<PAGE>   1
                                    FORM 10-Q

                         SECURITIES EXCHANGE COMMISSION

                             Washington, D.C. 20549



(MARK ONE)
     (x)     QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES
             EXCHANGE OF 1934 FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 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 No. 1-6869

                             PRIME HOSPITALITY CORP.
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

                Delaware                                    22-2640625
     (State or other jurisdiction of                     (I.R.S. employer
     incorporation or organization)                     identification no.)

                 700 Route 46 East, Fairfield, New Jersey 07004
                    (Address of principal executive offices)

                                 (201) 882-1010
              (Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

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

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed all documents and
reports required to be filed by Section 12, 13 or 15(d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 subsequent to the distribution of securities under a plan
confirmed by a court.

Yes  x          No
    ---            ---

The registrant had 40,664,869 shares of common stock, $.01 par value
outstanding, as of October 31, 1997.
<PAGE>   2
                    PRIME HOSPITALITY CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                                      INDEX


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                           PAGE
PART I.      FINANCIAL INFORMATION                                        NUMBER
                                                                          ------
<S>                                                                       <C>
Item 1.      Financial Statements

             Consolidated Balance Sheets
                  December 31, 1996 and September 30, 1997...........        1

             Consolidated Statements of Income
                  Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 1996
                  and September 30, 1997.............................        2

             Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
                  Nine Months Ended September 30, 1996
                  and September 30, 1997.............................        3

             Notes to Interim Consolidated Financial Statements......        4


Item 2.      Management's Discussion and Analysis of
             Financial Condition and Results of Operations...........        8



PART II.     OTHER INFORMATION

Item 6.      Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K........................       21

Signatures        ...................................................       22
</TABLE>
<PAGE>   3
                    PRIME HOSPITALITY CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                           CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                        (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE DATA)


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                   DECEMBER 31,       SEPTEMBER 30,
                                                                       1996               1997
                                                                   ------------       -------------
<S>                                                                <C>                <C>
                           ASSETS                                                      (Unaudited)
Current assets:
     Cash and cash equivalents .............................         $ 15,997          $   22,850
     Marketable securities available for sale ..............              238                  --
     Restricted cash .......................................            2,637                  --
     Accounts receivable, net of reserves ..................           12,653              15,408
     Current portion of mortgages and
         notes receivable ..................................            1,338              25,526
     Other current assets ..................................           11,228              17,823
                                                                     --------          ----------
            Total current assets ...........................           44,091              81,607

Property, equipment and leasehold improvements,
     net of accumulated depreciation and amortization ......          695,253             900,414
Mortgages and notes receivable, net of
     current portion .......................................           24,195              19,941
Other assets ...............................................           22,559              28,514
                                                                     --------          ----------

            TOTAL ASSETS ...................................         $786,098          $1,030,476
                                                                     ========          ==========

            LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
     Current portion of debt ...............................         $  3,419          $    3,079
     Other current liabilities .............................           45,887              61,403
                                                                     --------          ----------
            Total current liabilities ......................           49,306              64,482

Long-term debt, net of current portion .....................          298,875             492,485
Other liabilities ..........................................           18,022              16,343
                                                                     --------          ----------

            Total liabilities ..............................          366,203             573,310
                                                                     --------          ----------

Commitments and contingencies

Stockholders' equity:
     Preferred stock, par value $.10 per share;
         20,000,000 shares authorized; none issued .........               --                  --
     Common stock, par value $.01 per share;
         75,000,000 shares authorized; 39,804,917 and
         40,560,296 shares issued and outstanding
         at December 31, 1996 and September 30, 1997,
         respectively ......................................              398                 406
     Capital in excess of par value ........................          338,825             344,039
     Retained earnings .....................................           80,672             113,759
     Treasury stock ........................................               --              (1,038)
                                                                     --------          ----------

            Total stockholders' equity .....................          419,895             457,166
                                                                     --------          ----------

            TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY .....         $786,098          $1,030,476
                                                                     ========          ==========
</TABLE>


      See Accompanying Notes to Interim Consolidated Financial Statements.

                                       -1-
<PAGE>   4
                    PRIME HOSPITALITY CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                       CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
                                  (UNAUDITED)
            THREE AND NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1996 AND 1997
                    (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                        THREE MONTHS ENDED              NINE MONTHS ENDED
                                                           SEPTEMBER 30,                  SEPTEMBER 30,
                                                        1996           1997            1996            1997
                                                      --------       --------       ---------       ---------
<S>                                                   <C>            <C>            <C>             <C>
Revenues:
  Lodging ......................................      $ 54,257       $ 71,475       $ 148,505       $ 196,080
  Food and beverage ............................         8,751          8,617          28,230          29,323
  Management and other fees ....................         1,737          1,540           5,221           4,676
  Interest on mortgages and
    notes receivable ...........................         1,027          1,787           4,731           5,091
  Business interruption insurance ..............         2,616          1,605           9,245           7,971
  Rental and other .............................           459            779           1,421           2,149
                                                      --------       --------       ---------       ---------
      Total revenues ...........................        68,847         85,803         197,353         245,290
                                                      --------       --------       ---------       ---------

Costs and expenses:
  Direct hotel operating expenses:
    Lodging ....................................        13,769         17,851          37,919          48,326
    Food and beverage ..........................         7,279          6,801          22,868          22,458
    Selling and general ........................        16,345         17,089          46,088          49,683
  Occupancy and other operating ................         4,185          5,438          11,769          16,693
  General and administrative ...................         4,330          5,201          13,087          15,306
  Depreciation and amortization ................         6,100          8,203          17,202          23,304
                                                      --------       --------       ---------       ---------
      Total costs and expenses .................        52,008         60,583         148,933         175,770
                                                      --------       --------       ---------       ---------

Operating income ...............................        16,839         25,220          48,420          69,520

Investment income ..............................         1,765            763           3,886           2,391
Interest expense ...............................        (5,982)        (7,011)        (18,191)        (18,772)
Other income ...................................           869             23           4,301           1,881
                                                      --------       --------       ---------       ---------

Income before income taxes
  and extraordinary items ......................        13,491         18,995          38,416          55,020
Provision for income taxes .....................         5,396          7,598          15,366          22,008
                                                      --------       --------       ---------       ---------

Income before extraordinary items ..............         8,095         11,397          23,050          33,012
Extraordinary items - Gains on discharges of
  indebtedness (net of income taxes) ...........             7             --             183              75
                                                      --------       --------       ---------       ---------

Net income .....................................      $  8,102       $ 11,397       $  23,233       $  33,087
                                                      ========       ========       =========       =========

Earnings per common share:
Primary:
  Income before extraordinary items ............      $   0.21       $   0.27       $    0.66       $    0.79
  Extraordinary items ..........................            --             --            0.01              --
                                                      --------       --------       ---------       ---------
Net earnings ...................................      $   0.21       $   0.27       $    0.67       $    0.79
                                                      ========       ========       =========       =========

Fully diluted:
  Income before extraordinary items ............      $   0.20       $   0.25       $    0.62       $    0.73
  Extraordinary items ..........................            --             --              --              --
                                                      --------       --------       ---------       ---------
Net earnings ...................................      $   0.20       $   0.25       $    0.62       $    0.73
                                                      ========       ========       =========       =========
</TABLE>

      See Accompanying Notes to Interim Consolidated Financial Statements.




                                       -2-
<PAGE>   5
                    PRIME HOSPITALITY CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                      CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
                                   (UNAUDITED)
                  NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1996 AND 1997
                                 (IN THOUSANDS)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                NINE MONTHS ENDED
                                                                  SEPTEMBER 30,
                                                               1996            1997
                                                            ---------       ---------
<S>                                                         <C>             <C>
Cash flows from operating activities:
     Net income ......................................      $  23,233       $  33,087
     Adjustments to reconcile net income to net
         cash provided by operating activities:
         Depreciation and amortization ...............         17,202          23,304
         Amortization of deferred financing costs ....          1,362           2,089
         Business interruption insurance revenue .....         (9,245)         (7,971)
         Utilization of net operating loss
            carryforwards ............................          6,824           2,736
         Gains on settlement of notes receivable .....         (1,771)             --
         Gains on discharges of indebtedness .........           (305)           (125)
         Gain on disposal of asset ...................         (4,860)         (1,881)
         Compensation expense related to stock
            options ..................................             --              --
         Increase (decrease) from changes in other
            operating assets and liabilities:
            Accounts receivable ......................         (1,744)         (2,755)
            Other current assets .....................         10,869          (6,212)
            Other liabilities ........................          7,898          19,379
                                                            ---------       ---------

            Net cash provided by operating
              activities .............................         49,463          61,651
                                                            ---------       ---------

Cash flows from investing activities:
     Net proceeds from mortgages and notes
         receivable ..................................          8,789             744
     Disbursements for mortgages and
         notes receivable ............................           (800)        (23,245)
     Proceeds from sales of property, equipment
         and leasehold improvements ..................          8,336          26,762
     Construction of new hotels ......................       (115,315)       (201,163)
     Purchases of property, equipment and
         leasehold improvements ......................        (95,515)        (49,562)
     Net proceeds from insurance settlement ..........          9,000           2,034
     Decrease in restricted cash .....................          8,764           2,637
     Proceeds from sales of marketable securities ....         13,735             238
     Purchases of marketable securities ..............          1,189              --
     Proceeds from retirement of debt securities .....             --             800
     Other ...........................................          1,888            (251)
                                                            ---------       ---------

            Net cash used in investing activities ....       (159,929)       (241,006)
                                                            ---------       ---------

Cash flows from financing activities:
     Net proceeds from issuance of debt ..............        172,345         293,990
     Payments of debt ................................       (181,097)       (109,230)
     Proceeds from issuance of common stock ..........        141,419              --
     Proceeds from the exercise of stock options
         and warrants ................................          1,740           1,448
                                                            ---------       ---------

            Net cash provided by financing
               activities ............................        134,407         186,208
                                                            ---------       ---------
     Net increase (decrease) in cash and
         cash equivalents ............................         23,941           6,853

     Cash and cash equivalents at beginning
         of period ...................................         49,533          15,997
                                                            ---------       ---------
     Cash and cash equivalents at end of period ......      $  73,474       $  22,850
                                                            =========       =========
</TABLE>

      See Accompanying Notes to Interim Consolidated Financial Statements.

                                       -3-
<PAGE>   6
                    PRIME HOSPITALITY CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
               NOTES TO INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                                   (UNAUDITED)

NOTE 1 -                BASIS OF PRESENTATION

            In the opinion of management, the accompanying interim unaudited
consolidated financial statements of Prime Hospitality Corp. and subsidiaries
(the "Company") contain all material adjustments, consisting of normal recurring
adjustments, necessary to present fairly the financial position of the Company
as of September 30, 1997 and the results of its operations for the three and
nine months ended September 30, 1996 and 1997 and cash flows for the nine months
ended September 30, 1996 and 1997.

            The consolidated financial statements for the three and nine months
ended September 30, 1996 and 1997 were prepared on a consistent basis with the
audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 1996.
Certain reclassifications have been made to the September 30, 1996 consolidated
financial statements to conform them to the September 30, 1997 presentation.

            The consolidated results of operations for the three and nine months
ended September 30, 1997 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be
expected for the full year. These interim unaudited consolidated financial
statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial
statements included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year
ended December 31, 1996.


NOTE 2 -                ACQUISITIONS

            In February 1997, the Company acquired the Monroe Township, NJ
Holiday Inn for approximately $11.2 million in cash. The acquisition was
accounted for as a purchase and, accordingly, the revenues and expenses have
been included in reported results from the date of acquisition. If these
operations had been included in the consolidated financial statements since
January 1, 1997, reported results would not have been materially different.


NOTE 3 -                DEBT

            In March 1997, the Company issued $200.0 million of 9 3/4% Senior
Subordinated Notes due 2007 ("Senior Subordinated Notes") in reliance upon Rule
144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. Interest on the notes is paid
semi-annually on April 1 and October 1. The notes are unsecured obligations of
the Company and contain certain covenants including limitations on the
incurrence of debt, dividend payments, certain investments, transactions with
affiliates, asset sales and mergers and consolidations. These notes are
redeemable, in whole or in part, at the option of the Company on or after April
1, 2002 at premiums to principal which decline on each anniversary date.



                                      - 4 -
<PAGE>   7
The Company utilized a portion of the proceeds to pay $101.1 million of debt and
intends to utilize the remainder to finance its AmeriSuites expansion.

            The Company established a revolving credit facility (the "Revolving
Credit Facility") in 1996 with a group of financial institutions providing for
availability of funds up to the lesser of $100.0 million or a borrowing base
determined under the agreement. The Revolving Credit Facility is secured by
certain of the Company's hotels with recourse to the Company. The Revolving
Credit Facility bears interest at LIBOR plus 2.25% and is available through June
2001. As of September 30, 1997, the Company had outstanding borrowings of $35.0
million and borrowing availability of $65.0 million under the Revolving Credit
Facility.


NOTE 4 -                EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE

            Primary earnings per common share was computed based on the weighted
average number of common shares and common share equivalents (dilutive stock
options and warrants) outstanding during each period. The weighted average
number of common shares used in computing primary earnings per share was 38.7
million and 42.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 1996 and 1997,
respectively, and 34.7 million and 42.1 million for the nine months ended
September 30, 1996 and 1997, respectively.

            Fully diluted earnings per share, in addition to the adjustments for
primary earnings per share, reflects the elimination of interest expense and the
issuance of additional common shares from the assumed conversion of the 7%
convertible subordinated notes from their issuance in April 1995. The weighted
average number of common shares used in computing fully diluted earnings per
share was 45.8 million and 49.4 million for the three months ended September 30,
1996 and 1997, respectively, and 42.0 million and 49.3 million for the nine
months ended September 30, 1996 and 1997, respectively.

            In February 1997, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued
Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 128, "Earnings per Share" ("SFAS
128"). Under SFAS 128, primary earnings per share will be replaced by basic
earnings per share which will exclude the dilutive effect of stock options and
warrants. In addition, fully diluted earnings per share will be called diluted
earnings per share and will include a change in applying the treasury stock
method.

            The Company is required to adopt SFAS 128 for the year ended
December 31, 1997 and to restate all prior periods. The Company believes that
adoption of SFS 128 will increase reported primary earnings per share and will
have no impact on fully diluted earnings per share.




                                      - 5 -
<PAGE>   8
NOTE 5 -                BUSINESS INTERRUPTION INSURANCE REVENUE

            In September 1995, the Company-owned Marriott's Frenchman's Reef
Hotel (the "Frenchman's Reef") in St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands suffered
damage when Hurricane Marilyn struck the U.S. Virgin Islands. The Company and
its insurance carrier settled the Company's property and business interruption
insurance claim with respect to Hurricane Marilyn for $25.0 million. In July
1996, the Company received the final installment under its settlement, bringing
the net proceeds to $22.8 million, net of deductibles, for which the Company
provided a reserve of $2.2 million in 1995. In addition, in July 1996, Hurricane
Bertha struck the island and caused further damage to the hotel. The Company has
thus far received $2.5 million in insurance proceeds with respect to Hurricane
Bertha from one of its insurers. The Company has filed a lawsuit against several
of its other insurers seeking to recover the balance of its insurance claim.

            Although the Company continued to operate the hotel through March
31, 1997, the impact of the hurricanes has caused operating profits to decline
from prior years' levels. In addition to recording the operating revenues and
expenses of the Frenchman's Reef, the Company also recorded business
interruption insurance revenue of $2.6 million and $1.6 million for the three
months ended September 30, 1996 and 1997, respectively, and $9.2 million and
$8.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 1996 and 1997,
respectively. The 1997 amount includes an estimated recovery of insurance
proceeds arising out of Hurricane Bertha.

            The Company has begun the redevelopment of the Frenchman's Reef.
Redevelopment plans provide for significant hurricane-related renovations and
certain enhancements. Due to the extent of the renovations, the Company closed
the hotel on April 1, 1997 and plans to reopen it in December 1997.


NOTE 6 -                INTEREST EXPENSE

            The Company capitalized $1.7 million and $4.2 million, for the three
months ended September 30, 1996 and 1997, respectively, and $4.7 million and
$11.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 1996 and 1997
respectively, of interest related to borrowings used to finance hotel
construction. Also included in interest expense is the amortization of deferred
financing fees of $700,000 and $800,000, for the three months ended September
30, 1996 and 1997, respectively, and $1.4 million and $2.1 million for the nine
months ended September 30, 1996 and 1997, respectively.


NOTE 7  -               OTHER INCOME

            Other income consists of items which are not considered part of the
Company's recurring operations. For the nine months ended September 30, 1996,
other income consisted of gains on the settlement of notes receivable of $1.5
million and net gains on property transactions of $2.8 million.



                                      - 6 -
<PAGE>   9
For the nine months ended September 30, 1997, other income consisted of a net
gains on property transactions of $1.9 million.


NOTE 8  -               TREASURY STOCK

            In connection with the exercise of certain stock options, the
Company re-acquired 50,039 shares of its common stock.


NOTE 9 -                MERGER

            On July 25, 1997, the Company entered into an agreement to merge
with Homegate Hospitality, Inc. ("Homegate"), a provider of mid-price
extended-stay hotels. Under this agreement (the "Merger Agreement"), the Company
will issue approximately 6.5 million shares of common stock based upon a fixed
exchange ratio of 0.6073 per share of the Company's common stock for each of the
approximately 10.7 million outstanding shares of Homegate. The transaction is
expected to be accounted for as a pooling of interests. The Merger Agreement is
subject to the approval of the shareholders of Homegate and other customary
terms and conditions. A special meeting of Homegate shareholders to vote on the
merger is scheduled for December 1, 1997.

            During the quarter, the Company issued $23.3 million of interim
loans to Homegate. These loans bear interest at a rate per annum equal to the
one month London Interbank offered rate plus 3.50% (9.16% at September 30, 1997)
and mature on the earliest of (a) April 1, 1998, (b) the date Homegate enters
into any agreement with a third party (other than the Merger Agreement)
involving the sale of substantially all the assets of Homegate and (c) four
months after the termination of the Merger Agreement. At September 30, 1997
$534,000 of interest income related to this interim loan is included in interest
on mortgages and notes.


NOTE 10 -               SALE/LEASEBACK

            On September 22, 1997, Prime entered into a strategic alliance with
Equity Inns, Inc. ("Equity Inns"), a real estate investment trust, for purposes
of financing its brand development through the sale/leaseback of AmeriSuites
hotels. Under the agreement, Equity Inns has certain rights to acquire
AmeriSuites hotels developed by Prime over the next three years. As part of the
alliance, Prime has entered into an agreement with Equity Inns for the sale of
10 AmeriSuites hotels for aggregate consideration of $86.3 million, consisting
of $77.7 million in cash and $8.6 million in Equity Inns limited partnership
operating units. Prime has also agreed to lease the hotels from Equity Inns for
a term of 10 years, with certain renewal options.




                                      - 7 -
<PAGE>   10
PART I.                 FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 2.                 MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL
                        CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS.

GENERAL

            The Company is a leading hotel owner/operator which, as of October
31, 1997, owned or leased 108 hotels (the "Owned Hotels") and managed 13 hotels
for third parties (the "Managed Hotels"). The Company has a financial interest
in the form of mortgages or profit participations (primarily incentive
management fees) in eight of the Managed Hotels. The Company consolidates the
results of operations of its Owned Hotels and records management fees (including
incentive management fees) and interest income, where applicable, on the Managed
Hotels.

            The Company's strategy is to capitalize on two lodging industry
trends: (i) growing consumer preferences for newer high quality lodging
accommodations (all-suite, extended stay) with strong brand identities and (ii)
continued favorable industry fundamentals in the segments and geographic regions
in which the Company's hotel portfolio operates. Through the development of its
proprietary brands, the Company is evolving from an owner/operator into a brand
oriented company and is positioning itself to generate additional revenue not
dependent on investment in real estate. The Company seeks to achieve internal
growth through the use of sophisticated operating, marketing and financial
systems at its hotels. The Company's external growth has focused on the
accelerated expansion of its AmeriSuites brand through new construction.
Although future results of operations may be adversely affected in the short
term by the costs associated with the construction and acquisition of new
hotels, it is expected that this impact will be offset, after an initial period,
by revenues generated by such new hotels.

            On July 25, 1997, the Company entered into an agreement to merge
with Homegate Hospitality, Inc. ("Homegate"), a provider of mid-price
extended-stay hotels. Under this agreement, the Company will issue approximately
6.5 million shares of common stock based upon a fixed exchange ratio of 0.6073
per share of the Company's common stock for each of the approximately 10.7
million outstanding shares of Homegate. The transaction is expected to be
accounted for as a pooling of interests. The merger agreement is subject to the
approval of the shareholders of Homegate and other customary terms and
conditions. A special meeting of Homegate shareholders to vote on the merger is
scheduled for December 1, 1997.

            Under pooling of interests accounting, all transaction costs are
expensed as incurred and the historical consolidated statements of operations of
the companies are restated on a combined basis without giving effect to
operating synergies. Homegate, which commenced operations in 1996, will generate
1997 results reflecting losses consistent with startup operations. Therefore,
the merger is expected to have a dilutive effect on earnings for 1997.




                                      - 8 -
<PAGE>   11
            For the three and nine months ended September 30, 1997, earnings
from recurring operations increased by 50.4% and 55.8%, respectively, over the
same periods in 1996. The earnings gains were the result of strong growth in
revenue per available room ("REVPAR") and profit margins at comparable Owned
Hotels and significant new AmeriSuites unit growth. For the comparable Owned
Hotels, REVPAR increased by 11.1% and 10.2% for the three and nine month
periods. The combination of strong REVPAR increases and effective expense
controls resulted in increases in gross operating profits at comparable Owned
Hotels of 13.5% and 14.1% for the three and nine month periods. The earnings
growth was also favorably affected by the net addition of 47 hotels since
January 1, 1996 primarily through the development of new AmeriSuites hotels.

            Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization
(EBITDA) increased by 45.7% to $33.4 million for the three months ended
September 30, 1997 and by 41.5% to $92.8 million for the nine months ended
September 30, 1997. Hotel EBITDA increased by 38.6% to $33.8 million for the
three month period and by 42.6% to $95.6 million for the nine month period.
Hotel EBITDA represents EBITDA generated from the operations of Owned Hotels.
Hotel EBITDA excludes management fee income, interest income from mortgages and
notes receivable, general and administrative expenses and other revenues and
expenses which do not directly relate to the operations of Owned Hotels.

            The Company's hotels currently operate in three segments of the
industry: the all-suites segment, under the Company's proprietary AmeriSuites
brand; the upscale full-service segment, under major national franchises; and
the midprice limited-service segment, primarily under the Company's proprietary
Wellesley Inns brand. The Company's Hotel EBITDA reflects the shifting mix in
the Company's portfolio toward its proprietary brand AmeriSuites and the sale of
certain limited service hotels, operated under franchise agreements. The Hotel
EBITDA contribution from AmeriSuites hotels is expected to increase in future
years as a result of the Company's AmeriSuites expansion plans. The following
table illustrates the Hotel EBITDA contribution from each segment (in
thousands):

                                HOTEL EBITDA (1)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                          THREE MONTHS ENDED
                                                                            SEPTEMBER 30,

                                                                    1996                     1997
                                                                    ----                     ----
                                                            Amount     % of Total    Amount     % of Total
                                                            ------     ----------    ------     ----------
<S>                                                         <C>        <C>           <C>        <C>
                        All-suites ...................      $ 8,085       33.1%      $15,855       46.9%
                        Full-service .................       11,323       46.4        13,009       38.4
                        Limited-service ..............        5,001       20.5         4,965       14.7
                                                            -------      -----       -------      -----
                                  Total ..............      $24,409      100.0%      $33,829      100.0%
                                                            =======      =====       =======      =====
</TABLE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                          NINE MONTHS ENDED
                                                                            SEPTEMBER 30,

                                                                    1996                     1997
                                                                    ----                     ----
                                                            Amount     % of Total    Amount     % of Total
                                                            ------     ----------    ------     ----------
<S>                                                         <C>        <C>           <C>        <C>
                        All-suites ...................      $19,824       29.6%      $38,819       40.6%
                        Full-service .................       31,232       46.6        39,788       41.6
                        Limited-service ..............       15,995       23.8        17,026       17.8
                                                            -------      -----       -------      -----
                                  Total ..............      $67,051      100.0%      $95,633      100.0%
                                                            =======      =====       =======      =====
</TABLE>


                                     - 9 -
<PAGE>   12
     (1) EBITDA and Hotel EBITDA are not measures of financial performance under
generally accepted accounting principles and should not be considered as
alternatives to net income as an indicator of the Company's operating
performance or as alternatives to cash flows as a measure of liquidity.

            Certain statements in this Form 10-Q constitute "forward-looking
statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act
of 1995. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks,
uncertainties and other important factors that could cause the actual results,
performance or achievements of the Company, or industry results, to differ
materially from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or
implied by such forward-looking statements.




                                     - 10 -
<PAGE>   13
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE THREE MONTHS AND NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30,
1996 COMPARED TO THE THREE AND NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1997

         The following table presents the components of operating income,
operating expense margins and other data for the Company and the Company's
comparable Owned Hotels for the three and nine months ended September 30, 1996
and 1997. The results of the ten hotels divested during 1996 and 1997 are not
material to an understanding of the results of the Company's operations in such
periods and, therefore, are not separately discussed.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                COMPARABLE OWNED
                                                         TOTAL                      HOTELS(1)
                                                         -----                      ---------
                                                   THREE MONTHS ENDED           THREE MONTHS ENDED
                                                      SEPTEMBER 30,                SEPTEMBER 30,
                                                   1996           1997           1996          1997
                                                 --------       --------       --------      --------
                                                         (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT ADR AND REVPAR)
<S>                                              <C>            <C>            <C>           <C>
INCOME STATEMENT DATA:
Revenues:
  Lodging...................................     $ 54,257       $ 71,475       $ 48,327      $ 53,695
  Food and Beverage.........................        8,751          8,617          7,385         7,576
  Management and Other Fees.................        1,737          1,540
  Interest on Mortgages and Notes Receivable        1,027          1,787
  Business Interruption Insurance                   2,616          1,605
  Rental and Other..........................          459            779
                                                 --------       --------
          Total Revenues....................       68,847         85,803
Direct Hotel Operating Expenses:
  Lodging...................................       13,769         17,851         11,967        13,435
  Food and Beverage.........................        7,279          6,801          5,864         6,036
  Selling and General.......................       16,345         17,089         13,044        13,600
Occupancy and Other Operating...............        4,185          5,438
General and Administrative..................        4,330          5,201
Depreciation and Amortization...............        6,100          8,203
Operating Income............................       16,839         25,220
OPERATING EXPENSE MARGINS:
Direct Hotel Operating Expenses:
  Lodging, as a percentage of lodging
     revenue ...............................         25.4%          25.0%          24.8%         25.0%
  Food and Beverage, as a percentage of food
     and beverage revenue...................         83.2%          78.9%          79.4%         79.7%
  Selling and General, as a percentage of
     lodging and food and beverage revenue           25.9%          21.3%          23.4%         22.2%
  Occupancy and Other Operating, as a
  percentage of lodging and food and
  beverage revenue                                    6.6%           6.8%
  General and Administrative, as a percentage
  of total revenue..........................          6.3%           6.1%
Other Data(1):
Occupancy...................................         73.9%          73.8%          73.8%         77.5%
Average Daily Rate ("ADR")..................     $  71.08       $  77.20       $  72.70      $  76.95
Revenue per Available Room ("REVPAR")            $  52.51       $  56.97       $  53.65      $  59.59
Gross Operating Profit......................     $ 25,615       $ 38,351       $ 24,837      $ 28,200
</TABLE>

----------


                                     - 11 -
<PAGE>   14

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                        COMPARABLE OWNED
                                                           TOTAL                            HOTELS(1)
                                                           -----                            ---------
                                                      NINE MONTHS ENDED                 NINE MONTHS ENDED
                                                         SEPTEMBER 30,                     SEPTEMBER 30,
                                                     1996            1997             1996               1997
                                                   --------        --------        -----------        -----------
                                                         (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT ADR AND REVPAR)
<S>                                                <C>             <C>             <C>                <C>
INCOME STATEMENT DATA:
Revenues:
  Lodging ..................................       $148,505        $196,080        $   108,278        $   118,929
  Food and Beverage ........................         28,230          29,323             21,671             21,996
  Management and Other Fees ................          5,221           4,676
  Interest on Mortgages and Notes Receivable          4,731           5,091
  Business Interruption Insurance ..........          9,245           7,971
  Rental and Other .........................          1,421           2,149
                                                   --------        --------
          Total Revenues ...................        197,353         245,290
Direct Hotel Operating Expenses:
  Lodging ..................................         37,919          48,326             27,047             29,352
  Food and Beverage ........................         22,868          22,458             16,695             16,635
  Selling and General ......................         46,088          49,683             30,941             31,886
Occupancy and Other Operating ..............         11,769          16,693
General and Administrative .................         13,087          15,306
Depreciation and Amortization ..............         17,202          23,304
Operating Income ...........................         48,420          69,520
OPERATING EXPENSE MARGINS:
Direct Hotel Operating Expenses:
  Lodging, as a percentage of lodging
     revenue ...............................           25.5%           24.6%              25.0%              24.7%
  Food and Beverage, as a percentage of food
     and beverage revenue ..................           81.0%           76.6%              77.0%              75.6%
  Selling and General, as a percentage of
     lodging and food and beverage revenue .           26.1%           22.0%              23.8%              22.6%
  Occupancy and Other Operating, as a
  percentage of lodging and food and
  beverage revenue .........................            6.7%            7.4%
  General and Administrative, as a percentage
  of total revenue .........................            6.6%            6.2%
Other Data(1):
Occupancy ..................................           71.5%           70.8%              72.0%              74.0%
ADR ........................................       $  69.94        $  77.08        $     73.44        $     78.64
REVPAR .....................................       $  49.99        $  54.59        $     52.85        $     58.23
Gross Operating Profit .....................       $ 69,860        $104,936        $    55,266        $    63,052
</TABLE>

----------

    (1) For purposes of showing operating trends, the results of the Frenchman's
Reef, which were impacted by hurricane damage, and ten hotels disposed in 1996
and 1997 have been excluded from the Other Data section of the table. Comparable
Owned Hotels refers to the 72 Owned Hotels that were owned or leased by the
Company during all of the three months ended September 30, 1996 and 1997
(excluding the Frenchman's Reef) and the 51 Owned Hotels that were owned or
leased by the Company during all of the nine months ended September 30, 1996 and
1997.


                                     - 12 -
<PAGE>   15
         Lodging revenues, which include room revenues and other related
revenues such as telephone and vending, increased by $17.2 million and $47.6
million, or 31.7% and 32.0%, respectively, for the three and nine months ended
September 30, 1997 as compared to the same periods in 1996. Lodging revenues for
the three months ended September 30, 1997 increased due to incremental revenues
of $17.4 million from new hotels and higher revenues for comparable Owned
Hotels, which increased by $5.4 million, or 11.1%. Lodging revenues for the nine
months ended September 30, 1997 increased due to incremental revenues of $50.7
million from new hotels and higher revenues for comparable Owned Hotels, which
increased $10.7 million or 9.8%. The revenue gains during the three and nine
month periods were partially offset by decreases of $1.8 million and $6.0
million at the Frenchman's Reef attributable to hurricane-related damage and
decreases of $3.8 million and $7.8 million related to the revenue from disposed
hotels. The following table sets forth operating data for the comparable Owned
Hotels for the three and nine months ended September 30, 1997 as compared to the
same periods in 1996, by product type:


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                           THREE MONTHS ENDED                            NINE MONTHS ENDED
                              SEPTEMBER 30,                                  SEPTEMBER 30,
                                                            %                                               %
                          1996            1997           CHANGE           1996           1997            CHANGE
                         ------          ------          ------          ------         ------           ------
<S>                      <C>             <C>              <C>            <C>            <C>              <C>
    AMERISUITES

         OCCUPANCY         71.6%           77.2%                           72.6%          73.8%

               ADR       $75.25          $76.02                          $71.57         $74.10

            REVPAR       $53.89          $58.71           8.9%           $51.93         $54.65            5.2%

    FULL-SERVICE

         OCCUPANCY         75.7%           78.5%                           69.4%          73.1%

               ADR       $88.97          $95.70                          $84.50         $91.96

            REVPAR       $67.33          $75.15           11.6%          $58.62         $67.21           14.7%

    WELLESLEY INNS

         OCCUPANCY         74.3%           77.0%                           77.7%          77.5%

               ADR       $50.15          $54.92                          $55.52         $59.21

            REVPAR       $37.28          $42.31           13.5%          $43.13         $45.86            6.3%

    TOTAL

         OCCUPANCY         73.8%           77.5%                           72.0%          74.0%

               ADR       $72.70          $76.95                          $73.44         $78.64

            REVPAR       $53.65          $59.59           11.1%          $52.85         $58.23           10.2%
</TABLE>

                                     - 13 -
<PAGE>   16
         The Company achieved solid revenue growth in all three of its industry
segments. The REVPAR increases reflect the results of several repositionings and
continued favorable industry trends in the full-service segment, growing
recognition of AmeriSuites as a leading brand in the fast-growing all-suites
segment and the reimaging program at the Wellesley Inns. The AmeriSuites results
were achieved despite a difficult comparison to the prior year which included
significant revenues attributable to the Olympics. Excluding Olympic-related
markets, AmeriSuites REVPAR grew by 12.3% and 9.5% for the three and nine months
periods. The improvements in REVPAR at comparable Owned Hotels were generated by
increases in ADR, which rose by 5.8% and 7.1%, and occupancy gains of 3.7 and
2.0 percentage points, respectively, for the three and nine months periods.

         Food and beverage revenues decreased by $134,000, or 1.5%, for the
three months ended September 30, 1997 primarily due to a decrease of $673,000 at
the Frenchman's Reef, which was closed during the quarter for renovations
attributed to hurricane damage. Food and beverage revenues increased by $1.1
million, or 4.0%, for the nine months ended September 30, 1997 as compared to
the same period in 1996. The increase was primarily due to the additional
revenues from three full-service hotels added in the past year and growth at
comparable Owned Hotels. The revenue gains for the nine month period were offset
by a $2.0 million decrease related to the Frenchman's Reef. Food and beverage
revenues for comparable Owned Hotels increased by $200,000, or 2.6%, and
$325,000, or 1.5%, respectively, for the three and nine month periods, as an
increase in banquet business was partially offset by the impact of renovations
at several food and beverage outlets.

         Management and other fees consist of base and incentive fees earned
under management agreements, fees for additional services rendered to Managed
Hotels and sales commissions earned by the Company's national sales group,
Market Segments, Inc. ("MSI"). Management and other fees decreased by $197,000,
or 11.3%, and $545,000, or 10.4%, for the three and nine months ended September
30, 1997, respectively, as compared to the same period in 1996 primarily due to
the conversions of Managed Hotels into Owned Hotels.

         Interest on mortgages and notes receivable primarily relate to
mortgages secured by certain Managed Hotels. Interest on mortgage and notes
receivable increased by $760,000, or 14.0%, and $360,000, or 7.6%,for the three
and nine months ended September 30, 1997, respectively, as compared to the same
period in 1996 due to the issuance of $23.2 million of notes related to the
interim loans to Homegate and increased interest recognized on subordinated or
junior mortgages which remit payments based on hotel cash flow.

         Business interruption insurance revenue is based on the settlement of
the Company's claim related to the hurricane damage at the Frenchmen's Reef
caused by Hurricane Marilyn in September 1995 and an estimate of lost profits
attributed to damage caused by Hurricane Bertha in July 1996. Business
interruption insurance revenue decreased by $1.0 million and $1.3 million,
respectively, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 1997 as compared
to the same periods in 1996 due to operating losses in 1996.


                                     - 14 -
<PAGE>   17
         Direct lodging expenses increased by $4.1 million, and $10.4 million,
or 29.7% and 27.5%, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 1997, as
compared to the same periods in 1996 due primarily to the addition of new
hotels. Direct lodging expenses, as a percentage of lodging revenue, decreased
from 25.4% to 25.0% for the three month period and from 25.5% to 24.6% for the
nine month period due to increases in ADR which had lower corresponding
increases in expenses. For comparable Owned Hotels, direct lodging expenses as a
percentage of lodging revenues were relatively stable, increasing from 24.8% to
25.0% for the three month period and decreasing from 25.0% to 24.7% for the nine
month period.

         Direct food and beverage expenses for the three and nine months ended
September 30, 1997 decreased by $478,000 and $410,000, or 6.5% and 1.8%, as
compared to the same periods in 1996, primarily due to the Frenchman's Reef. The
decreases were partially offset by increases due to the addition of two
full-service hotels. As a percentage of food and beverage revenues, direct food
and beverage expenses decreased from 83.2% to 78.9% for the three month period
and from 81.0% to 76.6% for the nine month period. For comparable Owned Hotels,
food and beverage expenses as a percentage of food and beverage revenues were
relatively stable, increasing slightly from 79.4% to 79.7% for the three month
period and decreasing from 77.0% to 75.6% for the nine month period.

         Direct hotel selling and general expenses consist primarily of hotel
expenses for Owned Hotels which are not specifically allocated to rooms or food
and beverage activities, such as administration, selling and advertising,
utilities, repairs and maintenance. Direct hotel selling and general expenses
increased by $744,000 and $3.6 million, or 4.6% and 7.8%, for the three and nine
months ended September 30, 1997 as compared to the same periods in 1996 due
primarily to the addition of new hotels. As a percentage of hotel revenues
(defined as lodging and food and beverage revenues), direct hotel selling and
general expenses decreased from 25.9% to 21.3% for the three month period and
from 26.1% to 22.0% for the nine month period. For the comparable Owned Hotels,
direct hotel selling and general expenses as a percentage of hotel revenues
decreased from 23.4% to 22.2% for the three month period and from 23.8% to 22.6%
for the nine month period. The decreases were primarily due to the ADR
improvements, effective expense controls and decreases in snow removal and other
weather-related costs in the first quarter.

         Occupancy and other operating expenses consist primarily of insurance,
real estate and other taxes and rent expense. Occupancy and other operating
expenses increased by $1.3 million and $4.9 million, or 29.9% and 41.8%, for the
three and nine months ended September 30, 1997, as compared to the same periods
in 1996 due to the addition of new hotels, including several leased hotels.
Occupancy and other operating expenses as percentage of hotel revenues increased
from 6.6% to 6.8% for the three month period and from 6.7% to 7.4% for the nine
month period due to rent expense associated with the new leased hotels.
Occupancy and other operating expenses are expected to increase in 1998 due to
the rent associated with the sale/leaseback of hotels.

         General and administrative expenses consist primarily of centralized
management expenses such as operations management, sales and marketing, finance
and hotel support services associated with operating both the Owned Hotels and
Managed Hotels and general corporate expenses. General



                                     - 15 -
<PAGE>   18
and administrative expenses increased by $871,000 and $2.2 million, or 20.2% and
17.0%, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 1997, respectively, as
compared to the same periods in 1996 due to increased advertising, personnel and
training costs associated with opening the new AmeriSuites hotels. As a
percentage of total revenues, general and administrative expenses decreased from
6.3% to 6.1% for the three month period and from 6.6% to 6.2% for the nine month
period due to increased operating leverage.

         Depreciation and amortization expense increased by $2.1 million and
$6.1 million, or 34.5% and 35.5%, for the three and nine months ended September
30, 1997 as compared to the same periods in 1996 due to the impact of new hotel
properties and refurbishment efforts at several hotels.

         Investment income decreased by $1.0 million and $1.5 million, or 56.8%
and 38.5%, for the three and nine month periods as compared to the same periods
in 1996 due to changes in the weighted average cash balances.

         Interest expense increased by $1.0 million and $581,000, or 17.2% and
3.2%, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 1997 as compared to the
same periods in 1996 primarily due to the issuance of $200 million of Senior
Subordinated Notes in March 1997 offset by capitalized interest related to new
AmeriSuites construction. The Company capitalized interest of $1.7 million and
$4.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 1996 and 1997, and $4.7
million and $11.6 million, respectively, for the nine months ended September 30,
1996 and 1997.

         Other income consists of items which are not part of the Company's
recurring operations. For nine months ended September 30, 1996, other income
consisted of a gains on the settlement of a note receivable of $1.8 million and
net gains on property transactions of $2.5 million. For the nine months ended
September 30, 1997, other income consisted of net gains on property transactions
of $1.9 million.

         Pretax extraordinary gains of approximately $12,000 for the three
months ended September 30, 1996, and $305,000 and $125,000 for the nine months
ended September 30, 1996 and 1997, respectively, relate to the retirement of
debt.


LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

         Prime's external growth focuses on the accelerated expansion of its
proprietary brands through new construction. As of October 31, 1997, Prime had
58 AmeriSuites in operation and plans to have 69 AmeriSuites hotels open by the
end of 1997 and 100 AmeriSuites open by the end of 1998.

         The Company also intends to expand the Homegate brand following its
proposed merger with Homegate. As of October 31, 1997, there were 12 Homegate
hotels in operation with plans to expand to approximately 20 Homegate hotels by
the end of 1997 and approximately 50 Homegate hotels by the end of 1998.


                                     - 16 -
<PAGE>   19
         Prime believes that it has access to sufficient resources to implement
its planned expansion of the AmeriSuites and Homegate brands, including capital
from the following sources: (i) borrowing availability under the Company's
Revolving Credit Facility; (ii) internally generated free cash flow and (iii)
proceeds from sale/leaseback transactions with respect to certain of its
properties. The Company may also from time to time seek additional debt or
equity financing.

         At September 30, 1997, the Company had cash, cash equivalents and
current marketable securities of $22.9 million. In addition, at September 30,
1997, the Company had $65.0 million available under the Revolving Credit
Facility.

         The Company's major sources of cash for the nine months ended September
30, 1997 were net proceeds, after expenses, of approximately $193.5 million from
the issuance of the Senior Subordinated Notes in March 1997, gross borrowings
under the Revolving Credit Facility of $102.5 million, cash flow from operations
of $61.2 million, and proceeds from sales of hotels of $25.6 million. The
Company's major uses of cash during the period were capital expenditures of
$250.7 million relating primarily to the development of new hotels and debt
repayments of $109.2 million, including repayments of $80.0 million under the
Revolving Credit Facility.

         Cash flow from operations was positively impacted by the utilization of
net operating loss carryforwards ("NOLs") and other tax basis differences of
$2.7 million in 1997 and $6.8 million in 1996, respectively. At September 30,
1997, the Company had federal NOLs relating primarily to its predecessor, Prime
Motor Inns, Inc. ("PMI"), of approximately $83.0 million which are subject to
annual utilization limitations and expire beginning in 2005 and continuing
through 2007.

         Sources of Capital. On September 22, 1997, Prime entered into a
strategic alliance with Equity Inns, Inc. ("Equity Inns"), a real estate
investment trust, for purposes of financing its brand development through the
sale/leaseback of AmeriSuites hotels. Under the agreement, Equity Inns has
certain rights to acquire AmeriSuites hotels developed by Prime over the next
three years. As part of the alliance, Prime has entered into an agreement with
Equity Inns for the sale of 10 AmeriSuites hotels for an aggregate consideration
of $86.3 million, consisting of $77.7 million in cash and $8.6 million in Equity
Inns limited partnership operating units. Prime has also agreed to lease the
hotels from Equity Inns for a term of 10 years, with certain renewal options.

      In order to finance the development of its proprietary brands, the Company
has retained an investment bank as its advisor for the purpose of evaluating and
entering into a sale/leaseback of nine of its full-service hotels. For the
twelve months ended September 30, 1997, these nine hotels generated revenues and
EBITDA of $55.0 million and $19.8 million, respectively. The Company intends to
maintain a beneficial interest in the hotels as manager/lessee pursuant to the
new lease structure. The Company is seeking to consummate the transaction by the
end of 1997, or the first quarter of 1998. Prime expects to pursue a second
sales/leaseback transaction in 1998 involving certain of its remaining
full-service hotels. There can be no assurance that the sale/leaseback
transactions will be completed.


                                     - 17 -
<PAGE>   20
         In January 1996, the Company issued the Senior Subordinated Notes in
reliance upon Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. Interest
on the Senior Subordinated Notes is payable semi-annually on April 1 and October
1 at the rate of 9 3/4% per year. The Notes are general unsecured obligations
and contain certain covenants including limitations on the incurrence of debt,
liens, dividend payments, certain investments, transactions with affiliates,
asset sales and mergers and consolidations. The Notes are redeemable, in whole
or in part, at the option of the Company on or after January 15, 2001 at
premiums to principal which decline on each anniversary date thereafter. The
Company utilized a portion of the proceeds to pay down approximately $101.1
million of indebtedness, with the remainder of the proceeds used to finance the
development of AmeriSuites hotels. Until used, the net proceeds will be invested
in short-term investment grade marketable securities or money market funds. The
indebtedness repaid with the proceeds from the Senior Subordinated Notes
included $75.6 million of borrowings outstanding under the Revolving Credit
Facility, $10.8 million of 10% Senior Secured Notes and $13.9 million of debt
secured by the Frenchmen's Reef. The Company has signed a commitment letter
with a commercial bank to provide up to $40.0 million of new financing in
connection with the refurbishment plans at the Frenchman's Reef.

       The Company established a Revolving Credit Facility in 1996 with a group
of financial institutions providing for availability of funds up to the lesser
of $100.0 million or a borrowing base determined under the agreement. The
Revolving Credit Facility is secured by certain of the Company's hotels with
recourse to the Company. Additional hotels may be added or substituted subject
to the approval of the lenders. The Revolving Credit Facility bears interest at
LIBOR plus 2.25% and is available through September 2001. The Revolving Credit
Facility contains covenants requiring the Company to maintain certain financial
ratios and also contains covenants which limit the incurrence and payment of
debts, liens, dividend payments, stock repurchases, certain investments,
transactions with affiliates, asset sales, mergers and consolidations and any
change of control of the Company. The aggregate amount of the Revolving Credit
Facility will be reduced to $87.0 million on September 28, 1999 and $75.0
million on September 28, 2000. As of October 31, 1997, the Company has $75.0
million of outstanding borrowings and $25.0 million available under the
Revolving Credit Facility. The company is currently in discussions with the
agent bank for purposes of increasing the size of the Revolving Credit Facility
to $200.0 million and modifying certain covenants.
       
         In October 1996, the Company entered into a nine-month interest rate
contract with a major financial institution to hedge its interest rate exposure
on the anticipated financing of its development program in 1997. Under the
agreement, the Company effectively fixed interest rates for approximately seven
years at a Treasury yield of 6.4% on a $98.4 million notional principal amount.
In April 1997, the Company terminated the agreement for a gain of $500,000 which
will be amortized as a reduction of interest expense over a seven year period.

         Capital Investments. The Company's capital spending in 1997 is focused
primarily on the development of its AmeriSuites hotel chain. For the nine months
ended September 30, 1997, the Company spent $201.2 million on new construction
funded primarily by existing cash balances,


                                     - 18 -
<PAGE>   21
internally generated cash flow, proceeds from borrowings under the Revolving
Credit Facility and the issuance of the Senior Subordinated Notes.

         The Company intends to rapidly expand its AmeriSuites chain through new
construction. The Company has opened 23 new AmeriSuites hotels since January 1,
1997 bringing the total to 58 hotels as of July 31, 1997. The Company plans to
have 69 AmeriSuites open by the end of 1997 and 100 AmeriSuites open by the end
of 1998. As of October 31, 1997, the Company had 46 AmeriSuites hotels under
development, including 20 under construction. The Company expects to spend a
total of approximately $300 million on development of new AmeriSuites hotels in
each of 1997 and 1998.

         Following the consummation of the merger, the Company also intends to
aggressively develop the Homegate brand through new construction. The Company
plans to have approximately 20 Homegate hotels open by the end of 1997 and
approximately 50 Homegate hotels open by the end of 1998. There are currently 12
Homegate hotels in operation with 39 Homegate hotels under development,
including 21 hotels under construction. In order to facilitate uninterrupted
development of the Homegate hotels, the Company has agreed to provide up to
$65.0 million of interim loans to Homegate pending completion of the merger. All
interim loans will mature on the earliest of (a) April 1, 1998, (b) the date
Homegate enters into any agreement with a third party (other than the Merger
Agreement) involving the merger or sale of substantially all the assets of
Homegate and (c) four months after the termination of the Merger Agreement. The
interim loans bear interest at a rate per annum equal to the one month London
Interbank Offered Rate plus 3.50% (increasing to 5.00% upon the earlier of
November 30, 1997 and the date of any termination of the Merger Agreement). As
of October 31, 1997, an aggregate amount of $32.5 million of interim loans was
outstanding. The Company expects to spend approximately $200 million in 1998 on
development of new Homegate hotels.

         In March 1997, the Company completed a $9.0 million renovation of the
14 Wellesley Inns acquired in 1996. The Company believes that the renovations
position the Wellesley Inns chain for strong growth in 1997, with a high degree
of consistency and product quality.

         In February 1997, the Company acquired a Holiday Inn in Monroe
Township, NJ for $11.2 million in cash. The Company intends to spend an
additional $3.5 million relating to the refurbishing of the hotel. The Company
may from time to time acquire full-service hotels having operating synergies
with other Company hotels, although no such acquisitions are currently pending.

         In September 1995, the Frenchman's Reef in St. Thomas U.S. Virgin
Islands suffered damage when Hurricane Marilyn struck the island. The Company
and its insurance carrier settled the Company's property and business
interruption insurance claim with respect to Hurricane Marilyn for $25.0
million. In July 1996, the Company received the final installment under its
settlement, bringing the net proceeds to $22.8 million, net of deductibles, for
which the Company provided a reserve of $2.2 million in 1995. In addition, in
July 1996, Hurricane Bertha struck the island and caused further damage to the
hotel. The Company has thus far received $2.5 million in insurance proceeds with



                                     - 19 -
<PAGE>   22
respect to Hurricane Bertha from one of its insurers. The Company has filed a
lawsuit against several of its other insurers seeking to recover the balance of
its insurance claim.

         The Company is currently underway with plans to refurbish the
Frenchman's Reef. Redevelopment plans provide for significant hurricane-related
renovations and certain enhancements. The Company estimates that the cost of
refurbishment will be approximately $35.0 million. Due to the extent of the
renovations, the Company closed the hotel on April 1, 1997 and plans to reopen
the hotel in December 1997, although there can be no assurance that the
Frenchman's Reef will reopen at such time or that the cost of refurbishment will
not exceed the Company's estimate. The Company does not believe the closing of
the Frenchman's Reef will have a material impact on its cash flow due to the
seasonality of the hotel's operations and its business interruption insurance
coverage.

         For the nine months ended September 30, 1997, the Company spent
approximately $38.4 million on capital improvements at its Owned Hotels, of
which approximately $25.2 million related to refurbishments and repositionings
of hotels.

         In order to facilitate future tax-free exchanges of hotel properties,
the Company from time to time enters into arrangements with an unaffiliated
third party under Section 1031 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
As of September 30, 1997, the Company had advanced approximately $117.9 million
to such third party which advances are classified as property, equipment and
leasehold improvements.

         Asset Realizations. As part of the Company's brand development
strategy, the Company has sold the majority of its limited-service hotels
operated under franchise agreements. Through September 30, 1997, the Company
received $25.6 million in cash on sales of seven hotel properties resulting in
gains of $1.9 million.



                                     - 20 -
<PAGE>   23
    PART II.      OTHER INFORMATION


    ITEM 6.       EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K.

         (b)      11   Computation of Earnings Per Share

                  27   Financial Data Schedule


         (c)     On July 28, 1997 a report on Form 8-K was filed announcing the
                 Company's merger agreement with Homegate Hospitality, Inc.


                                     - 21 -
<PAGE>   24
                                   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.





                                            PRIME HOSPITALITY CORP.



    Date:     November 6, 1997              By:      /s/ David A. Simon
                                                     ---------------------
                                            David A. Simon, President and
                                            Chief Executive Officer



    Date:     November 6, 1997              By:      /s/ John M. Elwood
                                                     ---------------------
                                            John M. Elwood, Executive
                                            Vice President and Chief
                                            Financial Officer


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