<PAGE>

                                    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, 1999

                                       OR

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

    For the transition period from __________________ to ___________________

                       Commission File number 33-11773-04


                    SWIFT ENERGY INCOME PARTNERS 1988-A, LTD.
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

<TABLE>
<S>                                           <C>
                  Texas                                     76-0247812
(State or other jurisdiction of organization) (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
</TABLE>


                        16825 Northchase Drive, Suite 400
                              Houston, Texas 77060
                    (Address of principal executive offices)
                                   (Zip Code)

                                 (281)874-2700
              (Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

                                      None
              (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
   ----





<PAGE>


                    SWIFT ENERGY INCOME PARTNERS 1988-A, LTD.

                                      INDEX


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PART I.    FINANCIAL INFORMATION                                                              PAGE
      <S>                                                                                      <C>
      ITEM 1.    Financial Statements

            Balance Sheets

                - September 30, 1999 and December 31, 1998                                      3

            Statements of Operations

                - Three month and nine month periods ended September 30, 1999 and 1998          4

            Statements of Cash Flows

                - Nine month periods ended September 30, 1999 and 1998                          5

            Notes to Financial Statements                                                       6

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

PART II.    OTHER INFORMATION                                                                  10


SIGNATURES                                                                                     11
</TABLE>



<PAGE>

                    SWIFT ENERGY INCOME PARTNERS 1988-A, LTD.
                                 BALANCE SHEETS



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                September 30,          December 31,
                                                                                    1999                  1998
                                                                               ---------------       ---------------
                                                                                (Unaudited)
<S>                                                                          <C>                   <C>
ASSETS:

Current Assets:
     Cash and cash equivalents                                               $        231,235      $        337,782
     Oil and gas sales receivable                                                      69,633                62,088
                                                                               ---------------       ---------------
          Total Current Assets                                                        300,868               399,870
                                                                               ---------------       ---------------

Gas Imbalance Receivable                                                                8,629                 8,776
                                                                               ---------------       ---------------

Oil and Gas Properties, using full cost
     accounting                                                                     9,642,034             9,692,809
Less-Accumulated depreciation, depletion
     and amortization                                                              (9,000,551)           (8,946,404)
                                                                               ---------------       ---------------
                                                                                      641,483               746,405
                                                                               ===============       ===============
                                                                             $        950,980      $      1,155,051
                                                                               ===============       ===============


LIABILITIES AND PARTNERS' CAPITAL:

Current Liabilities:
     Accounts Payable                                                        $         30,703      $        123,545
                                                                               ---------------       ---------------

Deferred Revenues                                                                      35,349                35,839

Limited Partners' Capital (107,396.06 Limited Partnership
                          Units; $100 per unit)                                       879,450               990,085

General Partners' Capital                                                               5,478                 5,582
                                                                               ---------------       ---------------
          Total Partners' Capital                                                     884,928               995,667
                                                                               ===============       ===============
                                                                             $        950,980      $      1,155,051
                                                                               ===============       ===============
</TABLE>


                 See accompanying notes to financial statements.

                                        3


<PAGE>


                    SWIFT ENERGY INCOME PARTNERS 1988-A, LTD.
                            STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
                                   (Unaudited)



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                    Three Months Ended                       Nine Months Ended
                                                      September 30,                            September 30,
                                             ---------------------------------        ---------------------------------
                                                 1999               1998                  1999               1998
                                             --------------     --------------        --------------     --------------
<S>                                       <C>                 <C>                  <C>                <C>
REVENUES:
     Oil and gas sales                    $         64,346    $        50,922      $        164,357   $        192,508
     Interest income                                 2,852              4,583                 8,933             12,423
     Other                                              --                565                    --              1,735
                                             --------------     --------------        --------------     --------------
                                                    67,198             56,070               173,290            206,666
                                             --------------     --------------        --------------     --------------


COSTS AND EXPENSES:
     Lease operating                                21,050             23,666                61,431             74,984
     Production taxes                                3,317              1,867                 8,496              6,423
     Depreciation, depletion
          and amortization -
             Normal                                 15,985             25,798                54,147             84,346
             Additional                                 --            112,291                    --            112,291
     General and administrative                     16,433             13,702                66,290             63,158
                                             --------------     --------------        --------------     --------------
                                                    56,785            177,324               190,364            341,202
                                             ==============     ==============        ==============     ==============
NET INCOME (LOSS)                         $         10,413    $      (121,254)     $        (17,074)  $       (134,536)
                                             ==============     ==============        ==============     ==============



Limited Partners' net income (loss)
     per unit                             $           0.08    $         (1.13      $          (0.18)  $          (1.25)
                                             ==============     ==============        ==============     ==============
</TABLE>


                 See accompanying notes to financial statements.

                                        4


<PAGE>


                    SWIFT ENERGY INCOME PARTNERS 1988-A, LTD.
                            STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
                                   (Unaudited)


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                             Nine Months Ended
                                                                                               September 30,
                                                                                   -------------------------------------
                                                                                        1999                  1998
                                                                                   ---------------       ---------------
<S>                                                                              <C>                   <C>
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
     Income (loss)                                                               $       (17,074)      $      (134,536)
     Adjustments to reconcile income (loss) to
          net cash provided by operations:
          Depreciation, depletion and amortization                                        54,147               196,637
          Change in gas imbalance receivable
               and deferred revenues                                                        (343)               (1,110)
          Change in assets and liabilities:
               (Increase) decrease in oil and gas sales receivable                        (7,545)               22,127
               Increase (decrease) in accounts payable                                   (92,842)               (4,605)
                                                                                   ---------------       ---------------
          Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities                            (63,657)               78,513
                                                                                   ---------------       ---------------

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
     Additions to oil and gas properties                                                  (7,194)              (65,453)
     Proceeds from sales of oil and gas properties                                        57,969               262,316
                                                                                   ---------------       ---------------
          Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities                             50,775               196,863
                                                                                   ---------------       ---------------

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
     Cash Distributions to partners                                                      (93,665)             (206,081)
                                                                                   ---------------       ---------------
NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS                                    (106,547)               69,295
                                                                                   ---------------       ---------------
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT BEGINNING OF PERIOD                                         337,782               259,688
                                                                                   ===============       ===============
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF PERIOD                                       $       231,235       $       328,983
                                                                                   ===============       ===============
</TABLE>


                 See accompanying notes to financial statements.

                                        5


<PAGE>


                    SWIFT ENERGY INCOME PARTNERS 1988-A, LTD.
                          NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                                   (UNAUDITED)


(1)  General Information -

                  The financial statements included herein have been prepared by
        the  Partnership  and are  unaudited  except  for the  balance  sheet at
        December  31,  1998  which has been  taken  from the  audited  financial
        statements at that date. The financial  statements reflect  adjustments,
        all of which  were of a  normal  recurring  nature,  which  are,  in the
        opinion  of  the  managing   general   partner   necessary  for  a  fair
        presentation.  Certain  information  and footnote  disclosures  normally
        included in financial  statements  prepared in accordance with generally
        accepted  accounting  principles have been omitted pursuant to the rules
        and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission  ("SEC").  The
        Partnership  believes adequate disclosure is provided by the information
        presented.  The financial  statements should be read in conjunction with
        the audited  financial  statements  and the notes included in the latest
        Form 10-K.

(2)  Gas Imbalances -

                  The Partnership  recognizes its ownership  interest in natural
        gas  production as revenue.  Actual  production  quantities  sold may be
        different than the  Partnership's  ownership share in a given period. If
        the  Partnership's  sales exceed its ownership share of production,  the
        differences are recorded as deferred revenue. Gas balancing  receivables
        are  recorded  when the  Partnership's  ownership  share  of  production
        exceeds sales.

(3)  Vulnerability Due to Certain Concentrations -

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

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

(4)  Fair Value of Financial Instruments -

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

(5)  Year 2000 -

                  The  Year  2000  issue  results  from  computer  programs  and
        embedded computer chips with date fields that cannot distinguish between
        the years 1900 and 2000. The Managing  General  Partner has  implemented
        the steps necessary to make its operations and the related operations of
        the  Partnership  capable  of  addressing  the Year  2000.  These  steps
        included  upgrading,  testing and  certifying  its computer  systems and
        field   operation   services   and   obtaining   Year  2000   compliance
        certification  from  all  important  business  suppliers.  The  Managing
        General Partner formed a task force during 1998 to address the Year 2000
        issue and prepare its business  systems for the Year 2000.  The Managing
        General Partner has either replaced or updated mission  critical systems
        and has  substantially  completed  testing  and will  continue  remedial
        actions as needed.

                  The Managing  General  Partner's  business  systems are almost
        entirely  comprised of  off-the-shelf  software.  Most of the  necessary
        changes  in  computer  instructional  code were made by  upgrading  this
        software.  In  addition,  the  Managing  General  Partner  has  received
        certification  as to Year 2000  compliance  from  vendors or third party
        consultants.


                                       6

<PAGE>


                    SWIFT ENERGY INCOME PARTNERS 1988-A, LTD.
                    NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
                                   (UNAUDITED)


                  The  Managing  General  Partner  does not  believe  that costs
        incurred  to address  the Year 2000 issue with  respect to its  business
        systems  will have a  material  effect on the  Partnership's  results of
        operations,  or its  liquidity and  financial  condition.  The estimated
        total cost to the Managing  General  Partner to address Year 2000 issues
        is  projected to be less than  $150,000,  most of which was spent during
        the testing phase. The  Partnership's  share of this cost is expected to
        be insignificant.

                  The  failure  to correct a material  Year 2000  problem  could
        result  in an  interruption,  or  failure  of  certain  normal  business
        activities or  operations.  Based on  activities  to date,  the Managing
        General  Partner  believes  that it has resolved any Year 2000  problems
        concerning   its   financial   and   administrative   systems.   It   is
        undeterminable  how all the  aspects  of the Year 2000 will  impact  the
        Partnership.  The most  reasonably  likely  worst  case  scenario  would
        involve a prolonged disruption of external power sources upon which core
        equipment   relies,   resulting  in  a   substantial   decrease  in  the
        Partnership's  oil and  gas  production  activities.  In  addition,  the
        pipeline  operators  to whom the  Managing  General  Partner  sells  the
        Partnership's  natural gas, as well as other  customers  and  suppliers,
        could be prone to Year  2000  problems  that  could not be  assessed  or
        detected by the Managing General  Partner.  The Managing General Partner
        has  contacted its major  purchasers,  customers,  suppliers,  financial
        institutions  and others  with whom it conducts  business  to  determine
        whether  they will be able to resolve  in a timely  manner any Year 2000
        problems directly  affecting the Managing General Partner or Partnership
        and to inform them of the Managing General Partner's internal assessment
        of its Year 2000  review.  There  can be no  assurance  that such  third
        parties will not fail to appropriately address their Year 2000 issues or
        will not  themselves  suffer a Year 2000  disruption  that  could have a
        material  adverse  effect  on the  Partnership's  activities,  financial
        condition  or  operating  results.  Based upon these  responses  and any
        problems  that  arise,  contingency  plans or back-up  systems  would be
        determined and addressed.


                                       7


<PAGE>


                    SWIFT ENERGY INCOME PARTNERS 1988-A, LTD.
                MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL
                       CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

GENERAL

      The  Partnership  was formed for the purpose of investing in producing oil
and gas properties  located within the  continental  United States.  In order to
accomplish  this,  the  Partnership  goes through two  distinct yet  overlapping
phases  with  respect  to its  liquidity  and  result  of  operations.  When the
Partnership  is formed,  it commences its  "acquisition"  phase,  with all funds
placed in short-term  investments until required for such property acquisitions.
The interest  earned on these  pre-acquisition  investments  becomes the primary
cash flow source for initial partner distributions.  As the Partnership acquires
producing   properties,   net  cash  from  operations   becomes   available  for
distribution,  along with the investment  income.  After  partnership funds have
been expended on producing oil and gas properties,  the  Partnership  enters its
"operations" phase. During this phase, oil and gas sales generate  substantially
all revenues,  and  distributions  to partners  reflect those  revenues less all
associated  partnership expenses.  The Partnership may also derive proceeds from
the sale of acquired oil and gas properties, when the sale of such properties is
economically appropriate or preferable to continued operation.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

      Oil and gas reserves are depleting  assets and therefore often  experience
significant  production  declines each year from the date of acquisition through
the end of the life of the  property.  The primary  source of  liquidity  to the
Partnership comes almost entirely from the income generated from the sale of oil
and gas produced from ownership interests in oil and gas properties. This source
of  liquidity  and  the  related  results  of  operations,   and  in  turn  cash
distributions,  will decline in future  periods as the oil and gas produced from
these properties also declines while  production and general and  administrative
costs remain relatively stable making it unlikely that the Partnership will hold
the properties  until they are fully depleted,  but will likely liquidate when a
substantial  majority of the reserves have been produced.  Cash distributions to
partners are determined quarterly,  based upon net proceeds from sale of oil and
gas production after payment of lease operating  expense,  taxes and development
costs, less general and administrative expenses. In addition, future partnership
cash requirements are taken into account to determine necessary cash reserves.

      Net cash provided by (used in) operating  activities totaled $(63,657) and
$78,513 for the nine months ended September 30, 1999 and 1998, respectively. The
use of cash in 1999 is related to a decrease in accounts  payable and a decrease
in the Partnership's production. Cash provided by property sale proceeds totaled
$57,969 and  $262,316  for the nine months  ended  September  30, 1999 and 1998,
respectively.  Cash  distributions  totaled  $93,665 and  $206,081  for the nine
months  ended  September  30,  1999  and  1998,  respectively.   In  1999,  cash
distributions  were  effected  by  production  declines  from the  Partnership's
depleting property interests, property sales and low oil and gas prices received
during the first part of this year.

      The  Partnership  has  expended  all  of  the  partners'  net  commitments
available for property  acquisitions and development by acquiring  producing oil
and gas  properties.  The  partnership  invests  primarily  in proved  producing
properties  with nominal  levels of future costs of  development  for proven but
undeveloped reserves.  Significant purchases of additional reserves or extensive
drilling  activity  are not  anticipated.  The  Partnership  does not  allow for
additional assessments from the partners to fund capital requirements.  However,
funds in addition to the remaining  unexpended  net capital  commitments  of the
partners are available from  partnership  revenues,  borrowings or proceeds from
the sale of partnership property. The Managing General Partner believes that the
funds  currently  available  to the  Partnership  will be  adequate  to meet any
anticipated capital requirements.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

      The  following  analysis  explains  changes  in the  revenue  and  expense
categories  for the quarter  ended  September  30, 1999  (current  quarter) when
compared to the quarter ended September 30, 1998  (corresponding  quarter),  and
for the nine months ended September 30, 1999 (current period),  when compared to
the nine months ended September 30, 1998 (corresponding period).

                                       8

<PAGE>


                    SWIFT ENERGY INCOME PARTNERS 1988-A, LTD.
                MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL
                 CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (CONTINUED)


Three Months Ended September 30, 1999 and 1998

       Oil and gas sales increased $13,424 or 26 percent in the third quarter of
1999 when  compared  to the  corresponding  quarter  in 1998,  primarily  due to
increased oil and gas prices.  Oil prices  increased 115 percent or $8.36/BBL to
an average of $15.66/BBL and gas prices  increased 60 percent or $1.19/MCF to an
average of $3.18/MCF for the quarter. Increased oil and gas prices helped offset
the effect of decreased production. Current quarter production volumes decreased
24  percent  as oil and gas  production  declined  34  percent  and 21  percent,
respectively, when compared to third quarter 1998 production volumes. Production
declines are a result of the accelerated  depletion of the Partnership's  mature
wells.

      Corresponding  production costs per equivalent MCF increased 26 percent in
the  third  quarter  of 1999  compared  to the third  quarter  of 1998 and total
production costs decreased 5 percent.

      Total  depreciation  expense for the third  quarter of 1999  decreased  88
percent or $122,104 when  compared to the third  quarter of 1998.  In 1998,  two
components, the normal provision,  calculated on the units of production method,
and the additional provision,  relating to the ceiling limitation, make up total
depreciation expense. Normal depreciation expense decreased 38 percent or $9,813
in the third quarter of 1999 compared to the third quarter of 1998.

      The  Partnership   recorded  an  additional   provision  in  depreciation,
depletion and  amortization in the third quarter of 1998 for $112,291,  when the
present value,  discounted at ten percent, of estimated future net revenues from
oil and gas  properties,  using the  guidelines of the  Securities  and Exchange
Commission,  was below the fair  market  value  originally  paid for oil and gas
properties.

Nine Months Ended September 30, 1999 and 1998

      Oil and gas sales declined  $28,151 or 15 percent in the first nine months
of 1999 when  compared to the  corresponding  period in 1998,  primarily  due to
decreased oil and gas production. Current period production volumes decreased 30
percent  as  oil  and  gas  production  declined  28  percent  and  31  percent,
respectively,  when compared to the same period in 1998. Production declines are
as result of the accelerated  depletion of the  Partnership's  mature wells. Oil
prices  increased 55 percent or $4.91/BBL  to an average of  $13.92/BBL  and gas
prices  increased  23 percent or  $.46/MCF  to an average of  $2.45/MCF  for the
current  period.  Increased  oil and gas  prices  helped  offset  the  effect of
decreased production.

      Corresponding  production costs per equivalent MCF increased 23 percent in
the first nine months of 1999 compared to the  corresponding  period in 1998 and
total production costs decreased 14 percent.

      Total depreciation  expense for the first nine months of 1999 decreased 72
percent or $142,490 when compared to the first nine months of 1998. In 1998, two
components, the normal provision,  calculated on the units of production method,
and the additional provision,  relating to the ceiling limitation, make up total
depreciation  expense.  Normal  depreciation  expense  decreased  36  percent or
$30,199 in the first nine  months of 1999  compared  to the first nine months of
1998.

      The  Partnership   recorded  an  additional   provision  in  depreciation,
depletion and  amortization in the first nine months of 1998 for $112,291,  when
the present value,  discounted at ten percent,  of estimated future net revenues
from oil and gas properties, using the guidelines of the Securities and Exchange
Commission,  was below the fair  market  value  originally  paid for oil and gas
properties.

      During 1999,  partnership  revenues  and costs will be shared  between the
limited partners and general partners in a 90:10 ratio.


                                       9


<PAGE>


                    SWIFT ENERGY INCOME PARTNERS 1988-A, LTD.
                           PART II - OTHER INFORMATION




ITEM 5.    OTHER INFORMATION


                                     -NONE-



                                       10

<PAGE>


                                   SIGNATURES



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


                                          SWIFT ENERGY INCOME
                                          PARTNERS 1988-A, LTD.
                                          (Registrant)

                               By:        SWIFT ENERGY COMPANY
                                          Managing General Partner


Date:  November 4, 1999        By:        /s/ John R. Alden
       ----------------                   --------------------------------------
                                          John R. Alden
                                          Senior Vice President, Secretary
                                          and Principal Financial Officer

Date:  November 4, 1999        By:        /s/ Alton D. Heckaman, Jr.
       ----------------                   --------------------------------------
                                          Alton D. Heckaman, Jr.
                                          Vice President, Controller
                                          and Principal Accounting Officer

                                       11