Exhibit 10.57
                                        
                              AMENDED AND RESTATED
                    MISCELLANEOUS SERVICES AGREEMENT

     This Amended and Restated Miscellaneous Services Agreement (the "Amended
Services Agreement") is made as of the 21st day of July, 1997, by and among
American Mutual Holding Company, an Iowa mutual insurance holding company having
its corporate offices at 611 Fifth Avenue, Des Moines, Iowa 50309 ("AMHC");
AmerUs Life Holdings, Inc., an Iowa corporation having its corporate offices at
611 Fifth Avenue, Des Moines, Iowa 50309 (the "Company"); AmerUs Life Insurance
Company, an Iowa corporation having its corporate offices at 611 Fifth Avenue
Des Moines, Iowa 50309 ("AmerUs Life"); AmerUs Group Co., an Iowa corporation
having its corporate offices at 418 Sixth Avenue, Des Moines, Iowa  50309
("AmerUs Group"); AmerUs Bank, a federal savings bank having its corporate
offices at 418 Sixth Avenue, Des Moines, Iowa 50309 (the "Bank"); AmerUs
Mortgage, Inc., an Iowa corporation having its corporate offices at 1516 35th
Street, Suite 200, West Des Moines, Iowa  ("AmerUs Mortgage"); Iowa Realty
Company, Inc., an Iowa corporation having its corporate offices at 3501 Westown
Parkway, West Des Moines, Iowa 50265 ("Iowa Realty"); Iowa Title Company, an
Iowa corporation having its corporate offices at 100 Fourth Street, Des Moines,
Iowa 50309 ("Iowa Title"); AmerUs Insurance, Inc., an Iowa corporation having
its corporate offices at 4949 Westown Parkway, Suite 255, West Des Moines, Iowa
50266 ("AmerUs Insurance");AmerUs Properties, Inc., an Iowa corporation having
its corporate offices at 699 Walnut Street, Des Moines, Iowa 50309 ("AmerUs
Properties"); and AmerUs Direct, Inc., an Iowa corporation having its corporate
offices at 418 Sixth Avenue, Des Moines, Iowa 50309 ("AmerUs Direct")
(collectively, the "AmerUs Companies" and, individually, an "AmerUs Company").

     WHEREAS, in the course of the operation and administration of the business
of the AmerUs Companies, an AmerUs Company may require certain services from
another AmerUs Company; and

     WHEREAS, the AmerUs Companies desire to provide and receive such services
on the basis described in this Amended Services Agreement.

     NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises and covenants set
forth herein and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and
sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the AmerUs Companies do hereby
agree as follows:

<PAGE>
Article I.     Services to be Provided

     Section 1.01.  For a period of up to twelve (12) months after the date
hereof (hereinafter referred to as the "Services Period") and from month to
month thereafter until terminated in accordance with the provisions contained in
Article V hereof, the AmerUs Companies identified in the schedules to this
Service Agreement, which are attached hereto and made a part hereof (the
"Schedules"), shall provide to each of the other AmerUs Companies (unless
otherwise specified) those services described in the appropriate Schedule.

     Section 1.02.  The parties agree that any ancillary or support services
necessary or, in the usual and customary manner and the normal course of
business, associated with the specific services described in the Schedules shall
be deemed to be included in, and governed by, this Amended Services Agreement
unless specifically excluded.

     Section 1.03.  The parties agree that on forty-five (45) days' prior
written notice to the  AmerUs Companies affected thereby, any AmerUs Company
providing services hereunder may modify the services described in the Schedule
pertaining to such company, provided that:

     (a)  Such modified services shall be equivalent to or better than the
services being replaced; and

     (b)  Each affected AmerUs Company consents to the modified services, such
consent not to be unreasonably withheld.

Article II.    Adequate Staff and Facilities

     Section 2.01.  During the Service Period, each AmerUs Company shall
maintain adequate staff, support services and facilities as may be necessary to
perform its responsibilities under this Amended Services Agreement.

Article III.   Responsible Persons

     Section 3.01.  Each of the AmerUs Companies shall each appoint in writing
one or more individuals who shall serve as contact person(s) for purposes of the
carrying out of this Amended Services Agreement.  Such contact person(s) shall
be authorized to act on behalf of their respective parties as to matters
pertaining to this Amended Services Agreement.

<PAGE>
Article IV.   Compensation

     Section 4.01.  Except as otherwise provided in the Schedules, in connection
with the services to be performed under this Amended Services Agreement, the
AmerUs Companies shall compensate a service provider hereunder as set forth in
this Article IV.

     Section 4.02.  For each of the services described in the Schedules, the
parties agree to pay the compensation set forth for such services on the
appropriate Schedule.

     Section 4.03.  Unless otherwise agreed to, bills shall be rendered no later
than fifteen (15) business days after the first of the month and payment shall
be remitted no later than fifteen (15) business days after receipt of a proper
bill.  If an AmerUs Company determines that the services performed hereunder 
are not satisfactory or that the fees charged are in excess of those provided
for in this Amended Services Agreement, the affected AmerUs Company is hereby
authorized to withhold payment for such service until the matter in dispute is
resolved or the fees charged are substantiated or adjusted appropriately. 
Adjustments for errors on previous billings and for a final settlement shall be
made no more than sixty (60) days after this Amended Services Agreement
terminates.

Article V.     Term and Termination

     Section 5.01.  Unless this Amended Services Agreement is otherwise
terminated according to its provisions and except as may otherwise be provided
in the Schedules, each service provider shall be obligated to provide, and each
recipient of such services shall be obligated to pay for, the services described
in the Schedules during the Service Period.

     Section 5.02.  Except as otherwise provided in this Amended Services
Agreement, during the Service Period or any extension thereof, an AmerUs Company
may terminate with respect to itself this Amended Services Agreement at its
option, at any time, upon sixty (60) days' written notice to all of the other
AmerUs Companies.  In addition, an AmerUs Company may terminate or substantially
reduce any one or more of the services to be furnished hereunder by it, but such
termination or reduction shall not be deemed to terminate this Amended Services
Agreement in its entirety.

     Section 5.03.  This Amended Services Agreement, or any service provided
hereunder, may be terminated or substantially reduced at an time by mutual
consent of the parties.  The termination of any one or more, but less than all,
of the services provided hereunder by an AmerUs Company shall not be deemed to
terminate this Amended Services Agreement in its entirety.

Article VI.   Miscellaneous

     Section 6.01.  This Amended Services Agreement is the complete and
exclusive statement of the agreement between the parties and supersedes all
prior agreements and representations between them relating to the subject matter
of this Amended Services Agreement, except as set forth in the Schedules. 
Amendments to this Amended Services Agreement shall not be effective unless in
writing and signed by the duly authorized representative of the party against
whom enforcement of the amendment is sought.

     Section 6.02.  Any notice or other communication given pursuant to this
Amended Services Agreement shall be given in writing to the other party at the
address stated herein or at such other address as such party shall specify by
notice hereunder.  Such notice shall be conclusively deemed to be served when
delivered personally or three (3) calendar days after sending by registered mail
or one (1) business day after sending by telecopy or telex or similar electronic
means.

     Section 6.03.  This Amended Services Agreement and the rights and duties of
the parties shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of
the State of Iowa, without regard to principles of conflicts of laws.

     Section 6.04.  No delay or failure by any party to exercise any of its
rights or remedies hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof.  Each party
shall reimburse the other parties for all expenses, including reasonable
attorneys' fees, incurred by the other party in exercising any of its rights or
remedies hereunder, or resulting from any default by the reimbursing party.

     Section 6.05.  This Amended Services Agreement shall be binding upon the
parties and their respective successors and assigns and shall inure to the
benefit of the parties and to the benefit of their successors and assigns. 

     Section 6.06.  Nothing herein contained is intended to confer upon any
person, other than the parties and their respective successors and assigns, any
rights, remedies, obligations or liabilities under or by reason of this Amended
Services Agreement.

<PAGE>
     In Witness Whereof, the parties hereto have executed this Amend and
Restated Miscellaneous Services Agreement effective as of the day and year first
above written.




American Mutual                         AmerUs Group Co.
  Holding Company


     /s/ Roger K. Brooks                     /s/ Michael E. Sproule        
By: -----------------------------       By:  -----------------------------------
      Roger K. Brooks, President             Michael E. Sproule, Chief Financial
                                                  Officer


AmerUs Life                                  AmerUs Life    
   Holdings, Inc.                              Insurance Company              

     /s/ Roger K. Brooks                     /s/ Gary McPhail
By: -----------------------------       By: ------------------------------------
     Roger K. Brooks, President              Gary McPhail, President 
                                                       

AmerUs Mortgage, Inc.                   AmerUs Bank


     /s/ Thomas C. Godlasky                  /s/ Marcia S. Hanson
By: -----------------------------       By: ------------------------------------
    Thomas C. Godlasky, President            Marcia S. Hanson, President

                                        
Iowa Realty Company, Inc.               AmerUs Properties, Inc.


     /s/ R. Michael Knapp                    /s/ Diane M. Davidson
By: -----------------------------       By: ------------------------------------
       R. Michael Knapp, President           Diane M. Davidson, Secretary

<PAGE>
Iowa Title Company                      AmerUs Insurance, Inc.


     /s/ Debra Johnson                       /s/ Diane M. Davidson
By: -------------------------------     By: ---------------------------------
    Debra Johnson, Chief Financial            Diane M. Davidson, Secretary
    Officer
                                        
AmerUs Direct, Inc.


     /s/ Jonna M. La Toure
By: -------------------------------
      Jonna M. La Toure, Senior Vice
      President
                         <PAGE>
                                    SCHEDULE I
                                         
                                  COMMUNICATIONS
                            Effective January 1, 1997

     AmerUs Life Holdings, Inc. shall provide communications services. The
following are the hourly rates for services indicated:

     COMMUNICATIONS (12512):                           Hourly Rate:
     
     Communications Services                                $45.00
          Writing
               Graphic Design
          Media/Public Relations
          Project Coordination, etc.

     Manager/Consultant Services                            $60.00

     Printing Services                                      COST
     
     Production Services                                    COST

     Supplies                                               COST
<PAGE>
                                   SCHEDULE II
                                         
                                  LAW DEPARTMENT
                            Effective January 1, 1997

     AmerUs Life Holdings, Inc. shall provide legal services.  The following are
the hourly rates for legal services provided by the positions (and individuals)
indicated below:

     Position:                                    Hourly Rate:
     General Counsel (JKH)                             $145.00
     Assistant General Counsel (DMD)                   $120.00
     Assistant General Counsel (SMB)                   $118.00
     Assistant General Counsel (DRT, LAS)              $115.00
     Counsel (MGH)                                     $105.00
     Counsel (TGF)                                     $ 95.00
     Counsel (EDS)                                     $ 85.00
     Legal Administrator                               $ 50.00
     Legal Assistant (LA)                              $ 65.00
     Legal Assistant (JSG)                             $ 55.00
     Legal Assistant (RLC)                             $ 55.00
     Legal Assistant (VSS)                             $ 50.00
     Legal Assistant (ME)                              $ 45.00
     Legal Assistant (DEH)                             $ 40.00
     Legal Assistant (MKM)                             $ 40.00
<PAGE>
                                   SCHEDULE III
                                         
                                   TAX SERVICES
                            Effective January 1, 1997


     The following information is for the services indicated:

1.   The tax department (or its successor) of AmerUs Life Holdings, Inc. may
provide to all other AmerUs Group Companies such tax compliance; tax research,
planning, and consulting; benefit and pension services; and such other services
as may be required by applicable law or otherwise.  These services will be
provided at cost recovery rates not to exceed the customary and reasonable
charges for such services as would be provided by other CPA's and Attorneys
specializing in such matters, together with all out-of-pocket expenses incurred.

2.   For services appropriately measured on an hourly basis, the 1996 rates will
be as follows: 

          Position:                          Rate:          
          Vice President                     $ 90.00/hr
          Directors and Managers             $ 80.00/hr
          Tax Supervisor                     $ 75.00/hr
          Senior Tax Accountant              $ 70.00/hr
          Tax Accountant                     $ 60.00/hr
          Administrative Support             $ 35.00/hr


<PAGE>
                                   SCHEDULE IV
                                         
                              ACCOUNTING DEPARTMENT
                            Effective January 1, 1997


     The following are the hourly rates for accounting services other than as
further specified below provided to the AmerUs Companies by employees of AmerUs
Life Holdings, Inc. in the following positions:

          Position:                          Hourly Rate:                      
          Manager                            $65.00
          Senior Accountant                  $50.00
          Accountant                         $40.00
          Clerk A                            $35.00
          Clerk B                            $30.00
          Clerk C                            $25.00

          <PAGE>
                                    SCHEDULE V
                                         
                             ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES
                            Effective January 1, 1997


     The following are the hourly rates for administrative services provided to
the AmerUs Companies by employees of AmerUs Life Holdings, Inc.:

     Service
     Description:                  Rate:     

     Printing                 Cost plus 15%
     Purchasing               Cost, Cost plus 4%
     Purchasing               Cost plus 8% (includes storage)
     Mail Service             Labor = $10.00 per hour
     Postage                  .30 cents for 1st ounce
     Postage                  .23 cents/ounce after first oz.
     Check Handling           .017 cents per item
     Micrographics            $10/hour plus materials
<PAGE>
                                   SCHEDULE VI

                             DATA PROCESSING SERVICES
                              Effective July 1, 1997



Introductory Paragraph.  The following are the rates for data processing
services provided by AmerUs Life Holdings, Inc. under the terms prescribed
herein.

A.   BASIC PROCESSING CHARGES (For AmerUs Mortgage, Inc. and AmerUs   Group,
Inc. Only)

     a.   Loans (AmerUs Mortgage, Inc. Only)
          From           To                  Monthly Rate
                                             Per Loan

               0              20,000              0.85
          20,001         50,000              0.75
          50,001         and above           0.55

     b.   Accounts or Loans (AmerUs Group, Inc. Only)
          Customer Information Records
                    Monthly Rate 
                    Per Account
                       0.01

For the fee described above, the processing services provided are the following:

     1.   Computer processing (On-line and Batch)
     2.   Disk input/output and storage
     3.   Magnetic Tape input/output and storage
     4.   Help Desk Telephone Support
     5.   Production Control Support
     6.   Storage Administration
     7.   Disaster/Recovery Services


The above fees cover total on-line transactions equal to a maximum of 2 million
transaction per month.  American Mutual Life Corporate Services shall have the
right to bill Client and Client agrees to pay a fee as negotiated by both
parties for the number of transactions over and above the maximum number of
transactions.


                                        Installation        Monthly
     c.   Telecommunications Services        Charge         Charge

          1.   19200 BPS limited distance         at proposed         $150
               transmission line             rate

          2.   Host Mainframe Access (Charge per user id)        $ 10
                                        
                                                       Rate 
                                                       Per
     d.   Printing Services                            Unit
          
          1.   Impact Printing          per page            .045
          2.   Laser Printing           per page            .031
          3.   Microfiche Printing      per page            .005

B.   OPTIONAL PROCESSING AND SUPPORT SERVICES (For all the AmerUs              
                                              Companies)

1.   Personnel and Related                        Rate Per Unit
     a.   CTS Director                  per hour       100.00
     b.   Data Center Supervisor        per hour        55.00
     c.   Programming Director          per hour       100.00
     d.   Systems Programmer            per hour        75.00
     e.   Data Services Analyst         per hour        55.00
     f.   Data Services Specialist      per hour        50.00
     g.   Production Supp. Analyst      per hour        50.00
     h.   Production Supp. Spec.        per hour        45.00
     i.   Programming Supervisor        per hour        65.00
     j.   Network/PC Manager            per hour       100.00
     k.   Business Analyst              per hour        58.00
     l.   Telecommunication Analyst     per hour        90.00
     m.   Senior Programmer Analyst     per hour        50.00
     n.   Programmer Analyst            per hour        45.00
     o.   Senior Programmer             per hour        37.00
     p.   Sr. Network Analyst           per hour        60.00*
     q.   PC-Systems Analyst            per hour        55.00*
     r.   PC-Progammer Analyst          per hour        55.00*
     s.   PC-Info Systems Specialist    per hour        44.00*
     t.   PC-Senior Programmer          per hour        45.00*
     u.   Senior Systems Programmer     per hour        90.00
     v.   Security Administrator        per hour        55.00
     w.   Production Support Supervisor per hour        65.00
     x.   Computer Operator             per hour        35.00
     
*    Rates are higher to reflect additional overhead costs due to necessary
hardware and software.

2.   Computer Processing

     a.   Tapes shipped out of house will be
          billed to Client if not returned
          within three months                           25.00

     b.   Data file restore to magnetic disk                  7.00

3.   Special Processing and Services

     a.   Lewis System Delivery/per month                    26.00
     b.   Tape Copiers/per copy                         35.00
     c.   IIN Access/per month                          60.00
          -American Express, American Airlines
          -ADP, Dow Jones, Dun & Bradstreet
          -LOMA, LEXIS, WESTLAW

4.   Media and Other

     a.   Special microfiche copies
          . 1-25 copies                                 10.00
          . 26 and above                          time & materials
     b.   Tape retrieval from offsite storage                     20.00
     c.   Data Center report pickup at window                 5.00

5.   Network Usage
                                                       Rate Per
                                                       1000 Units
     a.   Usage will be calculated monthly in 
          1,000 units

          For the fee described above, the network services provided are the
following:

          1.   Network wiring and access
          2.   Tape backup and recovery
          3.   Network maintenance, monitoring, tuning, trouble  shooting
          4.   Network hardware and software (maintenance and upgrades)
          5.   Network administration(adding users, security, etc.)
          6.   Disk storage

     b.   The network hours of schedule availability will be as follows:

          Sunday through Saturday, from 6:00 a.m. until 10:00 p.m.
<PAGE>
C.   SYSTEM AVAILABILITY TIMES

     1.   AmerUs Life Corporate Services Systems Scheduled  Availability

          Day of Week         Start-Time          Stop-Time

          Monday              07:00               23:00
          Tuesday             07:00               23:00
          Wednesday           07:00               23:00
          Thursday            07:00               23:00
          Friday              07:00               23:00
          Saturday            07:00               23:00
          Sunday              07:00               23:00

     2.   Exceptions to Normal On-line Systems Availability
     
          a.   Holiday Schedules:
     
               1.   New Years Day       2.   Memorial Day
               3.   July 4th            4.   Labor Day
               5.   Thanksgiving        6.   Christmas

               No support or regular systems processing will be made available
on the dates published until the following day.  If Client observes additional
processing holidays, Client should notify AmerUs Life Corporate Services in
writing at least 15 days prior to scheduled holiday.

          b.   Preventative Maintenance.  Occasionally, the systems may not be
available when AmerUs Life Corporate Services is making hardware/software
upgrades or changes.  In such instances, AmerUs Life Corporate Services will
notify Client as soon as possible.  However, every effort will be made to
perform maintenance outside the availability hours.  

          c.   Year-End Processing.  Client agrees to cooperate in meeting
special year-end processing schedules.
<PAGE>
                                        
                                  SCHEDULE VII
                                        
                           HUMAN RESOURCES DEPARTMENT
                           Effective January 1, 1997
                                        

     The following are monthly bulk rates for charges by AmerUs Life Holdings,
Inc. employees to AmerUs Group companies for payroll processing, payroll tax
filings, pension valuations, record-keeping and statement preparation, and
401(k) record-keeping services:

     Company:                                          Monthly Rate:
     AmerUs Bank                                       $51,767.17
     AmerUs Direct                                     $ 1,072.42
     AmerUs Group                                      $58,781.42
     AmerUs Insurance                                  $ 2,632.25
     AmerUs Investments                                $ 1,559.83
     AmerUs Life                                       $37,180.00
     AmerUs Mortgage                                   $25,249.92
     AmerUs Properties                                 $ 4,368.33
     Edina Financial Services                          $ 3,333.33
     Iowa Realty                                       $30,806.83
     Iowa Title                                        $ 6,044.33

     Iowa Realty Commercial Brokers (through June 30, 1997) $ 1,462.33
<PAGE>
                                 SCHEDULE VIII
                                        
                               TELEPHONE SERVICES
                           Effective January 1, 1997
                                        

     AmerUs Life Holdings, Inc. shall provide communications services.  The
following are the hourly rates for services indicated:

     Local Telephone Service                      40.00/Month per Station
     Phone Mail Box                                4.00/Month per Station
     Analog Modem/Fax Line                       100.00/Month
     Call Processing Box                         150.00/Month
     ACD Group                                   200.00/Call
     Local Information                              .50/Call
     Long Distance Information                      .85/Call
     Inbound Long Distance                          .18/Minute
     Outbound Long Distance                         .15/Minute
     Analyst/Technician                           30.00/Hour
     Clerical/Switchboard                         10.00/Hour
     Additional telephone equipment beyond
          initial installation                  COST
     Hourly charges for installation/
          maintenance of additional
          equipment                             COST
<PAGE>
                                  SCHEDULE IX

BILLING RATES
AS OF JANUARY 2, 1997    

OVERALL BILLING PRACTICES

-    Billing practice is to price AmerUs Direct services at cost.  Income above
     basic operating expenses is generated from commission/transfer price paid
     by lines of business for sales made by AmerUs Direct.

-    Time is measured in quarter-hour increments.

-    Most projects are assigned a Job Number, and most internal and external
     service providers generate billing which references the Job Number.

-    Services/products purchased externally are billed at cost.  Mileage and
     travel expenses are billed at cost.  For local driving trips, time is
     measured from departure to arrival.  If longer distance travel were
     required, the full travel time would not be fully billable.

-    Target is to have 80% of employees' hours billable.

-    Billing is prepared on the 21st of each month, to aid in timely month-end
     billing.

-    Hourly rates reflect all fixed costs of each business function (e.g. the
     database hourly rate reflects the cost of building and maintaining the
     database).

BILLING RATES

             FUNCTION                           HOURLY RATE

Program Management                               $85.00

Telemarketing Management, Reporting              $75.00

Telemarketers (Outbound and Inbound)
     Licensed for insurance                      $55.00
     Unlicensed/general sales                    $35.00-45.00 (quoted by job)

Database Services                               $105.00
     (Reports, Lists, Campaign Analysis,
     Market Reporting, etc.)

Financial Analysts                               $75.00
     (Product Profitability, Product
     Repricing Analysis, etc.)

Marketing Strategic Planning                    $125.00
<PAGE>
SCHEDULE X

INVESTMENT SERVICES
EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1, 1997

     The following are the rates for investment services provided to the
specified AmerUs Companies by employees of the AmerUs Life Holdings, Inc.:

A.   AmerUs Bank is charged a rate of nine basis points on the value of invested
     assets under management for general asset management and reporting services
     that it receives.

B.   AmerUs Life Insurance Company is charged a rate of thirty basis points on
     the value of invested assets under management for the following services: 
     (1) general asset management and reporting; (2) extensive credit and
     interest rate analysis; (3) management of assets in other classes (High
     Yield, Emerging Markets, Private Placements, Equities, and Asset-Backed);
     (4) management of commercial mortgage portfolio; and (5) preparation of
     information for filings with regulatory and rating agencies.