SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
PROXY STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 14(A) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
                                (AMENDMENT NO. )

Filed by the Registrant [X]

Filed by a Party other than the Registrant  [ ]

Check the appropriate box:
[X]    Preliminary Proxy Statement
[ ]    Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 
        14a-6(e)(2))
[ ]    Definitive Proxy Statement
[ ]    Definitive Additional Materials
[ ]    Soliciting Material Pursuant to ss.240.14a-11(c) or ss.240.14a-12


                           SOUTHERN ENERGY HOMES, INC.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                (Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)


- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     (Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement if other than the Registrant)

Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
[X]  No fee required.
[ ]  Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(4) and 0-11.

         1)       Title  of  each  class  of  securities  to  which  transaction
                  applies:

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         2)       Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:

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         3)       Per  unit  price  or other  underlying  value  of  transaction
                  computed  pursuant to Exchange  Act Rule 0-11.  (Set forth the
                  amount on which the filing fee is calculated  and state how it
                  was determined):

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         4)       Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:

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[ ]  Fee paid previously with preliminary  materials.

[ ]  Check  box  if any part of the fee is offset as provided  by  Exchange  Act
     Rule  0-11(a)(2)  and identify the filing for which the  offsetting fee was
     paid  previously.  Identify the previous filing by  registration  statement
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         1)       Amount Previously Paid:

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         4)       Date Filed:

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                           SOUTHERN ENERGY HOMES, INC.

                  Notice of 1997 Annual Meeting of Stockholders

                                  June 4, 1997


To the Stockholders:

         The 1997 Annual Meeting of the  Stockholders  of SOUTHERN ENERGY HOMES,
INC.  will be held on  Wednesday,  June 4, 1997,  at 10:00 A.M.  at The  Harbert
Center, Room C, 2019 4th Avenue North,  Birmingham,  Alabama,  for the following
purposes:

         1. To elect a Board of six  Directors,  to serve  until the next annual
meeting of stockholders and until their successors shall be elected and qualify,
as more fully described in the accompanying Proxy Statement.

         2. To  consider  and act upon a proposal  to amend the  Company's  1993
Stock Option Plan to (i)  increase  from 407,814 to 907,814 the number of shares
of Common Stock  reserved for issuance  thereunder  and (ii) conform the Plan to
the provisions of Rule 16b-3  promulgated  under the Securities  Exchange Act of
1934, as amended.

         3.  To  consider  and  act  upon a  proposal  to  amend  the  Company's
Certificate of  Incorporation  to increase the number of authorized  shares from
21,000,000 to 41,000,000 shares.


         4. To consider and act upon any other  business which may properly come
before the meeting.

         The Board of Directors  has fixed the close of business on May 1, 1997,
as the record date for the meeting.  All stockholders of record on that date are
entitled to notice of and to vote at the meeting.

         PLEASE COMPLETE AND RETURN THE ENCLOSED PROXY IN THE ENVELOPE  PROVIDED
WHETHER OR NOT YOU INTEND TO BE PRESENT AT THE MEETING IN PERSON.

                               By order of the Board of Directors



                               Keith W. Brown
                               Secretary

Addison, Alabama
May 8, 1997







                           SOUTHERN ENERGY HOMES, INC.
                                 PROXY STATEMENT

         This Proxy Statement is furnished in connection  with the  solicitation
of  proxies by the Board of  Directors  of  Southern  Energy  Homes,  Inc. ( the
"Corporation")  for use at the 1997 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on
Wednesday,  June 4,  1997,  at the time and place set forth in the notice of the
meeting,  and at any  adjournments  thereof.  The approximate date on which this
Proxy Statement and form of proxy are first being sent to stockholders is May 8,
1997.

         If the enclosed  proxy is properly  executed and  returned,  it will be
voted  in  the  manner  directed  by the  stockholder.  If no  instructions  are
specified with respect to any particular  matter to be acted upon,  proxies will
be voted in favor thereof.  Any person giving the enclosed form of proxy has the
power to revoke it by voting  in  person at the  meeting,  or by giving  written
notice of revocation to the Secretary of the  Corporation at any time before the
proxy is exercised.

         The  holders of a majority  in  interest  of all Common  Stock  issued,
outstanding  and  entitled to vote are required to be present in person or to be
represented  by  proxy  at the  meeting  in order  to  constitute  a quorum  for
transaction  of business.  The  election of the  nominees  for Director  will be
decided by plurality  vote. The proposal to amend the  Corporation's  1993 Stock
Option Plan will be decided by  majority  vote of the Common  Stock  entitled to
vote at the meeting.  The  proposal to amend the  Corporation's  Certificate  of
Incorporation  to increase  the number of  authorized  shares will be decided by
majority vote of the outstanding  Common Stock.  Abstentions and "non-votes" are
counted as present in determining  whether the quorum  requirement is satisfied.
Abstentions  and  "non-votes"  have the same effect as votes  against  proposals
presented to  stockholders  other than  election of directors.  Abstentions  and
"non-votes"  will have no effect on the  election  of  directors.  A  "non-vote"
occurs  when a  nominee  holding  shares  for a  beneficial  owner  votes on one
proposal,  but does not vote on another  proposal  because the nominee  does not
have  discretionary  voting  power and has not  received  instructions  from the
beneficial owner.

         The Corporation will bear the cost of the solicitation.  It is expected
that the solicitation  will be made primarily by mail, but regular  employees or
representatives  of the  Corporation  (none  of  whom  will  receive  any  extra
compensation  for their  activities)  may also  solicit  proxies  by  telephone,
telegraph and in person and arrange for brokerage  houses and other  custodians,
nominees and fiduciaries to send proxies and proxy materials to their principals
at the expense of the Corporation.

         The Corporation's principal executive offices are located at Highway 41
North, Addison, Alabama 35540 and its telephone number is (205) 747-8589.


                        RECORD DATE AND VOTING SECURITIES

         Only  stockholders of record at the close of business on April 25, 1997
are  entitled  to  notice  of and to  vote at the  meeting.  On  that  date  the
Corporation had  outstanding  and entitled to vote  15,439,301  shares of Common
Stock, par value $.0001 per share.  Each outstanding  share of the Corporation's
Common Stock entitles the record holder to one vote.


                                       1





                                 PROPOSAL NO. 1
                              ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

     Six Directors of the Corporation are to be elected to hold office until
the next annual  meeting and until their  successors  shall be duly  elected and
qualified.  The  persons  named in the  accompanying  proxy  will  vote,  unless
authority is withheld,  for the election of the six nominees named below. If any
of  such  nominees  should  become  unavailable  for  election,   which  is  not
anticipated,  the  persons  named in the  accompanying  proxy will vote for such
substitutes  as  management  may  recommend.  No nominee is related to any other
nominee or to any  executive  officer of the  Corporation  or its  subsidiaries,
except  for  Wendell  L.  Batchelor,  who is the  uncle of Keith O.  Holdbrooks,
Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer.






                                       Year First
                                       Elected a   Position With the Corporation or Principal
Name of Nominee                 Age    Director    Occupation During the Past Five Years
- ---------------                 ---    --------    -------------------------------------
                                                    
Wendell L. Batchelor            54     1982        Chairman  of the  Corporation's  Board  since  1996.  Since  1982,
                                                   President,   Chief  Executive   Officer  and  a  Director  of  the
                                                   Corporation.

Johnny R. Long                  50     1982        Since 1982, Vice President of the Corporation and a Director.

Keith W. Brown                  41     1989        Chief Financial Officer of the Corporation  since 1982;  Treasurer
                                                   since  January  1993;  Secretary  from  1982  to  January 1993 and
                                                   from  September  1993  to  present;  and  a  Director since  1989.

Jonathan O. Lee                 46     1989        Chairman  of the  Corporation's  Board of  Directors  from 1989 to
                                                   1996.  President of a private equity  investment firm, Lee Capital
                                                   Holdings,  since its formation in 1980 (Now Lee Capital  Holdings,
                                                   LLC).  Chairman of the Board of Directors of Globe  Metallurgical,
                                                   Inc.,  HSC  Hospitality,  Inc.,  and C Systems,  LLC.  Director of
                                                   First Security  Services  Corporation,  PAR  Associates,  Inc. and
                                                   Hyde Athletic Industries, Inc.

Joseph J. Incandela             50     1993        Since  June  1991,  a  Managing  Director  of the  Thomas  H.  Lee
                                                   Company,   a  firm  engaged  in  investment   activities,   and  a
                                                   consultant  to the  Thomas H. Lee  Company  since  November  1989.
                                                   Chairman  of  Amerace  Corporation  from  1986 to 1989  and  Chief
                                                   Executive  Officer of  Conductron  Corporation  from 1983 to 1986.
                                                   Director  of  Equicredit  Corporation,  Morgan  Grenfell  SmallCap
                                                   Mutual Fund and Chicago Stock Tab Corporation.

Paul J. Evanson                 55     1993        President  of  Florida  Power and Light Co.  (FPL)  since  January
                                                   1995.  From 1992 through  January 1995,  Senior Vice  President of
                                                   Finance  and Chief  Financial  Officer of Florida  Power and Light
                                                   Company  and Vice  President  and Chief  Financial  Officer of FPL
                                                   Group,  Inc.  From 1988 to 1992,  President  and  Chief  Operating
                                                   Officer  of  Lynch   Corporation,   a  diversified   company  with
                                                   interests    in     telecommunications,     transportation     and
                                                   manufacturing.  From 1986 to 1988,  Executive  Vice  President  of
                                                   Moore McCormack Resources,  Inc. Director of Lynch Corporation and
                                                   Florida Power and Light Company.








                  INFORMATION CONCERNING THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

         During fiscal 1996,  there were four meetings of the Board of Directors
of the Corporation.  All of the directors attended at least 75% of the aggregate
of (i) the total number of meetings of the Board of


                                       2






Directors  and (ii) the total number of meetings held by Committees of the Board
of  Directors  on which  they  served.  The Board of  Directors  does not have a
Nominating Committee.

         The  Corporation  pays Jonathan O. Lee, Joseph J. Incandela and Paul J.
Evanson $12,000 per annum, in quarterly  installments,  for their  attendance at
and participation in meetings of the Board of Directors and its Committees.  The
Corporation  currently has no  arrangement  for the  compensation  of any of its
other  Directors for their services on the  Corporation's  Board of Directors or
participation  in Committees of the Board of Directors.  The  Corporation  does,
however,  reimburse  all  Directors  for any  expenses  which  they may incur in
attending  meetings of the Board of  Directors or its  Committees.  From 1989 to
1996, the Corporation had a Management  Agreement  pursuant to which Lee Capital
Holdings  received  $150,000  per  year  for  management  and  other  consulting
services,  plus  reimbursement for certain expenses.  Jonathan O. Lee, a nominee
for Director,  was Chairman of the  Corporation's  Board of Directors and is the
President of Lee Capital Holdings, LLC.

         The Board of Directors has a Compensation  Committee  whose members are
Jonathan O. Lee,  Joseph J.  Incandela  and Paul J.  Evanson.  The  Compensation
Committee   recommends   to  the  Board  of  Directors   compensation   for  the
Corporation's key employees. The Compensation Committee met once in 1996.

         The Board of Directors has a Stock Option Committee,  whose members are
Jonathan O. Lee and Paul J.  Evanson,  which  administers  the 1993 Stock Option
Plan. The Stock Option Committee met once during 1996.

         The Corporation  also has an Audit Committee whose members are Jonathan
O. Lee,  Joseph J. Incandela and Paul J. Evanson.  The Audit  Committee  reviews
with the  Corporation's  independent  accountants the scope of the audit for the
year, the results of the audit when completed and the  independent  accountants'
fee for services  performed.  The Audit  Committee also  recommends  independent
accountants  to  the  Board  of  Directors  and  reviews  with  the  independent
accountants  the  Corporation's   internal  accounting  controls  and  financial
management  practices.  During  fiscal 1996,  there was one meeting of the Audit
Committee.


                                       3








         SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT

         The following table sets forth as of April 25, 1997 certain information
with respect to beneficial  ownership of the Corporation's  Common Stock by: (i)
each person known by the  Corporation  to own  beneficially  more than 5% of the
Corporation's Common Stock; (ii) each of the Corporation's directors, (iii) each
of the executive  officers named in the Summary  Compensation Table elsewhere in
this Proxy Statement;  and (iv) all directors and executive officers as a group.
This  information  is based upon  information  received from or on behalf of the
named individual.  Unless otherwise noted, each person identified possesses sole
voting and investment power over the shares listed.

                                    Amount and
                                    Nature of
 Name of                            Beneficial                 Percent of
 Beneficial Owner                   Ownership (2)              Class
 ----------------                   -------------              ----------

 Lee Capital Holdings, LLC
     Jonathan O. Lee (1)                347,634                     2.3%
     One International Place
     Suite 3040
     Boston, MA  02110

 Wendell L. Batchelor                   843,932                     5.5

 Johnny R. Long                         780,003                     5.0

 Keith W. Brown                         144,416                      *

 Keith O. Holdbrooks                     45,750                      *

 Paul J. Evanson                         12,750                      *

 Joseph J. Incandela                      7,500                      *


 All executive officers and
 directors as a group
    (6 persons)                       2,066,107                   13.3


- --------------------------
*  Less than one percent

(1)       All of such shares are owned by Lee Capital  Holdings,  LLC, a Limited
          Liability Company of which Mr. Lee is the Managing Member. Mr. Lee has
          sole voting and  investment  power with  respect to such  shares.  Lee
          Capital  Holdings has pledged 340,967 of its shares of Common Stock to
          Fleet National Bank.

(2)       Includes  currently  exercisable  options to purchase 28,765,  18,750,
          28,764, 41,250, 7,500 and 7,500 shares of common stock held by Messrs.
          Batchelor,   Long,   Brown,   Holdbrooks,   Evanson,   and  Incandela,
          respectively.


           COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION

         The Corporation's  Compensation Committee currently consists of Messrs.
Lee, Incandela and Evanson. None of the members of the Compensation Committee is
an officer or employee of the  Company or any of its  subsidiaries.  Mr. Lee was
formerly Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Company.


                                       4




                             EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

         The following table sets forth all  compensation  awarded to, earned by
or  paid  to  the  Corporation's   Chief  Executive  Officer  and  each  of  the
Corporation's  Executive Officers (other than the Chief Executive Officer) whose
total annual salary and bonus exceeded $100,000 for all services rendered in all
capacities to the Corporation and its subsidiaries for the  Corporation's  three
fiscal years ended January 3, 1997.

                           SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE



                               Annual Compensation

                                                                      Other          Long-Term       All Other
Name and                       Year         Salary        Bonus       Annual         Compensation    Compensation(4)
- --------                       ----         ------        -----       ------         ------------    ---------------
Principal Position             Ended        ($)           ($)         Compensation   Awards          ($)
- ------------------             -----        ---           ---         ------------   -------         ---
                                                                                     Securities
                                                                                     underlying
                                                                                     options (#)(3)
                                                                                     --------------

                                                                                          
Wendell L. Batchelor           01/03/97       300,769(1)   556,331            (2)        20,029            2,277
Chairman, President & CEO      12/29/95       120,000      364,506            (2)        18,750              -0-
                               12/30/94       120,000      272,638                         None            1,114

Johnny R. Long                 01/03/97        77,404      486,789            (2)          None              956
Executive                      12/29/95        75,000      319,021            (2)        18,750              -0-
Vice President                 12/30/94        75,000      241,183                         None            1,801
                                                                              (2)

Keith W. Brown                 01/03/97       109,904(1)   486,789            (2)        20,028              494
Executive Vice-President,      12/29/95        75,000      319,021            (2)        18,750              -0-
Chief Financial                12/30/94        75,000      241,183            (2)          None            1,770
Officer, Treasurer
and Secretary

Keith O. Holdbrooks            01/03/97      75,962(1)     458,516            (2)         7,500              279
Executive Vice-President,      12/29/95      40,769        193,202            (2)          None              -0-
and Chief Operating            12/30/94      40,000        194,359            (2)        18,750            1,114
Officer


- ---------------
(1)      Effective June 14, 1996, Mr. Batchelor's base salary was increased from
         $10,000 to $36,667 per month, and Mr. Brown's base salary was increased
         from  $6,250 to $11,250  per  month.  Effective  October  1, 1996,  Mr.
         Holdbrooks' base salary was increased from $4,167 to $12,500.

(2)      The  aggregate  amount  of  perquisites  and other  personal  benefits,
         securities  or property  did not exceed the lesser of $50,000 or 10% of
         the total annual salary and bonus for the named executive officer.

(3)      Options  granted to executive  officers during the periods were granted
         pursuant to the  Corporation's  1993 Stock Option  Plan,  and have been
         adjusted for subsequent stock splits through January 3, 1997.

(4)      Includes the following for 1996: (i) matching contributions made by the
         Corporation  to its 401(k) plan during 1996 on behalf of each executive
         officer are as follows: Messrs. Batchelor,  Brown, Long and Holdbrooks,
         in the amount of $285, $279, $291, and $279, respectively; (ii) $1,992,
         $677, and $203,  which  represents  the portion of the premium  payment
         that is attributable to term insurance coverage for Messrs.  Batchelor,
         Brown, and Long, respectively,  as determined by tables supplied by the
         Internal Revenue Service.

Stock Option Plans

         The following tables set forth certain  information with respect to the
stock options  granted to the named  executive  officers  during the fiscal year
ended January 3, 1997 and the 

                                        5





aggregate number and value of options  exercisable and unexercisable held by the
named executive officers at the end of such fiscal year.

                        OPTION GRANTS IN LAST FISCAL YEAR





                                           Individual Grants
                         -------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                      Potential
                                                                                                  Realizable Value
                          Number of                                                                  at Assumed
                         Securities     % of Total                                                 Annual Rates of
                         Underlying      Options                                                     Stock Price
                           Options      Granted to                                  0% ($)        Appreciation For
                           Granted     Employees in     Exercise    Expiration     Value at        Option Term (2)
                                                         Price
Name                         (#)       Fiscal Year      $/Share        Date      Grant Date(2)   5% ($)      10%($)
- ----                         ---       -----------      -------        ----      ------------    ------      ------

                                                                                          
Wendell L. Batchelor      20,029(1)        21%            6.93        3/20/06       $45,215     $161,033    338,490

Johnny R. Long             None(1)          0%             --           --            --           --

Keith W. Brown            20,028(1)        21%            6.93        3/20/06       45,213       161,025    338,473

Keith O. Holdbrooks        7,500(1)         8%            6.93        3/20/06       16,931       60,300     126,750




(1)      Options are  exercisable  at the rate of fifty  percent (50%) per year
         over a two-year  period  commencing one year from the date of grant.

(2)      The 0%, 5% and 10%  assumed  rates of  annual  compounded  stock  price
         appreciation  are mandated by the rules of the  Securities and Exchange
         Commission and do not represent the Company's estimate or projection of
         future Common Stock prices.



               AGGREGATED OPTION EXERCISES IN LAST FISCAL YEAR AND
                          FISCAL YEAR-END OPTION VALUES



                                                                     Number of Securities       Value of Unexercised
                                            Shares       Value      Underlying Unexercised    In-the-Money Options at
                                         Acquired on    Realized    Options at 1/31/97(#)          1/31/97($)(2)
Name                                     Exercise (#)    ($)(1)    Exercisable/Unexercisable  Exercisable/Unexercisable
- ----                                     ------------    ------    -------------------------  -------------------------

                                                                                          
Wendell L. Batchelor                         -0-          -0-            28,765/10,015             132,736/44,517

Johnny R. Long                               -0-          -0-             18,750/-0-                 83,344/-0-

Keith W. Brown                               -0-          -0-            28,764/10,016             127,856/44,521

Keith O. Holdbrooks                          -0-          -0-            41,250/3,750              183,356/16,669




(1)      The "value realized"  reflects the appreciation on the date of exercise
         (based on the excess of the fair market value of the shares on the date
         of exercise over the exercise  price).  However,  because the executive
         officers  may keep the shares they  acquired  upon the  exercise of the
         options  (or sell them at a  different  price),  these  amounts  do not
         necessarily reflect cash realized upon the sale of those shares.


                                       6




(2)      Based on the  closing  price of the Company's  Common  Stock on January
         3, 1997 on the  Nasdaq  National Market of $11.38 minus the  respective
         option exercise prices.



EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENTS

         The  Corporation has entered into  employment  agreements,  dated as of
June 8,  1989 and  amended  as of July 1, 1993 and June 14,  1996,  with each of
Wendell L. Batchelor and Keith W. Brown.  The  Corporation  also entered into an
employment  agreement  dated  as of  July 1,  1993  with  Johnny  R.  Long.  Mr.
Batchelor's  agreement  provides  that he shall  serve as  President  and  Chief
Executive  Officer of the  Corporation at a base salary of $36,667 per month. In
addition to his base  salary,  Mr.  Batchelor  is  entitled  to receive  monthly
incentive  bonus  compensation  in an  amount  equal to 2% of the  Corporation's
monthly net operating  income before interest  expenses,  taxes and amortization
for organizational expenses,  goodwill and covenants not to compete, and without
reduction  for  any  management  fees  payable  to Lee  Capital  Holdings  ("Net
Income").  Such bonus was  approximately  $556,331 for the year ended January 3,
1997.

         Mr. Long's agreement  provides that he shall serve as Vice President in
charge of purchasing of the Corporation at a base salary of $6,250 per month. In
addition to his base salary,  Mr. Long is entitled to receive monthly  incentive
bonus compensation in an amount equal to 1.75% of the Corporation's  monthly Net
Income.  Such bonus was  approximately  $486,789  for the year ended  January 3,
1997.

         Mr. Brown's  agreement  provides that he shall serve as Chief Financial
Officer and Controller of the Corporation at a base salary of $11,250 per month.
In addition to his base salary,  Mr. Brown is entitled to receive  monthly bonus
compensation  payable in an amount equal to 1.75% of the  Corporation's  monthly
Net Income. Such bonus was approximately  $486,789 for the year ended January 3,
1997.

         Each of the employment  agreements  automatically renews for successive
one-year  periods  unless sooner  terminated  by the specified  executive or the
Corporation  by notice  not less than 90 days prior to the date of renewal or by
the Corporation  immediately for "cause" or for other than "cause" upon 30 days'
prior  notice.  Each of the  employment  agreements  provides for the payment of
severance  of up to  six  months'  base  salary  payable  in six  equal  monthly
installments in the event the executive is terminated by the Corporation.

             COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

         Since the  Corporation  became a public  company on March 12, 1993, its
executive  compensation  program  has  been  administered  by  the  Compensation
Committee  of the Board of  Directors  (the  "Committee").  No  officers  of the
Corporation are members of the Committee.

         Since the Corporation's  Executive Officers are compensated pursuant to
employment  contracts  originally  entered  into in June 1989,  the  Committee's
deliberations  involve a  determination  as to whether the  contracts  should be
amended to change the compensation or other terms thereof, and whether to permit
the contracts to automatically renew for successive one year periods.

         The compensation paid to executive  officers pursuant to the employment
contracts  consists of a combination of base salaries and monthly  bonuses.  The
bonus compensation payable under the contracts is tied to the Corporation's "net
income" as defined under the contracts and accordingly is intended to reward the
executive  officers for improvements in the Corporation's  financial  results. A
significant 

                                       7




component  of  the  executive  officers'   compensation  is  the  bonuses,   and
accordingly  their  compensation  is in large  measure  directly  related to the
financial  performance of the  Corporation as measured by its net income,  as so
defined. See "Executive Compensation - Employment Agreements."

         In its  deliberations  with  respect  to the  review of the  employment
contracts,  the Committee considered the past performance of the officers, their
level of responsibilities, and the Committee's view of the level of compensation
necessary  to  attract  and  retain  talented  individuals  in  the  competitive
environment  in which  the  Corporation  operates.  The  Committee  assigned  no
particular weight to any one factor, and viewed the deliberations as an exercise
of subjective  judgment on the part of the Committee.  The Committee  decided to
increase the base salary of Messrs. Batchelor and Brown in order to provide each
of them a minimum level of income,  appropriate for their  respective  positions
and comparable to others within their industry peer group.

         The  executive  officers  of the  Corporation  are  eligible to receive
options  under the  Corporation's  1993 Stock Option  Plan.  For the fiscal year
ended  January 3,  1997,  options  to  purchase  47,558  shares  were  issued to
executive officers of the Corporation.

COMPENSATION OF WENDELL BATCHELOR, CHAIRMAN, PRESIDENT AND
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

         The Committee  established  the  compensation  of Wendell L. Batchelor,
President and Chief  Executive  Officer of the  Corporation  for the fiscal year
ended  January 3, 1997,  using the same criteria that were used to determine the
compensation of other executive  officers,  as described  above.  Mr.  Batchelor
received a salary of $300,769 and a bonus of $556,331 (2% of Net Income) for the
fiscal year ended January 3, 1997, in accordance with his employment  agreement.
As explained  above,  the  Committee  decided to increase the base salary of Mr.
Batchelor in order to provide him a minimum level of income, appropriate for his
position and comparable to others within their  industry peer group.  This bonus
was intended to reward Mr. Batchelor for his role in the achievement of improved
financial  performance by the Corporation.  The Corporation's net income for the
year ended  January 3, 1997  increased  35.6% over net income for the year ended
December 29, 1995.

         The foregoing report has been approved by all members of the Committee.

                                                 COMPENSATION COMMITTEE

                                                 Jonathan O. Lee

                                                 Joseph J. Incandela

                                                 Paul J. Evanson



                          COMPARATIVE PERFORMANCE GRAPH

         The following  performance graph and table compare the cumulative total
return to  shareholders  on the  Corporation's  Common Stock with the cumulative
total return of the Standard & Poor's 500 Composite  Stock Price Index ("S&P 500
Index")  and a peer group  (the  "Peer  Group")  of  companies  selected  by the
Corporation  whose  primary  business is  manufactured  housing.  The Peer Group
consists of the following  companies:  Cavalier Homes,  Inc., Cavco  Industries,
Inc., Champion  Enterprises,  Inc., Clayton Homes, Inc., Fleetwood  Enterprises,
Kit Manufacturing,  Liberty Homes - Class A, Nobility Homes, Inc., Oakwood Homes
Corporation, Schult Homes Corp. and Skyline Corporation. It should be noted that
the companies in the Peer Group are not perfectly comparable to the Corporation.
Certain  of the  companies  are  either  much  larger or much  smaller  than the
Corporation;  some are involved in the  

                                       8




production  of  manufactured  housing and  recreational  vehicles;  and some are
vertically  integrated to a much greater extent than the Corporation and engage,
for instance, in retail sales and local development activities.

         The graph and the table  assume  $100.00 was invested on March 12, 1993
in each of the  Corporation's  Common  Stock,  the S&P 500 Index and in the Peer
Group and also assumes  reinvestment of dividends.  The 1996 cumulative  returns
were as follows:  Southern Energy Homes, Inc., $165.86;  S&P 500 Index,  $182.68
and Peer Group, $161.79.







                            [PERFORMANCE GRAPH HERE]









                        COMPARISON OF CUMULATIVE RETURNS




                                                                       Measurement Period

                                      Base Period          December        December        December      January 3,
Company Name/Index                    12 March 93            1993            1994            1995           1997

                                                                                                
Southern Energy Homes, Inc.               100               145.19           85.57          168.27          165.86
S&P 500 Index                             100               106.58          107.99          148.57          182.68
Peer Group                                100               113.99           99.96          158.29          161.79


                                       9




                                 PROPOSAL NO. 2
                         PROPOSAL TO AMEND THE COMPANY'S
                             1993 STOCK OPTION PLAN

         The  purpose of the 1993  Stock  Option  Plan (the  "1993  Plan") is to
encourage ownership of the stock of the Company by employees and advisors of the
Company and its subsidiaries,  to induce qualified personnel to enter and remain
in the  employ of the  Company  or its  subsidiaries  and  otherwise  to provide
additional incentives for option holders to promote the success of the Company's
business.  The Board of Directors  has approved  amendments  of the 1993 Plan as
follows: (i) subject to stockholder  approval,  to increase the number of shares
of Common Stock reserved for issuance thereunder from 407,814 to 907,814 shares,
and (ii) to  conform  the 1993  Plan to  amendments  made to Rule  16b-3  ("Rule
16b-3") promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

         The 1993 Plan, as amended,  would be  administered  by a committee (the
"Committee")  consisting (1) solely of two or more "non-employee"  directors, as
defined  from time to time in Rule 16b-3,  or (2) the Board of  Directors of the
Company.  Generally, a "non-employee" director under Rule 16b-3 means a director
who is not an employee of the issuer and who does not receive  compensation from
the issuer, except as a director.  This amendment to the 1993 Plan is being made
to  conform  the 1993  Plan to  changes  made to Rule  16b-3.  The 1993  Plan is
currently  administered  exclusively  by a committee  consisting  of two or more
members  of  the  Board  of  Directors,  each  of  whom  is  required  to  be  a
"disinterested person" as that phrase was defined under Rule 16b-3. Generally, a
"disinterested  person"  under Rule 16b-3 was defined as a director  who did not
receive a discretionary grant or award of the issuer's equity securities under a
plan of the issuer during the one year prior to service as an  administrator  or
while  serving in that  capacity.  Subject  to the terms of the 1993  Plan,  the
Committee  determines  the persons to whom  options are  granted,  the number of
shares covered by the option,  the term of any option, and the time during which
any option is  exercisable.  The options  granted under the 1993 Plan  generally
vest over a period of two years.

         Under the 1993 Plan, the Company may grant both incentive stock options
intended to qualify under  Section 422 of the Internal  Revenue Code of 1986, as
it may be  amended  from time to time  ("incentive  stock  options"),  and other
options which are not qualified as incentive stock options  ("nonqualified stock
options").  Incentive  stock  options  may only be granted  to  persons  who are
officers  and key  employees of the Company or of any  subsidiary.  Nonqualified
stock  options may be granted to persons who are  officers,  key  employees  and
advisors of the Company or of any of its  subsidiaries.  Under the current terms
of the 1993  Plan,  members  of the Board of  Directors  who are  members of the
Committee are not eligible to participate in the 1993 Plan.

         There are approximately 40 persons who the Company would consider to be
officers,  key employees  and advisors of the Company and therefore  eligible to
participate in the 1993 Plan.

         Options  under the 1993 Plan may not be granted after January 13, 2003.
No option under the 1993 Plan may be exercised  subsequent to ten years from the
date of grant (five years after the date of grant for  incentive  stock  options
granted to holders of more than 10% of the Company's Common Stock).


                                       10




         No  incentive  stock  option  granted  pursuant to the 1993 Plan may be
exercised  more than  three  months  after  the  option  holder  ceases to be an
employee  of the  Company,  except that in the event of death or  permanent  and
total disability of the option holder,  the option may be exercised for a period
of up to one  year  after  the  date  of  such  death  or  permanent  and  total
disability.

         Nonqualified  stock options may be granted at an exercise price greater
or lower than the fair market  value of the Common Stock on the date of grant in
the discretion of the Committee.  Incentive stock options,  however,  may not be
granted  at less  than the fair  market  value of the  Common  Stock  and may be
granted  to holders  of more than 10% of the  Common  Stock only at an  exercise
price of at least 110% of the fair market  value of the Common Stock on the date
of grant.

         In order to  assist an option  holder in the  acquisition  of shares of
Common Stock  pursuant to the exercise of an option granted under the 1993 Plan,
the  Committee  may  authorize  payment in cash, by delivery of shares of Common
Stock having a fair market value equal to the purchase  price of the shares,  or
any combination of cash and stock.

         Currently,  a total of 407,814  shares of Common Stock are reserved for
issuance  under the 1993  Plan,  subject  to  adjustment  for  recapitalization,
reclassification,  stock split,  stock combination,  stock dividend,  or certain
other  corporate  reorganizations.  No further shares are available for issuance
under the 1993 Plan,  as options to purchase  all 407,814  shares  reserved  for
issuance thereunder have been granted.  Accordingly,  the Board of Directors has
approved an  amendment to the 1993 Plan,  subject to  stockholder  approval,  to
increase the number of shares of Common Stock available for issuance  thereunder
from 407,814  shares to 907,814  shares.  Shares  issued under the 1993 Plan may
include  either  authorized  but  unissued  shares of Common  Stock or  treasury
shares. Shares subject to an option that ceases to be exercisable for any reason
will be available for subsequent option grants.

         The Company  has not granted any options  under the 1993 Plan which are
subject to stockholder approval of the proposed amendment of the 1993 Plan.

         As of April 25,  1997,  options to  purchase  an  aggregate  of 407,814
shares of Common Stock have been granted under the 1993 Plan,  including options
to the  named  executive  officers  as  follows:  38,780  shares to  Wendell  L.
Batchelor,  Chairman,  President,  Chief  Executive  Officer,  and a nominee for
director,  at an  average  exercise  price of $6.80,  38,780  shares to Keith W.
Brown, Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer,  Secretary,
and a nominee for director, at an average exercise price of $6.93, 18,750 shares
to Johnny R. Long,  Executive Vice  President and a nominee for director,  at an
average  exercise  price of $6.93,  and  45,000  shares to Keith O.  Holdbrooks,
Executive Vice President and Chief  Operating  Officer,  at an average  exercise
price of $6.93.  As of April 25,  1997,  options to  purchase  an  aggregate  of
141,310  shares have been granted  under the 1993 Plan to all current  executive
officers  as a  group,  no  options  had been  granted  under  the 1993  Plan to
directors who are not executive  officers,  and options to purchase an aggregate
of 252,441  shares have been  granted to all  employees,  including  all current
officers who are not executive officers, as a group.

         The closing price of the  Company's  Common Stock on April 25, 1997 was
$10.25.



                                       11





         Options  granted under the 1993 Plan may not be assigned or transferred
except  by will  or the  laws of  descent  and  distribution  or  pursuant  to a
"qualified  domestic relations order" as defined by the Internal Revenue Code of
1986, as amended,  or Title I of the Employee  Retirement Income Security Act of
1974, as amended ("ERISA").

         The Board of Directors  may amend,  suspend or terminate the 1993 Plan;
provided,  however,  that the Board of  Directors  may not  without  stockholder
approval  increase the number of shares of Common Stock for which options may be
granted,  change the  designation  of the class of persons  eligible  to receive
options,  or make any other change in the 1993 Plan which  requires  stockholder
approval under  applicable law,  rules,  or regulations,  including any approval
requirement which is a prerequisite for exemptive relief under Rule 16b-3, as it
may be amended from time to time.

Federal Income Tax Consequences of the 1993 Plan

         The following general discussion of the Federal income tax consequences
of  options  granted  under the 1993 Plan is based  upon the  provisions  of the
Internal  Revenue  Code as in effect  on the date  hereof,  current  regulations
thereunder,  and  existing  public  and  private  administrative  rulings of the
Internal  Revenue  Service.  This  discussion  is not  intended to be a complete
discussion of all of the Federal income tax  consequences of the 1993 Plan or of
all the requirements which must be met in order to qualify for the tax treatment
described herein.  Changes in the law and regulations may modify the discussion,
and in some cases, the changes may be retroactive. No information is provided as
to state tax laws. The 1993 Plan is not qualified under Section 401 of the Code,
nor is it subject to the provisions of ERISA.

         Incentive Stock Options Under the 1993 Plan. An option holder generally
will not  recognize  taxable  income upon either the grant or the exercise of an
incentive  stock  option.  However,  under certain  circumstances,  there may be
alternative minimum tax or other tax consequences, as discussed below.

         An option holder will recognize  taxable income upon the disposition of
the shares  received  upon  exercise  of an  incentive  stock  option.  Any gain
recognized upon the disposition  that is not a  "disqualifying  disposition" (as
defined below) will be taxable as long-term capital gain.

         A "disqualifying  disposition" means any disposition of shares acquired
on the  exercise of an incentive  stock option  within two years of the date the
option was  granted or within one year of the date the shares were issued to the
option  holder.  The use of  shares  acquired  pursuant  to the  exercise  of an
incentive  stock option to pay the option price under  another  incentive  stock
option is treated as a disposition  for this purpose.  In general,  if an option
holder makes a disqualifying  disposition,  an amount equal to the excess of (i)
the lesser of (a) the fair market  value of the shares on the date of  exercise,
or (b) the amount actually  realized over (ii) the option exercise price will be
taxable as ordinary income and the balance of the gain recognized,  if any, will
be taxable as either  long-term or  short-term  capital  gain,  depending on the
optionee's  holding period for the shares.  In the case of gift or certain other
transfers,  the amount of ordinary income taxable to the optionee is not limited
to the amount of gain which would be recognized in the case of a sale.  Instead,
it is equal to the  excess  of fair  market  value of the  shares on the date of
exercise over the option exercise price.


                                       12




         Officers  and  directors  of the Company  generally  will be subject to
Section 16(b) of the Securities  Exchange Act of 1934 ("Section 16(b)") upon the
sale of shares of Common Stock.  In the case of a  disqualifying  disposition of
shares acquired pursuant to the exercise of an incentive stock option,  the date
on which the fair market value of the shares is  determined  will be  postponed.
The IRS  regulations  have not yet been  amended  to conform  with the  recently
revised rules under Section 16(b). However, it is generally anticipated that the
date of  recognition  (the  "Recognition  Date")  will be the earlier of (i) six
months after the date the option was granted, or (ii) the first day on which the
sale of the shares would not subject the  individual to liability  under Section
16(b). It is possible that the six month period will instead run from the option
holder's  most  recent  grant or  purchase  of Common  Stock prior to his or her
exercise of the option.  The option  holder will  generally  recognize  ordinary
taxable income on the  Recognition  Date in an amount equal to the excess of the
fair market  value of the shares at that time over the exercise  price.  Despite
these general rules, if the Recognition Date is after the date of exercise, then
the option holder may make an election pursuant to Section 83(b) of the Code. In
this case, the option holder will recognize  ordinary taxable income at the time
the option is exercised and not on the later date. In order to be effective, the
83(b) election must be filed with the Company and the Internal  Revenue  Service
within 30 days of exercise.

         In general,  in the year an incentive  stock option is  exercised,  the
holder must  include the excess of the fair  market  value of the shares  issued
upon exercise over the exercise price in the calculation of alternative  minimum
taxable  income.  The  application of the  alternative  minimum tax rules for an
option  holder  subject to Section  16(b) or who  receives  shares  that are not
"substantially divested" are more complex and may depend upon whether the holder
makes a Section 83(b) election as described above.

         The Company will not be entitled to any  deduction  with respect to the
grant or exercise of an incentive stock option provided the holder does not make
a  disqualifying  disposition.  If the option  holder does make a  disqualifying
disposition,  the Company will  generally be entitled to a deduction for Federal
income tax purposes in an amount equal to the taxable  income  recognized by the
holder, provided the Company reports the income on a Form W-2 or 1099, whichever
is applicable,  that is timely  provided to the option holder and filed with the
IRS.

         Nonqualifying  Stock  Options  Under the 1993 Plan.  The recipient of a
nonqualifying  stock option under the 1993 Plan will not  recognize  any taxable
income at the time the option is granted.

         Upon  exercise,  the option holder will  generally  recognize  ordinary
taxable  income in an amount equal to the excess of the fair market value of the
shares on the date of exercise over the option exercise price. Upon a subsequent
sale of the shares,  long-term or short-term  (depending on the holding  period)
gain or loss will generally be recognized  equal to the  difference  between the
amount realized and the fair market value of the shares on the date of exercise.
If shares of Common  Stock are used to pay the  exercise  price,  in whole or in
part,  the option holder will  recognize no gain or loss for Federal  income tax
purposes on the shares surrendered,  and the tax consequences will be similar to
the treatment  that applies in the case of a  disqualifying  disposition  of the
shares.  To the extent the shares  acquired upon exercise are equal in number to
the shares  surrendered,  the basis of the shares  received will be equal to the
basis of the shares  surrendered.  The basis of shares received in excess of the
shares  surrendered  upon exercise will


                                       13




be equal to the fair market value of the shares on the date of exercise, and the
holding period for the shares received will commence on that date.

         The Company will generally be entitled to a compensation  deduction for
Federal income tax purposes in an amount equal to the taxable income  recognized
by the option holder,  provided the Company  reports the income on a Form W-2 or
1099, whichever is applicable,  that is timely provided to the option holder and
filed with the IRS.

Vote Required to amend the 1993 Plan.

         An  affirmative  vote by the holders of a majority  of the  outstanding
Common  Stock  entitled  to vote at the annual  meeting is required to adopt the
proposal to amend the 1993 Plan.

         The Board of Directors  recommends that the stockholders vote "FOR" the
proposed amendment to the 1993 Plan.





                                 PROPOSAL NO. 3
                   PROPOSAL TO AMEND THE COMPANY'S CERTIFICATE
                     OF INCORPORATION TO INCREASE THE NUMBER
                      OF AUTHORIZED SHARES OF COMMON STOCK

         The Board of Directors  has approved and  recommends  to the  Company's
stockholders  that they  consider  and approve  the  proposed  amendment  of the
Company's  Certificate  of  Incorporation  to increase the number of  authorized
shares from 21,000,000 to 41,000,000  shares, of which 40,000,000 shares will be
common stock,  $.0001 par value ("Common  Stock");  and 1,000,000 shares will be
preferred stock, $.0001 par value ("Preferred Stock"). If the proposed amendment
is approved by the Company's stockholders, the first paragraph of Article Fourth
of the Company's  Certificate of  Incorporation,  as amended,  would read in its
entirety as follows:

        "FOURTH:  The  total  number  of  shares  of stock  which  the
        Corporation shall have authority to issue is 41,000,000, which
        shares  shall be divided  into two classes  consisting  of (i)
        40,000,000  shares of common  stock (with $.0001 par value per
        share)  ("Common   Stock"),   and  (ii)  1,000,000  shares  of
        preferred stock (with $.0001 par value per share)  ("Preferred
        Stock")."

         Pursuant  to  Delaware   corporate  law,  the  Board  of  Directors  is
authorized to issue from time to time any and all authorized and unissued shares
of Common  Stock for any proper  corporate  purpose  without  prior  stockholder
approval,  except as may be required for a particular  transaction  by such law,
the Company's Certificate of Incorporation,  or by the rules of the Nasdaq Stock
Market,  or any other stock exchange on which the Company's  securities may then
be listed.

         As of April 25,  1997,  there were  15,439,301  shares of Common  Stock
outstanding.  An  aggregate  of 838,263  shares of Common Stock are reserved for
issuance upon  exercise of options  granted or to be granted under the Company's
stock option plans  (including an additional  500,000  shares to be reserved for
issuance  under the proposed  amendment of the Company's


                                       14




1993 Stock Option Plan.  See  Proposal No. 2,  "Proposal to Amend the  Company's
1993 Stock Option Plan".)

         The Board of  Directors  believes  that the  proposed  increase  in the
number of  authorized  shares of Common  Stock is in the best  interests  of the
Company and its stockholders.  The proposed increase in the number of authorized
shares of Common  Stock will give the Company  greater  flexibility  by allowing
shares of Common Stock to be issued by the Board of Directors  without the delay
and expense of a special  meeting of  stockholders.  For  example,  the Board of
Directors may deem it appropriate to make either a private or public offering of
the Company's  Common Stock in order to raise funds for working capital or other
purposes,  or the  Common  Stock  may  be  issued  to  finance  possible  future
acquisitions, or for distributions to the Company's stockholders in the event of
a stock dividend or stock split or for distribution pursuant to employee benefit
plans.  However,  the Company does not currently have any plans to pursue any of
the  foregoing,  with the  exception  of an  increase in the number of shares of
Common Stock  reserved for issuance  under the Company's 1993 Stock Option Plan,
as further  discussed in Proposal No. 2,  "Proposal to Amend the Company's  1993
Stock Option Plan."

         Stockholders  of the  Company  do not now  have  preemptive  rights  to
subscribe for or purchase additional shares of Common Stock and the stockholders
will  have  no  preemptive  rights  to  subscribe  for  or  purchase  any of the
additional shares authorized by the proposed amendment.

Possible Effects of the Proposal - Anti-Takeover Considerations

         If the  proposed  amendment is adopted,  the  authority of the Board of
Directors  to issue the newly  authorized  but  unissued  shares of Common Stock
might be considered as having the effect of  discouraging  an attempt by another
person or entity to effect a takeover or otherwise  gain control of the Company,
because  the  issuance of  additional  shares of Common  Stock would  dilute the
voting power of the Common Stock then outstanding.

         The  Company  is  presently  authorized  to issue  1,000,000  shares of
Preferred Stock, $.0001 par value per share. No shares of the Preferred Stock of
the Company have been issued,  and the Company has no present intention to issue
any such shares. The Board of Directors has the authority, without action by the
stockholders,  to create one or more series of Preferred Stock and determine the
number of shares, designation, price, sinking fund terms, conversion, and voting
rights  with  respect to any such  series.  The  issuance  of any such series of
Preferred  Stock could be used to render more  difficult  an  unfriendly  tender
offer, proxy contest, merger, or other change in control of the Company.

         The authority of the Board of Directors to issue  additional  shares of
Common  Stock  or  shares  of  Preferred  Stock  could  be used by the  Board of
Directors in a manner  calculated to prevent the removal of management  and make
more difficult or discourage a change in control of the Company.

         The Company is not aware of any  efforts to  accumulate  the  Company's
securities or to obtain  control of the Company,  and the Company has no present
intention or agreement to issue any  additional  shares of Common  Stock,  other
than pursuant to employee  benefit plans and outstanding  options.  Furthermore,
the proposal to increase the number of authorized  shares of


                                       15



Common  Stock  is not  part of any plan by the  Company  to  adopt a  series  of
anti-takeover measures, and the Company has no present intention of soliciting a
stockholder vote on any such measures or series of measures.

Vote Required to Amend the Certificate of Incorporation.

         An  affirmative  vote by the holders of a majority  of the  outstanding
Common  Stock  entitled  to vote at the annual  meeting is required to adopt the
proposal to increase the number of authorized shares of Common Stock.

         The Board of Directors  recommends that the stockholders vote "FOR" the
proposed amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation.


                              CERTAIN TRANSACTIONS

         In  January  1993,  the  Corporation   reincorporated   as  a  Delaware
corporation by merging its  predecessor,  an Alabama  corporation  also known as
Southern  Energy Homes,  Inc.  ("SEH  Alabama"),  into the  Corporation.  As the
surviving  corporation,  the  Corporation  assumed all of the obligations of SEH
Alabama.

         On June 8, 1989, Lee Capital  Holdings,  then a  Massachusetts  general
partnership (now Lee Capital Holdings,  LLC), and two of its employees (the "Lee
Group"),  acquired  60% of the  outstanding  capital  stock of SEH  Alabama in a
leveraged buyout (the  "Acquisition").  The Acquisition was effected through the
purchase  of the  stock  of SEH  Alabama  by a  newly  formed  corporation,  SEH
Acquisition  Corp., 60% of which was owned by the Lee Group and 40% of which was
owned by certain stockholders and members of SEH Alabama's management group.

         In 1989, the Corporation  entered into a Management  Agreement pursuant
to which Lee Capital Holdings  received,  until May 1996,  $150,000 per year for
management  and  other  consulting   services  plus  reimbursement  for  certain
expenses. See "Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation."

         Since March 30, 1991, the  Corporation  has sold homes to a development
company which has developed a residential  subdivision in  Gardendale,  Alabama.
This  development  company was until  December,  1995  controlled  by Wendell L.
Batchelor and his  brother-in-law,  Clinton O. Holdbrooks.  In December of 1995,
Wendell L.  Batchelor  transferred  his  one-third  interest in the  development
company to his two children, and Clinton O. Holdbrooks transferred his one-third
interest in the development company to his two children, one of whom is Keith O.
Holdbrooks,  Executive  Vice  President  and  Chief  Operating  Officer  of  the
Corporation.  For  the  fiscal  year  ended  January  3,  1997,  sales  to  this
development   company  were  approximately   $691,000.   Transactions  with  the
development  company  have been at prices and on terms no less  favorable to the
Corporation than transactions with independent third parties.


                  APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS

         The Board of Directors has appointed Arthur Andersen LLP as independent
public  accountants  to examine the  consolidated  financial  statements  of the
Corporation and its subsidiaries for the fiscal year ended January 3, 1997.


                                       16



         A  representative  of Arthur  Andersen LLP is expected to be present at
the meeting and will have the  opportunity  to make a statement  if he or she so
desires  and to respond  to  appropriate  questions.  The  engagement  of Arthur
Andersen LLP was approved by the Board of Directors at the recommendation of the
Audit Committee of the Board of Directors.


             SECTION 16(a) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE

         Section  16(a) of the  Securities  Exchange  Act of 1934  requires  the
Corporation's  officers and  Directors  and persons  owning more than 10% of the
outstanding  Common Stock of the  Corporation  to file reports of ownership  and
changes in ownership  with the  Securities  and Exchange  Commission.  Officers,
Directors  and  greater  than 10%  holders of Common  Stock are  required by SEC
regulation  to furnish the  Corporation  with copies of all Section  16(a) forms
they file.

         Based solely on copies of such forms  furnished as provided  above,  or
written  representations that no Forms 5 were required, the Corporation believes
that  during  the  year  ended  January  3,  1997,   all  Section  16(a)  filing
requirements  applicable to its  officers,  Directors and owners of greater than
10% of its Common  Stock  were  complied  with,  except as  follows:  Wendell L.
Batchelor,  Chairman,  President,  and Chief Executive Officer,  filed a Form 5,
Annual Statement of Beneficial  Ownership of Securities  ("Form 5"), on February
14, 1997 to report three  transactions  which  should have been  reported on two
earlier Form 4s,  Statement  of Changes in  Beneficial  Ownership of  Securities
("Form 4"); Keith W. Brown,  Executive Vice President,  Chief Financial Officer,
Treasurer,  Secretary,  and a Director,  filed a Form 5 on February  14, 1997 to
report two  transactions  that should have been  reported on an earlier  Form 4;
Keith O. Holdbrooks, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, filed
a Form 3, Initial Statement of Beneficial Ownership,  after the due date of such
form;  Jonathan  O. Lee, a Director,  filed a Form 5 on  February  14, 1997 with
respect to a  transaction  that should have been  reported on an earlier Form 4;
and Johnny R. Long,  Executive Vice President and a Director,  filed a Form 5 on
February 14, 1997 with respect to a  transaction  that should have been reported
on an earlier Form 4.


                DEADLINES FOR SUBMISSION OF STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS

         Under  regulations  adopted by the Securities and Exchange  Commission,
any proposal  submitted  for  inclusion  in the  Corporation's  Proxy  Statement
relating  to the  Annual  Meeting  of  Stockholders  to be held in 1997  must be
received at the Corporation's principal executive offices in Addison, Alabama on
or before  December 20, 1996.  Receipt by the  Corporation  of any such proposal
from a qualified stockholder in a timely manner will not ensure its inclusion in
the proxy material  because there are other  requirements in the proxy rules for
such inclusion.

                                       17




                                  OTHER MATTERS

         Management  knows of no matters which may properly be and are likely to
be brought before the meeting other than the matters discussed herein.  However,
if any other matters properly come before the meeting,  the persons named in the
enclosed proxy will vote in accordance with their best judgment.


                           INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

         To  the  extent  that  this  Proxy   Statement  has  been  or  will  be
specifically  incorporated by reference into any filing by the Corporation under
the Securities Act of 1933, as amended,  or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
as amended, the sections of the Proxy Statement entitled "Compensation Committee
Report on Executive Compensation" and "Comparative  Performance Graph" shall not
be deemed to be so incorporated,  unless specifically  otherwise provided in any
such filing.


                                   10-K REPORT

         THE CORPORATION  WILL PROVIDE EACH  BENEFICIAL  OWNER OF ITS SECURITIES
WITH A COPY OF AN ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K, INCLUDING THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AND SCHEDULES  THERETO,  REQUIRED TO BE FILED WITH THE  SECURITIES  AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION FOR THE CORPORATION'S MOST RECENT FISCAL YEAR,  WITHOUT CHARGE,  UPON
RECEIPT OF A WRITTEN  REQUEST FROM SUCH PERSON.  SUCH REQUEST  SHOULD BE SENT TO
KEITH W. BROWN, SOUTHERN ENERGY HOMES, INC., HIGHWAY 41 NORTH, ADDISON,  ALABAMA
35540.


                                 VOTING PROXIES

         The Board of Directors  recommends an affirmative vote on all proposals
specified.  Proxies will be voted as specified.  If signed  proxies are returned
without  specifying an affirmative or negative vote on any proposal,  the shares
represented  by such proxies  will be voted in favor of the Board of  Directors'
recommendations.

                                          By order of the Board of Directors


                                          Keith W. Brown, Secretary

Addison, Alabama
May 8, 1997







                                                                        APPENDIX
                                                                        --------


                           SOUTHERN ENERGY HOMES, INC.
                   1993 AMENDED AND RESTATED STOCK OPTION PLAN

         1. Purpose of the Plan.

         This stock option plan (the "Plan") is intended to encourage  ownership
of the stock of Southern  Energy Homes,  Inc.  (the  "Company") by employees and
advisors of the Company and its subsidiaries,  to induce qualified  personnel to
enter and remain in the employ of the Company or its  subsidiaries and otherwise
to provide  additional  incentive  for  optionees  to promote the success of its
business.

         2. Stock Subject to the Plan.

         (a) The  total  number  of shares of the  authorized  but  unissued  or
Treasury shares of the common stock,  $.0001 par value, of the Company  ("Common
Stock") for which  options  may be granted  under the Plan shall not exceed Nine
Hundred Seven  Thousand  Eight Hundred  Fourteen  (907,814)  shares,  subject to
adjustment as provided in Section 12 hereof.

         (b) If an option granted or assumed hereunder shall expire or terminate
for any reason without having been  exercised in full,  the  unpurchased  shares
subject thereto shall again be available for subsequent  option grants under the
Plan.

         (c) Stock  issuable upon  exercise of an option  granted under the Plan
may be subject to such  restrictions  on  transfer,  repurchase  rights or other
restrictions  as  shall be  determined  by the  Committee  (as  constituted  and
described in Section 3 hereof).

         3. Administration of the Plan.

         The Plan  shall be  administered  by the  Board  of  Directors  or by a
Committee  of  the  Board  of  Directors   consisting  solely  of  two  or  more
"non-employee directors," as defined from time to time in Rule 16b-3 promulgated
under the Securities  Exchange Act of 1934, who shall be





designated by the Board of Directors of the Company (the  administering  body is
hereafter referred to as the "Committee").  The Board of Directors may from time
to time appoint a member or members of the Committee in  substitution  for or in
addition to the member or members  then in office and may fill  vacancies on the
Committee  however  caused.  The  Committee  shall  choose one of its members as
Chairman  and shall  hold  meetings  at such  times and  places as it shall deem
advisable.  A majority of the members of the Committee shall constitute a quorum
and any  action may be taken by a majority  of those  present  and voting at any
meeting.  Any action may also be taken  without the  necessity of a meeting by a
written  instrument  signed by a majority of the Committee.  The decision of the
Committee as to all  questions of  interpretation  and  application  of the Plan
shall be final,  binding and conclusive on all persons. The Committee shall have
the authority to adopt,  amend and rescind such rules and regulations as, in its
opinion,  may be advisable in the  administration of the Plan. The Committee may
correct any defect or supply any omission or reconcile any  inconsistency in the
Plan or in any  option  agreement  granted  hereunder  in the  manner and to the
extent it shall deem  expedient  to carry the Plan into  effect and shall be the
sole and final judge of such expediency. No Committee member shall be liable for
any action or determination made in good faith.

         4. Type of Options.

         Options  granted  pursuant to the Plan shall be authorized by action of
the  Committee of the Company and may be designated  as either  incentive  stock
options meeting the  requirements of Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code of
1986 (the "Code") or  non-qualified  options  which are not intended to meet the
requirements  of such Section 422 of the Code, the designation to be in the sole
discretion of the Committee.

                                      -2-






         5. Eligibility.

         Options  designated  as incentive  stock options may be granted only to
officers  and key  employees  of the  Company or of any  subsidiary  corporation
(herein called "subsidiary" or "subsidiaries"), as defined in Section 424 of the
Code and the Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder.  Options designated as
non-qualified options may be granted to officers,  key employees and advisors of
the Company or of any of its subsidiaries.

         In determining the eligibility of an individual or person to be granted
an option,  as well as in determining the number of shares to be optioned to any
individual  or person,  the  Committee  shall take into account the position and
responsibilities  of the individual or person being  considered,  the nature and
value  to the  Company  or its  subsidiaries  of his or her or its  service  and
accomplishments,  his or her or its present and  potential  contribution  to the
success  of the  Company  or its  subsidiaries,  and such  other  factors as the
Committee may deem relevant.

         No option  designated as an incentive  stock option shall be granted to
any employee of the Company or any subsidiary if such employee owns, immediately
prior to the grant of an option,  stock representing more than 10% of the voting
power or more than 10% of the value of all  classes of stock of the Company or a
parent or a  subsidiary,  unless  the  purchase  price for the stock  under such
option  shall be at least 110% of its fair market  value at the time such option
is granted and the option, by its terms, shall not be exercisable more than five
years from the date it is granted. In determining the stock ownership under this
paragraph, the provisions of Section 424(d) of the Code shall be controlling. In
determining  the fair  market  value under this  paragraph,  the  provisions  of
Section 7 hereof shall apply.

         6. Option Agreement.

                                      -3-




         Each option shall be evidenced by an option agreement (the "Agreement")
duly  executed on behalf of the Company and by the  optionee to whom such option
is granted,  which  Agreement  shall comply with and be subject to the terms and
conditions of the Plan.  The Agreement may contain such other terms,  provisions
and conditions which are not inconsistent  with the Plan as may be determined by
the Committee, provided that options designated as incentive stock options shall
meet all of the conditions for incentive stock options as defined in Section 422
of the  Code.  The date of  grant of an  option  shall be as  determined  by the
Committee. More than one option may be granted to an individual or person.

         7. Option Price.

         The option price or prices of shares of the Company's  Common Stock for
options designated as non-qualified  stock options shall be as determined by the
Committee.  The option price or prices of shares of the  Company's  Common Stock
for incentive  stock options shall be the fair market value of such Common Stock
at the time the option is granted as  determined  by the Committee in accordance
with the Treasury Regulations promulgated under Section 422 of the Code. If such
shares are then  listed on any  national  securities  exchange,  the fair market
value shall be the mean  between the high and low sales  prices,  if any, on the
largest such exchange on the date of the grant of the option or, if none,  shall
be determined by taking a weighted  average of the means between the highest and
lowest  sales  prices on the nearest  date before and the nearest date after the
date of grant in accordance with Treasury Regulations Section 25.2512-2.  If the
shares are not then listed on any such  exchange,  the fair market value of such
shares  shall be the mean  between  the high and low sales  prices,  if any,  as
reported in the National  Association of Securities Dealers Automated  Quotation
System  National Market System  ("NASDAQ/NMS")  for the date of the grant of the
option,  or, if none,  shall be determined  by taking a weighted  average of the
means  between the highest and lowest  sales on the nearest  date before and the
nearest date after the date of grant in  accordance  with  Treasury  Regulations
Section 25.2512-2. If the shares are not then either listed on any such exchange
or quoted in  NASDAQ/NMS,  the fair market  value shall be the mean  between the
average of the "Bid" and the average of the "Ask" prices, if any, as reported in
the National  Daily  Quotation  Service for the date of the grant of the option,
or, if none,  shall be  determined  by 

                                      -4-






taking a weighted  average of the means  between the  highest  and lowest  sales
prices on the nearest  date before and the nearest  date after the date of grant
in accordance with Treasury  Regulations  Section 25.2512-2.  If the fair market
value cannot be determined  under the  preceding  three  sentences,  it shall be
determined in good faith by the Committee.

         8. Manner of Payment; Manner of Exercise.

         (a) Options  granted  under the Plan may provide for the payment of the
exercise  price by delivery  of (i) cash or a check  payable to the order of the
Company in an amount equal to the exercise price of such options, (ii) shares of
Common  Stock of the Company  owned by the  optionee  having a fair market value
equal in amount to the exercise price of the options being  exercised,  or (iii)
any combination of (i) and (ii), provided, however, that payment of the exercise
price by  delivery  of  shares  of  Common  Stock of the  Company  owned by such
optionee may be made only under such circumstances and on such terms as may from
time to time be  established  by the  Committee.  The fair  market  value of any
shares of the Company's  Common Stock which may be delivered upon exercise of an
option shall be determined by the Committee in accordance with Section 7 hereof.
With the  consent of the  Committee,  payment  may also be made by delivery of a
properly  executed  exercise  notice  to the  Company,  together  with a copy of
irrevocable  instruments  to a broker to deliver  promptly  to the  Company  the
amount of sale or

                                      -5-




loan  proceeds to pay the exercise  price.  To  facilitate  the  foregoing,  the
Company may enter into  agreements for  coordinated  procedures with one or more
brokerage firms.

         (b) To the extent that the right to purchase shares under an option has
accrued  and is in effect,  options may be  exercised  in full at one time or in
part  from time to time,  by  giving  written  notice,  signed by the  person or
persons exercising the option, to the Company, stating the number of shares with
respect to which the option is being  exercised,  accompanied by payment in full
for such shares as  provided  in  subparagraph  (a) above.  Upon such  exercise,
delivery of a certificate for paid-up non-assessable shares shall be made at the
principal  office of the Company to the person or persons  exercising the option
at such time,  during ordinary  business  hours,  not more than thirty (30) days
from the date of receipt of the notice by the Company, as shall be designated in
such  notice,  or at such time,  place and  manner as may be agreed  upon by the
Company and the person or persons exercising the option.

         9. Exercise of Options.

         Each option granted under the Plan shall,  subject to Section 10(b) and
Section 12 hereof,  be  exercisable at such time or times and during such period
as shall be set  forth  in the  Agreement;  provided,  however,  that no  option
granted  under the Plan  shall  have a term in excess of ten (10) years from the
date of grant.

         To the extent that an option to purchase  shares is not exercised by an
optionee when it becomes initially exercisable, it shall not expire but shall be
carried  forward and shall be  exercisable,  on a  cumulative  basis,  until the
expiration of the exercise period. No partial exercise may be made for less than
fifty (50) full shares of Common Stock.

         10. Term of Options; Exercisability. 

                                      -6-



         (a) Term.

         (1) Each option shall expire not more than ten (10) years from the date
of the granting thereof,  but shall be subject to earlier  termination as herein
provided.

         Except as otherwise  provided in this Section 10, an option  granted to
any employee  optionee who ceases to be an employee of the Company or one of its
subsidiaries  shall  terminate on the last day of the third month after the date
such  optionee  ceases  to  be  an  employee  of  the  Company  or  one  of  its
subsidiaries, or on the date on which the option expires by its terms, whichever
occurs first.

         (2) If such termination of employment is because of dismissal for cause
or because the employee is in breach of any  employment  agreement,  such option
will terminate on the date the optionee  ceases to be an employee of the Company
or one of its subsidiaries.

         (3) If such  termination  of  employment  is because the  optionee  has
become  permanently  disabled  (within  the  meaning of Section  22(e)(3) of the
Code), such option shall terminate on the last day of the twelfth month from the
date such optionee ceases to be an employee,  or on the date on which the option
expires by its terms, whichever occurs first.

         (4) In the event of the death of any  optionee,  any option  granted to
such optionee shall terminate on the last day of the twelfth month from the date
of death,  or on the date on which the option  expires  by its terms,  whichever
occurs first.

         (b) Exercisability.

         (1) Except as provided below, an option granted to an employee optionee
who ceases to be an employee of the Company or one of its subsidiaries  shall be
exercisable  only to the extent  that the right to  purchase  shares  under such
option has  accrued and is in effect on the date such  optionee  ceases to be an
employee of the Company or one of its subsidiaries.

                                      -7-





         (2) An option  granted  to an  employee  optionee  who  ceases to be an
employee of the Company or one of its subsidiaries  because he or she has become
permanently  disabled, as defined above, shall be exercisable to the full number
of shares covered by such option.

         (3) In the event of the death of any  optionee,  the option  granted to
such  optionee may be exercised  to the full number of shares  covered  thereby,
whether  or not under  the  provisions  of  Section 9 hereof  the  optionee  was
entitled  to do so at the  date  of his or her  death,  by the  estate  of  such
optionee,  or by any person or persons who acquired  the right to exercise  such
option by bequest or inheritance or by reason of the death of such optionee.

         11. Options Not Transferable.

         The right of any optionee to exercise any option  granted to him or her
or it shall not be assignable or transferable by such optionee otherwise than by
will or the laws of  descent  and  distribution,  or  (solely  with  respect  to
non-qualified  stock options) pursuant to a qualified  domestic relations order,
as defined by the Code or Title I of the  Employee  Retirement  Income  Security
Act, or the rules  thereunder,  and any such option shall be exercisable  during
the lifetime of such optionee  only by him, her or it. Any option  granted under
the Plan shall be null and void and without  effect upon the  bankruptcy  of the
optionee  to whom the option is granted,  or upon any  attempted  assignment  or
transfer, except as herein provided,  including without limitation any purported
assignment,  whether voluntary or by operation of law, pledge,  hypothecation or
other disposition, attachment, divorce, except as provided above with respect to
non-qualified stock options,  trustee process or similar process,  whether legal
or equitable, upon such option.

         12. Recapitalizations, Reorganizations and the Like.

         (a) In the event that the outstanding shares of the Common Stock of the
Company are changed into or exchanged  for a different  number or kind of shares
or other  securities of the

                                      -8-




Company  or of  another  corporation  by reason of any  reorganization,  merger,
consolidation,  recapitalization,  reclassification, stock split-up, combination
of shares, or dividends payable in capital stock,  appropriate  adjustment shall
be made in the  number  and kind of shares as to which  options  may be  granted
under the Plan and as to which  outstanding  options or  portions  thereof  then
unexercised shall be exercisable,  to the end that the proportionate interest of
the optionee  shall be maintained as before the  occurrence of such event;  such
adjustment  in  outstanding  options  shall be made without  change in the total
price  applicable  to  the  unexercised  portion  of  such  options  and  with a
corresponding adjustment in the option price per share.

         (b) In addition,  unless  otherwise  determined by the Committee in its
sole discretion,  in the case of any (i) sale or conveyance to another entity of
all or  substantially  all of the  property  and  assets of the  Company or (ii)
Change in Control (as hereinafter  defined) of the Company,  the purchaser(s) of
the Company's assets or stock may, in his, her or its discretion, deliver to the
optionee the same kind of consideration that is delivered to the shareholders of
the Company as a result of such sale,  conveyance  or Change in Control,  or the
Committee may cancel all outstanding  options in exchange for  consideration  in
cash or in kind,  which  consideration  in both cases shall be equal in value to
the value of those shares of stock or other  securities  the optionee would have
received had the option been exercised (to the extent then  exercisable)  and no
disposition  of the shares  acquired  upon such exercise been made prior to such
sale,  conveyance  or Change in Control,  less the option price  therefor.  Upon
receipt of such  consideration  by the optionee,  his or her or its option shall
immediately  terminate and be of no further  force and effect.  The value of the
stock or other  securities  the optionee  would have  received if the option had
been  exercised  shall  be  determined  in good  faith by the  Committee  of the
Company,  and in the case of  shares  of the  Common  Stock of the  Company,  in
accordance with the provision of

                                      -9-




Section  7  hereof.  The  Committee  shall  also  have the  power  and  right to
accelerate the exercisability of any options, notwithstanding any limitations in
this Plan or in the Agreement upon such a sale, conveyance or Change in Control.
Upon such acceleration,  any options or portion thereof originally designated as
incentive  stock options that no longer qualify as incentive stock options under
Section 422 of the Code as a result of such  acceleration  shall be redesignated
as  non-qualified  stock options.  A "Change in Control" shall be deemed to have
occurred if any person,  or any two or more persons  acting as a group,  and all
affiliates  of such  person or  persons,  who prior to such time owned less than
fifty percent (50%) of the then outstanding  Common Stock of the Company,  shall
acquire  such  additional  shares of the  Company's  Common Stock in one or more
transactions, or series of transactions, such that following such transaction or
transactions, such person or group and affiliates beneficially own fifty percent
(50%) or more of the Company's Common Stock outstanding.

         (c) Upon dissolution or liquidation of the Company, all options granted
under  this Plan  shall  terminate,  but each  optionee  shall  have the  right,
immediately  prior to such  dissolution or  liquidation,  to exercise his or her
option to the extent then exercisable.

         (d) If by reason of a corporate merger,  consolidation,  acquisition of
property or stock,  separation,  reorganization,  or liquidation,  the Committee
shall authorize the issuance or assumption of a stock option or stock options in
a transaction to which Section 424(a) of the Code applies, then, notwithstanding
any other  provision of the Plan,  the  Committee may grant an option or options
upon such terms and  conditions  as it may deem  appropriate  for the purpose of
assumption  of the old  option,  or  substitution  of a new  option  for the old
option, in conformity with the provisions of such Section 424(a) of the Code and
the Treasury  Regulations  thereunder,

                                      -10-





and any such option  shall not reduce the number of shares  otherwise  available
for issuance under the Plan.

         (e) No fraction of a share shall be purchasable or deliverable upon the
exercise of any option, but in the event any adjustment  hereunder of the number
of shares covered by the option shall cause such number to include a fraction of
a share,  such fraction shall be adjusted to the nearest smaller whole number of
shares.

         13. No Special Employment Rights.

         Nothing  contained in the Plan or in any option  granted under the Plan
shall confer upon any option  holder any right with respect to the  continuation
of his or her employment by the Company (or any  subsidiary) or interfere in any
way with the right of the Company (or any  subsidiary),  subject to the terms of
any separate employment agreement to the contrary, at any time to terminate such
employment or to increase or decrease the compensation of the option holder from
the  rate in  existence  at the  time of the  grant  of an  option.  Whether  an
authorized leave of absence, or absence in military or government service, shall
constitute termination of employment shall be determined by the Committee at the
time.

         14. Withholding.

         The  Company's  obligation  to deliver  shares upon the exercise of any
non-qualified  option  granted  under the Plan  shall be  subject  to the option
holder's  satisfaction  of all  applicable  Federal,  state and local income and
employment tax withholding  requirements.  The Company and employee may agree to
withhold  shares of Common Stock purchased upon exercise of an option to satisfy
the  above-mentioned   withholding  requirements.   With  the  approval  of  the
Committee,  which it shall have sole discretion to grant,  and on such terms and
conditions  as the  Committee  may  impose,  the option  holder may  satisfy the
foregoing  condition  by  electing to

                                      -11-





have the  Company  withhold  from  delivery  shares  having a value equal to the
amount of tax to be withheld. The Committee shall also have the right to require
that shares be withheld from delivery to satisfy such condition.


         15. Restrictions on Issue of Shares.

         (a)  Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 8, the Company may delay
the issuance of shares  covered by the exercise of an option and the delivery of
a  certificate  for such shares until one of the following  conditions  shall be
satisfied:

              (i) The  shares  with  respect  to  which  such  option  has  been
exercised are at the time of the issue of such shares effectively  registered or
qualified under applicable  Federal and state securities acts now in force or as
hereafter amended; or

              (ii) Counsel for the Company  shall have given an  opinion,  which
opinion shall not be unreasonably  conditioned or withheld, that such shares are
exempt from  registration and qualification  under applicable  Federal and state
securities acts now in force or as hereafter amended.

         (b) It is intended  that all  exercises of options  shall be effective,
and the Company  shall use its best efforts to bring about  compliance  with the
above  conditions  within a reasonable  time,  except that the Company  shall be
under no obligation to qualify shares or to cause a registration  statement or a
post-effective  amendment to any  registration  statement to be prepared for the
purpose  of  covering  the issue of shares in respect of which any option may be
exercised, except as otherwise agreed to by the Company in writing.

         16.   Purchase  for   Investment;   Rights  of  Holder  on   Subsequent
Registration.

         Unless the shares to be issued upon exercise of an option granted under
the Plan have been  effectively  registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as
now in force or hereafter


                                      -12-




amended, the Company shall be under no obligation to issue any shares covered by
any option  unless the person who  exercises  such option,  in whole or in part,
shall give a written  representation  and  undertaking  to the Company  which is
satisfactory in form and scope to counsel for the Company and upon which, in the
opinion of such counsel,  the Company may reasonably  rely, that he or she or it
is acquiring the shares  issued  pursuant to such exercise of the option for his
or her or its own account as an  investment  and not with a view to, or for sale
in connection with, the  distribution of any such shares,  and that he or she or
it will make no  transfer of the same  except in  compliance  with any rules and
regulations  in force at the time of such transfer  under the  Securities Act of
1933, or any other  applicable  law, and that if shares are issued  without such
registration,  a legend to this effect may be endorsed  upon the  securities  so
issued. In the event that the Company shall, nevertheless,  deem it necessary or
desirable  to  register  under the  Securities  Act of 1933 or other  applicable
statutes any shares with  respect to which an option shall have been  exercised,
or to qualify any such shares for exemption  from the  Securities Act of 1933 or
other applicable statutes, then the Company may take such action and may require
from each  optionee  such  information  in writing  for use in any  registration
statement,   supplementary  registration  statement,   prospectus,   preliminary
prospectus or offering circular as is reasonably  necessary for such purpose and
may require  reasonable  indemnity to the Company and its officers and directors
and controlling persons from such holder against all losses, claims, damages and
liabilities  arising from such use of the information so furnished and caused by
any untrue  statement of any material  fact therein or caused by the omission to
state a material  fact  required to be stated  therein or  necessary to make the
statements therein not misleading in the light of the circumstances  under which
they were made.

                                      -13-




         17. Loans.

         The Company may not make loans to  optionees to permit them to exercise
options.

         18. Modification of Outstanding Options.

         The Committee may  authorize  the amendment of any  outstanding  option
with the  consent of the  optionee  when and subject to such  conditions  as are
deemed to be in the best  interests  of the Company and in  accordance  with the
purposes of this Plan.

         19. Approval of Stockholders.

         The Plan  shall be  subject  to  approval  by the vote of  stockholders
holding at least a majority of the voting stock of the Company  voting in person
or by proxy at a duly held stockholders'  meeting,  or by written consent of all
the  stockholders,  within  twelve (12) months after the adoption of the Plan by
the Board of  Directors  and shall take effect as of the date of adoption by the
Board of Directors upon such approval. The Committee may grant options under the
Plan prior to such  approval,  but any such option shall become  effective as of
the date of grant only upon such approval and,  accordingly,  no such option may
be exercisable prior to such approval.

         20. Termination and Amendment.

         Unless sooner  terminated as herein provided,  the Plan shall terminate
ten (10) years  from the date upon which the Plan was duly  adopted by the Board
of Directors of the Company.  The Board of Directors  may at any time  terminate
the Plan or make such  modification or amendment  thereof as it deems advisable;
provided,  however,  that except as  provided  in this  Section 20, the Board of
Directors  may not,  without  the  approval of the  stockholders  of the Company
obtained in the manner  stated in Section  19,  increase  the maximum  number of
shares for which options may be granted or change the  designation  of the class
of persons  eligible to receive options under


                                      -14-




the  Plan,  or make any  other  change in the Plan  which  requires  stockholder
approval under applicable law or regulations, including any approval requirement
which is a prerequisite  for exemptive relief under Section 16 of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934.  The  Committee  may grant  options to persons  subject to
Section 16(b) of the  Securities  and Exchange Act of 1934 after an amendment to
the Plan by the Board of Directors requiring  stockholder approval under Section
20, but any such option shall become effective as of the date of grant only upon
such approval and, accordingly,  no such option may be exercisable prior to such
approval.  The Committee may terminate,  amend or modify any outstanding  option
without the consent of the option holder,  provided,  however,  that,  except as
provided in Section 12, without the consent of the optionee, the Committee shall
not change the number of shares  subject to an option,  nor the  exercise  price
thereof, nor extend the term of such option.

         21. Compliance with Rule 16b-3.

         It is intended that the  provisions of the Plan and any option  granted
thereunder to a person subject to the reporting requirements of Section 16(a) of
the Act shall comply in all respects with the terms and conditions of Rule 16b-3
under  the  Securities  Exchange  Act of  1934  (the  "Act"),  or any  successor
provisions.  Any agreement granting options shall contain such provisions as are
necessary  or  appropriate  to assure  such  compliance.  To the extent that any
provision hereof is found not to be in compliance with such Rule, such provision
shall be deemed to be modified so as to be in  compliance  with such Rule, or if
such  modification  is not possible,  shall be deemed to be null and void, as it
relates to a recipient subject to Section 16(a) of the Act.

         22. Reservation of Stock.


                                      -15-




         The Company  shall at all times during the term of the Plan reserve and
keep  available  such number of shares of stock as will be sufficient to satisfy
the  requirements  of the Plan and shall pay all fees and  expenses  necessarily
incurred by the Company in connection therewith.

         23. Limitation of Rights in the Option Shares.

         An optionee  shall not be deemed for any purpose to be a stockholder of
the Company  with  respect to any of the  options  except to the extent that the
option  shall have been  exercised  with respect  thereto  and, in  addition,  a
certificate shall have been issued theretofore and delivered to the optionee.

         24. Notices.

         Any communication or notice required or permitted to be given under the
Plan  shall be in  writing,  and  mailed  by  registered  or  certified  mail or
delivered  by hand,  if to the  Company,  to its  principal  place of  business,
attention: President, and, if to an optionee, to the address as appearing on the
records of the Company.







                          SOUTHERN ENERGY HOMES, INC.

               1997 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS - JUNE 4, 1997

The undersigned  hereby  appoints  Wendall L. Batchelor and Jonathan O. Lee, and
each of them  acting  singly,  with  full  power  of  substitution,  proxies  to
represent the undersigned at the 1997 Annual Meeting of Stockholders of SOUTHERN
ENERGY HOMES,  INC. to be held June 4, 1997 at 10:00 a.m. at The Harbert Center,
Room C, 2019 4th Avenue North,  Birmingham,  Alabama,  and at any adjournment or
adjournments thereof, to vote in the name and place of the undersigned, with all
powers which the undersigned would possess if personally present, all the shares
of SOUTHERN ENERGY HOMES,  INC. standing in the name of the undersigned upon the
matters  set forth in the  Notice  of and Proxy  Statement  for the  Meeting  in
accordance  with the  instructions  on the  reverse  side and  upon  such  other
business as may properly come before the Meeting.

THE BOARD RECOMMENDS AN AFFIRMATIVE VOTE ON ALL PROPOSALS SPECIFIED. SHARES WILL
BE VOTED AS SPECIFIED.  IF NO SPECIFICATION IS MADE, THE SHARES REPRESENTED WILL
BE VOTED FOR THE  ELECTION OF  DIRECTORS,  FOR THE  AMENDMENT TO THE 1993 OPTION
PLAN AND FOR THE AMENDMENT TO THE COMPANY'S CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION, ALL AS
SET FORTH IN THE PROXY STATEMENT.

PLEASE  DATE AND SIGN THIS  PROXY IN THE  SPACE  PROVIDED  AND  RETURN IT IN THE
ENCLOSED ENVELOPE, WHETHER OR NOT YOU EXPECT TO ATTEND THE MEETING IN PERSON.


- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PLEASE  VOTE,  DATE,  AND SIGN ON REVERSE AND RETURN  PROMPTLY  IN THE  ENCLOSED
ENVELOPE.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Please sign this proxy  exactly as your  name(s)  appear(s)  on the books of the
Company.   Joint  owners  should  each  sign  personally.   Trustees  and  other
fiduciaries should indicate the capacity in which they sign, and where more than
one name appears,  a majority must sign. If a corporation,  the signature should
be that of an authorized officer who should state his or her title.

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


HAS YOUR ADDRESS CHANGED?                    DO YOU HAVE ANY COMMENTS?

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

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

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


[X] PLEASE MARK VOTES
    AS IN THIS EXAMPLE


- -------------------------------
SOUTHERN ENERGY HOMES, INC.
- -------------------------------



RECORD DATE SHARES:




Please be sure to sign and date this Proxy.   Date------------------




Stockholder sign here----------------Co-owner sign here-------------

DETACH CARD



1. Election of Directors                                  With-    For All
                                                    For      hold     Except
   Wendall L. Batchelor      Joseph J. Incandela    [  ]     [  ]      [  ]
   Keith W. Brown            Jonathan O. Lee        [  ]     [  ]      [  ]
   Paul J. Evanson           Johnny R. Long         [  ]     [  ]      [  ]
   
To withhold your vote from any particular nominee(s),  mark the "For All Except"
box and strike a line through the name(s) of any  nominee(s) for whom you do not
wish to vote. Your shares will be voted for the remaining nominee(s).


2. To amend the Company's 1993 Stock Option
   Plan, as described in the accompanying Proxy    For     Against     Abstain
   Statement.                                      [  ]      [  ]       [  ]


3. To amend the Company' Certificate of
   Incorporation to increase the number of
   authorized shares, as described in the
   accompanying Proxy Statement.                   [  ]      [  ]       [  ]


4. In their discretion, the proxies are authorized to vote upon such other 
   business as may properly come before the meeting.

   Mark box at right if you plan to attend the Meeting in person        [  ]
   
   Mark box at right if an address change or comment has been noted
   on the reverse side of this card                                      [  ]


                                                                     DETACH CARD


                          SOUTHERN ENERGY HOMES, INC.

   Dear Stockholders:

   Please  take note of the  important  information  enclosed  with  this  Proxy
   Ballot.  There are a number of issues related to the management and operation
   of your Company that require your immediate attention and approval. These are
   discussed in detail in the enclosed proxy materials.

   Your vote counts,  and you are strongly  encouraged to exercise your right to
   vote your shares.

   Please mark the boxes on this proxy card to indicate  how your shares will be
   voted.  Then  sign the card,  detach if and  return  your  proxy  vote in the
   enclosed postage paid envelope.

   Your vote must be received prior to the Annual Meeting of  Stockholders to be
   held on June 4, 1997.

   Thank you in advance for your prompt consideration of these matters.

   Sincerely,

   Southern Energy Homes, Inc.