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

FORM 10-K
(Mark One)
X ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 1997

OR

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

For the transition period from ______ to ______

Commission file number: 1-8865

SIERRA HEALTH SERVICES, INC.
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

NEVADA
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
88-0200415
(I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)
2724 NORTH TENAYA WAY
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA 89128
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (702) 242-7000
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each class
Name of each exchange on
which registered
Common Stock, par value $.005
New York Stock Exchange

Securities Registered Pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None

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

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

The aggregate market value of the voting stock held by non-affiliates of
the registrant on February 27, 1998 was $585,195,000.

The number of shares of the registrant's common stock outstanding on
February 27, 1998 was 18,275,000.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
DOCUMENT WHERE INCORPORATED

Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K dated Part I
March 19, 1998. Part II, Item 7

Portions of the registrant's definitive proxy Part III statement for its 1998
annual meeting to be filed with the SEC not later than 120 days after the end of
the fiscal year.








SIERRA HEALTH SERVICES, INC.

1997 FORM 10-K ANNUAL REPORT

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page
PART I

Item 1. Business ............................................. 1

Item 2. Properties............................................ 14

Item 3. Legal Proceedings..................................... 15

Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of
Security Holders.................................. 15


PART II

Item 5. Market for Registrant's Common Stock and
Related Stockholder Matters........................ 16

Item 6. Selected Financial Data............................... 17

Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations .............. 18

Item 7a. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures
about Market Rate ................................ 28

Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data........... 29

Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on
Accounting and Financial Disclosure................ 59


PART III

Item 10. Directors and Executive Officers
of the Registrant................................. 59

Item 11. Executive Compensation................................ 59

Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial
Owners and Management............................. 59

Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions........ 59


PART IV

Item 14. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules and
Reports on Form 8-K............................... 60

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PART I


ITEM 1. BUSINESS
GENERAL

Sierra Health Services, Inc. ("Sierra") and its subsidiaries (collectively
referred to as the "Company"), is a managed health care organization that
provides and administers the delivery of comprehensive health care and workers'
compensation programs with an emphasis on quality care and cost management. The
Company's strategy has been to develop and offer a portfolio of managed health
care and workers' compensation products to employer groups and individuals. The
Company's broad range of managed health care services is provided through its
federally qualified and non-qualified health maintenance organizations ("HMOs"),
insurance companies, managed indemnity plans, a third-party administrative
services programs for employer-funded health benefit plans and workers'
compensation medical management programs. Ancillary products and services that
complement the Company's managed health care and workers' compensation product
lines are also offered.

During the third quarter of 1997, Sierra Military Health Services, Inc.
("SMHS"), a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, was notified it had been
awarded a multi-year triple-option health benefits ("TRICARE") managed care
support contract by the Department of Defense to serve TRICARE eligible
beneficiaries in Region 1. This region includes more than 600,000 beneficiaries
in 13 northeastern states and the District of Columbia. SMHS is currently in the
implementation period of the contract with actual health care delivery to
commence on June 1, 1998. SMHS subcontracts for health care delivery, including
some of the risk, for parts of the TRICARE contract.

SMHS was notified on February 13, 1998 that the United States General Accounting
Office ("GAO") sustained a competitor's protest of the contract award for
TRICARE managed care support for Region 1 and recommended that the contract be
re-bid. The TRICARE Management Activity ("TMA"), along with the Company, has
filed a motion requesting that the GAO reconsider its recommendation. If the GAO
does not change its recommendation and the TMA follows the recommendation, there
are several possible outcomes, including litigation. The Company currently
anticipates providing health care delivery for one year of the contract in the
event a re-bid occurs. (See "Management's Discussion and Analysis Overview")

In June 1996, the Department of Defense awarded a five-year TRICARE contract to
TriWest Healthcare Alliance ("TriWest"), a consortium consisting of Sierra and
13 other health care companies, to provide health services to Regions 7 and 8,
which includes a total of 16 states. In April 1997, TriWest began providing
health care to approximately 700,000 individuals, of which Sierra is responsible
for providing care to approximately 93,000 beneficiaries in Nevada and Missouri.

In August 1997, the Company acquired the assets and operations of Total Home
Care, Inc. ("THC") for approximately $3.1 million, net of cash acquired. THC
provides home infusion, oxygen, and durable medical equipment services in Nevada
and Arizona. The Company sold the Arizona operations in the first quarter of
1998 for approximately $1.5 million. Also, in the first quarter of 1998, the
Company purchased three medical clinics in southern Nevada for approximately
$7.3 million.

Effective December 31, 1996, the Company purchased Prime Holdings, Inc.
("Prime") for approximately $31.2 million in cash. At December 31, 1996, Prime
operated Med One Health Plan, Inc., a 12,800 member HMO, and also served 215,000
people through preferred provider organizations ("PPOs"), workers' compensation
programs and administrative services products for self-insured employers and
union welfare funds primarily in the state of Nevada.


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The principal executive offices of the Company are located at 2724 North Tenaya
Way, Las Vegas, Nevada 89128, and its telephone number is (702) 242-7000.

Managed Care Products and Services

The Company's primary types of health care coverage are HMO plans, HMO Point of
Service ("POS") plans, and managed indemnity plans, which include a PPO option.
As of December 31, 1997, the Company provided HMO products to approximately
192,000 members. Of these HMO members, approximately 90% reside in Nevada. The
POS products allow members to choose one of the various coverage options when
medical services are required instead of one plan for the entire year. The
Company also provides managed indemnity products to approximately 64,000
members, Medicare supplement products to approximately 25,000 members, and
administrative services to approximately 328,000 members. Medical premiums
account for approximately 71% of total revenues, 79% of such medical premiums
are derived from southern Nevada.

Health Maintenance Organizations. The Company operates mixed group network model
HMOs in Nevada, and a network model HMO in Texas. Most of its managed health
care services in Nevada are provided through its independently contracted
network of over 2000 providers and 18 hospitals. These networks include the
Company's multi-specialty medical group, which provides medical services to
approximately 72% of the Company's Nevada HMO members and employs over 145
primary care and other providers in various medical specialties. The Company
directly provides home health care, hospice care and behavioral health care
services. In addition, the Company operates two 24-hour urgent care centers, a
radiology department, a vision department, an occupational medicine department
and two free-standing, state-licensed and Medicare-approved ambulatory surgery
centers. The Company believes that this vertical integration of its health care
delivery system provides a competitive advantage as it has helped it to manage
health care costs effectively while delivering quality care. As of December 31,
1997, the Texas HMO members were served by approximately 1500 independent
contracted providers and 32 hospitals. Contracted primary care physicians and
specialists for the HMOs are compensated on a capitation or modified
fee-for-service basis. Contracts with their primary hospitals are on a
capitation or discounted per diem basis. Members receive a wide range of
coverage after paying a nominal co-payment and are eligible for preventive care
coverage. The HMOs do not require deductibles, co-insurance or claim forms.

In addition to its commercial HMO plans, which involve traditional HMO benefits
and Point of Service benefits, the Company offers prepaid health care programs
for Medicare-eligible beneficiaries called Senior Dimensions in Nevada and parts
of Arizona and Golden Choice in Texas. Senior Dimensions is marketed directly to
Medicare-eligible beneficiaries in the Company's Nevada service area as well as
certain parts of Arizona. Federal legislation has been enacted which allows
delivery of health care to Medicare beneficiaries through HMOs. Such legislation
provides that the federal government will reimburse HMOs for health care
services to Medicare beneficiaries in an amount equal to 95% of the Medicare
payments to fee-for-service providers in a defined service area. As of December
31, 1997, approximately 33,000, or 19%, of the Company's total Nevada HMO
members were enrolled in Senior Dimensions. The Senior Dimensions plan enables
Medicare beneficiaries to reduce their out-of-pocket expenses and receive
additional benefits not covered by Medicare. During 1996 the Company's Texas HMO
received approval to offer a Medicare risk product and at December 31, 1997
approximately 3,000, or 18%, of the Company's total Texas members were enrolled
in Golden Choice.

Social Health Maintenance Organization. Effective November 1, 1996, the Company
entered into a multi-year Social HMO contract pursuant to which a large portion
of the Company's Medicare risk enrollees will receive certain expanded benefits.
Sierra was one of six HMOs nationally to be awarded this contract, and is
currently the only company to have implemented the program as of December 31,
1997. The Company receives additional revenues for providing these expanded
benefits. The additional revenues are determined based on health risk
assessments that have been, and will continue to be, performed on the

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Company's eligible Medicare risk members. The additional benefits include, among
other things, assisting the eligible Medicare risk members with typical daily
living functions such as bathing, dressing and walking. These members, as
identified in the health risk assessments, are ones who currently have
difficulty performing such daily living functions because of a health or
physical problem. The additional reimbursement will be subject to adjustment
based on the number of beneficiaries who need assistance with the social
problems noted above and their individual health risk assessments. The ultimate
payment received from the Health Care Financing Administration ("HCFA") will be
based on these and other factors. At this time, however, there can be no
assurance as to what the final per member reimbursement will be.

Preferred Provider Organizations. The Company also offers health insurance
through its PPO. The Company's managed indemnity plans generally offer insureds
the option of receiving their medical care from either non-contracted or
contracted providers. Insureds pay higher deductibles and co-insurance or
co-payments when they receive care from non-contracted providers. Out-of-pocket
costs are lowered by utilizing contracted providers who are part of the
Company's Nevada PPO network, consisting of approximately 2700 providers and 36
hospitals. As of December 31, 1997, approximately 64,000 members were enrolled
in Sierra's managed indemnity plans.

The Company currently provides managed indemnity and Medicare supplement
services to individuals in Nevada, Arizona, Colorado, Texas, California, New
Mexico, Missouri, Iowa and South Carolina. The Company is also exploring further
expansion in certain other states. As of December 31, 1997 the PPO is licensed
in a total of 37 states and the District of Columbia. During 1996 the Company
adopted a plan to restructure certain insurance operations to allow the Company
to focus on more favorable operating markets. This plan significantly reduced
the Company's presence in Arizona and Colorado for certain managed indemnity
products.

Workers' Compensation Subsidiary. On October 31, 1995, the Company acquired CII
Financial, Inc. ("CII"), for approximately $76.3 million of common stock in a
transaction accounted for as a pooling of interests. CII writes workers'
compensation insurance in the states of California, Colorado, Kansas, Missouri,
Nebraska, New Mexico, Texas and Utah. CII has licenses in 29 states and the
District of Columbia. California and Colorado represent approximately 83% and
9%, respectively, of CII's fully insured workers' compensation insurance
premiums in 1997. Workers' compensation insurance premiums account for
approximately 18% of the Company's total revenue. In conjunction with the
acquisition, a supplemental indenture was filed modifying CII's 7 1/2%
convertible subordinated debentures (the "Debentures"). As a result each $1,000
in principal is now convertible into 16.921 shares of Sierra's common stock at a
conversion price of $59.097 per share.

Administrative Services. The Company's administrative services products provide,
among other things, utilization review and PPO services to large employer groups
that are usually self-insured. As of December 31, 1997, approximately 328,000
members were enrolled in the Company's administrative services plans.

Effective September 30, 1997, the Company terminated its workers' compensation
administrative services contract with the state of Nevada. The contract served
approximately 200,000 enrollees and provided approximately $3.2 million in
revenues for the year ended December 31, 1997. The contract was terminated to
allow the Company to participate in the Nevada workers' compensation insurance
market when the state allows private insurance companies to begin offering
products, which is anticipated for 1999.



3





Ancillary Medical Services. Among the ancillary medical services offered by the
Company are outpatient surgical care, diagnostic tests, medical and surgical
procedures, inpatient and outpatient laboratory tests, x-ray, CAT scans and
nuclear medicine services. The Company also provides home health care services,
a hospice program and mental health and substance abuse services. These services
are provided to members of the Company's HMOs, managed indemnity and
administrative services plans. The mental health and substance abuse services
are also provided to approximately 99,000 participants from non-affiliated
employer groups and an insurance company.

Marketing

The Company's marketing efforts for its commercial managed care products involve
a two-step process. The Company first makes presentations to employers and then
provides information directly to employees once the employer has decided to
offer the Company's products. Once a relationship with a group is established
and a group agreement is negotiated and signed, the Company's marketing efforts
focus on individual employees. During a designated "open enrollment" period each
year, usually the month preceding the annual renewal of the agreement with the
group, employees choose whether to remain with, join or terminate their
membership with a specific health plan offered by the employer. New employees
decide whether to join one of the employers' health insurance options at the
time of their employment. Although contracts with employers are generally
terminable on 60 days notice, changes in membership occur primarily during open
enrollment periods. Medicare risk products are primarily marketed by the HMOs'
sales employees. Retention of employer groups and membership growth is
accomplished through print advertising directed to employers and through
consumer media campaigns. Media communications convey the Company's emphasis on
preventive care, ready access to health care providers and quality service.
Other communications to customers include employer and member newsletters,
member education brochures, prenatal information packets, employer/broker
seminars and direct mail advertising to clients. Members' satisfaction with
Company benefits and services is monitored by customer surveys. Results from
these surveys and other primary and secondary research guide the sales and
advertising efforts throughout the year.

The Company's workers' compensation insurance policies are sold primarily
through independent insurance agents and brokers, who may also represent other
insurance companies. The Company believes that independent insurance agents and
brokers choose to market the Company's insurance policies primarily because of
the price the Company charges. Additional considerations include the quality of
service that the Company provides and the commissions the Company pays. The
Company employs full-time employees as marketing representatives to make
personal contacts with agents and brokers, to maintain regular communication
with them, to advise them of the Company's services and products, and to recruit
additional agents and brokers. As of December 31, 1997, the Company had
relationships with approximately 600 agents and 20 brokers and paid its agents
and brokers commissions based on a percentage of the gross written premium
produced by such agents and brokers. The Company also utilizes a number of
promotional media, including advertising in publications and at trade fairs, to
support the efforts of its independent agents.


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Membership

Period End Membership:


Years Ended December 31,
-----------------------------------------
1997 1996 1995 1994 1993
-------- -------- -------- -------- ------
HMO:

Commercial.............................. 156,000 147,000 116,000 107,000 89,000
Medicare................................ 36,000 30,000 25,000 20,000 15,000
Managed Indemnity........................... 64,000 46,000 31,000 24,000 30,000
Medicare Supplement......................... 25,000 23,000 15,000 9,000 4,000
Administrative Services (1) ................ 328,000 338,000 117,000 65,000 59,000
------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Total Membership........................ 609,000 584,000 304,000 225,000 197,000
======= ======= ======= ======= =======


(1) For comparability purposes, enrollment information has been restated to
reflect the September 30, 1997 termination of the Company's workers'
compensation administrative services contract with the state of Nevada.
Enrollment in the terminated plan was 163,000, 94,000 and 79,000 members at
December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994, respectively.

For the years ended December 31, 1997 and 1996, the Company received
approximately 23.7% and 24.2%, respectively, of its total revenues from its
contract with HCFA to provide health care services to Medicare enrollees. The
Company's contract with HCFA is subject to annual renewal at the election of
HCFA and requires the Company to comply with federal HMO and Medicare laws and
regulations and may be terminated if the Company fails to so comply. The
termination of the Company's contract with HCFA would have a material adverse
effect on the Company's business. In addition, there have been, and the Company
expects that there will continue to be, a number of legislative proposals to
limit Medicare reimbursements and to require additional benefits. Future levels
of funding of the Medicare program by the federal government cannot be predicted
with certainty.

The Company's ability to obtain and maintain favorable group benefit agreements
with employer groups affects the Company's profitability. The agreements are
generally renewable on an annual basis but are subject to termination on 60 days
prior notice. For the fiscal year ended December 31, 1997, the Company's ten
largest HMO employer groups were, in the aggregate, responsible for
approximately 10% of the Company's total revenues. Although none of such
employer groups accounted for more than 2% of total revenues during that period,
the loss of one or more of the larger employer groups would, if not replaced
with similar membership, have a material adverse effect upon the Company's
business. The Company has generally been successful in retaining these employer
groups. However, there can be no assurance that the Company will be able to
renew its agreements with such employer groups in the future or that it will not
experience a decline in enrollment within its employer groups. Additionally,
revenues received under certain government contracts are subject to audit and
retroactive adjustment.

Provider Arrangements and Cost Management

HMO and Managed Indemnity Products. A significant distinction between the
Company's health care delivery system and that of many other managed care
providers is the fact that approximately 72% of the Company's Nevada HMO members
receive primary health care through the Company's own multi-specialty medical
group. The Company makes health care available through providers employed by the
multi-specialty medical group and an independently contracted network of
physicians, hospitals and other providers.

Under the Company's HMOs, the member selects a primary care physician who
provides or authorizes any non-emergency medical care given to that member.
These primary care physicians and some specialists are compensated to a limited
extent on the basis of how well they coordinate appropriate medical care.

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The Company has a system of incentive risk arrangements and utilization
management with respect to its independently contracted primary care physicians.
The Company compensates its independently contracted primary care physicians and
specialists by using both capitation and modified fee-for-service payment
methods. Under both the capitation and modified fee-for-service methods, an
incentive risk arrangement is established for institutional services. Additional
amounts may be made available to certain capitated physicians if hospital costs
are less than anticipated for the Company's HMO members. For those primary care
physicians receiving payments on a modified fee-for-service basis, portions of
the payments otherwise due the physicians are withheld. The amounts withheld are
available for payment to the physicians if, at year-end, the expenditures for
both institutional and non-institutional medical services are within
predetermined, contractually agreed upon ranges. It is believed that this method
of incentive risk payment is advantageous to the physician, the Company and the
members because all share in the benefits of managing health care costs. The
Company has, however, negotiated capitation agreements with certain specialists
who do not participate in the incentive risk arrangements. The Company monitors
health care utilization, including evaluation of elective surgical procedures,
quality of care and financial stability of its capitated providers to facilitate
access to service and to ensure member satisfaction.

The Company also believes that it has negotiated favorable rates with its
contracted hospitals. The Company's contracts with its hospital providers
typically renew automatically with both parties granted the right to terminate
after a notice period ranging from between three and twelve months.
Reimbursement arrangements with other health care providers, including
pharmacies, generally renew automatically or are negotiated annually and are
based on several different payment methods, including per diems (where the
reimbursement rate varies and is based on a per day of service charge for
specified types of care), capitation or modified fee-for-service arrangements.
To the extent possible, when negotiating non-physician provider arrangements,
the Company solicits competitive bids.

The Company provides, or negotiates discounted contracts with hospitals for the
provision of, inpatient and outpatient hospital care, including room and board,
diagnostic tests and medical and surgical procedures. The Company believes that
it currently has a favorable contract with its primary southern Nevada
contracted hospital, Columbia Sunrise Hospital. Subject to certain limitations,
the contract provides, among other things, guaranteed contracted per diem rate
increases on an annual basis after December 31, 1997. Since a majority of the
Company's southern Nevada hospital days are at Columbia Sunrise Hospital, this
contract assists the Company in managing a significant portion of its medical
costs. The contract expires in the year 2012. The Company has negotiated a
capitation arrangement with Columbia Hospital, Inc. for hospital services
provided in Houston to members of the Company's Texas HMO.

The Company utilizes two reimbursement methods for health care providers
rendering services under the Company's indemnity plans. For services to members
utilizing a PPO plan, the Company reimburses participating physicians on a
modified fee-for-service basis which incorporates a limited fee schedule and
reimburses hospitals on a per diem or discounted fee-for-service basis. For
services rendered under a standard indemnity plan, pursuant to which a member
may select a non-plan provider, the Company reimburses non-contracted physicians
and hospitals at pre-established rates, less deductibles and co-insurance
amounts.

The Company also manages health care costs through its large case management
program, home health care agency, 24-hour urgent care centers and its hospice
which helps to minimize hospital admissions and lengths of stay. In addition,
the Company educates its members on how and when to use the services of its
plans and how to manage chronic disease conditions, and audits hospital bills to
identify inappropriate charges.

Risk Management

The Company maintains general and professional liability, property and fidelity
insurance coverage in amounts that it believes are adequate for its operations.
The Company's multi-specialty medical group maintains excess malpractice
insurance for the providers presently employed by the group. The Company has,
however, assumed the risk for the first $250,000 per malpractice case, not to
exceed $1.5 million in

6





the aggregate per contract year up to its limits of coverage. In addition, the
Company requires all of its independently contracted provider physician groups,
individual practice physicians, specialists, dentists, podiatrists and other
health care providers (with the exception of certain hospitals) to maintain
professional liability coverage. Certain of the hospitals with which the Company
contracts are self-insured. The Company also maintains stop-loss insurance that
reimburses the Company between 50% and 90% of hospital charges for each
individual member of its HMO or managed indemnity plans whose hospital expenses
exceed $200,000 during the contract year and up to $2.0 million per member per
lifetime. Workers' compensation claims are reinsured between $350,000 and $60.0
million per occurrence. Effective January 1, 1998, workers' compensation claims
are reinsured between $500,000 and $100.0 million per occurrence. Effective July
1, 1997, the Company also maintains excess catastrophic coverage for one of the
Company's wholly-owned HMOs, Health Plan of Nevada, Inc. ("HPN"), that
reimburses the Company for amounts by which the ultimate net loss exceeds
$400,000, but does not exceed the annual maximum of $19.6 million per accident
and $39.2 million per contract. In the ordinary course of its business, however,
the Company is subject to claims that are not insured, principally claims for
punitive damages.


Information System

The Company has in place certain data systems which assist the Company in, among
other things, pricing its services, monitoring utilization and other cost
factors, providing bills on a timely basis, identifying accounts for collection
and handling various accounting and reporting functions. Its imaging and
workflow systems are used to process and track claims and coordinate customer
service. Where it is cost efficient, the Company's system is connected to large
provider groups, doctors' offices, payors and brokers to enable efficient
transfer of information and communication. The Company views its information
systems capability as critical to the performance of ongoing administrative
functions and integral to quality assurance and to the coordination of patient
care across care sites. The Company is continually modifying or improving its
information systems capabilities in an effort to improve operating efficiencies.

The Company is in the process of modifying or replacing its computer systems and
applications to accommodate the "Year 2000". The Year 2000 issue exists because
many computer systems and applications currently use two-digit date fields to
designate a year. As the century date change occurs, date-sensitive systems will
recognize the year 2000 as 1900, or not at all. This inability to recognize or
properly treat the Year 2000 may cause systems to process critical financial and
operational information incorrectly. The Company currently expects to complete
all material replacements or modifications of its computer systems and
applications sufficiently in advance of the Year 2000 to allow for adequate
testing so as not to negatively impact its operations. The Company is in the
process of implementing two major systems at an estimated cost of approximately
$20.0 million. These systems will be Year 2000 compliant. The Company is
expensing the costs to make modifications as incurred. Management currently
estimates the remaining modification costs to be approximately $3.0 million to
$5.0 million over the next 12 to 18 months. While this is a substantial effort,
it will give the Company the benefits of new technology and functionality for
many of its financial and operational computer systems and applications. The
inability of the Company to timely complete its Year 2000 modifications and
replacements, or the inability of companies with which the Company does business
to timely complete their Year 2000 modifications, could adversely affect the
Company's operations.

Quality Assurance and Improvement

The Company has developed programs to help ensure that the health care services
provided by its HMO and managed indemnity plans meet the professional standards
of care established by the medical community. The Company believes that its
emphasis on quality allows it to increase and retain its members. The Company
monitors and evaluates the availability and quality of the medical care rendered
by the providers in its HMO and insurance plans and periodically audits selected
diagnoses, problems and referrals to determine adherence to appropriate
standards of medical care. In addition, the Company has medical directors who,
supported by a professional medical staff, monitor the quality and
appropriateness of health care by analyzing a physician's utilization of
diagnostic tests, laboratory and radiology procedures,

7





specialty referrals, prescriptions and hospitals. Physicians and hospitals
selected to provide services to the Company's members are subject to the
Company's quality assurance programs including a formal credentialing process of
all physicians.

The Company also has internal quality assurance and improvement review
committees that meet on a regular basis to review specialist referrals, monitor
the performance of physicians and review practice patterns, complaints and other
patient issues. Staff members regularly visit hospitals to review medical
records, meet with patients and review treatment programs and discharge plans
with attending physicians. In addition, the Company solicits information from
both existing and former members as to their satisfaction with the care
delivered. Complaints and grievances are responded to on both an informal and
formal basis, depending on the nature of the complaint.

Several independent organizations have been formed for the purpose of responding
to external demands for accountability over the health care industry. The
organizations utilized by the Company are the National Committee for Quality
Assurance (the "NCQA"), the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare
Organizations ("JCAHO") and the American Association for Ambulatory Health Care
(the "AAAHC"). The NCQA performs site reviews of standards established for
quality management and improvement, physician credentials, members' rights and
responsibilities, preventive health services, utilization management and medical
records. The JCAHO reviews rights, responsibilities and ethics, continuum of
care, education and communication, leadership, management of information and
human resources and network performance. The AAAHC reviews rights of patients,
governance, administration, quality of care provided, quality management and
improvement, clinical records, professional improvement and facilities and
environment. In June 1997 HPN and its Medicare risk plan, Senior Dimensions,
received one-year accreditation from the NCQA for its operations in the
metropolitan Las Vegas area and Pahrump. The Company's home health care and
hospice subsidiaries are JCAHO accredited. The Company's Nevada multi-specialty
clinic has received a full three-year accreditation from the AAAHC -- the
highest accreditation issued to ambulatory care facilities. The clinic is the
only multi-specialty site in Nevada to be awarded this accreditation. There can
be no assurance, however, that the Company will maintain NCQA or other
accreditations in the future and there is no basis to predict what effect, if
any, the lack of NCQA or other accreditations could have on HPN's competitive
position in southern Nevada.

Underwriting

HMO. The Company structures premium rates for its various health plans primarily
through community rating and community rating by class method. Under the
community rating method, all costs of basic benefit plans for the Company's
entire membership population are aggregated. These aggregated costs are
calculated on a "per member per month" basis and converted to premium rates for
coverage types, such as single or family coverage. The community rating by class
method is based on the same principles as community rating, except that
actuarial adjustments to premium rates are made for various employer groups
based on the average age and sex of their employees. All employees of an
employer group are charged the same premium rate if the same coverage is
selected.

In addition to those premium charges paid by the employers with whom the
Company's HMOs contract, members also pay co-payments at the time certain
services are provided. The Company believes that such co-payments encourage
appropriate utilization of health care services while allowing the Company to
offer competitive premium rates. The Company also believes that the capitation
method of provider compensation encourages physicians to provide only medically
necessary and appropriate care.

Managed Indemnity. Premium charges for the Company's managed indemnity products
are set in a manner similar to the community rating by class method described
above. This rate calculation utilizes age, sex and industry factors to develop
group-specific adjustments from a given base rate by plan. Actual health claims
experience is used to develop premium rates for larger insurance member groups.
This process includes the use of utilization experience, adjustments for
incurred but not reported claims, inflationary factors, credibility and specific
reinsurance pooling levels for large claims.


8





Workers' Compensation. Prior to insuring a particular risk, the Company reviews,
among other factors, the employer's prior loss experience and premium payment
history. Additionally, the Company determines whether the employer's employment
classifications are among the classifications that the Company has elected to
insure generally and if the amounts of the premiums for the classifications are
within the Company's guidelines. The Company reviews these classifications
periodically to evaluate whether they are profitable. A member of the Company's
loss control department may conduct an on-site safety inspection before the
Company insures the employer. The Company generally initiates this inspection
for enterprises with manufacturing or construction classifications. The Company
may also initiate inspections if the enterprise previously has had a high loss
ratio or frequent losses. If the on-site inspection reveals hazards that can be
corrected, and an agreement can be reached with the employer that these hazards
will be corrected in a time frame established by the Company's underwriting
department, the Company may issue a policy subject to correction of those
hazards. In the event the Company has issued a policy where no previous
inspection has been conducted, and subsequently learns through an inspection the
employer has hazards that must be corrected, the Company will request that the
employer correct the hazards within a specified period of time. If these hazards
are not corrected, the Company may cancel the policy for non-compliance of the
hazard correction. With regard to new business, the agent or broker will usually
submit the claims history on the prospective account. In those situations where
the claims history is not supplied by the agent or broker, other sources (such
as the prior insurer) are used to obtain the appropriate claims history if
possible.

In California, under open rating as it became effective for policyholders in
1995, the Company has subdivided many of the standard classifications. These
subclassifications have been determined on the Company's perception of
differences in risk exposure. As a result, different rates have been filed for
each of these subclassifications. The use of these subclassifications requires
more detailed information than was required prior to open rating. The Company
ascertains characteristics of various employers through the use of
questionnaires and telephone inquiries by underwriters to determine the proper
subclassification. Subclassifications are subject to verification by loss
control and premium audits.

Competition

HMO and Managed Indemnity. Managed care companies and HMOs operate in a highly
competitive environment. The Company's major competition is from self-funded
employer plans, PPO networks, other HMOs, such as Humana Care Plus and
Pacificare, Inc., and traditional indemnity carriers, such as Blue Cross/Blue
Shield. Many of the Company's competitors have substantially larger total
enrollments, have greater financial resources and offer a broader range of
products than the Company. Additional competitors with greater financial
resources than the Company may enter the Company's market in the future. The
Company believes that the most important competitive factors are the delivery of
reasonably priced, quality medical benefits to members and the adequacy and
availability of health care delivery services and facilities. The Company
depends on a large PPO network and flexible benefit plans to attract new
members. Competitive pressures are expected to limit the Company's ability to
increase premium rates and, to a lesser extent, to result in declining premium
rates. Accordingly, the profitability of the Company will, to a large extent,
depend on the Company's ability to manage the costs of providing health care
benefits to its members. The inability of the Company to manage these costs
would have an adverse impact on the Company's future results of operations by
reducing margins. In addition, competitive pressures may also result in reduced
membership levels. Any such reductions could materially affect the Company's
results of operations.

Workers' Compensation. The Company's workers' compensation business is
concentrated in California, a state where the workers' compensation insurance
industry is extremely competitive. The Company believes that there are more than
200 insurance companies writing workers' compensation insurance in California.
Many of the Company's competitors have been in business longer, have a larger
volume of business, offer a more diversified line of insurance coverage, have
greater financial resources and have

9





greater distribution capability than the Company. The largest writer of workers'
compensation insurance in California is the State Compensation Insurance Fund.
Prior to 1995, the Company concentrated on insuring workers' compensation
accounts in the small- to medium-size range. Under the current open rating
environment, the Company is actively pursuing accounts of all sizes.

In all states in which the Company is currently writing business, competition
for workers' compensation insurance is primarily driven by price and secondarily
by services provided to insureds and agents. In states other than California the
National Council on Compensation Insurance ("NCCI") is usually the designated
rating organization. The NCCI accumulates statistical information and recommends
pure loss costs to the state's Department of Insurance. As in California under
the open rating environment, the Company then adds loss cost multipliers or
expense loads to derive premium rates. Rating plans in those states are more
"standardized" and are usually based on plans developed by the NCCI. Unlike
California, where the Company has developed subclasses, the Company will use
standard classes in the other states.

Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses

Often, in workers' compensation insurance, several years may elapse between the
occurrence of a loss and the final settlement of the loss. To recognize
liabilities for unpaid losses, the Company establishes reserves, which are
balance sheet liabilities representing estimates of future amounts needed to pay
claims and related expenses for insured events, including reserves for events
that have occurred but have not yet been reported to the Company ("IBNR").

When a claim is reported, the Company's claims personnel initially establish
reserves on a case-by-case basis for the estimated amount of the ultimate
payment. These estimates reflect the judgment of the claims personnel based on
their experience and knowledge of the nature and value of the specific type of
claim and the available facts at the time of reporting as to severity of injury
and initial medical prognosis. Included in these reserves are estimates of the
expenses of settling claims, including legal and other fees, and the general
expenses of administering the claims adjustment process. Claims personnel adjust
the amount of the case reserves as the claim develops and as the facts warrant.

IBNR reserves are established for unreported claims and loss development
relating to current and prior accident years. In the event that a claim that
occurred during a prior accident year was not reported until the current
accident year, the case reserve for such claim typically will be established out
of previously established IBNR reserves for that prior accident year.

The Company reviews the adequacy of its reserves on a monthly basis and
considers external forces such as changes in the rate of inflation, the
regulatory environment, the judicial administration of claims, medical costs and
other factors that could cause actual losses and loss adjustment expenses
("LAE") to change. Reserves are reviewed with the Company's independent actuary
at least annually. The actuarial projections include a range of estimates
reflecting the uncertainty of projections. Management evaluates the reserves in
the aggregate, based upon the actuarial indications and makes adjustments where
appropriate. The consolidated financial statements of the Company provide for
reserves based on the anticipated ultimate cost of losses.

Once an employer is insured by the Company, the Company's loss control
department may assist the insured in developing and maintaining safety programs
and procedures to minimize on-the-job injuries and industrial health hazards.
The safety programs and procedures vary from insured to insured. The Company's
loss control department may recommend to the employer that a safety committee
consisting of members of the employer's management staff and its general labor
force be established. The Company's loss control department may then assist the
committee members in isolating safety hazards, advising the committee on how to
correct the hazards and assisting the employer in establishing procedures to
enforce the corrections. The Company's loss control department may also revisit
the

10





employer to determine whether the recommended corrections and procedures have
been implemented. Depending upon the size, classifications, and loss experience
of the employer, the Company's loss control department will periodically inspect
the employer's places of business and may recommend changes that could prevent
industrial accidents. In addition, severe or recurring injuries may also warrant
on-site inspections. In certain instances, members of the Company's loss control
department may conduct special educational training sessions for insured
employees to assist in the prevention of on-the-job injuries. For example,
employers engaged in manufacturing may be offered a training session on how to
prevent back injuries or employers engaged in contracting may be offered a
training session on general first aid and prevention of injuries that may result
from specific work exposures.

Government Regulation and Recent Legislation

HMOs and Managed Indemnity. Federal and state governments have enacted statutes
extensively regulating the activities of HMOs. In addition, growing government
concerns over increasing health care costs and quality could result in new or
additional state or federal legislation that could affect health care providers,
including HMOs, PPOs and other health insurers. Among the areas regulated by
federal and state law are the scope of benefits available to members, premium
structure, procedures for review of quality assurance, enrollment requirements,
the relationship between an HMO and its health care providers, licensing and
financial condition.

Government regulation of health care coverage products and services is a
changing area of law that varies from jurisdiction to jurisdiction. Changes in
applicable laws and regulations are continually being considered and
interpretation of existing laws and rules also may change from time to time.
Regulatory agencies generally have broad discretion in promulgating regulations
and in interpreting and enforcing laws and regulations.

While the Company is unable to predict what regulatory changes may occur or the
impact on the Company of any particular change, the Company's operations and
financial results could be negatively affected by regulatory revisions. For
example, any proposals affecting underwriting practices, limiting rate
increases, requiring new or additional benefits or affecting contracting
arrangements (including proposals to require HMOs and PPOs to accept any health
care providers willing to abide by an HMO's or PPO's contract terms) may have a
material adverse effect on the Company's business. The continued consideration
and enactment of "anti-managed care" laws and regulations by federal and state
bodies may make it more difficult for the Company to control medical costs and
may adversely affect financial results.

In addition to changes in applicable laws and regulations, the Company is
subject to various audits, investigations and enforcement actions. These include
possible government actions relating to the federal Employee Retirement Income
Security Act, which regulates insured and self-insured health coverage plans
offered by employers, the Federal Employees Health Benefit Plan, federal and
state fraud and abuse laws, and laws relating to utilization management and the
delivery of health care and payment or reimbursement therefor. Any such
government action could result in assessment of damages, civil or criminal fines
or penalties, or other sanctions, including exclusion from participation in
government programs. In addition, disclosure of any adverse investigation or
audit results or sanctions could negatively affect the Company's reputation in
various markets and make it more difficult for the Company to sell its products
and services.

The Company has HMO licenses in Nevada, Texas and Arizona. The Company's HMO
operations are subject to regulation by the Nevada Division of Insurance, the
Nevada Division of Health, the Texas Department of Insurance and the Arizona
Department of Insurance. The Company's health insurance subsidiary is domiciled
and incorporated in California and is licensed in 37 states and the District of
Columbia, with current operations primarily in Nevada, Arizona, Colorado, Texas,
California, New Mexico, Missouri, Iowa and South Carolina. It is subject to
licensing by and other regulations of the California Department of Insurance as
well as the insurance departments of other states in which it operates or holds

11





licenses. The Company's premium rate increases are subject to various state
insurance department approvals. The Company's HMO and insurance subsidiaries are
also required by state regulatory agencies to maintain certain deposits and must
also meet certain net worth and reserve requirements. The Company also has
certain other deposit requirements. The Company has restricted assets on deposit
in various states ranging from $20,000 to $2.0 million and totalling $16.5
million at December 31, 1997. The Company's HMO and insurance subsidiaries meet
requirements to maintain minimum stockholder's equity ranging from $1.1 million
to $5.2 million. The Company's Nevada HMO and health insurance subsidiaries
currently maintain home offices and a regional home office, respectively, in Las
Vegas and, accordingly, are eligible for certain premium tax credits in Nevada.

The Company's HMO subsidiaries are also restricted by state law as to the amount
of dividends that can be declared and paid. Moreover, insurance companies and
HMOs domiciled in Texas, Nevada and California generally may not pay
extraordinary dividends without providing the state insurance commissioner with
30 days prior notice, during which period the commissioner may disapprove the
payment. An "extraordinary dividend" is generally defined as a dividend whose
fair market value together with that of other dividends or distributions made
within the preceding 12 months exceeds the greater of (i) ten percent of the
insurer's surplus as of the preceding December 31 or (ii) the net gain from
operations of such insurer for the 12-month period ending on the preceding
December 31. The Company is not in a position to assess the likelihood of
obtaining future approval for the payment of "extraordinary dividends" or
dividends other than those specifically allowed by law in each of its
subsidiaries' states of domicile. No prediction can be made as to whether any
legislative proposals relating to dividend rules in the domiciliary states of
the Company's subsidiaries will be made or adopted in the future, whether the
insurance departments of such states will impose either additional restrictions
in the future or a prohibition on the ability of the Company's regulated
subsidiaries to declare and pay dividends or as to the effect of any such
proposals or restrictions on the Company's regulated subsidiaries.

The Company is subject to the Federal HMO Act and the regulations promulgated
thereunder. Of the Company's three subsidiary HMOs, only Med One Health Plan,
acquired at the end of 1996, is not federally-qualified under this Act. In order
to obtain federal qualification, an HMO must, among other things, provide its
members certain services on a fixed, prepaid fee basis and set its premium rates
in accordance with certain rating principles established by federal law and
regulation. The HMO must also have quality assurance programs in place with
respect to its health care providers. Furthermore, an HMO may not refuse to
enroll an employee, in most circumstances, because of such person's health, and
may not expel or refuse to re-enroll individual members because of their health
or their need for health services.

Under the "corporate practice of medicine" doctrine, in most states, business
organizations, other than those authorized to do so, are prohibited from
providing, or holding themselves out as providers of, medical care. Some states,
including Nevada, exempt HMOs from this doctrine. The laws relating to this
doctrine are subject to numerous conflicting interpretations. Although the
Company seeks to structure its operations to comply with corporate practice of
medicine laws in all states in which it operates, there can be no assurance
that, given the varying and uncertain interpretations of those laws, the Company
would be found to be in compliance with those laws in all states. A
determination that the Company is not in compliance with applicable corporate
practice of medicine laws in any state in which it operates could have a
material adverse effect on the Company if it were unable to restructure its
operations to comply with the laws of that state.

Medicare and Medicaid antifraud and abuse provisions are codified at 42 U.S.C.
Sections 1320a-7(b) (the "Anti-kickback Statute") and 1395nn (the "Stark
Amendments"). Many states have similar anti-kickback and anti-referral laws.
These statutes prohibit certain business practices and relationships involving
the referral of patients for the provision of health care items or services
under certain circumstances. Sanctions for violations of the Anti-kickback
Statute and the Stark Amendments include criminal penalties and civil sanctions,
including fines and possible exclusion from the Medicare and Medicaid programs.
Similar

12





penalties are provided for violation of state anti-kickback and anti-referral
laws. The Department of Health and Human Services ("HHS") has issued regulations
establishing "safe harbors" with respect to the Anti- kickback Statute. The
Office of the Inspector General recently proposed new rules to clarify those
safe harbors. HHS has also recently proposed to establish certain safe harbors
under the Stark Amendments. The Company believes that its business arrangements
and operations are in compliance with the Antikickback Statute and the Stark
Amendments and the exceptions set forth therein, regardless of the availability
of regulatory safe harbor protection with respect to those statutes. There can,
however, be no assurance that (i) government officials charged with
responsibility for enforcing the prohibitions of the Anti- kickback Statute and
the Stark Amendments will not assert that the Company or certain transactions in
which it is involved are in violation of those statutes and (ii) such statutes
will ultimately be interpreted by the courts in a manner consistent with the
Company's interpretation.

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (the
"Accountability Act") was passed by Congress and signed into law by President
Clinton on August 21, 1996 and effective beginning July 1, 1997. While the
Accountability Act contains provisions regarding health insurance or health
plans, such as portability and limitations on pre-existing condition exclusions,
guaranteed availability and renewability, it also contains several anti-fraud
measures that significantly change health care fraud and abuse provisions. Some
of the provisions include (i) creation of an anti-fraud and abuse trust fund and
coordination of fraud and abuse efforts by federal, state and local authorities,
(ii) extension of the criminal anti-kickback statues to all federal health
programs, (iii) expansion of and increase in the amount of civil monetary
penalties and establishment of a knowledge standard for individuals or entities
potentially subject to civil monetary penalties, and (iv) revisions to current
sanctions for fraud and abuse, including mandatory and permissive exclusion from
participation in the Medicare or Medicaid programs.

Workers' Compensation. The Company is subject to extensive governmental
regulation and supervision in each state in which it conducts workers'
compensation business. The primary purpose of such regulation and supervision is
to provide safeguards for policyholders and injured workers rather than protect
the interests of shareholders. The extent and form of the regulation may vary,
but generally has its source in statutes that establish regulatory agencies and
delegate to the regulatory agencies broad regulatory, supervisory and
administrative authority. Typically, state regulations extend to such matters as
licensing companies; restricting the types or quality of investments; requiring
triennial financial examinations and market conduct surveys of insurance
companies; licensing agents; regulating aspects of a company's relationship with
its agents; restricting use of some underwriting criteria; regulating rates,
forms and advertising; limiting the grounds for cancellation or nonrenewal of
policies, solicitation and replacement practices; and specifying what might
constitute unfair practices. Moreover, the payment of dividends and the making
of other distributions to the Company by its workers' compensation insurance
company subsidiaries are contingent upon the earnings of those subsidiaries and
are subject to various business considerations, applicable state corporate laws
and regulations, the terms of agreements to which they may become a party and
government regulations, which restrict in certain circumstances the payment of
dividends and distributions and the transfer of assets to the Company.

In the normal course of business, the Company and the various state agencies
that regulate the activities of the Company may disagree on interpretations of
laws and regulations, policy wording and disclosures or other related issues.
These disagreements, if left unresolved, could result in administrative hearings
and/or litigation. The Company attempts to resolve all issues with the
regulatory agencies, but is willing to litigate issues where it believes it has
a strong position. The ultimate outcome of these disagreements could result in
sanctions and/or penalties and fines assessed against the Company. Currently,
there are no litigation matters pending with any department of insurance.

Typically, states mandate participation in insurance guaranty associations,
which assess solvent insurance companies in order to fund claims of
policyholders of insolvent insurance companies. Under this arrangement, insurers
can be assessed up to 1% (or 2% in certain states) of premiums written for
workers'

13





compensation insurance in that state each year to pay losses and LAE on covered
claims of insolvent insurers. In California and certain other states, insurance
companies are allowed to recoup such assessments from policyholders while
several states allow an offset against premium taxes. Potential assessment
expenses, net of recoupment, if any, for insolvencies are not accrued until
after an insolvency has occurred since the likelihood and the amount of the
assessment expense cannot be reasonably determined or estimated. In California,
there have been no new assessments for insolvent workers' compensation insurance
companies since 1990.

California's Insurance Holding Company Act regulates the payment of shareholder
dividends by insurance companies. To date, the workers' compensation insurance
subsidiaries have not paid dividends to the Company.

General. Besides state insurance laws, the Company is subject to general
business and corporation laws, federal and state securities laws, consumer
protection laws, fair credit reporting acts and other laws regulating the
conduct and operation of its subsidiaries.

Employees

The Company had approximately 2,800 employees on December 31, 1997. None of
these employees are covered by a collective bargaining agreement. The Company
believes that its relations with its employees are good.


ITEM 2. PROPERTIES

The Company owns several administrative facilities in southern Nevada totalling
approximately 218,000 square feet. Such facilities include an approximate
134,000 square foot six-story home office building and an approximate 43,000
square foot two-story corporate administrative headquarters. These buildings are
subject to liens securing a $5.8 million loan balance from Bank of America.
Also, the Company recently constructed an additional approximately 180,000
square foot six-story administrative headquarters building which should be fully
occupied by the end of the first quarter. This building was financed in January
1998 and subject to a $15.0 million loan balance. The Company also owns several
clinical facilities in the southern Nevada area totalling approximately 370,000
square feet and consisting primarily of seven medical clinics and two surgery
centers including a newly constructed 59,000 square foot medical building
completed in the fourth quarter of 1997. Certain clinical space is subject to a
$3.1 million mortgage in favor of GE Capital Asset Management Corporation. The
Company leases additional office and clinical space in Nevada totalling
approximately 122,000 and 70,000 square feet, respectively. The Company owns
real estate and a building in Park City, Utah purchased in 1996 to provide
entertainment and a meeting environment for significant current and prospective
clients, brokers and others who assist in the Company's marketing efforts. In
connection with its workers' compensation insurance subsidiary, the Company
leases approximately 67,000 square feet of office space in California. The
Company also leases approximately 180,000 square feet of office space in various
states as needed for other regional operations, including the Texas HMO and
TRICARE service centers.

The Company believes that current and planned clinical space will be adequate
for its present needs. Additional clinical space may be required, however, if
membership continues to expand in southern Nevada.




14





ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

On March 18, 1997, the Company announced it had terminated its merger agreement
with Physician Corporation of America ("PCA"). The original agreement had been
entered into in November 1996. On March 18, 1997, prior to termination of the
merger agreement, PCA filed a lawsuit against the Company in the United States
District Court for the Southern District of Florida (the "District Court"),
seeking, among other things, specific performance of the merger agreement and
monetary damages in excess of $20 million. The lawsuit has been dismissed
(without prejudice to PCA's claims) for failure to join an indispensable party.
On March 27, 1997 the Company commenced a lawsuit against PCA in the Court of
Chancery of the State of Delaware alleging, among other things, breach of the
merger agreement and equitable fraud, and seeking a declaratory judgment,
monetary damages and other remedies. No answer to the Company's complaint or
counterclaims (if any) have been filed. The Company intends to vigorously pursue
all remedies available to it, however, there can be no assurance that the
Company will prevail in such litigation.

The Company is subject to various claims and other litigation in the ordinary
course of business. Such litigation includes claims of medical malpractice,
claims for coverage or payment for medical services rendered to HMO members and
claims by providers for payment for medical services rendered to HMO members.
Also included in such litigation are claims for workers' compensation and claims
by providers for payment for medical services rendered to injured workers. In
the opinion of the Company's management, the ultimate resolution of pending
legal proceedings should not have a material adverse effect on the Company's
financial condition.


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

None



15






PART II

ITEM 5. MARKET FOR THE REGISTRANT'S COMMON STOCK AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER
MATTERS

Market Information

The Company's common stock, par value $.005 per share (the "Common Stock"), has
been listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol SIE since April 26,
1994 and, prior to that, was listed on the American Stock Exchange since the
Company's initial public offering on April 11, 1985. The following table sets
forth the high and low sales prices for the Common Stock for each quarter of
1997 and 1996.




Period High Low

1997

First Quarter........................................ $27 3/4 $24 5/8
Second Quarter....................................... 32 1/8 24 1/8
Third Quarter........................................ 37 3/8 31 3/16
Fourth Quarter....................................... 40 31 3/16

1996
First Quarter........................................ $36 $29 7/8
Second Quarter....................................... 35 7/8 29
Third Quarter........................................ 34 7/8 25 1/4
Fourth Quarter....................................... 34 3/8 22 3/8


On February 27, 1998, the closing sale price of the common stock was $36 5/8 per
share.

Holders

The number of record holders of Common Stock at February 27, 1998 was 276. Based
upon information available to it, the Company believes there are several
thousand beneficial holders of the Common Stock.

Dividends

No cash dividends have been paid on the Common Stock since the Company's
inception. The Company currently intends to retain its earnings for use in its
business and does not anticipate paying any cash dividends in the foreseeable
future. As a holding company, the Company's ability to declare and to pay
dividends is dependent upon cash distributions from its operating subsidiaries.
The ability of the Company's HMO and insurance subsidiaries to declare and to
pay dividends is limited by state regulations applicable to the maintenance of
minimum deposits, reserves and net worth. (See Management's Discussion and
Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations -- Liquidity and
Capital Resources.) The declaration of any future dividends will be at the
discretion of the Company's Board of Directors and will depend on, among other
things, future earnings, debt covenants, operations, capital requirements and
the financial condition of the Company and upon general business conditions.

16





ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

The following selected consolidated financial data of Sierra Health Services,
Inc., and subsidiaries (the "Company"), for each of the fiscal years in the
five-year period ended December 31, 1997 should be read in conjunction with the
Consolidated Financial Statements and the related Notes thereto, "Management's
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" and
other information which appears elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
The selected consolidated financial data below has been derived from the audited
Consolidated Financial Statements of the Company.






Years Ended December 31,
1997 1996 1995 1994 1993
---------- ---------- ---------- ----------- --------
(Amounts in thousands, except per share data)
Statement of Operations Data (1):
OPERATING REVENUES:

Medical Premiums........................................... $513,857 $386,968 $319,475 $269,382 $240,691
Specialty Product Revenues ................................ 146,211 133,324 102,807 101,287 113,714
Professional Fees.......................................... 31,238 28,836 19,417 12,331 11,254
Military Contract Revenues ................................ 4,346
Investment and Other Revenues.............................. 26,072 26,283 25,310 19,081 17,771
-------- -------- -------- ---------- ----------
Total.................................................... 721,724 575,411 467,009 402,081 383,430
-------- ------- ------- ---------- ---------

OPERATING EXPENSES:...........................................
Medical Expenses........................................... 419,272 315,915 245,135 200,229 178,526
Specialty Product Expenses................................. 143,082 130,758 102,859 96,600 118,868
General, Administrative and Marketing Expenses............. 93,919 72,237 63,562 53,671 50,715
Military Contract Expenses ............................... 4,193
Merger, Restructuring, and Start-up Expenses (2) .......... 29,350 12,064 11,614
------ -------- --------
Total.................................................... 689,816 530,974 423,170 350,500 348,109
------- -------- ------- --------- ---------

OPERATING INCOME ............................................. 31,908 44,437 43,839 51,581 35,321
INTEREST EXPENSE AND OTHER, NET............................... (4,433) (2,823) (3,737) (6,401) (4,437)
-------- -------- -------- -------- --------

INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS
BEFORE INCOME TAXES ..................................... 27,475 41,614 40,102 45,180 30,884
PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES.................................... 3,234 10,471 12,198 8,236 8,435
-------- -------- ------ -------- --------
INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS............................. 24,241 31,143 27,904 36,944 22,449
LOSS FROM DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS ............................ (6,600) (2,501) (404)
CUMULATIVE EFFECT OF ADOPTING FAS 109......................... 5,250
----------- ----------- ----------- ------------ ---------

NET INCOME ................................................... $ 24,241 $ 31,143 $ 21,304 $ 34,443 $ 27,295
========= ======== ======== ========= =========

EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE:
Income from Continuing Operations Per Share ............... $1.35 $1.76 $1.60 $2.36 $1.50
Loss Per Share from Discontinued Operations ............... (.38) (.16) (.02)
Cumulative Effect of Adopting FAS 109. .................... .35
-------- -------- -------- -------- -------
Net Income Per Share ...................................... $1.35 $1.76 $1.22 $2.20 $1.83
===== ===== ===== ===== =====

Weighted Average Number of Common
Shares Outstanding ...................................... 18,008 17,726 17,414 15,678 14,939
====== ========= ========= ========= =========

EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE ASSUMING DILUTION:
Income from Continuing Operations Per Share ............... $1.33 $1.72 $1.57 $2.31 $1.47
Loss Per Share from Discontinued Operations ............... (.37) (.16) (.02)
Cumulative Effect of Adopting FAS 109. .................... .34
-------- -------- -------- -------- -------
Net Income Per Share ...................................... $1.33 $1.72 $1.20 $2.15 $1.79
===== ===== ===== ===== =====

Weighted Average Number of Common
Shares Outstanding Assuming Dilution .................... 18,284 18,127 17,734 15,999 15,256
====== ========= ========= ========= =========



17








Years Ended December 31,
1997 1996 1995 1994 1993
---------- ---------- ---------- ----------- --------
(Amounts in thousands)

Balance Sheet Data:

Working Capital ........................................... $ 88,377 $ 76,530 $ 18,157 $ 71,337 $ 21,323
Total Assets............................................... 723,936 629,462 575,146 535,487 445,510
Long-term Debt (Net of Current Maturities)................. 90,841 66,189 71,257 75,209 72,802
Cash Dividends Per Common Share............................ NONE NONE NONE NONE NONE
Stockholders' Equity....................................... 265,682 234,482 207,715 168,157 84,708


(1) The Company's consolidated financial statements have been restated to
reflect the results of acquisitions accounted for in accordance with pooling of
interests method of accounting. See Note 1 of Notes to the Consolidated
Financial Statements.

(2) In connection with certain acquisitions and
restructurings, the Company recorded certain non-recurring incremental costs.
See Note 14 of Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.



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

The following discussion and analysis provides information which management
believes is relevant for an assessment and understanding of the Company's
consolidated financial condition and results of operations. The discussion
should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and
Related Notes thereto. Any forward-looking information contained in this
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations and any other sections of this 1997 Annual Report on Form 10-K should
be considered in connection with certain cautionary statements contained in the
Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filing dated March 19, 1998 incorporated
herein by reference. Such cautionary statements are made pursuant to the "safe
harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and
identify important risk factors that could cause the Company's actual results to
differ from those expressed in any projected, estimated or forward-looking
statements relating to the Company.

Acquisitions

Effective December 31, 1996, the Company purchased Prime Holdings, Inc.
("Prime") for approximately $32.2 million in cash. At December 31, 1996, Prime
operated Med One Health Plan, Inc., a 12,800 member HMO, and also served 215,000
people through preferred provider organizations, workers' compensation programs,
and administrative services products for self-insured employers and union
welfare funds, primarily in the state of Nevada. The acquisition of Prime has
been accounted for as a purchase and, therefore, none of Prime's prior
operations have been included in the information contained in this discussion
and analysis; however, all of the acquired assets and liabilities have been
reflected in the Company's ending consolidated balance sheet, as of December 31,
1996, along with the associated goodwill.

In November 1996, the Company acquired the remaining ownership interests of HMO
Texas for $5.0 million. The Company had previously held a 50 percent interest in
the Houston-based health plan.

On October 31, 1995, the Company acquired CII Financial, Inc., ("CII") a
workers' compensation insurance holding company, for approximately $76.3 million
of common stock, in a transaction accounted for as a pooling of interests. The
information contained in this Annual Report on Form 10-K includes the results of
CII for all periods presented.

18






Overview

The Company derives revenues from its health maintenance organizations, managed
indemnity and workers' compensation insurance subsidiaries. To a lesser extent,
the Company also derives additional specialty product revenues from non-HMO and
insurance products (consisting of fees for workers' compensation administration,
utilization management services and ancillary products), professional fees
(consisting primarily of fees for providing health care services to non-members
and co-payment fees received from members), and investment and other revenue.
Medical premium revenues accounted for approximately 71.2%, 67.3% and 68.4% of
the Company's total revenues for 1997, 1996 and 1995, respectively. Continued
medical premium revenue growth is principally dependent upon continued
enrollment in the Company's products and upon competitive and regulatory
factors. Effective September 30, 1997, the Company terminated its workers'
compensation administrative contract with the state of Nevada. The contract was
terminated to allow the Company to participate in the Nevada workers'
compensation insurance market when the state allows private insurance companies
to begin offering products, which is anticipated for 1999.

The Company's principal expenses consist of medical expenses, specialty product
expenses, and general, administrative and marketing expenses. Medical expenses
represent the aggregate expenses of operating the Company's multi-specialty
medical group and other provider subsidiaries as well as capitation fees and
other fee-for-service payments paid to independently contracted physicians,
hospitals and other health care providers. As a provider of managed care
services, the Company seeks to manage medical expenses by employing or
contracting with physicians, hospitals and other health care providers at
negotiated price levels, by adopting quality assurance programs, by monitoring
and managing utilization of physicians and hospital services and by providing
incentives to use cost-effective providers. Specialty product expenses primarily
consist of losses and loss adjustment expenses, and underwriting expenses
associated with the Company's workers' compensation insurance subsidiaries.
General, administrative and marketing expenses generally represent operational
costs other than those associated with the delivery of health care services and
specialty product services.

During the third quarter of 1997, Sierra Military Health Services, Inc.
("SMHS"), a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, was notified it had been
awarded a multi-year triple-option health benefits ("TRICARE") managed care
contract by the Department of Defense to serve TRICARE eligible beneficiaries in
Region 1. This region includes more than 600,000 beneficiaries in 13
northeastern states and the District of Columbia. SMHS is currently in the
implementation period of the contract with actual health care delivery to
commence on June 1, 1998. SMHS subcontracts for the health care delivery,
including some of the risk, for parts of the TRICARE contract. The Company
believes the TRICARE contract will add approximately $240 million of annualized
revenues when health care delivery begins in 1998. Revenues and expenses
resulting from this contract are recorded separately on the financial
statements. There can be no assurance that the Company will be successful in
managing the implementation and delivery of health care services under the
multi-year TRICARE contract or that such contract will provide the Company with
an adequate level of profitability.

SMHS was notified on February 13, 1998 that the United States General Accounting
Office ("GAO") sustained a competitor's protest of the contract award for
TRICARE Managed Care Support Region 1 and recommended that the contract be
re-bid. The TRICARE Management Activity ("TMA"), along with the Company, has
filed a motion requesting that the GAO reconsider its recommendation. If the GAO
does not change its recommendation and the TMA follows the recommendation, there
are several possible outcomes, including litigation. The Company currently
anticipates providing health care delivery for one year of the contract should a
re-bid occur.



19





Merger, restructuring and start-up expenses represent the non-recurring
incremental costs the Company has incurred in connection with various mergers,
acquisitions and planned dispositions as well as expenses associated with the
Company's proposal to serve TRICARE beneficiaries in Region 1. Such start-up
expenses were charged to operations upon notification of award.

Results of Operations

The following table sets forth selected operating data as a percentage of
revenues for the periods indicated:



Years Ended December 31,
1997 1996 1995
---------- ---------- -------
OPERATING REVENUES:

Medical Premiums........................................ 71.2% 67.3% 68.4%
Specialty Product Revenues ............................. 20.3 23.2 22.0
Professional Fees....................................... 4.3 5.0 4.2
Military Contract Revenues ............................. .6
Investment and Other Revenues .......................... 3.6 4.5 5.4
------ ------ ------
Total................................................ 100.0 100.0 100.0
----- ----- -----

OPERATING EXPENSES:
Medical Expenses........................................ 58.1 54.9 52.5
Specialty Product Expenses.............................. 19.8 22.7 22.0
General, Administrative and Marketing Expenses.......... 13.0 12.6 13.6
Military Contract Expenses ............................. .6
Merger, Restructuring and Start-up Expenses ............ 4.1 2.1 2.5
------ ----- -----
Total................................................ 95.6 92.3 90.6
---- ----- -----

OPERATING INCOME ............................................ 4.4 7.7 9.4

INTEREST EXPENSE AND OTHER, NET.............................. (.6) (.5) (.8)
---- ---- ----

INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS
BEFORE INCOME TAXES .................................... 3.8 7.2 8.6

PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES................................... .4 1.8 2.6
----- ----- -----

INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS ........................... 3.4 5.4 6.0

NET OPERATING LOSS ON DISCONTINUED
OPERATIONS .............................................. (.4)

NET LOSS ON DISPOSAL OF
DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS .................................. (1.0)

NET INCOME................................................... 3.4% 5.4% 4.6%
===== ===== =====



20





1997 Compared to 1996

Revenues. The Company's total operating revenues for 1997 increased 25.4% to
$721.7 million from $575.4 million for 1996. The increase was primarily due to
medical premium revenue increases of approximately $126.9 million, or 32.8%,
from the Company's HMO and managed indemnity insurance subsidiaries. Such
premium growth resulted principally from an approximate 30.3% increase in member
months (the number of months of each year that an individual is enrolled in a
plan). The Company's HMO and insurance subsidiaries' premium rates increased
approximately 2.5%, primarily due to an increase in its capitation rate for its
Medicare members as established by the Health Care Financing Administration
("HCFA"). The increase was due in part to the Company's participation in HCFA's
social HMO program. The Company realized 1% to 3% rate increases for its
existing HMO subsidiaries' commercial groups and the managed indemnity
subsidiary. However, these increases were offset in part by lower premium rates
at Med One Health Plan, an HMO acquired on December 31, 1996. The Company's
specialty product revenue increased $12.9 million, or 9.7%, to $146.2 million in
1997 from $133.3 million in 1996. The increase was due to specialty product
revenue growth in the workers' compensation insurance market of approximately
$8.3 million and an increase in administrative services and other of $4.6
million due primarily to the acquisition of Prime Health, Inc., at the end of
1996. Some of this increase will be offset in the future by the loss of a
portion of the state of Nevada's self-insured medical business. Also, effective
September 30, 1997, the Company terminated its workers' compensation
administrative services contract with the state of Nevada. The contract served
approximately 200,000 enrollees and provided approximately $3.2 million in
revenues for the year ended December 31, 1997. The contract was terminated to
allow the Company to participate in the Nevada workers' compensation insurance
market when the state allows private insurance companies to begin offering
products, which is anticipated for 1999. Professional fees increased $2.4
million, or 8.3%, over 1996 to $31.2 million. This increase is due in part to
the acquisition of the assets and operations of Total Home Care, Inc. ("THC")
during the third quarter. THC provides home infusion, oxygen and durable medical
equipment services in Nevada and Arizona. During the fourth quarter of 1997,
SMHS began the implementation period of its TRICARE contract. The military
contract revenue of $4.3 million is a result of this contract. The Company
expects these revenues to increase substantially in 1998, subject to the results
of the bid protest discussed previously. Investment and other revenue was
consistent with the prior year.

Medical and Specialty Product Expenses. Total medical expenses increased by
$103.4 million in 1997 compared to 1996. This 32.7% increase resulted from the
consolidated member month growth discussed previously. Medical expenses as a
percentage of medical premiums and professional fees ("Medical Loss Ratio")
increased from 76.0% to 76.9% due primarily to member growth and expansion in
areas with higher medical expenses, such as northern Nevada and Texas. In
addition, Med One Health Plan has a higher Medical Loss Ratio, which further
contributed to the increase in the Company's overall Medical Loss Ratio.
Specialty product expenses increased $12.3 million, or 9.4%, over 1996. This
increase is due primarily to the increase in workers' compensation premiums
noted above. Specialty product revenue and expense is primarily related to the
workers' compensation insurance business.

The combined ratio for the workers' compensation insurance business was 101.9%
compared to 103.2% for the comparable prior year period. The reduction was due
to a 40 basis point decrease in the loss ratio along with a 90 basis point
decrease in the expense ratio. Compared to the prior year period, incurred
losses for the current accident year were reduced as a result of the Company's
ability to overlay and implement managed care techniques to the workers'
compensation claims. In addition, the Company had net favorable loss development
totaling $9.0 million compared to net favorable loss development of $15.3
million for the comparable prior year period. The favorable development is
largely due to actual paid losses below projected losses and the majority of the
favorable loss development occurred on the 1992 through 1995 accident years.
There can be no assurances that favorable development, or the magnitude thereof,
will continue in the future. The losses and loss adjustment expense ratio for
the year ended December 31, 1997 reflects the Company's current projection of
the ultimate costs of claims occurring in the current as

21





well as prior accident years. Such projections are subject to change and any
change would be reflected in the income statement. Workers' compensation claims
are paid over several years. Until payment is made, the Company invests the
monies, earning a yield on the invested balance.

General, Administrative and Marketing Expenses. General, administrative and
marketing ("G&A") costs increased $21.7 million, or 30.0%, for the twelve months
ended December 31, 1997 compared to the twelve months ended December 31, 1996.
As a percentage of revenues, G&A costs for the twelve months ended December 31,
1997 increased to 13.0% from 12.6% during the comparable period in 1996. Of the
$21.7 million increase in G&A, $8.6 million is in compensation costs primarily
resulting from additional employees supporting expanded services and increased
incentive amounts for management. Broker, third-party administration, and
premium tax expenses increased approximately $8.5 million due to increased
membership. Amortization and depreciation costs increased approximately $1.9
million primarily due to the amortization of goodwill resulting from the Prime
acquisition. The remaining G&A increase is due to additional expenses in several
areas including data processing maintenance.

Military Contract Expense. During the fourth quarter of 1997, SMHS began
the implementation period of its TRICARE contract. The military contract
expense is a result of this contract.

Merger, Restructuring and Start-up Expenses. During 1997, the Company recorded
and paid expenses of approximately $11.0 million, $8.4 million after tax, for
merger-related costs. On March 18, 1997, the Company announced it had terminated
its merger agreement with Physician Corporation of America, Inc. ("PCA"). The
original agreement had been entered into in November 1996. On March 18, 1997,
prior to termination of the merger agreement, PCA filed a lawsuit against the
Company in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida
(the "District Court"), seeking, among other things, specific performance of the
merger agreement and monetary damages. The lawsuit has been dismissed for
failure to join a necessary party. The Company has also initiated a lawsuit in
the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware seeking a declaratory judgment as
well as other remedies. The Company intends to vigorously pursue all remedies
available to it; however, there can be no assurance that the Company will
prevail in such litigation.

During the third quarter of 1997, SMHS, a wholly owned subsidiary of the
Company, was awarded a contract to serve TRICARE eligible beneficiaries in
Region 1. This region includes more than 600,000 TRICARE beneficiaries in 13
northeastern states and the District of Columbia. Development expenses of $18.4
million, $10.6 million net of taxes, were recorded in the third quarter
primarily for expenses associated with the Company's proposal to serve eligible
beneficiaries in Region 1. Such expenses were charged to operations upon
notification of award. SMHS is currently in the implementation period of the
contract with actual health care delivery to commence on June 1, 1998. SMHS
subcontracts for health care delivery, including some of the risk, for parts of
the TRICARE contract. The Company believes the TRICARE contract will add
approximately $240 million of annualized revenues when health care delivery
begins in 1998.

SMHS was notified on February 13, 1998 that the GAO sustained a competitor's
protest of the contract award for TRICARE Managed Care Support Region 1 and
recommended that the contract be re-bid. The TMA, along with the Company, has
filed a motion requesting that the GAO reconsider its recommendation. If the GAO
does not change its recommendation and the TMA follows the recommendation, there
are several possible outcomes, including litigation. The Company currently
anticipates providing health care delivery for one year of the contract should a
re-bid occur.

Interest Expense and Other. Interest expense and other increased approximately
$1.6 million over the prior year primarily due to the $2.1 million benefit for
minority interests recorded in 1996, offset in part by an increase in
capitalized interest related to various construction projects in 1997. In
November 1996, the Company acquired complete ownership of a Texas HMO in which
it had previously held a 50% interest.

22





That HMO began business in March 1995 and experienced losses in both years. In
the prior year, a portion of these losses resulted in a benefit from minority
interests.

Income Taxes. The Company's effective tax rate for the year ended December 31,
1997 was 11.8%, compared to 25.2% in 1996. The difference between the Company's
effective tax rate and the current federal tax rate is due primarily to a $4.7
million tax benefit recorded as a result of a reduction of the deferred tax
valuation allowance and the Company's portfolio of tax preferred investments.
These benefits are more significant as a result of the non-recurring charges
related to the PCA acquisition and start-up costs associated with the TRICARE
contract. Excluding these non-recurring costs, the effective tax rate for 1997
is 23.9%. See Note 9 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

Net Income. Excluding non-recurring items and the related tax effects, income
from ongoing operations for 1997 increased $3.1 million, or 7.6%. Net income for
1997, including all non-recurring items, decreased $6.9 million, or 22.2%, from
1996. This decrease was impacted in part by non-recurring items including the
merger-related and start-up costs in 1997 and the restructurings and disposal
costs in 1996.

1996 Compared to 1995

Revenues. The Company's total operating revenues for 1996 increased 23.2% to
$575.4 million from $467.0 million for 1995. The increase was primarily due to
medical premium revenue increases of approximately $67.5 million, or 21.1%, from
the Company's HMO and managed indemnity insurance subsidiaries. Such premium
growth resulted principally from a 19.6% increase in member months. The Company
experienced an overall rate increase for its Medicare members due to an
approximate 2.9% increase in its capitation rate established by HCFA.
Additionally, the Company realized minimal rate changes for the HMO subsidiary's
commercial groups and managed indemnity insurance subsidiary. The Company's
specialty product revenue increased $30.5 million, or 29.7%, to $133.3 million
in 1996 from $102.8 million in 1995. Such increases were primarily from workers'
compensation premiums in California. Professional fees increased $9.4 million,
or 48.5%, over 1995 to $28.8 million. This increase is due primarily to the
acquisition of a medical facility in the fourth quarter of 1995 as well as
expanded services at the Company's existing medical facilities. Investment and
other revenue increased $1.0 million, or 3.8%, over the prior year due to
changes in the investment balances and market yield fluctuations.

Medical and Specialty Product Expenses. Total medical expenses increased by
$70.8 million in 1996 compared to 1995. This 28.9% increase resulted from the
consolidated member month growth discussed above, as well as the clinical
expansions and increases associated with professional fee growth. These factors,
as well as an increase in Medicare members as a percentage of total members,
increased the Company's medical loss ratio to 76.0% for the twelve months ended
December 31, 1996, from 72.3% for the comparable twelve months in 1995. The cost
of providing medical care to Medicare members generally requires a greater
percentage of the premium revenue received. Specialty product expenses increased
$27.9 million, or 27.1%, over 1995. This increase is due primarily to the
increase in workers' compensation premiums noted above, offset in part by the
Company's ability to overlay managed care techniques on the management and
payment of certain workers' compensation claims. In addition, specialty product
expenses for 1996 and 1995 were impacted by the loss development on prior
accident years. During the year, the Company had net favorable loss development
on prior accident years of $15.3 million, compared to net favorable loss
development of $20.1 million for the comparable prior year period. The majority
of the favorable loss development occurred on the 1992 through 1994 accident
years. The favorable development on the 1992 year appears to be primarily due to
the Company's aggressive actions to resolve claims. The favorable development on
the 1993 and 1994 accident years appears to have been aided by the workers'
compensation reforms that were enacted in July 1993 to combat the abuses in
California's workers' compensation system. There can be no assurances that
favorable development, or the magnitude of the development, will continue in the
future. See Note 7 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.


23





General, Administrative and Marketing Expenses. G&A costs increased $8.7
million, or 13.6%, for the twelve months ended December 31, 1996 compared to the
twelve months ended December 31, 1995. As a percentage of revenues, however, G&A
costs for the twelve months ended December 31, 1996 decreased to 12.6% from
13.6% during the comparable period in 1995. Of the $8.7 million increase in G&A,
$3.3 million is in compensation costs primarily resulting from additional
employees supporting expanded services, $3.8 million is from percent of premium
costs such as broker commissions and premium taxes, and the remaining $1.6
million is made up of various changes which individually are insignificant.

Merger, Restructuring and Start-up Expenses. During 1995, as part of the
Company's clinical expansion and growth efforts, the Company acquired a medical
facility in Mohave County, Arizona, across the border from Laughlin, Nevada.
This medical facility included a small 12-bed hospital. During 1996 the Company
implemented a plan to exit the hospital business and actively pursued buyers for
this business. As a result of this plan, the Company took a charge of $3.8
million ($2.8 million after tax) in the fourth quarter of 1996, primarily to
recognize the estimated costs to dispose of the hospital. As of December 31,
1997, the Company has been unable to reach an agreement to sell the hospital.

As a result of higher than expected claim and administrative costs relative to
premium rates that can be obtained in certain regional insurance operations and
the Company's inability to negotiate adequate provider contracts due to its
limited presence in some of these markets, the Company adopted a plan to
restructure certain insurance operations during the third quarter of 1996 and
recorded a charge of $8.3 million. The plan included the sale or closure of
certain regional operations in California, Arizona and Colorado. The plan will
allow the Company to focus on more favorable operating markets and improve
operating efficiencies. The Company believes that this restructuring, over time,
will result in improved cash flow and operating cost savings in excess of the
amount of the charge.

As a result of these restructurings, the Company recorded expenses of $12.1
million. These costs included cancellation of certain contractual obligations of
$6.0 million, lease termination costs of $1.5 million, and $4.6 million of other
costs including the estimated costs to dispose of the hospital.

Income Taxes. The Company's effective tax rate for the year ended December 31,
1996 was 25.2%, compared to 30.4% in 1995, or 25.4% after taking into account
the non-deductible merger costs incurred in 1995. The difference between the
Company's effective tax rate and the current federal tax rate is due primarily
to a $2.7 million tax benefit recorded as a result of a reduction of the
deferred tax valuation allowance and the Company's significant portfolio of tax
preferred investments. See Note 9 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

Net Income. Net income for 1996 increased $9.8 million, or 46.2%, over 1995.
This increase was impacted in part by several non-recurring items including the
restructurings in 1996 and discontinued operations and merger costs in 1995.
Excluding non-recurring items and the related tax effects, income from ongoing
operations for 1996 increased $2.6 million, or 6.9%.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

The Company's cash and cash equivalents decreased by approximately $6.8 million
to $96.8 million at December 31, 1997, from $103.6 million at December 31, 1996.
At December 31, 1997, the Company had working capital of $88.4 million. The
primary source of cash received during the year ended December 31, 1997, was
operations.

The Company's cash flow from operating activities resulted in $52.8 million of
cash flow for the twelve months ended December 31, 1997. This cash flow was
primarily generated from net income of $24.2 million, $13.5 million in
depreciation and amortization and $4.3 million in provision for doubtful
accounts,

24





as well as a net change in operating assets and liabilities, excluding cash and
cash equivalents, of approximately $10.8 million. The increase in cash from
fluctuations in such operating assets and liabilities is principally due to
increases in the reserve for losses and loss adjustment expense, other current
liabilities and medical claims payable. These increases in cash were offset by
decreases in cash due to increases in accounts receivable and other current
assets.

In 1997 the Company spent $3.1 million, net of cash received, to acquire the
operations and assets of a company that provides home infusion, oxygen and
durable medical equipment services in Nevada and Arizona. In the first quarter
of 1998 the Arizona business was sold for $1.5 million. Capital expenditures
were primarily for new facilities as well as the expansion of existing medical
facilities and include $33.9 million for the construction of both a 59,000
square foot medical facility in Las Vegas completed in the fourth quarter of
1997, and an additional administrative headquarters building of approximately
180,000 square feet which should be fully occupied by the end of the first
quarter of 1998. Other capital expenditures were primarily for furniture and
equipment associated with the Company's new military health services subsidiary,
remodeling of certain existing medical space, as well as business expansion of
the HMO and insurance operations, along with general corporate expansion. Such
amounts include $6.1 million in computer hardware and software. Additionally,
the Company used $5.5 million to purchase treasury stock on the open market,
$2.4 million for the reduction of debt, and there was a $28.9 million net change
in marketable securities. These cash outflows were offset by $10.3 million
received in connection with the purchase of stock through the Company's employee
stock plans.

In the second quarter of 1997, the Company amended and increased to $100.0
million its unsecured line of credit from Bank of America National Trust &
Savings Association ("BofA") for a term of five years at an interest rate based
on the London InterBank Offering Rate ("LIBOR"). In March 1997 and December
1997, the Company borrowed $17.0 million and $8.0 million, respectively, for
general corporate purposes. The remaining line of credit may be used for
additional working capital, if necessary. Also in the second quarter of 1997,
the Company's Board of Directors authorized a $3.0 million line of credit from
the Company to the Company's Chief Executive Officer ("CEO"). The CEO borrowed a
total of $2.0 million in 1997, at an interest rate equal to the London InterBank
Offering Rate plus 53 basis points. The line of credit is collateralized by
certain amounts of the CEO's Sierra stock options and is due and payable no
later than June 30, 1998.

In September 1991, CII issued convertible subordinated debentures (the
"Debentures") due September 15, 2001. The Debentures bear interest at 7 1/2%
which is due semi-annually on March 15 and September 15. Each $1,000 in
principal is convertible into 16.921 shares of the Company's common stock at a
conversion price of $59.097 per share. Unamortized issuance costs of $800,000
are included in other assets on the balance sheet and are being amortized over
the life of the Debentures. The Debentures are general unsecured obligations of
CII only and are not guaranteed by Sierra Health Services, Inc. ("Sierra").
During the twelve months ended December 31, 1997, the Company purchased $30,000
of the Debentures on the open market. At December 31, 1997, CII had total assets
of $343.0 million, consisting primarily of investments, and total liabilities of
$285.4 million, consisting primarily of reserves for losses and loss adjustment
expense and the debentures. For the year ended December 31, 1997, CII had net
premiums earned of $129.2 million, investment and other revenue of $17.4
million, and total operating expenses of $135.8 million.

On September 30, 1997, the Company was awarded a TRICARE contract to provide
managed health care coverage to eligible beneficiaries in Region 1. This region
includes more than 600,000 individuals in Connecticut, Delaware, Maine,
Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania,
Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia and Washington, D.C. The contract
will result in approximately $1.2 billion in estimated revenues over the
five-year term of the contract. The expenses incurred in connection with
obtaining this contract were expensed in the third quarter as previously
discussed. The Company will fund approximately $25.0 million to SMHS during the
seven-month

25





implementation period of the TRICARE Region 1 contract. These monies will be
reimbursed by the Department of Defense in accordance with the provisions of the
contract. SMHS was notified on February 13, 1998 that the GAO sustained a
competitor's protest of the contract award for TRICARE Managed Care Support
Region 1 and recommended that the contract be re-bid. The TMA, along with the
Company, has filed a motion requesting that the GAO reconsider its
recommendation. If the GAO does not change its recommendation and the TMA
follows the recommendation, there are several possible outcomes, including
litigation. The Company currently anticipates providing health care delivery for
one year of the contract should a re-bid occur.

The Company is in the process of modifying or replacing its computer systems and
applications to accommodate the "Year 2000". The Year 2000 issue exists because
many computer systems and applications currently use two-digit date fields to
designate a year. As the century date change occurs, date-sensitive systems will
recognize the year 2000 as 1900, or not at all. This inability to recognize or
properly treat the Year 2000 may cause systems to process critical financial and
operational information incorrectly. The Company currently expects to complete
all material replacements or modifications of its computer systems and
applications sufficiently in advance of the Year 2000 to allow for adequate
testing so as not to negatively impact its operations. The Company is in the
process of implementing two major systems at an estimated cost of $20.0 million.
These systems will be Year 2000 compliant. The Company is expensing the costs to
make modifications as incurred. Management currently estimates the remaining
modification costs to be approximately $3.0 million to $5.0 million over the
next 12 to 18 months. While this is a substantial effort, it will give the
Company the benefits of new technology and functionality for many of its
financial and operational computer systems and applications. The inability of
the Company to timely complete its Year 2000 modifications and replacements, or
the inability of companies with which the Company does business to timely
complete their Year 2000 modifications, could have a material effect on the
Company's operations.

The Company has a 1998 capital budget of approximately $50.0 million, primarily
for computer hardware and software, medical buildings, furniture and equipment
for the newly constructed 180,000 square foot, six-story corporate headquarters
building, and other requirements due to the Company's projected growth and
expansion. The Company financed a portion of the newly constructed
administrative building in January 1998, and received $15.0 million. On January
12, 1998, $7.3 million of the projected capital expenditure budget was used by
the Company to purchase all of the assets and operations of three clinics in
southern Nevada. The Company's liquidity needs over the next 12 months will
primarily be for the capital items noted above to support growing membership in
Nevada, implementation of the Region 1 TRICARE contract, the Company's stock
repurchase program, as well as debt service and expansion of the Company's
operations, including potential acquisitions. The Company believes that existing
working capital, operating cash flow and, if necessary, mortgage financing and
equipment leasing, and amounts available under its credit facility will be
sufficient to fund its capital expenditures, debt service and any expansion
activities during the next 12 months. Additionally, subject to unanticipated
cash requirements, the Company believes that its existing working capital and
operating cash flow and, if necessary, its access to new credit facilities, will
enable it to meet its liquidity needs on a longer term basis.

The holding company may receive dividends from its HMO and insurance
subsidiaries which generally must be approved by certain state insurance
departments. The Company's HMO and insurance subsidiaries are required by state
regulatory agencies to maintain certain deposits and must also meet certain net
worth and reserve requirements. The HMO and insurance subsidiaries had
restricted assets on deposit in various states totaling $16.5 million and $13.6
million, as of December 31, 1997 and December 31, 1996, respectively. The HMO
and insurance subsidiaries also meet requirements to maintain minimum
stockholder's equity ranging from $1.1 million to $5.2 million. Of the cash and
cash equivalents held at December 31, 1997, $82.2 million is designated for use
only by the regulated subsidiaries. Such amounts are available for transfer to
the holding company from the HMO and insurance subsidiaries only to the extent
that they can be remitted in accordance with terms of existing management
agreements and by

26





dividends. Remaining amounts are available on an unrestricted basis. The holding
company will not receive dividends from its HMO or insurance subsidiaries that
would cause violation of statutory net worth and reserve requirements.

Inflation

Health care costs generally continue to rise at a faster rate than the Consumer
Price Index. The Company uses various strategies to mitigate the negative
effects of health care cost inflation, including setting commercial premiums
based on its anticipated health care costs, risk-sharing arrangements with the
Company's various health care providers, and other health care cost containment
measures. There can be no assurance, however, that, in the future, the Company's
ability to manage medical costs will not be negatively impacted by items such as
technological advances, competitive pressures, applicable regulations, pharmacy
costs, utilization changes and catastrophic items, which could, in turn, result
in medical cost increases equaling or exceeding premium increases.

Government Regulation

The Company's business, offering health care coverage, health care management
services, workers' compensation programs and, to a lesser extent, the delivery
of medical services, is heavily regulated at both the federal and state levels.

Government regulation of health care coverage products and services is a
changing area of law that varies from jurisdiction to jurisdiction. Changes in
applicable laws and regulations are continually being considered and
interpretation of existing laws and rules also may change from time to time.
Regulatory agencies generally have broad discretion in promulgating regulations
and in interpreting and enforcing laws and regulations.

While the Company is unable to predict what regulatory changes may occur or the
impact on the Company of any particular change, the Company's operations and
financial results could be negatively affected by regulatory revisions. For
example, any proposals affecting underwriting practices, limiting rate
increases, requiring new or additional benefits or affecting contracting
arrangements (including proposals to require HMOs and PPOs to accept any health
care providers willing to abide by an HMO's or PPO's contract terms) may have a
material adverse effect on the Company's business. The continued consideration
and enactment of "anti-managed care" laws and regulations by federal and state
bodies may make it more difficult for the Company to control medical costs and
may adversely affect financial results.

In addition to changes in applicable laws and regulations, the Company is
subject to various audits, investigations and enforcement actions. These include
possible government actions relating to the federal Employee Retirement Income
Security Act, which regulates insured and self-insured health coverage plans
offered by employers, the Federal Employees Health Benefit Plan, federal and
state fraud and abuse laws, and laws relating to utilization management and the
delivery of health care. Any such government action could result in assessment
of damages, civil or criminal fines or penalties, or other sanctions, including
exclusion from participation in government programs. In addition, disclosure of
any adverse investigation1

or audit results or sanctions could negatively affect the Company's reputation
in various markets and make it more difficult for the Company to sell its
products and services.

Recently Issued Accounting Standards

Statement of Financial Accounting No. 130, "Reporting Comprehensive Income"
is effective for periods beginning after December 15, 1997 and requires
companies to classify items of other comprehensive income by their nature in a
financial statement. Management does not believe this statement will have a
material impact on the Company's financial statements. Statement of Financial
Accounting No. 131,

27




"Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information" is also
effective for periods beginning after December 15, 1997 and establishes
additional standards for segment disclosures in the financial statements.
Management has not determined the effect of this statement on its financial
statement disclosure.


ITEM 7a. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

Pursuant to the General Instructions to Rule 305 of Regulation S-K, the
quantitative and qualitative disclosures called for by this Item and by Rule 305
of Regulation S-K are inapplicable to the Company at this time.


28




ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Page

Management Report on Consolidated Financial Statements.................... 30
Independent Auditors' Report.............................................. 31
Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31, 1997 and 1996................. 32
Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Years Ended
December 31, 1997, 1996, and 1995...................................... 33
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders' Equity
for the Years Ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995................... 34
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Years Ended
December 31, 1997, 1996, and 1995...................................... 35
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements................................ 36


29





MANAGEMENT REPORT ON CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


The management of Sierra Health Services, Inc., is responsible for the integrity
and objectivity of the accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements. The
statements have been prepared in conformity with generally accepted accounting
principles applied on a consistent basis and are not misstated due to fraud or
material error. The statements include some amounts that are based upon the
Company's best estimates and judgment.

The accounting systems and controls of the Company are designed to provide
reasonable assurance that transactions are executed in accordance with
management's authorization, that the financial records are reliable for
preparing financial statements and maintaining accountability for assets, and
that assets are safeguarded against losses from unauthorized use or disposition.
Management believes that for the year ended December 31, 1997, such systems and
controls were adequate to meet the objectives discussed herein.

The accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements have been audited by
independent certified public accountants, whose audits thereof were made in
accordance with generally accepted auditing standards and included a review of
internal accounting controls to the extent necessary to design audit procedures
aimed at gathering sufficient evidence to provide a reasonable basis for their
opinion on the fairness of presentation of the Consolidated Financial Statements
taken as a whole.

The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors, comprised solely of directors
from outside the Company, meets regularly with management and the independent
auditors to review the work procedures of each. The independent auditors have
free access to the Audit Committee, without management being present, to discuss
the results of their opinions on the adequacy of the Company's accounting
controls and the quality of the Company's financial reporting. The Board of
Directors, upon the recommendation of the Audit Committee, appoints the
independent auditors, subject to stockholder ratification.





Anthony M. Marlon, M.D.
Chairman and
Chief Executive Officer




James L. Starr
Senior Vice President,
Chief Financial Officer,
and Treasurer

30







INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT


Board of Directors
Sierra Health Services, Inc.:

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Sierra
Health Services, Inc., and its subsidiaries as of December 31, 1997 and 1996,
and the related consolidated statements of operations, stockholders' equity, and
cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 1997.
Our audits also included the financial statement schedules listed in the index
at Item 14 (a)(2). These financial statements and financial statement schedules
are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to
express an opinion on these financial statements and financial statement
schedules based on our audits.

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

In our opinion, such consolidated financial statements present fairly, in
all material respects, the financial position of Sierra Health Services, Inc.
and its subsidiaries at December 31, 1997 and 1996, and the results of their
operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended
December 31, 1997 in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.
Also, in our opinion, such financial statement schedules when considered in
relation to the basic consolidated financial statements taken as a whole,
present fairly in all material respects the information set forth therein.



DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP
Las Vegas, Nevada
February 16, 1998


31





SIERRA HEALTH SERVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
December 31, 1997 and 1996


ASSETS

1997 1996
--------------- ----------
CURRENT ASSETS:

Cash and Cash Equivalents.............................................. $ 96,841,000 $103,587,000
Short-term Investments................................................. 115,498,000 83,688,000
Accounts Receivable (Less: Allowance for Doubtful
Accounts 1997 - $7,916,000; 1996 - $7,324,000)..................... 42,041,000 31,849,000
Current Portion of Deferred Tax Asset ................................. 15,496,000 13,713,000
Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets.............................. 30,730,000 20,098,000
------------ ------------
Total Current Assets............................................... 300,606,000 252,935,000

PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, NET................................................ 148,831,000 99,804,000
LONG-TERM INVESTMENTS...................................................... 155,153,000 160,482,000
RESTRICTED CASH AND INVESTMENTS............................................ 16,540,000 13,648,000
REINSURANCE RECOVERABLE, Net of Current Portion............................ 20,245,000 14,721,000
GOODWILL .................................................................. 42,803,000 44,602,000
OTHER ASSETS............................................................... 39,758,000 43,270,000
------------ ------------
TOTAL ASSETS............................................................... $723,936,000 $629,462,000
============ ============

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

CURRENT LIABILITIES:
Accrued Liabilities....................................................... $ 43,601,000 $ 37,650,000
Accrued Payroll and Taxes................................................. 14,838,000 12,503,000
Medical Claims Payable.................................................... 55,943,000 46,969,000
Current Portion of Reserve for
Losses and Loss Adjustment Expense .................................. 63,358,000 52,878,000
Unearned Premium Revenue.................................................. 29,763,000 24,210,000
Current Portion of Long-term Debt......................................... 4,726,000 2,195,000
------------- -------------
Total Current Liabilities............................................ 212,229,000 176,405,000

RESERVE FOR LOSSES AND
LOSS ADJUSTMENT EXPENSE (Less Current Portion) ........................... 139,341,000 134,898,000
LONG-TERM DEBT (Less Current Portion) ........................................ 90,841,000 66,189,000
OTHER LIABILITIES ............................................................ 15,843,000 17,488,000
------------- -------------
TOTAL LIABILITIES............................................................. 458,254,000 394,980,000
------------ ------------

STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY:
Preferred Stock, $.01 Par Value, 1,000,000
Shares Authorized; None Issued or Outstanding
Common Stock, $.005 Par Value, 40,000,000
Shares Authorized; Shares Issued: 1997 --
18,473,000; 1996-- 17,910,000........................................ 92,000 89,000
Additional Paid-in Capital................................................ 164,294,000 152,035,000
Treasury Stock; 1997-- 284,500; 1996-- 100,200
Common Shares........................................................ (5,601,000) (130,000)
Unrealized Holding Gain on Available-for-Sale Investment.................. 655,000 487,000
Retained Earnings......................................................... 106,242,000 82,001,000
------------ ------------
Total Stockholders' Equity........................................... 265,682,000 234,482,000
------------ ------------
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY.................................... $723,936,000 $629,462,000
============ ============


See the accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

32





SIERRA HEALTH SERVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
For the Years Ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995




1997 1996 1995
----------------- ----------------- -----------
OPERATING REVENUES:

Medical Premiums............................................. $513,857,000 $386,968,000 $319,475,000
Specialty Product Revenues .................................. 146,211,000 133,324,000 102,807,000
Professional Fees............................................ 31,238,000 28,836,000 19,417,000
Military Contract Revenues .................................. 4,346,000
Investment and Other Revenues ............................... 26,072,000 26,283,000 25,310,000
------------ ------------- --------------
Total..................................................... 721,724,000 575,411,000 467,009,000
------------- ------------ -------------

OPERATING EXPENSES:
Medical Expenses............................................. 419,272,000 315,915,000 245,135,000
Specialty Product Expenses................................... 143,082,000 130,758,000 102,859,000
General, Administrative and Marketing Expenses............... 93,919,000 72,237,000 63,562,000
Military Contract Expenses .................................. 4,193,000
Merger, Restructuring and Start-up Expenses................. 29,350,000 12,064,000 11,614,000
------------ ------------ -------------
Total..................................................... 689,816,000 530,974,000 423,170,000
----------- ------------ -------------

OPERATING INCOME.................................................. 31,908,000 44,437,000 43,839,000

INTEREST EXPENSE AND OTHER, NET................................... (4,433,000) (2,823,000) (3,737,000)
---------- ------------ -------------

INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS
BEFORE INCOME TAXES ......................................... 27,475,000 41,614,000 40,102,000

PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES........................................ 3,234,000 10,471,000 12,198,000
------------ ----------- -------------

INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS................................. 24,241,000 31,143,000 27,904,000

NET OPERATING LOSS ON
DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS ..................................... (2,010,000)

NET LOSS ON DISPOSAL OF
DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS ..................................... (4,590,000)
----------------- ----------------- -------------

NET INCOME ....................................................... $ 24,241,000 $ 31,143,000 $ 21,304,000
============ ============ ============

EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE:
Income from Continuing Operations ........................... $1.35 $1.76 $1.60
Net Operating Loss on Discontinued Operations ............... (.12)
Net Loss on Disposal of Discontinued Operations ............. (.26)
-------- -------- ------
Net Income Per Share .................................... $1.35 $1.76 $1.22
===== ===== =====

EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE ASSUMING DILUTION:
Income from Continuing Operations ........................... $1.33 $1.72 $1.57
Net Operating Loss on Discontinued Operations ............... (.11)
Net Loss on Disposal of Discontinued Operations ............. (.26)
-------- -------- ------
Net Income Per Share .................................... $1.33 $1.72 $1.20
===== ===== =====



See the accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

33










SIERRA HEALTH SERVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
For the Years Ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995







Unrealized
(Loss)
Gain on
Additional Available- Total
Common Stock Paid- In Treasury for-Sale Retained Stockholders
Shares Amount Capital Stock Investments Earnings Equity
-------- -------- ------------- ----------- ------------- ------------- ----------




BALANCE, JANUARY 1, 1995.......... 17,336,000 $87,000 $141,398,000 $(130,000) $(2,752,000) $29,554,000 $168,157,000
Issuance of Common Stock in
Connection with Stock Plans.... 304,000 1,000 4,297,000 4,298,000
Issuance of Stock in Connection
with Acquisition .............. 37,000 87,000 87,000
Income Tax Benefit Realized Upon
Exercise of Stock Options...... 1,458,000 1,458,000
Change in Unrealized Holding Gains
(Losses), Net of Taxes......... 12,411,000 12,411,000
Net Income........................ 21,304,000 21,304,000
------------ ----------- ----------- --------- --------- ----------- ---------
BALANCE, DECEMBER 31, 1995........ 17,677,000 88,000 147,240,000 (130,000) 9,659,000 50,858,000 207,715,000
Issuance of Common Stock in
Connection with Stock Plans.... 233,000 1,000 3,637,000 3,638,000
Income Tax Benefit Realized Upon
Exercise of Stock Options...... 1,158,000 1,158,000
Change in Unrealized Holding Gains
(Losses), Net of Taxes ........ (9,172,000) (9,172,000)
Net Income........................ 31,143,000 31,143,000
---------- ---------- ------------ --------- ----------- -----------
BALANCE, DECEMBER 31, 1996 ....... 17,910,000 89,000 152,035,000 (130,000) 487,000 82,001,000 234,482,000
Issuance of Common Stock in
Connection with Stock Plans.... 563,000 3,000 10,255,000 10,258,000
Purchase of Treasury Stock ....... (5,471,000) (5,471,000)
Income Tax Benefit Realized Upon
Exercise of Stock Options...... 2,004,000 2,004,000
Change in Unrealized Holding Gains
(Losses), Net of Taxes ........ 168,000 168,000
Net Income........................ 24,241,000 24,241,000
---------- ----------- ------------ ----------- --------- ------------ -----------
BALANCE, DECEMBER 31, 1997 ....... 18,473,000 $92,000 $164,294,000 $(5,601,000) $655,000 $106,242,000 $265,682,000
========== ======= ============ =========== ======== ============ ============







See the accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

34





SIERRA HEALTH SERVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
For the Years Ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995



1997 1996 1995
------------- -------------- --------

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:

Net Income ........................................................ $24,241,000 $ 31,143,000 $ 21,304,000
Adjustments to Reconcile Net Income to Net Cash
Provided by Operating Activities:
Loss on Discontinued Operations ............................... 6,600,000
Depreciation and Amortization.................................. 13,510,000 10,499,000 9,505,000
Provision for Doubtful Accounts................................ 4,283,000 3,057,000 1,694,000
Change in Assets and Liabilities, Net of
Effects from Acquisitions:
Other Assets................................................... (5,851,000) (16,301,000) (7,542,000)
Reinsurance Recoverable ....................................... (5,635,000) 10,164,000 3,464,000
Reserve for Losses and Loss Adjustment Expense ................ 14,923,000 5,458,000 (8,645,000)
Other Liabilities ............................................. 6,838,000 6,985,000 1,665,000
Minority Interests............................................. (12,000) (1,746,000) (2,606,000)
Accounts Receivable............................................ (12,290,000) (12,469,000) (923,000)
Other Current Assets........................................... (11,853,000) (4,671,000) (2,549,000)
Medical Claims Payable......................................... 8,974,000 4,973,000 6,341,000
Other Current Liabilities...................................... 15,692,000 15,354,000 8,873,000
------------ ------------ -----------
Net Cash Provided by Continuing Operations ....................... 52,820,000 52,446,000 37,181,000
Net Cash Used by Discontinued Operations .......................... (2,651,000)
----------------- ----------------- ------------
Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities ..................... 52,820,000 52,446,000 34,530,000
------------ ------------ -----------

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Capital Expenditures............................................... (55,642,000) (17,927,000) (20,522,000)
Property and Equipment Dispositions, Net........................... 772,000 172,000 725,000
Purchase of Available-for-Sale Investments......................... (1,078,396,000) (712,503,000) (368,875,000)
Proceeds from Sales/Maturities of
Available-for-Sale Investments................................. 1,046,523,000 752,279,000 365,539,000
Purchase of Held-to-Maturity Investments........................... (7,523,000) (25,835,000) (11,735,000)
Proceeds from Maturities of Held-to-Maturity Investments........... 10,449,000 39,184,000 20,183,000
Change in Financed Premium Receivable ............................. 15,676,000
Acquisitions, Net of Cash Acquired................................. (3,145,000) (36,310,000) (11,023,000)
------------ ------------ -----------
Net Cash Used for Investing Activities......................... (86,962,000) (940,000) (10,032,000)
------------ ------------- -----------

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Proceeds from Long-term Borrowing.................................. 25,000,000 1,000,000 2,625,000
Payments on Debt and Capital Leases................................ (2,391,000) (9,601,000) (11,931,000)
Purchase of Treasury Stock ........................................ (5,471,000)
Exercise of Stock in Connection with Stock Plans................... 10,258,000 3,638,000 3,807,000
------------ ----------- ----------
Net Cash Provided by (Used for) Financing Activities........... 27,396,000 (4,963,000) (5,499,000)
------------ ---------- ----------

NET (DECREASE) INCREASE IN CASH
AND CASH EQUIVALENTS............................................... (6,746,000) 46,543,000 18,999,000
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT BEGINNING OF YEAR........................... 103,587,000 57,044,000 38,045,000
------------- ------------ -----------

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF YEAR................................. $ 96,841,000 $103,587,000 $ 57,044,000
============ ============ ============


See the accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

35




SIERRA HEALTH SERVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
For the Years Ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995


1. BUSINESS

Business. The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Sierra
Health Services, Inc. ("Sierra") and its subsidiaries (collectively referred to
as the "Company"). The Company is a managed health care organization that
provides and administers the delivery of comprehensive health care and workers'
compensation programs with an emphasis on quality care and cost management. The
Company's broad range of managed health care services is provided through its
health maintenance organizations ("HMOs"), managed indemnity plans, third-party
administrative services programs for employer-funded health benefit plans and
workers' compensation medical management programs. Ancillary products and
services that complement the Company's managed health care product lines are
also offered.

Acquisitions. On October 31, 1995, the Company issued approximately 2.7 million
shares of its common stock in exchange for all of the outstanding common stock
of CII Financial, Inc., and subsidiaries ("CII"). In addition, all outstanding
CII stock options were converted into options to purchase up to approximately
540,000 shares of the Company's common stock. The merger was accounted for as a
pooling of interests and, accordingly, the Company's consolidated financial
statements have been restated to include the accounts and operations of CII for
all periods prior to the merger.

In November 1996, the Company acquired complete ownership of HMO Texas, LC ("HMO
Texas") for $5,040,000. The Company had previously held a 50 percent interest in
the Houston-based health plan.
The purchase resulted in goodwill of $5,040,000.

Effective December 31, 1996 the Company purchased Prime Holdings, Inc.
("Prime"), for approximately $32,219,000 in cash. At December 31, 1996 Prime
operated Med One Health Plan, Inc. ("Med One"), a 12,800 member HMO. Prime also
served 215,000 people through preferred provider organizations, workers'
compensation programs and administrative service products for self-insured
employers and union welfare trust funds, primarily in the state of Nevada. The
acquisition resulted in goodwill of $31,117,000.

2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Principles of Consolidation. All significant intercompany transactions and
balances have been eliminated. Sierra's wholly owned subsidiaries include Health
Plan of Nevada, Inc. ("HPN"), HMO Texas and Med One, all licensed HMOs, Sierra
Health and Life Insurance Company, Inc. ("SHL"), a health and life insurance
company, Southwest Medical Associates, Inc. ("SMA"), a multi-specialty medical
group, CII, a holding company primarily engaged in writing workers' compensation
insurance through its wholly owned subsidiaries, Sierra Military Health
Services, Inc., ("SMHS"), a company that has been contracted to provide and
administer managed care services to certain TRICARE eligible beneficiaries,
administrative services companies, a home health care agency, a hospice and a
company that provides and manages mental health and substance abuse services.

Medical Premiums. Non-Medicare member enrollment is represented principally by
employer groups. Medical premiums are billed to each employer group in
accordance with negotiated contracts, and such premium revenue is recognized
when earned. Unearned premium revenue includes payments under prepaid Medicare
contracts with the Health Care Financing Administration ("HCFA") and prepaid
HPN, HMO Texas and Med One commercial and SHL indemnity premiums. HPN and HMO
Texas offer a prepaid health care program to Medicare recipients. Revenues
associated with these Medicare recipients were approximately $186,105,000,
$140,611,000, and $111,584,000 in 1997, 1996 and 1995, respectively.

36




SIERRA HEALTH SERVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
For the Years Ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995



Specialty Product Revenue. These revenues consist primarily of workers'
compensation premiums. Premiums are calculated by formula such that the premium
written is earned pro rata over the term of the policy. Also included in
specialty product revenues are administrative services and certain ancillary
product revenues. Such revenues are recognized in the period in which the
service is performed or the period that coverage for services is provided.
Premiums written in excess of premiums earned are recorded as an unearned
premium revenue liability. Premiums earned include an estimate for earned but
unbilled premiums.

Professional Fees. Revenue for professional medical services is recorded on the
accrual basis in the period in which the services are provided. Such revenue is
recorded at established rates net of provisions for estimated contractual and
charitable allowances.

Medical Expenses. Sierra contracts with hospitals, physicians and other
providers of health care under capitated or discounted fee-for-service
arrangements including hospital per diems to provide medical care services to
enrollees. Capitated providers are at risk for the cost of medical care services
provided to the Company's enrollees in the relevant geographic areas; however,
the Company is ultimately responsible for the provision of services to its
enrollees should the capitated provider be unable to provide the contracted
services. Health care costs are recorded in the period when services are
provided to enrolled members, including estimates for provider costs which have
been incurred as of the balance sheet date but not reported to the Company.
Losses on specific contracts, if any, are accrued when measurable.

Specialty Product Expenses. This expense consists primarily of losses and loss
adjustment expense ("LAE") and policy acquisition costs associated with issued
workers' compensation policies. Losses and LAE is based upon the accumulation of
cost estimates for reported claims occurring during the period as well as an
estimate for losses that have occurred but have not yet been reported. Policy
acquisition costs consist of commissions, premium taxes and other underwriting
costs, which are directly related to the production and retention of new and
renewal business and are deferred and amortized as the related premiums are
earned. Should it be determined that future policy revenues and earnings on
invested funds relating to existing insurance contracts will not be adequate to
cover related costs and expenses, deferred costs are expensed. Also included in
specialty product expense are costs associated with administrative services and
certain ancillary products. These costs are recorded when incurred.

Cash and Cash Equivalents. The Company considers cash and cash equivalents as
all highly liquid instruments with a maturity of three months or less at time of
purchase. The carrying amount of cash and cash equivalents approximates fair
value because of the short maturity of these instruments.

Marketable Investments. Short- and long-term investments consist
principally of U.S. Government securities and municipal bonds, as well as
corporate and mortgage backed securities. Short-term investments have maturities
of one year or less. Long-term investments have maturities in excess of one
year.

Restricted Cash and Investments. Certain subsidiaries are required by state
regulatory agencies to maintain certain deposits and must also meet certain net
worth and reserve requirements. The Company and its subsidiaries are in
compliance with the applicable minimum regulatory and capital requirements.



37




SIERRA HEALTH SERVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
For the Years Ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995


Property and Equipment. Property and equipment are stated at cost. Maintenance
and repairs that do not improve or extend the life of the respective assets are
charged to operations. Depreciation and amortization is computed using the
straight-line method over the estimated service lives of the assets or terms of
leases if shorter. Estimated useful lives are as follows:

Buildings and Improvements 30 years
Leasehold Improvements 3 - 10 years
Furniture, Fixtures and Equipment 3 - 5 years
Data Processing Hardware and Software 3 - 5 years

Goodwill. Goodwill has been recorded primarily as a result of various business
acquisitions by the Company. Amortization is provided on a straight line basis
over periods not exceeding 30 years. The Company evaluates the carrying value of
its intangible assets at each balance sheet date.

Medical Claims Payable. Medical claims payable includes the estimated cost for
unpaid claims for which health care services have been provided to enrollees and
a provision of the estimated costs for claims that have occurred but have not
been reported.

Reserve for Losses and Loss Adjustment Expense. The reserve for losses and LAE
consists of estimated costs of each unpaid claim reported to the Company prior
to the close of the accounting period, as well as those incurred but not yet
reported. The methods for establishing and reviewing such liabilities are
continually reviewed and adjustments are reflected in current operations.

Income Taxes. The Company accounts for income taxes using the liability method.
Deferred income tax assets and liabilities result from temporary differences
between the tax basis of assets and liabilities and the reported amounts in the
consolidated financial statements that will result in taxable or deductible
amounts in future years. The Company's temporary differences arise principally
from certain net operating losses, accrued expenses, reserves and depreciation.

Discontinued Operations. During 1995, CII sold its interest in a subsidiary
for a combination of common stock and warrants of the purchaser. This
transaction was recorded as a discontinued operation.

Concentration of Credit Risk. The Company's financial instruments that are
exposed to credit risk consist primarily of investments and accounts receivable.
The Company maintains cash and cash equivalents, and short- and long-term
investments with various financial institutions. These financial institutions
are located in many different geographies, and company policy is designed to
limit exposure with any one institution.

Credit risk with respect to accounts receivable is generally diversified due to
the large number of entities comprising the Company's customer base and their
dispersion across many different industries. These customers are primarily
located in the states in which the Company operates. Such operations are
principally in California, Colorado, Nevada and Texas. However, the Company is
licensed and does business in several other states as well. The Company also has
receivables from certain reinsurers. Reinsurance contracts do not relieve the
Company from its obligations to enrollees or policyholders. Failure of
reinsurers to honor their obligations could result in losses to the Company. The
Company evaluates the financial condition of its reinsurers to minimize its
exposure to significant losses from reinsurer insolvencies. All reinsurers that
the Company has reinsurance contracts with are rated A or better by the A.M.
Best Company.

38




SIERRA HEALTH SERVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
For the Years Ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995



Recently Issued Accounting Standards. Statement of Financial Accounting No. 130,
"Reporting Comprehensive Income" is effective for periods beginning after
December 15, 1997 and requires companies to classify items of other
comprehensive income by their nature in a financial statement. Management does
not believe this statement will have a material impact on the Company's
financial statements. Statement of Financial Accounting No. 131, "Disclosures
about Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information" is also effective for
periods beginning after December 15, 1997 and establishes additional standards
for segment disclosures in the financial statements. Management has not
determined the effect of this statement on its financial statement disclosure.

Estimates and Assumptions. The preparation of financial statements in conformity
with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make
estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and
liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of
the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses
during the reporting period. Estimates and assumptions include, but are not
limited to, medical and specialty product expenses. Actual results may
materially differ from estimates.

Merger, Restructuring and Start-up Expenses. Merger, restructuring and start-up
expenses represent the non-recurring incremental costs the Company has incurred
in connection with various mergers, acquisitions and planned dispositions as
well as costs associated with the Company's proposal to serve eligible TRICARE
beneficiaries in Region 1. Costs recorded for restructurings satisfy the
definitions and criteria set forth in Emerging Issues Task Force Issue 94-3
"Liability Recognition for Certain Employee Termination Benefits and Other Costs
to Exit an Activity (including Certain Costs Incurred in a Restructuring)," that
are directly related to the restructurings.

Reclassifications. Certain amounts in the Consolidated Financial Statements for
the years ended December 31, 1996 and 1995 have been reclassified to conform
with the current year presentation.




39




SIERRA HEALTH SERVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
For the Years Ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995


3. EARNINGS PER SHARE

The following table provides a reconciliation of basic and diluted earnings
per share ("EPS"):



Dilutive
Basic Stock Options Diluted


For the Year Ended December 31, 1997:

Income from Continuing Operations.............. $24,241,000 $24,241,000
Shares......................................... 18,008,000 276,000 18,284,000
Per Share Amount............................... 1.35 1.33

For the Year Ended December 31, 1996:
Income from Continuing Operations.............. 31,143,000 31,143,000
Shares......................................... 17,726,000 401,000 18,127,000
Per Share Amount............................... 1.76 1.72

For the Year Ended December 31, 1995:
Income from Continuing Operations.............. 27,904,000 27,904,000
Shares......................................... 17,414,000 320,000 17,734,000
Per Share Amount............................... 1.60 1.57


CII issued convertible subordinated debentures (the "Debentures") due September
15, 2001. Each $1,000 in principal is convertible into 16.921 shares of the
Company's common stock at a conversion price of $59.097 per share. The
Debentures were not included in the computation of EPS because their effect
would be anti-dilutive.




40




SIERRA HEALTH SERVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
For the Years Ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995


4. PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT

Property and equipment at December 31 consists of the following:



Classification 1997 1996

Land................................................... $14,296,000 $12,224,000
Buildings and Improvements............................. 109,307,000 63,229,000
Furniture, Fixtures and Equipment...................... 38,692,000 35,785,000
Data Processing Equipment and Software................. 31,452,000 21,034,000
Construction in Progress............................... 4,170,000 7,858,000
Less: Accumulated Depreciation ........................ ( 49,086,000) (40,326,000)
------------ -----------
Net Property and Equipment......................... $148,831,000 $99,804,000
============ ===========



The following is an analysis of property and equipment under capital leases by
classification as of December 31:



Classification 1997 1996

Data Processing Equipment and Software ................ $4,779,000 $1,682,000
Furniture, Fixtures and Equipment...................... 728,000 730,000
Building............................................... 245,000 245,000
Less: Accumulated Depreciation......................... (467,000) (1,496,000)
---------- ----------
Net Property and Equipment.......................... $5,285,000 $1,161,000
========== ==========


The Company capitalizes interest expense as part of the cost of construction of
facilities and the implementation of computer systems. Interest expense
capitalized in 1997, 1996 and 1995 was $1,621,000, $245,000 and $183,000,
respectively.

5. CASH AND INVESTMENTS

Marketable debt investments that the Company has the intention and ability to
hold to maturity are stated at amortized cost and categorized as
held-to-maturity. The remaining marketable debt and equity investments have been
categorized as available-for-sale and as a result are stated at their fair
value. Unrealized holding gains and losses on available-for-sale securities are
included as a separate component of stockholders' equity until realized. Gross
realized gains and losses in 1997 were $2,878,000 and $2,373,000, respectively.
Realized gains and losses are calculated using the specific identification
method and are included in net income.



41




SIERRA HEALTH SERVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
For the Years Ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995


The following table summarizes the Company's short-term, long-term and
restricted investments as of December 31, 1997:



Gross Gross Estimated
Amortized Unrealized Unrealized Fair
Cost Gains Losses Value
Available-for-Sale Investments:
Classified as Short-term:
U.S. Government

and its Agencies........................... $ 7,577,000 $ 31,000 $ 1,000 $ 7,607,000
Municipal Obligations......................... 41,732,000 88,000 194,000 41,626,000
Corporate Bonds............................... 48,945,000 345,000 74,000 49,216,000
Other . . . . . .............................. 6,163,000 9,000 99,000 6,073,000
------------- ----------- --------- -------------
Total Short-term........................... 104,417,000 473,000 368,000 104,522,000
------------ ---------- --------- ------------

Classified as Long-term:
U.S. Government
and its Agencies........................... 38,031,000 169,000 59,000 38,141,000
Municipal Obligations......................... 3,160,000 139,000 1,000 3,298,000
Corporate Bonds............................... 81,299,000 776,000 43,000 82,032,000
Other . . . . ................................ 63,000 63,000
-------------- -------------- ------------ --------------
Total Long-term............................ 122,553,000 1,084,000 103,000 123,534,000
------------ ---------- -------- ------------

Classified as Restricted:
U.S. Government
and its Agencies........................... 8,639,000 34,000 12,000 8,661,000
Municipal Obligations......................... 3,166,000 104,000 3,270,000
Corporate Bonds............................... 497,000 1,000 498,000
Other. . . . . . . . . ....................... 2,373,000 2,373,000
-------------- -------------- ------------- --------------
Total Restricted .......................... 14,675,000 139,000 12,000 14,802,000
------------- ------------ --------- -------------
Total Available-for-Sale ............... $241,645,000 $1,696,000 $483,000 $242,858,000
============ ========== ======== ============

Held-to-Maturity Investments:
Classified as Short-term:
U.S. Government
and its Agencies........................... $ 2,884,000 $ 33,000 $ 2,917,000
Corporate Bonds .............................. 8,092,000 189,000 8,281,000
-------------- ----------- ------------
Total Short-term........................... 10,976,000 222,000 11,198,000
------------- ----------- ------------

Classified as Long-term:
U.S. Government
and its Agencies........................... 14,313,000 20,000 $ 38,000 14,295,000
Municipal Obligations......................... 6,038,000 372,000 6,410,000
Corporate Bonds............................... 11,268,000 509,000 11,000 11,766,000
----------- ----------- --------- -----------
Total Long-term............................ 31,619,000 901,000 49,000 32,471,000
----------- ----------- -------- -----------

Classified as Restricted:
Municipal Obligations......................... 575,000 26,000 601,000
Corporate Bonds............................... 1,163,000 22,000 1,185,000
------------- ----------- ------------
Total Restricted .......................... 1,738,000 48,000 1,786,000
------------- ----------- ------------
Total Held-to-Maturity ................. $44,333,000 $1,171,000 $ 49,000 $ 45,455,000
============ ========== ========= ============


42




SIERRA HEALTH SERVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
For the Years Ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995


The following table summarizes the Company's short-term, long-term and
restricted investments as of December 31, 1996:



Gross Gross Estimated
Amortized Unrealized Unrealized Fair
Cost Gains Losses Value
Available-for-Sale Investments:
Classified as Short-term:
U.S Government

and its Agencies..................... $ 14,410,000 $ 25,000 $ 14,435,000
Municipal Obligations................... 36,363,000 164,000 $ 78,000 36,449,000
Corporate Bonds......................... 10,521,000 26,000 3,000 10,544,000
Other. . . . ............... 21,902,000 66,000 211,000 21,757,000
------------ --------- --------- -----------
Total Short-term..................... 83,196,000 281,000 292,000 83,185,000
------------ -------- -------- ------------

Classified as Long-term:
U.S. Government
and its Agencies..................... 67,108,000 131,000 791,000 66,448,000
Municipal Obligations................... 14,049,000 519,000 62,000 14,506,000
Corporate Bonds......................... 32,315,000 199,000 184,000 32,330,000
Other . . . . .......................... 158,000 29,000 129,000
-------------- ------------- ----------- --------------
Total Long-term...................... 113,630,000 849,000 1,066,000 113,413,000
------------ --------- ---------- ------------

Classified as Restricted:
U.S. Government
and its Agencies..................... 6,997,000 102,000 12,000 7,087,000
Municipal Obligations................... 2,485,000 149,000 2,634,000
Corporate Bonds......................... 492,000 492,000
Other. . . . . . . . . ................. 1,797,000 1,797,000
-------------- -------------- -------------- -------------
Total Restricted .................... 11,771,000 251,000 12,000 12,010,000
------------- ---------- ----------- ------------
Total Available-for-Sale ......... $208,597,000 $1,381,000 $1,370,000 $208,608,000
============ ========== ========== ============


Held-to-Maturity Investments:
Classified as Short-term:
Municipal Obligations .................. $ 503,000 $ 6,000 $ 509,000
-------------- ------------ -------------

Classified as Long-term:
U.S. Government
and its Agencies..................... 20,644,000 28,000 $ 460,000 20,212,000
Municipal Obligations................... 6,359,000 456,000 6,815,000
Corporate Bonds......................... 20,066,000 398,000 194,000 20,270,000
------------ ---------- ---------- ------------
Total Long-term...................... 47,069,000 882,000 654,000 47,297,000
------------ ---------- ---------- ------------

Classified as Restricted:
Municipal Obligations................... 575,000 38,000 613,000
Corporate Bonds......................... 1,063,000 28,000 1,091,000
------------ ---------- ------------
Total Restricted .................... 1,638,000 66,000 1,704,000
------------ ---------- ------------
Total Held-to-Maturity ........... $ 49,210,000 $ 954,000 $ 654,000 $ 49,510,000
============ ========== ========== ============



43




SIERRA HEALTH SERVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
For the Years Ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995


The contractual maturities of available-for-sale short-term, long-term and
restricted investments at December 31, 1997 are shown below. Expected maturities
may differ from contractual maturities because borrowers may have the right to
call or prepay obligations.


Amortized Estimated
Cost Fair Value


Due in one year or less...................................... $ 61,517,000 $ 61,339,000
Due after one year through five years........................ 92,459,000 93,201,000
Due after five years through ten years....................... 66,406,000 66,961,000
Due after ten years.......................................... 21,263,000 21,357,000
------------ ------------
Total................................................... $241,645,000 $242,858,000
============ ============



The contractual maturities of held-to-maturity short-term, long-term and
restricted investments at December 31, 1997 were as follows:



Amortized Estimated
Cost Fair Value


Due in one year or less...................................... $ 1,140,000 $ 1,140,000
Due after one year through five years........................ 16,111,000 16,767,000
Due after five years through ten years....................... 8,707,000 9,005,000
Due after ten years.......................................... 18,375,000 18,543,000
----------- -----------
Total................................................... $44,333,000 $45,455,000
=========== ===========



Of the cash and cash equivalents that total $96,841,000 in the accompanying
Consolidated Balance Sheet at December 31, 1997, $82,194,000 is limited for use
only by the Company's regulated subsidiaries. Such amounts are available for
transfer to Sierra from the regulated subsidiaries only to the extent that they
can be remitted in accordance with terms of existing management agreements and
by dividends which customarily must be approved by regulating state insurance
departments. The remainder is available to Sierra on an unrestricted basis.

6. REINSURANCE

In the normal course of business, the Company seeks to reduce potential losses
that may arise from catastrophic events that cause unfavorable underwriting
results by reinsuring certain levels of such risk with other reinsurers. Amounts
recoverable from reinsurers are estimated in a manner consistent with the claim
liability associated with the reinsurance policy.

The Company is covered under medical reinsurance agreements that provide
coverage for 50% - 90% of hospital and other costs in excess of $200,000 per
case, up to a maximum of $2,000,000 per member per lifetime for both the managed
indemnity and HMO subsidiaries. In addition, certain of the Company's HMO
members are covered by an excess catastrophe reinsurance contract. Reinsurance
premiums of $3,156,000, $3,235,000 and $2,827,000 net of reinsurance recoveries
of $1,729,000, $2,276,000 and $1,133,000 are included in medical expense for
1997, 1996 and 1995, respectively. In addition, SHL maintains reinsurance on
certain other insurance products.


44




SIERRA HEALTH SERVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
For the Years Ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995


CII also has reinsurance treaties in effect. The reinsurers have assumed the
liability on that portion of workers' compensation claims between $350,000 and
$60,000,000 per occurrence for 1997 and 1996 and between $250,000 and
$60,000,000 per occurrence for 1995. At December 31, 1997 and 1996, the amount
of reinsurance recoverable for unpaid losses and loss adjustment expense was
$21,056,000 and $15,676,000, respectively. The amount of reinsurance receivable
for paid losses and loss adjustment expense was $358,000 and $103,000,
respectively.

Reinsurance contracts do not relieve the Company from its obligations to
enrollees or policyholders. Failure of reinsurers to honor their obligations
could result in losses to the Company. The Company evaluates the financial
condition of its reinsurers to minimize its exposure to significant losses from
reinsurer insolvencies. All reinsurers that the Company has reinsurance
contracts with are rated A or better by the A.M. Best Company.

The following table provides workers' compensation reinsurance information for
the three years ended December 31, 1997:



Change in
Recoveries Recoverable
on Paid on Unpaid Premiums
Losses/LAE Losses/LAE Ceded

1997:

General Reinsurance Corporation................. $ 841,000 $ 5,380,000 $ 4,872,000
Others ......................................... 187,000
--------------- ----------------- -----------
Total .......................................... $ 841,000 $ 5,380,000 $ 5,059,000
========== =========== ===========

1996:
General Reinsurance Corporation................. $3,076,000 $(10,195,000) $4,713,000
Others ......................................... 456,000
--------------- ----------------- -----------
Total .......................................... $3,076,000 $(10,195,000) $5,169,000
========== ============ ==========

1995:
General Reinsurance Corporation................. $2,426,000 $ (3,472,000) $3,727,000
Others ......................................... 300,000
--------------- ------------------ -----------
Total .......................................... $2,426,000 $ (3,472,000) $4,027,000
========== ============ ==========





45




SIERRA HEALTH SERVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
For the Years Ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995


7. LOSSES AND LOSS ADJUSTMENT EXPENSES

The following table provides a reconciliation of the beginning and ending
reserve balances for unpaid losses and LAE. There can be no assurances that
favorable development, or the magnitude of the development, will continue in the
future.


Year ended December 31,
1997 1996 1995
--------------- --------------- ---------



Net Beginning Losses and LAE Reserve ..................... $172,100,000 $156,447,000 $161,620,000

Net Provision for Insured Events Incurred in:
Current Year .......................................... 102,301,000 101,401,000 75,978,000
Prior Years............................................ (8,970,000) (15,284,000) (20,079,000)
------------ ------------- -------------
Total Net Provision.................................. 93,331,000 86,117,000 55,899,000
------------ ------------- -------------

Net Payments for Losses and LAE
Attributable to Insured Events Incurred in:
Current Year .......................................... 26,811,000 24,733,000 16,553,000
Prior Years............................................ 56,977,000 45,731,000 44,519,000
------------ ------------ ------------
Total Net Payments .................................. 83,788,000 70,464,000 61,072,000
------------ ------------ ------------

Net Ending Losses and LAE Reserve ........................ 181,643,000 172,100,000 156,447,000
Reinsurance Recoverable .................................. 21,056,000 15,676,000 25,871,000
------------ ------------ ------------

Gross Ending Losses and LAE Reserve ...................... $202,699,000 $187,776,000 $182,318,000
============ ============ ============




46




SIERRA HEALTH SERVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
For the Years Ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995


8. LONG-TERM DEBT

Long-term debt at December 31 consists of the following:



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



7 1/2% Convertible Subordinated Debentures ........................ $54,467,000 $54,497,000
Revolving Loan ...................................................... 25,000,000 0
7 3/8% Mortgage Note ............................................... 5,833,000 7,833,000
Adjustable Rate Mortgage Note ....................................... 3,116,000 3,167,000
Other................................................................ 7,151,000 2,887,000
------------ ------------
Total.............................................................. 95,567,000 68,384,000
Less Current Portion................................................. (4,726,000) (2,195,000)
----------- -----------
Long-term Debt....................................................... $90,841,000 $66,189,000
=========== ===========



7 1/2% Convertible Subordinated Debentures. In September 1991 CII issued
convertible subordinated debentures (the "Debentures") due September 15, 2001.
The Debentures bear interest at 7-1/2% which is due semi-annually on March 15
and September 15. Each $1,000 in principal is convertible into 16.921 shares of
the Company's common stock at a conversion price of $59.097 per share.
Unamortized issuance costs of $803,000 are included in other assets on the
balance sheet and are being amortized over the life of the Debentures. Accrued
interest on the Debentures as of December 31, 1997 and 1996 was $1,191,000 and
$1,192,000, respectively. The Debentures are redeemable by CII, in whole or in
part, at redemption prices ranging from 102.25% in 1998 to 100.75% in 2000, plus
accrued interest. The Debentures are general unsecured obligations of CII only
and were not assumed or guaranteed by Sierra. During the twelve months ended
December 31, 1997 and 1996, the Company purchased $30,000 and $2,303,000,
respectively, of the debentures on the open market.

Revolving Loan. As of December 31, 1997, the Company has drawn $25.0 million on
its $100.0 million line of credit ("LOC") for general corporate purposes at a
current interest rate of 6.3%. The remaining line of credit may be used for
general corporate purposes, including acquisitions, and may be available for
additional working capital, if necessary.

7 3/8% Mortgage Note. In December 1993, the Company obtained a loan from Bank of
America, Nevada. This loan is secured by a deed of trust, assignment of rents
and leases, and a security agreement and fixture filing covering a portion of
the Company's administrative headquarters complex and underlying real property.
In January 1998, the Company obtained a $15,000,000 loan from Bank of America,
Nevada at an interest rate of 7.11%. This loan is secured by a deed of trust,
assignment of rents and leases, and a security agreement and fixture filing
covering the newly constructed portion of the Company's administrative
headquarters complex and underlying real property. This note is not reflected in
the Company's financial statements at December 31, 1997.

Adjustable Rate Mortgage Note. The Company has a mortgage which has an
adjustable rate with an interest margin of 3% over the Federal Home Loan Bank
Board 11th District Cost of Funds Index, a maximum interest rate of five
percentage points above the initial rate of 11.85% and a minimum interest rate
of 8%. The interest rate at December 31, 1997 was 8.0%. This mortgage is secured
by a medical facility.


47




SIERRA HEALTH SERVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
For the Years Ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995


Other. The Company has obligations under capital leases with interest rates from
6.3% to 13.4%. In addition, the Company has a term loan due July 1998 including
cumulative interest at 7.0%.

Scheduled maturities of the Company's notes payable and future minimum payments
under capital leases, together with the present value of the net minimum lease
payments at December 31, 1997, are as follows:



Obligations
Notes Under Capital
Year ending December 31, Payable Leases

1998................................................. $ 3,846,000 $1,247,000
1999................................................. 5,058,000 1,260,000
2000................................................. 2,000,000 1,301,000
2001................................................. 54,467,000 1,137,000
2002 ................................................ 25,000,000 1,133,000
Thereafter........................................... -- 401,000
-------------- ----------
Total............................................. $90,371,000 6,479,000
===========
Less: Amounts Representing Interest................. (1,283,000)
----------
Present Value of Minimum Lease Payments.............. $5,196,000
==========



The fair value of the Debentures at December 31, 1997 was $51,744,000 which was
determined based on the quoted market price at December 31, 1997. Excluding the
Debentures, the fair value of long-term debt, including the current portion, is
$41,410,000 based on the borrowing rates currently available to the Company for
bank loans with similar terms and average maturities.



48




SIERRA HEALTH SERVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
For the Years Ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995


9. INCOME TAXES

A summary of the provision for income taxes for the years ended December 31,
1997, 1996, and 1995 is as follows:




1997 1996 1995
------------ ------------ --------

Provision for Income Taxes:

Current..................................... $5,528,000 $11,860,000 $11,736,000
Deferred.................................... (2,294,000) (1,389,000) 462,000
---------- ---------- -----------
$3,234,000 $10,471,000 $12,198,000
========== =========== ===========



The following reconciles the difference between the 1997, 1996 and 1995 current
and statutory provision for income taxes:



1997 1996 1995
------------ ------------ --------



Statutory Rate .................................. 35% 35% 35%
Tax Preferred Investments ....................... (5) (6) (9)
Change in Valuation Allowance ................... (17) (6) (2)
Non-deductible Acquisition Costs ................ 5
Other ....................................... (1) 2 1
-- --- ---
Provision for Income Taxes ................. 12% 25% 30%
== === ===





49




SIERRA HEALTH SERVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
For the Years Ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995


The tax effects of significant items comprising the Company's net deferred
tax assets are as follows:



1997 1996
-------------- ---------
Deferred Tax Assets:

Medical and Losses and LAE Reserves ...................... $ 7,428,000 $ 5,277,000
Accruals Not Currently Deductible......................... 7,269,000 5,334,000
Compensation Accruals .................................... 2,344,000 2,960,000
Bad Debt Allowances....................................... 2,041,000 2,946,000
Loss Carryforwards and Credits............................ 11,543,000 13,389,000
Other .................................................... 872,000 803,000
----------- ------------
31,497,000 30,709,000
----------- -----------

Deferred Tax Liabilities:
Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs ........................ 596,000 613,000
Depreciation and Amortization ............................ 4,872,000 4,102,000
Other .................................................... 1,066,000 825,000
----------- ------------
6,534,000 5,540,000
----------- -----------
Net Deferred Tax Asset Before
Valuation Allowance.................................... 24,963,000 25,169,000

Valuation Allowance ...................................... (6,266,000) (10,929,000)
------------ -----------
Net Deferred Tax Asset ................................... $18,697,000 $14,240,000
=========== ===========



At December 31, 1997, the Company had approximately $27,048,000 of regular tax
net operating loss carryforwards which are limited to use at the rate of
approximately $7,021,000 per year during the carryforward period. The net
operating loss carryforwards can be used to reduce future taxable income until
they expire through the year 2011. The Company also has California net operating
loss carryforwards of approximately $7,492,000 which expire through the year
2000. In addition to these net operating loss carryforwards, the Company has
alternative minimum tax credits of approximately $848,000 which can be used to
reduce regular tax liabilities in future years. There is no expiration date for
the alternative minimum tax credits. The majority of the above items are subject
to both annual and separate company limitations required by the Internal Revenue
Code.

Due to the above referenced limitations, a valuation allowance has been set up
to reflect the Company's inability to use tax benefits from recent acquisitions
currently or in the near future. As the benefits are realizable by the Company,
the valuation allowance will be reduced as required by Statement of Financial
Accounting Standards No. 109 "Accounting for Income Taxes" ("FAS 109"). For the
years ended December 31, 1997 and 1996, the Company was able to realize a
portion of the tax benefits for which a valuation allowance had been previously
established. As a result, the Company reduced its valuation allowance by
$4,663,000 and $2,685,000 for the years ended December 31, 1997 and 1996,
respectively. The valuation allowance of $6,266,000 at December 31, 1997 is
considered necessary under the more likely than not criteria required by FAS
109.



50




SIERRA HEALTH SERVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
For the Years Ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995


10. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Leases. The Company is the lessee under several operating leases, most of which
relate to office facilities and equipment. The rentals on these leases are
charged to expense over the lease term as the Company becomes obligated for
payment and, where applicable, provide for rent escalations based on certain
costs and price index factors. The following is a schedule, by year, of the
future minimum lease payments under existing operating leases:


Year Ending December 31,

1998................................................... $6,894,000
1999................................................... 6,351,000
2000................................................... 5,745,000
2001................................................... 5,153,000
2002 .................................................. 4,832,000
Thereafter............................................. 7,089,000
------------
Total............................................. $36,064,000
===========


Rent expense totaled $5,827,000, $4,945,000 and $4,942,000 in 1997, 1996 and
1995, respectively.

Litigation and Legal Matters. The Company is subject to legal proceedings and
claims that arise in the ordinary course of business. In the opinion of
management, the amount of ultimate liability with respect to these legal
proceedings will not materially impact the consolidated financial statements of
the Company.

11. EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS

Defined Contribution Plan. The Company has a defined contribution pension and
401(k) plan (the "Plan") for its employees. The Plan covers all employees who
meet certain age and length of service requirements. The Company contributes 2%
of eligible employees' compensation and matches 50% of a participant's elective
deferral up to a maximum of either 10% of an employee's compensation or the
maximum allowable under current IRS statute. Expense under the plan totaled
$3,929,000, $3,216,000 and $2,516,000 in 1997, 1996 and 1995, respectively.

Supplemental Retirement Plan. The Company has Supplemental Retirement Plans (the
"SRPs") for certain officers, directors and highly compensated employees. The
SRPs are non-qualified deferred compensation plans through which participants
may elect to postpone the receipt and taxation of all or a portion of their
salary and bonuses received from the Company. The Company also matches 50% of
those contributions that participants are restricted from deferring, if any,
under the Company's pension and 401(k) plan. As contracted with the Company, the
participants or their designated beneficiaries may begin to receive benefits
under the SRPs upon participant death, disability, retirement, termination of
employment or certain other circumstances including financial hardship.

Executive Life Insurance Plan. Effective July 1, 1997 the Company and certain
officers and key executives selected and approved by the Sierra Board of
Directors entered into split dollar life insurance agreements whereby the
Company has funded the insurance premiums. The premiums paid by the Company will
be reimbursed upon the occurrence of certain events as specified in the
contract.


51




SIERRA HEALTH SERVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
For the Years Ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995


Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan. Effective July 1, 1997, the Company
adopted a defined benefit retirement plan covering certain key employees. The
Company is funding the benefits through the purchase of certain life insurance
policies. Benefits are based on, among other things, the employee's average
earnings over the five-year period prior to retirement or termination, and
length of service. Benefits attributable to service prior to the adoption of the
plan are amortized over the estimated remaining service period for those
employees participating in the plan.

A reconciliation of ending year balances is as follows:



Change in Benefit Obligation:

Projected Benefit Obligation at Inception .................... $9,008,000
Service Cost ................................................. 132,000
Interest Cost ................................................ 375,000
Benefits Paid ................................................
Benefit Obligation at December 31, 1997 ...................... 9,515,000
----------

Change in Plan Assets:
Actual Return on Plan Assets ................................. (308,000)
Company Contributions ........................................ 2,180,000
Benefits Paid ................................................
Fair Value of Plan Assets at December 31, 1997 ............... 1,872,000

Funded Status of the Plan .................................... (7,643,000)
Unrecognized Prior Service Credit ............................ 8,647,000
-----------
Total Recognized ............................................. $1,004,000
==========

Total Recognized Amounts in the Financial
Statements Consist of:
Unrecognized Net Loss ........................................ $ (394,000)
Accrued Benefit Liability .................................... (2,964,000)
Intangible Asset ............................................. 4,362,000
----------
Total ........................................................ $1,004,000
==========

Assumptions as of December 31, 1997
Discount Rate ................................................ 7.0%
Expected Return on Plan Assets ............................... 8.0%
Rate of Compensation Increase ................................ 5.0%

Benefit Cost ..................................................... $ 781,000


Other CII Plans. Prior to the acquisition of CII, CII maintained various
supplemental benefit, executive benefit, and profit sharing plans. Subsequent to
the merger all such plans have been, or are in the process of being,
discontinued, terminated, or merged into the Company's existing plans. During
the year ended December 31, 1995, CII expensed $1,574,000 under the various
plans. Eligible CII employees are included in the Company's plans discussed
above.



52




SIERRA HEALTH SERVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
For the Years Ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995


12. CAPITAL STOCK PLANS

Stockholders' Rights Plan. Each share of Sierra common stock, par value $.005
per share, contains one right (a "Right"). Each Right entitles the registered
holder to purchase from Sierra a unit consisting of one one-hundredth of a share
of the Series A Junior Participating Preferred Shares (a "Unit"), par value $.01
per share, of Sierra, or a combination of securities and assets of equivalent
value, at a purchase price of $100.00 per Unit, subject to adjustment. The
Rights have certain anti-takeover effects. The Rights will cause substantial
dilution to a person or group that attempts to acquire Sierra on terms not
approved by Sierra's Board of Directors, except pursuant to an offer conditioned
on a substantial number of Rights being acquired. The Rights should not
interfere with any merger or other business combination approved by the Board of
Directors since Sierra may redeem the Rights at the price of $.02 per Right
prior to the time that a person or group has acquired beneficial ownership of
20% or more of Sierra common stock.

Stock Option Plans. During 1995 the shareholders of the Company approved the
1995 Long-Term Incentive Plan ("LTIP"). The LTIP provides for the granting of
Options, Stock, and other stock-based awards. Under the LTIP 1.2 million shares
were reserved along with remaining shares reserved from certain previous stock
option and capital accumulation plans which have not been and will not be issued
under those plans. Awards are granted by a committee appointed by the Board of
Directors. Options become exercisable at such times and in such installments as
set by the committee. Under this plan, the exercise price of each option equals
the market price of the Company's stock on the date of grant. Options currently
granted under the LTIP vest for the employees at a rate of 20% - 25% per year.
Options expire one year after the end of the vesting period.

In addition, in 1995 the shareholders of the Company approved the 1995
Non-Employee Directors' Stock Plan ("Directors' Plan"). Under the Directors'
Plan non-employee directors are granted an option to purchase 3,000 shares of
common stock. Options are granted annually on January 20 at the current fair
market value and become exercisable over a five-year period. The Company
reserved 60,000 shares under the Directors' Plan.


53




SIERRA HEALTH SERVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
For the Years Ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995


The following table reflects the activity of the stock option plans:



Number of Option Weighted
Shares Price Average Price


Outstanding January 1, 1995................. 1,272,000 $ 2.44 - $28.63 $16.29
Granted.................................. 882,000 14.86 - 31.75 26.30
Exercised................................ (241,000) 2.44 - 21.00 12.14
Canceled................................. (53,000) 3.38 - 28.63 17.49
----------
Outstanding December 31, 1995............... 1,860,000 3.38 - 31.75 21.54
Granted.................................. 320,000 25.00 - 35.00 26.15
Exercised................................ (166,000) 3.38 - 28.63 12.57
Canceled................................. (15,000) 10.69 - 31.75 21.70
----------
Outstanding December 31, 1996 .............. 1,999,000 7.50 - 35.00 23.01
Granted.................................. 306,000 24.38 - 36.75 34.73
Exercised................................ (470,000) 7.50 - 31.75 17.71
Canceled................................. ( 65,000) 9.46 - 35.00 26.00
---------
Outstanding December 31, 1997 .............. 1,770,000 9.46 - 36.75 26.30
=========

Exercisable at December 31, 1997 ........... 696,000 $ 9.46 - $36.75 $23.79
=========

Available for Grant at
December 31, 1997 ....................... 402,000
=======



The following table summarizes information about stock options outstanding
at December 31, 1997:



Weighted-Average Weighted-Average
Range of Exercise Remaining Options Exercise Price
Prices Contractual Life Outstanding Exercisable Outstanding Exercisable


$ 9.46 - $10.69 156 days 29,000 29,000 $ 9.76 $ 9.76
14.86 - 21.00 598 days 244,000 154,000 17.15 17.47
24.38 - 31.75 1,385 days 1,230,000 508,000 26.35 26.39
34.50 - 36.75 1,762 days 267,000 5,000 36.60 34.98


Employee Stock Purchase Plan. The Company has an employee stock purchase plan
(the "Purchase Plan") whereby employees may purchase newly issued shares of
stock through payroll deductions at 85% of the fair market value of such shares
on specified dates as defined in the Purchase Plan. As of December 31, 1997, the
Company had 331,000 shares reserved for purchase under the Purchase Plan. During
1997, a total of 92,000 shares were purchased at a price of $20.93 per share.
During January 1998, 48,000 shares were issued to employees at $26.62 per share
in connection with the Purchase Plan.


54




SIERRA HEALTH SERVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
For the Years Ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995


Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation. At December 31, 1997, the Company had
three stock-based compensation plans, which are described above. The Company
uses the intrinsic value method in accounting for its plans. Accordingly, no
compensation cost has been recognized for its fixed stock option plans nor the
Purchase Plan. Had compensation cost for the Company's three stock-based
compensation plans been determined based on the fair value at the grant dates
for awards under those plans, the Company's net income and earnings per share
would have been reduced to the pro forma amounts indicated below:


For the Years Ended 1997 1996 1995
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Net Income As reported $24,241,000 $31,143,000 $21,304,000
Pro forma 22,177,000 29,703,000 20,203,000

Net Income Per Share As reported $1.35 $1.76 $1.22
Pro forma 1.23 1.68 1.16

Net Income Per Share
Assuming Dilution As reported $1.33 $1.72 $1.20
Pro forma 1.21 1.64 1.14


The fair value of each option grant is estimated on the date of grant using the
Black-Scholes option pricing model with the following weighted average
assumptions used for grants in 1997, 1996 and 1995, respectively: dividend yield
of 0% for all years; expected volatility of 35%, 29% and 34%; risk-free interest
rates of 5.89%, 5.92%, and 6.12%; and expected lives of four years for all
years. The weighted fair value of options granted in 1997, 1996 and 1995 was
$12.40, $8.47 and $9.49, respectively.

The fair value of the look-back option implicit in each offering of the Purchase
Plan is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing
model with the following weighted average assumptions used for grants in 1997,
1996 and 1995, respectively: dividend yield of 0% for all years; expected
volatility of 35%, 29% and 34%; risk-free interest rates of 5.32%, 5.29% and
6.07%; and expected lives of six months for all years.

Due to the fact that the Company's stock option programs vest over many years
and additional awards are made each year, the above pro forma numbers are not
indicative of the financial impact had the disclosure provisions of FAS 123 been
applicable to all years of previous option grants. The above numbers do not
include the effect of options granted prior to 1995.




55




SIERRA HEALTH SERVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
For the Years Ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995


13. STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION

Supplemental statements of cash flows information for the years ended
December 31, is presented below:



1997 1996 1995
------------ ------------ --------


Cash Paid During the Year for Interest

(Net of Amount Capitalized)............................... $4,463,000 $5,275,000 $ 6,430,000
Cash Paid During the Year for Income Taxes.................... 7,943,000 7,966,000 10,509,000

Noncash Investing and Financing Activities:
Liabilities Assumed in Connection with
Corporate Acquisitions................................. 195,000 7,890,000 3,113,000
Reductions to Funds Withheld by Ceding
Insurance Company and Future
Policy Benefits........................................ 8,471,000 773,000 990,000
Stock Issued for Exercise of Options
and Related Tax Benefits............................... 2,004,000 1,158,000 1,949,000
Assumption of Liability in Connection with
Land Purchase ......................................... -- -- 1,956,000
Additions to Capital Leases............................... 4,574,000 -- 278,000
Stock and Warrants Received on Sale
of Discontinued Operations ............................ -- -- 1,000,000



14. MERGER, RESTRUCTURING AND START-UP EXPENSES

During 1997, the Company recorded and paid expenses of approximately
$11,000,000, $8,360,000 after tax, for merger-related costs. On March 18, 1997,
the Company announced it had terminated its merger agreement with PCA. The
original agreement had been entered into in November 1996. On March 18, 1997,
prior to termination of the merger agreement, PCA filed a lawsuit against the
Company in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida
(the "District Court"), seeking, among other things, specific performance of the
merger agreement and monetary damages. The lawsuit has been dismissed for
failure to join a necessary party. The Company has also initiated a lawsuit in
the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware seeking a declaratory judgment as
well as other remedies. The Company intends to vigorously pursue all remedies
available to it; however, there can be no assurance that the Company will
prevail in such litigation.

During the third quarter of 1997, SMHS was notified it had been awarded a
multi-year triple-option health benefits ("TRICARE") managed care contract by
the Department of Defense to serve eligible beneficiaries in Region 1. This
region includes more than 600,000 beneficiaries in 13 northeastern states and
the District of Columbia. Development expenses of $18,350,000, $10,600,000 net
of taxes, were recorded in the third quarter, primarily for expenses associated
with the Company's proposal to serve TRICARE beneficiaries in Region 1. Such
expenses had been deferred until award notification. SMHS is currently in the
implementation period of the contract with actual health care delivery to
commence on June 1, 1998. SMHS subcontracts for health care delivery, including
some of the risk, for parts of the TRICARE contract.


56




SIERRA HEALTH SERVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
For the Years Ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995


SMHS was notified on February 13, 1998 that the United States General Accounting
Office ("GAO") sustained a competitor's protest of the contract award for
TRICARE Managed Care Support Region 1 and recommended that the contract be
re-bid. The TRICARE Management Activity ("TMA"), along with the Company, has
filed a motion requesting that the GAO reconsider its recommendation. If the GAO
does not change its recommendation and the TMA follows the recommendation, there
are several possible outcomes, including litigation. The Company currently
anticipates providing health care delivery for one year of the contract should a
re-bid occur.

During 1995, as part of the Company's clinical expansion and growth efforts, the
Company acquired a medical facility in Mohave County, Arizona, across the border
from Laughlin, Nevada. This medical facility included a 12-bed hospital. During
1996 the Company implemented a plan to exit the hospital business and has
actively pursued buyers for this business. As a result of this plan, the Company
recorded a charge of $3,814,000 ($2,860,000 after tax) in the fourth quarter of
1996, primarily to recognize the estimated costs to dispose of the hospital. As
of December 31, 1997, the Company has been unable to reach an agreement to sell
the hospital.

As a result of higher than expected claim and administrative costs relative to
premium rates that can be obtained in certain regional insurance operations and
the Company's inability to negotiate adequate provider contracts due to its
limited presence in some of these markets, the Company adopted a plan to
restructure certain insurance operations during the third quarter of 1996 and
recorded a charge of $8,250,000 ($6,187,000 after tax). The plan will allow the
Company to focus on more favorable operating markets and improve operating
efficiencies. The Company believes that this restructuring, over time, will
result in improved cash flow and operating cost savings. These restructuring
costs included cancellation of certain contractual obligations of $6,000,000,
lease termination costs of $1,500,000 and approximately $750,000 of other costs.

In connection with the merger and integration of CII, $11,614,000 of costs and
expenses ($9,677,000 after tax) were incurred and charged to expense in the
fourth quarter of 1995. These costs include $6,400,000 in professional fees,
$1,700,000 for the write-off of certain redundant hardware and software,
$1,300,000 for the cancellation of certain contractual obligations and other
settlement costs, $900,000 related to transition and severance-related payments
and approximately $1,314,000 for other integration costs.



57




SIERRA HEALTH SERVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
For the Years Ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995


15. UNAUDITED QUARTERLY INFORMATION (Amounts in thousands, except per
share data)



March June September December
31 30 30 31
Year Ended December 31, 1997:

Operating Revenues................................... $170,578 $176,321 $183,859 $190,966
Operating Income (Loss) ............................. 3,242 15,103 (2,765) 16,328
Income (Loss) From Continuing Operations
Before Income Taxes .............................. 1,840 13,896 (3,705) 15,444
Net Income........................................... 1,398 10,561 495 11,787
Earnings Per Share .................................. .08 .59 .03 .65
Earnings Per Share Assuming Dilution ................ .08 .58 .03 .64

Year Ended December 31, 1996:
Operating Revenues................................... $136,012 $141,362 $146,245 $151,792
Operating Income..................................... 14,375 14,520 6,137 9,405
Income From Continuing Operations
Before Income Taxes .............................. 13,566 13,688 5,422 8,938
Net Income........................................... 10,164 10,211 4,067 6,701
Earnings Per Share .................................. .58 .58 .23 .38
Earnings Per Share Assuming Dilution ................ .56 .56 .22 .37


58





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

None.

PART III


ITEM 10. DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT

The information set forth under the caption "Election of Directors" in Sierra's
Proxy Statement for its 1998 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, is incorporated
herein by reference.


ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

The information set forth under the caption "Compensation of Executive Officers"
in Sierra's Proxy Statement for its 1998 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, is
incorporated herein by reference.


ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT

The information set forth under the caption "Security Ownership of Certain
Beneficial Owners and Management" in Sierra's Proxy Statement for its 1998
Annual Meeting of Stockholders, is incorporated herein by reference.


ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS

The information set forth under the caption "Certain Relationships and Related
Transactions" in Sierra's Proxy Statement for its 1998 Annual Meeting of
Stockholders, is incorporated herein by reference.


59





PART IV


ITEM 14. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K

(a)(1) The following consolidated financial statements are included in Part II,
Item 8 of this Report:

Page

Independent Auditors' Report................................... 31
Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31, 1997 and 1996...... 32
Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Years Ended
December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995............................ 33
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders' Equity
for the Years Ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995........ 34
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Years Ended
December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995............................ 35
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements..................... 36

(a)(2) Financial Statement Schedules:

Schedule I - Condensed Financial Information of Registrant..... S-1

Schedule V - Supplemental Information Concerning
Property-Casualty Insurance ...................... S-4

Section 403.04 b - Reconciliation of Beginning and Ending Loss
and Loss Adjustment Expense Reserves
and Exhibit of Redundancies (Deficiencies) .. S-5

All other schedules are omitted because they are not applicable, not required,
or because the required information is in the consolidated financial statements
or notes thereto.

(a)(3) and (c) The following exhibits are filed as part of, or
incorporated by reference into, this Report as required by
Item 601 of Regulation S-K:

(3.1) Articles of Incorporation, together with amendments thereto to
date, incorporated by reference to the Registrant's Annual
Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31,
1990.

(3.2) Certificate of Division of Shares into Smaller Denominations
of the Registrant, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.3 to
the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal
year ended December 31, 1992.

(3.3) Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Registrant, as amended
through December 12, 1997.

(4.1) Rights Agreement, dated as of June 14, 1994, between the
Registrant and Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company,
incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.4 to the Registrant's
Registration Statement on Form S-3 effective October 11, 1994
(Reg. No. 33- 83664).


60





(4.2) Specimen Common Stock Certificate, incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 4(e) to the Registrant's Registration Statement on Form S-8 as filed and
effective on August 5, 1994 (Reg. No. 33-82474).

(4.3) Form of Indenture, of 7 1/2% convertible subordinated
debentures due 2001 from CII Financial, Inc. to Manufacturers
Hanover Trust Company as Trustee dated September 15, 1991,
incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 of Post-Effective
Amendment No. 1 on Form S-3 to Registration Statement on Form
S-4 dated October 6, 1995 (Reg. No. 33-60591).

(4.4) First Supplemental Indenture between CII Financial, Inc., Sierra
Health Services, Inc. and Chemical Bank as Trustee, dated as of October 31,
1995, to Indenture dated September 15, 1991, incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 4.3 of Post-Effective Amendment No. 2 on Form S-3 to Registration
Statement on Form S-4 dated October 31, 1995 (Reg. No. 33- 60591).

(10.1) Administrative Services agreement between Health Plan of
Nevada, Inc. and the Registrant dated December 1, 1987,
incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.17 to Registrant's
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December
31, 1991.

(10.2) Administrative Services agreement between Sierra Health and
Life Insurance Company, Inc. and the Registrant dated April 1,
1989, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.18 to
Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year
ended December 31, 1991.

(10.3) Agreement between Health Plan of Nevada, Inc. and the United States
Health Care Financing Administration dated July 24, 1992, incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 10.18 to the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K filed
for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1992.

(10.4) Credit Agreement dated as of April 11, 1996 among Sierra
Health Services, Inc., as Borrower, Bank of America National
Trust and Savings Association, as Agent and Issuing Bank, and
the Other Financial Institutions Party thereto for a $50.0
million Line of Credit, incorporated by reference to the
Registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal
quarter ended March 31, 1996.

(10.5) First Amendment, dated as of May 31, 1997, to Credit Agreement and
Waiver among Sierra Health Services, Inc., as Borrower, Bank of America National
Trust and Savings Association, as Agent and Issuing Bank and the Other Financial
Institutions Party Hereto, originally dated as of April 11, 1996 and filed as
Exhibit 10 to the Registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the three-month
period ended March 31, 1996, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the
Registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended June 30,
1997.

(10.6) Compensatory Plans, Contracts and Arrangements.

(1) Employment Agreement with Jonathon W. Bunker dated
November 15, 1997.

(2) Employment Agreement with Frank E. Collins dated November
15, 1997.

(3) Employment Agreement with William R. Godfrey dated
November 15, 1997.

(4) Employment Agreement with Laurence S. Howard dated
November 15, 1997.


61





(5) Employment Agreement with Anthony M. Marlon, M.D. dated
November 15, 1997.

(6) Employment Agreement with Erin E. MacDonald dated November
15, 1997.

(7) Employment Agreement with Michael A. Montalvo dated
November 15, 1997.

(8) Employment Agreement with Marie H. Soldo dated November
15, 1997.

(9) Employment Agreement with James L. Starr dated November
15, 1997.

(10) Draft of Split Dollar Life Insurance Agreement effective as of July 1,
1997, by and between Sierra Health Services, Inc., and Jonathon W. Bunker, Ria
Marie Carlson, Frank E. Collins, William R. Godfrey, Laurence S. Howard, Erin E.
MacDonald, Anthony M. Marlon, M.D., Kathleen M. Marlon, Michael A. Montalvo,
John A. Nanson, M.D., Marie H. Soldo, and James L. Starr, incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for
the fiscal quarter ended June 30, 1997.

(11) Sierra Health Services, Inc. Deferred Compensation Plan
Effective May 1, 1996 as Amended and Restated Effective
July 1, 1997, dated as of July 1, 1997, incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Registrant's Quarterly
Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended June
30, 1997.

(12) Sierra Health Services, Inc. Supplemental Executive
Retirement Plan Effective as of July 1, 1997, dated as
of July 7, 1997, incorporated by reference to Exhibit
10.4 to the Registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q
for the fiscal quarter ended June 30, 1997.

(13) The Registrant's Second Amended and Restated 1986 Stock
Option Plan as amended to date, incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 10.24 to the Registrant's Annual
Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December
31, 1992.

(14) The Registrant's Second Restated Capital Accumulation
Plan, as amended to date, incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 10.24 to the Registrant's Annual Report on Form
10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1992.

(15) Protocols for cash bonus awards, incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 10.17 (5) to the Registrant's
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended
December 31, 1994.

(16) The Company's Long-Term Incentive Plan incorporated by
reference to Form S-8 filed July 7, 1995.

(10.7) Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as of June 12, 1995 among
the Registrant, Health Acquisition Corp., and CII Financial,
Inc., incorporated by reference to the Report on Form 8-K
dated June 13, 1995, as amended.

(10.8) Agreement between the Registrant and First Option Health Plan
to develop and implement a Medicare risk product in New Jersey
dated January 6, 1995, incorporated by reference to Exhibit
10.20 to the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
fiscal year ended December 31, 1994.


62





(10.9) Loan Agreement dated August 11, 1997 between the Company and
Anthony M. Marlon for a revolving credit facility in the
maximum aggregate amount of $3,000,000, incorporated by
reference to the Registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q
for the fiscal quarter ended September 30, 1997.

(21) Subsidiaries of the Registrant (listed herein):

There is no parent of the Registrant. The following is a
listing of the active subsidiaries of the Registrant:

Jurisdiction of
Incorporation
Sierra Health and Life Insurance Company, Inc. California
Health Plan of Nevada, Inc. Nevada
Sierra Healthcare Options, Inc. and Subsidiary Nevada
Behavioral Healthcare Options, Inc. Nevada
Family Health Care Services Nevada
Family Home Hospice, Inc. Nevada
Southwest Medical Associates, Inc. Nevada
Sierra Medical Management, Inc. and Subsidiaries Nevada
Southwest Realty, Inc. Nevada
Sierra Health Holdings, Inc. (HMO Texas, L.C.) Texas
Sierra Texas Systems, Inc. Texas
CII Financial, Inc., and Subsidiaries California
Northern Nevada Health Network, Inc. Nevada
Intermed, Inc. Arizona
Prime Holdings, Inc. and Subsidiaries Nevada
Sierra Military Health Services, Inc. Nevada
Sierra Home Medical Products, Inc. Nevada

(23.1) Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP

(27.1) Financial Data Schedule -- 1997

(27.2) Financial Data Schedule -- 1996, 1995

(99) Registrant's current report on Form 8-K dated March 19, 1998,
incorporated herein.

All other Exhibits are omitted because they are not applicable.

(b) Reports on Form 8-K

None

(d) Financial Statement Schedules

The Exhibits set forth in Item 14 (a)(2) are filed herewith.





63





SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934, the Registrant has caused this report to be signed on its behalf by
the undersigned thereto duly authorized.

SIERRA HEALTH SERVICES, INC.


By: /S/ ANTHONY M. MARLON
Anthony M. Marlon, M.D.
Date: March 25, 1998

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



Signature Title Date




/S/ ANTHONY M. MARLON, M.D. Chief Executive Officer March 25, 1998
- ---------------------------------
Anthony M. Marlon, M.D. and Chairman of the Board
(Chief Executive Officer)


/S/ JAMES L. STARR Senior Vice President of Finance, March 25, 1998
- ---------------------------------------
James L. Starr Chief Financial Officer,
and Treasurer
(Chief Accounting Officer)


/S/ ERIN E. MACDONALD _ President and March 25, 1998
- ---------------------------------------
Erin E. MacDonald Chief Operating Officer
Director


/S/ PAUL H. PALMER Assistant Vice President March 25, 1998
- ---------------------------------------
Paul H. Palmer and Corporate Controller


/S/ CHARLES L. RUTHE Director March 25, 1998
- ---------------------------------------
Charles L. Ruthe


/S/ WILLIAM J. RAGGIO Director March 25, 1998
- ---------------------------------------
William J. Raggio


/S/ THOMAS Y. HARTLEY Director March 25, 1998
- ---------------------------------------
Thomas Y. Hartley



64





SIERRA HEALTH SERVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
SCHEDULE I - CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF REGISTRANT
CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS - Parent Company Only





December 31,
1997 1996
--------------- ----------
CURRENT ASSETS:

Cash and Cash Equivalents .......................................... $ 15,115,000 $ 17,761,000
Short-term Investments.............................................. 2,090,000 12,055,000
Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets........................... 10,415,000 8,103,000
------------ ------------
Total Current Assets.......................................... 27,620,000 37,919,000

PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT - NET ............................................ 55,251,000 32,596,000
EQUITY IN NET ASSETS OF SUBSIDIARIES .................................... 204,204,000 145,939,000
NOTES RECEIVABLE FROM SUBSIDIARIES ...................................... 9,744,000 9,804,000
LONG-TERM INVESTMENTS ................................................... 86,000 6,021,000
GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS .................................... 2,362,000 14,896,000
OTHER ................................................................... 24,081,000 10,330,000
------------ ------------

TOTAL ASSETS ............................................................ $323,348,000 $257,505,000
============ ============

CURRENT LIABILITIES:
Accounts Payable and Other Accrued Liabilities ..................... $ 16,757,000 $ 13,268,000
Current Portion of Long-term Debt .................................. 2,349,000 444,000
----------- ------------
Total Current Liabilities .................................... 19,106,000 13,712,000

LONG-TERM DEBT (Less Current Portion).................................... 25,858,000 3,241,000
OTHER LIABILITIES ....................................................... 12,702,000 6,070,000
------------ -------------
TOTAL LIABILITIES ....................................................... 57,666,000 23,023,000
------------ ------------

STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY:
Capital Stock ...................................................... 92,000 89,000
Additional Paid-in Capital ......................................... 164,294,000 152,035,000
Treasury Stock ..................................................... (5,601,000) (130,000)
Unrealized Holding Gain on Available-for-sale Investments .......... 655,000 487,000
Retained Earnings .................................................. 106,242,000 82,001,000
------------ ------------
Total Stockholders' Equity ................................... 265,682,000 234,482,000
------------ ------------
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY............................... $323,348,000 $257,505,000
============ ============


Note: Scheduled maturities of long-term debt, including the principal
portion of obligations under capital leases, are as follows:



Year Ending December 31,

1998........................................................... $2,349,000
1999........................................................... 429,000
2000........................................................... 429,000
2001........................................................... --
2002 .......................................................... 25,000,000
Thereafter..................................................... --
-------------
Total...................................................... $28,207,000
===========


S-1





SIERRA HEALTH SERVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
SCHEDULE I - CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF REGISTRANT (Continued)
CONDENSED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS -- Parent Company Only





Year Ended December 31,
1997 1996 1995
--------------- -------------- ----------
OPERATING REVENUES:

Management Fees........................................ $47,303,000 $44,139,000 $40,115,000
Subsidiary Dividends................................... 1,700,000 3,733,000 250,000
Investment and Other Income............................ 6,688,000 5,145,000 4,087,000
----------- ----------- ------------
Total Operating Revenues............................ 55,691,000 53,017,000 44,452,000
----------- ----------- -----------

GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES:
Payroll and Benefits................................... 17,616,000 11,579,000 12,805,000
Depreciation........................................... 3,707,000 3,433,000 3,323,000
Rent................................................... 615,000 649,000 738,000
Repairs and Maintenance................................ 459,000 408,000 382,000
Legal.................................................. 293,000 1,874,000 226,000
Consulting............................................. 769,000 827,000 583,000
Other.................................................. 7,047,000 5,145,000 4,252,000
Acquisition, Restructuring and Other Expenses ......... 29,350,000 12,064,000 11,614,000
----------- ----------- -----------
Total General and Administrative.................... 59,856,000 35,979,000 33,923,000

INTEREST EXPENSE AND OTHER, NET............................ (676,000) (503,000) (396,000)

EQUITY IN UNDISTRIBUTED
EARNINGS OF SUBSIDIARIES............................... 25,615,000 21,991,000 15,785,000
----------- ----------- -----------

INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES................................. 20,774,000 38,526,000 25,918,000

BENEFIT FROM (PROVISION FOR)
INCOME TAXES.......................................... 3,467,000 (7,383,000) (4,614,000)
----------- ------------ ------------

NET INCOME................................................. $24,241,000 $31,143,000 $21,304,000
=========== =========== ===========



S-2





SIERRA HEALTH SERVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
SCHEDULE I - CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF REGISTRANT (Continued)
CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS -- Parent Company Only



Year Ended December 31,
1997 1996 1995
-------------- -------------- ---------

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:

Net Income........................................................... $24,241,000 $31,143,000 $21,304,000
Adjustments to Reconcile Net Income to Net Cash
Provided by Operating Activities:
Depreciation and Amortization.................................... 3,885,000 3,611,000 3,449,000
Equity in Undistributed Earnings of Subsidiaries..................... (25,615,000) (21,991,000) (15,787,000)
Change in Assets and Liabilities:
Other Assets..................................................... (1,177,000) (15,917,000) (5,021,000)
Current Assets................................................... (2,312,000) (5,959,000) (504,000)
Current Liabilities.............................................. 5,493,000 4,712,000 7,429,000
Other Long-term Liabilities ..................................... 6,634,000 6,069,000
----------- -----------
Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities........................ 11,149,000 1,668,000 10,870,000
----------- ----------- -----------

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Capital Expenditures, Net ........................................... (26,453,000) (9,292,000) (8,763,000)
Decrease in Short-term Securities.................................... 9,732,000 14,136,000 22,990,000
Decrease (Increase) in Other Assets.................................. 5,820,000 6,942,000 (8,963,000)
Dividends from Subsidiary............................................ 1,700,000 3,733,000 250,000
Acquisitions, Net of Cash Acquired .................................. (3,145,000) (31,270,000)
(Decrease) Increase in Net Assets in Subsidiaries.................... (30,816,000) 14,321,000 (1,572,000)
------------ ------------ -----------
Net Cash (Used for) Provided by Investing Activities ............ (43,162,000) (1,430,000) 3,942,000
----------- ------------ -----------

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Proceeds from Long-term Borrowing ................................... 25,000,000
Loans to Subsidiaries ............................................... (12,593,000)
Reductions in Long-term Obligations and
Payments on Capital Leases....................................... (480,000) (718,000) (789,000)
Proceeds from Note Receivable to Subsidiary.......................... 60,000 2,789,000
Purchase of Treasury Stock .......................................... (5,471,000)
Exercise of Stock in Connection with Stock Plans..................... 10,258,000 3,638,000 3,807,000
----------- ----------- -----------
Net Cash Provided by (Used for) Financing Activities............. 29,367,000 5,709,000 (9,575,000)
----------- ----------- -----------

Net (Decrease) Increase in Cash and Cash Equivalents....................... (2,646,000) 5,947,000 5,237,000
Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Year............................. 17,761,000 11,814,000 6,577,000
----------- ------------ ------------
Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Year................................... $15,115,000 $17,761,000 $11,814,000
----------- =========== ===========


Supplemental condensed statements of cash flows information:

Cash Paid During the Year for Interest
(Net of Amount Capitalized).......................................... $632,000 $ 443,000 $ 455,000
Cash Paid During the Year for Income Taxes................................. 7,916,000 6,423,000 2,746,000

Noncash Investing and Financing Activities:
Additions to Capital Leases.......................................... -- -- 278,000
Assumptions of Liability in Connection with
Land Purchase.................................................... -- -- 1,956,000
Stock Issued for Exercise of Options
and Related Tax Benefits......................................... 2,004,000 1,158,000 1,949,000



S-3





SIERRA HEALTH SERVICES, INC.
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
CONCERNING PROPERTY -- CASUALTY INSURANCE
(amounts in thousands)








Gross
Reserves
Deferred for Unpaid
Policy Claims and Discount if any Gross Net

Acquisition Adjustment Deducted in Unearned Earned Investment
Affiliation With Costs Expenses Column C Premiums Premiums Income
Registrant Column A Column B Column C Column D Column E Column F Column G
- ------------------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- --------

Consolidated Property and
Casualty Entities of CII
Financial, Inc. for
Years Ended:

December 31, 1997........ $1,800 $202,699 -- $11,285 $134,262 $16,780
December 31, 1996........ 1,832 187,776 -- 9,885 126,121 16,422
December 31, 1995 ....... 1,928 182,318 -- 9,282 94,611 14,301











Claims & Claim
Adjustment Amortization
Expenses Incurred of Deferred Paid Claims
Related to Policy and Claims Direct
(1) (2) Acquisition Adjustment Premiums
Affiliation With Current Prior Year Costs Expenses Written
Registrant Column A Year Column H Column I Column J Column K
- ------------------- -------- ---------- -------- -------- --------

Consolidated Property and
Casualty Entities of CII
Financial, Inc. for
Years Ended:

December 31, 1997........ $102,301 $(8,970) $26,211 $83,788 $135,580
December 31, 1996........ 101,401 (15,284) 21,968 70,464 126,497
December 31, 1995 ....... 75,978 (20,079) 22,028 67,071 94,953




















S-4




SIERRA HEALTH SERVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
SECTION 403.04b
RECONCILIATION OF BEGINNING AND ENDING LOSS AND LOSS
ADJUSTMENT EXPENSE RESERVES
AND EXHIBIT OF REDUNDANCIES (DEFICIENCIES)
(in thousands)





Year ended December 31
1997 1996 1995 1994 1993 1992 1991 1990 1989 1988
-------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- ------
Losses and LAE


Reserve............. $202,699 $187,776 $182,318 $190,962 $200,356 $178,460 $112,749 $ 67,593 $ 37,466 $10,277

Less Reinsurance
Recoverables (1) 21,056 15,676 25,871 29,342 25,841 20,207
-------- -------- -------- -------- -------- --------

Net Loss and LAE
Reserves ............. 181,643 172,100 156,447 161,620 174,515 158,253

Cumulative Net Paid
as of:
One Year Later 56,977 45,731 44,519 50,210 50,360 57,611 39,118 14,820 3,954
Two Years Later 70,854 68,619 79,788 84,465 89,177 65,165 28,657 6,609
Three Years Later 80,645 94,865 104,569 108,849 76,988 36,579 8,198
Four Years Later 102,395 114,293 120,539 83,822 39,345 8,938
Five Years Later 119,462 126,100 87,618 41,043 9,235
Six Years Later 129,060 89,607 41,962 9,398
Seven Years Later 90,721 42,541 9,471
Eight Years Later 42,818 9,517
Nine Years Later 9,541

Net Reserve Re-estimated
as of:
One Year Later 163,130 141,163 139,741 160,562 154,388 140,815 83,841 37,463 10,072
Two Years Later 132,193 125,279 141,100 147,167 142,447 96,011 39,753 9,902
Three Years Later 117,792 126,483 134,747 143,433 97,142 43,528 9,598
Four Years Later 122,517 132,193 137,143 97,942 44,404 9,330
Five Years Later 131,112 135,249 94,852 45,027 10,042
Six Years Later 135,299 93,561 44,543 10,110
Seven Years Later 93,672 43,741 10,124
Eight Years Later 43,682 9,695
Nine Years Later 9,768

Cumulative Redundancy
(Deficiency) 8,970 24,254 43,828 51,998 27,141 (22,550) (26,079) (6,216) 509

Net Reserve............ 181,643 172,100 156,447 161,620 174,515
Reinsurance Recoverables 21,056 15,676 25,871 29,342 25,841
-------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Gross Reserve ......... $202,699 $187,776 $182,318 $190,962 $200,356
======== ======== ======== ======== ========

Net Re-estimated Reserve 163,130 132,193 117,792 122,517
Re-estimated Reinsurance
Recoverables 16,333 19,184 19,891 14,656
-------- -------- -------- --------
Gross Re-Estimated
Reserve ............ 179,463 151,377 137,683 137,173
-------- ------- ------- -------
Gross Cumulative
Redundancy.......... $ 8,313 $ 30,941 $ 53,279 $ 63,183
======== ======== ======== ========



(1) The Company adopted Financial Accounting Standards Board Statement No.
113 ("FAS 113"), "Accounting and Reporting for Short-Duration and
Long-Duration Reinsurance Contracts" for the year ended December 31,
1992. As permitted, prior financial statements have not been restated.
Reinsurance recoverables on unpaid losses and LAE are shown as an asset
on the balance sheets at December 31, 1997 and 1996. However, for
purposes of the reconciliation and development tables, loss and LAE
information will be shown net of reinsurance.


See the notes to consolidated financial statements.


S-5