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 September 30, 1996

                                        OR

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

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


Commission File Number 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 33,003,779 shares of common stock, par value $.01 per share of
the issuer's common stock outstanding as of the close of business on November
12, 1996.

                                      INDEX


Part I - Financial Information                                  Page No.

Item 1.  Consolidated Financial Statements

     Consolidated Balance Sheets September 30, 1996
     (Unaudited) and December 31, 1995.............................      3

     Consolidated Statements of Income (Unaudited) - For
     the Nine Months Ended September 30, 1996 and 1995.............      4

     Consolidated Statements of Income (Unaudited) - For
     the Three Months Ended September 30, 1996 and 1995............      5

     Consolidated Statements of Shareholders'
     Equity (Unaudited) - For the Nine Months Ended
     September 30, 1996 and 1995...................................      6

     Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) - For
     the Nine Months Ended September 30, 1996 and 1995.............      7

     Notes to (Unaudited) Consolidated Financial Statements........     8-10

Item 2.  Management's Discussion and Analysis of
         Financial Condition and Results of Operations..............    11-17 


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)

                                            September 30,     December 31,
                                                1996              1995
                                             (UNAUDITED)

<S>                                        <C>                <C>

ASSETS:
Investments:
   Fixed maturities:
    Available for sale at market (Cost
      of $1,739,189 and $1,748,142,
      respectively)                        $ 1,775,532        $ 1,855,663
   Common stocks (Cost of $35,136 and
      $34,080, respectively)                    44,336             37,748
   Mortgage Loans                               18,801             19,015
   Real Estate                                     426                429
   Policy Loans                                 18,241             18,601
   Short-term investments                      215,513            192,621
   Other invested assets                       174,327            150,331
          Total investments                  2,247,176          2,274,408

Cash and cash equivalents                       (2,632)            (1,874)
Accrued investment income                       34,737             34,328
Deferred policy acquisition costs               42,521             33,330
Furniture and equipment, net                       375                369
Amounts due from reinsurers                      7,454              7,664
Federal income tax recoverable                       0                477
Other assets                                     1,625              1,818
Assets held in separate account                  5,690              6,240
          TOTAL ASSETS                     $ 2,336,946        $ 2,356,760

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY:
Liabilities:
Policy Liabilities:
   Policyholders' account balances         $ 1,250,227        $ 1,269,898
   Future policy benefits:
    Annuity                                    363,600            362,027
    Life and accident and health                49,014             47,464
   Other policy liabilities                      3,656              4,161
          Total policy liabilities           1,666,497          1,683,550
Dollar Repurchase Agreements                   186,492            160,416
Notes payable                                   50,000             50,000
Deposits on policies to be issued                2,508              2,947
Federal income taxes payable                     2,052                  0
Deferred federal income taxes                   22,643             44,760
General expenses and taxes accrued               6,583              4,770
Other liabilities                                1,162              3,017
Liabilities related to separate account          5,690              6,240
          Total liabilities                  1,943,627          1,955,700

Shareholders' Equity:
   Capital stock ($.01 par value,
     authorized 100,000,000 shares,
     issued and outstanding 32,910,297
     shares in 1996 and 33,536,601
     shares in 1995)                               329                335
   Additional paid in capital                   24,092             30,130
   Net unrealized investment gains              23,604             61,732
   Retained earnings                           345,294            308,863

    Total Shareholders' Equity                 393,319            401,060

    TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS'
        EQUITY                             $ 2,336,946        $ 2,356,760


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)


                                                  NINE MONTHS ENDED
                                                     SEPTEMBER 30
                                                     (UNAUDITED)

                                                1996               1995

<S>                                        <C>                <C> 

REVENUES:
 Insurance revenues:
   Premiums                                $     2,138        $     2,708
   Annuity considerations                        5,663              3,063
   Universal life and investment
     type policy fee income                      1,485              1,448
 Net investment income                         136,899            127,095
 Realized investment gains                      17,212             11,435
 Other income                                    2,385              1,360

        TOTAL REVENUES                         165,782            147,109

BENEFITS AND EXPENSES:
 Death and other life insurance benefits         4,698              5,159
 Annuity benefits                               27,155             27,042
 Interest credited to policyholders'
   account balances                             55,820             58,786
 Interest expense on notes payable               3,774              3,781
 Other interest and other charges                  358                366
 Change in liability for future
   policy benefits                               2,855                  7
 Commissions to agents, net                      2,213              2,436
 General expenses and taxes                      9,216              8,174
 Decrease in deferred policy
   acquisition costs                             2,243                771

        TOTAL BENEFITS AND EXPENSES            108,332            106,522

Income before income taxes                      57,450             40,587

Provision (benefit) for income taxes
   Current                                      20,684              6,866
   Deferred                                     (1,992)              (875)
                                                18,692              5,991

NET INCOME                                 $    38,758        $    34,596

Income per share                           $      1.16        $      1.03

Weighted average number of shares
outstanding during the period               33,254,751         33,665,821


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
                                                     SEPTEMBER 30
                                                     (UNAUDITED)

                                                1996              1995

<S>                                        <C>                <C>

REVENUES:
 Insurance revenues:
   Premiums                                $       861        $     1,062
   Annuity considerations                        3,344              1,666
   Universal life and investment
     type policy fee income                        494                494
 Net investment income                          42,958             40,749
 Realized investment gains                       7,484              8,139
 Other income                                      834                272

        TOTAL REVENUES                          55,975             52,382

BENEFITS AND EXPENSES:
 Death and other life insurance benefits         1,590              1,844
 Annuity benefits                                9,162              9,227
 Interest credited to policyholders'
   account balances                             18,439             20,014
 Interest expense on notes payable               1,262              1,271
 Other interest and other charges                  113                106
 Change in liability for future
   policy benefits                               1,855                385
 Commissions to agents, net                      1,004                832
 General expenses and taxes                      2,258              3,063
 Decrease in deferred policy
   acquisition costs                               366                 61

        TOTAL BENEFITS AND EXPENSES             36,049             36,803

Income before income taxes                      19,926             15,579

Provision (benefit) for income taxes
 Current                                         6,656              6,071
 Deferred                                         (814)              (704)
                                                 5,842              5,367

NET INCOME                                 $    14,084        $    10,212

Income per share                           $       .42        $       .30

Weighted average number of shares
outstanding during the period               33,066,495         33,665,821


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 NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1996 AND 1995
                      (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE DATA)
                                 (UNAUDITED)

 
                                  Net
                       Additional Unrealized
             Capital   Paid-in-   Investment      Retained   Treasury
             Stock     Capital    Gains (Losses)  Earnings   Stock      Total

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

Balance at
December
31, 1994    $337       $ 31,751   $ (39,463)     $263,328    $0       $255,953

Net income                                         34,596               34,596

Issuance of
Shares Under
Stock Option
Plan                        39                                              39

Change in
Unrealized
Investment
Gains, Net                           74,232                             74,232

Purchase and
Retirement
of Stock      (2)       (1,704)                                         (1,706)

Dividends
Paid to
Shareholders
(.045 per
share)                                             (1,514)              (1,514)

Balance at
September
30, 1995    $335       $ 30,086   $  34,769      $296,410   $0        $361,600


Balance at
December
31, 1995    $335       $ 30,130   $ 61,732       $308,863   $0        $401,060

Net Income                                        38,758                38,758

Issuance of
Shares Under
Stock Option
Plan                       193                                             193

Purchase and
Retirement
of Stock      (6)       (6,231)                                         (6,237)

Change in
Unrealized
Investment
Gains, Net                         (38,128)                            (38,128)

Dividends
paid to
Shareholders
(.07 per
share)                                            (2,327)               (2,327)

Balance at
September
30, 1996    $329       $ 24,092   $ 23,604      $345,294    $0        $393,319


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)

                                                      NINE MONTHS ENDED
                                                        SEPTEMBER 30
                                                        (UNAUDITED)

                                                         1996          1995

<S>                                                 <C>           <C>

OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
 Net income                                         $    38,758   $    34,596
 Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash
   provided by (used in) operating activities:
     Provision (benefit) for deferred income taxes       (1,992)         (875)
     Depreciation and amortization                          370           375
     Net accrual of discount on fixed maturities         (1,009)         (425)
     Realized investment losses (gains)                 (17,212)      (11,435)
 Changes in:
     Accrued investment income                             (409)      (10,068)
     Deferred policy acquisition costs                    2,243           771
     Federal income tax recoverable                         477         9,134
     Liabilities for future policy benefits               3,123           317
     Other items                                          2,490           545

       Net Cash Provided by
         Operating Activities                            26,839        22,935

INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
 Fixed Maturities:
   Held To Maturity:
     Acquisitions                                             0      (238,062)
     Sales                                                    0             0
     Maturities, calls and repayments                         0        11,967
   Available For Sale:
     Acquisitions                                      (236,274)       (5,253)
     Sales                                               11,682        42,296
     Maturities, calls and repayments                   216,202        40,124
 Common Stocks:
   Acquisitions                                          (9,552)      (21,323)
   Sales                                                 39,408        53,142
 Increase in short term investments
   and policy loans                                     (22,532)     (140,104)
 Other Invested Assets:
   Additions to other invested assets                   (47,695)      (27,052)
   Distributions from other invested assets              23,700        19,288
 Purchase of property and equipment                        (152)          (35)
 Mortgage loans on real estate                              214        (1,526)
 Amount due from security transactions                        0        51,162

     Net Cash (Used in)
       Investing Activities                             (24,999)     (215,376)

FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
 Proceeds from Dollar Repurchase Agreements           1,644,739     1,207,647
 Repayment of Dollar Repurchase Agreements           (1,618,662)   (1,024,488)
 Increase (decrease) in policyholders'
    account balances                                    (19,671)       12,452
 Repurchase of common stock                              (6,238)       (1,667)
 Deposits on policies to be issued                         (439)          (77)
 Dividends paid to shareholders                          (2,327)       (1,514)

     Net Cash Provided by (Used in)
       Financing Activities                              (2,598)      192,353

Decrease in Cash and Cash Equivalents                      (758)          (88)

Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Year           (1,874)         (772)

Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Period          $    (2,632)  $      (860)

Supplemental Cash Flow Disclosure:

 Income Taxes Paid                                  $    17,073   $     1,357

 Interest Paid                                      $     2,375   $     2,375


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 ("the
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 nine months ended September 30, 1996
are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for
the year ending December 31, 1996.  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, 1995.

     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 estimated market value and unrealized
gains and losses, net of the effects of amortization of deferred policy
acquisition costs of approximately $4.2 million and $15.6 million, and
deferred Federal income taxes of approximately $12.7 million and $32.2
million at September 30, 1996 and December 31, 1995, respectively, are
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, 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 venture capital,
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 September 30, 1996
and December 31, 1995.  As of September 30, 1996, the Company was
committed to contribute, if called upon, an aggregate of approximately
$67.4 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%) interest 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 Pennsylvania
Insurance Commissioner Linda S. Kaiser, 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 disagrees
with the Commissioner's decision to reopen the process and has reserved
all of its rights, including those under the Stock Purchase Agreement
signed in January 1995 with the Pennsylvania Insurance Department.

     D.  Federal Income Taxes

     The Company accounts for income taxes in accordance with SFAS No.
109, "Accounting for Income Taxes" ("SFAS 109") which requires an asset
and liability method in recording income taxes on all transactions that
have been recognized in the financial statements. SFAS 109 provides that
deferred taxes be 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. 123, "Accounting
for Stock-Based Compensation" ("SFAS No. 123"), was issued in October of
1995 and requires adoption not later than fiscal years that begin after
December 15, 1995.  SFAS 123 establishes financial accounting and
reporting standards for stock-based employee compensation plans.  It
requires expanded disclosures of stock-based compensation arrangements
with employees and encourages (but does not require) application of the
"fair value" method of accounting for an employee stock option.  If an
entity retains the accounting defined under APB Opinion No. 25,
"Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees", certain pro forma
disclosures of net income and earnings per share must be made as if the
fair value based method defined in SFAS 123 had been applied.  The
Company has determined that it will retain the accounting methodology
prescribed by APB No. 25 and will disclose the pro forma effects of such
stock-based compensation as required in 1996.

     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.  Management is evaluating the impact of SFAS No. 125 on the
Company.  

2.  INVESTMENTS

     Investments in U.S. Government & Government Agencies with an
aggregate carrying value of $506,107,000 represent investments owned in
any one issuer that aggregate 10% or more of Shareholders' Equity as of
September 30, 1996.

     Securities with a carrying value of approximately $5.2 million were
on deposit with various state insurance departments to comply with
applicable insurance laws.

3.  NOTES PAYABLE

     Notes payable at September 30, 1996 and December 31, 1995 consist
of $50 million, 9 1/2% Senior Notes ("Senior Notes") 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 September 30, 1996, such unamortized costs were $1.2 million. 
There are no principal payments required for the senior notes over the
next three years and the total principal is due on December 15, 2000. 
The senior notes are 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.

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 nine months ended September 30, 1996
reflect the reduction in the deferred tax asset as of September 30,
1996.  The Company's effective tax rates for the nine months ended
September 30, 1996 and 1995 were 32.5% and 14.8%, respectively.  As a
result of the finalization of the Company's 1994 federal income tax
return, during the second quarter of 1995 the federal income tax
recoverable was increased by $3.1 million which reduced income tax
expense by a similar amount.

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 annuities and individual life
insurance.  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 Nine Months Ended September 30, 1996 to Nine Months
Ended September 30, 1995.

     Revenues

     Annuity Considerations and Life Insurance Premiums

     Total annuity considerations and life insurance premiums increased
to approximately $7.8 million for the nine months ended September 30,
1996 from approximately $5.8 million for the nine months ended September
30, 1995, an increase of approximately 35.2%.  Of this amount, annuity
considerations increased to approximately $5.7 million for the nine
months ended September 30, 1996 from approximately $3.1 million for the
nine months ended September 30, 1995, an increase of approximately
84.9%.  In accordance with generally accepted accounting principles,
sales of single premium deferred annuities and universal life products
are not reported as insurance revenues, but rather as additions to
policyholder account balances.  Sales of single premium deferred
annuities were approximately $60.6 million for the nine months ended
September 30, 1996 compared to $65.5 million for the nine months ended
September 30, 1995.  Sales of single premium deferred annuities were
$86.9 million in fiscal 1995.

     Policy Fee Income

     Universal life and investment type policy fee income was
approximately $1.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 1996,
as compared to approximately $1.4 million for the nine months ended
September 30, 1995, an increase of approximately 2.6%.  Policy fee
income consists principally of amounts assessed during the period
against policyholders' account balances for mortality charges and
surrender charges.

     Net Investment Income

     Net investment income totaled approximately $136.9 million for the
nine months ended September 30, 1996, as compared to approximately
$127.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 1995.  This
represents an increase of approximately 7.7%. Investment income from
"other invested assets" totaled approximately $23.7 million during the
nine months ended September 30, 1996, as compared to approximately $19.2
million during the nine months ended September 30, 1995.  The Company's
ratio of net investment income to average cash and invested assets less
net investment income for the nine months ended September 30, 1996 was
9.0% and for the nine months ended September 30, 1995 was 8.9%,
respectively.

     Realized Investment Gains and Losses

     Realized investment gains amounted to approximately $17.2 million
during the nine months ended September 30, 1996, as compared to
approximately $11.4 million of gains during the nine months ended
September 30, 1995.  Realized investment gains for the nine months ended
September 30, 1996 and 1995 were partially offset by realized investment
losses of approximately $0.9 million and $5.0 million, respectively,
attributable to sales and writedowns of certain securities contained in
the Company's 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 nine months ended September 30,
1996 aggregated approximately $108.3 million, as compared to
approximately $106.5 million for the nine months ended September 30,
1995, an increase of approximately 1.7%.  The reasons for this increase
are discussed under the respective components below. 

     Interest Credited and Benefits to Policyholders

     Interest credited and other benefits to policyholders aggregated
approximately $87.7 million for the nine months ended September 30,
1996, as compared to approximately $91.0 million for the nine months
ended September 30, 1995.  This represents a decrease of approximately
3.6%.  As a result of the interest rate environment during the second
quarter of 1996, the Insurance Company increased its credited rate of
interest on its newly issued deferred annuity products and increased
rates overall on its other interest-sensitive products. During the third
quarter of 1996 these rates remained unchanged.  In addition, the
renewal rates on existing policies were decreased on their respective
renewal dates.

     The Insurance Company's average credited rate for reserves and
account balances for the nine months ended September 30, 1996 and 1995
was less than the Company's ratio of net investment income to mean
invested assets for the same periods 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 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 was
approximately $3.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 1996,
as compared to approximately $3.8 million for the nine months ended
September 30, 1995.

     General Expenses, Taxes and Commissions

     General expenses, taxes and commissions to agents aggregated
approximately $11.4 million for the nine months ended September 30,
1996, as compared to approximately $10.6 million for the nine months
ended September 30, 1995, an increase of approximately 7.7%.  This
increase is primarily attributable to higher professional fees
associated with the potential acquisition of Fidelity.

     Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs

     The change in the net Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs for the
nine months ended September 30, 1996 resulted in a charge of
approximately $2.2 million, as compared to 
a charge of approximately $0.8 million for the nine months ended
September 30, 1995. 

     Income Before Income Taxes

     For the reasons discussed above, income before income taxes
amounted to approximately $57.5 million for the nine months ended
September 30, 1996, as compared to approximately $40.6 million for the
nine months ended September 30, 1995.

     Income Taxes

     Income tax expense was $18.7 million for the nine months ended
September 30, 1996 as compared to approximately $6.0 million for the
nine months ended September 30, 1995.  The increase is primarily
attributable to higher income from operations and realized capital gains
for the nine months ended September 30, 1996.  In addition, as a result
of the finalization of the Company's 1994 federal income tax return,
during the second quarter of 1995 the federal income tax recoverable was
increased by $3.1 million which reduced income tax expense by a similar
amount.

     Net Income

     For the reasons discussed above, the Company had net income of
approximately $38.8 million during the nine months ended September 30,
1996, as compared to net income of approximately $34.6 million during
the nine months ended September 30, 1995.

     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 sources of cash are dividends from
the Insurance Company, sales of and interest on its investments
(exclusive of those held by the Insurance Company) and rent from its
real estate.  During the second quarter of 1996, the Company's Board of
Directors increased the semi-annual dividend rate to $.07 per share and
authorized a buy-back program of up to 1,000,000 shares of its stock,
from time to time.

     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 State law.  New York State 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 nine months of 1996,
the Insurance Company paid dividends to the Company of $15 million. 
During the fiscal year 1995, the Insurance Company paid dividends of $5
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 annuity
contracts and life insurance policies (including withdrawals and
surrender payments), 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 $26.8 million and $22.9 million during
the nine months ended September 30, 1996 and 1995, respectively.  Net
cash provided by (used in) the Company's investing activities
(principally reflecting investments purchased less investments called,
redeemed or sold) was approximately $(25.0) million and $(215.4) million
during the nine months ended  September 30, 1996 and 1995, 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 also are considered to be a
financing activity.  Net cash provided by (used in) the Company's
financing activities amounted to approximately $(2.6) million and $192.4
million during the nine months ended September 30, 1996 and 1995,
respectively.  This fluctuation primarily is attributable to the net
change in dollar roll repurchase agreements, lower policyholder account
balances and an increase in repurchasing of the Company's common stock
during the nine months ended September 30, 1996.

     The Company currently has no bank lines of credit.

     The indenture governing the Senior Notes contains covenants
relating to limitations on additional indebtedness, restricted payments,
liens, sale or issuance of capital stock of the Insurance Company,
certain asset sales and the ability to engage in mergers or similar
transactions.  In the event the Company violates such covenants as
defined in the Indenture, the Company is obligated to repurchase 25% of
the outstanding principal amount of such notes.  Management believes
that the Company is in compliance with all of the covenants.

     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 9.2% and 8.2% as of September 30, 1996
and December 31, 1995, respectively).  The weighted average duration of
the Company's investment portfolio was approximately seven years as of
September 30, 1996.  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.  These investments are
carried at 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, which include common stocks and non-redeemable preferred
stocks, 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 Company maintains a portfolio which includes below investment
grade debt 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 September 30, 1996 and December 31, 1995,
the carrying value of these securities was approximately $123.4 million
and $159.6 million, respectively, (representing approximately 5.3% and
6.8%, respectively, of the Company's total assets and 31.4% and 39.8%,
respectively, of shareholder's equity).

     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 September 30,
1996 and December 31, 1995, approximately 5.7% and 7.4%, respectively,
of the Insurance Company's total admitted assets were invested in below
investment grade debt securities.

     Management expects that (primarily as a result of calls,
redemptions and repayments) the percentage of the Company's portfolio
invested in below investment grade debt securities to decline over time. 
No new below investment grade debt investments 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 debt 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 debt
securities because below investment grade debt securities generally are
unsecured and often are subordinated to other creditors of the issuer.
Also, issuers of below investment grade debt 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 September 30, 1996, approximately 7.8% of the Company's total
invested assets were invested in limited partnerships.  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.  Investments in limited partnerships
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 $67.4 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.  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 Securities and Exchange 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, during the first three quarters of fiscal
1996 and in fiscal 1995, the Company participated in "dollar roll"
repurchase agreements.  Amounts outstanding to repurchase securities
under such agreements were $186.5 million and $160.4 at September 30,
1996 and December 31, 1995, 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%) interest 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 Pennsylvania
Insurance Commissioner Linda S. Kaiser, 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 disagrees with the Commissioner's decision to reopen the
process and has reserved all of its rights, including those under the
Stock Purchase Agreement signed in January 1995 with the Pennsylvania
Insurance Department.

     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 jurisdictions 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 manages 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 since all of the Company's investments are designated as
available for sale in the Company's consolidated balance sheet that they
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
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 current 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 or decline further, 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.  Management has not yet determined the impact of SFAS No.
125 on the Company. 

     Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123, "Accounting
for Stock-Based Compensation" ("SFAS No. 123"), was issued in October of
1995 and requires adoption not later than fiscal years that begin after
December 15, 1995.  SFAS 123 establishes financial accounting and
reporting standards for stock-based employee compensation plans.  It
requires expanded disclosures of stock-based compensation arrangements
with employees and encourages (but does not require) application of the
"fair value" method of accounting for an employee stock option.  If an
entity retains the accounting defined under APB Opinion No. 25,
"Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees", certain pro forma
disclosures of net income and earnings per share must be made as if the
fair value based method defined in SFAS 123 had been applied.  The
Company has determined that it will retain the accounting methodology
prescribed by APB No. 25 and will disclose the pro forma effects of such
stock-based compensation as required in 1996.


                      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 November 12, 1996, 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

               None


                     PRESIDENTIAL LIFE CORPORATION
                          SEPTEMBER 30, 1996



                              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:     November 12, 1996             /s/ Herbert Kurz
                                        Herbert Kurz, President and
                                        Duly Authorized Officer of the
                                        Registrant


Date:     November 12, 1996             /s/ Michael V. Oporto
                                        Michael V. Oporto, Principal
                                        Accounting Officer of the Registrant