FORM 10-Q

                        SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C.  20549


     [X]         QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
                      OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

     For the quarterly period ended March 31, 1997

                                        OR

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

     For the transition period from ................ to ................


Commission File Number 0-5486


                         PRESIDENTIAL LIFE CORPORATION
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

           Delaware                                  13-2652144
(State or other jurisdiction of           (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
 incorporation or organization)

69 Lydecker Street, Nyack, New York                            10960
(Address of principal executive offices)                     (Zip Code)

Registrant's telephone number, including area code      914 - 358-2300



(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last
report)


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

     There were 32,718,835 shares of common stock, par value $.01 per share of
the issuer's common stock outstanding as of the close of business on May 12,
1997.

                                      INDEX


Part I - Financial Information                                       Page No.

Item 1.  Consolidated Financial Statements

     Consolidated Balance Sheets March 31, 1997
     (Unaudited) and December 31, 1996.............................      3

     Consolidated Statements of Income (Unaudited) - For
     the Three Months Ended March 31, 1997 and 1996................      4

     Consolidated Statements of Shareholders'
     Equity (Unaudited) - For the Three Months Ended
     March 31, 1997 and 1996.......................................      5

     Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) - For
     the Three Months Ended March 31, 1997 and 1996................      6

     Notes to (Unaudited) Consolidated Financial Statements........     7-9

Item 2.  Management's Discussion and Analysis of
           Financial Condition and Results of Operations...........   10-17


Part II - Other Information.........................................     18

     Item 1.  Legal Proceedings

     Item 2.  Changes in Securities

     Item 3.  Defaults Upon Senior Securities

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

     Item 5.  Other Information

     Item 6.  Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K


Signatures..........................................................     19

<TABLE>

                 PRESIDENTIAL LIFE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
                          CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                       (In thousands, except share data)

                                                    March 31,    December 31,
                                                      1997           1996
                                                          (UNAUDITED) 

<S>                                               <C>             <C>

ASSETS:
Investments:
   Fixed maturities:
    Available for sale at market (Cost of
     $1,773,063 and $1,761,417, respectively)     $ 1,789,332     $ 1,823,349
   Common stocks (Cost of $39,255
     and $33,621, respectively)                        47,939          42,059
   Mortgage Loans                                      18,436          18,622
   Real Estate                                            421             426
   Policy Loans                                        17,962          18,068
   Short-term investments                             233,681         240,038
   Other invested assets                              177,782         176,103
          Total investments                         2,285,553       2,318,665

Cash and cash equivalents                              (1,016)            819
Accrued investment income                              42,065          32,474
Deferred policy acquisition costs                      46,303          39,783
Furniture and equipment, net                              247             329
Amounts due from reinsurers                             7,667           7,775
Other assets                                            1,458           1,532
Assets held in separate account                         5,613           5,548
          TOTAL ASSETS                            $ 2,387,890     $ 2,406,925

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY:
Liabilities:
Policy Liabilities:
   Policyholders' account balances                $ 1,258,366     $ 1,260,545
   Future policy benefits:
    Annuity                                           369,207         365,321
    Life and accident and health                       49,850          49,859
   Other policy liabilities                             3,507           2,690
          Total policy liabilities                  1,680,930       1,678,415
Dollar Repurchase Agreements                          204,452         200,883
Note payable                                           50,000          50,000
Short term note payable                                 6,000           5,000
Deposits on policies to be issued                       1,890           1,270
Federal income taxes payable                            5,421               0
Deferred federal income taxes                          16,773          31,649
General expenses and taxes accrued                      8,188           7,294
Other liabilities                                       2,909           3,803
Liabilities related to separate account                 5,613           5,548
          Total liabilities                         1,982,176       1,983,862

Shareholders' Equity:
   Capital stock ($.01 par value, authorized
    100,000,000 shares, issued and outstanding
    32,803,835 shares in 1997 and 32,992,835
    shares in 1996)                                       328             330
   Additional paid-in-capital                          21,268          24,023
   Net unrealized investment gains                     14,796          40,294
   Retained earnings                                  369,322         358,416

    Total Shareholders' Equity                        405,714         423,063

    TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS'
       EQUITY                                     $ 2,387,890     $ 2,406,925

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Unaudited
Consolidated Financial Statements.

</TABLE>

<TABLE>
                                  
                PRESIDENTIAL LIFE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
                       CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
                       (In thousands, except share data)

                                                     THREE MONTHS ENDED
                                                          MARCH 31
                                                         (UNAUDITED)

                                                  1997              1996

<S>                                           <C>                <C>

REVENUES:
 Insurance Revenues:
    Premiums                                  $       237        $       342
    Annuity considerations                          4,900                864
    Universal life and investment
     type policy fee income                           435                479
 Net investment income                             48,623             49,753
 Realized investment gains                          2,510              1,479
 Other income                                         818              1,006

         TOTAL REVENUES                            57,523             53,923

BENEFITS AND EXPENSES:
 Death and other life insurance benefits            1,494              1,636
 Annuity benefits                                   9,220              9,017
 Interest credited to policyholders'
     account balances                              18,519             18,913
 Interest expense on notes payable                  1,344              1,258
 Other interest and other charges                     118                 73
 Increase (decrease) in liability
     for future policy benefits                     3,804               (534)
 Commissions to agents, net                         1,040                584
 General expenses and taxes                         3,737              4,809
 Decrease (increase) in deferred
     policy acquisition costs                        (325)             1,109

         TOTAL BENEFITS AND EXPENSES               38,951             36,865

Income before income taxes                         18,572             17,058

Provision (benefit) for income taxes
  Current                                           7,171              7,466
  Deferred                                         (1,147)              (766)
                                                    6,024              6,700

NET INCOME                                    $    12,548        $    10,358

Income per share                              $       .38        $       .31

Weighted average number of shares
outstanding during the period                  32,922,674         33,476,119


The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Unaudited
Consolidated Financial Statements.

</TABLE>

<TABLE>

             PRESIDENTIAL LIFE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
             CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
           FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 1997 AND 1996
                    (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE DATA)
                               (UNAUDITED)

                                          Net
                              Additional  Unrealized
                    Capital   Paid-in-    Investment     Retained
                    Stock     Capital     Gains          Earnings    Total

<S>                 <C>       <C>         <C>            <C>        <C>

Balance at
December 31,
1995                $ 335     $ 30,130    $ 61,732       $308,863   $401,060

Net Income                                                 10,358     10,358

Purchase and
Retirement of
Stock                  (2)      (2,059)                               (2,061)

Issuance of
Shares Under
Stock Option
Plan                                13                                    13

Change in
Unrealized
Investment
Gains, Net                                  (26,179)                 (26,179)

Balance at
March 31,
1996                $ 333     $ 28,084     $ 35,553    $319,221     $383,191

Balance at
December 31,
1996                $ 330     $ 24,023     $ 40,294    $358,416     $423,063

Net Income                                               12,548       12,548

Purchase and 
Retirement of 
Stock                  (2)      (2,755)                               (2,757)

Change in
Unrealized
Investment
Gains, Net                                  (25,498)                 (25,498)

Dividends
Paid to
Shareholders
($.05 per
share)                                                    (1,642)     (1,642)

Balance at
March 31,
1997                $ 328     $ 21,268     $ 14,796     $369,322    $405,714


The accompanying notes are an integral part of the Unaudited Consolidated
Financial Statements.

</TABLE>

<TABLE>
       
                  PRESIDENTIAL LIFE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
                       CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
                                 (In thousands)
                                                     THREE MONTHS ENDED
                                                          MARCH 31
                                                         (UNAUDITED)

                                                       1997          1996

<S>                                                 <C>           <C>

OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
   Net income                                       $  12,548     $  10,358
   Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash
    provided by operating activities:
       Benefit for deferred income taxes               (1,147)         (766)
       Depreciation and amortization                      157           124
       Net accrual of discount on fixed maturities       (195)         (220)
       Realized investment gains                       (2,510)       (1,479)
   Changes in:
       Accrued investment income                       (9,591)        3,045
       Deferred policy acquisition costs                 (325)        1,109
       Federal income tax recoverable                   5,475           477
       Liability for future policy benefits             3,877           663
       Other items                                        869         2,719

         Net Cash Provided By Operating Activities      9,158        16,030

INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
   Fixed Maturities:
    Available for Sale:
       Acquisitions                                   (85,026)      (76,313)
       Maturities, calls and repayments                67,408        88,530
   Common Stocks:
       Acquisitions                                    (7,388)       (2,946)
       Sales                                           10,433         2,543
   Decrease (Increase) in short term
    investments and policy loans                        6,463       (22,702)
   Other Invested Assets:
    Additions to other invested assets                (10,261)      (23,151)
    Distributions from other invested assets            8,582         5,920
   Purchase of property and equipment                      (1)          (51)
   Mortgage loan on real estate                           186           (27)
   Amount due from security transactions                    0           (22)

         Net Cash Used In Investing Activities         (9,604)      (28,219)

FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
   Proceeds from Dollar Repurchase Agreements         583,620       416,433
   Repayment of Dollar Repurchase Agreements         (580,051)     (388,565)
   Proceeds from line of credit                         1,000             0
   Repurchase of Common Stock                          (2,757)       (2,048)
   Decrease in policyholders' account balances         (2,179)       (6,479)
   Deposits on policies to be issued                      620        (2,097)
   Dividends paid to shareholders                      (1,642)            0

         Net Cash Provided By (Used In)
           Financing Activities                        (1,389)       17,244

   Increase (decrease) in Cash and Cash
    Equivalents                                        (1,835)        5,055

Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Period          819        (1,874)

Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Period          $  (1,016)    $   3,181

Supplemental Cash Flow Disclosure:

   Income Taxes Paid                                $   2,196     $   1,063

   Interest Paid                                    $      78     $       0


The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Unaudited
Consolidated Financial Statements.

</TABLE>

               PRESIDENTIAL LIFE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
            NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

   A.  Business

       Presidential Life Corporation ("the Company"), through its
wholly-owned subsidiary Presidential Life Insurance Company ("Insurance
Company"), is engaged in the sale of life insurance and annuities.

   B.  Basis of Presentation and Principles of Consolidation

       The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements have
been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles ("GAAP") applicable to stock life insurance companies for
interim financial statements and with the requirements of Form 10-Q. 
Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes
required by generally accepted accounting principles applicable to stock
life insurance companies for complete financial statements.  In the
opinion of management, all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring
accruals, considered necessary for a fair presentation have been
included.  Interim results for the three months ended March 31, 1997 are
not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the
year ending December 31, 1997.  Management believes that, although the
disclosures are adequate to make the information presented not
misleading, the consolidated financial statements should be read in
conjunction with the footnotes contained in the Company's audited
consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 1996.

   C.  Investments

       Fixed maturity investments available for sale represent
investments which may be sold in response to changes in various economic
conditions.  These investments are carried at market value and
unrealized gains (losses), net of the effects of amortization of
deferred policy acquisition costs of approximately $2.2 million and $8.4
million, and deferred Federal income taxes of approximately $8.0 million
and $18.6 million, at March 31, 1997 and December 31, 1996,
respectively, are credited or charged directly to shareholders' equity,
unless a decline in market value is considered to be other than
temporary in which case the investment is reduced to its net realizable
value.  Equity securities include common stocks and non-redeemable
preferred stocks and are carried at market, with the related unrealized
gains and losses, net of deferred income taxes, if any, credited or
charged directly to shareholders' equity, unless a decline in market
value is deemed to be other than temporary in which case the investment
is reduced to its net realizable value.

       "Other invested assets" are recorded at the lower of cost or
market, or equity as appropriate, and primarily include interests in
limited partnerships, which principally are engaged in real estate,
international opportunities, acquisitions of private growth companies,
debt restructuring and merchant banking.  Limited partnership interests
usually are not registered and typically are illiquid.  To evaluate the
appropriateness of the carrying value of a limited partnership interest,
management maintains ongoing discussions with the investment manager and
considers the limited partnership's operation, its current and near term
projected financial condition, earnings capacity and distributions
received by the Company during the year.  Because it is not practicable
to obtain an independent valuation for each limited partnership
interest, for purposes of disclosure, the market value of a limited
partnership interest is estimated at book value.  Management believes
that the net realizable value of such limited partnership interests, in
the aggregate, exceeds their related carrying value as of March 31, 1997
and December 31, 1996.  As of March 31, 1997, the Company was committed
to contribute, if called upon, an aggregate of approximately $55.0
million of additional capital to certain of these limited partnerships.

       In evaluating whether an investment security or other investment
has suffered an impairment in value which is deemed to be "other than
temporary", management considers all available evidence.  When a decline
in the value of an investment security or other investment is considered
to be other than temporary, the investment is reduced to its net
realizable value, which becomes the new cost basis.  The amount of
reduction is recorded as a realized loss.  A recovery from the adjusted
cost basis is recognized as a realized gain only at sale.

       The Company participates in "dollar roll" repurchase agreement
transactions to enhance investment income.  Dollar roll transactions
involve the sale of certain mortgage backed securities to a holding
institution and a simultaneous agreement to purchase substantially
similar securities for forward settlement at a lower dollar price.  The
proceeds are invested in short-term securities at a positive spread
until the settlement date of the similar securities.  During this
period, the holding institution receives all income and prepayments for
the security.  Dollar roll repurchase agreement transactions are treated
as financing transactions for financial reporting purposes.

       As part of a proposed rehabilitation plan for Fidelity Mutual
Life Insurance Company ("Fidelity"), on January 11, 1995 the Insurance
Company signed a definitive purchase agreement with the Pennsylvania
Insurance Commissioner and Fidelity to invest up to $45 million for a
minority (49.9%) stake in a Fidelity subsidiary insurance holding
company.  In addition, the Company had agreed to purchase $25 million of
Senior Notes of such company.  The Company was informed by the
Pennsylvania Insurance Commissioner, that in response to the significant
improvement in the invested assets of Fidelity, she has reopened the
process to select an equity investor for the recapitalization and
rehabilitation of Fidelity.  The Company disagreed with the
Commissioner's actions and commenced litigation.  Subsequently, the
Company and the Commissioner have agreed to settle.

   D.  Federal Income Taxes

       The Company and its subsidiaries file a consolidated federal
income tax return.  The asset and liability method in recording income
taxes on all transactions that have been recognized in the financial
statements is used. Deferred taxes are adjusted to reflect tax rates at
which future tax liabilities or assets are expected to be settled or
realized.

   E.  New Accounting Pronouncements

       Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 125, "Accounting
for Transfers and Servicing of Financial Assets and Extinguishments of
Liabilities" ("SFAS No. 125"), was issued in June of 1996 and requires
adoption not later than fiscal years that begin after December 31, 1996. 
SFAS 125 establishes financial accounting and reporting standards for
transfers and servicing of financial assets and extinguishments of
liabilities.

       In December 1996, the Financial Accounting Standards Board
("FASB") issued SFAS No. 127, "Deferral of the Effective Date of Certain
Provisions of FASB Statement No. 125".  SFAS No. 127 amends SFAS No. 125
by deferring for one year the effective date of paragraph 15 of SFAS No.
125, addressing secured borrowings and collateral, and for repurchase
agreement, dollar roll, security lending and similar transactions, of
paragraphs 9 through 12 and 237(b) of SFAS No. 125.  Management is
evaluating the impact of SFAS No. 125 and 127 on the Company.

2.  INVESTMENTS

    Investments in U.S. Government & Government Agencies with an
aggregate carrying value of $562,634,000 represent investments owned in
any one issuer that aggregate 10% or more of Shareholders' Equity as of
March 31, 1997.

    Securities with a carrying value of approximately $5.1 million were
on deposit with various state insurance departments to comply with
applicable insurance laws.

3.  NOTES PAYABLE

    Note payable at March 31, 1997 and December 31, 1996 consists of a
$50 million, 9 1/2% Senior Note ("Senior Note") due December 15, 2000.
Interest is payable June 15 and December 15.  Debt issue costs are being
amortized on the interest method over the term of the notes.  As of
March 31, 1997, such unamortized costs were $1.1 million.  There are no
principal payments required for the senior note over the next four years
and the total principal is due on December 15, 2000.  The senior note is
callable after December 14, 1998.

    Covenants

    The indenture governing the senior notes contains covenants relating
to limitations on additional indebtedness, restricted payments, liens
and sale or issuance of capital stock of the Insurance Company.  In the
event the Company violates such covenants as defined in the indenture,
the Company is obligated to offer to repurchase 25% of the outstanding
principal amount of such notes.  The Company believes that it is in
compliance with all of the covenants.

    The Company has one line of credit in the amount of $15,000,000 and
provides for interest on borrowings based on market indices.  At March
31, 1997 the Company has $6,000,000 outstanding under the line of credit.

4.  INCOME TAXES

    Deferred income taxes reflect the net tax effects of (a) temporary
differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for
financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for income tax
purposes, (b) operating loss carryforwards and (c) a valuation allowance. 
 
    The valuation allowance relates principally to investment writedowns
recorded for financial reporting purposes, which have not been
recognized for income tax purposes, due to the uncertainty associated
with their realizability for income tax purposes.  Changes in the
valuation allowance for the three months ended March 31, 1997 reflect
the reduction in the deferred tax asset as of March 31, 1997.  The
Company's effective tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 1997
and 1996 was 32.4% and 39.3%, respectively.

Item 2.  Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
         and Results of Operations

    General

    The Company operates principally in a single business segment with
two primary lines of business-individual life insurance and individual
annuities.  Premiums shown on the Company's consolidated financial
statements in accordance with GAAP consist of premiums received for
whole or term life insurance products, as well as that portion of the
Company's single premium immediate annuities which have life
contingencies.  With respect to that portion of single premium annuity
contracts without life contingencies, as well as single premium deferred
annuities and universal life insurance products, premiums collected by
the Company are not reported as premium revenues, but rather are
reported as additions to policyholder account balances.  With respect to
products that are accounted for as policyholder account balances,
revenues are recognized over time in the form of policy fee income,
surrender charges and mortality and other charges deducted from the
policyholder's account balance.  The Company's operating earnings are
derived primarily from these revenues, plus the Company's investment
results, including realized gains (losses), less interest credited,
benefits to policyholders and expenses.

    Certain costs related to the sale of new business are deferred as
"deferred policy acquisition costs" ("DAC") and amortized into expenses
in proportion to the recognition of earned revenues.  Costs deferred
include principally commissions, certain expenses of the policy issue
and underwriting departments and certain variable sales expenses.  Under
certain circumstances, DAC will be expensed earlier than originally
estimated, including those circumstances where the policy terminations
are higher than originally estimated with respect to certain annuity
products.  Most of the Company's annuity products have surrender charges
which are designed to discourage and mitigate the effect of early terminations. 

    In June, 1996 the Insurance Company was notified that its A.M. Best
rating was reaffirmed at "A- (Excellent)."

    Results of Operations

    Comparison of three months ended March 31, 1997 compared to three
months ended March 31, 1996.

    Revenues

    Annuity Considerations and Life Insurance Premiums

    Total annuity considerations and life insurance premiums increased
to approximately $5.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 1997
from approximately $1.2 million for the three months ended March 31,
1996, an increase of approximately $3.9 million.  Of this amount,
annuity considerations increased to approximately $4.9 million for the
three months ended March 31, 1997 from approximately $864 thousand for
the three months ended March 31, 1996, an increase of approximately $4
million.  In accordance with generally accepted accounting principles,
sales of single premium deferred annuities are not reported as insurance
revenues, but rather as additions to policyholder account balances. 
Sales of single premium deferred annuities were approximately $28.3
million and approximately $14.5 million during the three months ended
March 31, 1997 and March 31, 1996, respectively.  Management believes
the increase in annuity considerations is due to the successful
expansion of our Marketing Department.

    Policy Fee Income

    Universal life and investment type policy fee income was
approximately $435 thousand for the three months ended March 31, 1997,
as compared to approximately $479 thousand for the three months ended
March 31, 1996.  This represents approximately a 9.2% decrease.

    Net Investment Income

    Net investment income totaled approximately $48.6 million during the
first three months of 1997, as compared to approximately $49.8 million
during the first three months of 1996.  This represents a decrease of
approximately $1.2 million.  Investment income from "other invested
assets" totaled approximately $10.95 million during the first three
months of 1997, as compared to approximately $11.3 million during the
first three months of 1996. The Company's ratio of net investment income
to average cash and invested assets less net investment income for the
periods ended March 31, 1997 and March 31, 1996 was approximately 9.5%
and 9.5%, respectively.

    Realized Investment Gains and Losses

    Realized investment gains amounted to approximately $2.5 million
during the first three months of 1997, as compared to approximately $1.5
million during the first three months of 1996.  Realized investment
gains were partially offset by realized investment losses of
approximately $1.75 million and $300 thousand for the three months ended
March 31, 1997 and March 31, 1996, respectively attributable to other
than temporary impairments in the value of certain securities contained
in the Company's investment portfolio.  There can be no assurance that
the Company's investment portfolio will yield comparable investment
gains in future periods.

    Total Benefits and Expenses

    Total benefits and expenses for the three months ended March 31,
1997 aggregated approximately $39.0 million, as compared to
approximately $36.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 1996. 
This represents an increase of $2.1 million from the first quarter of 1996.

    Interest Credited and Benefits to Policyholders

    Interest credited and other benefits to policyholders amounted to
approximately $29.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 1997,
as compared to approximately $29.6 million for the three months ended
March 31, 1996.  As a result of the increasing interest rate environment
at the end of the first quarter of 1997, the Insurance Company raised
its credited rate of interest on its newly issued single premium
deferred annuity products and has increased rates overall on all of its
other interest-sensitive products.  In addition, the renewal rates on
existing policies were increased on their respective renewal dates.

    The Insurance Company's average credited rate for reserves and
account balances for the three months ended March 31, 1997 and 1996 were
less than the Company's ratio of net investment income to mean assets
for the same period as noted above under "Net Investment Income".
Although management does not currently expect material declines in the
spread between the Company's average credited rate for reserves and
account balances and the Company's ratio of net investment income to
mean assets (the "Spread"), there can be no assurance that the Spread
will not decline in future periods or that such decline will not have a
material adverse effect on the Company's financial condition and results
of operations.  Depending, in part, upon competitive factors affecting
the industry in general, and the Company, in particular, the Company
may, from time to time, change the average credited rates on certain of
its products.  There can be no assurance that the Company will reduce
such rates or that any such reductions will broaden the Spread.

    Interest Expense on Notes Payable

    The interest expense on the Company's notes payable amounted to
approximately $1.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 1997,
and approximately $1.3 million for the three months ended March 31,
1996.  On May 6, 1997, Moody's Investors Service upgraded the senior
note from Ba2 to Ba1.

    General Expenses, Taxes and Commissions

    General expenses, taxes and commissions to agents totaled
approximately $4.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 1997, as
compared to approximately $5.4 million for the three months ended March
31, 1996.  This represents approximately a decrease of $616 thousand. 
The decrease principally is attributable to higher professional fees
associated with the potential acquisition of Fidelity and higher
investment management fees incurred in the first quarter of fiscal 1996. 
The decrease is partially offset by higher commissions incurred in the
first quarter of 1997 associated with the higher level of sales in 1997.

    Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs

    Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs for the three months ended March
31, 1997 decreased approximately $1,434 thousand resulting in a credit
of approximately $325 thousand, as compared to a charge of approximately
$1,109 thousand for the three months ended March 31, 1996.  This change
is primarily attributable to an increase in the costs associated with
new product sales which will be deferred and amortized in proportion to
the recognition of earned revenues.

    Income Before Income Taxes

    For the reasons discussed above, income before income taxes amounted
to approximately $18.6 million for the three months ended March 31,
1997, as compared to approximately $17.1 million for the three months
ended March 31, 1996.

    Income Taxes

    Income tax expense was $6.0 million for the first three months of
1997 as compared to approximately $6.7 million for the first three
months of 1996.  This decrease is primarily attributable to higher
income before income taxes and realized capital gains for the three
months ended March 31, 1996.

    Net Income

    For the reasons discussed above, the Company had net income of
approximately $12.5 million during the three months ended March 31, 1997
and net income of approximately $10.4 million during the three months
ended March 31, 1996.

    Liquidity and Capital Resources

    The Company is an insurance holding company and its primary uses of
cash are debt service obligations, operating expenses and dividend
payments.  The Company's principal source of cash is rent from its real
estate, interest on its investments and dividends from the Insurance
Company.  During the first quarter of 1997, the Company's Board of
Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $.05 per share payable
on April 2, 1997.  During the first quarter of 1997 the Company
purchased and retired 189,000 shares of common stock.

    The Insurance Company is subject to various regulatory restrictions
on the maximum amount of payments, including loans or cash advances,
that it may make to the Company without obtaining prior regulatory
approval.  As a New York domiciled insurance company, the Insurance
Company is subject to restrictions on the payment of dividends under New
York law.  New York law states that no domestic stock life insurance
company  shall distribute any dividend to its shareholders unless a notice
of its intention to declare such dividend and the amount thereof shall have
been filed with the Superintendent of the New York Insurance Department
("Superintendent") not less than 30 days in advance of such proposed
declaration.  The Superintendent may disapprove such distribution by
giving written notice to such company within 30 days after such 
filing that he or she finds that the financial condition of the company
does not warrant such distribution.  The New York State Insurance
Department has established informal guidelines for the Superintendent's
findings which focus upon, among other things, the overall financial
condition and profitability of the insurer under statutory accounting
practices.  During the first quarter of 1997 and 1996, the Insurance
Company did not pay dividends to the Company.  During the fiscal year
1996, the Insurance Company paid dividends of $15 million to the Company.

    Principal sources of funds at the Insurance Company are premiums and
other considerations paid, contract charges earned, net investment
income received and proceeds from investments called, redeemed or sold. 
The principal uses of these funds are the payment of benefits on life
insurance policies and annuity contracts, operating expenses and the
purchase of investments.  Net cash provided by the Company's operating
activities (reflecting principally: (i) premiums and contract charges
collected less (ii) benefits paid on life insurance and annuity products
plus (iii) income collected on invested assets less (iv) commissions and
other general expenses paid) was approximately $9.2 million and $16.0
million during the three months ended March 31, 1997 and 1996,
respectively.  Net cash provided by (used in) the Company's investing
activities (principally reflecting investments purchased less
investments called, redeemed or sold) was approximately $(9.6) million,
and $(28.2) million during the three months ended March 31, 1997 and
1996, respectively.

    For purposes of the Company's consolidated statements of cash flows,
financing activities relate primarily to sales and surrenders of the
Company's universal life insurance and annuity products.  The payment of
dividends by the Company are also considered to be a financing activity. 
In addition, as previously discussed, the Company participates in dollar
roll repurchase agreements which are considered to be 
a financing activity.  Net cash provided by (used in) the Company's
financing activities amounted to approximately $(1.4) million, and $17.2
million during the three months ended March 31, 1997 and 1996,
respectively.  This fluctuation primarily is attributable to the increase
in dollar roll repurchase agreements outstanding at March 31, 1997.

    The Company currently has one bank line of credit for $15 million
of which $6 million is used at March 31, 1997.

    The indenture governing the senior notes contains covenants relating
to limitations on additional indebtedness, restricted payments, liens
and sale or issuance of capital stock of the Insurance Company.  In the
event the Company violates such covenants as defined in the indenture,
the Company is obligated to offer to repurchase 25% of the outstanding
principal amount of such notes.  The Company believes that it is in
compliance with all of the covenants.  On May 6, 1997, Moody's Investors
Service upgraded the senior notes from Ba2 to Ba1.

    Given the Insurance Company's historic cash flow and current
financial results, management believes that, for the next twelve months
and for the reasonably foreseeable future, the Insurance Company's cash
flow from operating activities will provide sufficient liquidity for the
operations of the Insurance Company, as well as provide sufficient funds
to the Company, so that the Company will be able to make dividend payments,
satisfy its debt service obligations and pay its other operating expenses.

    To meet its anticipated liquidity requirements, the Company
purchases investments taking into account the anticipated future cash
flow requirements of its underlying liabilities.  In managing the
relationship between assets and liabilities, the Company analyzes the
cash flows necessary to correspond with the expected cash needs on the
underlying liabilities under various interest rate scenarios.  In
addition, the Company invests a portion of its total assets in short-term
investments (approximately 9.8% and 9.97% as of March 31, 1997, and
December 31, 1996, respectively).  The weighted average duration of the
Company's investment portfolio was approximately six years as of March
31, 1997.  The Company's fixed maturity investments are all classified
as available for sale and includes those securities available to be sold
in response to, among other things, changes in market interest rates,
changes in the security's prepayment risk, the Company's need for
liquidity and other similar factors.  Fixed maturity investments
available for sale represent investments which may be sold in response
to changes in various economic conditions.  These investments are
carried at estimated market value and unrealized gains and losses, net
of the effects of amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs and
deferred federal income taxes, are charged directly to shareholders'
equity, unless a decline in market value is considered to be other than
temporary in which event the Company recognizes a loss.  Equity
securities include common stocks and non-redeemable preferred stocks and
are carried at market, with the related unrealized gains and losses, net
of federal income taxes, if any, charged directly to shareholders'
equity, unless a decline in market value is considered to be other than
temporary, in which event, the Company recognizes a loss.

    The Insurance Company is subject to Regulation 130 adopted and
promulgated by the New York State Insurance Department ("NYSID").  Under
this Regulation, the Insurance Company's ownership of below investment
grade debt securities is limited to 20.0% of total admitted assets, as
calculated under statutory accounting practices.  As of March 31, 1997
and December 31, 1996, approximately 4.9% and 5.4%, respectively of the
Insurance Company's total admitted assets were invested in below investment
grade debt securities.

    The Company maintains a portfolio which includes below investment
grade securities which were purchased to achieve a more favorable
investment yield, all of which are classified as available for sale and
reported at fair value.  As of March 31, 1997 and December 31, 1996, the
carrying value of these securities was approximately $126.1 million and
$119.8 million, respectively (representing approximately 5.3% and 5.0%
of the Company's total assets and 31.1% and 28.5%, respectively of
shareholders' equity).

    Management expects that (primarily as a result of calls, redemptions
and repayments) the percentage of the Company's portfolio invested in
below investment grade securities will decline over time.  No new
investments in below investment grade bonds have been made since the
first quarter of fiscal 1990, but some investment grade corporate
securities have been downgraded.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, the
Company's investment policies may change from time to time in response
to market and other conditions.

    Investments in below investment grade securities have different
risks than investments in corporate debt securities rated investment
grade.  Risk of loss upon default by the borrower is significantly
greater with respect to below investment grade securities than with
other corporate debt securities because below investment grade
securities generally are unsecured and often are subordinated to other
creditors of the issuer.  Also, issuers of below investment grade
securities usually have high levels of indebtedness and often are more
sensitive to adverse economic conditions, such as recession or
increasing interest rates, than are investment grade issuers. 
Typically, there only is a thinly traded market for such securities and
recent market quotations may not be available for some of these
securities.  Market quotes generally are available only from a limited
number of dealers and may not represent firm bids of such dealers or
prices for actual sales.  The Company attempts to reduce the overall
risk in its below investment grade portfolio, as in all of its
investments, through careful credit analysis, investment policy
limitations, and diversification by company and by industry.

    As of March 31, 1997, approximately 7.4% of the Company's total
invested assets were invested in limited partnerships.  Such investments
are included in the Company's consolidated balance sheet under the
heading "Other invested assets."  See "Note 2 to the Notes to
Consolidated Financial Statements."  The Company is committed, if called
upon during a specified period, to contribute an aggregate of
approximately $55.0 million of additional capital to certain of these
limited partnerships.  However, management does not expect the entire
amount to be drawn down as certain of these limited partnerships are
nearing the end of the period during which investors are required to
make contributions.  Pursuant to NYSID regulations, the Company's
investments in equity securities, including limited partnership
interests, may not exceed 20% of the Company's total invested assets. 
The Company may make selective investments in additional limited
partnerships as opportunities arise.  Interests held by the Company in
limited partnerships usually are not registered with the Commission and
typically are illiquid.  In addition, there can be no assurance that the
Company will continue to achieve the same level of returns on its
investments in limited partnerships as it has historically or that the
Company will achieve any returns on such investments at all.  Further,
there can be no assurance that the Company will receive a return of all
or any portion of its current or future capital investments in 
limited partnerships.  The failure of the Company to receive the return
of a material portion of its capital investments in limited
partnerships, or to achieve historic levels of return on such
investments, could have a material adverse effect on the Company's
financial condition and results of operations.

    As previously discussed, the Company participates in "dollar roll"
repurchase agreements.  Amounts outstanding to repurchase securities
under such agreements were $204.5 million and $200.9 million at March
31, 1997 and December 31, 1996, respectively.  The Company  may engage
in selected "dollar roll" transactions as market opportunities arise.

    As part of a proposed rehabilitation plan for Fidelity Mutual Life
Insurance Company ("Fidelity"), on January 11, 1995 the Insurance
Company signed a definitive purchase agreement with the Pennsylvania
Insurance Commissioner and Fidelity to invest up to $45 million for a
minority (49.9%) stake in a Fidelity subsidiary insurance holding
company.  In addition, the Company had agreed to purchase $25 million of
Senior Notes of such company.  The Company was informed by the
Pennsylvania Insurance Commissioner, that in response to the significant
improvement in the invested assets of Fidelity, she has reopened the
process to select an equity investor for the recapitalization and
rehabilitation of Fidelity.  The Company disagreed with the
Commissioner's actions and commenced litigation.  Subsequently, the
Company and the Commissioner have agreed to settle.

    All 50 states of the United States, the District of Columbia and
Puerto Rico have insurance guaranty fund laws requiring all life
insurance companies doing business within the jurisdiction to
participate in guaranty associations, which are organized to pay
contractual obligations under insurance policies (and certificates
issued under group insurance policies) issued by impaired or insolvent
life insurance companies.  These associations levy assessments (up to
prescribed limits) on all member insurers in a particular state on the
basis of the proportionate share of the premiums written by member
insurers in the lines of business in which the impaired or insolvent
insurer is engaged.  Some states permit member insurers to recover
assessments paid through full or partial premium tax offsets.  These
assessments may be deferred or forgiven under most guaranty laws if they
would threaten an insurer's solvency.  The amount of these assessments in
prior years has not been material, however, the amount and timing of any
future assessment on the Insurance Company under these laws cannot be
reasonably estimated and are beyond the control of the Company and the
Insurance Company.  Recent failures of substantially larger insurance
companies could result in future assessments in material amounts.

    Effects of Inflation and Interest Rate Changes

    Management does not believe that inflation has had a material
adverse effect on the Company's consolidated results of operations.  The
Company seeks to manage its investment portfolio in part to reduce its
exposure to interest rate fluctuations.  In general, the market value of
the Company's fixed maturity portfolio increases or decreases in an
inverse relationship with fluctuations in interest rates, and the
Company's net investment income increases or decreases in direct
relationship with interest rate changes.  For example, if interest rates
decline, the Company's fixed maturity investments generally will
increase in market value, while net investment income will decrease as
fixed income investments mature or are sold and proceeds are reinvested
at the declining rates, and vice versa.  Management is aware that
prevailing market interest rates frequently shift and, accordingly, the
Company has adopted strategies which are designed to address either an
increase or decrease in prevailing rates.  In a rising interest rate
environment, the Company's average cost of funds would be expected to
increase over time as it prices its new and renewing annuities to
maintain a generally competitive market rate.  Concurrently, the Company
would attempt to place new funds in investments which were matched in
duration to, and higher yielding than, the liabilities assumed. 
Management believes that liquidity necessary to fund withdrawals would
be available through income, cash flow, the Company's cash reserves or
from the sale of short-term investments.  In a declining interest rate
environment, the Company's cost of funds would be expected to decrease
over time, reflecting lower interest crediting rates on its fixed
annuities.  Should increased liquidity be required for withdrawals,
management believes that the portion of the Company's investments which
are designated as available for sale in the Company's consolidated
balance sheet could be sold without materially adverse consequences in
light of the general strengthening which would be expected in the fixed
maturity security market.

    Interest rate changes also may have temporary effects on the sale
and profitability of the universal life and annuity products offered by
the Company.  For example, if interest rates rise, competing investments
(such as annuity or life insurance products offered by the Company's
competitors, certificates of deposit, mutual funds and similar
instruments) may become more attractive to potential purchasers of the
Company's products until the Company increases the rates credited to
holders of its universal life and annuity products.  In contrast, as
interest rates fall, the Company attempts to lower its credited rates to
compensate for the corresponding decline in its net investment income. 
As a result, changes in interest rates could materially adversely effect
the financial condition and results of operations of the Company
depending on the attractiveness of alternative investments 
available to the Company's customers.  In that regard, in the current
low interest rate environment, the Company has attempted to maintain its
credited rates at competitive  levels which are designed to discourage
surrenders and which may be considered attractive to purchasers of new
annuity products.  In addition, because the level of prevailing interest
rates impacts the Company as well as its competition, management does not
believe that the low interest rate environment has materially affected the
Company's competitive position vis a vis other life insurance companies
that emphasize the sale of annuity products.  Notwithstanding the foregoing,
if interest rates continue at current levels, there can be no assurance that
this segment of the life insurance industry, including the Company, would
not experience increased levels of surrenders and reduced sales and thereby
be materially adversely affected.

    Recent Accounting Pronouncements

    Statement of Financial Accounting Standards ("SFAS") No. 125,
"Accounting for Transfers and Servicing of Financial Assets and
Extinguishments of Liabilities", was issued in June of 1996 and requires
adoption not later than fiscal years that begin after December 31, 1996. 
SFAS 125 establishes financial accounting and reporting standards for
transfers and servicing of financial assets and extinguishments of
liabilities.

    In December 1996, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB")
issued SFAS No. 127, "Deferral of the Effective Date of Certain
Provisions of FASB Statement No. 125."  SFAS No. 127 amends SFAS No. 125
by deferring for one year the effective date of paragraph 15 of SFAS No.
125, addressing secured borrowings and collateral, and for repurchase
agreement, dollar roll, security lending and similar transactions, of
paragraphs 9 through 12 and 237(b) of SFAS No. 125.  Management has not
yet determined the impact of SFAS No. 125 and 127 on the Company.


                      PART II - OTHER INFORMATION


Item 1.  Legal Proceedings

    From time to time, the Company is involved in litigation relating
to claims arising out of its operations in the normal course of
business.  As of May 12, 1997, the Company is not a party to any legal
proceedings, the adverse outcome of which, in management's opinion,
individually or in the aggregate, would have a material adverse effect
on the Company's financial condition or results of operations.

Item 2.  Changes in Securities

    None

Item 3.  Defaults Upon Senior Securities

    None

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

    None

Item 5.  Other Information

    None

Item 6.  Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K

    a)  Exhibits

       None

    b)  Reports on Form 8-K

       During the quarter ended March 31, 1997, the Company did not file
a current report on Form 8-K.


                 PRESIDENTIAL LIFE CORPORATION
                         MARCH 31, 1997



                            SIGNATURES


Pursuant to the requirements 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.


                                 Presidential Life Corporation    
                                        (Registrant)


Date:  May 12, 1997             /s/ Herbert Kurz                  
                              Herbert Kurz, President and Duly
                              Authorized Officer of the Registrant

Date:  May 12, 1997             /s/ Michael V. Oporto             
                              Michael V. Oporto, Principal
                              Accounting Officer of the Registrant