Bonds, 8 5/8%
series due  November  2021,  at a redemption  price of 105.17% of the  principal
amount  thereof,  together  with  accrued  interest.  Substantially  all  of the
redemption  will be funded using the proceeds  from the issuance of $150 million
of  medium-term  notes in February  1998.  The notes bear an interest  rate of 6
3/4%, and will mature in February 2028.

Amendments  to the Clean Air Act in 1990  require  electric  utilities to reduce
sulfur  dioxide  emissions.  Florida  Power is meeting these  requirements  with
minimal capital expenditures. (See Item 1, "Business - Environmental Matters".)

In 1997,  Florida Power's net cash flow to capital  expenditures was 76 percent.
In addition to funding its  construction  commitments with cash from operations,
Florida  Power  receives  equity from Florida  Progress and accesses the capital
markets through the issuance of commercial  paper,  medium-term  notes and first
mortgage bonds.

Florida  Power has a  medium-term  note  program,  providing for the issuance of
either fixed or floating  interest rate notes,  with  maturities  that may range
from nine months to 30 years.  Florida  Power has  available  for issuance  $250
million  of  medium-term  notes,  after  the  issuance  of the $150  million  of
medium-term notes in February 1998.

Florida  Power's  interim  financing  needs are  funded  primarily  through  its
commercial paper program.  Florida Power has a $300 million,  364-day  revolving
bank credit facility and a $200 million  five-year  facility,  which are used to
back  up  commercial  paper.  (See  Note  6  "Debt",   Notes  to  the  Financial
Statements.)

In 1997,  debt  levels  increased  at  Florida  Power  largely  due to the costs
associated  with the  extended  nuclear  outage and the buy-out of the Tiger Bay
purchased  power  contracts.  Florida Power used  additional  cash  generated by
operations  to redeem $105 million of preferred  stock in 1996 and reduced total
debt levels by about $145 million in 1995.

 40

Florida Power's embedded cost of long-term debt was 7.0% as of December 31, 1997
and 7.2% as of December 31, 1996.

Diversified Operations

Progress  Capital  Holdings,  Inc.,  the downstream  holding  company of Florida
Progress,  consolidates the collective  financial  strength of Florida Progress'
diversified operations and, with the benefit of a guaranty and support agreement
with  Florida  Progress,  helps to lower the cost of capital of the  diversified
businesses.  Progress Capital funds diversified operations primarily through the
issuance of commercial paper and medium-term notes.

Progress Capital has a medium-term note program for the issuance of either fixed
or floating interest rate notes, with maturities that may range from nine months
to 30 years.  In 1997 and 1996,  Progress  Capital  issued $35  million and $178
million of medium-term notes, respectively, with maturities ranging from five to
10 years,  leaving $87 million of medium-term notes available for issuance.  The
proceeds were primarily used to repay maturing  medium-term  notes and for other
corporate purposes.

Progress  Capital  has  two  revolving  bank  credit   facilities:   a  364-day,
$100-million facility and a five-year,  $300-million facility.  These facilities
are in place to provide back up for Progress  Capital's $400 million  commercial
paper program. (See Note 6 "Debt", Notes to the Financial  Statements.) Progress
Capital also has an uncommitted  $75 million  discretionary  line of credit that
expires on December 31, 1998, which is used for general corporate purposes.

In 1997,  total  diversified  capital  expenditures  were  about  $120  million,
primarily  for  operations at Electric  Fuels.  During 1997,  approximately  $50
million  was for the  purchase  of barges and  towboats  and $23.3  million  for
acquisitions by Progress Rail. In 1996,  Progress  Capital received net proceeds
of $53 million from the sale of Advanced  Separation  Technologies  and expended
$54 million related to acquisitions made by Electric Fuels or its affiliates.

In 1998,  diversified  capital  expenditures are expected to be $125 million and
are   designated   for   operations  of  Electric   Fuels.   The  inland  marine
transportation  unit  plans  to add  approximately  200 new  barges  and two new
towboats in 1998 as it continues to take  advantage of market  opportunities  to
expand its business.

Electric  Fuels' rail services unit is expected to continue to grow by expanding
geographically  into the Midwest and western  markets.  These  expenditures  are
expected  to be  funded  through  cash  generated  internally  and from  outside
financing sources.

Dividend Policy

Florida Progress evaluates its dividend policy on an annual basis to ensure that
the dividend payout and dividend rate are  appropriate  given the business plan,
projected earnings growth and outlook for the electric utility industry. Florida
Progress'  five-year business plan forecasts sustained earnings growth of 4 to 5
percent annually, a key factor in determining dividend policy.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

In this report,  Florida  Progress has  projected  sustained  earnings per share
growth  of 4 to 5 percent  annually  over the next five  years,  indicated  that
confidence  in  earnings  growth  remains a key factor in  determining  dividend
policy, and established a goal to develop a national retail energy business that
provides access to at least 10 million customers. Florida Progress has indicated
that it believes that retail choice  eventually  will exist in every state,  and
that Florida Power's above average  customer  growth and continued  control over
operating  and  maintenance  costs  should  enable it to maintain  its return on
equity and continue its earnings  growth while  pursuing  strategic  initiatives
designed  to prepare the utility  for a more  competitive  environment.  Florida
Progress also has projected  expansion of Electric Fuels,  and indicated that it

 41

will vigorously defend itself against a lawsuit related to Mid-Continent,  which
Florida Progress believes is without merit.

Risk Factors

These statements, and any other statements contained in this report that are not
historical facts, are  forward-looking  statements that are based on a series of
projections and estimates  regarding the economy,  the electric utility industry
and Florida  Progress'  other  businesses  in general,  and on key factors which
impact Florida  Progress  directly.  The projections and estimates relate to the
pricing of  services,  the  actions of  regulatory  bodies,  the  success of new
products and services, and the effects of competition.

Key factors that have a direct  bearing on Florida  Progress'  ability to attain
these projections include continued annual growth in customers,  successful cost
containment  efforts and the efficient operation of Florida Power's existing and
future generating  units.  Also, in developing its  forward-looking  statements,
Florida  Progress  has  made  certain   assumptions   relating  to  productivity
improvements  and  the  favorable  outcome  of  various  commercial,  legal  and
regulatory proceedings, and the lack of disruption to its markets.

If Florida  Progress'  projections  and  estimates  regarding  the economy,  the
electric utility  industry and key factors differ  materially from what actually
occurs, or if various proceedings have unfavorable  outcomes,  Florida Progress'
actual results could vary significantly from the performance projected.

ITEM 7A.  QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

Interest Rate Risk

Florida  Progress is exposed to changes in interest rates  primarily as a result
of its borrowing activities.

A  hypothetical  59 basis  point  increase  in  interest  rates  (10% of Florida
Progress'  weighted  average  interest  rate)  affecting  its variable rate debt
($714.8 million at December 31, 1997) would have an immaterial effect on Florida
Progress'  pre-tax  earnings  over the next  fiscal  year.  A  hypothetical  10%
decrease in interest rates would also have an immaterial effect on the estimated
fair value of Florida Progress' long-term debt at December 31, 1997.

Florida Power entered into a single  forward  treasury lock agreement in 1997 to
effectively  fix the treasury  rate  component  for an  anticipated  issuance of
medium-term  notes.  The treasury lock  agreement was  terminated in conjunction
with  the  issuance  of the  Florida  Power  6  3/4%  medium-term  notes,  at an
immaterial  loss to Florida  Power,  which will be deferred and recognized as an
adjustment  to  interest  expense  over the life of the new  notes.  (See Note 2
"Financial Instruments," Notes to the Financial Statements.)

Commodity Price Risk

Florida  Progress  is exposed to  commodity  price risk due to changes in market
conditions for fuel and purchased  power at Florida Power and coal sales at EFC.
Under current regulatory treatment, Florida Power recovers changes in these fuel
and purchased power prices through its fuel adjustment clause, with no effect on
earnings.  A 10%  change  in the  market  price  of  coal at EFC  would  have an
immaterial effect on the earnings of Florida Progress.

 42


ITEM 8.  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

AUDITORS' REPORT

To the Shareholders of Florida Progress Corporation
and Florida Power Corporation:

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Florida Progress
Corporation and subsidiaries,  and of Florida Power Corporation,  as of December
31,  1997 and 1996,  and the related  consolidated  statements  of income,  cash
flows, and  shareholders'  equity for each of the years in the three-year period
ended  December  31,  1997.  In  connection  with our  audits  of the  financial
statements,  we also have audited the financial  statement  schedules  listed in
Item 14 therein.  These financial  statements and financial  statement schedules
are  the  responsibility  of the  respective  managements  of  Florida  Progress
Corporation and Florida Power  Corporation.  Our responsibility is to express an
opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.

We  conducted  our  audits  in  accordance  with  generally   accepted  auditing
standards.  Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material
misstatement.  An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting
the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements.  An audit also includes
assessing the  accounting  principles  used and  significant  estimates  made by
management,  as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.
We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion,  the financial  statements  referred to above present fairly, in
all material respects,  the financial  position of Florida Progress  Corporation
and  subsidiaries,  and Florida Power  Corporation,  as of December 31, 1997 and
1996,  and the results of their  operations and their cash flows for each of the
years in the  three-year  period ended  December 31, 1997,  in  conformity  with
generally  accepted  accounting  principles.  Also in our  opinion,  the related
financial statement schedules when considered in relation to the basic financial
statements  taken as a whole,  present  fairly,  in all material  respects,  the
information set forth therein.

/s/KPMG Peat Marwick LLP
- ---------------------------
KPMG Peat Marwick LLP
St. Petersburg, Florida

January 26, 1998

 43

                                FLORIDA PROGRESS
                         Consolidated Financial Statements


FLORIDA PROGRESS CORPORATION
Consolidated  Statements of Income
For the years ended  December 31, 1997,  1996 and 1995
(In millions, except per share amounts)

                                                 1997      1996      1995
                                               --------- --------- ---------
REVENUES:
                                                          
   Electric utility                            $2,448.4  $2,393.6  $2,271.7
   Diversified                                    867.2     764.3     736.1
                                               --------- --------- ---------
                                                3,315.6   3,157.9   3,007.8
                                               --------- --------- ---------
EXPENSES:
   Electric utility:
      Fuel                                        458.1     409.7     431.3
      Purchased power                             490.6     531.6     436.5
      Energy conservation cost                     67.0      62.6      84.0
      Operation and maintenance                   422.3     413.4     393.7
      Extended nuclear outage -
        O&M and replacement power costs           173.3        -         -
      Depreciation                                325.9     324.2     293.7
      Taxes other than income taxes               193.6     183.6     176.2
                                              ---------- --------- ---------
                                                2,130.8   1,925.1   1,815.4
                                              ---------- --------- ---------
   Diversified:
      Cost of sales                               753.9     642.9     624.6
      Provision for loss on coal properties          -       40.9        -
      Loss related to life insurance subsidiary    97.6        -         -
      Other                                        60.7      66.6      58.9
                                              ---------- --------- ---------
                                                  912.2     750.4     683.5
                                              ---------- --------- ---------
INCOME FROM OPERATIONS                            272.6     482.4     508.9
                                              ---------- --------- ---------
INTEREST EXPENSE AND OTHER:
   Interest expense                               158.7     135.9     139.4
   Allowance for funds used during
     construction                                  (9.7)     (7.5)     (7.3)
   Preferred dividend requirements
     of Florida Power                               1.5       5.8       9.7
   (Gain) on sale of business                        -      (44.2)       -
   Other expense (income), net                      1.4      (4.2)     (9.9)
                                              ---------- --------- ---------
                                                  151.9      85.8     131.9
                                              ---------- --------- ---------
INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS
      BEFORE INCOME TAXES                         120.7     396.6     377.0
   Income taxes                                    66.4     145.9     138.1
                                              ---------- --------- ---------
INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS                  54.3     250.7     238.9
DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS, NET OF INCOME TAXES         -      (26.3)       -
                                              ---------- --------- ---------
NET INCOME                                    $    54.3  $  224.4  $  238.9
                                              ========== ========= =========
AVERAGE SHARES OF COMMON STOCK OUTSTANDING         97.1      96.8      95.7
                                              ========== ========= =========
EARNINGS PER AVERAGE COMMON SHARE:
   Continuing operations                      $      .56 $    2.59 $    2.50
   Discontinued operations                           -        (.27)      -
                                              ---------- --------- ---------
                                              $      .56 $    2.32 $    2.50
                                              ========== ========= =========

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.


 44



FLORIDA PROGRESS CORPORATION
Consolidated Balance Sheets
December 31, 1997 and 1996
(Dollars in millions)

                                                          1997       1996
                                                        ---------  ---------
ASSETS

PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT:
   Electric utility plant in service and
                                                             
     held for future use                                $6,166.8   $5,965.6
   Less:  Accumulated depreciation                       2,511.0    2,335.8
          Accumulated decommissioning
            for nuclear plant                              223.7      193.3
          Accumulated dismantlement for fossil plants      128.5      119.6
                                                        ---------  ---------
                                                         3,303.6    3,316.9
   Construction work in progress                           279.4      140.3
   Nuclear fuel, net of amortization of $356.7
     in 1997 and 1996                                       66.5       59.9
                                                        ---------  ---------
     Net electric utility plant                          3,649.5    3,517.1
   Other property, net of depreciation of $219.3
     in 1997 and $173.8 in 1996                            437.7      309.3
                                                        ---------  ---------
                                                         4,087.2    3,826.4
                                                        ---------  ---------
CURRENT ASSETS:
   Cash and equivalents                                      3.1        5.2
   Accounts receivable, net                                373.7      265.0
   Inventories, primarily at average cost:
     Fuel                                                   77.6       67.1
     Utility materials and supplies                         91.9       95.4
     Diversified materials                                 126.8      125.5
   Underrecovery of fuel costs                              34.5       82.6
   Income taxes receivable                                  16.8         -
   Other                                                    50.9       48.2
                                                        ---------  ---------
                                                           775.3      689.0
                                                        ---------  ---------
OTHER ASSETS:
   Investments:
     Loans receivable, net                                  24.0       68.1
     Marketable securities                                    -       217.9
     Nuclear plant decommissioning fund                    266.7      207.8
     Joint ventures and partnerships                        54.6       41.9
   Deferred insurance policy acquisition costs                -       120.9
   Deferred purchased power contract termination costs     348.2         -
   Other                                                   204.0      176.4
                                                       ----------  ---------
                                                           897.5      833.0
                                                       ----------  ---------
                                                        $5,760.0   $5,348.4
                                                       ==========  =========

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.


 45



FLORIDA PROGRESS CORPORATION
Consolidated Balance Sheets
December 31, 1997 and 1996
(Dollars in millions)

                                                         1997      1996
                                                       --------  --------
CAPITAL AND LIABILITIES

COMMON STOCK EQUITY:
   Common stock without par value, 250,000,000
     shares authorized, 97,062,954 shares
                                                           
     outstanding in 1997 and 97,007,182 in 1996       $1,209.0   $1,208.3
   Retained earnings                                     567.0      716.5
   Unrealized loss on securities available
     for sale                                               -         (.6)
                                                      ---------  --------
                                                       1,776.0    1,924.2
CUMULATIVE PREFERRED STOCK OF FLORIDA POWER:
   Without sinking funds                                  33.5       33.5

LONG-TERM DEBT                                         2,377.8    1,776.9
                                                      ---------  --------

TOTAL CAPITAL                                          4,187.3    3,734.6
                                                      ---------  --------
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
   Accounts payable                                      253.2      193.2
   Customers' deposits                                    97.1       81.8
   Taxes payable                                          12.0       41.2
   Accrued interest                                       56.8       48.3
   Other                                                  74.8       78.5
                                                      ---------  --------
                                                         493.9      443.0
   Notes payable                                         214.8        4.1
   Current portion of long-term debt                      15.2       34.9
                                                      ---------  --------
                                                         723.9      482.0
                                                      ---------  --------

DEFERRED CREDITS AND OTHER LIABILITIES:
   Deferred income taxes                                 471.2      475.4
   Unamortized investment tax credits                     85.7       93.5
   Insurance policy benefit reserves                        -       325.3
   Other postretirement benefit costs                    107.4      100.0
   Other                                                 184.5      137.6
                                                      ---------  --------
                                                         848.8    1,131.8
                                                      ---------  --------
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Note 11)
                                                      ---------  --------
                                                      $5,760.0   $5,348.4
                                                      =========  ========

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.


 46



FLORIDA PROGRESS CORPORATION
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
For the years ended  December  31, 1997, 1996 and 1995
(In millions)

                                                                           1997     1996     1995
                                                                         -------   ------   ------
OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
                                                                                   
   Income from continuing operations                                     $  54.3   $250.7   $238.9
   Adjustments for noncash items:
     Depreciation and amortization                                         364.2    366.7    352.7
     Extended nuclear outage - replacement power cost                       73.3       -        -
     Provision for loss on investment in life insurance subsidiary          86.9       -        -
     Gain on sale of business                                                 -     (44.2)      -
     Provision for loss on coal properties                                    -      40.9       -
     Deferred income taxes and investment tax credits, net                 (30.7)   (56.6)   (38.0)
     Increase in accrued post-employment benefit costs                       8.6     15.5     16.8
     Net change in deferred insurance policy acquisition costs              (1.7)   (14.5)   (14.5)
     Net change in insurance policy benefit reserves                        52.7     60.3     42.5
     Changes in working  capital,  net of effects  from  acquisition  or sale of
       businesses:
          Accounts receivable                                             (108.3)    35.4    (35.2)
          Inventories                                                        2.2    (10.9)   (29.1)
          Overrecovery (underrecovery) of fuel cost                        (33.1)   (82.3)     1.5
          Accounts payable                                                  58.3     21.6     16.4
          Taxes payable                                                    (47.1)    21.0     (7.6)
          Other                                                              1.2    (13.5)    29.0
     Other operating activities                                            (38.2)   (19.2)     7.3
                                                                         --------   ------   ------
       Cash provided by continuing operations                              442.6    570.9    580.7
                                                                         --------   ------   ------
       Cash used by discontinued operations                                   -      (8.9)   (17.6)
                                                                         --------   ------   ------
                                                                           442.6    562.0    563.1
                                                                         --------   ------   ------
INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
   Property additions (including allowance for borrowed funds used
     during construction)                                                 (513.6)  (264.0)  (331.4)
   Purchase of loans and securities, net                                   (11.0)   (70.4)   (28.9)
   Acquisition of businesses                                               (32.7)   (53.8)    (9.2)
   Cogeneration facility acquisition and contract termination costs       (445.0)      -        -
   Proceeds from sales of properties and businesses                         24.3     61.1     13.1
   Investing activities of discontinued operations                            -      56.5     69.8
   Other investing activities                                              (52.7)   (37.0)   (15.0)
                                                                         --------   ------   ------
                                                                        (1,030.7)  (307.6)  (301.6)
                                                                         --------   ------   ------
FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
   Issuance of long-term debt                                              482.8    178.0       -
   Repayment of long-term debt                                             (34.9)  (190.4)   (45.8)
   Increase (decrease) in commercial paper with long-term support          130.6    (15.3)     1.0
   Redemption of preferred stock                                              -    (106.4)    (5.0)
   Sale of common stock                                                       -      18.5     38.4
   Equity contributions to discontinued operations                            -     (23.7)      -
   Dividends paid on common stock                                         (203.8)  (199.5)  (193.4)
   Increase (decrease) in short-term debt                                  210.8      4.1    (55.3)
   Financing activities of discontinued operations                            -      85.2     (9.7)
   Other financing activities                                                 .5     (4.0)    (1.2)
                                                                         --------   ------   ------
                                                                           586.0   (253.5)  (271.0)
                                                                         --------   ------   ------
NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND EQUIVALENTS                             (2.1)      .9     (9.5)
   Beginning cash and equivalents                                            5.2      4.3     13.8
                                                                         --------   ------   ------
ENDING CASH AND EQUIVALENTS                                              $   3.1   $  5.2   $  4.3
                                                                         ========   ======   ======
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION:
   Cash paid during the period for:
     Interest (net of amount capitalized)                                $ 142.7   $128.7   $135.5
     Income taxes (net of refunds)                                       $ 141.7   $189.3   $214.7

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.


 47



FLORIDA PROGRESS CORPORATION
Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity
For the years ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995
(Dollars in millions,  except per share amounts)


                                                                                                 Cumulative
                                                                               Unrealized      Preferred Stock
                                                                                  Gain         of Florida Power
                                                                               (Loss) on       ----------------
                                                                               Securities      Without    With
                                                      Common       Retained    Available       Sinking  Sinking
                                                      Stock        Earnings     for Sale        Funds    Funds
                                                    -----------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                          
Balance, December 31, 1994                          $1,148.1        $842.9      $ (6.6)        $113.5    $30.0

Net income                                                           238.9
Common stock issued - 1,245,267 shares                  39.5
Cash dividends on common stock ($2.02 per share)                    (193.4)
Unrealized gain on marketable securities                                           8.7
Preferred stock redeemed - 50,000 shares                                                                  (5.0)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance December 31, 1995                            1,187.6         888.4         2.1          113.5     25.0

Net income                                                           224.4
Common stock issued - 586,555 shares                    20.7
Echelon International stock dividend                                (194.5)
Cash dividends on common stock ($2.06 per share)                    (199.5)
Unrealized loss on marketable securities                                          (2.7)
Preferred stock redeemed - 1,050,000 shares                           (2.3)                     (80.0)   (25.0)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance, December 31, 1996                           1,208.3         716.5          (.6)          33.5      -

Net income                                                            54.3
Common stock issued - 55,772 shares                       .7
Cash dividends on common stock ($2.10 per share)                    (203.8)
Reversal of unrealized loss on marketable securities
         due to deconsolidation                                                      .6
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance, December 31, 1997                          $1,209.0        $567.0        $  -         $  33.5  $  -
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.


 48

                                FLORIDA POWER
                             Financial Statements



FLORIDA POWER CORPORATION
Statements of Income
For the years ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995
(In millions)

                                              1997      1996      1995
                                            --------  --------  --------
                                                       
OPERATING REVENUES:                         $2,448.4  $2,393.6  $2,271.7
                                            --------  --------  --------
OPERATING EXPENSES:
 Operation:
    Fuel used in generation                    458.1     409.7     431.3
    Purchased power                            490.6     531.6     436.5
    Energy Conservation Cost Recovery           67.0      62.6      84.0
    Operations and maintenance                 422.3     413.4     393.7
    Extended nuclear outage - O&M and
       replacement fuel costs                  173.3        -         -
    Depreciation                               325.9     324.2     293.7
    Taxes other than income taxes              193.6     183.6     176.2
    Income taxes                                69.9     135.8     129.5
                                            --------  --------  --------
                                             2,200.7   2,060.9   1,944.9
                                            --------  --------  --------
OPERATING INCOME                               247.7     332.7     326.8
                                            --------  --------  --------
OTHER INCOME AND DEDUCTIONS:
 Allowance for equity funds used
    during construction                          5.4       4.6       3.8
 Miscellaneous other expense, net               (4.2)     (3.4)     (2.6)
                                            --------  --------  --------
                                                 1.2       1.2       1.2
                                            --------  --------  --------
INTEREST CHARGES
 Interest on long-term debt                    102.4      86.6      93.5
 Other interest expense                         14.9      11.8      11.0
                                            --------  --------  --------
                                               117.3      98.4     104.5
 Allowance for borrowed funds used
    during construction                         (4.3)     (2.9)     (3.5)
                                            --------  --------  --------
                                               113.0      95.5     101.0
                                            --------  --------  --------
NET INCOME                                     135.9     238.4     227.0
DIVIDENDS ON PREFERRED STOCK                     1.5       5.8       9.7
                                            --------  --------  --------
NET INCOME AFTER DIVIDENDS
  ON PREFERRED STOCK                          $134.4    $232.6    $217.3
                                            ========  ========  ========

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.


 49



FLORIDA POWER CORPORATION
Balance Sheets
For the years ended December 31, 1997, and 1996
(Dollars in millions)
                                                           1997          1996
                                                        -----------   ----------
ASSETS

PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT:
                                                                 
  Electric utility plant in service and held             $6,166.8      $5,965.6
    for future use
  Less - Accumulated depreciation                         2,511.0       2,335.8
         Accumulated decommissioning for nuclear plant      223.7         193.3
         Accumulated dismantlement for fossil plants        128.5         119.6
                                                        -----------   ----------
                                                          3,303.6       3,316.9
  Construction work in progress                             279.4         140.3
  Nuclear fuel, net of amortization of $356.7
    in 1997 and $356.7 in 1996                               66.5          59.9
                                                        -----------   ----------
                                                          3,649.5       3,517.1

  Other property, net                                        33.2          13.3
                                                        -----------   ----------
                                                          3,682.7       3,530.4
                                                        -----------   ----------
CURRENT ASSETS:
  Accounts receivable, less reserve of $3.2
    in 1997 and $4.1 in 1996                                243.9         174.7
  Inventories at average cost:
    Fuel                                                     44.0          47.2
    Materials and supplies                                   91.9          95.4
  Underrecovery of fuel cost                                 34.5          82.6
  Income tax receivable                                      13.5            -
  Deferred income taxes                                       5.8          35.6
  Other                                                      32.2           6.2
                                                        -----------   ----------
                                                            465.8         441.7
                                                        -----------   ----------
OTHER ASSETS:
  Nuclear plant decommissioning fund                        266.7         207.8
  Unamortized debt expense, being amortized
    over term of debt                                        25.0          25.0
  Deferred purchased power contract
    termination costs                                       348.2                        -
  Other                                                     112.4          59.1
                                                        -----------   ----------
                                                            752.3         291.9
                                                        -----------   ----------
                                                         $4,900.8      $4,264.0
                                                        ===========   ==========

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.


 50



FLORIDA POWER CORPORATION
Balance Sheets
For the years ended December 31, 1997, and 1996
(Dollars in millions)
                                                           1997         1996
                                                       -----------  -----------
CAPITALIZATION AND LIABILITIES

CAPITALIZATION:
                                                                 
  Common stock                                           $1,004.4      $1,004.4
  Retained earnings                                         763.1         821.1
                                                        ----------    ----------
                                                          1,767.5       1,825.5
CUMULATIVE PREFERRED STOCK:
    Without sinking funds                                    33.5          33.5

LONG-TERM DEBT                                            1,745.4       1,296.4
                                                        ----------    ----------
TOTAL CAPITAL                                             3,546.4       3,155.4
                                                        ----------    ----------
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
  Accounts payable                                          161.9         115.5
  Accounts payable to associated companies                   26.5          21.2
  Customers' deposits                                        97.1          81.7
  Income taxes payable                                         -           10.4
  Accrued other taxes                                         7.9          10.0
  Accrued interest                                           45.7          34.8
  Other                                                      59.2          47.3
                                                        ----------    ----------
                                                            398.3         320.9
  Notes payable                                             179.8           4.1
  Current portion of long-term debt                           1.5          21.3
                                                        ----------    ----------
                                                            579.6         346.3
                                                        ----------    ----------
DEFERRED CREDITS AND OTHER LIABILITIES:
  Deferred income taxes                                     451.3         472.3
  Unamortized investment tax credits                         85.1          92.8
  Other postretirement benefit costs                        104.7          96.5
  Other                                                     133.7         100.7
                                                        ----------    ----------
                                                            774.8         762.3
                                                        ----------    ----------
                                                         $4,900.8      $4,264.0
                                                        ==========    ==========

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.


 51



FLORIDA POWER CORPORATION
Statements of Cash Flows
For the years ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995
(In millions)
                                                                        1997       1996       1995
                                                                     ---------- ---------- ---------

OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
                                                                                    
 Net income after dividends on preferred stock                         $134.4     $232.6     $217.3
  Adjustments for noncash items:
   Depreciation and amortization                                        333.8      341.1      329.7
   Extended nuclear outage  - replacement power costs                    73.3         -         -
   Deferred income taxes and investment tax credits, net                (15.2)     (32.8)     (29.3)
   Increase in accrued other postretirement benefit costs                 8.3       14.9       16.1
   Allowance for equity funds used during construction                   (5.4)      (4.6)      (3.8)
   Changes in working capital:
        Accounts receivable                                             (69.2)      16.2      (33.4)
        Inventories                                                       6.7        (.5)      14.2
        Overrecovery (underrecovery) of fuel cost                       (33.1)     (82.3)       1.5
        Accounts payable                                                 46.4       25.7        4.8
        Accounts payable to associated companies                          5.3       (3.5)       3.4
        Taxes payable                                                   (26.0)       (.8)       2.8
        Other                                                            12.3      (12.1)      39.5
    Other operating activities                                          (38.8)       3.8        8.6
                                                                      ---------  ---------  --------
                                                                        432.8       497.7     571.4
                                                                      ---------  ---------  --------
INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
  Construction expenditures                                            (387.2)     (217.3)   (283.4)
  Allowance for borrowed funds used during construction                  (4.3)       (2.9)     (3.5)
  Additions to nonutility property                                       (3.5)       (2.7)     (2.3)
  Acquisition cogeneration facility and
     payment of contract termination costs                             (445.0)         -         -
  Proceeds from sale of properties                                       19.7         5.5      10.8
  Other investing activities                                            (22.2)      (27.6)    (11.0)
                                                                      ---------  ---------  --------
                                                                       (842.5)     (245.0)   (289.4)
                                                                      ---------  ---------  --------
FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
  Issuance of long-term debt                                            447.7          -         -
  Repayment of long-term debt                                           (21.3)      (47.3)    (35.4)
  Increase (decrease) in commercial paper with
    long term support                                                      -         54.8     (54.8)
  Redemption of preferred stock                                            -       (106.3)     (5.0)
  Dividends paid on common stock                                       (192.4)     (171.3)   (180.7)
  Equity contributions from parent                                         -         12.5      50.0
  Increase (decrease) in short-term debt                                175.7         4.1     (55.3)
                                                                      ---------  ---------  --------
                                                                        409.7      (253.5)   (281.2)
                                                                      ---------  ---------  --------
NET INCREASE IN CASH AND EQUIVALENTS                                       -          (.8)       .8
   Beginning cash and equivalents                                          -           .8        -
                                                                      ---------  ---------  --------
ENDING CASH AND EQUIVALENTS                                             $  -        $  -       $0.8
                                                                      =========  =========  ========

SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION:
 Cash paid during the period for:
  Interest (net of amount capitalized)                                  $98.9       $90.7     $97.9
  Income taxes (net of refunds)                                        $108.4      $166.9    $157.1

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.


 52



FLORIDA  POWER  CORPORATION
Statements of Shareholder's Equity
For the years ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995
(Dollars in millions, except share amounts)

                                                                  Cumulative
                                                               Preferred Stock
                                                            --------------------
                                                              Without     With
                                          Common   Retained   Sinking   Sinking
                                           Stock   Earnings    Funds     Funds
                                         -------- ---------- --------- ---------

                                                             
Balance, December 31, 1994                $942.9    $724.5     $113.5    $30.0

Net income after dividends on
   preferred stock                                   217.3
Capital contribution by parent company      50.0
Cash dividends on common stock                      (180.7)
Preferred stock redeemed -
   50,000 shares                                                          (5.0)
                                         -------- ---------- --------- ---------
Balance, December 31, 1995                 992.9     761.1      113.5     25.0

Net income after dividends on
   preferred stock                                   232.6
Capital contribution by parent company      12.5
Cash dividends on common stock                      (171.3)
Preferred stock redemption costs                      (1.3)
Premium on preferred stock redemption       (1.0)
Preferred stock redeemed -
   1,050,000 shares                                             (80.0)   (25.0)
                                         --------- --------- ---------- --------
Balance, December 31, 1996               1,004.4     821.1       33.5       -

Net income after dividends on
   preferred stock                                   134.4
Cash dividends on common stock                      (192.4)
                                         --------- --------- ---------- --------
Balance, December 31, 1997              $1,004.4    $763.1      $33.5    $  -
                                         ========= ========= =========  ========

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.


 53

FLORIDA PROGRESS CORPORATION AND FLORIDA POWER CORPORATION
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTE 1  SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

GENERAL  --  Florida  Progress  is an exempt  holding  company  under the Public
Utility Holding Company Act of 1935. Its largest subsidiary, representing 85% of
total assets,  is Florida Power  Corporation,  a public  utility  engaged in the
generation,  purchase,  transmission,  distribution  and sale of electric energy
primarily within Florida.

The consolidated  financial  statements include the financial results of Florida
Progress  and  its  majority-owned   operations.  All  significant  intercompany
balances and transactions have been eliminated. Investments in 20%- to 50%-owned
joint ventures are accounted for using the equity method.

Effective  December 31, 1997,  Florida  Progress  deconsolidated  the  financial
statements of Mid-Continent.  Florida Progress' investment in Mid-Continent will
prospectively be accounted for under the cost method.  The  deconsolidation  has
not been reflected in the financial statements of prior periods.

The preparation of financial  statements in conformity  with generally  accepted
accounting  principles  requires  management to make estimates and  assumptions.
This could affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities,  disclosure of
contingent  assets and  liabilities at the date of the financial  statements and
the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reported period.  These
estimates  involve  judgments  with respect to various items  including  various
future  economic  factors  which are  difficult  to  predict  and are beyond the
control of Florida  Progress.  Therefore  actual results could differ from these
estimates.

REGULATION  --  Florida  Power  is  regulated  by  the  Florida  Public  Service
Commission  (FPSC) and the Federal  Energy  Regulatory  Commission  (FERC).  The
utility  follows the  accounting  practices  set forth in  Financial  Accounting
Standard  (FAS)  No.  71,  "Accounting  for the  Effects  of  Certain  Types  of
Regulation." This standard allows utilities to capitalize or defer certain costs
or revenues based on regulatory  approval and  management's  ongoing  assessment
that it is  probable  these  items  will be  recovered  through  the  ratemaking
process.

Florida Power has total regulatory assets (liabilities) at December 31, 1997 and
1996 as detailed below:



                                               1997       1996
                                                (In millions)
                                              -----------------
Deferred purchased power
                                                  
  contract termination costs                  $348.2    $    -
Replacement fuel (extended nuclear outage)      55.0         -
Underrecovery of fuel costs                     34.5       82.6
Revenue decoupling                              21.8       (3.6)
Unamortized loss on reacquired debt             16.8       18.4
Other regulatory assets, net                    25.2       24.6
                                              ------------------
Net regulatory assets                         $501.5     $122.0
                                              ==================

The utility  expects to fully  recover  these assets and refund the  liabilities
through customer rates under current regulatory practice.

If Florida  Power no longer  applied FAS No. 71 due to  competition,  regulatory
changes or other  reasons,  the utility  would make certain  adjustments.  These
adjustments  could include the  write-off of all or a portion of its  regulatory
assets  and  liabilities,   the  evaluation  of  utility  plant,  contracts  and
commitments and the recognition,  if necessary,  of any losses to reflect market
conditions.

UTILITY PLANT -- Utility  plant is stated at the original cost of  construction,
which  includes  payroll and  related  costs such as taxes,  pensions  and other
fringe benefits,  general and  administrative  costs, and an allowance for funds

54

used during  construction.  Substantially all of the utility plant is pledged as
collateral for Florida Power's first mortgage bonds.

The allowance for funds used during  construction  represents the estimated cost
of equity  and debt for  utility  plant  under  construction.  Florida  Power is
permitted to earn a return on these costs and recover them in the rates  charged
for utility  services  while the plant is in service.  The average  rate used in
computing the allowance for funds was 7.8%.

UTILITY REVENUES,  FUEL AND PURCHASED POWER EXPENSES -- Revenues include amounts
resulting from fuel, purchased power and energy conservation adjustment clauses,
which are  designed  to permit  full  recovery of these  costs.  The  adjustment
factors are based on projected costs for a 6 or 12-month period.  The cumulative
difference between actual and billed costs is included on the balance sheet as a
current  regulatory asset or liability.  Any difference is billed or refunded to
customers during the subsequent period.

In December 1997, Florida Power ended the three-year test period for residential
revenue  decoupling  which was  ordered by the FPSC and began in  January  1995.
Decoupling  eliminates the direct link between kilowatt-hour sales and revenues.
A nonfuel  revenue  target is determined  by  multiplying a revenue per customer
amount by the total number of residential customers.  Differences between target
revenues and actual revenues are included as a regulatory  asset or liability on
the balance sheet.  The regulatory  asset at December 31, 1997 will be collected
from  customers  beginning  April  1998  through  the energy  conservation  cost
recovery clause as directed by the FPSC decoupling order.

Florida Power accrues the nonfuel portion of base revenues for services rendered
but unbilled.

The cost of nuclear fuel is  amortized to expense  based on the quantity of heat
produced for the  generation  of electric  energy in relation to the quantity of
heat expected to be produced over the life of the nuclear fuel core.

INCOME TAXES -- Deferred income taxes are provided on all significant temporary
differences between the financial and tax basis of assets and liabilities using
presently enacted tax rates in accordance with FAS No. 109, "Accounting for
Income Taxes."

Deferred investment tax credits, subject to regulatory accounting practices, are
amortized to income over the lives of the related properties.

DEPRECIATION  AND MAINTENANCE -- Florida Power provides for  depreciation of the
cost  of  properties   over  their   estimated   useful  lives  primarily  on  a
straight-line   basis.   Florida  Power's  annual  provision  for  depreciation,
including a provision for nuclear plant  decommissioning  costs and fossil plant
dismantlement  costs,  expressed  as a  percentage  of the  average  balances of
depreciable utility plant, was 4.8% for 1997, 4.9% for 1996 and 5% for 1995.

The Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") is in the process of modifying
its  project   addressing  the  accounting  for   obligations   related  to  the
decommissioning of nuclear power plants.

The fossil plant  dismantlement  accrual has been suspended for a period of four
years, beginning July 1, 1997. (See Note 9 contained herein.)

Florida  Power  charges  maintenance  expense with the cost of repairs and minor
renewals of property.  The plant  accounts are charged with the cost of renewals
and replacements of property units. Accumulated depreciation is charged with the
cost, less the net salvage, of property units retired.

Florida  Power  accrues  a  reserve  for  maintenance  and  refueling   expenses
anticipated to be incurred during scheduled nuclear plant outages.

INSURANCE PREMIUMS,  POLICY ACQUISITION COSTS AND BENEFIT RESERVES -- Accounting
policies  governing the recognition of income and expense for the life insurance
subsidiary were in effect until December 31, 1997.

Due to the  deconsolidation  of the financial  results of  Mid-Continent  in the
Florida  Progress'  consolidated   financial  statements,   accounting  policies

 55

relating to the balance  sheet were in effect only for amounts  presented in the
1996 Florida Progress Consolidated Balance Sheet.

Life  insurance  premiums are  recognized  as revenues  over the  premium-paying
periods of the policies.

Florida  Progress  defers  recoverable  costs in its insurance  operations  that
directly  relate to the  production of new  business.  These costs are amortized
over the expected premium-paying period. Benefit reserves are established out of
each premium payment to provide for the present value of future insurance policy
benefits.  Florida  Progress  reviews the  adequacy  and  recoverability  of the
deferred  acquisition  costs and the benefit  reserves  based on a gross premium
reserve analysis of the in-force business.

Significant  assumptions  used in this  analysis  include  estimates  of  future
premium  increases,  mortality  rates,  withdrawal  rates,  expense  rates,  and
investment  yield.  The  assumptions  are  based  on  Florida  Progress'  actual
experience  adjusted  for the effect of future  actions  affecting  the in-force
business.  Although these assumptions are Florida Progress' best estimate of the
future  experience,  actual  results  may vary in  either  direction  and  could
significantly impact income in the period of change.

ACCOUNTING  FOR CERTAIN  INVESTMENTS  -- Florida  Progress  considers all highly
liquid debt instruments  purchased with a maturity of three months or less to be
cash equivalents.  Florida  Progress'  investments in debt and equity securities
are classified and accounted for as follows:

Type of Security                     Accounting Treatment

Debt securities held to maturity     Amortized cost
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Trading securities                   Fair market value with unrealized gains
                                     and losses included in earnings
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Securities                           available  for sale Fair market  value with
                                     unrealized gains and losses,  net of taxes,
                                     reported separately in shareholders' equity
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------

See Note 2 for  securities  held to  maturity  or  available  for sale.  Florida
Progress  had no  investments  in assets  classified  as trading  securities  at
December 31, 1996 and only held  securities  classified as available for sale at
December   31,   1997.   A  decline  in  the  market   value  of  any   security
available-for-sale  or  held-to-maturity  that  falls  below  cost  results in a
reduction  in  carrying  amount to fair value if the  decline is not  considered
temporary.  The  impairment  is charged to earnings and a new cost basis for the
security is  established.  Premiums and discounts are amortized or accreted over
the life of the  related  held-to-maturity  security as an  adjustment  to yield
using the effective interest method. Dividend and interest income are recognized
when earned.

ACCOUNTING FOR LONG-LIVED ASSETS -- Long-lived  assets and certain  identifiable
intangibles  subject  to the  provisions  of FAS No.  121,  "Accounting  for the
Impairment of Long-Lived  Assets and for  Long-Lived  Assets to Be Disposed Of,"
are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate
that the carrying  amount of an asset may not be  recoverable.  FAS No. 121 also
amends FAS No. 71,  "Accounting for the Effects of Certain Types of Regulation,"
to require that regulatory  assets,  which include certain deferred charges,  be
charged  to  earnings  if such  assets  are no  longer  considered  probable  of
recovery.  Recoverability  of  assets  to be  held  and  used is  measured  by a
comparison of the carrying  amount of an asset to  undiscounted  future net cash
flows expected to be generated by the asset. If such assets are considered to be
impaired, the impairment to be recognized is measured by the amount by which the
carrying amount of the assets exceed the fair value of the assets.  Assets to be
disposed of are reported at the lower of the carrying  amount or fair value less
costs to sell.

 56

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION -- Under its Long-Term Incentive Plan ("LTIP"), Florida
Progress grants selected executives  performance shares,  which upon achievement
of  performance  criteria for a three-year  performance  cycle can result in the
award of shares of common  stock of Florida  Progress  or cash if certain  stock
ownership  requirements  are  met.  Florida  Progress  accounts  for its LTIP in
accordance  with the provisions of Accounting  Principles  Board ("APB") Opinion
No. 25,  "Accounting  for Stock Issued to  Employees,"  as allowed under FAS No.
123, "Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation."

ENVIRONMENTAL -- Florida  Progress  adopted the American  Institute of Certified
Public   Accountants   Statement  of  Position   ("SOP")  96-1,   "Environmental
Remediation  Liabilities"  on January 1, 1997.  The SOP  requires,  among  other
things, environmental remediation liabilities to be accrued when the criteria of
FAS No. 5, "Accounting for Contingencies,"  have been met. The SOP also provides
guidance  with  respect  to  the   measurement   of   remediation   liabilities.
Environmental expenditures are expensed or capitalized depending on their future
economic benefit.  Expenditures  that relate to an existing  condition caused by
past  operations  and  that  have no  future  economic  benefits  are  expensed.
Liabilities  for   expenditures  of  a  noncapital   nature  are  recorded  when
environmental  assessment and/or  remediation is probable,  and the costs can be
reasonably  estimated.  Such  accounting  is consistent  with Florida  Progress'
current method of accounting for environmental remediation costs and, therefore,
adoption  of this  new  statement  did not have a  material  impact  on  Florida
Progress' financial position, results of operations or liquidity.

NEW  ACCOUNTING  STANDARDS  -- In June  1996,  the  FASB  issued  FAS  No.  125,
"Accounting for Transfers and Servicing of Financial Assets and  Extinguishments
of  Liabilities."  FAS No.  125  provides  accounting  and  reporting  standards
effective for transfers and servicing of financial assets and extinguishments of
liabilities   occurring   after   December   31,  1996  and  is  to  be  applied
prospectively.  There  was no  material  effect  on net  income  as a result  of
adopting this standard.

In February 1997, the FASB issued FAS No. 128, "Earnings per Share," ("EPS"). It
replaces the standards for computing EPS under APB Opinion No. 15, "Earnings per
Share," and makes the computations  comparable to  international  EPS standards.
Florida Progress adopted this statement for financial  statements issued for the
period  ended  December  31, 1997.  Adoption of this  statement  did not have an
impact on earnings per share,  therefore no restatement  was necessary for prior
periods.

Also in February 1997,  the FASB issued FAS No. 129,  "Disclosure of Information
about Capital  Structure," which designates certain disclosure  requirements for
public and  nonpublic  entities.  Florida  Progress  adopted this  statement for
financial  statements  issued for the period ended December 31, 1997. As Florida
Progress already disclosed the information  required by FAS No. 129, adoption of
this  statement did not have any effect on the financial  disclosures of Florida
Progress.

In June 1997,  the FASB issued FAS No.  130,  "Reporting  Comprehensive  Income"
which establishes  standards for reporting  comprehensive  income.  The standard
defines  comprehensive income as all changes in equity of an enterprise during a
period except those resulting from shareholder  transactions.  All components of
comprehensive  income are required to be reported in a financial  statement that
is displayed with equal  prominence as existing  financial  statements.  Florida
Progress  will be  required  to adopt this  statement  January  1, 1998.  As the
standard  addresses  reporting and  presentation  issues only,  there will be no
impact on earnings from the adoption of this standard.

Also in June 1997, the FASB issued FAS No. 131,  "Disclosures  about Segments of
an  Enterprise  and  Related   Information"  which  establishes   standards  for
additional  disclosure about operating segments for interim and annual financial
statements.  The standard  requires  financial and  descriptive  information  be
disclosed for segments  meeting  certain  materiality  criteria whose  operating
results are reviewed for decisions on resource allocation and for which discrete
financial  information is available.  It also establishes  standards for related
disclosures about products and services,  geographic areas, and major customers.
Florida  Progress  will be  required  to  adopt  this  statement  for  financial
statements for the fiscal year ending  December 31, 1998 and for interim periods

 57
thereafter.  As the standard  addresses  reporting and  disclosure  issues only,
there will be no impact on earnings from the adoption of this standard.

In January  1998,  the FASB issued FAS No. 132,  "Employers'  Disclosures  about
Pensions  and  Other  Post-retirement   Benefits"  which  revises  current  note
disclosure  requirements  for  employers'  pensions and other retiree  benefits.
Florida  Progress  will be  required  to  adopt  this  statement  for  financial
statements  for the year  ending  December  31,  1998.  The  standard  addresses
reporting and  disclosure  issues only,  and there will be no impact on earnings
from the adoption of this standard.

NOTE 2  FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

Estimated  fair value  amounts have been  determined by Florida  Progress  using
available  market  information and discounted  cash-flow  analysis.  Judgment is
required in  interpreting  market data to develop the  estimates  of fair value.
Accordingly,  the  estimates  may be  different  than the amounts  that  Florida
Progress could realize in a current market exchange.

Florida Progress'  exposure to market risk for changes in interest rates relates
primarily  to  Florida  Progress'  marketable   securities  and  long-term  debt
obligations.

At  December  31,  1997,  Florida  Power  held a single  forward  treasury  lock
agreement to  effectively  fix the  treasury  rate  component of an  anticipated
issuance of $150 million of  medium-term  notes in February  1998. The financial
impact of this contract,  which will result in either a cash payment or receipt,
will be deferred and  recognized as an  adjustment to interest  expense over the
life of the new notes. Florida Progress had no derivative financial  instruments
outstanding at December 31, 1996.

At December  31, 1997 and 1996,  Florida  Progress had the  following  financial
instruments with estimated fair values and carrying amounts:



                                            1997                 1996
                                    Carrying    Fair     Carrying    Fair
(In millions)                        Amount    Value      Amount     Value
ASSETS:
Loans receivable:
                                                       
   Echelon International            $    -     $  -      $  32.9   $  32.9
   Life insurance business:
     Loans secured by real estate        -        -          4.1       4.4
     Policy loans                        -        -         11.0      10.1
                                    ---------  --------  -------   -------
                                    $    -     $  -      $  48.0   $  47.4
                                    =========  ========  =======   =======
Marketable securities:
  Available for sale:
    Life insurance business         $    -     $  -      $ 144.6   $ 144.6
    Nuclear decommissioning fund      266.7      266.7     207.8     207.8
  Held to maturity                       -        -         73.3      76.8

CAPITAL AND LIABILITIES:
Long-term debt:
   Florida Power Corporation        $1,746.9  $1,801.1  $1,317.7  $1,335.3
   Progress Capital Holdings           646.1     656.5     494.1     497.1


The December 31, 1997  balances  reflect the  deconsolidation  of  Mid-Continent
Life's  financial  statements  from  Florida  Progress'  consolidated  financial
statements. (See Note 11 contained herein).

 58

NOTE 3  INCOME TAXES

FLORIDA PROGRESS

(In millions)                              1997        1996        1995
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Components of income tax expense:
Payable currently:
  Federal                                 $86.6      $179.7      $157.3
  State                                    10.5        23.0        18.8
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                           97.1       202.7       176.1
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Deferred, net:
  Federal                                 (22.4)      (41.9)      (27.5)
  State                                     (.5)       (6.9)       (2.0)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                          (22.9)      (48.8)      (29.5)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amortization of investment
  tax credits, net                         (7.8)       (8.0)       (8.5)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                          $66.4      $145.9      $138.1
============================================================================

FLORIDA POWER

(In millions)                              1997        1996        1995
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Components of income tax expense:
Payable currently:
  Federal                                 $73.5      $143.6      $136.8
  State                                    11.6        24.9        22.1
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                           85.1       168.5       158.9
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Deferred, net:
  Federal                                  (7.6)      (20.9)      (18.9)
  State                                      .2        (4.0)       (1.9)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                           (7.4)      (24.9)      (20.8)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amortization of investment
  tax credits, net                         (7.8)       (7.9)       (8.5)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total income tax expense                   69.9       135.7       129.6
Less: Amounts charged or (credited)
  to non-operating income                    --         (.1)         .1
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amounts charged to operating income       $69.9      $135.8      $129.5
============================================================================

 59

The primary differences between the statutory rates and the effective income tax
rates are detailed below:

FLORIDA PROGRESS
                                          1997        1996        1995
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Federal statutory income tax rate         35.0%       35.0%       35.0%
State income tax, net of federal
  income tax benefits                      5.4         2.6         2.8
Amortization of investment tax credits    (6.4)       (2.0)       (2.2)
Provision for loss on investment in
  life insurance subsidiary               24.9          -           -
Other                                     (4.5)         .6          .1
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Effective income tax rates                54.4%       36.2%       35.7%
============================================================================

FLORIDA POWER
                                          1997        1996        1995
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Federal statutory income tax rate         35.0%       35.0%       35.0%
State income tax, net of federal
  income tax benefits                      3.7         3.6         3.7
Amortization of investment tax credits    (3.8)       (2.2)       (2.4)
Other                                      (.9)          -           -
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Effective income tax rates                34.0%       36.4%       36.3%
============================================================================

The following  summarizes the components of deferred tax  liabilities and assets
at December 31, 1997 and 1996:

FLORIDA PROGRESS
(In millions)                                         1997         1996
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Deferred tax liabilities:
  Difference in tax basis of property,
       plant and equipment                          $539.0       $544.1
  Deferred acquisition costs                            -          35.9
  Investment in partnerships                          19.7         20.1
  Deferred book expenses                              34.1         12.7
  Other                                               29.7         22.9
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Total deferred tax liabilities                   $622.5       $635.7
===========================================================================
Deferred tax assets:
  Loss reserves not currently deductible            $ 17.0       $ 69.5
  Accrued book expenses                              110.8         90.6
  Unbilled revenues                                   17.6         17.6
  Other                                               11.7         18.2
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Total deferred tax assets                        $157.1       $195.9
===========================================================================

At December 31, 1997 and 1996, Florida Progress had net noncurrent  deferred tax
liabilities of $471.2  million and $475.4  million and net current  deferred tax
assets of $5.8 million and $35.6 million, respectively. Florida Progress expects
the results of future  operations  will generate  sufficient  taxable  income to
allow for the utilization of deferred tax assets.

 60

FLORIDA POWER
(In millions)                                         1997         1996
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------
Deferred tax liabilities:
  Difference in tax basis of property,
     plant and equipment                            $506.3        $516.0
  Deferred book expenses                              34.1          12.7
  Under recovery of fuel                               2.8           2.8
  Carrying value of securities over cost              15.0           7.7
  Other                                                1.5            -
 -------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Total deferred tax liabilities                    $559.7        $539.2
==========================================================================
Deferred tax assets:
  Accrued book expenses                             $ 95.0        $ 76.5
  Unbilled revenues                                   17.6          17.6
  Regulatory liability for deferred income taxes       1.6           4.4
  Other                                                 -            4.0
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Total deferred tax assets                         $114.2        $102.5
==========================================================================

At December 31, 1997 and 1996,  Florida  Power had net  noncurrent  deferred tax
liabilities of $451.3  million and $472.3  million and net current  deferred tax
assets of $5.8 million and $35.6  million,  respectively.  Florida Power expects
the results of future  operations  will generate  sufficient  taxable  income to
allow the utilization of deferred tax assets.

NOTE 4  NUCLEAR OPERATIONS

Florida  Power's  Crystal  River  nuclear  plant  began an  extended  outage  in
September  1996,  which caused Florida Power to incur $100 million in additional
operation and  maintenance  expenses in 1997.  The plant was placed on the NRC's
"Watch  List" in  January  1997,  as a plant  whose  operations  will be closely
monitored until Florida Power demonstrates a period of improved performance.  In
January 1998, the NRC granted Florida Power permission to restart the plant.
(See Note 9 contained herein.)

JOINTLY OWNED PLANT - The following information relates to Florida Power's 90.4%
proportionate share of the nuclear plant at December 31, 1997 and 1996:

(In millions)                           1997       1996
- ------------------------------------------------------------
Utility plant in service               $673.8     $643.6
Construction work in progress            49.3       14.8
Unamortized nuclear fuel                 66.5       59.9
Accumulated depreciation                341.0      309.5
Accumulated decommissioning             223.7      193.3
============================================================

Net capital additions/(retirements) for Florida Power were $64.7 million in 1997
and  $(16.5)  million  in  1996.  Depreciation  expense,  exclusive  of  nuclear
decommissioning,  was $29  million  in 1997 and  $28.3  million  in  1996.  Each
co-owner  provides for its own  financing.  Florida  Power's  share of the asset
balances  and  operating  costs  is  included  in the  appropriate  consolidated
financial statements.  Amounts exclude any allocation of costs related to common
facilities.

DECOMMISSIONING  COSTS -- Florida  Power's nuclear plant  depreciation  expenses
include a provision  for future  decommissioning  costs,  which are  recoverable
through rates charged to customers.  Florida Power is placing amounts  collected
in an externally  managed trust fund. The recovery from  customers,  plus income
earned on the trust fund, is intended to be sufficient to cover Florida  Power's
share of the future  dismantlement,  removal and land restoration costs. Florida
Power has a license to operate the nuclear  unit through  December 3, 2016,  and
contemplates decommissioning beginning at that time.

 61

In November  1995,  the FPSC approved a new  site-specific  study that estimated
total  future   decommissioning   costs  at  approximately  $2  billion,   which
corresponds  to $453.8  million in 1997  dollars.  Florida  Power's share of the
retail  portion  of annual  decommissioning  expense is $20.5  million.  Florida
Power's annual expense for the wholesale portion is $1.2 million.

FUEL  DISPOSAL  COSTS -- Florida Power has entered into a contract with the U.S.
Department of Energy (DOE) for the  transportation and disposal of spent nuclear
fuel.  Disposal  costs  for  nuclear  fuel  consumed  are being  collected  from
customers  through the fuel adjustment clause at a rate of $.001 per net nuclear
kilowatt-hour sold and are paid to the DOE quarterly. Florida Power currently is
storing spent nuclear fuel on-site and has sufficient  storage capacity in place
for fuel consumed through the year 2010.

NOTE 5  PREFERRED AND PREFERENCE STOCK AND SHAREHOLDER RIGHTS

The authorized  capital stock of Florida Progress  includes 10 million shares of
preferred  stock,  without par value,  including 2 million shares  designated as
Series A Junior  Participating  Preferred Stock. No shares of Florida  Progress'
preferred stock are issued and outstanding.  However, under the Florida Progress
Shareholder Rights Agreement,  each share of common stock has associated with it
approximately  two-thirds of one right to purchase one  one-hundredth of a share
of Series A Junior Participating  Preferred Stock, subject to adjustment,  which
is  exercisable  in the event of certain  attempted  business  combinations.  If
exercised,  the rights  would  cause  substantial  dilution of  ownership,  thus
adversely  affecting  any  attempt  to  acquire  Florida  Progress  on terms not
approved by Florida  Progress' Board of Directors.  The rights have no voting or
dividend rights and expire in December 2001,  unless redeemed earlier by Florida
Progress.

The  authorized  capital  stock of  Florida  Power  includes  three  classes  of
preferred stock: 4 million shares of Cumulative Preferred Stock, $100 par value;
5 million shares of Cumulative Preferred Stock, without par value; and 1 million
shares of  Preference  Stock,  $100 par  value.  No shares  of  Florida  Power's
Cumulative  Preferred  Stock,  without par value, or Preference Stock are issued
and  outstanding.  A total of 334,967  shares,  of the  335,000  authorized,  of
Cumulative  Preferred  Stock,  $100 par value,  were issued and  outstanding  at
December 31, 1997 and 1996.

Florida Power redeemed  1,050,000  shares of its Cumulative  Preferred  Stock in
1996 and 50,000 shares in 1995.

Cumulative Preferred Stock for Florida Power is detailed below:

                    Current                      Outstanding at
     Dividend      Redemption      Shares         December 31,
       Rate          Price       Outstanding      1997 & 1996
                                                 (In millions)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------
       4.00%        $104.25        39,980           $  4.0
       4.40%        $102.00        75,000              7.5
       4.58%        $101.00        99,990             10.0
       4.60%        $103.25        39,997              4.0
       4.75%        $102.00        80,000              8.0
- ------------------------------------------------------------------
                                  334,967            $33.5
==================================================================

All  Cumulative  Preferred  Stock series are without  sinking  funds and are not
subject to mandatory redemption.

 62

NOTE 6  DEBT

Florida Progress'  long-term debt at December 31, 1997 and 1996, is scheduled to
mature as follows:


                                                                         Interest Rate         1997      1996
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                             
Florida Power Corporation
(In millions)
  First mortgage bonds:
    Maturing in 1999                                                         6.50%         $    75.0  $    75.0
    Maturing 2002 and 2003                                                   6.50%(a)          280.0      280.0
    Maturing 2008                                                            6.88%              80.0       80.0
    Maturing 2021 through 2023                                               7.98%(a)          400.0      400.0
  Pollution control revenue bonds:
    Maturing 2014 through 2027                                               6.59%(a)          240.9      240.9
  Notes maturing
    1997-1998                                                                6.67%               1.5       22.8
    1999-2008                                                                6.60%(a)          474.5       24.5
  Commercial paper, supported by revolver maturing November 30, 2002         5.85%(a)          200.0      200.0
  Discount, net of premium, being amortized over term of bonds                                  (5.0)      (5.5)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                             1,746.9    1,317.7
Progress Capital Holdings:
  Notes maturing:
    1997-1998                                                                9.90%              10.0       20.0
    1999-2008                                                                6.90%(a)          329.0      294.0
  Commercial paper, supported by revolver maturing November 30, 2002         5.92%(a)          300.0      169.4
  Other debt, maturing through 2006                                          6.78%(a)            7.1       10.7
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                             2,393.0    1,811.8
Less: Current portion of long-term debt                                                         15.2       34.9
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                            $2,377.8   $1,776.9
=================================================================================================================
(a) Weighted average interest rate at December 31, 1997.


Florida Progress'  consolidated  subsidiaries have lines of credit totaling $900
million,  which are used to support  commercial  paper. The lines of credit were
not drawn on as of December 31, 1997.  Interest  rate options  under the line of
credit  arrangements vary from subprime or money market rates to the prime rate.
Banks providing lines of credit are compensated through fees. Commitment fees on
lines of credit vary between .06 and .10 of 1%.

The lines of credit consist of four revolving bank credit  facilities,  two each
for  Florida  Power and  Progress  Capital  Holdings,  Inc.  The  Florida  Power
facilities  consist of $300  million with a 364-day term and $200 million with a
five-year term. The Progress Capital  facilities  consist of $100 million with a
364-day  term and $300  million  with a five-year  term.  In 1997,  both 364-day
facilities  were  extended  to  November  1998.  In  addition,   both  five-year
facilities  were  extended  to  November  2002.  Based  on the  duration  of the
underlying  backup credit  facilities,  $500 million of  outstanding  commercial
paper at December 31, 1997, and $369.4 million of outstanding  commercial  paper
at December 31, 1996,  are  classified as long-term  debt.  Additionally,  as of
December 31, 1997 Florida Power and Progress Capital Holdings had $179.8 million
and $35.0 million,  respectively of outstanding  commercial  paper classified as
short-term debt.

Florida Power has a public  medium-term note program  providing for the issuance
of either fixed or floating  interest  rate notes.  These notes have  maturities
ranging from nine months to 30 years. A balance of $400 million is available for
issuance.

Florida  Power has  registered  $370 million of first  mortgage  bonds which are
unissued and available for issuance.

Progress  Capital  has a private  medium-term  note  program  providing  for the
issuance  of either  fixed or floating  interest  rate  notes,  with  maturities
ranging from nine months to 30 years.  A balance of $87 million is available for
issuance under this program.

The combined  aggregate  maturities of long-term  debt for 1998 through 2002 are
$15.2 million, $143.6 million, $77.6 million, $183.0 million and $632.2 million,
respectively.  In  addition,  about 12% of  Florida  Power's  outstanding  first
mortgage bonds have an annual 1% sinking fund requirement.  These  requirements,

 63

which  total $1 million  annually  for 1998  through  2002,  are  expected to be
satisfied with property additions.

Florida  Progress  has  unconditionally   guaranteed  the  payment  of  Progress
Capital's debt as defined in an amended and restated support agreement.

NOTE 7  RETIREMENT BENEFIT PLANS

Pension  Benefits -- Florida  Progress  and certain of its  subsidiaries  have a
noncontributory  defined  benefit  pension plan  covering  most  employees.  The
benefits  are based on length  of  service,  compensation  and  Social  Security
benefits.  The  participating  companies make annual  contributions  to the plan
based on an actuarial  determination  and  consideration  of tax regulations and
funding requirements under federal law. Based on actuarial  calculations and the
funded  status  of the  pension  plan,  Florida  Progress  was not  required  to
contribute to the plan for 1997, 1996 or 1995.

Shown below are the components of the net pension expense calculations for those
years:



(In millions)                            1997         1996        1995
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                        
Service cost                           $  15.3       $ 16.2      $ 13.4
Interest cost                             33.4         31.3        30.1
Actual earnings on plan assets          (131.6)       (88.0)     (124.4)
Net amortization and deferral             64.0         29.5        77.7
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net pension benefit recognized         $ (18.9)      $(11.0)    $  (3.2)
==============================================================================


Florida Power's share of the plan's pension benefits for 1997, 1996 and 1995 was
$(18.4) million, $(10.3) million and $(3.0) million, respectively.

The following weighted average actuarial assumptions at January 1 were used in
the calculation of pension expense:


                                         1997        1996        1995
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                        
Discount rate                            7.50%       7.25%       8.25%
Expected long-term rate of return        9.00%       9.00%       9.00%
Rate of compensation increase            4.50%       4.50%       5.00%
==============================================================================










                   {THIS SPACE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK}

 64

The following summarizes the funded status of the pension plan at December 31,
1997 and 1996:


(In millions)                                   1997         1996
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------
Accumulated benefit obligation:
                                                      
  Vested                                       $359.3       $326.1
  Nonvested                                      40.8         31.5
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                400.1        357.6
Effect of projected compensation increases      100.1         94.4
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------
Projected benefit obligation                    500.2        452.0
Plan assets at market value, primarily listed
  stocks and bonds                              769.0        655.0
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------
Plan assets in excess of projected
  benefit obligation                           $268.8       $203.0
=====================================================================
Consisting of the following components:
  Unrecognized transition asset               $  25.5      $  30.4
  Unrecognized prior service cost               (14.7)        (6.3)
  Unrecognized net actuarial gains              236.7        176.4
  Prepaid pension costs                          21.3          2.5
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
                                               $268.8       $203.0
======================================================================


Due to changes in interest rates, Florida Progress used a discount rate of 7.25%
to calculate the pension plan's 1997 year-end  funded status.  The change in the
discount  rate from 7.5% at December  31,  1996,  to 7.25% at December 31, 1997,
increased the projected  benefit  obligation by $17.4 million and is expected to
increase the annual pension costs by $1.8 million, beginning in 1998.

In 1997 the Board of Directors  approved a  restructuring  of the Plan effective
January 1, 1998.  The existing plan will be split into two separate  plans,  one
covering  eligible  bargaining  unit  employees and the other covering all other
eligible  employees.  Plan assets will be allocated  to each plan in  accordance
with applicable law. The  restructuring  is expected to have a minimal effect on
funded status and periodic pension costs.

OTHER POST-RETIREMENT  BENEFITS -- Florida Progress and some of its subsidiaries
provide certain health care and life insurance  benefits for retired  employees.
Employees  become  eligible for these  benefits when they reach  retirement  age
while working for Florida Progress.

The net post-retirement benefit costs for 1997, 1996 and 1995 are detailed
below:



(In millions)                                  1997      1996      1995
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                         
Service cost                                  $  3.2    $  5.3    $  5.1
Interest cost                                   10.4      12.4      13.5
Amortization of unrecognized
  transition obligation                          3.4       6.1       6.1
Actual earnings on plan assets                   (.4)      (.3)      (.3)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                               $16.6     $23.5     $24.4
===========================================================================


 65

The following  summarizes the plan's status,  reconciled with amounts recognized
in Florida Progress' balance sheet at December 31, 1997 and 1996:



(In millions)                                            1997       1996
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Accumulated post-retirement benefit obligation:
                                                              
  Retirees                                              $ 92.7      $100.4
  Fully eligible active plan participants                  1.2         3.1
  Other active plan participants                          59.3        81.2
  Plan assets at fair value,
    primarily municipal securities                        (6.4)       (4.7)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                         146.8       180.0
Unrecognized transition obligation                       (55.0)      (97.2)
Unrecognized net gains                                    15.6        17.2
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Accrued post-retirement benefit cost                    $107.4      $100.0
============================================================================


Florida Power's share of the plan's net  post-retirement  benefit cost for 1997,
1996 and 1995 was $16.2 million, $22.7 million and $23.5 million, respectively.

The  following   weighted  average  actuarial   assumptions  were  used  in  the
calculation of the year-end status of other post-retirement benefits:

                                            1997         1996
- ------------------------------------------------------------------

Discount rate                               7.25%        7.50%
Rate of compensation increase               4.50%        4.50%
Health care cost trend rates:
  Pre-Medicare                        9.00%-5.00%  9.50%-5.25%
  Post-Medicare                       7.25%-4.75%  7.50%-5.00%
==================================================================

The transition  obligation is being accrued through 2012. A one-percentage point
increase in the  assumed  health care cost trend rate for each future year would
have increased the 1997 current service and interest cost by  approximately  $.8
million and the accumulated  post-retirement  benefit  obligation as of December
31, 1997,  by about $9.6  million.  The change in the discount rate from 7.5% at
December  31,  1996,  to 7.25% at December 31,  1997,  increased  the  projected
benefit   obligation  by  $4.4  million  and  is  expected  to  increase  annual
post-retirement benefit costs by $.3 million, beginning in 1998.

Due to different  retail and wholesale  regulatory  rate  requirements,  Florida
Power began making quarterly  contributions  in 1995 to an irrevocable  external
trust fund for wholesale  ratemaking,  while continuing to accrue postretirement
benefit  costs to an  unfunded  reserve  for retail  ratemaking.  Florida  Power
contributed approximately $1.3 million in both 1997 and 1996, to the trust fund.

NOTE 8  BUSINESS SEGMENTS

Florida  Progress'  principal  business  segments  are utility  and  diversified
operations.  The utility is engaged in the generation,  purchase,  transmission,
distribution and sale of electric energy. Electric Fuels Corporation's (Electric
Fuels)   operations   include  energy  and  related   services,   inland  marine
transportation and rail services. Other diversified operations include ownership
of a life insurance subsidiary.

 66

Florida  Progress'  business  segment  information  for  1997,  1996 and 1995 is
summarized  below. No single customer  accounted for 10% or more of unaffiliated
revenues.



(In millions)                                      1997      1996       1995

Revenues:
                                                             
  Utility                                       $2,448.4   $2,393.6   $2,271.7
  Diversified:
    Electric Fuels, combined:
      Coal sales to electric utility               285.1      272.1      236.8
      Sales to external customers                  751.4      609.0      607.0
    Other                                          115.8      155.3      129.1
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                 3,600.7    3,430.0    3,244.6
  Eliminations                                    (285.1)    (272.1)    (236.8)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Revenues from external customers                $3,315.6   $3,157.9   $3,007.8
================================================================================

Income from operations:
  Utility                                      $   317.6   $  468.5  $   456.3
  Diversified:
    Electric Fuels recurring, combined              71.5       61.4       52.1
    Electric Fuels loss provision                     -       (40.9)        -
    Loss related to life insurance subsidiary      (97.6)        -          -
    Other diversified                              (18.9)      (6.6)        .5
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                   272.6      482.4      508.9
Interest and other expense                         151.9       85.8      131.9
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income from continuing operations
  before income taxes                          $   120.7   $  396.6  $   377.0
================================================================================
Identifiable assets:
  Utility                                      $ 4,887.0   $4,263.7  $ 4,284.7
  Diversified:
    Electric Fuels, combined                       799.1      619.8      573.6
    Other diversified                               73.9      464.9      692.1
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                               $ 5,760.0   $5,348.4  $ 5,550.4
================================================================================
Depreciation and amortization:
  Utility                                      $   333.8   $  341.1  $   329.7
  Diversified:
    Electric Fuels, combined                        27.4       23.5       21.2
    Other diversified                                3.0        2.1        1.8
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                               $   364.2   $  366.7  $   352.7
================================================================================
Capital additions:
  Utility                                      $   395.0   $  222.9  $   289.2
  Diversified:
    Electric Fuels, combined                       117.5       40.6       40.5
    Other diversified                                1.1         .5        1.7
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                               $   513.6   $  264.0  $   331.4
================================================================================


In  December  1997,  Florida  Progress  recorded  a  provision  for  loss on its
investment in Mid-Continent  Life and accrued for related legal costs,  totaling
$97.6 million. (See Note 11 contained herein.)

In December 1996,  Electric Fuels revised its assessment  that  low-sulfur  coal
market prices were  depressed  temporarily.  Electric Fuels decided to close and
dispose of its unprofitable coal operations and recorded a provision for loss of
$40.9 million, as shown above.

 67

NOTE 9  RATES

Florida  Power's retail rates are set by the FPSC.  Florida Power's last general
rate case was  approved  in 1992 and allowed a 12%  regulatory  return on equity
with an allowed range between 11% and 13%.

EXTENDED NUCLEAR OUTAGE -- In June 1997, a settlement  agreement between Florida
Power and all  parties  who  intervened  in Florida  Power's  request to collect
replacement fuel and purchased power costs resulting from the extended outage of
its nuclear plant was approved by the FPSC.  The plant has been  off-line  since
September 1996 to address certain design issues related to its safety systems.

Florida  Power  incurred  $174 million in total system  replacement  power costs
through the end of 1997. In accordance  with the settlement  agreement,  Florida
Power  recorded a charge of  approximately  $73 million  for retail  replacement
power costs  incurred  that will not be  recovered  through its fuel  adjustment
clause. Of the remaining $101 million,  Florida Power will recover approximately
$38 million  through its fuel  adjustment  clause.  The remaining $63 million of
replacement  power  costs  was  recorded  as a  regulatory  asset  and is  being
amortized for a period of up to four years.  The  amortization of the regulatory
asset is  being  recovered  by the  suspension  of  fossil  plant  dismantlement
accruals during the amortization period. Actual replacement power costs incurred
prior to the  nuclear  unit's  return to service in excess of the $174  million,
will be expensed as incurred.

The parties to the  settlement  agreement have agreed not to seek or support any
increase or reduction in Florida  Power's base rates or the authorized  range of
its return on equity during the four-year  amortization  period.  The settlement
agreement also provided that for purposes of monitoring  Florida  Power's future
earnings,  the FPSC will exclude the nuclear outage costs when assessing Florida
Power's  regulatory  return on equity.  The  agreement  resolves all present and
future disputed issues between the parties  regarding the extended outage of the
nuclear plant.

TIGER BAY BUY-OUT -- In 1997,  Florida  Power bought out the Tiger Bay purchased
power contracts for $370 million and acquired the cogeneration  facility for $75
million,  for a  total  of  $445  million.  Of  the  $370  million  of  contract
termination  costs,  $350  million was  recorded as a  regulatory  asset and the
remaining $20 million was written off.  Florida Power recorded $75 million as
electric plant.

The  regulatory  asset is being  recovered  pursuant to a stipulation  agreement
between Florida Power and several  intervening parties which was approved by the
FPSC in June 1997. The  amortization of the regulatory asset is calculated using
revenues  collected  under the fuel  adjustment  clause as if the purchase power
agreements  related to the facility  were still in effect,  less the actual fuel
costs and the  related  debt  interest  expense.  This will  continue  until the
regulatory asset is fully amortized.  Florida Power has the option to accelerate
the amortization.

NOTE 10  DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS

On  November  21,  1996,  The Florida  Progress  Board of  Directors  declared a
spin-off  distribution to common  shareholders of record on December 5, 1996, of
the common shares of Echelon, which comprised Florida Progress' lending, leasing
and real estate  operations.  Common shares were distributed on the basis of one
share of Echelon  common  stock for every 15 shares of Florida  Progress  common
stock.

In connection with the spin-off in 1996,  Florida Progress has presented Echelon
as a  discontinued  operation in the  accompanying  Consolidated  Statements  of
Income.  As of the date of the  spin-off,  the net assets of Echelon were $194.5
million.  This  amount  has been  charged  against  Florida  Progress'  retained
earnings in the  accompanying  December 31, 1996  Consolidated  Balance Sheet to
reflect the distribution of Echelon common shares on December 18, 1996.

 68

A summary of net assets distributed is as follows:

(In millions)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash and equivalents                               $  53.8
Assets held for sale                                  26.8
Leases and loans receivable, net                     272.0
Property and equipment, net                          126.0
Other assets                                          39.9
- ------------------------------------------------------------------
Total assets                                         518.5
Total liabilities                                   (324.0)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------
Net assets distributed                             $ 194.5
==================================================================

Summarized  income  statement  information  relating  to  Echelon's  results  of
operations (as reported in discontinued operations) is as follows:


                                                    Year ended December 31,
(In millions)                                         1996          1995
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                              
Sales and revenues                                   $63.2          $50.0
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Loss from operations (net of income tax)                -              -
Provision for loss on disposition of assets
  (net of income tax benefits of $11.3)              (18.0)            -
Spin-off transaction costs (net
  of income tax benefits of $1.8)                     (8.3)            -
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total discontinued operations                       $(26.3)         $  -
==============================================================================

Fiscal year 1996  includes  results of  operations  through  December  18, 1996.
Results of operations  include  allocated  interest  expense of $8.7 million and
$11.7 million for 1996 and 1995 respectively.

NOTE 11  COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

FUEL,  COAL AND PURCHASED  POWER  COMMITMENTS  -- Florida Power has entered into
various long-term  contracts to provide the fossil and nuclear fuel requirements
of its generating  plants and to reserve  pipeline  capacity for natural gas. In
most cases,  such contracts  contain  provisions for price  escalation,  minimum
purchase  levels and other financial  commitments.  Estimated  annual  payments,
based on current market prices,  for Florida  Power's firm  commitments for fuel
purchases  and  transportation  costs,  excluding  delivered  coal and purchased
power, are $40 million,  $46 million,  $47 million,  $47 million and $48 million
for 1998  through  2002,  respectively,  and $464  million in total  thereafter.
Additional  commitments will be required in the future to supply Florida Power's
fuel needs.

Electric Fuels has entered into several  contracts with outside  parties for the
purchase of coal. Electric Fuels also has entered into several operating leases,
and rental or royalty agreements,  relating to transportation equipment and coal
procurement and  processing.  The annual  obligations  under these contracts and
leases, including transportation costs, are $163.1 million, $82.0 million, $50.2
million,  $45.7 million and $32.2  million for 1998 through 2002,  respectively,
and $64.1  million  in total  thereafter.  The  total  cost  incurred  for these
commitments  was  $219.6  million  in 1997,  $221.4  million  in 1996 and $235.2
million in 1995.

Florida Power has long-term contracts for about 460 megawatts of purchased power
with  other  utilities,  including  a contract  with The  Southern  Company  for
approximately  400 megawatts of purchased  power  annually  through  2010.  This
represents  4.5% of Florida  Power's total current  installed  system  capacity.
Florida Power has an option to lower these Southern  purchases to  approximately
200  megawatts  annually  with a three-year  notice.  The  purchased  power from
Southern is supplied by generating units with a capacity of approximately  3,500
megawatts  and is guaranteed by  Southern'S  entire  system,  totaling more than
30,000 megawatts.

 69

As of  December  31,  1997,  Florida  Power had  entered  into  purchased  power
contracts with certain QFs for 946 megawatts of capacity with  expiration  dates
ranging from 2002 to 2025. The purchased  power  contracts  provide for capacity
and energy  payments.  Energy payments are based on the actual power taken under
these  contracts.  Capacity  payments  are  subject to the QFs  meeting  certain
contract  performance  obligations.  In most cases,  these contracts account for
100% of the generating capacity of each of the facilities.  Of the 946 megawatts
under contract,  approximately 830 megawatts  currently are available to Florida
Power.  All commitments  have been approved by the FPSC.  Florida Power does not
plan to increase the level of purchased power currently under contract.

The FPSC allows the capacity  payments to be recovered  through a capacity  cost
recovery  clause,  which is similar to, and works in  conjunction  with,  energy
payments recovered through the fuel adjustment clause.

Through the buy-out of the Tiger Bay purchased power contracts for $370 million,
Florida Power reduced its long-term  purchased power  commitments by 20 percent.
Florida  Power  recorded  $350  million of the contract  termination  costs as a
regulatory asset and wrote off $20 million of the contract  termination costs in
1997. (See Note 9 contained herein.)

Florida Power incurred purchased power capacity costs totaling $292.3 million in
1997, $284 million in 1996 and $260.1 million in 1995. The following table shows
minimum  expected  future  capacity  payments for purchased  power  commitments.
Because the purchased power  commitments  have  relatively  long durations,  the
total  present  value  of  these  payments  using a 10%  discount  rate  also is
presented.  These  amounts  assume  that all units are brought  into  service as
contracted and meet contract performance requirements:

 
 
                                        Purchased Power Capacity Payments
(In millions)                          Utilities   Cogenerators      Total
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                              
1998                                     $ 59        $   206      $    265
1999                                       60            215           275
2000                                       60            223           283
2001                                       33            230           263
2002                                       32            236           268
2003-2025                                 248          5,802         6,050
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Total                                  $492         $6,912       $ 7,404
============================================================================
  Total net present value                                          $ 2,573
============================================================================


The purchased power contracts with QFs employ separate pricing methodologies for
capacity payments and energy payments. Florida Power has interpreted the pricing
provision  in these  contracts to allow it to pay an  as-available  energy price
rather  than a higher firm  energy  price when the  avoided  unit upon which the
applicable contract is based would not have been operated.

Four QFs filed suit  against  Florida  Power over the  contract  payment  terms.
Florida Power entered into settlement agreements with three of the four QFs. Two
of those  agreements  have been approved by the FPSC and the litigation has been
dismissed.  In September 1997, the FPSC reversed its original decision and voted
to deny Florida Power's request to approve the third settlement agreement.  As a
result of the FPSC denial,  the  settlement  expired by its own terms in October
1997. In December  1997, the state court action with the third  cogenerator  was
set for trial in late 1998.  Florida Power's dispute with the fourth cogenerator
has been set for trial in  federal  court for late  1998,  but no trial date has
been set for a parallel  contract  dispute in state court.  Management  does not
expect that the results of these legal  actions  will have a material  impact on
Florida Power's financial position, operations or liquidity.

MID-CONTINENT  LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY  (MID-CONTINENT)  -- A series of events in
1997 have significantly jeopardized  Mid-Continent's ability to implement a plan
to  eliminate a projected  reserve  deficiency  resulting in the  impairment  of
Florida Progress'  investment in Mid-Continent,  its wholly owned life insurance
subsidiary.

 70

On April 14, 1997, the Commissioner received legal approval to temporarily seize
control of the operations of Mid-Continent, and in May 1997, the Oklahoma County
District  Court  granted  the  Insurance  Commissioner's  application  to  place
Mid-Continent  into  receivership.  The Insurance  Commissioner had alleged that
Mid-Continent's  reserves  were  understated  by more  than $125  million,  thus
causing  Mid-Continent to be statutorily  impaired.  The Insurance  Commissioner
further  alleged  that  Mid-Continent  had  violated  Oklahoma  law  relating to
deceptive  trade  practices  in  connection  with the sale of its  "Extra  Life"
insurance  policies  and was not  entitled to raise  premiums,  a key element to
Mid-Continent's  plan  to  address  the  projected  reserve  deficiency.   While
sustaining the receivership, the court also ruled that premiums could be raised.
Both sides have appealed the decision to the Oklahoma Supreme Court. In December
1997, the Insurance  Commissioner  filed a lawsuit against Florida  Progress and
certain directors and officers making a number of allegations and seeking access
to Florida Progress' assets to satisfy policyholder and creditor claims. Florida
Progress believes that the  Commissioner's  lawsuit is without merit and intends
to vigorously defend itself and the other defendants against these charges.  The
ultimate  outcome of the matter  cannot  presently be  determined.  Accordingly,
Florida Progress has made no provision for any loss.

Another  element of  Mid-Continent's  plan to eliminate  the  projected  reserve
deficiency was to offer a new life insurance  product.  However,  as a result of
the  Commissioner's  actions,  which resulted in  Mid-Continent  being placed in
receivership,  agents were reluctant to sell the new policy.  This also prompted
insurance  commissioners  in several  states to enter  cease and  desist  orders
prohibiting Mid-Continent from writing new policies.

As a result of the Oklahoma  Commissioner's  efforts to block Mid-Continent from
raising  insurance  premiums,  his failure to offer any formal plan to eliminate
the  projected  reserve  deficiency,  the legal  proceedings,  and the cease and
desist  orders,  Florida  Progress  now  believes  the full  amount of its $86.9
million investment in Mid-Continent at December 31, 1997 is impaired. Therefore,
Florida Progress recorded a provision for loss on investment of $86.9 million in
1997.  In addition,  tax benefits of  approximately  $11 million  related to the
excess of the tax basis over the book value in the  investment in  Mid-Continent
as of December 31, 1997, were not recorded because of  uncertainties  associated
with the timing of a tax deduction. Florida Progress also recorded an accrual at
December  31, 1997 for legal fees  associated  with  defending  its  position in
current Mid-Continent legal proceedings.

Mid-Continent's financial statements have been deconsolidated effective December
31, 1997.  The  investment  will  prospectively  be accounted for under the cost
method.

ADVANCED  SEPARATION  TECHNOLOGIES  - Florida  Progress sold its 80% interest in
Advanced  Separation  Technologies to Calgon in December 1996 for $56 million in
cash. Calgon filed a lawsuit in January 1998 alleging misstatement of AST's 1996
revenues, assets and liabilities,  seeking damages and granting Calgon the right
to rescind the sale.  The lawsuit  also accuses  Florida  Progress of failing to
disclose flaws in AST's manufacturing  process and a lack of quality control. No
projection  of an outcome or estimate of a potential  liability,  if any, can be
determined  at the date of  issuance  of  these  financial  statements.  Florida
Progress intends to vigorously defend itself against this lawsuit.

CONSTRUCTION PROGRAM - Substantial commitments have been made in connection with
Florida Progress'  construction  program.  In 1998,  Florida Power has projected
construction  expenditures  of $294 million,  primarily  for electric  plant and
nuclear fuel.  Electric Fuels has projected capital additions of $125 million in
1998, primarily for barges and towboats.

OFF-BALANCE SHEET RISK -- Several of Florida Progress'  subsidiaries are general
partners in unconsolidated  partnerships and joint ventures. Florida Progress or
subsidiaries  have agreed to support certain loan agreements of the partnerships
and joint  ventures.  These  credit  risks  are not  material  to the  financial
statements  and Florida  Progress  considers  these  credit risks to be minimal,
based upon the asset values supporting the partnership liabilities.

INSURANCE  --  Florida  Progress  and  its  subsidiaries  utilize  various  risk
management  techniques  to  protect  assets  from  risk of loss,  including  the
purchase  of  insurance.   Risk  avoidance,  risk  transfer  and  self-insurance

 71

techniques are utilized  depending on Florida  Progress' ability to assume risk,
the relative cost and  availability  of methods for  transferring  risk to third
parties, and the requirements of applicable regulatory bodies.

Florida Power  self-insures its transmission and distribution lines against loss
due to storm damage and other natural disasters. Pursuant to a regulatory order,
Florida Power is accruing $6 million  annually to a storm damage reserve and may
defer any losses in excess of the reserve.

Under the  provisions  of the Price  Anderson  Act,  which limits  liability for
accidents  at nuclear  power  plants,  Florida  Power,  as an owner of a nuclear
plant, can be assessed for a portion of any third-party liability claims arising
from an accident at any commercial  nuclear power plant in the United States. If
total  third-party  claims  relating to a single  nuclear  incident  exceed $200
million  (the amount of currently  available  commercial  liability  insurance),
Florida Power could be assessed up to $79.3 million per incident, with a maximum
assessment of $10 million per year.

Florida Power is a member of the Nuclear Electric Insurance,  Ltd. ("NEIL"),  an
industry mutual insurer,  which provides business interruption and extra expense
coverage in the event of a major  accidental  outage at a covered  nuclear power
plant.  Florida  Power is subject to a  retroactive  premium  assessment by NEIL
under this policy in the event loss experience exceeds NEIL's available surplus.
Florida Power's present maximum share of any such retroactive assessment is $2.7
million per policy year.

Florida   Power  also   maintains   nuclear   property   damage   insurance  and
decontamination and  decommissioning  liability insurance totaling $2.1 billion.
The first layer of $500 million is purchased in the commercial  insurance market
with the  remaining  excess  coverage  purchased  from  NEIL.  Florida  Power is
self-insured for any losses that are in excess of this coverage. Under the terms
of the NEIL  policy,  Florida  Power  could be  assessed up to a maximum of $9.5
million in any policy year if losses in excess of NEIL's  available  surplus are
incurred.

Florida  Power has never  been  assessed  under  these  nuclear  indemnities  or
insurance policies.

CONTAMINATED  SITE  CLEANUP -- Florida  Progress is subject to  regulation  with
respect  to the  environmental  impact  of  its  operations.  Florida  Progress'
disposal of hazardous waste through  third-party  vendors can result in costs to
clean up  facilities  found  to be  contaminated.  Federal  and  state  statutes
authorize governmental agencies to compel responsible parties to pay for cleanup
of these hazardous waste sites.

Florida Power and former subsidiaries of Florida Progress, whose properties were
sold in prior years,  have been  identified by the EPA as PRPs at certain sites,
including a coal  gasification  plant site in Sanford,  Florida ("Sanford site")
that  Florida  Power  previously  owned and  operated.  There are five  parties,
including  Florida Power, that have been identified as PRPs at the Sanford site.
Liability for the cleanup costs of these sites is joint and several.

Negotiations  are  underway  with the EPA to define the extent of  contamination
that may be attributable to Florida Power's previous  operation at the site. The
discussions  and  resolution  of liability for cleanup costs could cause Florida
Power to increase  its estimate of its  liability  for cleanup  costs.  Although
estimates of any additional  costs are not currently  available,  the outcome is
not expected to have a material effect on Florida Progress'  financial position,
results of operations or liquidity.

In addition to these  designated  sites,  there are other sites where affiliates
may be responsible for additional environmental cleanup.

Florida Progress  believes that its  subsidiaries  will not be required to pay a
disproportionate  share of the costs for cleanup of any of these sites.  Florida
Progress' best estimates indicate that its proportionate  share of liability for
cleaning up all sites ranges from $2.5 million to $7.5 million.  It has reserved
$4.7 million against these potential costs.

 72

AGE  DISCRIMINATION  SUIT -- Florida Power and Florida Progress have been served
with an age discrimination  lawsuit involving 116 former Florida Power employees
and one current  employee.  While no dollar amount was requested in the lawsuit,
each  plaintiff  seeks  back  pay,  reinstatement  or front  pay  through  their
projected  dates of normal  retirement,  costs and  attorneys'  fees. In October
1996, the court approved an agreement  between parties to provisionally  certify
this case as a class action suit under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act.
Estimates of the  potential  liability  associated  with this  lawsuit,  if any,
remain  pending  until the final  decision  on whether to certify  the case as a
class action suit has been made. A decision regarding the class action status is
expected in 1998.

 73
                                QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA


                                               FLORIDA PROGRESS CORPORATION
                                                      (Unaudited)

                                                               Three Months Ended
(In millions, except per share amounts)       March 31        June 30     September 30    December 31
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  1997
  OPERATING RESULTS
                                                                                
    Revenues                                   $747.5         $797.3         $922.5         $848.3
    Income (loss) from operations                95.0          (34.6)         199.0           13.2
    Net income (loss)                            42.0          (38.2)         102.0          (51.5)
  DATA PER SHARE
    Earnings (loss) per common share              0.43          (0.39)          1.05          (0.53)
    Dividends per common share                     .525           .525           .525           .525
    Common stock price per share:
      High                                       32 7/8         31 5/8         33 5/16        39 1/4
      Low                                        29 3/4         27 3/4         31 1/4         31 5/8
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  1996
  OPERATING RESULTS
    Revenues                                   $730.4         $773.6         $879.0         $774.9
    Income from operations                      107.2          125.0          189.3           60.9
    Net income from continuing operations        48.3           58.7           98.1           45.6
    Loss from discontinued operations              -           (25.0)            -            (1.3)
    Net income                                   48.3           33.7           98.1           44.3
  DATA PER SHARE
    Earnings:
      Continuing operations                        .50            .61           1.01            .47
      Discontinued operations                        -           (.26)             -           (.01)
      Consolidated                                 .50            .35           1.01            .46
    Dividends per common share                     .515           .515           .515           .515
    Common stock price per share:
      High                                       36 3/8         34 3/4         35 1/8         34 1/2
      Low                                        33             32 1/2         33 1/2         31 5/8
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------




                                               FLORIDA POWER CORPORATION
                                                      (Unaudited)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           Three Months Ended
(In millions)                            March 31        June 30     September 30    December 31
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1997
                                                                            
Operating revenues                        $553.8         $597.2         $706.9          $590.5
Net income (loss)                          $41.6         $(43.2)         $96.7           $40.8
Earnings (loss) on common stock            $41.2         $(43.6)         $96.4           $40.4

1996

Operating revenues                        $547.3         $588.7         $694.7         $562.9
Net income                                 $45.2          $56.0          $93.9          $43.3
Earnings on common stock                   $42.9          $53.9          $93.1          $42.7


The business of Florida Power is seasonal in nature and  comparisons of earnings
for the quarters do not give a true  indication of overall trends and changes in
Florida  Power's  operations.  Effective  December  31, 1997,  Florida  Progress
deconsolidated the financial  statements of Mid-Continent Life Insurance Company
and established a provision for loss for the full amount of its investment.  The
deconsolidation has not been reflected in the consolidated  financial statements
of prior periods. In 1996, the divestiture of Echelon International  Corporation
is reflected in the loss from discontinued operations.

ITEM 9.    CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING
           AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE

     None.

 74
                                     PART III

ITEM 10.   DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANTS

                                 FLORIDA PROGRESS

Information  concerning the Directors of Florida  Progress is included under the
headings  "Information  as  to  Nominees"  and  "Information  as  to  Continuing
Directors" in Florida  Progress' Proxy  Statement and is incorporated  herein by
reference.  Information concerning the executive officers of Florida Progress is
set forth in Part I, Item 1 hereof under the heading "Executive Officers".  With
respect to compliance by Florida Progress'  directors and officers,  and persons
who own more than 10% of Florida  Progress'  common  stock,  with the  reporting
requirements  of  Section  16(a) of the  Securities  Act of 1934,  there were no
reporting delinquencies.

                                  FLORIDA POWER

DIRECTORS

Jack B. Critchfield, Age 64, Director 1975-1978 and since 1988.
Member - Executive Committee

Information concerning Dr. Critchfield is set forth in Part I, Item 1 hereof
under the heading "Executive Officers".

W. D. ("Bill") Frederick, Jr., Age 63, Director since 1997.
Member - Compliance Committee

Mr.  Frederick's  principal  occupation  for the past five  years has been as an
investor and citrus grower in Orlando,  Florida.  He served as Mayor of the City
of  Orlando  from  1980 to 1992.  In 1966 he  founded  the  Orlando  law firm of
Frederick,  Wooten & Honeywell  P.A., and  subsequently  became a partner in the
Orlando law office of Holland & Knight,  from which he retired in 1995.  He is a
member of the Board of Directors of Florida Progress,  Blue Cross/Blue Shield of
Florida, and SunTrust Bank, Central Florida, N.A.

Michael P. Graney, Esquire, Age 54, Director since 1997.
Member - Executive Committee, Compliance Committee

Mr. Graney has practiced law with the New York based law firm of Simpson Thacher
&  Bartlett  since 1980 and is now  resident  partner  in its Ohio  office.  His
specialties  are  utilities,  anti-trust and  litigation.  He is a member of the
American,  District of  Columbia,  Ohio and Columbus  Bar  Associations  and the
Federal Energy Bar Association. He is a director of Florida Progress.

Richard Korpan, Age 56, Director since 1989.
Chairman - Executive Committee

Information concerning Mr. Korpan is set forth in Part I, Item 1 hereof under
the heading "Executive Officers".

Frank C. Logan, Age 62, Director since 1994.
Chairman - Compliance Committee

Mr.  Logan,  age 62, has been an  attorney  with the law firm of Harper,  Kynes,
Geller, Watson & Buford, P.A., Clearwater,  Florida since 1996.  Previously,  he
was with the  Clearwater law firm of Harris,  Barrett,  Mann & Dew and the Tampa
firm of  MacFarlane,  Ausley,  Ferguson & McMullen.  He has  practiced law since
1962, specializing in estate planning,  probate,  corporate and business law. He
is also a director of Florida Progress.

Clarence V. McKee, Esquire, Age 55, Director since 1988.

Mr.  McKee's  principal  occupation is Chairman and Chief  Executive  Officer of
McKee  Communications,  Inc., Tampa, Florida, a firm involved in the acquisition
and management of television and radio stations.  He served as Counsel to Pepper
& Corazinni,  a Washington,  D.C.  communications law firm, from 1980 until 1987
when he became a co-owner of WTVT Holdings,  Inc., where he held the position of

 75

Chairman and Chief  Executive  Officer  until 1992.  He is a director of Florida
Progress,  American  Heritage  Life  Insurance  Company,  and Checkers  Drive-In
Restaurants, Inc.

Vincent J. Naimoli, Age 60, Director since 1997.

Mr. Naimoli's principal occupation for more than five years has been as
Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Anchor Industries
International, Inc., Tampa, Florida, an operating and holding company.  He is
also Managing General Partner and Chief Executive Officer of the Tampa Bay Devil
Rays, Ltd. Major League Baseball Club, St. Petersburg, Florida.  Mr. Naimoli is
a director of Florida Progress, and in conjunction with the business activities
of Anchor Industries, serves as a director of Russell Stanley Corp., Simplicity
Pattern Company, and Players International, Inc.

Richard A. Nunis, Age 65, Director since 1997.
Member - Executive Committee

Mr. Nunis'  principal  occupation  for more than five years has been Chairman of
Walt Disney  Attractions,  Orlando,  Florida. He has held various positions with
the Disney  organization  since 1955,  including Vice  President,  Operations in
1968,  Executive  Vice  President of  DISNEYLAND  and Walt Disney World in 1972,
President of Walt Disney  Attractions  in 1980,  and his current  position since
1991.  He is a director  of  Florida  Progress,  The Walt  Disney  Company,  and
SunTrust Bank, Central Florida N.A.

Joseph H. Richardson, Age 48, Director since 1996.
Member - Executive Committee

Information concerning Mr. Richardson is set forth in Part I, Item 1 hereof
under the heading "Executive Officers".

Joan D. Ruffier, Age 58, Director since 1991.
Member - Compliance Committee

Ms. Ruffier's principal  occupation for more than five years has been as general
partner  of  Sunshine  Cafes,  Ltd.,  Orlando,  Florida,  a  food  and  beverage
concession business at major Florida airports.  Previously, she practiced public
accounting with the firm of Colley,  Trumbower & Howell.  She also serves on the
boards of directors of Florida Progress, Cyprus Equity Fund and INVEST, Inc.

Robert T. Stuart, Jr., Age 65, Director since 1997

Mr. Stuart's principal occupation for more than five years has been as a rancher
and  investor.  Since  1949,  he has  held  numerous  executive  positions  with
Mid-Continent,  including Vice President,  President,  Chairman of the Board and
Chief Executive  Officer until 1986 when  Mid-Continent  was acquired by Florida
Progress. He is a director of Florida Progress.

Jean Giles Wittner, Age 63, Director since 1977.
Member - Compliance Committee

Mrs.  Wittner's  principal  occupation  is President  of Wittner & Co.,  Wittner
Securities, Inc., and Wittner & Associates, Inc., St. Petersburg, Florida, firms
involved  in  real  estate  management,   insurance  brokerage  and  consulting,
positions  she has held for more  than  five  years.  She  previously  served as
President and Chief Executive Officer of a savings association until it was sold
in 1986.  She serves on the  boards of Florida  Progress,  Raymond  James  Bank,
F.S.B., and Checkers Drive-In Restaurants, Inc.

Each director  holds office until the next Annual  Meeting of  Shareholders  and
until the election and qualification of a successor.

 76

EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

Information  concerning the executive  officers of Florida Power is set forth in
Part I, Item 1 hereof under the heading "Executive Officers" and is incorporated
herein by reference.

COMPLIANCE WITH SECTION 16(A) OF THE EXCHANGE ACT

Based  solely on a review of the  copies of Section  16(a)  forms  furnished  to
Florida  Power  during  1997,  or  written  representations  that no forms  were
required,  Florida  Power  believes that all persons who at any time during 1997
were  officers,  directors  or  greater  than 10%  beneficial  owners of Florida
Power's  preferred  stock,  filed their  applicable  Section  16(a) reports on a
timely basis during 1997 and prior fiscal years, except that Florida Power's
directors, W. D. Frederick, Jr., Michael P. Graney, Vincent J. Naimoli, Richard
A. Nunis, Charles B. Reed and Robert T.  Stuart,  Jr.,  failed  to timely  file
a Form 3 within  10 days of  becoming directors on May 15, 1997. Each of their
forms was filed November 26, 1997.

ITEM 11.  EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

                               FLORIDA PROGRESS

The  information  under the headings  "Compensation  of  Directors",  "Executive
Compensation",  "Pension Plan Table" and "Employment  Contracts,  Termination of
Employment  and  Change in Control  Arrangements"  in  Florida  Progress'  Proxy
Statement is incorporated herein by reference.

                                 FLORIDA POWER

COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS

Effective  May  15,  1997,  compensation  for all  directors  of  Florida  Power
(excluding  employees  of  Florida  Progress  or  subsidiaries)  was  $1,000 for
attendance  at each  meeting  of the  Florida  Power  Board  of  Directors  or a
committee  of the  Board  of  Directors.  A $750  fee is paid to each  committee
chairman for each meeting chaired.

 77

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

The following table contains information with respect to compensation awarded,
earned or paid during the years  1995-1997,  to (i) the former  Chief  Executive
Officer  ("former  CEO") of Florida  Power;  (ii) the  current  Chief  Executive
Officer  ("CEO")  and (iii) the other  four most  highly  compensated  executive
officers of Florida  Power (the  individuals  referred to in (i), (ii) and (iii)
are referred to collectively as the "Named  Executive  Officers") in 1997, whose
total remuneration paid in 1997 exceeded $100,000.


                                      SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
                                                                             Long-Term
                                         Annual Compensation(1)             Compensation
                               -----------------------------------------    -------------
                                                               Other
    Name and Principal                                        Annual           LTIP              All Other
        Position                Year     Salary    Bonus    Compensation     Payouts(2)         Compensation(3)
- --------------------------    -----     ------    -----  -------------    ------------      ---------------
                                                                                     
RICHARD KORPAN                  1997    $592,304  $ 41,500                   $324,028(4)            $26,490
  Chairman and Former           1996     535,610   333,500                    339,107                18,900
  Chief Executive Officer       1995     440,003   257,000                    284,109                19,800

JOSEPH H. RICHARDSON            1997    $384,619  $    -0-                   $162,091(4)           $ 13,890
  President and Chief           1996     288,884   214,000                    128,858                16,585(5)
  Executive Officer             1995     215,009   113,000                    110,473                 8,835

JEFFREY R. HEINICKA             1997    $264,992  $ 15,500                   $110,393(4)           $ 12,315
  Senior Vice President and     1996     258,456   169,000                    113,139                 8,595
  Chief Financial Officer       1995     211,200   100,000                      N/A                   8,325

ROY A. ANDERSON(6)              1997    $226,157  $  -0-     $343,035(7)     $ 32,518(4)           $  5,643
  Senior Vice President and     1996       N/A       N/A                        N/A                    N/A
  Chief Nuclear Officer         1995       N/A       N/A                        N/A                    N/A

KENNETH E. ARMSTRONG            1997    $215,009  $ 10,000                   $ 88,944(4)           $  9,963
  Vice President and            1996     212,785   144,500                    101,748                 8,010
   General Counsel              1995     197,995    77,000                      N/A                   8,910

JOHN A. HANCOCK                 1997    $220,002  $    -0-                   $ 93,826(4)           $ 10,200
  Former Senior Vice            1996     217,385   115,000                    130,787                 8,400
  President, Energy Supply      1995     199,992   105,000                    109,974                 8,550

(1)          Unless otherwise noted, all other annual compensation paid to
             the Named Executive Officers during 1997 other than salary and
             annual incentive compensation, does not exceed the minimum
             amounts required to be reported pursuant to SEC rules.

(2)          The number of shares of restricted Common Stock held by Named
             Executive Officers as of December 31, 1997 as a result of awards
             earned under the 1993-1995 and 1994-1996 performance cycles and
             the value of such shares as of that date, is as follows: Richard
             Korpan 8,010 shares, $314,393; Joseph H. Richardson 3,062 shares,
             $120,184; Jeffrey R. Heinicka 1,938 shares, $76,067; Roy A.
             Anderson -0-; Kenneth E. Armstrong 1,743 shares, $68,413; and
             John A. Hancock 3,091 shares, $121,322.  The restrictions
             were removed from all shares effective January 1, 1998.

(3)          Represents contributions to the Savings Plan of Florida Progress
             and/or the Executive Optional Deferred Compensation Plan on behalf
             of the Named Executive Officers.

(4)          Represents the dollar value as of February 18, 1998, the date
             of award, of shares of Common Stock of Florida Progress earned
             under the 1995-1997 performance cycle ("Cycle V") of the LTIP,
             none of which are restricted. The total number of shares earned
             are as follows: Richard Korpan 8,430 shares; Joseph H.
             Richardson 4,217 shares; Jeffrey R. Heinicka 2,872 shares;
             Roy A. Anderson 846 shares, Kenneth E. Armstrong 2,314 shares;
             and John A. Hancock 2,441 shares.

             The  payouts  listed in the  Long-Term  Compensation  column of the
             Summary Compensation table for the Named Executive Officers for the
             1995-1997  performance  cycle  are the  result  of (i) the  Florida
             Progress  Compensation  Committee's   determination  that  Cycle  V
             results  did meet the  threshold  goals  for  Florida  Power  after
             adjusting  for  strategic  expenditures  or  expenses  incurred  in
             connection  with  the  buyout  of  the  Tiger  Bay  purchase  power
             contract, the nuclear replacement fuel costs, and nuclear operating
             and maintenance  outage costs that exceeded the Nuclear  Regulatory

 78

             Commission   mandated   work  for   1997;   (ii)  the   Committee's
             determination that the Cycle V results did meet the threshold goals
             for  certain  non-utility  subsidiaries,  after  adjusting  for the
             exclusion of a provision for loss on coal properties in determining
             Electric Fuels' return-on-equity for 1996; (iii) the application of
             a mathematical  formula converting the goal level achieved into the
             number  of  performance  shares  earned  and (iv)  adding  dividend
             equivalents  on shares  earned  for the  period of the  performance
             cycle.  All payouts to the Named  Executive  Officers  were made in
             shares of Common Stock except that Mr.  Hancock's award was paid in
             cash.

(5)          Represents $8,835 in Company Contributions to the Savings Plan of
             Florida Progress and/or the Executive Optional Deferred
             Compensation Plan and $7,750 of director fees for services as a
             director of Echelon, a former subsidiary of Florida Progress.

(6)          No compensation information is provided for 1995 and 1996 because
             Mr. Anderson was not an executive officer or employee of Florida
             Power during those years.

(7)          Includes $282,686 paid to Mr. Anderson under the terms of his
             employment agreement to place Mr. Anderson in substantially the
             same economic position as he would have been had he remained
             with his previous employer.  Also includes reimbursement for
             Mr. Anderson's moving expenses and tax reimbursement payments
             for moving expenses and imputed flight income.


The following  table contains  information  with respect to  Performance  Shares
granted in 1997 to each of the Named Executive Officers of Florida Power for the
1997-1999 performance cycle of the LTIP:


                           LONG-TERM INCENTIVE PLAN(1)
                                 AWARDS IN 1997
                              Number of   Performance       Estimated Payout in Shares at End of Period(3)
                             Performance    Period          ---------------------------------------------
   Name                       Shares(2)    Covered             Threshold     Target       Maximum
- ----------------------       ----------    ---------            ---------     ------      --------
                                                                           
Richard Korpan                   9,639      1997-1999             2,410         9,639        19,278
Joseph H. Richardson             6,426      1997-1999             1,607         6,426        12,852
Jeffrey R. Heinicka              3,406      1997-1999               852         3,406         6,812
Roy A. Anderson                  3,149      1997-1999               787         3,149         6,298
Kenneth E. Armstrong             2,763      1997-1999               691         2,763         5,526
John A. Hancock                  2,827      1997-1999               707         2,827         5,654

(1)  The  LTIP is a  Common  Stock  and  cash-based  incentive  plan  to  reward
     participants for long-term performance of Florida Progress. It was approved
     by the Florida Progress shareholders in 1990.

(2)  The number of performance  shares granted are based on a percentage of base
     salary in effect at the time of each  award  and is  subject  to  automatic
     increase or decrease on a prorated  basis in  accordance  with changes to a
     participant's  base salary or LTIP  percentages  throughout the performance
     cycle.

     In the  event of a change  in  control  of  Florida  Progress,  150% of all
     performance  shares granted to the Named Executive  Officers under the LTIP
     and then outstanding would  automatically be considered earned and would be
     paid in  shares  of  unrestricted  Common  Stock  together  with  shares of
     unrestricted Common Stock payable for dividend  equivalents accrued through
     the date of the change in control.

(3)  Payouts for the 1997-1999  performance  cycle are based on  achievement  of
     total  shareholder   return  goals  established  by  the  Florida  Progress
     Corporation Compensation Committee.


 79

Pension Plan Table

The table  below  illustrates  the  estimated  annual  benefits  (computed  as a
straight life annuity beginning at retirement at age 65) payable under the
Florida  Progress  Corporation  Retirement  Plan,   Nondiscrimination  Plan  and
Supplemental  Executive  Retirement  Plan ("SERP") for  specified  final average
compensation and years of service levels.




                    Estimated Annual Retirement Benefits Payable Under the Retirement Plan,
                     Nondiscrimination Plan and the Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan
                    ---------------------------------------------------------------------
Average Annual
 Compensation                                        Service Years
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                             
                           5            10           15           20          25          30    35 or more
$  200,000             $ 37,500    $  75,000    $ 112,500    $ 120,000    $120,000    $120,000    $126,000
   300,000               56,250      112,500      168,750      180,000     180,000     180,000     189,000
   400,000               75,000      150,000      225,000      240,000     240,000     240,000     252,000
   500,000               93,750      187,500      281,250      300,000     300,000     300,000     315,000
   600,000              112,500      225,000      337,500      360,000     360,000     360,000     378,000
   700,000              131,250      262,500      393,750      420,000     420,000     420,000     441,000
   800,000              150,000      300,000      450,000      480,000     480,000     480,000     504,000
   900,000              168,750      337,500      506,250      540,000     540,000     540,000     567,000
 1,000,000              187,500      375,000      562,500      600,000     600,000     600,000     630,000
 1,100,000              206,250      412,500      618,750      660,000     660,000     660,000     693,000
 1,200,000              225,000      450,000      675,000      720,000     720,000     720,000     756,000
 1,300,000              243,750      487,500      731,250      780,000     780,000     780,000     819,000


The Named  Executive  Officers  are entitled to benefits  under the SERP.  These
benefits are offset by the benefits  payable under the  Retirement  Plan and the
Nondiscrimination  Plan,  as  well  as  50% of the  executive's  primary  Social
Security  benefit.  The  estimated  annual SERP benefit for the Named  Executive
Officers  (prior to any offsets) may be determined  using the Pension Plan Table
set forth above. For these purposes, the current compensation for each executive
that would be used in calculating  benefits under the SERP is substantially  the
same as the  three-year  average of the salary and bonus reported in the summary
compensation  table,  and the number of years of deemed  credited  service  that
would be used in calculating  benefits under the SERP for each such executive is
as  follows:  Mr.  Korpan,  35 years of  service;  Mr.  Richardson,  22 years of
service; Mr. Heinicka,  20 years of service; Mr. Anderson 1 year of service; and
Mr.  Armstrong,  13 years of service.  A description of Mr.  Hancock's  benefits
under the SERP are  described  below.  Under the  formula  used for  calculating
benefits under the SERP,  the maximum  benefit  payable to each Named  Executive
Officer  is  reached  at 16 years of deemed  credited  service  unless the Named
Executive Officer achieves 35 years of service.

Accrued   benefits  may  also  be  paid  under  each  of  the  Retirement  Plan,
Nondiscrimination  Plan and SERP if a participant  terminates  employment before
age 65 and meets the requirements  for early  retirement,  disability,  death or
other  termination of employment  benefits after becoming vested under the rules
of the particular plan.

Under the Retirement Plan and the Nondiscrimination Plan, the compensation taken
into  account in  calculating  benefits  is salary  only.  The years of credited
service that would be used in calculating  benefits under the formula applicable
to the  Retirement  Plan and the  Nondiscrimination  Plan (1.8% of final average
earnings  for each year of  service)  for the Named  Executive  Officers  in the
summary  compensation table are as follows:  Mr. Korpan, 9 years of service; Mr.
Richardson,  22 years of  service;  Mr.  Heinicka,  20  years  of  service;  Mr.
Anderson,  1 year of  service;  Mr.  Armstrong,  11  years of  service;  and Mr.
Hancock,  31 years of service.  The benefits under the  Retirement  Plan and the
Nondiscrimination  Plan are subject to offset by an amount  equal to 1 1/7% of a
participant's  primary Social Security  benefit for each year of service (with a
maximum offset of 40%).

In the event of a change in control of Florida  Progress,  each Named  Executive
Officer  except  Mr.  Hancock  will  receive  credit  under  the  SERP  for five
additional  years  of  service.  If a  participant's  employment  is  terminated
following a change in control,  the benefit payable from the SERP is as follows:
(1) an  annuity  beginning  at age 55  through  59,  subject  to  early  payment
reductions  in the amount of 3% for each year prior to age 60, or age 60 without
reduction;  (2) the amount of any federal  excise taxes (and income taxes on any

 80

reimbursement  under this provision) imposed on the executive under Section 4999
of the Internal  Revenue Code; and (3) a 50% surviving  spouse  benefit  payable
upon death.

Mr.  Hancock  relinquished  his officer  status as of December 31, 1997 and will
retire on September 30, 1998,  pursuant to the "early retirement"  provisions of
the SERP. Upon his retirement,  Mr. Hancock will receive until age 62, an annual
retirement benefit of $180,543. After age 62, the annual benefit will be reduced
by $6,150,  one-half the amount of his annual Social Security benefit. After his
death,   his  spouse  will  receive  an  annual  survivor  benefit  of  $90,272.
Approximately  49% of the  benefits are payable  pursuant to the SERP,  with the
balance payable under the Retirement and  Nondiscrimination  Plans.  Mr. Hancock
will  also be paid  67.8% of his  medical  insurance  premiums  and 90.4% of his
spouse's.

In March 1997,  Florida Power entered into an Employment  Agreement  with Roy A.
Anderson which  provides for his employment  from January 20, 1997 through April
30, 2003. His annual base salary will be $245,000,  or such greater sum as shall
be mutually  agreed,  with initial award  opportunities  as a participant in the
Management  Incentive  Compensation Plan ("MICP") and LTIP of 40% of base salary
for each plan. He is entitled to  participate in the SERP, and shall be credited
beginning in 2003 with up to 22 years of additional service constituting "Deemed
Credited Service" thereunder depending on the number of years of actual service.
The agreement also provides for certain payments  designed to place Mr. Anderson
in substantially  the same economic position as that which he would have enjoyed
had he remained with his former employer. The agreement provided for payments in
1997  for a total  of  $282,686  and for two  payments,  payable  if  employment
terminates  other than as a result of termination for good cause. The first is a
$105,960 15-year  annuity.  The second is a 5-year annuity ranging from $143,000
to $231,000,  depending on length of service  after age 60. Both payments are to
be offset  by  payments  made by his  former  employer  pursuant  to  comparable
arrangements.  The agreement  contains a confidentiality  agreement and covenant
not to compete.

In the  event of a change  in  control  of  Florida  Progress,  all of the Named
Executive  Officers except Mr. Hancock are entitled to benefits under individual
agreements  described in Florida  Progress'  Proxy  Statement  under the heading
"Employment   Contracts,   Termination  of  Employment  and  Change  in  Control
Arrangements."

ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT

                                FLORIDA PROGRESS

The information included under the headings "Security Ownership of Certain
Beneficial Owners" and "Security Ownership of Management" in Florida Progress'
Proxy Statement is incorporated herein by reference.

                                 FLORIDA POWER

All of  Florida  Power's  common  stock is held  beneficially  and of  record by
Florida Progress.  None of Florida Power's directors or executive  officers owns
any shares of Florida Power's common or preferred stock.  Information concerning
shares of  Florida  Progress  common  stock  that are held by  persons  known to
Florida  Progress  to be the  beneficial  owners  of  more  than  5% of  Florida
Progress'  common  stock is set forth in the table under the  heading  "Security
Ownership of Certain  Beneficial Owners" in the Florida Progress Proxy Statement
and is incorporated herein by reference.

 81

The table below sets forth as of December 31, 1997, the number of shares of
common stock of Florida  Progress owned by Florida  Power's  directors and Named
Executive Officers  individually and the directors and all executive officers of
Florida Power as a group.

Florida Power                     Number of Shares             Percent of
Officer or Director Name       Beneficially Owned (1)          Class (2)
- ------------------------       ----------------------          ----------

Jack B. Critchfield                     51,394
W. D. ("Bill") Frederick                 2,885
Michael P. Graney                        3,616
Richard Korpan                          24,326
Frank C. Logan                           2,383
Clarence V. McKee                        3,113
Vincent J. Naimoli                       9,206
Richard A. Nunis                        22,672
Charles B. Reed                          3,768
Joseph H. Richardson                    12,643
Joan D. Ruffier                          4,688
Robert T. Stuart, Jr.                 1,506,073                   1.55%
Jean Giles Wittner                      10,317

Roy A. Anderson                          2,173
Kenneth E. Armstrong                     5,697
John A. Hancock                         18,454
Jeffrey R. Heinicka                      5,692


All 19 directors, Named
  Executive Officers and executive
  officers as a group, including
  those named above                  1,694,850                   1.75%

(1)  As used in this table, "beneficial ownership" means the direct or indirect,
     sole or shared power to vote, or to direct the voting of, a security and/or
     investment power with respect to a security.

(2)  Unless otherwise noted, less than 1% per individual.

ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS

                                FLORIDA PROGRESS

The information  included under the heading "Certain  Relationships  and Related
Transactions"  in Florida  Progress' Proxy  Statement is incorporated  herein by
reference.

                                 FLORIDA POWER

With  respect  to  Florida  Power,   there  are  no   relationships  or  related
transactions required to be reported under this item.

                                    PART IV

ITEM 14.  EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES, AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K
          FOR FLORIDA PROGRESS AND FLORIDA POWER

     (a)     1. Financial  Statements,  notes to Financial Statements and report
                thereon of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP are found in Item 8 "Financial
                Statements and Supplementary Data" herein.

             2. The following Financial Statement Schedules and reports are
                included herein:

                                 Florida Progress

                      II-Valuation and Qualifying Accounts
                         for the years ended December 31,
                         1997, 1996 and 1995

 82
                                   Florida Power

                      II-Valuation and Qualifying Accounts
                         for the years ended December 31,
                         1997, 1996 and 1995

               All  other  schedules  are not  submitted  because  they  are not
               applicable or not required or because the required information is
               included in the financial statements or notes thereto.

          3.   Exhibits filed herewith:
                                                               Florida  Florida
         Number           Exhibit                              Progress  Power
         ------           -------                              -------- -------

          3.(a)      Bylaws of Florida Progress, as amended to      X
                     date.

         10.(a)      Management Incentive Compensation Plan         X       X
                     of Florida Progress Corporation, as amended
                     to date.*

         10.(b)      Agreement between Florida Progress and         X
                     Kenneth E. Armstrong dated as of January
                     30, 1998 regarding change in control.*

         10.(c)      Agreement between Florida Progress and         X
                     Stanley I. Garnett, II dated as of January
                     30, 1998 regarding change in control.*

         10.(d)      Agreement between Florida Progress and         X
                     Jeffrey R. Heinicka dated as of January
                     30, 1998 regarding change in control.*

         10.(e)      Agreement between Florida Progress and         X
                     Richard D. Keller dated as of January
                     30, 1998 regarding change in control.*

         10.(f)      Agreement between Florida Progress and         X
                     Richard Korpan dated as of January 30,
                     1998 regarding change in control.*

         10.(g)      Agreement between Florida Progress and         X
                     Joseph H. Richardson dated as of January
                     30, 1998 regarding change in control.*

         10.(h)      Employment Agreement between Florida           X
                     Progress and Richard Korpan dated as
                     of March 1, 1998.*

         12          Statement of Computation of Ratios.                    X

         21          Subsidiaries of Florida Progress.              X

         23.(a)      Consent of Independent Certified Public        X
                     Accountants to the incorporation by reference
                     of their report on the financial statements
                     into the following registration statements of
                     Florida Progress:  Form S-3 (No. 33-51573)
                     (relating to the registration of 4.5 million
                     shares of common stock and filed with the SEC
                     on December 17, 1993); Form S-8 (No. 333-19037)
                     (relating to the Savings Plan for Employees
                     of Florida Progress and filed with the SEC on
                     December 31, 1996); Form S-3 (No. 333-07853)
                     (relating to the Progress Plus Plan and filed
                     with the SEC on July 10, 1996); Form S-8

 83
                     (No. 33-47623) (relating to Florida Progress'
                     Long-Term Incentive Plan and filed with the
                     SEC on May 1, 1992); Form S-3 (No. 2-93111)
                     (relating to the acquisition of Better Business
                     Forms and filed with the SEC on September 5,
                     1984.

         23.(b)      Consent of Independent Certified Public                X
                     Accountants to the incorporation by reference
                     of their report on the financial statements
                     into Florida Power's registration statements
                     on Form S-3 (Nos. 33-62210 and 33-55273)
                     (relating to Florida Power's first mortgage
                     bond shelf) and Form S-3 (No. 333-29897)
                     (relating to Florida Power's medium-term
                     note shelf).

         27.(a)      Florida Progress Financial Data Schedule       X

         27.(b)      Florida Power Financial Data Schedule                  X

          4.   Exhibits incorporated herein by reference:

                                                                Florida  Florida
          Number           Exhibit                              Progress  Power
          ------          --------                             --------- -------

          3.(b)      Bylaws of Florida Power, as amended to date.           X
                     (Filed as Exhibit 3.(b) to the Florida Power
                     Form 10-K for the year ended December 31,
                     1995, as filed with the SEC on March 20,
                     1996.)

          3.(c)      Restated Articles of Incorporation, as         X
                     amended, of Florida Progress.  (Filed
                     as Exhibit 3(a) to Florida Progress'
                     Form 10-K for the year ended December 31,
                     1991, as filed with the SEC on March 30,
                     1992.)

          3.(d)      Amended Articles of Incorporation, as          X      X
                     amended, of Florida Power.  (Filed as
                     Exhibit 3(a) to the Florida Power Form
                     10-K for the year ended December 31, 1991,
                     as filed with the SEC (File No. 1-3274)
                     on March 30, 1992.)

          4.(a)      Amendment to Shareholder Rights Agreement      X
                     dated February 20, 1997, between Florida
                     Progress and The First National Bank of
                     Boston.  (Filed as Exhibit 4(a) to the
                     Florida Progress Form 10-K for the year
                     ended December 31, 1996, as filed with
                     the SEC on March 27, 1997.)

          4.(b)      Form of Certificate representing shares of     X
                     Florida Progress Common Stock.  (Filed as
                     Exhibit 4(b) to the Florida Progress Form
                     10-K for the year ended December 31, 1996,
                     as filed with the SEC on March 27, 1997.)

          4.(c)      Rights Agreement, dated as of November 21,     X
                     1991, between Florida Progress and
                     Manufacturers Hanover Trust Company,
                     including as Exhibit A the form of Rights
                     Certificate. (Filed as Exhibit 4(a) to
                     Florida Progress' Form 8-K dated November
                     21, 1991, as filed with the SEC on November
                     27, 1991.)

          4.(d)      Indenture, dated as of January 1, 1944 (the    X       X

 84
                     "Indenture"), between Florida Power and
                     Guaranty Trust Company of New York and The
                     Florida National Bank of Jacksonville, as
                     Trustees.  (Filed as Exhibit B-18 to Florida
                     Power's Registration Statement on Form A-2
                     (No. 2-5293) filed with the SEC on January
                     24, 1944.)

          4.(e)      Seventh Supplemental Indenture, dated as of    X       X
                     July 1, 1956, between Florida Power and
                     Guaranty Trust Company of New York and The
                     Florida National Bank of Jacksonville, as
                     Trustees, with reference to the modification
                     and amendment of the Indenture.  (Filed as
                     Exhibit 4(b) to Florida Power's Registration
                     Statement on Form S-3 (No. 33-16788) filed
                     with the SEC on September 27, 1991.)

          4.(f)      Eighth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of     X       X
                     July 1, 1958, between Florida Power and
                     Guaranty Trust Company of New York and The
                     Florida National Bank of Jacksonville, as
                     Trustees, with reference to the modification
                     and amendment of the Indenture.  (Filed as
                     Exhibit 4(c) to Florida Power's Registration
                     Statement on Form S-3 (No. 33-16788) filed
                     with the SEC on September 27, 1991.)

          4.(g)      Sixteenth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of  X       X
                     February 1, 1970, between Florida Power and
                     Morgan Guaranty Trust Company of New York and
                     The Florida National Bank of Jacksonville, as
                     Trustees, with reference to the modification
                     and amendment of the Indenture.  (Filed as
                     Exhibit 4(d) to Florida Power's Registration
                     Statement on Form S-3 (No. 33-16788) filed
                     with the SEC on September 27, 1991.)

          4.(h)      Twenty-Ninth Supplemental Indenture, dated as  X       X
                     of September 1, 1982, between Florida Power
                     and Morgan Guaranty Trust Company of New York
                     and Florida National Bank, as Trustees, with
                     reference to the modification and amendment
                     of the Indenture.  (Filed as Exhibit 4(c) to
                     Florida Power's Registration Statement on
                     Form S-3 (No. 2-79832) filed with the SEC on
                     September 17, 1982.)

          4.(i)      Thirty-Eighth Supplemental Indenture dated as  X       X
                     of July 25, 1994, between Florida Power and
                     First Chicago Trust Company of New York, as
                     successor Trustee, Morgan Guaranty Trust
                     Company of New York, as resigning Trustee,
                     and First Union National Bank of Florida, as
                     resigning Co-Trustee, with reference to
                     confirmation of First Chicago Trust Company
                     of New York as successor Trustee under the
                     Indenture.  (Filed as exhibit 4.(f) to Florida
                     Power's Registration Statement on Form S-3
                     (No. 33-55273) as filed with the SEC on August
                      29, 1994.)

         10.(i)      Executive Optional Deferred Compensation      X        X
                     Plan*. (Filed as exhibit 10.(c) to the
                     Florida Progress Form 10-K for the year
                     ended December 31, 1996 as filed with the
                     SEC on March 27, 1997.)

         10.(j)      Florida Progress Supplemental Executive       X        X
                     Retirement Plan*.  (Filed as exhibit
                     10.(b) to the Florida Progress Form 10-K

 85
                     for the year ended December 31, 1996 as
                     filed with the SEC on March 27, 1997.)

         10.(k)      Second Amended and Restated Guaranty and      X
                     Support Agreement dated as of August 7,
                     1996.  (Filed as Exhibit 4 to Florida
                     Progress' Form 10-Q for the quarter
                     ended June 30, 1996).

         10.(l)      Florida Progress Corporation Long-Term        X        X
                     Incentive Plan, approved by Florida
                     Progress' Shareholders on April 19,
                     1990.  (Filed as Exhibit 10(d) to
                     Florida Progress' Form 10-Q for the
                     quarter ended March 31, 1990, as filed
                     with the SEC on May 14, 1990). *

          10.(m)     Stock Plan for Non-Employee Directors of       X       X
                     Florida Progress Corporation and Subsidiaries.
                     (Filed as Exhibit 4.(k) to the Florida Progress
                     Registration Statement on Form S-8 (No. 333-
                     02619) as filed with the SEC on April 18, 1996.)*

     X = Exhibit is filed for that respective company.
     * = Exhibit constitutes an executive compensation plan or arrangement.

In reliance upon Item  601(b)(4)(iii)  of Regulation  S-K,  certain  instruments
defining  the rights of holders of  long-term  debt of Florida  Progress and its
consolidated subsidiaries are not being filed herewith, because the total amount
authorized  thereunder  does not  exceed  10% of the  total  assets  of  Florida
Progress and its subsidiaries on a consolidated  basis.  Florida Progress hereby
agrees to furnish a copy of any such instruments to the SEC upon request.

          (b)  Reports on Form 8-K:

               During the fourth  quarter of the year ended  December  31, 1997,
               Florida Progress and Florida Power filed the following reports on
               Form 8-K:

                    Form 8-K dated  October  16,  1997,  reporting  under Item 5
                    "Other   Events"  a  press  release  and  related   Investor
                    Information  Report reporting  Florida Progress' and Florida
                    Power's third quarter 1997 earnings.

                    Form 8-K dated  December  15, 1997,  reporting  under Item 5
                    "Other  Events" a Investor  News  report  regarding  Florida
                    Power's Crystal River nuclear plant.

                    Form 8-K dated  December  23, 1997,  reporting  under Item 5
                    "Other Events" an Investor News report  concerning a lawsuit
                    filed by the  receiver  of MCL against  Florida  Progress as
                    well as certain former and current Directors and Officers of
                    Florida Progress and MCL.

               In  addition,  Florida  Progress  and  Florida  Power  filed  the
               following reports on Form 8-K subsequent to the fourth quarter of
               1997:

                    Form 8-K dated  January  12,  1998,  reporting  under Item 5
                    "Other  Events" an Investor News report to provide an update
                    regarding  Florida  Power's  Crystal  River 3 and a  lawsuit
                    filed by Calgon Corporation.

                    Form 8-K dated  January  26,  1998,  reporting  under Item 5
                    "Other  Events" a press  release and related  Investor  News
                    report which stated  Florida  Progress' and Florida  Power's
                    1997 year-end earnings.

                    Form 8-K dated  January  30,  1998,  reporting  under Item 5
                    "Other  Events" an Investor News report to provide an update

 86
                    regarding Florida Power's Crystal River Nuclear Plant.

                    Form 8-K dated  February  9,  1998,  reporting  under Item 5
                    "Other  Events" an Investor News report to provide an update
                    regarding Florida Power's Crystal River Nuclear Plant.

                    Form 8-K dated  February  12, 1998,  reporting  under Item 5
                    "Other  Events" an Investor News report to provide an update
                    regarding Florida Power's Crystal River Nuclear Plant.

                    Form 8-K dated  February  19, 1998,  reporting  under Item 5
                    "Other Events" an Investor News report to report an increase
                    in its annual dividend.

 87

                                     SIGNATURES

     Pursuant  to the  requirements  of  Section  13 or 15(d) 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.

                                   FLORIDA PROGRESS CORPORATION

March 19, 1998                    By: /s/ Richard Korpan
                                   ---------------------------
                                   Richard Korpan,
                                   President and
                                   Chief Executive Officer

     KNOWN BY ALL MEN BY THESE  PRESENTS that each of the  undersigned  officers
and  directors  of Florida  Progress  Corporation,  a Florida  corporation,  for
himself or herself and not for one another,  does hereby  constitute and appoint
KENNETH E. ARMSTRONG,  PAMELA A. SAARI and DOUGLAS E. WENTZ, and each of them, a
true and lawful  attorney  in his or her name,  place and stead,  in any and all
capacities,  to sign his or her name to any and all  amendments  to this report,
and to cause the same to be filed with the Securities  and Exchange  Commission,
granting unto said attorneys and each of them full power and authority to do and
perform any act and thing  necessary and proper to be done in the  premises,  as
fully to all intents  and  purposes as the  undersigned  could do if  personally
present,  and each of the undersigned for himself or herself hereby ratifies and
confirms all that said  attorneys or any one of them shall  lawfully do or cause
to be done by virtue hereof.

     Pursuant to the  requirements of the Securities  Exchange Act of 1934, this
report  has  been  signed  below  by the  following  persons  on  behalf  of the
registrant and in the capacities and on the date indicated.

     Signature                          Title                        Date
     ----------                         -----                        -----


/s/ Richard Korpan                 President, Chief              March 19, 1998
- ----------------------------       Executive Officer
Richard Korpan                     and Director
Principal Executive Officer


/s/ Jeffrey R. Heinicka         Senior Vice President and        March 19, 1998
- ----------------------------    Chief Financial Officer
Jeffrey R. Heinicka
Principal Financial Officer


/s/ John Scardino, Jr.             Vice President and            March 19, 1998
- ----------------------------          Controller
John Scardino, Jr.
Principal Accounting Officer


/s/ Jack B. Critchfield           Chairman of the Board          March 19, 1998
- ----------------------------          and Director
Jack B. Critchfield
Principal Executive Officer


/s/ W. D. Frederick, Jr.                Director                 March 19, 1998
- ----------------------------
W. D. Frederick, Jr.

                                                                   (Continued)

 88

      Signature                           Title                    Date
     -----------                          -----                    -----


/s/ Michael P. Graney                   Director                 March 19, 1998
- ----------------------------
Michael P. Graney


/s/ Frank C. Logan                      Director                 March 19, 1998
- ----------------------------
Frank C. Logan


/s/ Clarence V. McKee                   Director                 March 19, 1998
- --------------------------
Clarence V. McKee


/s/ Vincent J. Naimoli                  Director                 March 19, 1998
- --------------------------
Vincent J. Naimoli


/s/ Richard A. Nunis                    Director                 March 19, 1998
- --------------------------
Richard A. Nunis


/s/ Charles B. Reed                     Director                 March 19, 1998
- --------------------------
Charles B. Reed


/s/ Joan D. Ruffier                     Director                 March 19, 1998
- --------------------------
Joan D. Ruffier


/s/ Robert T. Stuart, Jr.               Director                 March 19, 1998
- --------------------------
Robert T. Stuart, Jr.


/s/ Jean Giles Wittner                  Director                 March 19, 1998
- --------------------------
Jean Giles Wittner

 89

                                   SIGNATURES

     Pursuant  to the  requirements  of  Section  13 or 15(d) 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.

                                   FLORIDA POWER CORPORATION

March 19, 1998                     By: /s/ Joseph H. Richardson
                                   --------------------------------
                                   Joseph H. Richardson, President
                                   and Chief Executive Officer

     KNOWN BY ALL MEN BY THESE  PRESENTS that each of the  undersigned  officers
and directors of Florida Power Corporation,  a Florida corporation,  for himself
or herself and not for one another,  does hereby  constitute and appoint KENNETH
E. ARMSTRONG, PAMELA A. SAARI and DOUGLAS E. WENTZ, and each of them, a true and
lawful attorney in his or her name,  place and stead, in any and all capacities,
to sign his or her name to any and all  amendments to this report,  and to cause
the same to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission,  granting unto
said  attorneys  and each of them full power and authority to do and perform any
act and thing  necessary and proper to be done in the premises,  as fully to all
intents and purposes as the undersigned could do if personally present, and each
of the  undersigned for himself or herself hereby ratifies and confirms all that
said  attorneys  or any one of them  shall  lawfully  do or  cause to be done by
virtue hereof.

     Pursuant to the  requirements of the Securities  Exchange Act of 1934, this
report  has  been  signed  below  by the  following  persons  on  behalf  of the
registrant and in the capacities and on the date indicated.

          Signature                     Title                       Date
          ---------                     -----                       ----

/s/ Joseph H. Richardson          President, Chief              March 19, 1998
- --------------------------        Executive Officer
Joseph H. Richardson                 and Director


/s/ Jeffrey R. Heinicka          Senior Vice President          March 19, 1998
- --------------------------                and
Jeffrey R. Heinicka              Chief Financial Officer
Principal Financial Officer


/s/ John Scardino, Jr.               Vice President             March 19, 1998
- --------------------------           and Controller
John Scardino, Jr.
Principal Accounting Officer


/s/ Richard Korpan                Chairman of the Board,        March 19, 1998
- --------------------------           and Director
Richard Korpan


/s/ Jack B. Critchfield               Director                  March 19, 1998
- --------------------------
Jack B. Critchfield


/s/ W. D. Frederick, Jr.              Director                  March 19, 1998
- --------------------------
W. D. Frederick, Jr.


                                                                 (Continued)

 90

      Signature                           Title                    Date
     -----------                          -----                    -----



/s/ Michael P. Graney                 Director                  March 19, 1998
- --------------------------
Michael P. Graney


/s/ Frank C. Logan                    Director                  March 19, 1998
- --------------------------
Frank C. Logan


/s/ Clarence V. McKee                 Director                  March 19, 1998
- --------------------------
Clarence V. McKee


/s/ Vincent J. Naimoli                Director                  March 19, 1998
- --------------------------
Vincent J. Naimoli


/s/ Richard A. Nunis                  Director                  March 19, 1998
- --------------------------
Richard A. Nunis


/s/ Charles B. Reed                   Director                  March 19, 1998
- --------------------------
Charles B. Reed


/s/ Joan D. Ruffier                   Director                  March 19, 1998
- --------------------------
Joan D. Ruffier


/s/ Robert T. Stuart, Jr.             Director                  March 19, 1998
- --------------------------
Robert T. Stuart, Jr.


/s/ Jean Giles Wittner                Director                  March 19, 1998
- --------------------------
Jean Giles Wittner

 91



                                                                                                       Schedule II

                                           FLORIDA PROGRESS CORPORATION
                                         Valuation and Qualifying Accounts
                               For the Years Ended December 31, 1997, 1996, and 1995
                                                      (In millions)


                                                  Balance at   Additions                             Balance at
                                                  Beginning    Charged to     Other                    End of
          Description                             of Period    Expense      Deductions   Add (Ded)     Period
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997

                                                                                         
   Nuclear Refueling Outage Reserve                  $8.7       $14.0           $0.5     $  -           $22.2
                                                   =======     =======        =======     =======       =======
   Insurance policy benefit reserves               $325.3       $52.7          $  -      $(378.0)  (A)   $0.0
                                                   =======     =======        =======     =======       =======
   Provision for loss on coal properties            $40.9       $  -           $  -       $(28.1)       $12.8
                                                   =======     =======        =======     =======       =======

FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996

   Nuclear Refueling Outage Reserve                 $14.7       $17.4          $23.4       $  -           $8.7
                                                   =======     =======        =======     =======       =======
   Insurance policy benefit reserves               $265.0       $60.3          $  -        $  -         $325.3
                                                   =======     =======        =======     =======       =======
   Provision for loss on coal properties             $0.0       $40.9          $  -        $  -          $40.9
                                                   =======     =======        =======     =======       =======

FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1995

   Nuclear Refueling Outage Reserve                  $6.4       $12.7           $4.4       $  -          $14.7
                                                   =======     =======        =======     =======       =======
   Insurance policy benefit reserves               $222.5       $42.5          $  -        $  -         $265.0
                                                   =======     =======        =======     =======       =======


(A) Effective December 31, 1997,  Florida Progress  deconsolidated the financial
statements  of  Mid-Continent  Life in its  consolidated  financial  statements.
Florida Progress'  investment from Mid-Continent will prospectively be accounted
for under the cost method.
 

 92



                                                                            Schedule II
                                FLORIDA POWER CORPORATION
                            Valuation and Qualifying Accounts
                   For the Years Ended December 31, 1997, 1996, and 1995
                                        (In millions)


                                            Balance at  Additions             Balance at
                                            Beginning   Charged to Deductions   End of
              Description                   of Period    Expense   (See Note)   Period
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997
                                                                       
 1996 Nuclear Refueling Outage Reserve (#10)     $0.5       $0.0       $0.5        $0.0
 1998 Nuclear Refueling Outage Reserve (#11)     $8.2      $14.0       $0.0       $22.2
                                              -------    -------    -------     -------
                                                 $8.7      $14.0       $0.5       $22.2
                                              =======    =======    =======     =======

FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996

 1996 Nuclear Refueling Outage Reserve (#10)    $14.7       $9.2      $23.4        $0.5
 1998 Nuclear Refueling Outage Revenue (#11)     $0.0       $8.2       $0.0        $8.2
                                              -------    -------    -------     -------
                                                $14.7      $17.4      $23.4        $8.7
                                              =======    =======    =======     =======

FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1995

 1993 Nuclear Refueling Outage Reserve (#10)     $6.4       12.7       $4.4       $14.7
                                              -------    -------    -------     -------
                                                 $6.4      $12.7       $4.4       $14.7
                                              =======    =======    =======     =======

Note: Deductions are payments of actual expenditures related to the outage.