<PAGE>   1
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

                                    FORM 10-Q


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

      FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1998

                                 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 0-18169

                            IEA INCOME FUND IX, L.P.
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


          California                              94-3069954
(State or other jurisdiction of                (I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization)                Identification No.)

        444 Market Street, 15th Floor, San Francisco, California  94111
                  (Address of principal executive offices)     (Zip Code)

                                 (415) 677-8990
              (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 [ ]

<PAGE>   2
                            IEA INCOME FUND IX, L.P.

                  REPORT ON FORM 10-Q FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD
                            ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1998

                                TABLE OF CONTENTS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                           PAGE
                                                                                                           ----
<S>        <C>                                                                                           <C>
PART I --  FINANCIAL INFORMATION

  Item 1.  Financial Statements

           Balance Sheets - September 30, 1998 (unaudited) and December 31, 1997                             4

           Statements of Operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 1998
           and 1997 (unaudited)                                                                              5

           Statements of Cash Flows for the nine months ended September 30, 1998
           and 1997 (unaudited)                                                                              6

           Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited)                                                         7

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

  Item 3.  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk                                       12

PART II -- OTHER INFORMATION

  Item 1.  Legal Proceedings                                                                                13

  Item 3.  Defaults Upon Senior Securities                                                                  14

  Item 5.  Other Information                                                                                14

  Item 6.  Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K                                                                 16
</TABLE>


                                       2
<PAGE>   3
                         PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION


Item 1. Financial Statements

        Presented herein are the Registrant's balance sheets as of September 30,
        1998 and December 31, 1997, statements of operations for the three and
        nine months ended September 30, 1998 and 1997, and statements of cash
        flows for the nine months ended September 30, 1998 and 1997.


                                       3
<PAGE>   4
                            IEA INCOME FUND IX, L.P.

                                 BALANCE SHEETS

                                   (UNAUDITED)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                   September 30,     December 31,
                                                                                        1998             1997
                                                                                   -------------     ------------
<S>                                                                                <C>               <C>
                                     Assets

Current assets:
    Cash and cash equivalents, includes $782,112 at September 30, 1998 and
       $999,700 at December 31, 1997 in interest-bearing accounts                   $    782,212     $    999,900
    Net lease receivables due from Leasing Company
       (notes 1 and 2)                                                                   319,799          385,314
                                                                                    ------------     ------------
           Total current assets                                                        1,102,011        1,385,214
                                                                                    ------------     ------------

Container rental equipment, at cost                                                   14,729,410       15,717,692
    Less accumulated depreciation                                                      7,554,588        7,400,531
                                                                                    ------------     ------------
       Net container rental equipment                                                  7,174,822        8,317,161
                                                                                    ------------     ------------
                                                                                    $  8,276,833     $  9,702,375
                                                                                    ============     ============
                                Partners' Capital

Partners' capital (deficit):
    General partner                                                                 $    (34,086)    $    (19,830)
    Limited partners                                                                   8,310,919        9,722,205
                                                                                    ------------     ------------
           Total partners' capital                                                     8,276,833        9,702,375
                                                                                    ------------     ------------
                                                                                    $  8,276,833     $  9,702,375
                                                                                    ============     ============
</TABLE>

   The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.


                                       4
<PAGE>   5
                            IEA INCOME FUND IX, L.P.

                            STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

                                   (UNAUDITED)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                          Three Months Ended                         Nine Months Ended
                                                   ---------------------------------        -----------------------------------
                                                   September 30,       September 30,        September 30,         September 30,
                                                       1998                1997                  1998                  1997
                                                   -------------       -------------        -------------         -------------
<S>                                                <C>                 <C>                  <C>                   <C>        
Net lease revenue (notes 1 and 3)                    $ 388,080           $ 437,531           $ 1,229,403           $ 1,322,701

Other operating expenses:
    Depreciation                                       219,303             233,564               667,208               714,130
    Other general and administrative expenses           14,232               5,670                38,118                28,665
                                                     ---------           ---------           -----------           -----------
                                                       233,535             239,234               705,326               742,795
                                                     ---------           ---------           -----------           -----------
       Earnings from operations                        154,545             198,297               524,077               579,906

Other income (loss):
    Interest income                                     10,244               9,996                34,492                30,998
    Net loss on disposal of equipment                  (65,293)            (37,728)             (135,300)              (67,147)
                                                     ---------           ---------           -----------           -----------
                                                       (55,049)            (27,732)             (100,808)              (36,149)
                                                     ---------           ---------           -----------           -----------
       Net earnings                                  $  99,496           $ 170,565           $   423,269           $   543,757
                                                     =========           =========           ===========           ===========

Allocation of net earnings:
    General partner                                  $  19,780           $  20,490           $    60,587           $    63,581
    Limited partners                                    79,716             150,075               362,682               480,176
                                                     ---------           ---------           -----------           -----------
                                                     $  99,496           $ 170,565           $   423,269           $   543,757
                                                     =========           =========           ===========           ===========
Limited partners' per unit share of net earnings     $    2.35           $    4.42           $     10.67           $     14.13
                                                     =========           =========           ===========           ===========
</TABLE>

   The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.


                                       5
<PAGE>   6
                            IEA INCOME FUND IX, L.P.

                            STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

                                   (UNAUDITED)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                    Nine Months Ended
                                                               ----------------------------
                                                               September 30,    September 30,
                                                                   1998             1997
                                                               ------------     -----------
<S>                                                            <C>              <C>
Net cash provided by operating activities                       $ 1,222,525     $ 1,414,047

Cash flows provided by (used in) investing activities:
    Proceeds from sale of container rental equipment                408,598         214,558
    Acquisition fees paid to general partner                             --            (349)
                                                                -----------     -----------
       Net cash provided by investing activities                    408,598         214,209
                                                                -----------     -----------

Cash flows used in financing activities:
    Distribution to partners                                     (1,848,811)     (1,614,561)
                                                                -----------     -----------

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents               (217,688)         13,695

Cash and cash equivalents at January 1                              999,900         936,081
                                                                -----------     -----------
Cash and cash equivalents at September 30                       $   782,212     $   949,776
                                                                ===========     ===========
</TABLE>

   The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.


                                       6
<PAGE>   7
                            IEA INCOME FUND IX, L.P.

                     NOTES TO UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


(1)   Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

      (a) Nature of Operations

          IEA Income Fund IX, L.P. (the "Partnership") is a limited partnership
          organized under the laws of the State of California on June 8, 1988
          for the purpose of owning and leasing marine cargo containers. Cronos
          Capital Corp. ("CCC") is the general partner and, with its affiliate
          Cronos Containers Limited (the "Leasing Company"), manages the
          business of the Partnership. The Partnership shall continue until
          December 31, 2009, unless sooner terminated upon the occurrence of
          certain events.

          The Partnership commenced operations on December 5, 1988, when the
          minimum subscription proceeds of $1,000,000 were obtained. The
          Partnership offered 40,000 units of limited partnership interest at
          $500 per unit, or $20,000,000. The offering terminated on September
          11, 1989, at which time 33,992 limited partnership units had been
          purchased.

          As of September 30, 1998, the Partnership owned and operated 2,020
          twenty-foot, 679 forty-foot and 1,268 forty-foot high-cube marine dry
          cargo containers.

      (b) Leasing Company and Leasing Agent Agreement

          Pursuant to the Limited Partnership Agreement of the Partnership, all
          authority to administer the business of the Partnership is vested in
          CCC. CCC has entered into a Leasing Agent Agreement whereby the
          Leasing Company has the responsibility to manage the leasing
          operations of all equipment owned by the Partnership. Pursuant to the
          Agreement, the Leasing Company is responsible for leasing, managing
          and re-leasing the Partnership's containers to ocean carriers and has
          full discretion over which ocean carriers and suppliers of goods and
          services it may deal with. The Leasing Agent Agreement permits the
          Leasing Company to use the containers owned by the Partnership,
          together with other containers owned or managed by the Leasing Company
          and its affiliates, as part of a single fleet operated without regard
          to ownership. Since the Leasing Agent Agreement meets the definition
          of an operating lease in Statement of Financial Accounting Standards
          (SFAS) No. 13, it is accounted for as a lease under which the
          Partnership is lessor and the Leasing Company is lessee.

          The Leasing Agent Agreement generally provides that the Leasing
          Company will make payments to the Partnership based upon rentals
          collected from ocean carriers after deducting direct operating
          expenses and management fees to CCC. The Leasing Company leases
          containers to ocean carriers, generally under operating leases which
          are either master leases or term leases (mostly two to five years).
          Master leases do not specify the exact number of containers to be
          leased or the term that each container will remain on hire but allow
          the ocean carrier to pick up and drop off containers at various
          locations; rentals are based upon the number of containers used and
          the applicable per-diem rate. Accordingly, rentals under master leases
          are all variable and contingent upon the number of containers used.
          Most containers are leased to ocean carriers under master leases;
          leasing agreements with fixed payment terms are not material to the
          financial statements. Since there are no material minimum lease
          rentals, no disclosure of minimum lease rentals is provided in these
          financial statements.

                                                                     (Continued)


                                       7
<PAGE>   8
                            IEA INCOME FUND IX, L.P.

                     NOTES TO UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


      (c) Basis of Accounting

          The Partnership utilizes the accrual method of accounting. Net lease
          revenue is recorded by the Partnership in each period based upon its
          leasing agent agreement with the Leasing Company. Net lease revenue is
          generally dependent upon operating lease rentals from operating lease
          agreements between the Leasing Company and its various lessees, less
          direct operating expenses and management fees due in respect of the
          containers specified in each operating lease agreement.

      (d) Financial Statement Presentation

          These financial statements have been prepared without audit. Certain
          information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial
          statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting
          procedures have been omitted. It is suggested that these financial
          statements be read in conjunction with the financial statements and
          accompanying notes in the Partnership's latest annual report on Form
          10-K.

          The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally
          accepted accounting principles (GAAP) requires the Partnership to make
          estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets
          and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at
          the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of
          revenues and expenses during the reported period. Actual results could
          differ from those estimates.

          The interim financial statements presented herewith reflect all
          adjustments of a normal recurring nature which are, in the opinion of
          management, necessary to a fair statement of the financial condition
          and results of operations for the interim periods presented.


(2)   Net Lease Receivables Due from Leasing Company

      Net lease receivables due from the Leasing Company are determined by
      deducting direct operating payables and accrued expenses, base management
      fees payable, and reimbursed administrative expenses payable to CCC and
      its affiliates from the rental billings payable by the Leasing Company to
      the Partnership under operating leases to ocean carriers for the
      containers owned by the Partnership. Net lease receivables at September
      30, 1998 and December 31, 1997 were as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                          September 30,     December 31,
                                                                              1998              1997
                                                                          -------------     ------------
          <S>                                                              <C>              <C>
          Lease receivables, net of doubtful accounts of $41,595
            at September 30, 1998 and $41,626 at December 31, 1997          $594,960          $666,274
          Less:
          Direct operating payables and accrued expenses                     158,679           153,087
          Damage protection reserve                                           45,883            60,973
          Base management fees                                                59,366            55,062
          Reimbursed administrative expenses                                  11,233            11,838
                                                                            --------          --------
                                                                            $319,799          $385,314
                                                                            ========          ========
</TABLE>

                                                                     (Continued)


                                       8
<PAGE>   9
                            IEA INCOME FUND IX, L.P.

                     NOTES TO UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


(3)   Net Lease Revenue

      Net lease revenue is determined by deducting direct operating expenses,
      base management fees and reimbursed administrative expenses to CCC from
      the rental revenue billed by the Leasing Company under operating leases to
      ocean carriers for the containers owned by the Partnership. Net lease
      revenue for the three and nine-month periods ended September 30, 1998 and
      1997 was as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                          Three Months Ended                   Nine Months Ended
                                                     -------------------------------      ------------------------------
                                                     September 30,     September 30,      September 30,    September 30,
                                                         1998              1997              1998              1997
                                                     -------------     -------------      -------------    -------------
          <S>                                        <C>               <C>                <C>              <C>
          Rental revenue                               $589,300          $647,005          $1,780,917       $1,978,005
          Less:
          Rental equipment operating expenses           124,572           132,813             324,500          419,971
          Base management fees                           41,920            44,844             124,284          137,568
          Reimbursed administrative expenses             34,728            31,817             102,730           97,765
                                                       --------          --------          ----------       ----------
                                                       $388,080          $437,531          $1,229,403       $1,322,701
                                                       ========          ========          ==========       ==========
</TABLE>


                                       9
<PAGE>   10
Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results
        of Operations

It is suggested that the following discussion be read in conjunction with the
Registrant's most recent annual report on Form 10-K.

1)    Material changes in financial condition between September 30, 1998 and
      December 31, 1997.

      During the first nine months of 1998, the Registrant disposed of 252
      containers as part of its ongoing container operations. At September 30,
      1998, 83% of the original equipment remained in the Registrant's fleet, as
      compared to 88% at December 31, 1997, and was comprised of the following:


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                          40-Foot
                                              20-Foot      40-Foot       High-Cube
                                              -------      -------       ---------
          <S>                                 <C>          <C>           <C>
          Containers on lease:
                Term leases                      170           55            153
                Master leases                  1,346          464            953
                                               -----          ---          -----
                    Subtotal                   1,516          519          1,106

          Containers off lease                   504          160            162
                                               -----          ---          -----

                Total container fleet          2,020          679          1,268
                                               =====          ===          =====
</TABLE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                         40-Foot
                                                         20-Foot          40-Foot       High-Cube
                                                       ------------     -----------    ------------
                                                       Units     %      Units    %     Units     %
                                                       -----    ---     -----   ---    -----    ---
          <S>                                          <C>      <C>     <C>     <C>    <C>      <C>
          Total purchases                              2,327    100%     799    100%   1,653    100%
               Less disposals                            307     13%     120     15%     385     23%
                                                       -----    ---      ---    ---    -----    ---
          Remaining fleet at September 30, 1998        2,020     87%     679     85%   1,268     77%
                                                       =====    ===      ===    ===    =====    ===
</TABLE>

      During the third quarter of 1998, distributions from operations and sales
      proceeds amounted to $587,657, reflecting distributions to the general and
      limited partners for the second quarter of 1998. This represents a decline
      from the $619,847 distributed during the second quarter of 1998,
      reflecting distributions for the first quarter of 1998.

      During the third quarter of 1998, the economic troubles in Asia, as
      evidenced by devalued currencies, restricted credit, and negative economic
      growth, continued to impact the growth of containerized trade. Significant
      trade imbalances, combined with a drop in trade volumes in some locations,
      continued to challenge the container leasing industry, with a
      corresponding effect on the Registrant's operating performance. The
      devaluation of the Asian currencies has led to an increase in exports from
      Asia, creating a strong demand for containers in that area of the world.
      However, the devalued currencies, together with the effects of restricted
      credit, have also reduced the demand in Asia for imports from the West.
      This has resulted in lower demand for containers in Europe and North
      America. In addition, turmoil in other financial markets, such as Japan
      and Russia, threatens to spread to Latin America and other emerging
      markets. As a result of these factors, the Registrant does not foresee any
      significant change in market conditions in the near future. However, in
      response to the current market conditions, the Registrant has been
      repositioning containers from low to higher demand locations in order to
      reduce its idle inventory. The Registrant will selectively continue to
      reposition available equipment when it believes that the impact will have
      a positive effect on its operations.


                                       10
<PAGE>   11

2)    Material changes in the results of operations between the three and
      nine-month periods ended September 30, 1998 and the three and nine-month
      periods ended September 30, 1997.

      Net lease revenue for the three and nine-month periods ended September 30,
      1998 was $388,080 and $1,229,403, respectively, a decline of 11% and 7%
      from the respective three and nine-month periods in the prior year. Gross
      rental revenue (a component of net lease revenue) for the three and
      nine-month periods ended September 30, 1998 was $589,300 and $1,780,917,
      respectively, a decline of 9% and 10% from the respective three and
      nine-month periods in 1997. Gross rental revenue was primarily impacted by
      a slightly smaller fleet size and lower per-diem rental rates. Average
      per-diem rental rates for the three and nine-month periods ended September
      30, 1998 declined 5% and 7%, respectively, when compared to the same three
      and nine-month periods in the prior year. The Registrant's average fleet
      size and utilization rates for the three and nine-month periods ended
      September 30, 1998 and 1997 were as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                               Three Months Ended                    Nine Months Ended
                                                          -------------------------------      --------------------------------
                                                          September 30,     September 30,      September 30,      September 30,
                                                              1998              1997               1998               1997
                                                          -------------     -------------      -------------      -------------
          <S>                                             <C>               <C>                <C>                <C>
          Average fleet size (measured in twenty-
              foot equivalent units (TEU))                    5,972              6,494              6,127              6,600
          Average Utilization                                    81%                82%                82%                81%
</TABLE>

      During the three and nine-month periods ended September 30, 1998, the
      Registrant's declining fleet size contributed to a decline in depreciation
      expense of 6% and 7%, respectively, when compared to the same three and
      nine-month periods in the prior year. Rental equipment operating expenses
      were 21% and 18%, respectively, of the Registrant's gross lease revenue
      during the three and nine-month periods ended September 30, 1998, as
      compared to 21% of the Registrant's gross lease revenue during each of the
      three and nine-month periods ended September 30, 1997.

      Year 2000

      The Registrant relies upon the financial and operational systems provided
      by the Leasing company and its affiliates, as well as the systems provided
      by other independent third parties to service the three primary areas of
      its business: investor processing/maintenance; container leasing/asset
      tracking; and accounting finance. The Registrant has received confirmation
      from its third-party investor processing/maintenance vendor that their
      system is Year 2000 compliant. The Registrant does not expect a material
      increase in its vendor servicing fee to reimburse Year 2000 costs.
      Container leasing/asset tracking and accounting/finance services are
      provided to the Registrant by CCC and its affiliate, Cronos Containers
      Limited (the "Leasing Company"), pursuant to the respective Limited
      Partnership Agreement and Leasing Agent Agreement. CCC and the Leasing
      Company have initiated a program to prepare their systems and applications
      for the Year 2000. Preliminary studies indicate that testing, conversion
      and upgrading of system applications is expected to cost CCC and the
      Leasing Company less than $500,000. Pursuant to the Limited Partnership
      Agreement, CCC or the Leasing Company, may not seek reimbursement of data
      processing costs associated with the Year 2000 program. The financial
      impact of making these required system changes is not expected to be
      material to the Registrant's financial position, results of operations or
      cash flows.


                                       11
<PAGE>   12

      Cautionary Statement

      This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contains statements relating to future
      results of the Registrant, including certain projections and business
      trends, that are "forward-looking statements" as defined in the Private
      Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Actual results may differ
      materially from those projected as a result of certain risks and
      uncertainties, including but not limited to changes in: economic
      conditions; trade policies; demand for and market acceptance of leased
      marine cargo containers; competitive utilization and per-diem rental rate
      pressures; as well as other risks and uncertainties, including but not
      limited to those described in the above discussion of the marine container
      leasing business under Item 2., Management's Discussion and Analysis of
      Financial Condition and Results of Operations; and those detailed from
      time to time in the filings of Registrant with the Securities and Exchange
      Commission.

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

Not applicable.


                                       12
<PAGE>   13
                           PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1.  Legal Proceedings

         As reported in the Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K and
         Amendment No. 1 to Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the
         Commission on February 7, 1997 and February 26, 1997, respectively,
         Arthur Andersen, London, England, resigned as auditors of the Cronos
         Group, a Luxembourg corporation headquartered in Orchard Lea, England
         (the "Parent Company"), on February 3, 1997.

         The Registrant retained a new auditor, Moore Stephens, P.C. on April
         10, 1997, as reported in its Current Report on Form 8-K, filed April
         14, 1997.

         In connection with its resignation, Arthur Andersen also prepared a
         report pursuant to Section 10A(b)(2) of the Securities Exchange Act of
         1934 as amended, for filing by the Parent Company with the Securities
         and Exchange Commission ("SEC") citing its inability to obtain what it
         considered to be adequate responses to its inquiries primarily
         regarding the payment of $1.5 million purportedly in respect of
         professional fees relating to a proposed strategic alliance. This sum
         was returned to the Parent Company in January 1997.

         Following the report of Arthur Andersen, the SEC, on February 10, 1997,
         commenced a private investigation of the Parent Company for the purpose
         of investigating the matters discussed in such report and related
         matters. The SEC's investigation can result in several types of civil
         or administrative sanctions against the Parent Company and individuals
         associated with the Parent Company, including the assessment of
         monetary penalties. Actions taken by the SEC do not preclude additional
         actions by any other federal, civil or criminal authorities or by other
         regulatory organizations or by third parties.

         The SEC's investigation is continuing, and some of the Parent Company's
         present and former officers and directors and others associated with
         the Parent Company have given testimony. However, no conclusion of any
         alleged wrongdoing by the Parent Company or any individual has been
         communicated to the Parent Company by the SEC.

         The Registrant does not believe that the focus of the SEC's
         investigation is upon the Registrant or CCC. CCC is unable to predict
         the outcome of the SEC's ongoing private investigation of the Parent
         Company.

         As reported in the Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with
         the SEC on May 21, 1998, the Parent Company reported that its Chairman
         and CEO, Stefan M. Palatin, was suspended from his duties pending the
         investigation of fraud charges against him by Austrian government
         authorities. On June 8, 1998, the Parent Company's Board of Directors
         removed Mr. Palatin as Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer.
         Mr. Palatin resigned from the Board of Directors of the Parent Company
         on July 6, 1998. Mr. Rudolf J. Weissenberger has been appointed to
         replace Mr. Palatin as an executive director and Chief Executive
         Officer. Also, on June 8, 1998, the Board approved a proposal to add
         two independent directors to the Board. The Board engaged legal counsel
         to provide legal advice and commence legal action, if appropriate,
         against former officers or directors of the Parent Company (including
         Mr. Palatin) if it is determined that they engaged in any misfeasance
         or improper self-dealing.

         Mr. Palatin had been a director of CCC; he resigned from his position
         as director on April 23, 1998.

         CCC further understands that Austrian authorities have initiated
         investigations of persons in addition to Mr. Palatin, including Mr.
         Weissenberger and Dr. Axel Friedberg. The investigations which remain
         pending have not resulted in any action being taken against Mr.
         Weissenberger, and he has informed the Parent Company that he


                                       13
<PAGE>   14

         does not believe that there is any basis for any action to be taken
         against him. Dr. Friedberg has been a non-executive director of the
         Parent Company since 1997. In August 1998, charges were presented
         against Dr. Friedberg. Dr. Friedberg has denied any wrongdoing and, on
         September 14, 1998, filed objections to the charges against him.

Item 3.  Defaults Upon Senior Securities

         See Item 5. Other Information.

Item 5.  Other Information

         In 1993, the Parent Company negotiated a credit facility (hereinafter,
         the "Credit Facility") with several banks for the use of the Parent
         Company and its affiliates, including CCC. At December 31, 1996,
         approximately $73,500,000 in principal indebtedness was outstanding
         under the Credit Facility. As a party to the Credit Facility, CCC is
         jointly and severally liable for the repayment of all principal and
         interest owed under the Credit Facility. The obligations of CCC, and
         the five other subsidiaries of the Parent Company that are borrowers
         under the Credit Facility, are guaranteed by the Parent Company.

         Following negotiations in 1997 with the banks providing the Credit
         Facility, an Amended and Restated Credit Agreement was executed in June
         1997, subject to various actions being taken by the Parent Company and
         its subsidiaries, primarily relating to the provision of additional
         collateral. This Agreement was further amended in July 1997 and the
         provisions of the Agreement and its Amendment converted the facility to
         a term loan, payable in installments, with a final maturity date of May
         31, 1998. The terms of the Agreement and its Amendment also provided
         for additional security over shares in the subsidiary of the Parent
         Company that owns the head office of the Parent Company's container
         leasing operations. They also provided for the loans to the former
         Chairman of $5,900,000 and $3,700,000 to be restructured as obligations
         of the former Chairman to another subsidiary of the Parent Company (not
         CCC), together with the pledge to this subsidiary company of 2,030,303
         Common Shares beneficially owned by him in the Parent Company as
         security for these loans. They further provided for the assignment of
         these loans to the lending banks, together with the pledge of 1,000,000
         shares and the assignment of the rights of the Parent Company in
         respect of the other 1,030,303 shares. Additionally, CCC granted the
         lending banks a security interest in the fees to which it is entitled
         for the services it renders to the container leasing partnerships of
         which it acts as general partner, including its fee income payable by
         the Registrant. The Parent Company did not repay the Credit Facility at
         the amended maturity date of May 31, 1998.

         On June 30, 1998, the Parent Company entered into a third amendment
         (the "Third Amendment") to the Credit Facility. The Third Amendment
         became effective as of that date, subject to the satisfaction
         thereafter of various conditions, including: the Parent Company must
         deliver its audited financial statements for 1997 by a specified date
         and; on or prior to July 30, 1998, the Parent Company must furnish
         proof that any defaults under any other indebtedness have been waived
         and must also furnish various legal opinions, officers' certificates
         and other loan documentation. All of these conditions were fulfilled by
         August 14, 1998. Under the Third Amendment, the remaining principal
         amount of $36,800,000 will be amortized in varying monthly amounts
         commencing on July 31, 1998 with $26,950,000 due on September 30, 1998
         and a final maturity date of January 8, 1999. The Parent Company did
         not repay the amount due on September 30, 1998. The directors of the
         Parent Company currently are holding discussions with the lenders to
         refinance or extend its debt that became due on September 30, 1998.

         The directors of the Parent Company also are pursuing alternative
         sources of financing to meet the amended repayment obligations under
         the Third Amendment. Failure to meet revised lending terms would
         constitute an event of default with the lenders. The declaration of an
         event of default would result in further defaults with other lenders
         under loan agreement cross-default provisions. Should a default of the
         term loans be enforced, the Parent Company and CCC may be unable to
         continue as going concerns.


                                       14
<PAGE>   15

         CCC is currently in discussions with the management of the Parent
         Company to provide assurance that the management of the container
         leasing partnerships managed by CCC, including the Registrant, is not
         disrupted pending a refinancing or reorganization of the indebtedness
         of the Parent Company and its affiliates.

         The Registrant is not a borrower under the Credit Facility, and neither
         the containers nor the other assets of the Registrant have been pledged
         as collateral under the Credit Facility.

         CCC is unable to determine the impact, if any, these concerns may have
         on the future operating results and financial condition of the
         Registrant or CCC and the Leasing Company's ability to manage the
         Registrant's fleet in subsequent periods.


                                       15
<PAGE>   16

Item 6.   Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K

(a)   Exhibits

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
       Exhibit
          No.                             Description                                  Method of Filing
       -------       --------------------------------------------------------       ------------------------
       <S>           <C>                                                            <C>
          3(a)       Limited Partnership Agreement of the Registrant, amended
                     and restated as of September 12, 1988                          *

          3(b)       Certificate of Limited Partnership of the Registrant           **

          27         Financial Data Schedule                                        Filed with this document
</TABLE>

(b)   Reports on Form 8-K

      No reports on Form 8-K were filed by the Registrant during the quarter
      ended September 30, 1998.


------------

*     Incorporated by reference to Exhibit "A" to the Prospectus of the
      Registrant dated September 12, 1988, included as part of Registration
      Statement on Form S-1 (No. 33-23321)

**    Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.4 to the Registration Statement on
      Form S-1 (No. 33-23321)


                                       16
<PAGE>   17
                                   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.

                                       IEA INCOME FUND IX, L.P.

                                       By  Cronos Capital Corp.
                                           The General Partner


                                       By  /s/ Dennis J. Tietz
                                           -------------------------------------
                                           Dennis J. Tietz
                                           President and Director of 
                                           Cronos Capital Corp. ("CCC")
                                           Principal Executive Officer of CCC


Date: November 13, 1998


                                       17
<PAGE>   18
                                  EXHIBIT INDEX

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Exhibit
   No.                             Description                                  Method of Filing
-------       --------------------------------------------------------       ------------------------
<S>           <C>                                                            <C>
   3(a)       Limited Partnership Agreement of the Registrant, amended
              and restated as of September 12, 1988                          *

   3(b)       Certificate of Limited Partnership of the Registrant           **

   27         Financial Data Schedule                                        Filed with this document
</TABLE>


----------------

*     Incorporated by reference to Exhibit "A" to the Prospectus of the
      Registrant dated September 12, 1988, included as part of Registration
      Statement on Form S-1 (No. 33-23321)

**    Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.4 to the Registration Statement on
      Form S-1 (No. 33-23321)