As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 4, 1998.
    
 
   
                                                      REGISTRATION NO. 333-56611
    
================================================================================
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
                             ---------------------

                                 POST-EFFECTIVE
                               AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO
 
                                    FORM S-3
                             REGISTRATION STATEMENT
                        UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
                             ---------------------
 
   

                                                                    
CONSECO, INC.                                          INDIANA            35-1468632
CONSECO FINANCING TRUST V                              DELAWARE           35-6653357
CONSECO FINANCING TRUST VI                             DELAWARE           35-6653358
CONSECO FINANCING TRUST VII                            DELAWARE           35-6653359
(Exact name of the Registrants                     (State or other        (I.R.S. Employer
as specified in their respective charters)           jurisdiction         Identification No.)
                                                 of incorporation or
                                                    organization)

    
 
                           11825 N. Pennsylvania St.
                             Carmel, Indiana 46032
                                 (317) 817-6100
         (Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including
          area code, of each Registrant's principal executive offices)
 
                             ---------------------
 
                               John J. Sabl, Esq.
                            Executive Vice President
                              and General Counsel
                                 Conseco, Inc.
                           11825 N. Pennsylvania St.
                             Carmel, Indiana 46032
   
                                 (317) 817-6163
    
           (Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number,
         including area code, of agent for service for each Registrant)
 
                             ---------------------
 
     APPROXIMATE DATE OF COMMENCEMENT OF PROPOSED SALE TO THE PUBLIC:  From time
to time after the Registration  Statement  becomes  effective,  as determined by
market conditions.
 
     If the only  securities  being  registered  on this Form are being  offered
pursuant to dividend or interest  reinvestment plans, please check the following
box. [ ]
 
     If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on
a delayed or continuous  basis  pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of
1933, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or interest
reinvestment plans, check the following box. [X]
 
     If this Form is filed to  register  additional  securities  for an offering
pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box
and list  the  Securities  Act  registration  statement  number  of the  earlier
effective registration statement for the same offering. [ ]
 
     If this Form is a  post-effective  amendment  filed pursuant to Rule 462(c)
under the  Securities  Act,  check the following box and list the Securities Act
registration  statement number of the earlier effective  registration  statement
for the same offering. [ ]
 
     If delivery of the  prospectus is expected to be made pursuant to Rule 434,
please check the following box. [ ]

                                                        (Continued on next page)
 
================================================================================

 
 
   
                             ---------------------
    
 
     THE REGISTRANTS  HEREBY AMEND THIS  REGISTRATION  STATEMENT ON SUCH DATE OR
     DATES AS MAY BE NECESSARY TO DELAY ITS EFFECTIVE DATE UNTIL THE REGISTRANTS
     SHALL  FILE  A  FURTHER  AMENDMENT  WHICH  SPECIFICALLY  STATES  THAT  THIS
     REGISTRATION STATEMENT SHALL THEREAFTER BECOME EFFECTIVE IN ACCORDANCE WITH
     SECTION  8(A)  OF THE  SECURITIES  ACT OF 1933 OR  UNTIL  THE  REGISTRATION
     STATEMENT  SHALL BECOME  EFFECTIVE ON SUCH DATE AS THE  COMMISSION,  ACTING
     PURSUANT TO SECTION 8(A), MAY DETERMINE.

     Pursuant to  Rule  429  under  the  Securities  Act of 1933, the Prospectus
     contained  herein  constitutes a combined  Prospectus  that also relates to
     $450,000,000   unsold  principal   amount  of  the  securities   previously
     registered  pursuant to the  Registration  Statement on Form S-3  (File No.
     333-27803).


 
    
PROSPECTUS
 
   
                                 $2,000,000,000
    
 
                                 CONSECO, INC.
    DEBT SECURITIES, PREFERRED STOCK, DEPOSITARY SHARES, COMMON STOCK, STOCK
             PURCHASE CONTRACTS, STOCK PURCHASE UNITS AND WARRANTS
 
                           CONSECO FINANCING TRUST V
                           CONSECO FINANCING TRUST VI
                          CONSECO FINANCING TRUST VII
           PREFERRED SECURITIES FULLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY GUARANTEED
                                BY CONSECO, INC.
                            ------------------------
 
     Conseco,  Inc., an Indiana  corporation  ("Conseco" or the "Company"),  may
offer  and  sell  from  time to  time,  in one or  more  series,  (i)  its  debt
securities,   consisting  of  debentures,   notes  and/or  other   evidences  of
indebtedness   representing   unsecured   obligations   of  Conseco  (the  "Debt
Securities"),  (ii)  shares  of its  preferred  stock,  no par  value  per share
("Preferred  Stock"),  which  may  be  represented  by  depositary  shares  (the
"Depositary  Shares") as described herein,  (iii) shares of its common stock, no
par value per share  ("Common  Stock"),  (iv) Stock Purchase  Contracts  ("Stock
Purchase  Contracts")  to purchase  shares of Common Stock,  (v) Stock  Purchase
Units,  each  representing  ownership of a Stock Purchase Contract and Preferred
Securities (as defined herein) or debt  obligations of third parties,  including
U.S. Treasury  securities,  securing the holder's  obligation to purchase Common
Stock  under the Stock  Purchase  Contracts  ("Stock  Purchase  Units") and (vi)
warrants to purchase Debt  Securities,  Preferred  Stock,  Common Stock or other
securities or rights ("Warrants").
 
   
     Conseco Financing Trust V, Conseco Financing Trust VI and Conseco Financing
Trust VII (each, a "Conseco Trust"),  statutory business trusts formed under the
laws  of the  State  of  Delaware,  may  offer,  from  time to  time,  preferred
securities,  representing preferred undivided beneficial interests in the assets
of the  respective  Conseco  Trusts  ("Preferred  Securities").  The  payment of
periodic  cash  distributions   ("Distributions")   with  respect  to  Preferred
Securities  out of moneys held by each of the Conseco  Trusts,  and  payments on
liquidation,  redemption or otherwise with respect to such Preferred Securities,
will be guaranteed by the Company to the extent described herein (each, a "Trust
Guarantee"). See "Description of Preferred Securities" and "Description of Trust
Guarantees."  The Company's  obligations  under the Trust  Guarantees  will rank
junior  and  subordinate  in right of payment  to all other  liabilities  of the
Company and pari passu with its obligations  under the most senior  preferred or
preference stock of the Company.  See "Description of Trust Guarantees -- Status
of the Trust  Guarantees."  Subordinated Debt Securities (as defined herein) may
be issued and sold by the Company in one or more series to a Conseco  Trust or a
trustee of such Conseco Trust in connection  with the investment of the proceeds
from the  offering of Preferred  Securities  and Common  Securities  (as defined
herein) of such Conseco Trust. The Subordinated  Debt Securities  purchased by a
Conseco Trust may be  subsequently  distributed pro rata to holders of Preferred
Securities  and Common  Securities in connection  with the  dissolution  of such
Conseco Trust. The Debt Securities,  Preferred Stock,  Depositary Shares, Common
Stock, Stock Purchase  Contracts,  Stock Purchase Units,  Warrants and Preferred
Securities are herein collectively referred to as the "Securities."
    
 
     Certain  specific  terms of the  particular  Securities in respect of which
this  Prospectus  is  being  delivered  will  be set  forth  in an  accompanying
supplement  to  this  Prospectus  (the  "Prospectus  Supplement"),   which  will
describe,  without  limitation and where applicable,  the following:  (i) in the
case of Debt Securities,  the specific designation,  aggregate principal amount,
ranking  as senior or  subordinated  Debt  Securities,  denomination,  maturity,
premium, if any, interest rate (which may be fixed or variable), time and method
of calculating interest, if any, place or places where principal of, premium, if
any, and interest, if any, on such Debt Securities

 
     will be payable,  the currencies or currency  units in which  principal of,
premium, if any, and interest,  if any, on such Debt Securities will be payable,
any terms of redemption or conversion, any sinking fund provisions, the purchase
price, any listing on a securities  exchange,  any right of the Company to defer
payment  of  interest  on the Debt  Securities  and the  maximum  length of such
deferral period and other special terms; (ii) in the case of Preferred Stock and
Depositary  Shares,  the  specific  designation,  stated  value and  liquidation
preference per share and number of shares offered, the purchase price,  dividend
rate  (which  may be  fixed or  variable),  method  of  calculating  payment  of
dividends,  place or places  where  dividends  on such  Preferred  Stock will be
payable, any terms of redemption,  dates on which dividends shall be payable and
dates from which dividends shall accrue,  any listing on a securities  exchange,
voting and other rights,  including  conversion or exchange rights,  if any, and
other special terms,  including whether interests in the Preferred Stock will be
represented  by  Depositary  Shares  and,  if so,  the  fraction  of a share  of
Preferred  Stock  represented  by each  Depositary  Share;  (iii) in the case of
Common Stock, the number of shares offered,  the initial offering price,  market
price and dividend  information;  (iv) in the case of Stock Purchase  Contracts,
the number of shares of Common Stock issuable thereunder,  the purchase price of
the Common Stock,  the date or dates on which the Common Stock is required to be
purchased by the holders of the Stock Purchase Contracts,  any periodic payments
required  to be  made  by the  Company  to the  holders  of the  Stock  Purchase
Contracts or vice versa, and the terms of the offering and sale thereof,  (v) in
the case of Stock  Purchase  Units,  the  specific  terms of the Stock  Purchase
Contracts and any  Preferred  Securities  or debt  obligations  of third parties
securing  the holder's  obligation  to purchase the Common Stock under the Stock
Purchase Contracts,  and the terms of the offering and sale thereof; (vi) in the
case of Warrants, the specific designation, the number, purchase price, exercise
price and other terms  thereof,  any listing of the  Warrants or the  underlying
Securities on a securities  exchange or any other terms in  connection  with the
offering,  sale and exercise of the Warrants,  as well as the terms on which and
the Securities  for which such Warrants may be exercised;  and (vii) in the case
of  Preferred  Securities,  the  specific  designation,  number  of  securities,
liquidation amount per security, the purchase price, any listing on a securities
exchange,  distribution rate (or method of calculation thereof),  dates on which
distributions  shall be payable and dates from which distributions shall accrue,
any voting rights,  terms for any conversion or exchange into other  securities,
any  redemption,   exchange  or  sinking  fund  provisions,  any  other  rights,
preferences,  privileges,  limitations or restrictions relating to the Preferred
Securities,  the specific  terms and  provisions  of the Guarantee and the terms
upon which the proceeds of the sale of the Preferred Securities shall be used to
purchase a specific series of Subordinated Debt Securities of the Company.
 
   
     The offering price to the public of the Securities  will be limited to U.S.
$2,000,000,000  in the aggregate  (or its  equivalent  (based on the  applicable
exchange rate at the time of issue), if Securities are offered for consideration
denominated  in one or more  foreign  currencies  or currency  units as shall be
designated by the Company).  The Debt  Securities  may be  denominated in United
States  dollars  or,  at  the  option  of the  Company  if so  specified  in the
applicable Prospectus Supplement,  in one or more foreign currencies or currency
units.  The Debt  Securities may be issued in registered form or bearer form, or
both. If so specified in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, Securities of one
or more  classes  or series may be issued in whole or in part in the form of one
or more temporary or permanent global securities.
    
 
     The Common Stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the trading
symbol "CNC".
 
     The Securities may be sold to or through  underwriters,  through dealers or
agents or directly to purchasers.  See "Plan of Distribution."  The names of any
underwriters,  dealers  or  agents  involved  in the sale of the  Securities  in
respect of which this  Prospectus  is being  delivered and any  applicable  fee,
commission or discount  arrangements with them will be set forth in a Prospectus
Supplement. See "Plan of Distribution" for possible indemnification arrangements
for dealers, underwriters and agents.
 
     This  Prospectus may not be used to consummate  sales of Securities  unless
accompanied   by  a  Prospectus   Supplement.   

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

     THESE  SECURITIES  HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR  DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES
AND  EXCHANGE  COMMISSION  OR  ANY  STATE  SECURITIES  COMMISSION  NOR  HAS  THE
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE  COMMISSION OR ANY STATE  SECURITIES  COMMISSION  PASSED
UPON THE  ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS  PROSPECTUS.  ANY  REPRESENTATION  TO THE
CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
 
   
               The date of this Prospectus is June 22, 1998.
    
 
                                        2

 
 
     State  insurance  holding  company laws and  regulations  applicable to the
Company generally provide that no person may acquire control of the Company, and
thus  indirect  control of its  insurance  subsidiaries,  unless such person has
provided certain  required  information to, and such acquisition is approved (or
not  disapproved)  by,  the  appropriate   insurance   regulatory   authorities.
Generally,  any  person  acquiring  beneficial  ownership  of 10% or more of the
Common  Stock  would be  presumed  to have  acquired  such  control,  unless the
appropriate insurance regulatory  authorities upon advance application determine
otherwise.
 
     NO DEALER,  SALESMAN OR OTHER  INDIVIDUAL  HAS BEEN  AUTHORIZED TO GIVE ANY
INFORMATION OR TO MAKE ANY REPRESENTATIONS NOT CONTAINED IN THIS PROSPECTUS, ANY
ACCOMPANYING  PROSPECTUS  SUPPLEMENT  OR THE  DOCUMENTS  INCORPORATED  OR DEEMED
INCORPORATED  BY  REFERENCE  HEREIN.  IF  GIVEN  OR MADE,  SUCH  INFORMATION  OR
REPRESENTATIONS MUST NOT BE RELIED UPON AS HAVING BEEN AUTHORIZED BY THE COMPANY
OR ANY  UNDERWRITER,  DEALER OR AGENT.  THIS  PROSPECTUS  DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN
OFFER TO SELL, OR A SOLICITATION  OF AN OFFER TO BUY, ANY SECURITIES  OTHER THAN
THE  REGISTERED  SECURITIES  TO  WHICH  IT  RELATES,  OR AN  OFFER  TO SELL OR A
SOLICITATION  OF AN OFFER TO BUY THOSE  SECURITIES  TO WHICH IT RELATES,  IN ANY
JURISDICTION  WHERE, OR TO ANY PERSON TO WHOM, IT IS UNLAWFUL TO MAKE SUCH OFFER
OR  SOLICITATION.  NEITHER THE  DELIVERY OF THIS  PROSPECTUS  OR ANY  PROSPECTUS
SUPPLEMENT NOR ANY SALE MADE HEREUNDER SHALL,  UNDER ANY  CIRCUMSTANCES,  CREATE
ANY  IMPLICATION  THAT  THERE HAS NOT BEEN ANY  CHANGE IN THE FACTS SET FORTH IN
THIS PROSPECTUS OR IN THE AFFAIRS OF THE COMPANY SINCE THE DATE HEREOF.
 
                             AVAILABLE INFORMATION
 
     The Company is subject to the informational  requirements of the Securities
Exchange  Act of 1934,  as amended  (the  "Exchange  Act"),  and, in  accordance
therewith,  files  reports,  proxy  statements  and other  information  with the
Securities  and Exchange  Commission  (the  "Commission").  Such reports,  proxy
statements  and other  information  filed by Conseco with the  Commission can be
inspected  and  copied at the  public  reference  facilities  maintained  by the
Commission at 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Room 1024, Washington,  D.C. 20549, and at
the following  regional  offices of the Commission:  New York Regional Office, 7
World Trade Center,  13th Floor,  New York, New York 10048; and Chicago Regional
Office, Citicorp Center, 500 West Madison Street, Suite 1400, Chicago,  Illinois
60661. Copies of such material can be obtained from the Public Reference Section
of the  Commission at 450 Fifth  Street,  N.W.,  Washington,  D.C.  20549,  upon
payment of the prescribed  rates.  In addition,  the Commission  maintains a Web
site  at  http://www.sec.gov   that  contains  reports,  proxy  and  information
statements and other information regarding  registrants,  including the Company,
that file  electronically  with the  Commission.  Copies of such reports,  proxy
statements and other information can also be inspected at the offices of the New
York Stock Exchange, 20 Broad Street, New York, New York 10005.
 
     The  Company  and the  Conseco  Trusts  have  filed with the  Commission  a
Registration  Statement on Form S-3 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended
(the  "Securities  Act"),  with respect to the Securities  offered hereby.  This
Prospectus,  which  constitutes  part of the  Registration  Statement,  does not
contain all of the information set forth in the  Registration  Statement and the
exhibits  thereto,  certain  parts of which are omitted in  accordance  with the
rules and regulations of the Commission.  Statements  contained herein or in any
Prospectus  Supplement  concerning the provisions of any document do not purport
to be complete and, in each instance, are qualified in all respects by reference
to the copy of such document filed as an exhibit to the  Registration  Statement
or otherwise filed with the Commission.  For further information with respect to
the Company, the Conseco Trusts and the Securities,  reference is hereby made to
such  Registration  Statement,  including the exhibits thereto and the documents
incorporated  herein by  reference,  which can be examined  at the  Commission's
principal office, 450 Fifth Street, N.W.,  Washington,  D.C. 20549, or copies of
which can be obtained  from the  Commission  at such office upon  payment of the
fees prescribed by the Commission.
 
     No separate  financial  statements of the Conseco Trusts have been included
or  incorporated  by reference  herein.  The Company does not consider that such
financial statements would be material to holders of the
 
                                        3

 
   
Preferred  Securities  because (i) all of the voting  securities  of the Conseco
Trusts  will be owned,  directly  or  indirectly,  by the  Company,  a reporting
company under the Exchange  Act,  (ii) the Conseco  Trusts have and will have no
independent  operations  but exist for the sole  purpose of  issuing  securities
representing  undivided  beneficial  interests in their assets and investing the
proceeds  thereof in  Subordinated  Debt Securities  issued by the Company,  and
(iii)  the  Company's  obligations  described  herein  and in  any  accompanying
Prospectus Supplement,  under the Declaration (as defined herein) (including the
obligation to pay expenses of the Conseco Trusts),  the  Subordinated  Indenture
and any supplemental indentures thereto, the Subordinated Debt Securities issued
to the Conseco Trust and the Trust Guarantees taken together,  constitute a full
and  unconditional  guarantee  by the Company of payments  due on the  Preferred
Securities.  See "Description of Preferred Securities of the Conseco Trusts" and
"Description of Trust Guarantees."
    
 
                INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE
 
     The following documents previously filed by the Company with the Commission
pursuant to the Exchange Act are incorporated herein by this reference:
 
     1. Annual  Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended  December 31, 1997
including Part III thereof which is incorporated by reference from the Company's
proxy statement dated April 10, 1998 for its annual meeting of shareholders (the
"Company's Annual Report");
 
     2. Quarterly  Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 1998;
 
     3. Current Reports on Form 8-K dated February 4, 1998,  April 6, 1998, June
3, 1998 and June 4, 1998; and
    
     4. The description of the Common Stock in its Registration Statements filed
pursuant to Section 12 of the Exchange  Act,  and any  amendment or report filed
for the purpose of updating any such description.
    
 
     All documents filed by the Company pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or
15(d) of the  Exchange  Act  subsequent  to the  date  hereof  and  prior to the
termination  of the offering made hereby shall be deemed to be  incorporated  by
reference in this Prospectus or any Prospectus  Supplement and to be part hereof
from the date of filing of such documents.
 
     Any statement contained herein, or in a document  incorporated or deemed to
be  incorporated  by  reference  herein,  shall  be  deemed  to be  modified  or
superseded  for  purposes  of this  Prospectus  to the extent  that a  statement
contained herein or in any other subsequently filed document which also is or is
deemed to be  incorporated  by  reference  herein  modifies or  supersedes  such
statement.  Any such  statement so modified or  superseded  shall not be deemed,
except as so modified or superseded,  to constitute a part of this Prospectus or
any  Prospectus   Supplement.   To  the  extent  that  any  proxy  statement  is
incorporated  by  reference  herein,  such  incorporation  shall not include any
information  contained  in such proxy  statement  that is not,  pursuant  to the
Commission's  rules,  deemed to be "filed" with the Commission or subject to the
liabilities of Section 18 of the Exchange Act.
 
     The  Company  will  provide  without  charge  to each  person  to whom this
Prospectus is delivered, upon the written or oral request of such person, a copy
of any or all of the  documents  incorporated  herein by  reference  (other than
exhibits to such documents unless such exhibits are specifically incorporated by
reference into such documents).  Any such request should be directed to James W.
Rosensteele,  Senior Vice President,  Corporate  Communications,  Conseco, Inc.,
11825 N. Pennsylvania  Street,  Carmel,  Indiana 46032 (telephone number:  (317)
817-2893).
 
                                        4

 
                                  THE COMPANY
 
     The Company is a financial services holding company.  The Company develops,
markets and administers supplemental health insurance,  annuity, life insurance,
individual and group major medical insurance and other insurance products. Since
1982,  the Company has acquired 19 insurance  groups.  The  Company's  operating
strategy is to grow the insurance  business within its  subsidiaries by focusing
its resources on the development and expansion of profitable products and strong
distribution  channels.  The Company has  supplemented  such growth by acquiring
companies that have profitable niche products and strong  distribution  systems.
Once an insurance company has been acquired,  the Company's  operating  strategy
has been to consolidate and streamline  management and administrative  functions
where appropriate,  to realize superior  investment returns through active asset
management, to eliminate unprofitable products and distribution channels, and to
expand and develop the profitable distribution channels and products.

     The Company was organized in 1979 as an Indiana  corporation  and commenced
operations  in 1982.  The  Company's  executive  offices are located at 11825 N.
Pennsylvania  Street,  Carmel,  Indiana  46032.  Its  telephone  number is (317)
817-6100.
 
                               THE CONSECO TRUSTS
 
     Each of the  Conseco  Trusts is a statutory  business  trust  formed  under
Delaware  law  pursuant to (i) a  declaration  of trust  (each a  "Declaration")
executed  by the  Company as sponsor  for such  trust (the  "Sponsor"),  and the
Conseco  Trustees  (as  defined  herein)  of such trust and (ii) the filing of a
certificate of trust with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on May
23, 1997.  Each Conseco Trust exists for the  exclusive  purposes of (i) issuing
and selling the Preferred  Securities and common securities  representing common
undivided  beneficial interests in the assets of such Conseco Trust (the "Common
Securities"   and,   together   with  the  Preferred   Securities,   the  "Trust
Securities"),  (ii)  using  the  gross  proceeds  from  the  sale  of the  Trust
Securities to acquire the  Subordinated  Debt  Securities  and (iii) engaging in
only those other  activities  necessary,  appropriate,  convenient or incidental
thereto.  All of the Common  Securities will be directly or indirectly  owned by
the Company.  The Common  Securities will rank pari passu,  and payments will be
made thereon pro rata, with the Preferred  Securities,  except that, if an event
of default under the Declaration  has occurred and is continuing,  the rights of
the holders of the Common  Securities to payment in respect of distributions and
payments upon liquidation,  redemption and otherwise will be subordinated to the
rights of the holders of the Preferred Securities.  The Company will directly or
indirectly acquire Common Securities in an aggregate liquidation amount equal to
at least 3% of the total capital of each Conseco Trust.
 
     Unless otherwise specified in the applicable  Prospectus  Supplement,  each
Conseco  Trust  has a term of up to 55  years  but  may  terminate  earlier,  as
provided in the  Declaration.  Each Conseco Trust's business and affairs will be
conducted by the trustees (the "Conseco  Trustees")  appointed by the Company as
the direct or indirect holder of all of the Common Securities. The holder of the
Common  Securities  will be entitled  to  appoint,  remove or replace any of, or
increase or reduce the number of, the Conseco  Trustees of each  Conseco  Trust.
The duties and  obligations  of the  Conseco  Trustees  shall be governed by the
Declaration  of such  Conseco  Trust.  A majority of the Conseco  Trustees  (the
"Regular  Trustees")  of each Conseco Trust will be persons who are employees or
officers of or who are affiliated with the Company.  One Conseco Trustee of each
Conseco Trust will be a financial  institution  that is not affiliated  with the
Company  and has a minimum  amount of  combined  capital and surplus of not less
than  $50,000,000,  which shall act as property trustee and as indenture trustee
for the purposes of compliance  with the  provisions  of Trust  Indenture Act of
1939, as amended (the "Trust Indenture Act"), pursuant to the terms set forth in
the applicable Prospectus Supplement (the "Institutional Trustee"). In addition,
unless the Institutional  Trustee maintains a principal place of business in the
State of Delaware and otherwise  meets the  requirements  of applicable law, one
Conseco Trustee of each Conseco Trust will be an entity having a principal place
of business  in, or a natural  person  resident  of, the State of Delaware  (the
"Delaware  Trustee").  The Company will pay all fees and expenses related to the
Conseco Trust and the offering of the Trust Securities.
 
   
     Unless otherwise  specified in the applicable  Prospectus  Supplement,  the
Institutional  Trustee for each  Conseco  Trust  shall be State  Street Bank and
Trust  Company.   Unless  otherwise  specified  in  the  applicable   Prospectus
Supplement,  the Delaware  Trustee for each  Conseco  Trust shall be First Union
Trust Company, National Association, and its address in the State of Delaware is
One Rodney Square,  920 King Street,  Wilmington,  Delaware 19801. The principal
place of business of each  Conseco  Trust shall be c/o Conseco,  Inc.,  11825 N.
Pennsylvania Street, Carmel, Indiana 46032; telephone (317) 817-6100.
    
 
                                        5

 
                                USE OF PROCEEDS
 
     Unless otherwise indicated in the accompanying  Prospectus Supplement,  the
net  proceeds  received by the Company from the sale of the  Securities  offered
hereby are expected to be used for general corporate purposes. The proceeds from
the sale of Preferred  Securities by the Conseco  Trusts will be invested in the
Subordinated  Debt  Securities  of  the  Company.  Except  as may  otherwise  be
described in the Prospectus  Supplement  relating to such Preferred  Securities,
the Company  expects to use the net proceeds from the sale of such  Subordinated
Debt  Securities  to the Conseco  Trusts for  general  corporate  purposes.  Any
specific  allocation of the proceeds to a particular  purpose that has been made
at the date of any Prospectus Supplement will be described therein.
 
             RATIOS OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES, EARNINGS TO FIXED
                     CHARGES AND PREFERRED STOCK DIVIDENDS
            AND EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES, PREFERRED STOCK DIVIDENDS
               AND DISTRIBUTIONS ON COMPANY-OBLIGATED MANDATORILY
              REDEEMABLE PREFERRED SECURITIES OF SUBSIDIARY TRUSTS
 
     The following  table sets forth the  Company's  ratios of earnings to fixed
charges, earnings to fixed charges and preferred stock dividends and earnings to
fixed charges,  preferred stock dividends and distributions on Company-obligated
mandatorily redeemable preferred securities of subsidiary trusts for each of the
five years ended December 31, 1997 and for the three months ended March 31, 1997
and 1998.

 


                                                                                   THREE MONTHS
                                                                                       ENDED
                                                  YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,            MARCH 31,
                                           -------------------------------------   -------------
                                            1993    1994    1995    1996    1997    1997   1998
                                            -----   -----   -----   -----   -----   -----  -----
                                                                      
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges:
  As reported............................   2.19X   2.26X   1.57X   1.61X   2.04X   1.96X   2.28X
  Excluding interest on annuities and
     financial product policyholder
     account balances(1)(2)..............   8.85X   4.55X   3.80X   4.55X   7.21X   7.36X   6.26X
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges and
  preferred dividends:
     As reported.........................   2.04X   1.95X   1.50X   1.50X   1.95X   1.74X   2.25X
     Excluding interest on annuities and
       financial product policyholder
       account balances(1)(2)............   6.00X   3.14X   3.06X   3.14X   5.77X   4.07X   5.93X
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges,
  preferred dividends and distributions
  on Company-obligated mandatorily
  redeemable preferred securities of
  subsidiary trusts:
     As reported.........................   2.04X   1.95X   1.50X   1.49X   1.82X   1.65X   2.01X
     Excluding interest on annuities and
       financial product policyholder
       account balances(1)(2)............   6.00X   3.14X   3.06X   3.06X   4.20X   3.28X   4.05X
 
- - ---------------
<FN>

(1) These ratios are  included to assist the reader in  analyzing  the impact of
    interest  on  annuities  and  financial  products  (which  is not  generally
    required to be paid in cash in the period it is recognized). Such ratios are
    not intended to, and do not,  represent  the  following  ratios  prepared in
    accordance with generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"): the ratio
    of earnings  to fixed  charges;  the ratio of earnings to fixed  charges and
    preferred  dividends;  or the ratio of earnings to fixed charges,  preferred
    dividends and  distributions  on  Company-obligated  mandatorily  redeemable
    preferred securities of subsidiary trusts.
 
(2) Excludes  interest  credited  to annuity  and  financial  products of $408.5
    million,  $134.7  million, $585.4 million, $668.6 million and $806.7 million
    for  the  years  ended  December  31,  1993,  1994,  1995,  1996  and  1997,
    respectively,  and $173.7  million and $188.4  million for the three  months
    ended March 31, 1997 and 1998, respectively.
</FN>



 
                                        6

 
                           DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES
 
     The Debt  Securities  offered hereby,  consisting of notes,  debentures and
other  evidences  of  indebtedness,  are to be  issued  in one  or  more  series
constituting  either  senior  Debt  Securities  ("Senior  Debt  Securities")  or
subordinated Debt Securities ("Subordinated Debt Securities").  Unless otherwise
specified in the applicable Prospectus  Supplement,  the Debt Securities will be
issued  pursuant  to  indentures  described  below (as  applicable,  the "Senior
Indenture" or the "Subordinated Indenture",  each, an "Indenture" and, together,
the  "Indentures"),  in each case between the Company and the trustee identified
therein (the  "Trustee"),  the forms of which have been filed as exhibits to the
Registration  Statement of which this  Prospectus  forms a part.  Except for the
subordination  provisions of the Subordinated Indenture,  for which there are no
counterparts  in the  Senior  Indenture,  the  provisions  of  the  Subordinated
Indenture  are  substantially  identical in substance to the  provisions  of the
Senior Indenture that bear the same section numbers.
 
     The  statements  herein  relating to the Debt  Securities and the following
summaries of certain  general  provisions of the Indentures do not purport to be
complete and are subject to, and are  qualified  in their  entirety by reference
to, all the provisions of the Indentures (as they may be amended or supplemented
from  time  to  time),  including  the  definitions  therein  of  certain  terms
capitalized in this  Prospectus.  All article and section  references  appearing
herein are to articles and  sections of the  applicable  Indenture  and whenever
particular  Sections or defined terms of the  Indentures (as they may be amended
or  supplemented  from time to time) are  referred to herein or in a  Prospectus
Supplement, such Sections or defined terms are incorporated herein or therein by
reference.
 
GENERAL
 
     The Debt  Securities  will be unsecured  obligations  of the  Company.  The
Indentures do not limit the  aggregate  amount of Debt  Securities  which may be
issued thereunder, nor do they limit the incurrence or issuance of other secured
or unsecured debt of the Company.  The Debt  Securities  issued under the Senior
Indenture  will be unsecured  and will rank pari passu with all other  unsecured
and unsubordinated  obligations of the Company. The Debt Securities issued under
the  Subordinated  Indenture will be subordinate and junior in right of payment,
to the extent and in the manner set forth in the Subordinated  Indenture, to all
Senior Indebtedness of the Company. See "-- Subordination under the Subordinated
Indenture."
 
     Reference  is made  to the  applicable  Prospectus  Supplement  which  will
accompany  this  Prospectus  for a  description  of the specific  series of Debt
Securities being offered thereby,  including, but not limited to, the following:
(1)  the  title,  designation  and  purchase  price,  of such  Debt  Securities,
including whether the Debt Securities are Senior Debt Securities or Subordinated
Debt Securities and whether such Debt Securities will be issued under the Senior
Indenture,  the  Subordinated  Indenture  or other  indenture  set  forth in the
Prospectus Supplement; (2) any limit upon the aggregate principal amount of such
Debt Securities; (3) the date or dates on which the principal of and premium, if
any, on such Debt Securities will mature or the method of determining  such date
or dates;  (4) the rate or rates  (which may be fixed or variable) at which such
Debt  Securities will bear interest,  if any, or the method of calculating  such
rate or rates; (5) the date or dates from which interest, if any, will accrue or
the method by which such date or dates will be determined; (6) the date or dates
on  which  interest,  if any,  will be  payable  and the  record  date or  dates
therefor;  (7) the place or places  where  principal  of,  premium,  if any, and
interest,  if any, on such Debt  Securities  will be payable;  (8) the right, if
any, of the Company to defer  payment of  interest  on Debt  Securities  and the
maximum  length of any such deferral  period;  (9) the period or periods  within
which,  the price or prices at which,  the  currency  or  currencies  (including
currency unit or units) in which, and the terms and conditions upon which,  such
Debt  Securities  may be  redeemed,  in whole or in part,  at the  option of the
Company; (10) the obligation,  if any, of the Company to redeem or purchase such
Debt Securities pursuant to any sinking fund or analogous provisions or upon the
happening of a specified event and the period or periods within which, the price
or prices at which and the other  terms and  conditions  upon  which,  such Debt
Securities shall be redeemed or purchased, in whole or in part, pursuant to such
obligations; (11) the denominations in which such Debt Securities are authorized
to be issued;  (12) the currency or currency unit for which Debt  Securities may
be purchased or in which Debt Securities may be denominated  and/or the currency
or currencies (including currency unit or units) in which principal of, premium,
if any, and interest, if
 
                                        7

 
   
any,  on such Debt  Securities  will be payable  and  whether the Company or the
holders of any such Debt Securities may elect to receive  payments in respect of
such Debt  Securities  in a currency or  currency  unit other than that in which
such Debt Securities are stated to be payable;  (13) if other than the principal
amount  thereof,  the portion of the  principal  amount of such Debt  Securities
which will be payable  upon  declaration  of the  acceleration  of the  maturity
thereof or the method by which such portion shall be determined; (14) the person
to whom any  interest on any such Debt  Security  shall be payable if other than
the person in whose name such Debt  Security  is  registered  on the  applicable
record date;  (15) any addition to, or modification or deletion of, any Event of
Default or any covenant of the Company  specified in the Indenture  with respect
to such  Debt  Securities;  (16)  the  application,  if any,  of such  means  of
defeasance or covenant  defeasance as may be specified for such Debt Securities;
(17)  whether such Debt  Securities  are to be issued in whole or in part in the
form of one or more  temporary or permanent  global  securities  and, if so, the
identity of the  depositary  for such global  security or  securities;  (18) any
Federal income tax considerations  applicable to holders of the Debt Securities;
and (19) any other special  terms  pertaining  to such Debt  Securities.  Unless
otherwise specified in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, the Debt Securities
will not be listed on any securities exchange. (Section 3.1.)
    
 
     Unless otherwise specified in the applicable  Prospectus  Supplement,  Debt
Securities will be issued in fully-registered  form without coupons.  Where Debt
Securities of any series are issued in bearer form, the special restrictions and
considerations,  including  special  offering  restrictions  and special Federal
income tax considerations, applicable to any such Debt Securities and to payment
on and transfer and  exchange of such Debt  Securities  will be described in the
applicable Prospectus Supplement. Bearer Debt Securities will be transferable by
delivery. (Section 3.5.)
 
     Debt  Securities  may be sold at a substantial  discount below their stated
principal amount, bearing no interest or interest at a rate which at the time of
issuance is below market rates.  Certain  Federal  income tax  consequences  and
special  considerations  applicable  to any  such  Debt  Securities,  or to Debt
Securities  issued at par that are  treated as having been issued at a discount,
will be described in the applicable Prospectus Supplement.
 
   
     If the purchase  price of any of the Debt  Securities  is payable in one or
more  foreign  currencies  or  currency  units  or if any  Debt  Securities  are
denominated  in one or more  foreign  currencies  or  currency  units  or if the
principal of,  premium,  if any, or interest,  if any, on any Debt Securities is
payable in one or more foreign  currencies or currency units, or by reference to
commodity prices, equity indices or other factors, the restrictions,  elections,
certain Federal income tax considerations,  specific terms and other information
with  respect to such issue of Debt  Securities  and such  foreign  currency  or
currency units or commodity prices,  equity indices or other factors will be set
forth in the  applicable  Prospectus  Supplement.  In  general,  holders of such
series of Debt  Securities  may  receive  a  principal  amount on any  principal
payment date, or a payment of premium,  if any, on any premium  interest payment
date or a payment of interest on any interest payment date, that is greater than
or less than the amount of  principal,  premium,  if any, or interest  otherwise
payable on such dates,  depending  on the value on such dates of the  applicable
currency, commodity, equity index or other factor.
    
 
PAYMENT, REGISTRATION, TRANSFER AND EXCHANGE
 
     Unless otherwise provided in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, payments
in respect of the Debt Securities will be made in the designated currency at the
office or agency of the Company  maintained  for that purpose as the Company may
designate from time to time, except that, at the option of the Company, interest
payments,  if any,  on Debt  Securities  in  registered  form may be made (i) by
checks  mailed to the  holders  of Debt  Securities  entitled  thereto  at their
registered  addresses or (ii) by wire  transfer to an account  maintained by the
person entitled thereto as specified in the Register. (Sections 3.7(a) and 9.2.)
Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable Prospectus  Supplement,  payment of
any  installment of interest on Debt  Securities in registered form will be made
to the person in whose name such Debt  Security  is  registered  at the close of
business on the regular record date for such interest. (Section 3.7(a).)
 
                                        8

 
     Payment in respect of Debt  Securities  in bearer  form will be made in the
currency and in the manner designated in the Prospectus  Supplement,  subject to
any applicable laws and regulations,  at such paying agencies outside the United
States as the Company may appoint from time to time.  The paying agents  outside
the  United  States  initially  appointed  by the  Company  for a series of Debt
Securities  will be named in the Prospectus  Supplement.  The Company may at any
time designate additional paying agents or rescind the designation of any paying
agents,  except that, if Debt  Securities of a series are issuable as Registered
Securities,  the Company  will be required to maintain at least one paying agent
in each Place of Payment for such series and, if Debt Securities of a series are
issuable as Bearer Securities, the Company will be required to maintain a paying
agent in a Place of Payment  outside the United States where Debt  Securities of
such  series  and  any  coupons   appertaining  thereto  may  be  presented  and
surrendered for payment. (Section 9.2.)
 
     Unless otherwise  provided in the applicable  Prospectus  Supplement,  Debt
Securities in registered form will be transferable or exchangeable at the agency
of the Company  maintained  for such purpose as  designated  by the Company from
time to time.  (Sections 3.5 and 9.2.) Debt  Securities  may be  transferred  or
exchanged  without  service  charge,  other  than any tax or other  governmental
charge imposed in connection therewith. (Section 3.5.)
 
GLOBAL DEBT SECURITIES
 
   
     Unless otherwise  specified in the applicable  Prospectus  Supplement,  the
Debt Securities of a series may be issued in whole or in part in the form of one
or more fully registered global securities (a "Registered Global Security") that
will be deposited with a depository (the "Depository") or with a nominee for the
Depository identified in the applicable Prospectus  Supplement.  In such a case,
one or more  Registered  Global  Securities  will be issued in a denomination or
aggregate  denominations  equal to the portion of the aggregate principal amount
of  outstanding  Debt  Securities  of  the  series  to be  represented  by  such
Registered Global Security or Securities.  (Section 3.3.) Unless and until it is
exchanged in whole or in part for Debt  Securities  in  definitive  certificated
form,  a  Registered  Global  Security  may not be  registered  for  transfer or
exchange except as a whole by the Depository for such Registered Global Security
to a nominee  of such  Depository  or by a nominee  of such  Depository  to such
Depository or another  nominee of such  Depository or by such  Depository or any
such  nominee to a  successor  Depository  for such  series or a nominee of such
successor Depository and except in the circumstances described in the applicable
Prospectus Supplement. (Section 3.5.)
    
 
     The  specific  terms of the  depository  arrangement  with  respect  to any
portion of a series of Debt Securities to be represented by a Registered  Global
Security  will be  described in the  applicable  Prospectus  Supplement.  Unless
otherwise specified in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, the Company expects
that the following provisions will apply to such depository arrangements.
 
     Ownership of beneficial  interests in a Registered  Global Security will be
limited to participants or persons that may hold interests through  participants
(as such term is defined  below).  Upon the  issuance of any  Registered  Global
Security,  and the deposit of such Registered  Global Security with or on behalf
of the Depository  for such  Registered  Global  Security,  the Depository  will
credit,  on its  book-entry  registration  and transfer  system,  the respective
principal  amounts of the Debt Securities  represented by such Registered Global
Security to the accounts of  institutions  ("participants")  that have  accounts
with  the  Depository  or its  nominee.  The  accounts  to be  credited  will be
designated by the  underwriters or agents  engaging in the  distribution of such
Debt Securities or by the Company,  if such Debt Securities are offered and sold
directly by the Company.  Ownership of beneficial  interests by  participants in
such  Registered  Global  Security  will be shown on, and the  transfer  of such
beneficial  interests will be effected only through,  records  maintained by the
Depository for such Registered  Global Security or by its nominee.  Ownership of
beneficial  interests in such  Registered  Global  Security by persons that hold
through  participants  will be shown on,  and the  transfer  of such  beneficial
interests  within such  participants  will be  effected  only  through,  records
maintained by such  participants.  The laws of some  jurisdictions  require that
certain  purchasers of securities  take physical  delivery of such securities in
certificated  form.  The  foregoing  limitations  and such laws may  impair  the
ability to transfer beneficial interests in such Registered Global Security.
 
                                        9

 
     So long as the Depository for a Registered Global Security, or its nominee,
is the registered owner of such Registered  Global Security,  such Depository or
such nominee, as the case may be, will be considered the sole owner or holder of
the Debt  Securities  represented  by such  Registered  Global  Security for all
purposes  under the  applicable  Indenture.  Unless  otherwise  specified in the
applicable  Prospectus  Supplement  and  except as  specified  below,  owners of
beneficial  interests in such Registered Global Security will not be entitled to
have  Debt  Securities  of the  series  represented  by such  Registered  Global
Security  registered in their names,  will not receive or be entitled to receive
physical  delivery of Debt  Securities of such series in  certificated  form and
will not be considered  the holders  thereof for any purposes under the relevant
Indenture.  (Section 3.8.) Accordingly, each person owning a beneficial interest
in such Registered Global Security must rely on the procedures of the Depository
and, if such person is not a participant,  on the procedures of the  participant
through which such person owns its interest,  to exercise any rights of a holder
under the relevant  Indenture.  The  Depository  may grant proxies and otherwise
authorize  participants  to give or take  any  request,  demand,  authorization,
direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action which a holder is entitled to
give or take under the relevant  Indenture.  The Company understands that, under
existing industry practices, if the Company requests any action of holders or if
any owner of a beneficial interest in such Registered Global Security desires to
give any notice or take any action  which a holder is  entitled  to give or take
under the relevant Indenture, the Depository would authorize the participants to
give such notice or take such  action,  and such  participants  would  authorize
beneficial  owners owning through such  participants to give such notice or take
such action or would otherwise act upon the  instructions  of beneficial  owners
owning through them.
 
     Unless  otherwise  specified  in  the  applicable  Prospectus   Supplement,
payments with respect to principal,  premium,  if any, and interest,  if any, on
Debt Securities  represented by a Registered  Global Security  registered in the
name of a  Depository  or its  nominee  will be made to such  Depository  or its
nominee,  as the case may be, as the registered owner of such Registered  Global
Security.
 
   
     The Company expects that the Depository for any Debt Securities represented
by a  Registered  Global  Security,  upon  receipt of any payment of  principal,
premium  or  interest,  will  immediately  credit  participants'  accounts  with
payments in amounts  proportionate to their respective  beneficial  interests in
the principal amount of such Registered  Global Security as shown on the records
of such  Depository.  The Company also expects that payments by  participants to
owners of beneficial  interests in such Registered  Global Security held through
such  participants  will be  governed  by standing  instructions  and  customary
practices,  as is now the case  with the  securities  held for the  accounts  of
customers  registered in "street names," and will be the  responsibility of such
participants.  None of the Company,  the respective Trustees or any agent of the
Company or the respective  Trustees shall have any  responsibility  or liability
for any  aspect of the  records  relating  to or  payments  made on  account  of
beneficial  interests  of a  Registered  Global  Security,  or for  maintaining,
supervising  or reviewing  any records  relating to such  beneficial  interests.
(Section 3.8.)
    
 
     Unless otherwise specified in the applicable Prospectus Supplement,  if the
Depository for any Debt Securities  represented by a Registered  Global Security
is at any time  unwilling or unable to continue as  Depository or ceases to be a
clearing  agency  registered  under  the  Exchange  Act  and a  duly  registered
successor Depository is not appointed by the Company within 90 days, the Company
will issue such Debt Securities in definitive  certificated form in exchange for
such Registered Global Security. In addition, the Company may at any time and in
its sole discretion determine not to have any of the Debt Securities of a series
represented by one or more Registered Global Securities and, in such event, will
issue Debt Securities of such series in definitive certificated form in exchange
for all of the Registered  Global Security or Securities  representing such Debt
Securities. (Section 3.5.)
 
     The Debt  Securities  of a series may also be issued in whole or in part in
the form of one or more bearer global  securities (a "Bearer  Global  Security")
that will be deposited with a depository, or with a nominee for such depository,
identified  in the  applicable  Prospectus  Supplement.  Any such Bearer  Global
Security  may be issued in  temporary  or  permanent  form.  (Section  3.4.) The
specific  terms and  procedures,  including the specific terms of the depository
arrangement,  with respect to any portion of a series of Debt  Securities  to be
represented  by one or more Bearer  Global  Securities  will be described in the
applicable Prospectus Supplement.
 
                                       10

 
CONSOLIDATION, MERGER OR SALE BY THE COMPANY
 
     Unless otherwise  specified in the applicable  Prospectus  Supplement,  the
Company shall not consolidate  with or merge into any other  corporation or sell
its assets  substantially as an entirety,  unless: (i) the corporation formed by
such  consolidation or into which the Company is merged or the corporation which
acquires  its assets is  organized in the United  States;  (ii) the  corporation
formed  by such  consolidation  or into  which  the  Company  is merged or which
acquires the Company's assets substantially as an entirety expressly assumes all
of the obligations of the Company under each Indenture;  (iii) immediately after
giving  effect to such  transaction,  no Default or Event of Default  shall have
happened  and be  continuing,  and (iv) if,  as a  result  of such  transaction,
properties or assets of the Company would become subject to an encumbrance which
would not be  permitted  by the  terms of any  series  of Debt  Securities,  the
Company or the successor corporation,  as the case may be, shall take such steps
as are  necessary  to secure such Debt  Securities  equally and ratably with all
indebtedness  secured thereunder.  Upon any such consolidation,  merger or sale,
the  successor  corporation  formed  by such  consolidation,  or into  which the
Company  is  merged or to which  such sale is made,  shall  succeed  to,  and be
substituted for the Company under each Indenture. (Section 7.1.)
 
EVENTS OF DEFAULT, NOTICE AND CERTAIN RIGHTS ON DEFAULT
 
     Each  Indenture  provides  that, if an Event of Default  specified  therein
occurs with respect to the Debt Securities of any series and is continuing,  the
Trustee for such series or the holders of 25% in aggregate  principal  amount of
all of the outstanding Debt Securities of that series,  by written notice to the
Company (and to the Trustee for such series,  if notice is given by such holders
of Debt Securities), may declare the principal of (or, if the Debt Securities of
that series are Original Issue Discount Securities or Indexed  Securities,  such
portion of the principal  amount  specified in the  Prospectus  Supplement)  and
accrued interest on all the Debt Securities of that series to be due and payable
(provided,  with respect to any Debt  Securities  issued under the  Subordinated
Indenture,  that the payment of principal  and interest on such Debt  Securities
shall  remain  subordinated  to  the  extent  provided  in  Article  12  of  the
Subordinated Indenture). (Section 5.2.)
 
   
     Unless otherwise specified in the applicable Prospectus Supplement,  Events
of Default  with  respect to Debt  Securities  of any series are defined in each
Indenture  as being:  (a) default for 30 days in payment of any  interest on any
Debt  Security  of  that  series  or  any  coupon  appertaining  thereto  or any
additional  amount  payable  with respect to Debt  Securities  of such series as
specified  in the  applicable  Prospectus  Supplement  when due;  (b) default in
payment of  principal,  or premium,  if any, at  maturity  or on  redemption  or
otherwise,  or in the making of a  mandatory  sinking  fund  payment of any Debt
Securities  of that series when due; (c) default for 60 days after notice to the
Company by the Trustee for such  series,  or by the holders of 25% in  aggregate
principal amount of the Debt Securities of such series then outstanding,  in the
performance of any other agreement in the Debt Securities of that series, in the
Indenture  or in any  supplemental  indenture  or board  resolution  referred to
therein under which the Debt Securities of that series may have been issued; (d)
default  resulting  in  acceleration  of other  indebtedness  of the Company for
borrowed money where the aggregate  principal amount so accelerated  exceeds $25
million and such  acceleration is not rescinded or annulled within 30 days after
the written  notice  thereof to the Company by the Trustee or to the Company and
the  Trustee by the  holders of 25% in  aggregate  principal  amount of the Debt
Securities of such series then outstanding,  provided that such Event of Default
will  be  remedied,  cured  or  waived  if  the  default  that  resulted  in the
acceleration of such other  indebtedness is remedied,  cured or waived;  and (e)
certain  events of  bankruptcy,  insolvency  or  reorganization  of the Company.
(Section   5.1.)  The  definition  of  "Event  of  Default"  in  each  Indenture
specifically excludes a default under a secured debt under which the obligee has
recourse  (exclusive  of recourse for  ancillary  matters such as  environmental
indemnities,  misapplication of funds,  costs of enforcement,  etc.) only to the
collateral  pledged  for  repayment,  and  where the fair  market  value of such
collateral  does not exceed  two  percent  of Total  Assets  (as  defined in the
Indenture)  at the time of the  default.  Events of  Default  with  respect to a
specified  series of Debt  Securities  may be added to the Indenture  and, if so
added, will be described in the applicable Prospectus Supplement.  (Sections 3.1
and 5.1(7).)
    
 
     Each  Indenture  provides that the Trustee  will,  within 90 days after the
occurrence of a Default with respect to the Debt Securities of any series,  give
to the  holders of the Debt  Securities  of that series  notice of all  Defaults
known to it unless such Default  shall have been cured or waived;  provided that
except in the case of
 
                                       11

 
a Default in payment on the Debt  Securities  of that  series,  the  Trustee may
withhold the notice if and so long as a committee of its Responsible Officers in
good faith  determines that  withholding  such notice is in the interests of the
holders of the Debt  Securities of that series.  (Section 6.6.)  "Default" means
any event  which is, or after  notice or passage  of time or both,  would be, an
Event of Default. (Section 1.1.)
 
     Each  Indenture  provides  that the  holders  of a  majority  in  aggregate
principal  amount of the Debt Securities of each series affected (with each such
series voting as a class) may, subject to certain limited conditions, direct the
time,  method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to
the Trustee for such series,  or exercising any trust or power conferred on such
Trustee. (Section 5.8.)
 
     Each Indenture includes a covenant that the Company will file annually with
the Trustee a certificate as to the Company's compliance with all conditions and
covenants of such Indenture. (Section 9.5.)
 
     The holders of a majority in  aggregate  principal  amount of any series of
Debt Securities by notice to the Trustee for such series may waive, on behalf of
the holders of all Debt Securities of such series,  any past Default or Event of
Default  with  respect to that series and its  consequences  except a Default or
Event of Default  in the  payment  of the  principal  of,  premium,  if any,  or
interest,  if any,  on any Debt  Security,  and except in respect of an Event of
Default resulting from the breach of a covenant or provision of either Indenture
which,  pursuant  to the  applicable  Indenture,  cannot be amended or  modified
without  the consent of the holders of each  outstanding  Debt  Security of such
series affected. (Section 5.7.)
 
OPTION TO DEFER INTEREST PAYMENTS
 
   
     If provided in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, the Company shall have
the right at any time and from  time to time  during  the term of the  series of
Debt  Securities to defer the payment of interest for such number of consecutive
interest  payment  periods  as may be  specified  in the  applicable  Prospectus
Supplement (each, an "Extension Period"),  subject to the terms,  conditions and
covenants,  if any, specified in such Prospectus Supplement,  provided that such
Extension  Period  may  not  extend  beyond  the  stated  maturity  of the  Debt
Securities.  Certain  material United States Federal income tax consequences and
special considerations  applicable to any such Debt Securities will be described
in the applicable Prospectus Supplement.
    
 
   
     Unless otherwise specified in the applicable Prospectus Supplement,  at the
end of such  Extension  Period,  the Company shall pay all interest then accrued
and unpaid together with interest  thereon  compounded  semiannually at the rate
specified  for the Debt  Securities to the extent  permitted by  applicable  law
("Compound Interest");  provided, that during any such Extension Period, (a) the
Company shall not declare or pay dividends on, make  distributions  with respect
to, or redeem, purchase,  acquire or make a liquidation payment with respect to,
any of its capital  stock (other than (i) purchases or  acquisitions  of capital
stock of the Company in connection  with the  satisfaction by the Company of its
obligations under any employee or agent benefit plans or the satisfaction by the
Company of its obligations  pursuant to any contract or security  outstanding on
the date of such event  requiring  the Company to purchase  capital stock of the
Company,  (ii) as a result of a reclassification  of the Company's capital stock
or the exchange or conversion  of one class or series of the  Company's  capital
stock for another  class or series of the  Company's  capital  stock,  (iii) the
purchase  of  fractional  interests  in shares of the  Company's  capital  stock
pursuant to the  conversion of exchange  provisions of such capital stock or the
security  being  conversed or  exchanged,  (iv)  dividends or  distributions  in
capital stock of the Company (or rights to acquire capital stock) or repurchases
or  redemptions of capital stock solely from the issuance or exchange of capital
stock or (v)  redemptions  or  repurchases  of any  rights  outstanding  under a
shareholder  rights  plan),  (b) the  Company  shall  not  make any  payment  of
interest,  principal or premium,  if any, on or repay,  repurchase or redeem any
debt securities  issued by the Company that rank junior to the Debt  Securities,
and (c) the Company  shall not make any  guarantee  payments with respect to the
foregoing  (other than  payments  pursuant to the Trust  Guarantee or the Common
Guarantee (as defined  herein)).  Prior to the termination of any such Extension
Period,  the Company may further  defer  payments of interest by  extending  the
interest  payment  period;  provided,  however,  that,  such  Extension  Period,
including  all such previous and further  extensions,  may not extend beyond the
maturity of the Debt  Securities.  Upon the termination of any Extension  Period
and the  payment  of all  amounts  then due,  the  Company  may  commence  a new
Extension Period, subject to the terms set forth in this section. No
    
 
                                       12

 
   
interest during an Extension Period, except at the end thereof, shall be due and
payable,  but the  Company  may  prepay  at any time all or any  portion  of the
interest  accrued  during  an  Extension  Period.  The  Company  has no  present
intention of exercising its right to defer payments of interest by extending the
interest payment period on the Debt  Securities.  If the  Institutional  Trustee
shall be the sole  holder of the Debt  Securities,  the  Company  shall give the
Regular Trustees and the  Institutional  Trustee notice of its selection of such
Extension  Period  one  Business  Day  prior  to the  earlier  of (i)  the  date
distributions  on the  Preferred  Securities  are  payable  or (ii) the date the
Regular  Trustees are required to give notice to the New York Stock Exchange (or
other  applicable  self-regulatory  organization) or to holders of the Preferred
Securities  of the  record or payment  date of such  distribution.  The  Regular
Trustees shall give notice of the Company's  selection of such Extension  Period
to the holders of the Preferred  Securities.  If the Institutional Trustee shall
not be the sole  holder  of the Debt  Securities,  the  Company  shall  give the
holders of the Debt Securities  notice of its selection of such Extension Period
ten Business Days prior to the earlier of (i) the Interest  Payment Date or (ii)
the date upon which the Company is required to give notice to the New York Stock
Exchange (or other applicable self-regulatory organization) or to holders of the
Debt Securities of the record or payment date of such related interest payment.
    
 
MODIFICATION OF THE INDENTURES
 
     Unless otherwise specified in the applicable  Prospectus  Supplement,  each
Indenture  contains  provisions  permitting the Company and the Trustee to enter
into one or more supplemental  indentures  without the consent of the holders of
any of the Debt  Securities  in order (i) to evidence the  succession of another
corporation to the Company and the assumption of the covenants of the Company by
a  successor  to the  Company;  (ii) to add to the  covenants  of the Company or
surrender any right or power of the Company;  (iii) to add additional  Events of
Default with respect to any series of Debt Securities; (iv) to add or change any
provisions to such extent as necessary to permit or  facilitate  the issuance of
Debt  Securities  in  bearer  form;  (v) to change or  eliminate  any  provision
affecting  only  Debt  Securities  not yet  issued;  (vi)  to  secure  the  Debt
Securities;  (vii) to establish the form or terms of Debt Securities;  (viii) to
evidence and provide for successor  Trustees;  (ix) if allowed  without  penalty
under  applicable  laws and  regulations,  to permit  payment in respect of Debt
Securities  in bearer  form in the United  States;  (x) to correct any defect or
supplement  any  inconsistent  provisions or to make any other  provisions  with
respect to matters or questions arising under such Indenture, provided that such
action does not adversely  affect the interests of any holder of Debt Securities
of any  series;  or (xi) to cure any  ambiguity  or  correct  any  mistake.  The
Subordinated  Indenture  also permits the Company and the Trustee  thereunder to
enter into such supplemental  indentures to modify the subordination  provisions
contained  in the  Subordinated  Debenture  except  in a manner  adverse  to any
outstanding Debt Securities. (Section 8.1.)
 
     Unless otherwise specified in the applicable  Prospectus  Supplement,  each
Indenture also contains provisions  permitting the Company and the Trustee, with
the consent of the holders of a majority in  aggregate  principal  amount of the
outstanding Debt Securities  affected by such  supplemental  indenture (with the
Debt  Securities  of each  series  voting as a class),  to execute  supplemental
indentures  adding any  provisions  to or  changing  or  eliminating  any of the
provisions  of such  Indenture or any  supplemental  indenture or modifying  the
rights of the holders of Debt  Securities of such series,  except that,  without
the  consent  of  the  holder  of  each  Debt  Security  so  affected,  no  such
supplemental  indenture  may:  (i) change the time for payment of  principal  or
premium, if any, or interest on any Debt Security; (ii) reduce the principal of,
or any installment of principal of, or premium,  if any, or interest on any Debt
Security,  or change the manner in which the amount of any of the  foregoing  is
determined;  (iii)  reduce  the  amount of  premium,  if any,  payable  upon the
redemption  of any Debt  Security;  (iv) reduce the amount of principal  payable
upon  acceleration  of the  maturity  of any  Original  Issue  Discount or Index
Security; (v) change the currency or currency unit in which any Debt Security or
any premium or interest  thereon is payable;  (vi) impair the right to institute
suit for the enforcement of any payment on or with respect to any Debt Security;
(vii)  reduce  the  percentage  in  principal  amount  of the  outstanding  Debt
Securities  affected  thereby  the  consent  of whose  holders is  required  for
modification  or amendment of such  Indenture or for waiver of  compliance  with
certain  provisions of the Indenture or for waiver of certain  defaults;  (viii)
change the  obligation  of the  Company to  maintain  an office or agency in the
places  and for the  purposes  specified  in such  Indenture;  (ix)  modify  the
provisions relating to
 
                                       13

 
the  subordination  of  outstanding  Debt  Securities  of any series in a manner
adverse to the holders thereof;  or (x) modify the provisions relating to waiver
of certain defaults or any of the foregoing provisions. (Section 8.2.)
 
SUBORDINATION UNDER THE SUBORDINATED INDENTURE
 
     The Subordinated  Indenture  provides that any Subordinated Debt Securities
issued   thereunder  are   subordinated  in  right  of  payment  to  all  Senior
Indebtedness to the extent provided in the Subordinated Indenture. (Section 12.1
of the  Subordinated  Indenture.) The  Subordinated  Indenture  defines the term
"Senior  Indebtedness"  as:  (i)  all  indebtedness  of  the  Company,   whether
outstanding  on the date of the  Subordinated  Indenture or thereafter  created,
incurred or assumed,  which is for money  borrowed,  or  evidenced  by a note or
similar  instrument  given in connection  with the  acquisition of any business,
properties or assets,  including securities;  (ii) any indebtedness of others of
the kinds  described  in the  preceding  clause (i) for the payment of which the
Company  is  responsible  or  liable  as  guarantor  or  otherwise;   and  (iii)
amendments,  renewals,  extensions and refundings of any such indebtedness.  The
Senior Indebtedness shall continue to be Senior Indebtedness and entitled to the
benefits  of  the  subordination   provisions  irrespective  of  any  amendment,
modification  or waiver of any term of the Senior  Indebtedness  or extension or
renewal of the Senior Indebtedness. Senior Indebtedness does not include (A) any
indebtedness  of  the  Company  to any of  its  subsidiaries,  (B)  indebtedness
incurred for the purchase of goods or materials or for services  obtained in the
ordinary  course  of  business  and (C) any  indebtedness  which by its terms is
expressly  made  pari  passu  with  or  subordinated  to the  Subordinated  Debt
Securities. (Section 12.2 of the Subordinated Indenture.)
 
     If (i) the Company defaults in the payment of any principal, or premium, if
any,  or  interest  on any Senior  Indebtedness  when the same  becomes  due and
payable, whether at maturity or at a date fixed for prepayment or declaration or
otherwise  or (ii) an  event  of  default  occurs  with  respect  to any  Senior
Indebtedness  permitting the holders thereof to accelerate the maturity  thereof
and  written  notice of such  event of  default  (requesting  that  payments  on
Subordinated  Debt  Securities  cease) is given to the Company by the holders of
Senior  Indebtedness,  then unless and until such default in payment or event of
default shall have been cured or waived or shall have ceased to exist, no direct
or indirect payment (in cash,  property or securities,  by set-off or otherwise)
shall  be  made  or  agreed  to be  made on  account  of the  Subordinated  Debt
Securities  or  interest  thereon or in respect  of any  repayment,  redemption,
retirement,  purchase or other  acquisition  of  Subordinated  Debt  Securities.
(Section 12.4 of the Subordinated Indenture.)
 
     In the event of (i) any insolvency, bankruptcy, receivership,  liquidation,
reorganization,  readjustment,  composition or other similar proceeding relating
to the Company,  its  creditors or its  property,  (ii) any  proceeding  for the
liquidation,  dissolution  or other  winding-up  of the  Company,  voluntary  or
involuntary,  whether or not involving  insolvency  or  bankruptcy  proceedings,
(iii) any  assignment  by the Company for the benefit of  creditors  or (iv) any
other  marshalling  of  the  assets  of the  Company,  all  Senior  Indebtedness
(including, without limitation,  interest accruing after the commencement of any
such  proceeding,  assignment or  marshalling  of assets) shall first be paid in
full before any payment or  distribution,  whether in cash,  securities or other
property,  shall  be  made  by the  Company  on  account  of  Subordinated  Debt
Securities.  In any such event,  any payment or  distribution,  whether in cash,
securities or other property  (other than securities of the Company or any other
corporation  provided  for by a plan  of  reorganization  or  readjustment,  the
payment  of  which  is  subordinate,  at least  to the  extent  provided  in the
subordination  provisions  of the  Subordinated  Indenture  with  respect to the
indebtedness  evidenced by Subordinated  Debt Securities,  to the payment of all
Senior  Indebtedness  at the time  outstanding  and to any securities  issued in
respect thereof under any such plan of reorganization  or  readjustment),  which
would otherwise (but for the subordination provisions) be payable or deliverable
in  respect of  Subordinated  Debt  Securities  (including  any such  payment or
distribution which may be payable or deliverable by reason of the payment of any
other  indebtedness  of  the  Company  being  subordinated  to  the  payment  of
Subordinated Debt Securities) shall be paid or delivered directly to the holders
of Senior  Indebtedness,  or to their  representative or trustee,  in accordance
with  the  priorities   then  existing  among  such  holders  until  all  Senior
Indebtedness shall have been paid in full.
 
                                       14

 
(Section 12.3 of the Subordinated Indenture.) No present or future holder of any
Senior Indebtedness shall be prejudiced in the right to enforce subordination of
the indebtedness evidenced by Subordinated Debt Securities by any act or failure
to act on the part of the Company. (Section 12.9 of the Subordinated Indenture.)
 
     Senior  Indebtedness  shall not be deemed to have been paid in full  unless
the holders thereof shall have received cash, securities or other property equal
to the amount of such Senior Indebtedness then outstanding.  Upon the payment in
full of all Senior  Indebtedness,  the holders of  Subordinated  Debt Securities
shall be subrogated to all the rights of any holders of Senior  Indebtedness  to
receive  any  further  payments  or  distributions   applicable  to  the  Senior
Indebtedness  until all  Subordinated  Debt  Securities  shall have been paid in
full, and such payments or distributions  received by any holder of Subordinated
Debt Securities,  by reason of such  subrogation,  of cash,  securities or other
property which  otherwise  would be paid or distributed to the holders of Senior
Indebtedness,  shall,  as between the Company and its  creditors  other than the
holders of Senior Indebtedness, on the one hand, and the holders of Subordinated
Debt  Securities,  on the  other,  be deemed to be a payment  by the  Company on
account  of  Senior  Indebtedness,  and  not on  account  of  Subordinated  Debt
Securities. (Section 12.7 of the Subordinated Indenture.)
 
     The  Subordinated  Indenture  provides  that  the  foregoing  subordination
provisions,  insofar as they relate to any particular issue of Subordinated Debt
Securities,  may be changed  prior to such  issuance.  Any such change  would be
described in the applicable  Prospectus Supplement relating to such Subordinated
Debt Securities.
 
DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE
 
     If indicated in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, the Company may elect
either  (i) to  defease  and be  discharged  from any and all  obligations  with
respect to the Debt  Securities  of or within any  series  (except as  otherwise
provided in the relevant  Indenture)  ("defeasance") or (ii) to be released from
its  obligations  with  respect  to  certain  covenants  applicable  to the Debt
Securities  of or within any series  ("covenant  defeasance"),  upon the deposit
with the  relevant  Trustee  (or other  qualifying  trustee),  in trust for such
purpose,  of money and/or  Government  Obligations  which through the payment of
principal and interest in  accordance  with their terms will provide money in an
amount sufficient, without reinvestment, to pay the principal of and any premium
or interest on such Debt  Securities to Maturity or redemption,  as the case may
be, and any mandatory sinking fund or analogous payments thereon. As a condition
to defeasance or covenant defeasance, the Company must deliver to the Trustee an
Opinion of Counsel to the effect that the Holders of such Debt  Securities  will
not recognize  income,  gain or loss for Federal income tax purposes as a result
of such defeasance or covenant  defeasance and will be subject to Federal income
tax on the same  amounts  and in the same  manner and at the same times as would
have been the case if such  defeasance or covenant  defeasance had not occurred.
Such Opinion of Counsel,  in the case of defeasance under clause (i) above, must
refer to and be based upon a ruling of the Internal  Revenue Service or a change
in applicable  Federal  income tax law occurring  after the date of the relevant
Indenture. (Article 4.) If indicated in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, in
addition to  obligations  of the United  States or an agency or  instrumentality
thereof,  Government Obligations may include obligations of the government or an
agency or  instrumentality  of the  government  issuing the currency or currency
unit in which Debt Securities of such series are payable. (Section 3.1.)
 
     In addition,  with respect to the  Subordinated  Indenture,  in order to be
discharged  no  event  or  condition  shall  exist  that,  pursuant  to  certain
provisions  described under "-- Subordination under the Subordinated  Indenture"
above,  would  prevent the Company  from making  payments of  principal  of (and
premium, if any) and interest on Subordinated Debt Securities at the date of the
irrevocable  deposit  referred  to above.  (Section  4.6(j) of the  Subordinated
Indenture.)
 
     The Company may  exercise its  defeasance  option with respect to such Debt
Securities notwithstanding its prior exercise of its covenant defeasance option.
If the Company exercises its defeasance option,  payment of such Debt Securities
may not be  accelerated  because of a Default or an Event of  Default.  (Section
4.4.) If the Company exercises its covenant  defeasance option,  payment of such
Debt  Securities  may not be  accelerated  by reason of a Default or an Event of
Default with respect to the covenants to which such covenant defeasance
 
                                       15

 
is applicable.  However, if such acceleration were to occur by reason of another
Event of Default, the realizable value at the acceleration date of the money and
Government  Obligations in the defeasance trust could be less than the principal
and interest then due on such Debt  Securities,  in that the required deposit in
the defeasance trust is based upon scheduled cash flow rather than market value,
which will vary depending upon interest rates and other factors.
 
THE TRUSTEES
 
     Unless otherwise specified in the applicable  Prospectus  Supplement,  LTCB
Trust Company will be the Trustee under the Senior  Indenture,  and State Street
Bank and Trust Company will be the Trustee under the Subordinated Indenture. The
Company may also maintain banking and other commercial  relationships  with each
of the Trustees and their affiliates in the ordinary course of business.
 
                          DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK
 
     At  May  21,  1998  the  authorized   capital  stock  of  the  Company  was
1,020,000,000 shares, consisting of:
 
     (a)  20,000,000  shares of Preferred  Stock, of which  1,889,400  shares of
          Preferred Redeemable  Increased Dividend Equity Securities,  7% PRIDES
          ("PRIDES"), were outstanding; and
 
     (b)  1,000,000,000 shares of Common Stock, of which 187,126,301 shares were
          outstanding.
 
     In  general,   the  classes  of  authorized   capital  stock  are  afforded
preferences with respect to dividends and liquidation rights in the order listed
above.  The Board of Directors of the Company is empowered,  without approval of
the  shareholders,  to cause  the  Preferred  Stock to be  issued in one or more
series,  with the numbers of shares of each  series and the rights,  preferences
and  limitations  of each  series  to be  determined  by it  including,  without
limitation,  the  dividend  rights,  conversion  rights,  redemption  rights and
liquidation  preferences,  if any, of any wholly  unissued  series of  Preferred
Stock (or of the entire  class of  Preferred  Stock if none of such  shares have
been issued),  the number of shares  constituting each such series and the terms
and conditions of the issue  thereof.  The  descriptions  set forth below do not
purport to be complete and are  qualified in their  entirety by reference to the
Amended and Restated  Articles of Incorporation of the Company,  as amended (the
"Articles of Incorporation").
 
     The  Prospectus  Supplement  relating to an  offering of Common  Stock will
describe terms relevant  thereto,  including the number of shares  offered,  the
initial offering price, market price and dividend information.
 
PREFERRED STOCK
 
     The applicable  Prospectus  Supplement will describe the following terms of
any Preferred  Stock in respect of which this  Prospectus is being delivered (to
the extent  applicable to such Preferred Stock):  (i) the specific  designation,
number of shares,  seniority and purchase price; (ii) any liquidation preference
per share; (iii) any date of maturity; (iv) any redemption, repayment or sinking
fund provisions;  (v) any dividend rate or rates and the dates on which any such
dividends  will be  payable  (or the method by which such rates or dates will be
determined);  (vi) any voting  rights;  (vii) if other than the  currency of the
United  States of America,  the  currency  or  currencies,  including  composite
currencies,  in which  such  Preferred  Stock  is  denominated  and/or  in which
payments  will or may be payable;  (viii) the method by which amounts in respect
of such  Preferred  Stock may be calculated and any  commodities,  currencies or
indices, or value, rate or price, relevant to such calculation; (ix) whether the
Preferred  Stock is  convertible or  exchangeable  and, if so, the securities or
rights into which such Preferred Stock is convertible or exchangeable (which may
include other Preferred Stock, Debt Securities, Common Stock or other securities
or  rights  of the  Company  (including  rights to  receive  payment  in cash or
securities  based  on  the  value,  rate  or  price  of one  or  more  specified
commodities,  currencies or indices) or a combination of the foregoing), and the
terms and conditions upon which such  conversions or exchanges will be effected,
including the initial  conversion or exchange prices or rates, the conversion or
exchange period and any other related provisions;  (x) the place or places where
dividends and other  payments on the Preferred  Stock will be payable;  and (xi)
any  additional  voting,  dividend,  liquidation,  redemption  and other rights,
preferences, privileges, limitations and restrictions.
 
                                       16

 
     As described under "Description of Depositary Shares",  the Company may, at
its option,  elect to offer Depositary  Shares evidenced by depositary  receipts
("Depositary  Receipts"),  each representing an interest (to be specified in the
applicable  Prospectus  Supplement  relating  to the  particular  series  of the
Preferred  Stock) in a share of the  particular  series of the  Preferred  Stock
issued and deposited with a Preferred Stock Depositary (as defined herein).
 
     All shares of Preferred Stock offered hereby,  or issuable upon conversion,
exchange  or  exercise  of  Securities,  will,  when  issued,  be fully paid and
non-assessable.
 
COMMON STOCK
 
     Dividends.  Except as provided below,  holders of Common Stock are entitled
to receive  dividends and other  distributions in cash, stock or property of the
Company,  when,  as and if declared by the Board of  Directors  out of assets or
funds of the Company legally available therefor and shall share equally on a per
share basis in all such dividends and other distributions (subject to the rights
of holders of Preferred Stock).
 
     Voting  Rights.  At every meeting of  shareholders,  every holder of Common
Stock is entitled to one vote per share.  Subject to any voting rights which may
be granted to holders of Preferred Stock any action submitted to shareholders is
approved if the number of votes cast in favor of such action  exceeds the number
of votes  against,  except  where other  provision is made by law and subject to
applicable quorum requirements.
 
     Liquidation  Rights.  In the  event  of  any  liquidation,  dissolution  or
winding-up of the business of the Company, whether voluntary or involuntary (any
such event, a "Liquidation"),  the holders of Common Stock are entitled to share
equally  in  the  assets  available  for  distribution   after  payment  of  all
liabilities  and  provision  for the  liquidation  preference  of any  shares of
Preferred Stock then outstanding.
 
     Miscellaneous.  The  holders  of Common  Stock have no  preemptive  rights,
cumulative  voting rights,  subscription  rights,  or conversion  rights and the
Common Stock is not subject to redemption.
 
   
     The transfer  agent and registrar  with respect to the Common Stock and the
PRIDES is First Union National Bank.
    
 
     All shares of Common Stock offered  hereby,  or issuable  upon  conversion,
exchange  or  exercise  of  Securities,  will,  when  issued,  be fully paid and
non-assessable.  The Common Stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under
the symbol "CNC".
 
PRIDES
 
     General.  The  PRIDES are shares of  convertible  preferred  stock and rank
prior to the Common Stock as to payment of dividends and  distribution of assets
upon liquidation. The shares of PRIDES mandatorily convert into shares of Common
Stock on February 1, 2000, (the "Mandatory  Conversion  Date"),  and the Company
has the option to redeem the shares of PRIDES,  in whole or in part, at any time
and from time to time on or after  February  1, 1999 and prior to the  Mandatory
Conversion  Date pursuant to the terms  described below and payable in shares of
Common Stock. In addition,  the shares of PRIDES are convertible  into shares of
Common  Stock at the  option of the  holder at any time  prior to the  Mandatory
Conversion Date as set forth below.
 
     Dividends.  Holders of shares of PRIDES  are  entitled  to  receive  annual
cumulative  dividends  at a  rate  per  annum  of 7% of the  stated  liquidation
preference  (equivalent to $4.279 per each share of PRIDES) payable quarterly in
arrears on each February 1, May 1, August 1, and November 1.
 
   
     Mandatory  Conversion.  On the Mandatory Conversion Date, unless previously
redeemed or converted, each outstanding share of PRIDES will mandatorily convert
into (i) four shares of Common Stock,  subject to adjustment in certain  events,
and (ii) the right to receive  cash in an amount equal to all accrued and unpaid
dividends thereon (other than previously  declared dividends payable to a holder
of record as of a prior date).
    
 
     Optional Redemption.  Shares of PRIDES are not redeemable prior to February
1,  1999.  At any time and from  time to time on or after  February  1, 1999 and
ending  immediately  prior to the  Mandatory  Conversion  Date,  the Company may
redeem any or all of the outstanding shares of PRIDES. Upon any such
 
                                       17

 
redemption,  each holder will receive, in exchange for each share of PRIDES, the
number of shares of Common  Stock  equal to the Call Price  (which is the sum of
(i) $62.195,  declining  after  February 1, 1999 to $61.125  until the Mandatory
Conversation  Date and (ii) all accrued and unpaid dividends thereon (other than
previously declared dividends payable to a holder of record as of a prior date))
divided by the current market price on the applicable date of determination, but
in no event less than 3.42 shares of Common Stock,  subject to  adjustment.  The
number of shares of Common Stock to be  delivered  in payment of the  applicable
Call Price will be  determined  on the basis of the current  market price of the
Common Stock prior to the announcement of the redemption.
 
     Conversion at the Option of the Holder.  At any time prior to the Mandatory
Conversion Date, unless previously redeemed, each share of PRIDES is convertible
at the  option of the  holder  thereof  into 3.42  shares of Common  Stock  (the
"Optional Conversion Rate"),  equivalent to the conversion price of $17.8728 per
share of Common Stock,  subject to adjustment as described herein.  The right of
holders  to  convert  shares of PRIDES  called  for  redemption  will  terminate
immediately prior to the close of business on the redemption date.
 
   
     Voting  Rights.  The  holders  of shares of PRIDES  have the right with the
holders of Common Stock to vote in the election of directors and upon each other
matter  coming before any meeting of the holders of Common Stock on the basis of
4/5 of one vote for each share of PRIDES. On such matters, the holders of shares
of PRIDES and the holders of Common  Stock vote  together as one class except as
otherwise  provided by law or the Articles of  Incorporation.  In addition,  (i)
whenever  dividends  on the  shares of PRIDES or any other  series of  Preferred
Stock  with like  voting  rights are in  arrears  and  unpaid for six  quarterly
dividend periods, and in certain other circumstances,  the holders of the shares
of PRIDES (voting  separately as a class with the holders of all other series of
Preferred Stock with like voting rights that are  exercisable)  will be entitled
to vote, on the basis of one vote for each share of PRIDES,  for the election of
two directors of the Company,  such directors to be in addition to the number of
directors  constituting the Board of Directors  immediately prior to the accrual
of such  right,  and (ii) the  holders of the  shares of PRIDES may have  voting
rights with respect to certain  alterations of the Articles of Incorporation and
certain other matters, voting on the same basis or separately as a series.
    
 
     Liquidation  Preference and Ranking. The shares of PRIDES rank prior to the
Common  Stock as to  payment  of  dividends  and  distribution  of  assets  upon
liquidation.  The  liquidation  preference  of each share of PRIDES is an amount
equal to the sum of (i)  $61.125  per  share  and (ii) all  accrued  and  unpaid
dividends thereon.
 
CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF THE ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION AND BYLAWS OF CONSECO
 
     Certain  provisions of the Articles of Incorporation  and the Bylaws of the
Company (the  "Bylaws") may make it more difficult to effect a change in control
of the Company if the Board of Directors  determines  that such action would not
be in the best interests of the  shareholders.  It could be argued,  contrary to
the belief of the Board of Directors,  that such  provisions are not in the best
interests  of the  shareholders  to the extent that they will have the effect of
tending to discourage possible takeover bids, which might be at prices involving
a premium over then recent  market  quotations  for the Common  Stock.  The most
important of those provisions are described below.
 
     The Articles of Incorporation  authorize the  establishment of a classified
Board of Directors pursuant to the Bylaws. The Bylaws, in turn, provide that the
Directors serve staggered  three-year  terms, with the members of only one class
being elected in any year.
 
     A classified  Board of Directors  may increase the  difficulty  of removing
incumbent  directors,  providing such directors with enhanced  ability to retain
their  positions.  A classified Board of Directors may also make the acquisition
of control  of the  Company by a third  party by means of a proxy  contest  more
difficult. In addition, the classification may make it more difficult to replace
a majority of directors for business reasons unrelated to a change in control.
 
                                       18

 
   
     The Articles of Incorporation  provide that holders of the Company's voting
stock shall not be entitled to vote on certain business transactions (defined to
include,  among other things,  certain mergers,  consolidations,  sales, leases,
transfers or other  dispositions of a substantial part of the Company's  assets)
with certain related persons (which includes  persons  beneficially  owning more
than 10% of the  Company's  outstanding  voting  stock),  nor may such  business
combination   transactions  be  effected,   unless  (i)  the  relevant  business
combination  shall have been approved by two-thirds of the continuing  directors
or (ii) the aggregate amount of the cash and the fair value of any consideration
other than cash to be  received by any holder of the Common  Stock or  Preferred
Stock in the  business  combination  for each  such  share  of  Common  Stock or
Preferred  Stock  shall be at least equal to the highest per share price paid by
the related  person in order to acquire any shares of Common  Stock or Preferred
Stock, as the case may be, beneficially owned by such related person.
    
 
     As discussed above,  Preferred Stock may be issued from time to time in one
or more series with such rights,  preferences,  limitations and  restrictions as
may be  determined by the Board of  Directors.  The issuance of Preferred  Stock
could  be  used,  under  certain  circumstances,  as a  method  of  delaying  or
preventing  a change of control  of the  Company  and could  have a  detrimental
effect  on the  rights of  holders  of Common  Stock,  including  loss of voting
control.
 
     The  provisions of the Articles of  Incorporation  regarding the classified
Board of Directors  and certain  business  combination  transactions  may not be
amended without the affirmative  approval of holders of not less than 80% of the
outstanding voting stock of the Company.
 
     The Bylaws may be amended by majority vote of the Board of Directors.
 
CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF CORPORATE AND INSURANCE LAWS
 
     In addition to the Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws, certain provisions
of Indiana  law may  delay,  deter or  prevent a merger,  tender  offer or other
takeover attempt of the Company.
 
     Under the Indiana Business Corporation Law (the "IBCL"), a director may, in
considering  the best  interests of a  corporation,  consider the effects of any
action on shareholders,  employees,  suppliers and customers of the corporation,
on  communities  in which  offices or other  facilities of the  corporation  are
located, and any other factors the director considers pertinent.
 
     The IBCL provides that no business  combination (defined to include certain
mergers,  sales of  assets,  sales of 5% or more of  outstanding  stock,  loans,
recapitalizations  or liquidations or dissolutions)  involving a corporation and
an interested  shareholder (defined to include any holder of 10% or more of such
corporation's  voting stock) may be entered into unless (1) it has been approved
by the board of directors of the  corporation or (2) (a) five years have expired
since  the   acquisition  of  shares  of  the   corporation  by  the  interested
shareholder, (b) all requirements of the corporation's articles of incorporation
relating  to  business  combinations  have been  satisfied  and (c) either (i) a
majority  of  shareholders   of  the   corporation   (excluding  the  interested
shareholder)  approve the business combination or (ii) all shareholders are paid
fair value (as defined in the statute) for their stock.  However,  such law does
not restrict any offer to purchase all of a corporation's shares.
 
     The  IBCL  also  provides  that  when a  target  corporation  (such  as the
Company),  incorporated  in Indiana and having its principal  place of business,
principal office or substantial  assets in Indiana,  has a certain  threshold of
ownership  by  Indiana  residents,  any  acquisition  which,  together  with its
previous holdings,  gives the acquiror at least 20% of the target's voting stock
triggers a shareholder  approval mechanism.  If the acquiror files a statutorily
required disclosure statement,  the target's management has 50 days within which
to  hold  a  special  meeting  of   shareholders  at  which  all   disinterested
shareholders  of the  target  (those not  affiliated  with the  acquiror  or any
officer or inside  director of the target)  consider  and vote upon  whether the
acquiror  shall have voting rights with respect to the shares of the target held
by it. Without shareholder approval, the shares acquired by the acquiror have no
voting rights. If the acquiror fails to file the statutorily required disclosure
statement,  the  target  can  redeem  the  acquiror's  shares  at a price  to be
determined according to
 
                                       19

 
procedures  devised by the target. In order for these provisions of the IBCL not
to apply to a particular  Indiana  company,  the company must  affirmatively  so
provide in its articles of incorporation or bylaws.
 
     In addition,  the insurance laws and  regulations of the  jurisdictions  in
which the  Company's  insurance  subsidiaries  do business may impede or delay a
business combination involving the Company.
 
                        DESCRIPTION OF DEPOSITARY SHARES
 
     The  description  set forth  below of  certain  provisions  of the  Deposit
Agreement  (as  defined  below)  and of the  Depositary  Shares  and  Depositary
Receipts  summarizes  the  material  terms of the Deposit  Agreement  and of the
Depositary  Shares and  Depositary  Receipts and is qualified in its entirety by
reference  to the form of  Deposit  Agreement  and form of  Depositary  Receipts
relating  to each  series of the  Preferred  Stock,  as well as the  Articles of
Incorporation or any required amendment thereto describing the applicable series
of Preferred Stock.
 
GENERAL
 
     The Company may, as its option,  elect to have shares of Preferred Stock be
represented  by  Depositary  Shares.  The shares of any series of the  Preferred
Stock  underlying  the  Depositary  Shares  will be  deposited  under a separate
deposit  agreement  (the "Deposit  Agreement") to be entered into by the Company
and a bank or trust  company  selected  by the  Company  (the  "Preferred  Stock
Depositary").  The  Prospectus  Supplement  relating  to a series of  Depositary
Shares will set forth the name and address of the  Preferred  Stock  Depositary.
Subject to the terms of the Deposit Agreement,  each owner of a Depositary Share
will be entitled, proportionately, to all the rights, preferences and privileges
of  the  Preferred  Stock  represented  thereby  (including  dividend,   voting,
redemption, conversion, exchange and liquidation rights).
 
     The  Depositary  Shares will be evidenced  by  Depositary  Receipts  issued
pursuant to the Deposit  Agreement,  each of which will represent the fractional
interest in the number of shares of a particular  series of the Preferred  Stock
described in the applicable Prospectus Supplement.
 
DIVIDENDS AND OTHER DISTRIBUTIONS
 
     The Preferred Stock  Depositary will distribute all cash dividends or other
cash  distributions  in respect of the series of Preferred Stock  represented by
the  Depositary  Shares  to  the  record  holders  of  Depositary   Receipts  in
proportion,  insofar as possible,  to the number of  Depositary  Shares owned by
such holders. The Depositary,  however,  will distribute only such amount as can
be distributed  without  attributing  to any Depositary  Share a fraction of one
cent, and any balance not so distributed will be added to and treated as part of
the next sum received by the  Depositary for  distribution  to record holders of
Depositary Receipts then outstanding.
 
     In the  event  of a  distribution  other  than in cash  in  respect  of the
Preferred  Stock,  the  Preferred  Stock  Depositary  will  distribute  property
received  by it to the record  holders of  Depositary  Receipts  in  proportion,
insofar as possible,  to the number of Depositary  Shares owned by such holders,
unless the Preferred Stock Depositary  determines  (after  consultation with the
Company)  that it is not feasible to make such  distribution,  in which case the
Preferred  Stock  Depositary  may, with the approval of the Company,  adopt such
method as it deems  equitable and  practicable for the purpose of effecting such
distribution,  including  a  public  or  private  sale,  of such  property,  and
distribution of the net proceeds from such sale to such holders.
 
     The amount so distributed  to record holders of Depositary  Receipts in any
of the foregoing  cases will be reduced by any amount required to be withheld by
the Company or the Preferred Stock Depositary on account of taxes.
 
CONVERSION AND EXCHANGE
 
     If any  series of  Preferred  Stock  underlying  the  Depositary  Shares is
subject to provisions  relating to its  conversion or exchange,  as set forth in
the applicable Prospectus Supplement relating thereto, each record
 
                                       20

 
holder of  Depositary  Receipts  will have the right or obligation to convert or
exchange the Depositary Shares represented by such Depositary  Receipts pursuant
to the terms thereof.
 
REDEMPTION OF DEPOSITARY SHARES
 
     If any  series of  Preferred  Stock  underlying  the  Depositary  Shares is
subject to redemption,  the Depositary Shares will be redeemed from the proceeds
received by the Preferred Stock  Depositary  resulting from the  redemption,  in
whole or in part, of the Preferred Stock held by the Preferred Stock Depositary.
Whenever  the  Company   redeems   Preferred  Stock  from  the  Preferred  Stock
Depositary, the Preferred Stock Depositary will redeem as of the same redemption
date a  proportionate  number of Depositary  Shares  representing  the shares of
Preferred Stock that were redeemed.  If less than all the Depositary  Shares are
to be redeemed,  the Depositary Shares to be redeemed will be selected by lot or
pro rata as may be determined by the Company.
 
     After the date fixed for  redemption,  the Depositary  Shares so called for
redemption  will no longer be deemed  to be  outstanding  and all  rights of the
holders of the  Depositary  Shares will  cease,  except the right to receive the
redemption price upon such  redemption.  Any funds deposited by the Company with
the  Preferred  Stock  Depositary  for any  Depositary  Shares which the holders
thereof  fail to redeem  shall be returned to the Company  after a period of two
years from the date such funds are so deposited.
 
VOTING
 
     Upon receipt of notice of any meeting at which the holders of any shares of
Preferred  Stock  underlying  the  Depositary  Shares are entitled to vote,  the
Preferred Stock Depositary will mail the information contained in such notice to
the record  holders  of the  Depositary  Receipts.  Each  record  holder of such
Depositary  Receipts  on the  record  date  (which  will be the same date as the
record date for the Preferred  Stock) will be entitled to instruct the Preferred
Stock  Depositary  as to the  exercise of the voting  rights  pertaining  to the
number of shares of Preferred Stock underlying such holder's  Depositary Shares.
The Preferred Stock  Depositary will endeavor,  insofar as practicable,  to vote
the number of shares of Preferred Stock  underlying  such  Depositary  Shares in
accordance  with  such  instructions,  and the  Company  will  agree to take all
reasonable  action  which  may  be  deemed  necessary  by  the  Preferred  Stock
Depositary  in order to enable  the  Preferred  Stock  Depositary  to do so. The
Preferred  Stock  Depositary will abstain from voting any of the Preferred Stock
to the extent it does not receive specific written  instructions from holders of
Depositary Receipts representing such Preferred Stock.
 
RECORD DATE
 
     Whenever  (i) any cash  dividend or other cash  distribution  shall  become
payable,  any  distribution  other  than  cash  shall  be made,  or any  rights,
preferences or privileges  shall be offered with respect to the Preferred Stock,
or (ii) the Preferred  Stock  Depositary  shall receive notice of any meeting at
which  holders of Preferred  Stock are  entitled to vote or of which  holders of
Preferred  Stock are entitled to notice,  or of the mandatory  conversion of, or
any  election  on the part of the  Company  to call for the  redemption  of, any
Preferred  Stock, the Preferred Stock Depositary shall in each such instance fix
a record  date  (which  shall be the same as the record  date for the  Preferred
Stock) for the  determination  of the holders of  Depositary  Receipts  (x) that
shall be entitled to receive such dividend, distribution, rights, preferences or
privileges or the net proceeds of the sale thereof or (y) that shall be entitled
to give instructions for the exercise of voting rights at any such meeting or to
receive notice of such meeting or of such  redemption or conversion,  subject to
the provisions of the Deposit Agreement.
 
WITHDRAWAL OF PREFERRED STOCK
 
     Upon  surrender  of  Depositary  Receipts  at the  principal  office of the
Preferred Stock Depositary,  upon payment of any unpaid amount due the Preferred
Stock Depositary,  and subject to the terms of the Deposit Agreement,  the owner
of the Depositary Shares evidenced thereby is entitled to delivery of the number
of whole shares of  Preferred  Stock and all money and other  property,  if any,
represented by such  Depositary  Shares.  Partial shares of Preferred Stock will
not be issued. If the Depositary Receipts delivered by the holder
 
                                       21
 
 
evidence a number of  Depositary  Shares in excess of the  number of  Depositary
Shares  representing  the  number  of  whole  shares  of  Preferred  Stock to be
withdrawn,  the Preferred  Stock  Depositary  will deliver to such holder at the
same time a new Depositary  Receipt  evidencing such excess number of Depositary
Shares.  Holders  of  Preferred  Stock thus  withdrawn  will not  thereafter  be
entitled  to deposit  such  shares  under the  Deposit  Agreement  or to receive
Depositary Receipts evidencing Depositary Shares therefor.
 
AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION OF THE DEPOSIT AGREEMENT
 
     The Deposit Agreement will provide that the form of Depositary  Receipt and
any  provision of the Deposit  Agreement may at any time be amended by agreement
between the Company and the Preferred Stock Depositary.  However,  any amendment
which  imposes or  increases  any fees,  taxes or other  charges  payable by the
holders of Depositary Receipts (other than taxes and other governmental charges,
fees and other  expenses  payable by such  holders as stated  under  "Charges of
Preferred  Stock  Depositary"),  or which  otherwise  prejudices any substantial
existing  right of holders of  Depositary  Receipts,  will not take effect as to
outstanding  Depositary Receipts until the expiration of 90 days after notice of
such amendment has been mailed to the record  holders of outstanding  Depositary
Receipts.
 
     Whenever so directed by the Company,  the Preferred  Stock  Depositary will
terminate the Deposit  Agreement by mailing  notice of such  termination  to the
record  holders of all  Depositary  Receipts then  outstanding  at least 30 days
prior to the date fixed in such notice for such termination. The Preferred Stock
Depositary may likewise  terminate the Deposit  Agreement if at any time 45 days
shall have expired after the Preferred Stock  Depositary shall have delivered to
the  Company  a  written  notice  of its  election  to  resign  and a  successor
depositary  shall not have been appointed and accepted its  appointment.  If any
Depositary  Receipts  remain  outstanding  after  the date of  termination,  the
Preferred  Stock   Depositary   thereafter  will  discontinue  the  transfer  of
Depositary  Receipts,  will suspend the distribution of dividends to the holders
thereof,  and will not give any  further  notices  (other  than  notice  of such
termination) or perform any further acts under the Deposit  Agreement  except as
provided below and except that the Preferred Stock  Depositary will continue (i)
to collect  dividends on the Preferred  Stock and any other  distributions  with
respect  thereto  and (ii) to deliver the  Preferred  Stock  together  with such
dividends  and  distributions  and the net  proceeds  of any  sales  of  rights,
preferences,  privileges  or other  property,  without  liability  for  interest
thereon, in exchange for Depositary Receipts surrendered.  At any time after the
expiration  of two  years  from the date of  termination,  the  Preferred  Stock
Depositary  may sell the  Preferred  Stock  then held by it at public or private
sales,  at such place or places and upon such terms as it deems proper,  and may
thereafter  hold the net proceeds of any such sale,  together with any money and
other property then held by it, without liability for interest thereon,  for the
pro rata  benefit of the  holders  of  Depositary  Receipts  which have not been
surrendered.
 
CHARGES OF PREFERRED STOCK DEPOSITARY
 
     The  Company  will  pay  all  charges  of the  Preferred  Stock  Depositary
including charges in connection with the initial deposit of the Preferred Stock,
the initial issuance of the Depositary Receipts, the distribution of information
to the holders of Depositary Receipts with respect to matters on which Preferred
Stock is entitled to vote,  withdrawals of the Preferred Stock by the holders of
Depositary  Receipts or redemption or conversion of the Preferred Stock,  except
for taxes (including transfer taxes, if any) and other governmental  charges and
such other charges as are expressly  provided in the Deposit  Agreement to be at
the expense of holders of Depositary  Receipts or persons  depositing  Preferred
Stock.
 
MISCELLANEOUS
 
     The  Preferred  Stock  Depositary  will make  available  for  inspection by
holders of Depositary Receipts, at its Corporate Office and its New York Office,
all  reports and  communications  from the Company  which are  delivered  to the
Preferred Stock Depositary as the holder of Preferred Stock.
 
     Neither the Preferred Stock Depositary nor the Company will be liable if it
is  prevented  or  delayed  by law or any  circumstance  beyond  its  control in
performing its obligations under the Deposit  Agreement.  The obligations of the
Preferred Stock Depositary under the Deposit Agreement are limited to performing
its
 
                                       22

 
duties  thereunder  without  negligence  or bad faith.  The  obligations  of the
Company  under the  Deposit  Agreement  are  limited  to  performing  its duties
thereunder in good faith. Neither the Company nor the Preferred Stock Depositary
is  obligated  to  prosecute  or defend any legal  proceeding  in respect of any
Depositary Shares or Preferred Stock unless satisfactory indemnity is furnished.
The Company and the Preferred Stock  Depositary are entitled to rely upon advice
of or  information  from counsel,  accountants  or other persons  believed to be
competent and on documents believed to be genuine.
 
     The Preferred Stock  Depositary may resign at any time or be removed by the
Company,  effective  upon the  acceptance by its  successor of its  appointment;
provided,  that if a successor Preferred Stock Depositary has not been appointed
or accepted such appointment within 45 days after the Preferred Stock Depositary
has delivered a notice of election to resign to the Company, the Preferred Stock
Depositary may terminate the Deposit  Agreement.  See "Amendment and Termination
of the Deposit Agreement" above.
 
                            DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS
 
GENERAL
 
     The Company  may issue  Warrants to  purchase  Debt  Securities,  Preferred
Stock, Common Stock or any combination  thereof, and such Warrants may be issued
independently  or together  with any such  Securities  and may be attached to or
separate  from such  Securities.  Each series of Warrants will be issued under a
separate  warrant  agreement  (each a "Warrant  Agreement")  to be entered  into
between the Company and a warrant  agent  ("Warrant  Agent").  The Warrant Agent
will act solely as an agent of the Company in  connection  with the  Warrants of
each such series and will not assume any  obligation or  relationship  of agency
for or with holders or beneficial  owners of Warrants.  The following sets forth
certain  general terms and provisions of the Warrants  offered  hereby.  Further
terms of the Warrants and the applicable  Warrant Agreement will be set forth in
the applicable Prospectus Supplement.
 
   
     The  applicable  Prospectus  Supplement  will  describe  the  terms  of any
Warrants in respect of which this Prospectus is being  delivered,  including the
following:  (i) the title of such  Warrants;  (ii) the aggregate  number of such
Warrants;  (iii) the price or prices at which such Warrants will be issued; (iv)
the currency or currencies,  including composite currencies,  in which the price
of such Warrants may be payable; (v) the designation and terms of the Securities
(other  than  Preferred  Securities  and  Common  Securities)  purchasable  upon
exercise  of such  Warrants;  (vi)  the  price  at  which  and the  currency  or
currencies,  including composite currencies, in which the Securities (other than
Preferred  Securities and Common  Securities)  purchasable upon exercise of such
Warrants may be  purchased;  (vii) the date on which the right to exercise  such
Warrants  shall  commence and the date on which such right shall expire;  (viii)
whether such Warrants will be issued in registered  form or bearer form; (ix) if
applicable,  the  minimum  or  maximum  amount  of such  Warrants  which  may be
exercised at any one time; (x) if applicable,  the  designation and terms of the
Securities  (other than Preferred  Securities and Common  Securities) with which
such Warrants are issued and the number of such  Warrants  issued with each such
Security; (xi) if applicable,  the date on and after which such Warrants and the
related Securities (other than Preferred  Securities and Common Securities) will
be  separately  transferable;  (xii)  information  with  respect  to  book-entry
procedures,  if any; (xiii) if applicable, a discussion of certain United States
Federal income tax  considerations;  and (xiv) any other terms of such Warrants,
including  terms,  procedures  and  limitations  relating  to the  exchange  and
exercise of such Warrants.
    
 
           DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED SECURITIES OF THE CONSECO TRUSTS
 
GENERAL
 
     Each  Conseco  Trust  may  issue,  from  time to time,  only one  series of
Preferred  Securities  having  terms  described  in  the  Prospectus  Supplement
relating  thereto.  The Declaration of each Conseco Trust authorizes the Regular
Trustees  of such  Conseco  Trust to issue on behalf of such  Conseco  Trust one
series  of  Preferred  Securities.  Each  Declaration  will be  qualified  as an
indenture  under  the  Trust  Indenture  Act.  The  Institutional   Trustee,  an
independent trustee,  will act as indenture trustee for the Preferred Securities
for purposes of compliance  with the provisions of the Trust  Indenture Act. The
Preferred Securities will have such terms,
 
                                       23

 
   
including distributions,  redemption,  voting, liquidation rights and such other
preferred,  deferred or other special  rights or such  restrictions  as shall be
established  by  the  Regular   Trustees  in  accordance   with  the  applicable
Declaration  or as shall be set  forth in the  Declaration  or made  part of the
Declaration  by the Trust  Indenture  Act.  Reference is made to any  Prospectus
Supplement relating to the Preferred  Securities of a Conseco Trust for specific
terms of the Preferred Securities,  including, to the extent applicable, (i) the
distinctive  designation  of such  Preferred  Securities,  (ii)  the  number  of
Preferred Securities issued by such Conseco Trust, (iii) the annual distribution
rate (or method of  determining  such rate) for Preferred  Securities  issued by
such Conseco Trust and the date or dates upon which such distributions  shall be
payable  (provided,  however,  that  distributions on such Preferred  Securities
shall,  subject to any deferral  provisions,  and any  provisions for payment of
defaulted  distributions,  be  payable on a  quarterly  basis to holders of such
Preferred  Securities  as of a record  date in each  quarter  during  which such
Preferred  Securities are outstanding),  (iv) any right of such Conseco Trust to
defer  quarterly  distributions  on the  Preferred  Securities as a result of an
interest  deferral  right  exercised  by the  Company on the  Subordinated  Debt
Securities held by such Conseco Trust;  (v) whether  distributions  on Preferred
Securities shall be cumulative,  and, in the case of Preferred Securities having
such cumulative  distribution rights, the date or dates or method of determining
the date or dates from which  distributions  on  Preferred  Securities  shall be
cumulative,  (vi) the amount or amounts which shall be paid out of the assets of
such Conseco  Trust to the holders of  Preferred  Securities  upon  voluntary or
involuntary dissolution,  winding-up or termination of such Conseco Trust, (vii)
the  obligation  or option,  if any, of such Conseco Trust to purchase or redeem
Preferred  Securities  and the price or prices at which,  the  period or periods
within which and the terms and conditions upon which Preferred  Securities shall
be purchased or redeemed,  in whole or in part,  pursuant to such  obligation or
option with such redemption  price to be specified in the applicable  Prospectus
Supplement,  (viii)  the voting  rights,  if any,  of  Preferred  Securities  in
addition to those  required by law,  including the number of votes per Preferred
Security  and any  requirement  for the  approval  by the  holders of  Preferred
Securities as a condition to specified  action or amendments to the Declaration,
(ix) the terms and conditions,  if any, upon which  Subordinated Debt Securities
held  by  such  Conseco  Trust  may  be  distributed  to  holders  of  Preferred
Securities,  and  (x)  any  other  relevant  rights,  preferences,   privileges,
limitations  or  restrictions  of  Preferred  Securities   consistent  with  the
Declaration or with applicable law. All Preferred Securities offered hereby will
be guaranteed by the Company to the extent set forth below under "Description of
Trust  Guarantees." The Trust Guarantee issued to each Conseco Trust, when taken
together with the Company's back-up undertakings,  consisting of its obligations
under each Declaration (including the obligation to pay expenses of each Conseco
Trust),  the  applicable  Indenture and any applicable  supplemental  indentures
thereto and the  Subordinated  Debt Securities  issued to any Conseco Trust will
provide a full and unconditional  guarantee by the Company of amounts due on the
Preferred  Securities  issued by each Conseco  Trust.  The payment  terms of the
Preferred Securities will be the same as the Subordinated Debt Securities issued
to the applicable Conseco Trust by the Company.
    
 
     Each Declaration  authorizes the Regular Trustees to issue on behalf of the
applicable  Trust one series of Common  Securities  having such terms  including
distributions,  redemption,  voting,  liquidation rights or such restrictions as
shall be established by the Regular  Trustees in accordance with the Declaration
or as shall otherwise be set forth therein.  The terms of the Common  Securities
issued by each Conseco Trust will be substantially identical to the terms of the
Preferred  Securities  issued by such Conseco Trust,  and the Common  Securities
will rank pari passu,  and  payments  will be made  thereon  pro rata,  with the
Preferred  Securities except that, if an event of default under such Declaration
has  occurred  and is  continuing,  the  rights  of the  holders  of the  Common
Securities to payment in respect of distributions and payments upon liquidation,
redemption  and otherwise will be  subordinated  to the rights of the holders of
the Preferred  Securities.  The Common  Securities  will also carry the right to
vote and to  appoint,  remove or replace  any of the  Conseco  Trustees  of such
Conseco  Trust.  All of the  Common  Securities  of each  Conseco  Trust will be
directly or indirectly owned by the Company.
 
     The  financial  statements  of any  Conseco  Trust  that  issues  Preferred
Securities will be reflected in the Company's  consolidated financial statements
with the Preferred Securities shown as Company-obligated  mandatorily-redeemable
preferred   securities  of  a  subsidiary  trust  under  minority   interest  in
consolidated  subsidiaries.  In a footnote to the  Company's  audited  financial
statements there will be included  statements that the applicable  Conseco Trust
is wholly-owned by the Company and that the sole asset of such Conseco
 
                                       24

 
Trust is the  Subordinated  Debt Securities  (indicating  the principal  amount,
interest rate and maturity date thereof).
 
                        DESCRIPTION OF TRUST GUARANTEES
 
   
     Set forth below is a summary of information concerning the Trust Guarantees
that will be  executed  and  delivered  by the  Company  for the  benefit of the
holders, from time to time, of Preferred  Securities.  Each Trust Guarantee will
be qualified as an indenture  under the Trust  Indenture Act.  Unless  otherwise
specified in the applicable Prospectus  Supplement,  State Street Bank and Trust
Company  will act as  independent  indenture  trustee  for Trust  Indenture  Act
purposes  under  each  Trust  Guarantee  (the  "Preferred  Securities  Guarantee
Trustee").  The terms of each  Trust  Guarantee  will be those set forth in such
Trust  Guarantee  and  those  made  part of such  Trust  Guarantee  by the Trust
Indenture  Act.  The  following  summary  does not purport to be complete and is
subject to and  qualified in its entirety by reference to the  provisions of the
form of Trust  Guarantee,  a copy of which has been  filed as an  exhibit to the
Registration  Statement  of  which  this  Prospectus  is a part,  and the  Trust
Indenture  Act. Each Trust  Guarantee  will be held by the Preferred  Securities
Guarantee Trustee for the benefit of the holders of the Preferred  Securities of
the applicable Conseco Trust.
    
 
GENERAL
 
     Unless  otherwise  specified  in  the  applicable  Prospectus   Supplement,
pursuant  to each Trust  Guarantee,  the Company  will agree,  to the extent set
forth therein,  to pay in full to the holders of the Preferred  Securities,  the
Guarantee Payments (as defined below) (except to the extent paid by such Conseco
Trust),  as and  when  due,  regardless  of any  defense,  right of  set-off  or
counterclaim which such Conseco Trust may have or assert. The following payments
or  distributions  with  respect to the  Preferred  Securities  (the  "Guarantee
Payments"), to the extent not paid by such Conseco Trust, will be subject to the
Trust Guarantee (without duplication):  (i) any accrued and unpaid distributions
that are required to be paid on such  Preferred  Securities,  to the extent such
Conseco Trust shall have funds available  therefor,  (ii) the redemption  price,
including all accrued and unpaid  distributions  to the date of redemption  (the
"Redemption  Price"),  to the  extent  such  Conseco  Trust has funds  available
therefor, with respect to any Preferred Securities called for redemption by such
Conseco Trust and (iii) upon a voluntary or involuntary dissolution,  winding-up
or  termination  of such  Conseco  Trust  (other  than in  connection  with such
distribution  of  Subordinated  Debt  Securities  to the  holders  of  Preferred
Securities or the redemption of all of the Preferred Securities upon maturity or
redemption of the Subordinated  Debt Securities) the lesser of (a) the aggregate
of the  liquidation  amount and all  accrued  and unpaid  distributions  on such
Preferred  Securities  to the date of payment,  to the extent such Conseco Trust
has funds  available  therefor or (b) the amount of assets of such Conseco Trust
remaining  for   distribution  to  holders  of  such  Preferred   Securities  in
liquidation of such Conseco Trust. The Company's  obligation to make a Guarantee
Payment  may be  satisfied  by direct  payment  of the  required  amounts by the
Company to the holders of  Preferred  Securities  or by causing  the  applicable
Conseco Trust to pay such amounts to such holders.
 
     Each Trust Guarantee will not apply to any payment of distributions  except
to the extent the applicable Conseco Trust shall have funds available  therefor.
If the Company does not make interest or principal  payments on the Subordinated
Debt Securities purchased by such Conseco Trust, such Conseco Trust will not pay
distributions on the Preferred  Securities issued by such Conseco Trust and will
not have funds available therefore.
 
   
     The Company has also agreed to guarantee  the  obligations  of each Conseco
Trust with respect to the Common Securities (the "Common  Guarantee")  issued by
such Conseco Trust to the same extent as the Trust Guarantee, except that, if an
Event  of  Default  under  the  Subordinated   Indenture  has  occurred  and  is
continuing, holders of Preferred Securities under the Trust Guarantee shall have
priority over holders of the Common  Securities  under the Common Guarantee with
respect to distributions and payments on liquidation, redemption or otherwise.
    
 
                                       25

 
CERTAIN COVENANTS OF THE COMPANY
 
   
     Unless otherwise specified in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, in each
Trust  Guarantee,  the Company  will  covenant  that,  so long as any  Preferred
Securities issued by the applicable Conseco Trust remain  outstanding,  if there
shall have occurred any event of default under such Trust Guarantee or under the
Declaration of such Conseco Trust,  then (a) the Company will not declare or pay
any dividend on, make any  distributions  with respect to, or redeem,  purchase,
acquire or make a liquidation  payment with respect to, any of its capital stock
(other than (i)  purchases or  acquisitions  of capital  stock of the Company in
connection with the  satisfaction  by the Company of its  obligations  under any
employee  or agent  benefit  plans or the  satisfaction  by the  Company  of its
obligations pursuant to any contract or security outstanding on the date of such
event requiring the Company to purchase capital stock of the Company,  (ii) as a
result of a  reclassification  of the Company's capital stock or the exchange or
conversion  of one class or series of the  Company's  capital  stock for another
class or series of the Company's capital stock, (iii) the purchase of fractional
interests in shares of the Company's capital stock pursuant to the conversion or
exchange  provisions  of such capital stock or the security  being  converted or
exchanged,  (iv) dividends or  distributions in capital stock of the Company (or
rights to acquire  capital stock) or repurchases or redemptions of capital stock
solely from the  issuance or exchange  of capital  stock or (v)  redemptions  or
repurchases of any rights  outstanding under a shareholder rights plan); (b) the
Company shall not make any payment of interest, principal or premium, if any, on
or repay,  repurchase or redeem any debt securities  issued by the Company which
rank junior to the Subordinated Debt Securities issued to the applicable Conseco
Trust and (c) the Company shall not make any guarantee  payments with respect to
the foregoing (other than pursuant to a Trust Guarantee).
    
 
MODIFICATION OF THE TRUST GUARANTEES; ASSIGNMENT
 
     Except with respect to any changes that do not adversely  affect the rights
of holders of  Preferred  Securities  (in which case no consent of such  holders
will be  required),  each Trust  Guarantee  may be  amended  only with the prior
approval of the holders of not less than a majority in liquidation amount of the
outstanding  Preferred Securities of such Conseco Trust. The manner of obtaining
any such approval of holders of such Preferred  Securities  will be set forth in
accompanying Prospectus Supplement. All guarantees and agreements contained in a
Trust  Guarantee  shall bind the successors,  assigns,  receivers,  trustees and
representatives  of the Company and shall inure to the benefit of the holders of
the Preferred Securities of the applicable Conseco Trust then outstanding.
 
EVENTS OF DEFAULT
 
     An event of default under a Trust  Guarantee will occur upon the failure of
the Company to perform any of its payment or other obligations  thereunder.  The
holders of a majority in liquidation amount of the Preferred Securities to which
such Trust Guarantee relates have the right to direct the time, method and place
of  conducting  any  proceeding  for  any  remedy  available  to  the  Preferred
Securities Guarantee Trustee in respect of such Trust Guarantee or to direct the
exercise of any trust or power conferred upon the Preferred Securities Guarantee
Trustee under such Trust Guarantee.
 
     If the Preferred  Securities  Guarantee Trustee fails to enforce such Trust
Guarantee,  any  record  holder of  Preferred  Securities  to which  such  Trust
Guarantee relates may institute a legal proceeding  directly against the Company
to enforce the Preferred  Securities Guarantee Trustee's rights under such Trust
Guarantee  without first  instituting a legal proceeding  against the applicable
Conseco Trust, the Preferred Securities Guarantee Trustee or any other person or
entity.  Notwithstanding  the  foregoing,  if the  Company  has failed to make a
Guarantee  Payment  under  a Trust  Guarantee,  a  record  holder  of  Preferred
Securities  to which such Trust  Guarantee  relates  may  directly  institute  a
proceeding  against the Company for enforcement of such Trust Guarantee for such
payment to the record  holder of the  Preferred  Securities  to which such Trust
Guarantee relates of the principal of or interest on the applicable Subordinated
Debt  Securities  on  or  after  the  respective  due  dates  specified  in  the
Subordinated Debt Securities, and the amount of the payment will be based on the
holder's  pro rata  share of the  amount  due and owing on all of the  Preferred
Securities  to which such Trust  Guarantee  relates.  The Company has waived any
right or  remedy to  require  that any  action  be  brought  first  against  the
applicable  Conseco  Trust or any  other  person  or  entity  before  proceeding
directly
 
                                       26

 
against the  Company.  The record  holder in the case of the  issuance of one or
more global  Preferred  Securities  certificates  will be The  Depository  Trust
Company  acting at the  direction  of the  beneficial  owners  of the  Preferred
Securities.
 
     The  Company  will  be  required  to  provide  annually  to  the  Preferred
Securities Guarantee Trustee a statement as to the performance by the Company of
certain of its obligations  under each outstanding Trust Guarantee and as to any
default in such performance.
 
INFORMATION CONCERNING THE PREFERRED SECURITIES GUARANTEE TRUSTEE
 
     The Preferred  Securities  Guarantee Trustee,  prior to the occurrence of a
default to a Trust  Guarantee,  undertakes  to perform  only such  duties as are
specifically  set forth in such Trust  Guarantee and, after default with respect
to such Trust  Guarantee,  shall  exercise  the same degree of care as a prudent
individual  would exercise in the conduct of his or her own affairs.  Subject to
such  provision,   the  Preferred  Securities  Guarantee  Trustee  is  under  no
obligation  to exercise any of the powers  vested in it by a Trust  Guarantee at
the request of any holder of Preferred  Securities to which such Trust Guarantee
relates unless it is offered  reasonable  indemnity against the costs,  expenses
and liabilities that might be incurred thereby.
 
TERMINATION
 
     Each Trust Guarantee will terminate as to the Preferred  Securities  issued
by the applicable Conseco Trust upon full payment of the Redemption Price of all
Preferred   Securities  of  such  Conseco  Trust,   upon   distribution  of  the
Subordinated Debt Securities held by such Conseco Trust to the holders of all of
the  Preferred  Securities  of such  Conseco  Trust or upon full  payment of the
amounts  payable in accordance  with the  Declaration of such Conseco Trust upon
liquidation  of such Conseco  Trust.  Each Trust  Guarantee  will continue to be
effective or will be  reinstated,  as the case may be, if at any time any holder
of Preferred  Securities  issued by the  applicable  Conseco  Trust must restore
payment  of any  sums  paid  under  such  Preferred  Securities  or  such  Trust
Guarantee.
 
STATUS OF THE TRUST GUARANTEES
 
   
     The Trust Guarantees will constitute an unsecured obligation of the Company
and will  rank (i)  subordinate  and  junior  in right of  payment  to all other
liabilities of the Company,  including the Subordinated Debt Securities,  except
those  liabilities of the Company made pari passu or subordinate by their terms,
(ii) pari  passu  with the most  senior  preferred  or  preference  stock now or
hereafter issued by the Company and with any guarantee now or hereafter  entered
into by the  Company in  respect of any  preferred  or  preference  stock of any
affiliate of the Company and (iii) senior to the Common Stock.  The terms of the
Preferred  Securities  provide  that each  holder  of  Preferred  Securities  by
acceptance thereof agrees to the subordination provisions and other terms of the
Trust Guarantee relating thereto.
    
 
     Each Trust  Guarantee  will  constitute  a guarantee  of payment and not of
collection  (that is, the  guaranteed  party may  institute  a legal  proceeding
directly  against the Company to enforce its rights  under such Trust  Guarantee
without instituting a legal proceeding against any other person or entity).
 
GOVERNING LAW
 
     The Trust  Guarantees  will be governed by and construed in accordance with
the law of the State of New York.
 
        DESCRIPTION OF STOCK PURCHASE CONTRACTS AND STOCK PURCHASE UNITS
 
     The  Company  may  issue  Stock  Purchase  Contracts,  including  contracts
obligating holders to purchase from the Company,  and the Company to sell to the
holders,  a  specified  number of shares of  Common  Stock,  Preferred  Stock or
Depositary  Shares at a future  date or dates.  The  consideration  per share of
Common Stock,  Preferred Stock or Depositary Shares may be fixed at the time the
Stock  Purchase  Contracts  are issued or may be  determined  by  reference to a
specific formula set forth in the Stock Purchase Contracts. The Stock
 
                                       27

 
Purchase  Contracts  may be  issued  separately  or as a part of  units  ("Stock
Purchase  Units")  consisting of a Stock Purchase  Contract and Debt Securities,
Preferred  Securities  or debt  obligations  of third  parties,  including  U.S.
Treasury  securities,  securing the holders'  obligations to purchase the Common
Stock,  Preferred Stock or Depositary Shares under the Stock Purchase Contracts.
The Stock Purchase  Contracts may require the Company to make periodic  payments
to the holders of the Stock Purchase Units or vice versa,  and such payments may
be  unsecured  or  prefunded on some basis.  The Stock  Purchase  Contracts  may
require holders to secure their obligations thereunder in a specified manner.
 
     The applicable  Prospectus  Supplement will describe the terms of any Stock
Purchase  Contracts or Stock Purchase  Units.  The description in the Prospectus
Supplement will not  necessarily be complete,  and reference will be made to the
Stock  Purchase  Contracts,  and, if  applicable,  collateral  arrangements  and
depositary  arrangements,  relating to such Stock  Purchase  Contracts  or Stock
Purchase Units.
 
                              PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
 
     The Company and/or any Conseco Trust may sell any of the  Securities  being
offered  hereby in any one or more of the following  ways from time to time: (i)
through agents; (ii) to or through underwriters;  (iii) through dealers; or (iv)
directly to purchasers.
 
     The Prospectus Supplement with respect to the Securities will set forth the
terms of the  offering  of the  Securities,  including  the name or names of any
underwriters,  dealers or agents;  the purchase  price of the Securities and the
proceeds to the Company and/or a Conseco Trust from such sale; any  underwriting
discounts  and   commissions  or  agency  fees  and  other  items   constituting
underwriters' or agents' compensation; any initial public offering price and any
discounts  or  concessions  allowed  or  reallowed  or paid to  dealers  and any
securities  exchange on which such Securities may be listed.  Any initial public
offering price, discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers
may be changed from time to time.
 
     The distribution of the Securities may be effected from time to time in one
or more transactions at a fixed price or prices, which may be changed, at market
prices  prevailing  at the time of sale,  at prices  related to such  prevailing
market prices or at negotiated prices.
 
     Offers to purchase  Securities may be solicited by agents designated by the
Company from time to time.  Any such agent  involved in the offer or sale of the
Securities in respect of which this  Prospectus is delivered will be named,  and
any  commissions  payable by the Company and/or the applicable  Conseco Trust to
such agent will be set forth, in the applicable  Prospectus  Supplement.  Unless
otherwise indicated in such Prospectus Supplement, any such agent will be acting
on a reasonable best efforts basis for the period of its  appointment.  Any such
agent  may be  deemed  to be an  underwriter,  as that  term is  defined  in the
Securities Act, of the Securities so offered and sold.
 
     If Securities are sold by means of an  underwritten  offering,  the Company
and/or the applicable Conseco Trust will execute an underwriting  agreement with
an  underwriter  or  underwriters  at the time an  agreement  for  such  sale is
reached, and the names of the specific managing underwriter or underwriters,  as
well as any  other  underwriters,  and the terms of the  transaction,  including
commissions,  discounts  and any  other  compensation  of the  underwriters  and
dealers,  if any, will be set forth in the Prospectus  Supplement  which will be
used by the  underwriters  to make resales of the Securities in respect of which
this Prospectus is delivered to the public.  If underwriters are utilized in the
sale of the  Securities in respect of which this  Prospectus  is delivered,  the
Securities will be acquired by the underwriters for their own account and may be
resold  from  time to time in one or  more  transactions,  including  negotiated
transactions, at fixed public offering prices or at varying prices determined by
the  underwriter  at the time of sale.  Securities  may be offered to the public
either through underwriting  syndicates  represented by managing underwriters or
directly by the managing  underwriters.  If any underwriter or underwriters  are
utilized  in the  sale of the  Securities,  unless  otherwise  indicated  in the
Prospectus  Supplement,   the  underwriting  agreement  will  provide  that  the
obligations of the underwriters are subject to certain conditions  precedent and
that the underwriters  with respect to a sale of Securities will be obligated to
purchase all such Securities of a series if any are purchased.
 
                                       28

 
     If a dealer is utilized in the sales of the  Securities in respect of which
this  Prospectus is delivered,  the Company and/or the applicable  Conseco Trust
will sell such Securities to the dealer as principal. The dealer may then resell
such  Securities to the public at varying prices to be determined by such dealer
at the time of resale.  Any such dealer may be deemed to be an  underwriter,  as
such term is defined in the  Securities  Act, of the  Securities  so offered and
sold. The name of the dealer and the terms of the transaction  will be set forth
in the Prospectus Supplement relating thereto.
 
     Offers to  purchase  Securities  may be  solicited  directly by the Company
and/or the  applicable  Conseco  Trust and the sale  thereof  may be made by the
Company and/or the applicable Conseco Trust directly to institutional  investors
or  others,  who may be deemed to be  underwriters  within  the  meaning  of the
Securities Act with respect to any resale  thereof.  The terms of any such sales
will be described in the Prospectus Supplement relating thereto.
 
     Agents,  underwriters and dealers may be entitled under relevant agreements
to  indemnification or contribution by the Company and/or the applicable Conseco
Trust against certain  liabilities,  including  liabilities under the Securities
Act.
 
     Agents,   underwriters   and  dealers  may  be  customers   of,  engage  in
transactions  with, or perform services for, the Company and its subsidiaries in
the ordinary course of business.
 
     Securities  may also be offered and sold, if so indicated in the applicable
Prospectus Supplement,  in connection with a remarketing upon their purchase, in
accordance with a redemption or repayment pursuant to their terms, or otherwise,
by one or more firms ("remarketing  firms"),  acting as principals for their own
accounts or as agents for the Company and/or the applicable  Conseco Trust.  Any
remarketing firm will be identified and the terms of its agreement, if any, with
its  compensation  will be described in the  applicable  Prospectus  Supplement.
Remarketing  firms may be deemed to be underwriters,  as such term is defined in
the  Securities  Act, in  connection  with the  Securities  remarketed  thereby.
Remarketing  firms may be entitled  under  agreements  which may be entered into
with the Company  and/or the  applicable  Conseco  Trust to  indemnification  or
contribution by the Company and/or the applicable  Conseco Trust against certain
civil  liabilities,  including  liabilities under the Securities Act, and may be
customers of, engage in  transactions  with or perform  services for Conseco and
its subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business.
 
     If so indicated in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, the Company and/or
the applicable  Conseco Trust may authorize  agents,  underwriters or dealers to
solicit offers by certain types of institutions to purchase  Securities from the
Company and/or the applicable  Conseco Trust at the public  offering  prices set
forth in the  applicable  Prospectus  Supplement  pursuant  to delayed  delivery
contracts  ("Contracts")  providing for payment and delivery on a specified date
or dates in the future.  A  commission  indicated in the  applicable  Prospectus
Supplement will be paid to underwriters, dealers and agents soliciting purchases
of  Securities  pursuant  to  Contracts  accepted  by  the  Company  and/or  the
applicable Conseco Trust.
 
               SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
 
     All  statements,  trend  analyses and other  information  contained in this
Prospectus,  any Prospectus Supplement or any document incorporated by reference
herein  relative  to  markets  for the  products  of the  Company  or Green Tree
Financial Corporation ("Green Tree") and trends in the Company's or Green Tree's
operations or financial  results,  as well as other  statements  including words
such as "anticipate,"  "believe," "plan,"  "estimate,"  "expect,"  "intend," and
other  similar  expressions,  constitute  forward-looking  statements  under the
Private  Securities   Litigation  Reform  Act  of  1995.  These  forward-looking
statements  are  subject to known and  unknown  risks,  uncertainties  and other
factors  which may cause actual  results to be materially  different  from those
contemplated by the  forward-looking  statements.  Such factors  include,  among
other things:  (1) general  economic  conditions  and other  factors,  including
prevailing interest rate levels,  short-term  interest rate fluctuations,  stock
market  performance and health care  inflation,  which may affect the ability of
the  Company to sell its  products,  the ability of Green Tree to make loans and
access  capital  resources,  the market  value of the  Company's or Green Tree's
investments,  the lapse rate and profitability of the Company's policies and the
level of defaults and prepayments of loans made by Green Tree; (2) the Company's
ability to achieve  anticipated  levels of operational  efficiencies at recently
acquired  companies,  as well as  through  other  cost-saving  initiatives;  (3)
customer  response  to  new  products,   distribution   channels  and  marketing
initiatives; (4) mortality, morbidity, usage of
 
                                       29

 
   
health care services and other factors which may affect the profitability of the
Company's  insurance  products;  (5) changes in the Federal  income tax laws and
regulations  which  may  affect  the  relative  tax  advantages  of  some of the
Company's  products;  (6)  increasing  competition  in the sale of insurance and
annuities  and in the  consumer  finance  business;  (7)  regulatory  changes or
actions,  including those relating to regulation of financial services affecting
(among  other  things)  bank  sales  and  underwriting  of  insurance  products,
regulation  of the sale,  underwriting  and pricing of insurance  products,  and
health care regulation  affecting the Company's  supplemental  health  insurance
products;  (8) the  availability and terms of future  acquisitions;  and (9) the
risk  factors  or  uncertainties  listed  from  time to  time in any  Prospectus
Supplement or any document  incorporated by reference herein. In addition to the
above,  these statements are subject to uncertainties  related to the synergies,
charges and expenses associated with the Green Tree Merger.
    
 
                                 LEGAL MATTERS
 
Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable  Prospectus  Supplement,  the legal
validity of Securities (other than the Preferred Securities) will be passed upon
for the Company by John J. Sabl,  Executive Vice President,  General Counsel and
Secretary  of the Company.  Mr. Sabl is a full-time  employee of the Company and
owns 75,000 shares and holds options to purchase 450,000 shares of Common Stock.
 
     Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, certain
matters of Delaware  law relating to the  validity of the  Preferred  Securities
will be passed upon for the Conseco Trusts by Richards,  Layton & Finger,  P.A.,
Wilmington, Delaware, special Delaware counsel to the Conseco Trusts.
 
                                    EXPERTS
 
     The  consolidated  financial  statements and schedules of the Company as of
December  31, 1997 and 1996 and for each of the three years in the period  ended
December  31, 1997  incorporated  by  reference  in this  Prospectus,  have been
audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, independent accountants,  as set forth in
their reports thereon  incorporated by reference herein, and are incorporated by
reference in reliance upon such  reports,  given upon the authority of such firm
as experts in accounting and auditing.


     The  consolidated  financial  statements of Green Tree at December 31, 1997
and 1996, and for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 1997,
included  in the  Current  Report  on Form  8-K  dated  June 3,  1998,  which is
incorporated  by  reference in this  Prospectus,  have been audited by KPMG Peat
Marwick LLP,  independent  certified  public  accountants  as set forth in their
report  thereon  incorporated  by  reference  herein,  and are  incorporated  by
reference  in reliance  upon such report,  given upon  authority of such firm as
experts in accounting and auditing.

 
                                       30

 
                                    PART II
 
                     INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
 
ITEM 14.  OTHER EXPENSES OF ISSUANCE AND DISTRIBUTION
 
   

                                                               
Securities and Exchange Commission registration fee.........    $  590,000
New York Stock Exchange listing fee.........................        75,000  
Legal fees and expenses.....................................       200,000
Accounting fees and expenses................................       125,000
Printing and engraving expenses.............................       250,000
Trustee's fees and expenses.................................        50,000
Rating agencies' fees.......................................       600,000
Miscellaneous...............................................       110,000
                                                                ----------
Total.......................................................    $2,000,000
                                                                ==========



    
 
     Except for the SEC registration fee, all of the foregoing are estimates.
 
ITEM 15.  INDEMNIFICATION OF OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS
 
     The  Indiana  Business  Corporation  Law  grants  authorization  to Indiana
corporations  to indemnify  officers  and  directors  for their  conduct if such
conduct was in good faith and was in the corporation's best interests or, in the
case of  directors,  was not  opposed to such best  interests,  and  permits the
purchase of  insurance  in this  regard.  In  addition,  the  shareholders  of a
corporation  may approve the  inclusion of other or  additional  indemnification
provisions in the articles of incorporation and bylaws.
 
     The Conseco Bylaws  provides for the  indemnification  of any person made a
party to any action,  suit or proceeding by reason of the fact that he or she is
a  director,  officer  or  employee  of  Conseco,  if (a) such  person is wholly
successful with respect to such action, suit or proceeding or (b) if such person
is determined to have acted in good faith, in what he or she reasonably believed
to be the  best  interests  of  Conseco  or at  least  not  opposed  to its best
interests and, in addition, with respect to any criminal claim, is determined to
have had  reasonable  cause to believe that his or her conduct was lawful or had
no  reasonable  cause to believe  that his or her  conduct  was  unlawful.  Such
indemnification  shall be against the reasonable expenses,  including attorneys'
fees,  incurred by such person in  connection  with the defense of such  action,
suit or proceeding and amounts paid in settlement. If such person was not wholly
successful, the determination of entitlement to indemnification shall be made by
one of the  following  methods,  such  method  to be  selected  by the  Board of
Directors:  (a) by the  Board  of  Directors  by a  majority  vote  of a  quorum
consisting of directors who are not and have not been parties to the claim;  (b)
by the majority vote of a committee  duly  designated by the Board of Directors,
consisting solely of two or more directors who are not and have not been parties
to the claim; and (c) by special legal counsel.

 
     The  above  discussion  of  Conseco's  Bylaws  and  the  Indiana  Business
Corporation  Law is not  intended  to be  exhaustive  and  is  qualified  in its
entirety by such Bylaws and the Indiana Business Corporation Law.
 
     The  Declaration  of Trust for each of Conseco  Financing  Trust V, Conseco
Financing Trust VI and Conseco Financing Trust VII (the "Trusts")  provides that
no  Institutional  Trustee or any of its Affiliates,  Delaware Trustee or any of
its  Affiliates,  or  any  officer,  director,  shareholder,   member,  partner,
employee,  representative,  custodian,  nominee  or agent  of the  Institutional
Trustee or the Delaware Trustee (each a "Fiduciary  Indemnified Person"), and no
Regular  Trustee,  Affiliate of any Regular Trustee,  or any officer,  director,
shareholder,  member, partner, employee,  representative or agent of any Regular
Trustee or any Affiliate thereof,  or any employee or agent of any of the Trusts
or any of  their  Affiliates  (each a  "Company  Indemnified  Person")  shall be
liable, responsible or accountable in damages or otherwise to any of such Trusts
or any officer, director, shareholder, partner, member, representative, employee
or agent of any such  Trust or its  Affiliates  or to any  holder  of  Preferred
Securities  for any  loss,  damage  or claim  incurred  by  reason of any act or
omission  performed or omitted by such Fiduciary  Indemnified  Person or Company
Indemnified Person in good faith on behalf of any of such Trusts and in a manner
such  Fiduciary  Indemnified  Person or Company  Indemnified  Person  reasonably
believed to be within the scope of the  authority  conferred  on such  Fiduciary
Indemnified Person or Company  Indemnified Person by such Declaration or by law,
except
 
                                      II-1

 
that a  Fiduciary  Indemnified  Person or Company  Indemnified  Person  shall be
liable for any such loss,  damage or claim  incurred by reason of such Fiduciary
Indemnified Person's or Company Indemnified Person's gross negligence or willful
misconduct with respect to such acts or omissions.
 
     The  Declaration of Trust for each of such Trusts also provides that to the
full  extent   permitted  by  law,  the  Company  shall  indemnify  any  Company
Indemnified  Person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to
any threatened,  pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil,
criminal,  administrative  or  investigative  (other than an action by or in the
right of any such  Trust)  by  reason  of the fact  that he is or was a  Company
Indemnified  Person against expenses  (including  attorneys'  fees),  judgments,
fines and amounts paid in settlement  actually and  reasonably  incurred by such
person in connection  with such action,  suit or proceeding if such person acted
in good faith and in a manner  such person  reasonably  believed to be in or not
opposed  to the best  interests  of any such  Trust,  and,  with  respect to any
criminal action or proceeding,  had no reasonable cause to believe such person's
conduct was unlawful.  Each of the  Declaration  of Trusts also provides that to
the full extent  permitted  by law,  the  Company  shall  indemnify  any Company
Indemnified  Person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to
any  threatened,  pending or completed  action or suit by or in the right of any
such trust to  procure a  judgment  in its favor by reason of the fact that such
person  is or was a  Company  Indemnified  Person  against  expenses  (including
attorneys'  fees) actually and reasonably  incurred by such person in connection
with the defense or  settlement  of such action or suit if such person  acted in
good  faith and in a manner  such  person  reasonably  believed  to be in or not
opposed  to the  best  interests  of any  such  trust  and  except  that no such
indemnification  shall be made in respect  of any  claim,  issue or matter as to
which such Company  Indemnified  Person shall have been adjudged to be liable to
any such  trust  unless  and only to the extent  that the Court of  Chancery  of
Delaware or the court in which such action or suit was brought  shall  determine
upon application that,  despite the adjudication of liability but in view of all
the circumstances of the case, such person is fairly and reasonably  entitled to
indemnity  for such  expenses  which such Court of  Chancery or such other court
shall deem proper. The Declaration of Trust for each such Trust further provides
that expenses  (including  attorneys'  fees)  incurred by a Company  Indemnified
Person in defending a civil,  criminal,  administrative or investigative action,
suit or proceeding referred to in the immediately  preceding two sentences shall
be paid by the Company in advance of the final disposition of such action,  suit
or  proceeding  upon receipt of an  undertaking  by or on behalf of such Company
Indemnified  Person to repay such amount if it shall  ultimately  be  determined
that such person is not entitled to be  indemnified by the Company as authorized
in any such Declaration.
 
     The  Declaration  of Trust for each Trust also  provides  that the  Company
shall indemnify each Fiduciary Indemnified Person against any loss, liability or
expense incurred without  negligence or bad faith on its part, arising out of or
in connection with the acceptance or administration of the trust or trusts under
any such Trust,  including the costs and expenses  (including  reasonable  legal
fees and expenses) of defending  itself  against or  investigating  any claim or
liability in connection with the exercise or performance of any of its powers or
duties thereunder.
 
ITEM 16.  EXHIBITS
 


    EXHIBIT NUMBER                      DESCRIPTION OF EXHIBIT
    --------------                      ----------------------
                  
         1.1         Form  of  Purchase   Agreement   --  Debt   Securities   is
                     incorporated  herein by  reference  to  Exhibit  1.1 to the
                     Registration  Statement on Form S-3 of the Registrant  (No.
                     33-53095)
         1.2         Form of Purchase Agreement -- Equity is incorporated herein
                     by reference to Exhibit 1.2 to the  Registration  Statement
                     on Form S-3 of the Registrant (No. 33-53095)

 
                                      II-2



    EXHIBIT NUMBER                      DESCRIPTION OF EXHIBIT
    --------------                      ----------------------
                  
         3.1         Amended and Restated  Articles of Incorporation of Conseco,
                     Inc.  were filed  with the  Commission  as  Exhibit  3.1 to
                     Conseco's  Annual  Report on Form  10-K for the year  ended
                     December  31,  1997, and are  incorporated  herein  by this
                     reference.
         3.2         Amended  and  Restated  Bylaws of Conseco, Inc.  were filed
                     with the  Commission as Exhibit 3.2 to its Annual Report on
                     Form 10-K for the year ended  December  31,  1997,  and are
                     incorporated herein by this reference.
         4.1         Senior  Indenture,  dated as of  November  13,  1997 by and
                     between Conseco,  Inc. and LTCB Trust Company,  as Trustee,
                     pursuant  to which the  Senior  Debt  Securities  are to be
                     issued*
         4.2         Subordinated  Indenture,  dated  as of  November  14,  1996
                     between Conseco,  Inc. and Fleet National Bank, as Trustee,
                     pursuant  to which the  Subordinated  Debentures  are to be
                     issued is  incorporated  herein  by  reference  to  Exhibit
                     4.17.1  to  Conseco's  Current  Report  on Form  8-K  dated
                     November 19, 1996.
         4.3         Form  of  Deposit  Agreement  is  incorporated   herein  by
                     reference to Exhibit 4.3 to the  Registration  Statement on
                     Form S-3 of the Registrant (No. 33-53095)
         4.4         Certificate of Trust of Conseco Financing Trust V*
         4.5         Declaration of Trust of Conseco Financing Trust V*
         4.6         Certificate of Trust of Conseco Financing Trust VI*
         4.7         Declaration of Trust of Conseco Financing Trust VI*
         4.8         Certificate of Trust of Conseco Financing Trust VII*
         4.9         Declaration of Trust of Conseco Financing Trust VII*
         4.10        Form of  Amended  and  Restated  Declaration  of  Trust  is
                     incorporated  by reference to Exhibit 4.10 to Amendment No.
                     2 to the Registration Statement on Form S-3 of Conseco (No.
                     333-14991)
         4.11        Form  of  Preferred   Securities   Guarantee  Agreement  by
                     Conseco,  Inc. is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.11
                     to Amendment  No. 2 to the  Registration  Statement on Form
                     S-3 of Conseco (No. 333-14991)
         4.12        Form of  Debt  Security  
                     The form or forms of such Debt  Securities  with respect to
                     each  particular  offering  will  be  filed  as an  exhibit
                     subsequently included or incorporated by reference herein.
         4.13        Form of Preferred Stock
                     Any  amendment to the Company's  Articles of  Incorporation
                     authorizing  the creation of any series of Preferred  Stock
                     or Depositary Shares  representing such shares of Preferred
                     Stock  and  setting  forth  the  rights,   preferences  and
                     designations   thereof   will  be  filed   as  an   exhibit
                     subsequently included or incorporated by reference herein.



 
                                      II-3

   


    EXHIBIT NUMBER                      DESCRIPTION OF EXHIBIT
    --------------                      ----------------------
                  
         4.14        Form  of  Warrant  Agreement  is  incorporated   herein  by
                     reference to Exhibit 4.4 to the  Registration  Statement on
                     Form S-3 of the Registrant (No. 33-53095).
         4.15        Form of Preferred  Security is incorporated by reference to
                     Exhibit  4.15  to  Amendment  No.  1  to  the  Registration
                     Statement on Form S-3 of Conseco (No. 333-14991)
         4.16        Form of Supplemental Indenture is incorporated by reference
                     to  Exhibit  4.16 to  Amendment  No. 1 to the  Registration
                     Statement on Form S-3 of Conseco (No. 333-14991)
         4.17        Form of %  Subordinated  Deferrable  Interest  Debenture is
                     incorporated  by reference to Exhibit 4.17 to Amendment No.
                     1 to the Registration Statement on Form S-3 of Conseco (No.
                     333-14991)
         5.1         Opinion of John J. Sabl
         5.2         Opinion of Richards, Layton & Finger, P.A.
         12.1        Computation   of  Ratios  of  Earnings  to  Fixed  Charges,
                     Preferred Dividends and Distributions on  Company-obligated
                     Mandatorily  Redeemable  Preferred Securities of Subsidiary
                     Trusts (previously filed)
         23.1        Consent of John J. Sabl (included in Exhibit 5.1 hereto)
         23.2        Consent of  PricewaterhouseCooopers LLP with respect to the
                     financial statements of Conseco, Inc.
         23.3        Consent of  Richards,  Layton & Finger,  P.A.  (included in
                     Exhibit 5.2 hereto)
         23.4        Consent of  KPMG  Peat  Marwick  LLP  with  respect  to the
                     financial  statements of Green Tree  Financial  Corporation
         24.1        Powers of Attorney from Stephen C. Hilbert, Rollin M. Dick,
                     James S. Adams,  Ngaire E. Cuneo, David R. Decatur, M. Phil
                     Hathaway,  Donald F. Gongaware,  James D. Massey, Dennis E.
                     Murray, Sr. and John M. Mutz were included on the signature
                     page of the initial filing of this Registration Statement.
         25.1        Statement of Eligibility on Form T-1 under
                     the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended,  of LTCB Trust
                     Company, as Trustee under the Senior Indenture  (previously
                     filed)
         25.2        Statement  of  Eligibility  on Form T-1  under  the  Trust
                     Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, of State Street Bank and
                     Trust Company, as Trustee under the Subordinated  Indenture
                     (previously filed)
         25.3        Statement  of  Eligibility  on Form T-1  under  the   Trust
                     Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, of State Street Bank and
                     Trust Company, as Trustee under the Declaration of Trust of
                     Conseco  Financing  Trust  V, the  Declaration  of Trust of
                     Conseco  Financing Trust VI and the Declaration of Trust of
                     Conseco Financing Trust VII and of the Preferred Securities
                     Guarantees  for the  benefit of the  holders  of  Preferred
                     Securities of Conseco  Financing Trust V, Conseco Financing
                     Trust VI and Conseco Financing Trust VII


    
 
  * Incorporated  herein  by  reference  to  the  corresponding  exhibit  to the
    Registration Statement on Form S-3 of Conseco (No. 333-27803).

   

    
 
                                      II-4

 
ITEM 17.  UNDERTAKINGS
 
     (a)  The undersigned Registrants hereby undertake:
 
        (1)  To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made,
             a post-effective amendment to this Registration Statement:
 
              (i)  To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the
                   Securities Act of 1933;
 
              (ii) To  reflect  in the  prospectus  any facts or events  arising
                   after the effective  date of the  Registration  Statement (or
                   the most  recent  post-effective  amendment  thereof)  which,
                   individually  or in the  aggregate,  represent a  fundamental
                   change  in the  information  set  forth  in the  Registration
                   Statement.
 
                 Notwithstanding  the  foregoing,  any  increase  or decrease in
                 volume of  securities  offered  (if the total  dollar  value of
                 securities  offered would not exceed that which was registered)
                 and any  deviation  from the low or high  end of the  estimated
                 maximum  offering  range  may  be  reflected  in  the  form  of
                 prospectus  filed with the  Commission  pursuant to Rule 424(b)
                 under the Securities  Act if, in the aggregate,  the changes in
                 volume  and price  represent  no more than a 20%  change in the
                 maximum aggregate  offering price set forth in the "Calculation
                 of  Registration  Fee"  table  in  the  effective  Registration
                 Statement.
 
             (iii) To include any material  information with respect to the plan
                   of distribution not previously  disclosed in the Registration
                   Statement or any material  change to such  information in the
                   Registration  Statement;  Provided,  however, that paragraphs
                   (a)(1)(i)   and   (a)(1)(ii)   above  do  not  apply  if  the
                   information  required  to  be  included  in a  post-effective
                   amendment  by  those  paragraphs  is  contained  in  periodic
                   reports  filed by the  Registrant  pursuant  to Section 13 or
                   Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are
                   incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement.
 
        (2)  That,  for the  purpose  of  determining  any  liability  under the
             Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be
             deemed  to  be  a  new  registration   statement  relating  to  the
             securities offered therein,  and the offering of such securities at
             that  time  shall be deemed to be the  initial  bona fide  offering
             thereof.
 
        (3)  To remove from registration by means of a post-effective  amendment
             any of the securities  being  registered which remain unsold at the
             termination of the offering.
 
     (b)  The  undersigned  Registrants  hereby  undertake that, for purposes of
          determining  any  liability  under the  Securities  Act of 1933,  each
          filing of the Registrant's  annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or
          Section  15(d)  of  the  Securities  Exchange  Act  of  1934  that  is
          incorporated  by  reference  in the  Registration  Statement  shall be
          deemed to be a new registration  statement  relating to the securities
          offered  therein,  and the  offering of such  securities  at that time
          shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
 
     (c)  If the  securities to be registered  are to be offered at  competitive
          bidding, the undersigned Registrants hereby undertake:  (1) to use its
          best  efforts  to  distribute   prior  to  the  opening  of  bids,  to
          prospective bidders, underwriters, and dealers, a reasonable number of
          copies of a prospectus  which at that time meets the  requirements  of
          Section  10(a) of the Act, and relating to the  securities  offered at
          competitive  bidding,  as  contained  in the  Registration  Statement,
          together with any supplements thereto, and (2) to file an amendment to
          the  Registration  Statement  reflecting  the results of bidding,  the
          terms of the reoffering and related  matters to the extent required by
          the applicable  form, not later than the first use,  authorized by the
          issuer  after the  opening of bids,  of a  prospectus  relating to the
          securities  offered at competitive  bidding,  unless no further public
          offering of such  securities  by the issuer and no  reoffering of such
          securities by the purchasers is proposed to be made.
 
                                      II-5

 
     (d)  Insofar  as   indemnification   for  liabilities   arising  under  the
          Securities  Act of 1933 may be  permitted to  directors,  officers and
          controlling  persons  of the  Registrants  pursuant  to the  foregoing
          provisions,  or otherwise,  each of the  Registrants  has been advised
          that in the opinion of the  Securities  and Exchange  Commission  such
          indemnification  is against  public policy as expressed in the Act and
          is,  therefore,   unenforceable.   In  the  event  that  a  claim  for
          indemnification  against such  liabilities  (other than the payment by
          the Registrants of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or
          controlling person of the Registrants in the successful defense of any
          action,  suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director,  officer or
          controlling person in connection with the securities being registered,
          the Registrants  will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter
          has  been  settled  by  controlling  precedent,  submit  to a court of
          appropriate  jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by
          it is  against  public  policy  as  expressed  in the Act and  will be
          governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
 
     (e)  The undersigned  Registrants hereby undertake that (1) for purposes of
          determining  any  liability  under  the  Securities  Act of 1933,  the
          information  omitted from the form of prospectus filed as part of this
          Registration  Statement in reliance  upon Rule 430A and contained in a
          form of prospectus filed by the Registrant  pursuant to Rule 424(b)(1)
          or (4) or 497(h) under the  Securities  Act shall be deemed to be part
          of  this  Registration  Statement  as of  the  time  it  was  declared
          effective;  and (2) for the purpose of determining any liability under
          the  Securities  Act  of  1933,  each  post-effective  amendment  that
          contains a form of prospectus shall be deemed to be a new registration
          statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering
          of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona
          fide offering thereof.
 
     (f)  The undersigned Registrants hereby undertake to file, if necessary, an
          application  for the purpose of  determining  the  eligibility  of the
          Trustee  to act  under  subsection  (a) of  Section  310 of the  Trust
          Indenture  Act of 1939, as amended,  in accordance  with the rules and
          regulations prescribed by the Securities and Exchange Commission under
          Section 305(b)(2) of such Act.
 
     (g)  The undersigned Registrants hereby undertake to deliver or cause to be
          delivered with the  prospectus,  to each person to whom the prospectus
          is sent or given, the latest annual report to security holders that is
          incorporated by reference in the prospectus and furnished  pursuant to
          and  meeting  the  requirements  of Rule 14a-3 or Rule 14c-3 under the
          Securities   Exchange  Act  of  1934;  and,  where  interim  financial
          information  required to be presented by Article 3 of  Regulation  S-X
          are not set  forth  in the  prospectus,  to  deliver,  or  cause to be
          delivered to each person to whom the prospectus is sent or given,  the
          latest quarterly report that is specifically incorporated by reference
          in the prospectus to provide such interim financial information.
 
                                      II-6

 
                                   SIGNATURES
 
   
     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933,  Conseco,  Inc.
certifies  that it has  reasonable  grounds to believe  that it meets all of the
requirements  for  filing on Form S-3 and has duly  caused  this  Post-Effective
Amendment  No. 1 to  Registration  Statement  to be signed on its  behalf by the
undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Carmel, State of Indiana,
on August 4, 1998.
    
 
                                          CONSECO, INC.
 
   
                                          By: /s/ Rollin M. Dick
                                            ------------------------------------
                                              Rollin M. Dick
                                              Executive Vice President
                                                and Chief Financial Officer



   
     Pursuant  to  the   requirements  of  the  Securities  Act  of  1933,  this
Post-Effective  Amendment No. 1 to Registration Statement has been signed by the
following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated:
    
 
   


                  SIGNATURE                                   TITLE                        DATE
                  ---------                                   -----                        ----
                                                                               
                      *                        Director, Chairman of the Board,       August 4, 1998
- - ---------------------------------------------  President and Chief Executive
             Stephen C. Hilbert                Officer (Principal Executive Officer
                                               of Conseco, Inc.)
 
                      *                        Director, Executive Vice President     August 4, 1998
- - ---------------------------------------------  and Chief Financial Officer
               Rollin M. Dick                  (Principal Financial Officer of
                                               Conseco, Inc.)
 
                      *                        Senior Vice President, Chief           August 4, 1998
- - ---------------------------------------------  Accounting Officer and Treasurer
               James S. Adams                  (Principal Accounting Officer of
                                               Conseco, Inc.)
 
                      *                        Director                               August 4, 1998
- - ---------------------------------------------
               Ngaire E. Cuneo
 
                      *                        Director                               August 4, 1998
- - ---------------------------------------------
              David R. Decatur
 
                      *                        Director                               August 4, 1998
- - ---------------------------------------------
              M. Phil Hathaway
 
                      *                        Director                               August 4, 1998
- - ---------------------------------------------
             Donald F. Gongaware
 
                      *                        Director                               August 4, 1998
- - ---------------------------------------------
               James D. Massey
 
                      *                        Director                               August 4, 1998
- - ---------------------------------------------
            Dennis E. Murray, Sr.

    
 
                                      II-7
 
   


                  SIGNATURE                                   TITLE                        DATE
                  ---------                                   -----                        ----
                                                                               
                      *                        Director                               August 4, 1998
- - ---------------------------------------------
                John M. Mutz

* By:   /S/ KARL W. KINDIG
       ----------------------------
            Karl W. Kindig,
            Attorney-in-Fact

    
 
   
    
   
   
 
                                      II-8



 
                                   SIGNATURES
 
   
     Pursuant  to the  requirements  of the  Securities  Act  of  1933,  Conseco
Financing  Trust V certifies that it has  reasonable  grounds to believe that it
meets all of the  requirements  for filing on Form S-3 and has duly  caused this
Amendment  No. 1 to  Registration  Statement  to be signed on its  behalf by the
undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Carmel, State of Indiana,
on August 4, 1998.
    
 
   
                                          CONSECO FINANCING TRUST V
    
 
                                          By:                   
                                                           *         
                                            ------------------------------------
                                               Stephen C. Hilbert, as Trustee
 
                                          By:                   
                                                           *     
                                            ------------------------------------
                                                 Rollin M. Dick, as Trustee
 

* By:   /S/ KARL W. KINDIG
       ----------------------------
            Karl W. Kindig,
            Attorney-in-Fact

   
 
                                      II-9

 
                                   SIGNATURES
 
   
     Pursuant  to the  requirements  of the  Securities  Act  of  1933,  Conseco
Financing  Trust VI certifies that it has reasonable  grounds to believe that it
meets all of the  requirements  for filing on Form S-3 and has duly  caused this
Amendment  No. 1 to  Registration  Statement  to be signed on its  behalf by the
undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Carmel, State of Indiana,
on August 4, 1998.
    
 
   
                                          CONSECO FINANCING TRUST VI
    
 
                                          By:                   
                                                           *
                                            ------------------------------------
                                               Stephen C. Hilbert, as Trustee
 
                                          By:                   
                                                           *
                                            ------------------------------------
                                                 Rollin M. Dick, as Trustee
 
   
                                          


* By:   /S/ KARL W. KINDIG
       ----------------------------
            Karl W. Kindig,
            Attorney-in-Fact
 
 
                                      II-10

 
                                   SIGNATURES
 
   
     Pursuant  to the  requirements  of the  Securities  Act  of  1933,  Conseco
Financing Trust VII certifies that it has reasonable  grounds to believe that it
meets all of the  requirements  for filing on Form S-3 and has duly  caused this
Amendment  No. 1 to  Registration  Statement  to be signed on its  behalf by the
undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Carmel, State of Indiana,
on August 4, 1998.
    
 
   
                                          CONSECO FINANCING TRUST VII
    
 
                                          By:                    
                                                           *
                                            ------------------------------------
                                               Stephen C. Hilbert, as Trustee
 
                                          By:                   
                                                           *
                                            ------------------------------------
                                                 Rollin M. Dick, as Trustee



* By:   /S/ KARL W. KINDIG
       ----------------------------
            Karl W. Kindig,
            Attorney-in-Fact
     
 
                                      II-11

 
                                 EXHIBIT INDEX
                           TO REGISTRATION STATEMENT
                                  ON FORM S-3
 
                                 CONSECO, INC.
 


EXHIBIT NUMBER                      DESCRIPTION OF EXHIBIT
- - --------------                      ----------------------
              
     1.1         Form of Purchase Agreement -- Debt Securities is
                 incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 1.1 to the
                 Registration Statement on Form S-3 of the Registrant (No.
                 33-53095)
     1.2         Form of Purchase Agreement -- Equity is incorporated herein
                 by reference to Exhibit 1.2 to the Registration Statement on
                 Form S-3 of the Registrant (No. 33-53095)
     3.1         Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of Conseco, Inc.
                 were filed with the  Commission  as  Exhibit  3.1 to  Conseco's
                 Annual  Report on Form  10-K for the year  ended  December  31,
                 1997, and are incorporated herein by this reference.

     3.2         Amended and  Restated Bylaws  of  Conseco, Inc. were filed with
                 were filed  with the  Commission  as Exhibit  3.2 to its Annual
                 Report  on Form 10-K for the year ended  December 31, 1997, and
                 are incorporated herein by this reference.
     4.1         Senior Indenture, dated as of November 13, 1997 by and
                 between Conseco, Inc. and LTCB Trust Company, as Trustee,
                 pursuant to which the Senior Debt Securities are to be
                 issued*
     4.2         Subordinated Indenture, dated as of November 14, 1996
                 between Conseco, Inc. and Fleet National Bank, as Trustee,
                 pursuant to which the Subordinated Debentures are to be
                 issued is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.17.1
                 to Conseco's Current Report on Form 8-K dated November 19,
                 1996.
     4.3         Form of Deposit Agreement is incorporated herein by
                 reference to Exhibit 4.3 to the Registration Statement on
                 Form S-3 of the Registrant (No. 33-53095)
     4.4         Certificate of Trust of Conseco Financing Trust V*
     4.5         Declaration of Trust of Conseco Financing Trust V*
     4.6         Certificate of Trust of Conseco Financing Trust VI*
     4.7         Declaration of Trust of Conseco Financing Trust VI*
     4.8         Certificate of Trust of Conseco Financing Trust VII*
     4.9         Declaration of Trust of Conseco Financing Trust VII*
     4.10        Form of Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust is
                 incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.10 to Amendment No. 2
                 to the Registration Statement on Form S-3 of Conseco (No.
                 333-14991)
     4.11        Form of Preferred Securities Guarantee Agreement by Conseco,
                 Inc. is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.11 to
                 Amendment No. 2 to the Registration Statement on Form S-3 of
                 Conseco (No. 333-14991)

 
                                      II-12

   


EXHIBIT NUMBER                      DESCRIPTION OF EXHIBIT
- - --------------                      ----------------------
              
     4.12        Form of Debt Security
                 The form or forms of such Debt Securities with respect to
                 each particular offering will be filed as an exhibit
                 subsequently included or incorporated by reference herein.
     4.13        Form of Preferred Stock
                 Any amendment to the Company's Articles of Incorporation
                 authorizing the creation of any series of Preferred Stock or
                 Depositary Shares representing such shares of Preferred
                 Stock and setting forth the rights, preferences and
                 designations thereof will be filed as an exhibit
                 subsequently included or incorporated by reference herein.
     4.14        Form of Warrant Agreement is incorporated herein by
                 reference to Exhibit 4.4 to the Registration Statement on
                 Form S-3 of the Registrant (No. 33-53095).
     4.15        Form of Preferred Security is incorporated by reference to
                 Exhibit 4.15 to Amendment No. 1 to the Registration
                 Statement on Form S-3 of Conseco (No. 333-14991)
     4.16        Form of Supplemental Indenture is incorporated by reference
                 to Exhibit 4.16 to Amendment No. 1 to the Registration
                 Statement on Form S-3 of Conseco (No. 333-14991)
     4.19        Form of   % Subordinated Deferrable Interest Debenture is
                 incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.17 to Amendment No. 1
                 to the Registration Statement on Form S-3 of Conseco (No.
                 333-14991)
     5.1         Opinion of John J. Sabl
     5.2         Opinion of Richards, Layton & Finger, P.A.
    12.1         Computation of Ratios of Earnings to Fixed Charges,
                 Preferred Dividends and Distributions on Company-obligated
                 Mandatorily Redeemable Preferred Securities of Subsidiary
                 Trusts (previously filed)
    23.1         Consent of John J. Sabl (included in Exhibit 5.1  hereto)
    23.2         Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP with respect to the
                 financial statements of Conseco, Inc.
    23.3         Consent of Richards, Layton & Finger, P.A. (included in
                 Exhibit 5.2 hereto)
    23.4         Consent of  KPMG  Peat  Marwick  LLP  with respect to financial
                 statements of Green Tree Financial Corporation.
    25.1         Statement of Eligibility on Form T-1 under the Trust
                 Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, of LTCB Trust Company, as
                 Trustee under the Senior Indenture (previously filed)
    25.2         Statement of Eligibility on Form T-1 under the Trust
                 Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, of State Street Bank and
                 Trust Company, as Trustee under the Subordinated Indenture 
                 (previously filed)
    25.3         Statement of Eligibility on Form T-1 under the Trust
                 Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, of State Street Bank and
                 Trust Company, as Trustee under the Declaration of
                 Trust of Conseco Financing Trust V, the Declaration of
                 Trust of Conseco Financing Trust VI and the Declaration of
                 Trust of Conseco Financing Trust VII and Preferred 
                 Securities Guarantees for the benefit of the holders of
                 Preferred Securities of Conseco Financing Trust V, 
                 Conseco Financing Trust VI and Conseco Financing Trust VII

    
 
  * Incorporated herein by reference to the corresponding exhibit to the
    Registration Statement on Form S-3 of Conseco (No. 333-27803).

   

    
 
                                      II-13