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                                                 EXHIBIT 10(a)

                       SERVICE AGREEMENT


     This  Service  Agreement dated as of  January  1,  1997,  is
entered  into by and between Equitable Life Insurance Company  of
Iowa  ("ELIC"),  a corporation organized and existing  under  the
laws  of  the  State of Iowa, and Golden American Life  Insurance
Company ("GA"), an insurance company organized and existing under
the laws of the State of Delaware.

     WHEREAS, Equitable Life Insurance Company of Iowa and Golden
American  Life Insurance Company are owned or controlled directly
or  indirectly  by  Equitable of Iowa Companies,  which  conducts
substantially  all of its insurance and non-insurance  operations
through subsidiary companies, and

     WHEREAS,  ELIC  provides personnel, services and  managerial
functions  for its subsidiaries and affiliates, and  directly  or
indirectly leases employees and facilities to affiliates to carry
out their operations; and

     WHEREAS,  GA  is  desirous  of obtaining  certain  advisory,
computer, and other resources ("Services") provided through  ELIC
upon the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth.

     NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and
agreements  contained herein, the ELIC and  GA  hereto  agree  as
follows:

     1.   Services.   On  the  basis  of the  foregoing  premises
          Services  shall be provided to GA as GA  shall  request
          from time to time in furtherance of the development and
          maintenance  of  GA's activities.   Such  Services  may
          include the following:

               a.) Accounting
               b.) Actuarial
               c.) Advisory
               d.) Claims Adjustment
               e.) Computer Services
               f.) Employee Services
               g.) Legal
               h.) Marketing (excluding commissions)
               i.) Tax
               j.) Underwriting
               k.) Administrative Services

     2.   Control.  All Services to be performed pursuant to this
          Agreement which require the exercise of judgment  shall
          be  performed  in  accordance with  generally  accepted
          insurance  practices when insurance or  related  activi
          ties are involved.

     3.   Consideration.  Costs shall be attributable to  GA  for
          Services  performed, in accordance with the  allocation
          set  forth in the attached schedule ("Schedule") or  in
          accordance  with any future schedules  for  payment  of
          costs  as  agreed  to between the parties.   Quarterly,
          ELIC shall have the right to (a) adjust the allocations
          set  forth  in  the Schedule to reflect as  closely  as
          possible the actual cost of Services rendered to GA and
          (b)  to allocate the difference between the actual cost
          of Services rendered to GA and the amounts set forth in
          the  Schedule.   Services provided  shall  be  recorded
          through intercompany accounts.

     4.   Audit.  As of the last day of each year, GA shall  have
          the  right, at its own expense, to conduct an audit  of
          the   Services   rendered  and  the   amounts   charged
          hereunder.

     5.   Termination.   This Agreement shall  remain  in  effect
          until  termination by mutual agreement of  the  parties
          hereto on 30 days written notice, with the exception of
          any  Computer Services being provided by ELIC to GA  in
          which  case  GA  shall have the option to  continue  to
          receive such services for six months subsequent to such
          termination notice.

     6.   Construction.  This Agreement shall be interpreted  and
          construed  under and pursuant to the laws of the  State
          of Iowa.

     7.   This  Agreement is subject to the approval of the state
          insurance  commissioners  of  the  Delaware  and   Iowa
          Departments of Insurance.

     IN  WITNESS  WHEREOF, the parties hereto have duly  executed
this Agreement as of the day and year first above written.


                                   EQUITABLE LIFE INSURANCE
                                        COMPANY OF IOWA


                                   By:/s/Frederick  S.  Hubbell
                                      ---------------------------
                                          Frederick  S.  Hubbell,
                                             President,
                                          Chairman  of the  Board
                                             and CEO


Attest/s/John A. Merriman
     ---------------------------
     John A. Merriman, Secretary
                                   GOLDEN AMERICAN LIFE
                                        INSURANCE COMPANY



                                   By:/s/Terry    L.   Kendall
                                      ---------------------------
                                      Terry L. Kendall,
                                      President and CEO


Attest/s/Myles R. Tashman
     ---------------------------
     Myles R. Tashman, Secretary


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                            SCHEDULE
                       (January 1, 1997)
                        Expense Charges

GA's  costs  shall  be computed in the Reports designated  below,
prepared according to the following methodologies:

A.   Individual Policies

     1.   Individual  Life  -  Charges as determined  per  annual
          expense study and quarterly allocation report.

          a)   Issuance - Flat amount per policy issued.

          b)   Maintenance  -  Flat amount per average  in  force
               policy.

     2.   Single  Premium Universal Life - Charges as  determined
          per  annual  expense analysis and Quarterly  Allocation
          Report.

          a)   Issuance - Flat amount per policy issued.

          b)   Maintenance  -  Flat amount per average  in  force
               policy.

     3.   Group  -  Charges as set forth in the Group  Allocation
          Report.

          a)   Issuance - Flat amount per policy issued.

          b)   Maintenance - Flat amount per in force certificate
               and/or groups in force.

B.   Annuity Policies

     1.   Deferred  Annuities  - Charges  as  set  forth  in  the
          Annuity Internal Cost Allocation Report

          a)   Flat charge per contract issued

          b)   Maintenance  - flat amount per average  policy  in
               force.


     2.   Immediate  Annuities  - Charges as  set  forth  in  the
          Annuity Internal Cost Allocation Report

          a)   Flat charge per contract issued
          b)   Maintenance charge per contract
               i)  Quarterly fee per in force contract

     3.   Other  Annuities  (Specialty, etc.) -  Charges  as  set
          forth in the pricing of the product.

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