<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, 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 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)

                                  (713)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>
<S>                                                                                                              <C>
PART I.    FINANCIAL INFORMATION                                                                                 PAGE


      ITEM 1.    FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

            Balance Sheets

                - September 30, 1996 and December 31, 1995                                                         3

            Statements of Operations

                - Three month and nine month periods ended September 30, 1996 and 1995                             4

            Statements of Cash Flows

                - Nine month periods ended September 30, 1996 and 1995                                             5

            Notes to Financial Statements                                                                          6

      ITEM 2.    MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL
                     CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS                                                           7

PART II.    OTHER INFORMATION                                                                                      9


SIGNATURES                                                                                                         10
</TABLE>


<PAGE>

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


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                         September 30,       December 31,
                                                                                            1996                 1995
                                                                                       ---------------     ----------------
                                                                                         (Unaudited)
<S>                                                                                    <C>                  <C>           

         ASSETS:

         Current Assets:
              Cash and cash equivalents                                                $        1,952       $        1,832
              Oil and gas sales receivable                                                    161,360              157,715
                                                                                       ---------------     ----------------
                   Total Current Assets                                                       163,312              159,547
                                                                                       ---------------     ----------------

         Gas Imbalance Receivable                                                               3,851               16,895
                                                                                       ---------------     ----------------

         Oil and Gas Properties, using full cost
              accounting                                                                   10,185,956           10,255,280
         Less-Accumulated depreciation, depletion
              and amortization                                                             (8,325,411)          (8,144,231)
                                                                                       ---------------     ----------------
                                                                                            1,860,545            2,111,049
                                                                                       ---------------     ----------------
                                                                                       $    2,027,708       $    2,287,491
                                                                                       ===============     ================

         LIABILITIES AND PARTNERS' CAPITAL:

         Current Liabilities:
              Accounts payable and accrued liabilities                                 $      275,280       $      483,159
              Current portion of note payable                                                      --               26,103
                                                                                       ---------------     ----------------
                   Total Current Liabilities                                                  275,280              509,262
                                                                                       ---------------     ----------------

         Deferred Revenues                                                                     36,022               38,692

         Partners' Capital                                                                  1,716,406            1,739,537
                                                                                       ---------------     ----------------
                                                                                       $    2,027,708       $    2,287,491
                                                                                       ===============     ================
</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,
                                              ---------------------------------  ---------------------------------
                                                       1996              1995            1996              1995
                                              ---------------   ---------------  ---------------   ---------------
<S>                                           <C>               <C>              <C>               <C>            
REVENUES:
   Oil and gas sales                          $       168,902   $       174,254  $       612,440   $       547,779
   Interest income                                         24                43               81               124
   Other                                                1,485             1,070            5,406             3,806
                                              ---------------   ---------------  ---------------   ---------------
                                                      170,411           175,367          617,927           551,709
                                              ---------------   ---------------  ---------------   ---------------

COSTS AND EXPENSES:
   Lease operating                                     79,176            78,616          237,280           255,236
   Production taxes                                     7,542             9,774           25,979            29,039
   Depreciation, depletion
      and amortization -
        Normal provision                               58,852            73,781          181,180           234,024
        Additional provision                               --            50,926               --           250,614
   General and administrative                          20,230            29,365           68,983            63,582
   Interest expense                                     2,063             6,575           13,582            18,030
                                              ---------------   ---------------  ---------------   ---------------
                                                      167,863           249,037          527,004           850,525
                                              ---------------   ---------------  ---------------   ---------------
NET INCOME (LOSS)                             $         2,548   $       (73,670) $        90,923   $      (298,816)
                                              ===============   ===============  ===============   ===============



Limited Partners' Net Income (loss)
   Per Unit                                   $           .02   $          (.69) $           .85   $         (2.78)
                                              ===============   ===============  ===============   ===============
</TABLE>



                 See accompanying note to financial statements.

                                        4


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

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                           Nine Months Ended
                                                                                             September 30,
                                                                               ----------------------------------------
                                                                                     1996                    1995
                                                                               ---------------         ----------------
<S>                                                                             <C>                     <C>            
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
    Income (Loss)                                                               $       90,923          $      (298,816)
    Adjustments to reconcile income (loss) to
      net cash provided by operations:
      Depreciation, depletion and amortization                                         181,180                  484,638
      Change in gas imbalance receivable
         and deferred revenues                                                          10,374                      594
      Change in assets and liabilities:
        (Increase) decrease in oil and gas sales receivable                             (3,645)                   5,973
        Increase (decrease) in accounts payable
          and accrued liabilities                                                     (207,879)                  25,619
                                                                               ---------------          ---------------
               Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities                      70,953                  218,008
                                                                               ---------------          ---------------
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
    Additions to oil and gas properties                                                (60,998)                 (54,786)
    Proceeds of sales from oil and gas properties                                      130,322                      744
                                                                               ---------------          ---------------
               Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities                      69,324                  (54,042)
                                                                               ---------------          ---------------
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
    Cash distributions to partners                                                    (114,054)                 (94,454)
    Payments on note payable                                                           (26,103)                 (69,195)
                                                                               ---------------          ---------------
               Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities                    (140,157)                (163,649)
                                                                               ---------------          ---------------
NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS                                       120                      317
                                                                               ---------------          ---------------
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT BEGINNING OF PERIOD                                         1,832                    1,370
                                                                               ---------------          ---------------
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF PERIOD                                      $        1,952          $         1,687
                                                                               ===============          ===============
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
    Cash paid during the period for interest                                    $       14,238          $         7,011
                                                                               ===============          ===============
</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,  1995  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  gas  imbalance   receivable  and  deferred  revenues  are
        accounted  for on  the  entitlements  method,  whereby  the  Partnership
        records its share of revenue,  based on its entitled amount. Any amounts
        over or under  the  entitled  amount  are  recorded  as an  increase  or
        decrease  to the  gas  imbalance  receivable  or  deferred  revenues  as
        applicable.

(3)  VULNERABILITY DUE TO CERTAIN CONCENTRATIONS -

                  The  Company'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.

                  The Partnership extends credit 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.

                                       6

<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

      The  Partnership  has  completed  acquisition  of  producing  oil  and gas
properties,  expending all of the limited  partners'  commitments  available for
property acquisitions.

      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, 1996  (current  quarter) when
compared to the quarter ended September 30, 1995  (corresponding  quarter),  and
for the nine months ended September 30, 1996 (current period),  when compared to
the nine months ended September 30, 1995 (corresponding period).

THREE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1996 AND 1995

      Oil and gas sales  declined  $5,352 or 3 percent  in the third  quarter of
1996 when  compared  to the  corresponding  quarter  in 1995,  primarily  due to
decreased gas and oil production.  A decline of 34 percent in gas production and
35  percent  in  oil  production   had  a  significant   impact  on  partnership
performance. Current quarter gas and oil prices increased 43 percent or $.70/MCF
and 51 percent or  $6.81/BBL,  respectively,  partially  offsetting  the revenue
declines.

      Associated depreciation expense decreased 20 percent or $14,929.

      The  Partnership   recorded  an  additional   provision  in  depreciation,
depletion  and  amortization  in the third  quarter of 1995 for $50,926 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. The additional provision results from the Managing General Partner's
determination  that the fair  market  value paid for  properties  may or may not
coincide  with reserve  valuations  determined  according to  guidelines  of the
Securities Exchange Commission.


                                       7

<PAGE>

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


NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1996 AND 1995

      Oil and gas sales increased $64,661 or 12 percent in the first nine months
of 1996 over the  corresponding  period in 1995. An increase in gas prices of 46
percent or  $.75/MCF  and in oil prices of 28  percent or  $3.82/BBL  were major
contributing  factors to the increased  revenues for the period.  Also,  current
period gas  production  decreased 24 percent when compared to the  corresponding
period in 1995, partially offsetting the effect of increased gas and oil prices.

      Associated depreciation expense decreased 20 percent or $14,929.

      The  Partnership   recorded  an  additional   provision  in  depreciation,
depletion  and  amortization  in the first nine months of 1995 for $250,614 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. The additional provision results from the Managing General Partner's
determination  that the fair  market  value paid for  properties  may or may not
coincide  with reserve  valuations  determined  according to  guidelines  of the
Securities Exchange Commission.

      During 1996,  partnership  revenues  and costs will be shared  between the
limited partners and general partners in a 90:10 ratio.

                                       8

<PAGE>

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




ITEM 5.    OTHER INFORMATION


                                     -NONE-


                                       9

<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 6, 1996              By:        /s/ John R. Alden
       ----------------                         --------------------------------
                                                John R. Alden
                                                Senior Vice President, Secretary
                                                and Principal Financial Officer

Date:  November 6, 1996              By:        /s/ Alton D. Heckaman, Jr.
       ----------------                         --------------------------------
                                                Alton D. Heckaman, Jr.
                                                Vice President, Controller
                                                and Principal Accounting Officer


                                       10