<PAGE>

                       Securities and Exchange Commission

                             Washington, D.C. 20549


                                    FORM 10-K

             [ X ] ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF
                       THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
                   For the fiscal year ended December 31, 1996
                                       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 33-15998-01


          SWIFT ENERGY MANAGED PENSION ASSETS PARTNERSHIP 1988-A, LTD.
                    (Exact name of registrant as specified in
                     its Certificate of Limited Partnership)

         TEXAS                                     76-0254057
(State of Organization)               (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)


                         16825 Northchase Dr., Suite 400
                              Houston, Texas 77060
                                 (713) 874-2700
          (Address and telephone number of principal executive offices)


           Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
                                      None

           Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
                       47,703.63 Limited Partnership Units


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  periods that the  registrant  was
required),  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 ]

Registrant does not have an aggregate  market value for its Limited  Partnership
Interests.

                       Documents Incorporated by Reference

Document                                      Incorporated as to

    Registration Statement No. 33-15998         Items 1 and 13
     on Form S-1


<PAGE>

                                TABLE OF CONTENTS

                             Form 10-K Annual Report
                     For the Period Ended December 31, 1996

          SWIFT ENERGY MANAGED PENSION ASSETS PARTNERSHIP 1988-A, LTD.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
ITEM NO.                                    PART I                                               PAGE
  <S>                      <C>                                                                  <C>
   1                       Business                                                               I-1
   2                       Properties                                                             I-5
   3                       Legal Proceedings                                                      I-7
   4                       Submission of Matters to a Vote of
                             Security Holders                                                     I-7


                                           PART II

   5                       Market Price of and Distributions on the
                             Registrant's Units and Related Limited
                             Partner Matters                                                     II-1
   6                       Selected Financial Data                                               II-2
   7                       Management's Discussion and Analysis of
                             Financial Condition and Results of Operations                       II-2
   8                       Financial Statements and Supplementary Data                           II-3
   9                       Disagreements on Accounting and Financial
                             Disclosure                                                          II-3


                                           PART III

  10                       Directors and Executive Officers of the
                             Registrant                                                          III-1
  11                       Executive Compensation                                                III-2
  12                       Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial
                             Owners and Management                                               III-2
  13                       Certain Relationships and Related Transactions                        III-2


                                           PART IV

  14                       Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules
                             and Reports on Form 8-K                                              IV-1


                                           OTHER

                           Signatures
</TABLE>


<PAGE>

          SWIFT ENERGY MANAGED PENSION ASSETS PARTNERSHIP 1988-A, LTD.

                                     PART I


Item 1.  Business

General Description of Partnership

         Swift Energy Managed Pension Assets Partnership  1988-A,  Ltd., a Texas
limited  partnership (the "Partnership" or the  "Registrant"),  is a partnership
formed under a public serial  limited  partnership  offering  denominated  Swift
Energy Managed  Pension Assets Fund I  (Registration  Statement No.  33-15998 on
Form S-1, originally declared effective November 13, 1987, and amended effective
November  3,  1988,   August  4,  1989  and  May  1,  1990  [the   "Registration
Statement"]).  The Partnership was formed effective June 2, 1988 under a Limited
Partnership  Agreement dated June 1, 1988. The initial 426 limited partners made
capital contributions of $4,770,363.

         The  Partnership  is  principally  engaged in the business of acquiring
nonoperating  interests  (i.e.,  net profits  interests,  royalty  interests and
overriding  royalty  interests)  in proven  oil and gas  properties  within  the
continental United States. The Partnership does not acquire working interests in
or operate oil and gas properties,  and does not engage in drilling  activities.
At December 31, 1996, the  Partnership  had expended or committed to expend 100%
of the limited partners' net commitments  (i.e.,  limited partners'  commitments
available  to  the  Partnership  for  property  acquisitions  after  payment  of
organizational  fees  and  expenses)  in  the  acquisition  and  development  of
nonoperating  interests in producing properties,  which properties are described
under Item 2,  "Properties,"  below. The Partnership's  income is derived almost
entirely from its nonoperating interests and the disposition thereof.

         The  Partnership's  business and affairs are  conducted by its Managing
General  Partner,  Swift Energy  Company,  a Texas  corporation  ("Swift").  The
Partnership's Special General Partner, VJM Corporation, a California corporation
("VJM"), consults with and advises Swift as to certain financial matters.

         The  general  manner in which  the  Partnership  acquires  nonoperating
interests  and  otherwise  conducts  its  business is described in detail in the
Registration Statement under "Proposed Activities," which is incorporated herein
by reference.  The following is intended only as a summary of the  Partnership's
manner of doing business and specific activities to date.

Manner of  Acquiring  Nonoperating  Interests  in  Properties;  Net  Profits and
Overriding Royalty Interest Agreement

         The nonoperating  interests owned by the Registrant have typically been
acquired  pursuant to a Net Profits and Overriding  Royalty  Interest  Agreement
dated July 1, 1988 (the  "NP/OR  Agreement")  between the  Registrant  and Swift
Energy Income Partners 1988-B, Ltd. (the "Operating Partnership"). The Operating
Partnership  is a Texas  limited  partnership  that is also managed by Swift and
VJM. The Operating  Partnership was formed to acquire and develop  producing oil
and gas properties.

         Under the NP/OR Agreement, the Registrant and the Operating Partnership
have, in effect,  combined their funds to acquire  producing  properties.  Using
funds  committed to the NP/OR  Agreement  by both  partnerships,  the  Operating
Partnership  acquires producing  properties,  then promptly conveys nonoperating
interests therein to the Registrant. The Operating Partnership retains a working
interest in each such property, and is responsible for the production of oil and
gas therefrom. For the sake of legal and administrative  convenience,  producing
properties  are usually  acquired from the third party  sellers by Swift,  which
then  conveys  a  working  interest  in  each  such  property  to the  Operating
Partnership.  The Registrant  initially  committed  $4,116,890 and the Operating
Partnership  initially  committed  $6,733,121 for  acquisitions  under the NP/OR
Agreement.  The Operating  Partnership is obligated under the NP/OR Agreement to
convey to the  Registrant  a 38%  fixed  net  profits  interest  and a  variable
overriding  royalty  interest in specified  depths of all  producing  properties
acquired under the NP/OR Agreement.

         Under the NP/OR  Agreement,  the Operating  Partnership  is required to
convey  to  the  Registrant,   and  the  Registrant  is  required  to  purchase,
nonoperating  interests in all  producing  properties  acquired by the Operating
Partnership, except that:


                                      I-1


<PAGE>

          SWIFT ENERGY MANAGED PENSION ASSETS PARTNERSHIP 1998-A, LTD


                  1. Properties  anticipated to require significant  development
operations and nonoperating  interests  offered to the Operating  Partnership by
third  parties may be purchased by the Operating  Partnership  outside the NP/OR
Agreement, without participation by the Registrant;

                  2. During a  specified  one-year  period,  the  Registrant  is
entitled to reduce the amount originally  committed by it to purchases under the
NP/OR  Agreement  and to redirect  such funds to the  purchase  of  nonoperating
interests from sources other than the Operating Partnership; and

                  3. The  Registrant's  funds  will be  released  from the NP/OR
Agreement if they are not completely spent by the Operating Partnership within a
specified  period,  or if there is a prior  withdrawal of funds by the Operating
Partnership  to  purchase   properties   anticipated   to  require   significant
development.

         Purchases of nonoperating  interests by the Registrant  using withdrawn
or  released  funds  may be made  from  the  Managing  General  Partner  and its
affiliates,   other  partnerships  affiliated  with  the  Operating  Partnership
(possibly through the Registrant's  entry into a new NP/OR  Agreement),  or from
unaffiliated  third parties.  During 1988, the Registrant  withdrew a portion of
its funds  originally  committed  to the NP/OR  Agreement  in order to  purchase
certain nonoperating interests directly from Northwind Exploration Company.

         In accordance with its  obligations  under the NP/OR  Agreement,  as of
December 31, 1996 the Operating Partnership had conveyed to the Registrant a 38%
net  profits  interest  burdening  certain  depths of all  producing  properties
acquired  by the  Operating  Partnership  thereunder.  Typically,  a net profits
interest in an oil and gas property entitles the owner to a specified percentage
share of the gross proceeds generated by the burdened property, net of operating
costs.  The net  profits  interest  conveyed to the  Registrant  under the NP/OR
Agreement differs from the typical net profits interest in that it is calculated
over  the  entire  group  of  producing  properties  conveyed  under  the  NP/OR
Agreement; i.e., all operating costs attributable to the burdened depths of such
properties are  aggregated,  and the total is then  subtracted from the total of
all gross  proceeds  attributable  to such depths in order to calculate  the net
profits to which the Registrant is entitled.  The net profits interest  conveyed
to the Registrant  burdens only those depths of each subject property which were
evaluated to contain proved reserves at the date of  acquisition,  to the extent
such depths underlie specified surface acreage.

         The Operating Partnership has also conveyed to the Registrant under the
NP/OR  Agreement  an  overriding  royalty  interest  in each  property  acquired
thereunder. An overriding royalty interest is a fractional interest in the gross
production  (or the gross  proceeds  therefrom)  of oil and gas from a property,
free of any exploration,  development,  operation or maintenance expenses. Under
the NP/OR  Agreement,  the overriding  royalty  interest burdens the portions of
each producing  property that were  evaluated at the date of acquisition  not to
contain proved reserves.

Competition, Markets and Regulations

         Competition

         The oil and gas industry is highly  competitive in all its phases.  The
Partnership encounters strong competition from many other oil and gas producers,
many of which possess substantial financial resources, in acquiring economically
desirable Producing Properties.

         Markets

         The amounts of and price  obtainable  for oil and gas  production  from
Partnership  Properties will be affected by market factors beyond the control of
the  Partnership.  Such factors include the extent of domestic  production,  the
level of imports of foreign oil and gas, the general level of market demand on a
regional, national and worldwide basis, domestic and foreign economic conditions
that  determine  levels of industrial  production,  political  events in foreign
oil-producing  regions, and variations in governmental  regulations and tax laws
and  the  imposition  of new  governmental  requirements  upon  the  oil and gas
industry. There can be no assurance that oil and gas prices will not decrease in
the future, thereby decreasing net Revenues from Partnership Properties.

         From time to time,  there may exist a  surplus  of  natural  gas or oil
supplies,  the effect of which may be to reduce the amount of hydrocarbons  that
the  Partnerships may produce and sell while such oversupply  exists.  In recent
years,  initial steps have been taken to provide  additional gas  transportation
lines from Canada to the United States. If additional Canadian gas is brought to
the United States market, it could create downward pressure on United States gas
prices.


                                      I-2


<PAGE>

          SWIFT ENERGY MANAGED PENSION ASSETS PARTNERSHIP 1988-A, LTD.


         Regulations

         Environmental Regulation

         The federal  government  and various state and local  governments  have
adopted  laws and  regulations  regarding  the control of  contamination  of the
environment.  These laws and regulations may require the acquisition of a permit
by Operators before drilling commences,  prohibit drilling activities on certain
lands  lying  within  wilderness  areas or where  pollution  arises  and  impose
substantial  liabilities for pollution  resulting from operations,  particularly
operations near or in onshore and offshore waters or on submerged  lands.  These
laws and  regulations  may also  increase  the  costs of  routine  drilling  and
operation of wells.  Because these laws and regulations change  frequently,  the
costs to the  Partnership of compliance  with existing and future  environmental
regulations cannot be predicted.  However, the Managing Partner does not believe
that the  Partnership is affected in a significantly  different  manner by these
regulations than are its competitors in the oil and gas industry.

         Federal Regulation of Natural Gas

         The  transportation  and sale of natural gas in interstate  commerce is
heavily  regulated  by  agencies  of  the  federal  government.   The  following
discussion is intended only as a summary of the principal statutes,  regulations
and  orders  that  may  affect  the  production  and  sale of  natural  gas from
Partnership  Properties.  This  summary  should not be relied upon as a complete
review of applicable natural gas regulatory provisions.

         FERC Orders

         Several major  regulatory  changes have been implemented by the Federal
Energy Regulatory  Commission  ("FERC") from 1985 to the present that affect the
economics of natural gas production,  transportation and sales. In addition, the
FERC  continues  to  promulgate  revisions  to various  aspects of the rules and
regulations  affecting  those  segments of the natural gas industry  that remain
subject to the FERC's jurisdiction. In April 1992, the FERC issued Order No. 636
pertaining to pipeline restructuring. This rule requires interstate pipelines to
unbundle  transportation  and sales services by separately  stating the price of
each service and by providing  customers  only the particular  service  desired,
without  regard to the source for  purchase of the gas.  The rule also  requires
pipelines to (i) provide  nondiscriminatory  "no-notice"  service  allowing firm
commitment  shippers to receive  delivery of gas on demand up to certain  limits
without  penalties,  (ii) establish a basis for release and reallocation of firm
upstream  pipeline  capacity  and  (iii)  provide  non-discriminatory  access to
capacity by firm  transportation  shippers on a  downstream  pipeline.  The rule
requires interstate  pipelines to use a straight fixed variable rate design. The
rule imposes these same requirements upon storage facilities.

         FERC Order No. 500  affects the  transportation  and  marketability  of
natural gas.  Traditionally,  natural gas has been sold by producers to pipeline
companies,  which then  resold the gas to  end-users.  FERC Order No. 500 alters
this market structure by requiring  interstate  pipelines that transport gas for
others to provide  transportation  service to  producers,  distributors  and all
other shippers of natural gas on a nondiscriminatory, "first-come, first-served"
basis ("open access  transportation"),  so that producers and other shippers can
sell natural gas directly to end-users.  FERC Order No. 500 contains  additional
provisions intended to promote greater competition in natural gas markets.

         It is not anticipated  that the  marketability  of and price obtainable
for natural gas production from  Partnership  Properties  will be  significantly
affected  by FERC  Order No.  500.  Gas  produced  from  Partnership  Properties
normally  will be sold to  intermediaries  who have entered into  transportation
arrangements with pipeline companies.  These  intermediaries will accumulate gas
purchased from a number of producers and sell the gas to end-users  through open
access pipeline transportation.


                                      I-3


<PAGE>

          SWIFT ENERGY MANAGED PENSION ASSETS PARTNERSHIP 1988-A, LTD.


         State Regulations

         Production  of any oil  and gas  from  Partnership  Properties  will be
affected  to some  degree  by  state  regulations.  Many  states  in  which  the
Partnership will operate have statutory provisions regulating the production and
sale  of oil  and  gas,  including  provisions  regarding  deliverability.  Such
statutes, and the regulations promulgated in connection therewith, are generally
intended to prevent  waste of oil and gas and to protect  correlative  rights to
produce  oil and  gas  between  owners  of a  common  reservoir.  Certain  state
regulatory  authorities  also  regulate  the amount of oil and gas  produced  by
assigning allowable rates of production to each well or proration unit.

         Federal Leases

         Some of the Partnership's properties are located on federal oil and gas
leases  administered by various federal  agencies,  including the Bureau of Land
Management.   Various  regulations  and  orders  affect  the  terms  of  leases,
exploration and development plans, methods of operation and related matters.

Employees

         The  Partnership  has no  employees.  Swift,  however,  has a staff  of
geologists,   geophysicists,   petroleum  engineers,   landmen,  and  accounting
personnel who  administer  the  operations of Swift and the  Partnership.  As of
December 31, 1996, Swift had 191 employees.  Swift's administrative and overhead
expenses  attributable  to  the  Partnership's   operations  are  borne  by  the
Partnership.


                                      I-4


<PAGE>

          SWIFT ENERGY MANAGED PENSION ASSETS PARTNERSHIP 1988-A, LTD.


Item 2.  Nonoperating Interests in Properties

         As of December  31, 1996,  the  Partnership  has acquired  nonoperating
interests in producing  oil and gas  properties  which are  generally  described
below.

Principal Oil and Gas Producing Properties

         The  Partnership's  fields are highly  diversified  in 8 states none of
which equals or exceeds 15 percent of the total Partnership value.

Title to Properties

         Title to substantially  all significant  producing  properties in which
the Partnership owns  nonoperating  interests has been examined.  In addition to
the nonoperating interests owned by the Partnership,  the properties are subject
to royalty,  overriding  royalty and other interests  customary in the industry.
The Managing  General  Partner does not believe any of these burdens  materially
detract from the value of the  properties  or will  materially  detract from the
value of the properties or materially  interfere with their use in the operation
of the business of the Partnership.

Production and Sales Price

         The following  table  summarizes the volumes of the  Partnership's  net
nonoperating  interests in oil and gas production expressed in MCFs.  Equivalent
MCFs are obtained by converting oil to gas on the basis of their relative energy
content; one barrel equals 6,000 cubic feet of gas.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                   Net Production
                                    ------------------------------------------
                                                For the Years Ended
                                                   December 31,
                                    ------------------------------------------
                                      1996             1995              1994
                                    -------          --------          -------
<S>                                 <C>               <C>              <C>    
Net Volumes (Equivalent MCFs)       103,705           143,585          167,450

Average Net Nonoperating
   Interest Price per
   Equivalent MCF                   $1.31             $0.77            $1.18
</TABLE>


                                      I-5


<PAGE>

          SWIFT ENERGY MANAGED PENSION ASSETS PARTNERSHIP 1988-A, LTD.


Net Proved Oil and Gas Reserves

         Presented  below are the  estimates of the  Partnership's  nonoperating
interests in proved  reserves as of December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994. All of the
Partnership's  nonoperating  interests  in proved  reserves  are  located in the
United States.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                   December 31,
                                    ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                            1996                          1995                        1994
                                    ---------------------       ----------------------        ---------------------
                                                  Natural                     Natural                      Natural
                                      Oil           Gas           Oil           Gas            Oil           Gas
                                    -------      --------       -------       --------       -------      --------
                                    (BBLS)        (MMCF)         (BBLS)        (MMCF)         (BBLS)        (MMCF)
<S>                                 <C>              <C>         <C>             <C>          <C>            <C>  
Proved developed
   reserves at end of year           12,874           747        50,322            793        59,436         1,004
                                    -------         -----       -------          -----       -------         -----
Proved reserves
   Balance at beginning
     of year                         52,055           821        64,502          1,008        71,261         1,516

   Purchase of minerals
     in place                            --            --            --             --            --            --

   Extensions, discoveries
     and other additions                 --            --            --             --            --            --

   Revisions of previous
     estimates                         (823)          128        (7,820)           (71)        1,467          (321)

   Sales of minerals in
     place                          (30,238)         (113)           --             --        (2,550)          (54)

   Production                        (3,051)          (85)       (4,627)          (116)       (5,676)         (133)
                                    -------         -----       -------          -----       -------         -----

   Balance at end of year            17,943           751        52,055            821        64,502         1,008
                                    -------         -----       -------          -----       -------         -----
</TABLE>


         Revisions  of  previous  quantity  estimates  are  related to upward or
downward  variations  based on current  engineering  information  for production
rates,  volumetrics and reservoir  pressure.  Additionally,  changes in quantity
estimates  are the result of the  increase  or decrease in crude oil and natural
gas prices at each year end which have the effect of adding or  reducing  proved
reserves on marginal properties due to economic limitations.


                                      I-6


<PAGE>

          SWIFT ENERGY MANAGED PENSION ASSETS PARTNERSHIP 1988-A, LTD.


         The following table summarizes by acquisition the Registrant's reserves
and its  nonoperating  interests in gross and net producing oil and gas wells as
of December 31, 1996:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                 Reserves
                                                             December 31, 1996
                                                           ---------------------

                                                                         Natural                  Wells
                                                       Oil                 Gas            -----------------------
Acquisition                State(s)                  (BBLS)              (MMCF)            Gross            Net
-----------                --------                  -------            -------           ------          -------
<S>                        <C>                        <C>                  <C>              <C>            <C>
Union Drilling             WV                             --               207              122             5.355
Potter                     AR, LA, MS,
                           NM, OK, TX                 13,461               366              187             6.119
Mega, Northwind            TX                          4,375                86                7             0.046
Anderson, Samedan
   Oil, Strebor Oil
   & Lake Ronel Oil        TX                            107                92                6             0.118
                                                     -------             -----             ----            ------
                                                      17,943               751              322            11.638
                                                     -------             -----             ----            ------
</TABLE>

         There are numerous  uncertainties  inherent in estimating quantities of
proved  reserves and in projecting  the future rates of  production,  timing and
plan of  development.  Oil and gas reserve  engineering  must be recognized as a
subjective process of estimating  underground  accumulations of oil and gas that
cannot be measured  in an exact way,  and  estimates  of other  engineers  might
differ  from  those  above,  audited  by H. J.  Gruy and  Associates,  Inc.,  an
independent petroleum consulting firm. The accuracy of any reserve estimate is a
function of the quality of  available  data and of  engineering  and  geological
interpretation  and  judgment.  Results  of  drilling,  testing  and  production
subsequent  to the date of the estimate may justify  revision of such  estimate,
and, as a general rule,  reserve  estimates based upon  volumetric  analysis are
inherently  less  reliable  than  those  based on  lengthy  production  history.
Accordingly,  reserve  estimates are often  different from the quantities of oil
and gas that are ultimately recovered.

         In estimating  the oil and natural gas  reserves,  the  Registrant,  in
accordance with criteria  prescribed by the Securities and Exchange  Commission,
has used prices received as of December 31, 1996 without  escalation,  except in
those instances where fixed and determinable  gas price  escalations are covered
by  contracts,  limited  to the  price the  Partnership  reasonably  expects  to
receive.  The  Registrant  does not believe that any  favorable or adverse event
causing a significant  change in the estimated  quantity of proved  reserves has
occurred between December 31, 1996 and the date of this report.

         Future prices received for the sale of the  Partnership's  products may
be higher or lower than the prices used in the evaluation  described  above; the
operating  costs relating to such  production may also increase or decrease from
existing  levels.  The estimates  presented  above are in accordance  with rules
adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Item 3. Legal Proceedings

         The Partnership is not aware of any material pending legal  proceedings
to which it is a party or of which any of its property is the subject.

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

         No matters  were  submitted  to a vote of limited  partners  during the
fourth quarter of the fiscal year covered by this report.


                                      I-7


<PAGE>

          SWIFT ENERGY MANAGED PENSION ASSETS PARTNERSHIP 1988-A, LTD.

                                     PART II


Item 5.  Market Price of and Distributions on the Registrant's Units and Related
         Limited Partner Matters

Market Information

         Units in the  Partnership  were  initially  sold at a price of $100 per
Unit.  Units are not traded on any exchange and there is no  established  public
trading  market for the Units.  Swift is aware of negotiated  transfers of Units
between  unrelated  parties;  however,  these  transfers  have been  limited and
sporadic.  Due to the  nature of these  transactions,  Swift  has no  verifiable
information regarding prices at which Units have been transferred.

Holders

         As of December 31, 1996,  there were 426 Limited Partners holding Units
in the Partnership.

Distributions

         The Partnership  generally makes distributions to Limited Partners on a
quarterly  basis,   subject  to  the  restrictions  set  forth  in  the  Limited
Partnership  Agreement.  In the fiscal years ending  December 31, 1995 and 1996,
the  Partnership  distributed a total of $74,000 and $39,200,  respectively,  to
holders of its Units.  Cash  distributions  constitute net proceeds from sale of
oil and gas  production  after  payment of lease  operating  expenses  and other
partnership expenses.  Some or all of such amounts or any proceeds from the sale
of partnership  properties  could be deemed to constitute a return of investors'
capital.

         Oil and gas  investments  involve a high risk of loss, and no assurance
can be given that any particular  level of distributions to holders of Units can
be  achieved  or  maintained.   Although  it  is   anticipated   that  quarterly
distributions will continue to be made through 1997 the Partnership's ability to
make distributions  could be diminished by any event adversely affecting the oil
and gas  properties  in which the  Partnership  owns  interests or the amount of
revenues received by the Partnership therefrom.

         The  Partnership's   Limited  Partnership  Agreement  contains  various
provisions  which might serve to delay,  defer or prevent a change in control of
the Partnership,  such as the requirement of a vote of Limited Partners in order
to  sell  all  or  substantially  all  of the  Partnership's  properties  or the
requirement of consent by the Managing  General  Partner to transfers of limited
partnership interests.


                                      II-1


<PAGE>

          SWIFT ENERGY MANAGED PENSION ASSETS PARTNERSHIP 1998-A, LTD.


Item 6. Selected Financial Data

         The following  selected  financial  data,  prepared in accordance  with
generally  accepted  accounting  principles as of December 31, 1996, 1995, 1994,
1993,  and 1992,  should be read in  conjunction  with the financial  statements
included in Item 8.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                  1996               1995               1994              1993             1992
                           -------------      -------------      --------------    -------------     -------------
<S>                        <C>                <C>                <C>               <C>               <C>          
Revenues                   $     133,038      $     105,334      $      203,055    $     202,086     $     291,854
Income (Loss)              $      17,873      $    (138,703)     $     (135,109)   $      23,293     $    (474,244)
Total Assets               $     574,831      $     729,562      $      949,182    $   1,177,628     $   1,264,845
Cash Distributions         $      48,389      $      79,856      $      121,509    $     205,305     $     211,959
</TABLE>


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

Liquidity and Capital Resources

         The  Partnership  has expended  all of the  partners'  net  commitments
available for property  acquisitions  and development by acquiring  nonoperating
interests in producing oil and gas properties. The partnership invests primarily
in  proved  producing   properties  with  nominal  levels  of  future  costs  of
development  for proven  but  undeveloped  reserves.  Significant  purchases  of
additional reserves or extensive drilling activity are not anticipated.  Oil and
gas reserves are depleting  assets and therefore  often  experience  significant
production  declines each year from the date of  acquisition  through the end of
the life of the  property.  The primary  source of liquidity to the  Partnership
comes almost entirely from the income generated from  nonoperating  interests in
oil and gas  properties.  This source of  liquidity  and the related  results of
operations will decline in future periods as the oil and gas produced from these
properties also declines.

Results of Operations

         Income from  nonoperating  interests  increased 26 percent in 1996 over
1995. Oil and gas sales increased a slight 1 percent in 1996 vs. 1995. Increases
in both  1996  gas and oil  prices  were  major  contributors  to the  increased
revenues. The Partnership experienced an increase in gas prices of 47 percent or
$67/MCF  and an increase  in oil prices of 29 percent or  $4.50/BBL.  Production
volumes  decreased 28 percent due to a 26 percent gas production  decrease and a
34 percent oil production decline.  The production declines partially offset the
effect of increased oil and gas prices impacting partnership performance.

         Associated  amortization  expense  decreased  21  percent  in 1996 when
compared to 1995.

         Income from  nonoperating  interests  decreased 48 percent in 1995 over
1994.  Oil and gas sales  decreased  32  percent  in 1995 vs.  1994.  Production
volumes  decreased 14 percent due to a 13 percent gas production  decrease and a
19 percent oil  production  decline.  Since the  Partnership's  reserves  are 72
percent gas,  the  decrease in gas  production,  due to  accelerated  production
declines on mature  wells,  had a major  impact on  partnership  performance.  A
decline in the 1995 gas prices of 28 percent or $.56/MCF further  contributed to
the Partnership's decreased revenues.

         Associated  amortization  expense  decreased  15  percent  in 1995 when
compared to 1994.

         The  Partnership  recorded an additional  provision in  amortization in
1995 and 1994 when the present  value,  discounted at ten percent,  of estimated
future net revenues  from oil and gas  properties,  using the  guidelines of the
Securities and Exchange Commission, was below the fair market value paid for oil
and gas properties resulting in a full cost ceiling impairment.

         During 1997  Partnership  revenues and costs will be shared between the
limited and general  partners in a 90:10 ratio,  based on the annualized rate of
cash  distributions by the Partnership during a certain period prior to December
31,  1996.  Based on current oil and gas prices,  current  levels of oil and gas
production and expected cash distributions during 1997, the MGP anticipates that
the Partnership sharing ratio will continue to be 90:10.


                                      II-2


<PAGE>

          SWIFT ENERGY MANAGED PENSION ASSETS PARTNERSHIP 1988-A, LTD.


Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

         See Part IV, Item 14(a) for index to financial statements.

Item 9. Disagreements on Accounting and Financial Disclosure

         None.


                                      II-3


<PAGE>

          SWIFT ENERGY MANAGED PENSION ASSETS PARTNERSHIP 1988-A, LTD.

                                    PART III


Item 10.  Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant

         As a limited partnership,  the Registrant has no directors or executive
officers.  The  business and affairs of the  Registrant  are managed by Swift as
Managing General Partner. Set forth below is certain information as of March 17,
1997 regarding the directors and executive officers of Swift.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                               Position(s) with
         Name               Age           Swift and Other Companies
         ----               ---           -------------------------
<S>                          <C>    <C>   
                                    DIRECTORS

A. Earl Swift                63     President, Chief Executive Officer and
                                    Chairman of the Board

Virgil N. Swift              68     Executive Vice President - Business
                                    Development, Vice Chairman of the Board

G. Robert Evans              65     Director of Swift; Chairman of the Board,
                                    Material Sciences Corporation;
                                    Director, Consolidated Freightways, Inc.,
                                    Fibreboard  Corporation,   Elco  Industries,
                                    and Old Second Bancorp

Raymond O. Loen              72     Director of Swift; President, R. O. Loen
                                    Company

Henry C. Montgomery          61     Director of Swift; Chairman of the Board,
                                    Montgomery Financial Services Corporation;
                                    Director, Southwall Technology Corporation

Clyde W. Smith, Jr.          48     Director of Swift; President, Somerset
                                    Properties, Inc.

Harold J. Withrow            69     Director of Swift

                                    EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

Terry E. Swift               41     Executive Vice President, Chief
                                    Operating Officer

John R. Alden                51     Senior Vice President - Finance,
                                    Chief Financial Officer and Secretary

Bruce H. Vincent             49     Senior Vice President - Funds Management

James M. Kitterman           52     Senior Vice President - Operations

Alton D. Heckaman, Jr.       39     Vice President - Finance and Controller
</TABLE>


                                     III-1


<PAGE>

          SWIFT ENERGY MANAGED PENSION ASSETS PARTNERSHIP 1988-A, LTD.


         From time to time, Swift as Managing General Partner of the Partnership
purchases Units in the  Partnership  from investors who offer the Units pursuant
to their right of  presentment,  which  purchases are made pursuant to terms set
out in the  Partnership's  original Limited  Partnership  Agreement.  Due to the
frequency  and  large  number  of  these   transactions,   Swift  reports  these
transactions  under  Section  16 of the  Securities  Exchange  Act of 1934 on an
annual  rather than a monthly  basis.  In some cases such annual  reporting  may
constitute a late filing of the required Section 16 reports under the applicable
Section 16 rules.

Item 11.  Executive Compensation

         As  noted  in  Item  10,  "Directors  and  Executive  Officers  of  the
Registrant,"  above,  the Partnership has no executive  officers.  The executive
officers of Swift and VJM are not compensated by the Partnership.

         Certain fees and  allowances  contemplated  by the Limited  Partnership
Agreement  have been paid by the  Partnership  to Swift and VJM. See Note (4) in
Notes  To  Financial   Statements   (Related-Party   Transactions)  for  further
discussion.

Item 12.  Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management

         No  single  limited  partner  is  known  to the  Partnership  to be the
beneficial owner of more than five percent of the Partnership's Units.

         Swift and VJM are not aware of any arrangement,  the operation of which
may at a subsequent date result in a change in control of the Partnership.

Item 13.  Certain Relationships and Related Transactions

         As  noted  in  Item  10,  "Directors  and  Executive  Officers  of  the
Registrant," above, the Partnership has no executive officers or directors,  and
thus has not  engaged  in any  transactions  in which  any  such  person  had an
interest.  The Partnership is permitted to engage in certain  transactions  with
Swift as Managing General Partner and VJM as Special General Partner, subject to
extensive  guidelines  and  restrictions  are  described  in the  "Conflicts  of
Interest"  section  of the  Amended  Prospectus  contained  in the  Registration
Statement, which is incorporated herein by reference.

         Summarized  below are the  principal  transactions  that have  occurred
between the Partnership,  on one hand, and Swift, VJM and their  affiliates,  on
the other.

Certain Transactions with General Partners

         1.  As  described  in  Item  1,  "Business,"  above,  during  1988  the
Partnership  entered into an NP/OR  Agreement  with the  Operating  Partnership,
which is also managed by Swift and VJM.  Pursuant to such NP/OR  Agreement,  the
Operating Partnership acquired the oil and gas properties described under Item 2
above and conveyed nonoperating interests therein to the Partnership.

         2.  Swift  acts  as  operator  for  many  of the  wells  in  which  the
Partnership has  nonoperating  interests and has received  compensation for such
activities in accordance with standard industry operating agreements.

         3.  The Partnership  paid to Swift and VJM certain fees as contemplated
by the  Limited  Partnership  Agreement.  See Note  (4) in  Notes  To  Financial
Statements (Related-Party Transactions) for further discussion.


                                     III-2


<PAGE>

          SWIFT ENERGY MANAGED PENSION ASSETS PARTNERSHIP 1988-A, LTD.

                                     PART IV

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Item 14. Financial Statement Schedules and Reports on Form 8-K

      a(1)     FINANCIAL STATEMENTS                                PAGE NO.
                                                                   --------
               <S>                                                   <C>
               Report of Independent Public Accountants              IV-2

               Balance Sheets as of December 31, 1996 and 1995       IV-3

               Statements of Operations for the years ended
                  December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994                   IV-4

               Statements of Partners' Capital for the years ended
                  December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994                   IV-5

               Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended
                  December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994                   IV-6

               Notes to Financial Statements                         IV-7
</TABLE>

       a(2)    FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES

               All schedules required by the SEC are either  inapplicable or the
               required information is included in the Financial Statements, the
               Notes thereto, or in other information included elsewhere in this
               report.

       a(3)    EXHIBITS

               3.1    Limited  Partnership  Agreement  of Swift  Energy  Managed
                      Pension Assets  Partnership  1988-A,  Ltd.,  dated June 1,
                      1988. (Form 10-K for year ended December 31, 1988, Exhibit
                      3.1).

               3.2    Certificate of Limited Partnership of Swift Energy Managed
                      Pension Assets Partnership 1988-A,  Ltd., as filed June 2,
                      1988,  with the Texas  Secretary of State.  (Form 10-K for
                      year ended December 31, 1988, Exhibit 3.2).

               10.1   Net  Profits and  Overriding  Royalty  Interest  Agreement
                      between Swift Energy Managed  Pension  Assets  Partnership
                      1988-A,  Ltd. and Swift  Energy  Income  Partners  1988-B,
                      Ltd.,  dated  July 1,  1988.  (Form  10-K for  year  ended
                      December 31, 1988, Exhibit 10.1).

               99.1   A copy of the following  section of the  Prospectus  dated
                      November 13, 1987,  contained in  Pre-Effective  Amendment
                      No. 1 to  Registration  Statement No. 33-15998 on Form S-1
                      for Swift Energy Managed Pension Assets  Partnership I, as
                      filed on  November 2, 1988,  which have been  incorporated
                      herein by reference:  "Proposed  Activities"  (pp 38 - 48)
                      and "Conflicts of Interests" (pp. 70 - 79). (Form 10-K for
                      year ended December 31, 1989, Exhibit 28.1).

       b(1)    REPORTS ON FORM 8-K

         No  reports  on Form 8-K have  been  filed  during  the  quarter  ended
December 31, 1996.

         Supplemental Information to be Furnished with Reports Filed Pursuant to
Section 15(d) of the Act by  Registrants  Which Have Not  Registered  Securities
Pursuant to Section 12 of the Act.

         No annual report to security  holders covering the  Partnership's  1996
fiscal  year,  or proxy  statement,  form of proxy  or  other  proxy  soliciting
material has been sent to Limited Partners of the Partnership.


                                      IV-1


<PAGE>

                    REPORT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS


To Swift Energy Managed Pension Assets Partnership 1988-A, Ltd.:

         We have audited the accompanying balance sheets of Swift Energy Managed
Pension Assets  Partnership  1988-A,  Ltd., (a Texas limited  partnership) as of
December 31, 1996 and 1995, and the related statements of operations,  partners'
capital and cash flows for the years ended  December  31,  1996,  1995 and 1994.
These  financial  statements  are the  responsibility  of the general  partner's
management.  Our  responsibility  is to express  an  opinion on these  financial
statements 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,  the  financial  statements  referred to above  present
fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Swift Energy Managed
Pension Assets Partnership  1988-A,  Ltd., as of December 31, 1996 and 1995, and
the results of its  operations  and its cash flows for the years ended  December
31, 1996,  1995 and 1994,  in  conformity  with  generally  accepted  accounting
principles.






                               ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP




Houston, Texas
February 10, 1997


                                      IV-2


<PAGE>

          SWIFT ENERGY MANAGED PENSION ASSETS PARTNERSHIP 1988-A, LTD.
                                 BALANCE SHEETS
                           DECEMBER 31, 1996 AND 1995


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                             1996                 1995
                                                                                       --------------       --------------
         <S>                                                                           <C>                  <C>
         ASSETS:

         Current Assets:
              Cash and cash equivalents                                                $        1,431       $        1,361
              Nonoperating interests income receivable                                          7,247                6,093
                                                                                       --------------       --------------
                   Total Current Assets                                                         8,678                7,454
                                                                                       --------------       --------------
         Nonoperating interests in oil and gas
              properties, using full cost accounting                                        4,278,691            4,353,214
         Less-Accumulated amortization                                                     (3,712,538)          (3,631,106)
                                                                                       --------------       --------------
                                                                                              566,153              722,108
                                                                                       --------------       --------------
                                                                                       $      574,831       $      729,562
                                                                                       ==============       ==============


         LIABILITIES AND PARTNERS' CAPITAL:

         Current Liabilities:
              Payable related to excess costs                                          $       58,306       $      182,521
                                                                                       --------------       --------------

         Partners' Capital                                                                    516,525              547,041
                                                                                       --------------       --------------
                                                                                       $      574,831       $      729,562
                                                                                       ==============       ==============
</TABLE>


                 See accompanying notes to financial statements.

                                      IV-3


<PAGE>

          SWIFT ENERGY MANAGED PENSION ASSETS PARTNERSHIP 1988-A, LTD.
                            STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
              FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996, 1995 AND 1994


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                      1996             1995               1994
                                                                ---------------  ---------------   ---------------
<S>                                                             <C>              <C>               <C>
REVENUES:
   Income from nonoperating interests                           $       132,968  $       105,260   $       203,008
   Interest income                                                           70               74                47
                                                                ---------------  ---------------   ---------------
                                                                        133,038          105,334           203,055
                                                                ---------------  ---------------   ---------------

COSTS AND EXPENSES:
   Amortization                                                          81,432          214,435           295,791
   General and administrative                                            33,733           29,602            42,373
                                                                ---------------  ---------------   ---------------
                                                                        115,165          244,037           338,164
                                                                ---------------  ---------------   ---------------
INCOME (LOSS)                                                   $        17,873  $      (138,703)  $      (135,109)
                                                                ===============  ===============   ===============
</TABLE>


                 See accompanying notes to financial statements.

                                      IV-4


<PAGE>

          SWIFT ENERGY MANAGED PENSION ASSETS PARTNERSHIP 1988-A, LTD.
                         STATEMENTS OF PARTNERS' CAPITAL
              FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996, 1995 AND 1994


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                   Limited          General        Combining
                                                   Partners         Partners       Adjustment            Total
                                               --------------   ---------------  ---------------    ---------------
<S>                                            <C>              <C>              <C>                 <C>
Balance,
    December 31, 1993                          $      899,501   $        23,752  $        98,965     $    1,022,218

Income (Loss)                                        (112,535)           12,728          (35,302)          (135,109)

Cash Distributions                                   (107,200)          (14,309)              --           (121,509)
                                              ---------------   ---------------  ---------------    ---------------
Balance,
    December 31, 1994                                  679,766            22,171           63,663            765,600
                                              ----------------   ---------------  ---------------    ---------------

Income (Loss)                                        (126,068)            4,775          (17,410)          (138,703)

Cash Distributions                                    (74,000)           (5,856)              --            (79,856)
                                              ---------------   ---------------  ---------------    ---------------
Balance,
    December 31, 1995                                 479,698            21,090           46,253            547,041
                                              ---------------   ---------------  ---------------    ---------------

Income (Loss)                                          15,393             6,994           (4,514)            17,873

Cash Distributions                                    (39,200)           (9,189)              --            (48,389)
                                              ---------------   ---------------  ---------------    ---------------
Balance,
    December 31, 1996                         $       455,891   $        18,895  $        41,739     $      516,525
                                              ===============   ===============  ===============     ==============



Limited Partners' net income (loss)
    per unit

      1994                                    $         (2.36)
                                              ===============
      1995                                    $         (2.64)
                                               ==============
      1996                                    $           .32
                                              ===============
</TABLE>


                 See accompanying notes to financial statements.

                                      IV-5


<PAGE>

          SWIFT ENERGY MANAGED PENSION ASSETS PARTNERSHIP 1988-A, LTD.
                            STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
              FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996, 1995 AND 1994

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                       1996              1995             1994
                                                                                 ---------------   ---------------  ---------------
<S>                                                                              <C>               <C>              <C>
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
    Income (Loss)                                                                $        17,873   $      (138,703) $      (135,109)
    Adjustments to reconcile income (loss) to
      net cash provided by operations:
      Amortization                                                                        81,432           214,435          295,791
      Change in assets and liabilities:
        (Increase) decrease in nonoperating interests income receivable                   (1,154)           22,431           10,154
        Increase (decrease) in accounts payable
          and accrued liabilities                                                             --            (1,061)          28,172
                                                                                 ---------------   ---------------  ---------------
                  Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities                     98,151            97,102          199,008
                                                                                 ---------------   ---------------  ---------------
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
    Additions to nonoperating interests in oil
      and gas properties                                                                 (13,469)          (20,418)        (92,869)
    Proceeds from sales of nonoperating interests
      in oil and gas properties                                                           87,992             3,246           15,418
    Increase (decrease) in payable related to excess costs                              (124,215)               --               --
                                                                                 ---------------   ---------------  ---------------
                  Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities                    (49,692)          (17,172)         (77,451)
                                                                                 ---------------   ---------------  ---------------
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
    Cash distributions to partners                                                       (48,389)          (79,856)        (121,509)
                                                                                 ---------------   ---------------  ---------------
NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS                                          70                74               48
                                                                                 ---------------   ---------------  ---------------
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT BEGINNING OF YEAR                                             1,361             1,287            1,239
                                                                                 ---------------   ---------------  ---------------
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF YEAR                                         $         1,431   $         1,361  $         1,287
                                                                                 ===============   ===============  ===============
</TABLE>


                 See accompanying notes to financial statements

                                      IV-6


<PAGE>

          SWIFT ENERGY MANAGED PENSION ASSETS PARTNERSHIP 1988-A, LTD.
                          NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


(1) Organization and Terms of Partnership Agreement -

         Swift Energy Managed Pension Assets Partnership  1988-A,  Ltd., a Texas
limited  partnership  (the  Partnership),  was formed on June 2,  1988,  for the
purpose of purchasing net profits  interests,  overriding  royalty interests and
royalty interests (collectively,  "nonoperating interests") in producing oil and
gas  properties  within the  continental  United  States.  Swift Energy  Company
("Swift"),  a Texas  corporation,  and VJM  Corporation  ("VJM"),  a  California
corporation,  serve as Managing  General  Partner and Special General Partner of
the Partnership,  respectively.  The general partners are required to contribute
up to 1/99th of limited partner net contributions. The 426 limited partners made
total capital contributions of $4,770,363.

         Nonoperating  interests  acquisition  costs and the  management fee are
borne  99  percent  by the  limited  partners  and one  percent  by the  general
partners.  Organization  and syndication  costs were borne solely by the limited
partners.

         Initially,  all continuing costs (including  general and administrative
reimbursements and direct expenses) and revenues are allocated 90 percent to the
limited  partners  and  ten  percent  to  the  general  partners.  If  prior  to
partnership  payout,  as  defined,  however,  the cash  distribution  rate for a
certain period equals or exceeds 17.5 percent,  then for the following  calendar
year,  these  continuing  costs and revenues will be allocated 85 percent to the
limited  partners  and 15 percent to the  general  partners.  After  partnership
payout,  continuing  costs and revenues will be shared 85 percent by the limited
partners, and 15 percent by the general partners,  even if the cash distribution
rate is less than 17.5 percent. Payout had not occurred as of December 31, 1996.

(2) Significant Accounting Policies -

Use of Estimates --

         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 at the
date of the  financial  statements  and the  reported  amounts of  revenues  and
expenses  during  the  reporting  period.   Actual  results  could  differ  from
estimates.  Certain  reclassifications  have been made to prior year  amounts to
conform to the current year presentation.

Nonoperating Interests in Oil and Gas Properties --

         For  financial   reporting   purposes,   the  Partnership  follows  the
"full-cost"  method of  accounting  for  nonoperating  interests  in oil and gas
properties.  Under  this  method  of  accounting,  all  costs  incurred  in  the
acquisition of nonoperating interests in oil and gas properties are capitalized.
The  unamortized  cost of  nonoperating  interests in oil and gas  properties is
limited to the "ceiling limitation", (calculated separately for the Partnership,
limited partners, and general partners).  The "ceiling limitation" is calculated
on a quarterly  basis and  represents  the  estimated  future net revenues  from
nonoperating interests in proved properties using current prices,  discounted at
ten percent.  Proceeds from the sale or disposition of nonoperating interests in
oil  and  gas  properties  are  treated  as a  reduction  of  the  cost  of  the
nonoperating  interests with no gains or losses recognized except in significant
transactions.

         The Partnership computes the provision for amortization of nonoperating
interests in oil and gas  properties on the  units-of-production  method.  Under
this method,  the provision is calculated by multiplying  the total  unamortized
cost of  nonoperating  interests  in oil and gas  properties  by an overall rate
determined  by dividing  the physical  units of oil and gas produced  during the
period by the total estimated units of proved oil and gas reserves  attributable
to the Partnership's nonoperating interests at the beginning of the period.

         The  calculation  of the "ceiling  limitation"  and the  provision  for
amortization  is based on  estimates  of proved  reserves.  There  are  numerous
uncertainties  inherent  in  estimating  quantities  of proved  reserves  and in
projecting the future rates of production,  timing and plan of development.  The
accuracy of any reserve  estimate is a function of the quality of available data
and of  engineering  and  geological  interpretation  and  judgment.  Results of
drilling,  testing and  production  subsequent  to the date of the  estimate may
justify  revision of such  estimate.  Accordingly,  reserve  estimates are often
different from the quantities of oil and gas that are ultimately recovered.



                                      IV-7


<PAGE>

          SWIFT ENERGY MANAGED PENSION ASSETS PARTNERSHIP 1988-A, LTD.
                    NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)


Statements of Cash Flows --

         Highly liquid debt instruments with an initial maturity of three months
or less are considered to be cash equivalents.

(3) Acquisition of Nonoperating Interests in Oil and Gas Property Costs -

         Effective July 1, 1988, the Partnership  entered into a Net Profits and
Overriding  Royalty Interests  Agreement  ("NP/OR  Agreement") with Swift Energy
Income Partners 1988-B, Ltd. (Operating Partnership),  managed by Swift, for the
purpose of acquiring  interests in producing oil and gas  properties.  Under the
terms of the NP/OR  Agreement,  the Partnership has been conveyed a nonoperating
interest in the  aggregate net profits  (i.e.,  oil and gas sales net of related
operating costs) of the properties  acquired equal to its proportionate share of
the  property  acquisition  costs as  defined.  Property  acquisition  costs are
amounts actually paid by the Operating Partnership for the properties plus costs
incurred by the  Operating  Partnership  in acquiring the  properties  and costs
related to screening and  evaluation of properties not acquired.  In 1996,  1995
and  1994,  the  Partnership  acquired  nonoperating  interests  in oil  and gas
producing properties for $13,469, $20,418 and $92,869, respectively.

         During  1995  and  1994,  the  Partnership's  unamortized  oil  and gas
property costs exceeded the quarterly  calculations of the "ceiling  limitation"
resulting in an additional  provision for amortization of $111,950 and $174,722.
In computing the  Partnership's  third quarter 1994  "ceiling  limitation",  the
Partnership  utilized the product  prices in effect at the date of the filing of
the  Partnership's  report on Form 10-Q.  Utilizing these subsequent  prices, no
write  down was  required  by the  Partnership.  The write  down would have been
$49,229  using  product  prices in effect at September  30, 1994.  No such write
downs were required in 1996.

         In addition,  the limited  partners'  share of unamortized  oil and gas
property costs exceeded their "ceiling  limitation" in 1995 and 1994,  resulting
in valuation allowances of $99,176 and $147,861, respectively. These amounts are
included in the income (loss)  attributable to the limited partners shown in the
statements of partners'  capital together with a "combining  adjustment" for the
differences  between  the  limited  partners'   valuation   allowances  and  the
Partnership's valuation allowances. The "combining adjustment" changes quarterly
as the  Partnership's  total  amortization  provision  is more or less  than the
combined amortization provision attributable to general and limited partners.

(4) Related-Party Transactions -

         An  affiliate  of the  Special  General  Partner,  as  Dealer  Manager,
received   $117,747  for  managing  and   overseeing  the  offering  of  limited
partnership units.

         A one-time  management  fee of  $119,259  was paid to Swift in 1988 for
services  performed  for the  Partnership.  During  1996,  1995,  and 1994,  the
Partnership paid Swift $15,141,  $10,190 and $20,387,  respectively,  as general
and administrative overhead allowances.

(5) Federal Income Taxes -

         The Partnership is not a tax-paying entity. No provision is made in the
accounts of the Partnership for federal or state income taxes,  since such taxes
are liabilities of the individual partners,  and the amounts thereof depend upon
their respective tax situations.

         The tax returns and the amount of distributable  Partnership income are
subject to  examination  by the federal  and state  taxing  authorities.  If the
Partnership's  royalty  income for federal  income tax  purposes  is  ultimately
changed by the taxing  authorities,  the tax  liability of the limited  partners
could be changed  accordingly.  Royalty  income  reported  on the  Partnership's
federal  return of income for the years ended  December 31, 1996,  1995 and 1994
was $116,723, $42,531 and $82,485,  respectively. The difference between royalty
income for federal income tax purposes reported by the Partnership and income or
loss from  nonoperating  interests  reported herein  primarily  results from the
exclusion of amortization  (as described below) from ordinary income reported in
the Partnership's federal return of income.


                                      IV-8


<PAGE>

          SWIFT ENRGY MANAGED PENSION ASSETS PARTNERSHIP 1988-A, LTD.
                   NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENST (CONTINUED)


         For  federal  income  tax  purposes,   amortization   with  respect  to
nonoperating  interests in oil and gas properties is computed  separately by the
partners  and not by the  Partnership.  Since  the  amount  of  amortization  on
nonoperating  interests  in  oil  and  gas  properties  is not  computed  at the
Partnership level,  amortization is not included in the Partnership's income for
federal  income tax purposes but is charged  directly to the  partners'  capital
accounts to the extent of the cost of the nonoperating  interests in oil and gas
properties,  and thus is treated as a separate  item on the  partners'  Schedule
K-1.  Amortization  for federal  income tax purposes may vary from that computed
for  financial  reporting  purposes  in  cases  where a  ceiling  adjustment  is
recorded, as such amount is not recognized for tax purposes.

(6) Vulnerability Due to Certain Concentrations -

         The Partnership's revenues are primarily the result of sales of its oil
and natural gas  production.  Market prices of oil and natural gas may fluctuate
and adversely affect operating results.

         The Partnership  extends credit to various companies in the oil and gas
industry which results in a concentration of credit risk. This  concentration of
credit risk may be affected by changes in economic or other  conditions  and may
accordingly impact the Partnership's  overall credit risk. However, the Managing
General Partner believes that the risk is mitigated by the size, reputation, and
nature of the companies to which the Partnership  extends  credit.  In addition,
the  Partnership  generally  does not require  collateral  or other  security to
support customer receivables.

(7) Fair Value of Financial Instruments -

         The  Partnership's  financial  instruments  consist  of cash  and  cash
equivalents  and  short-term  receivables  and  payables.  The carrying  amounts
approximate  fair  value  due to the  highly  liquid  nature  of the  short-term
instruments.


                                     IV-9


<PAGE>

           SWIFT ENERGY MANAGED PENSION ASSETS PARTNERSHIP 1988-A, LTD

                                  SIGNATURES



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


                                              SWIFT ENERGY MANAGED PENSION
                                              ASSETS PARTNERSHIP 1988-A
                                              (Registrant)

                                     By:      SWIFT ENERGY COMPANY
                                              General Partner

Date:      March 17, 1997            By:      s/b A. Earl Swift
           --------------                     ----------------------------------
                                              A. Earl Swift
                                              President

Date:      March 17, 1997            By:      s/b John R. Alden
           --------------                     ----------------------------------
                                              John R. Alden
                                              Principal Financial Officer

Date:      March 17, 1997            By:      s/b Alton D. Heckaman, Jr.
           --------------                     ----------------------------------
                                              Alton D. Heckaman, Jr.
                                              Principal Accounting Officer

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.

                                              SWIFT ENERGY MANAGED PENSION
                                              ASSETS PARTNERSHIP 1988-A
                                              (Registrant)

                                     By:      SWIFT ENERGY COMPANY
                                              General Partner

Date:      March 17, 1997            By:      s/b A. Earl Swift
           --------------                     ----------------------------------
                                              A. Earl Swift
                                              Director and Principal
                                              Executive Officer

Date:      March 17, 1997            By:      s/b Virgil N. Swift
           --------------                     ----------------------------------
                                              Virgil N. Swift
                                              Director and Executive
                                              Vice President - Business
                                              Development


                                     IV-10


<PAGE>

          SWIFT ENERGY MANAGED PENSION ASSETS PARTNERSHIP 1988-A, LTD.



Date:      March 17, 1997           By:      s/b G. Robert Evans
           --------------                    -----------------------------------
                                             G. Robert Evans
                                             Director

Date:      March 17, 1997           By:      s/b Raymond O. Loen
           --------------                    -----------------------------------
                                             Raymond O. Loen
                                             Director

Date:      March 17, 1997           By:      s/b Henry C. Montgomery
           --------------                    -----------------------------------
                                             Henry C. Montgomery
                                             Director

Date:      March 17, 1997           By:      s/b Clyde W. Smith, Jr.
           --------------                    -----------------------------------
                                             Clyde W. Smith, Jr.
                                             Director

Date:      March 17, 1997           By:      s/b Harold J. Withrow
           --------------                    -----------------------------------
                                             Harold J. Withrow
                                             Director


                                     IV-11