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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-K

X ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES
---- EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 1997

OR

TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from to
------------ ------------

Commission file number 0-3021

THE ST. PAUL COMPANIES, INC.
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

Minnesota 41-0518860
------------------- ---------------
(State or other jurisdiction of (I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization) Identification No.)

385 Washington Street, Saint Paul, MN 55102
-------------------------------------- -----------
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

Registrant's telephone number,
including area code 612-310-7911
------------

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Common Stock (without par value) New York Stock Exchange
London Stock Exchange
Stock Purchase Rights New York Stock Exchange
- ------------------------------- ------------------------------
(Title of class) (Name of each exchange on which
registered)

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:

None.

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

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant
to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not
be contained, to the best of Registrant's knowledge, in definitive
proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part
III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. (X)

The aggregate market value of the outstanding Common Stock held by
nonaffiliates of the Registrant on March 23, 1998, was
$7,575,147,530. The number of shares of the Registrant's Common
Stock, without par value, outstanding at March 23, 1998, was
84,021,148.

An Exhibit Index is set forth at page 36 of this report.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
-----------------------------------
The Form 8-K Current Report dated Feb. 26, 1998 containing portions
of the Registrant's 1997 Annual Report to Shareholders is
incorporated by reference into Parts I, II and IV of this report.
Portions of the Registrant's Proxy Statement relating to the annual
meeting of shareholders to be held May 5, 1998, are incorporated by
reference into Parts III and IV of this report.

Page 1 of 36 pages
PART I
------
Item 1. Business.
- ------ --------

General Description

The St. Paul Companies, Inc. (The St. Paul) is incorporated as a
general business corporation under the laws of the State of
Minnesota. The St. Paul and its subsidiaries comprise one of the
oldest insurance organizations in the United States, dating back to
1853. The St. Paul is a management company principally engaged,
through its subsidiaries, in property-liability insurance and
reinsurance underwriting. The St. Paul also has a presence in the
asset management-investment banking industry through its majority
ownership of The John Nuveen Company. As a management company, The
St. Paul oversees the operations of its subsidiaries and provides
them with capital, management and administrative services.
According to "Fortune" magazine's most recent rankings, The St.
Paul was the 238th-largest U.S. corporation, based on total 1996
revenues. At March 23, 1998, The St. Paul and its subsidiaries
employed approximately 10,000 persons.

In January 1998, The St. Paul and USF&G Corporation (USF&G)
announced a proposed merger of the two companies, which, if
completed, would create the eighth-largest property-liability
insurance company in the United States, based on 1996 net written
premium volume. The merger, which is subject to approvals by both
companies' shareholders and various regulatory authorities, would
be a tax-free exchange of stock accounted for as a pooling of
interests. The merger would result in USF&G becoming a wholly-
owned subsidiary of The St. Paul. Both companies have scheduled
separate special shareholder meetings for April 7, 1998 to vote on
resolutions relating to the proposed merger. The combined company
will operate under The St. Paul name and remain based in Saint
Paul, Minn. The merger is expected to be consummated in the second
quarter of 1998.

Under the terms of the merger agreement, USF&G shareholders will
receive shares of The St. Paul's common stock having a value to be
determined according to an exchange ratio based on the average
price of The St. Paul's stock during a twenty-day period ending on
the third day prior to the USF&G shareholder meeting to vote on the
proposed merger. The total value of the transaction is expected to
be approximately $3.5 billion, which includes the assumption of
USF&G's debt and capital securities. Note 18 to The St. Paul's
consolidated financial statements, which is included in The St. Paul's
Form 8-K Current Report dated Feb. 26, 1998, contains additional
information about the proposed merger and is incorporated herein by
reference.

In May 1997, The St. Paul completed the sale of its brokerage
operation, Minet, to Aon Corporation (Aon). Gross proceeds from
the sale were approximately equal to the remaining carrying value
of Minet at the date of sale. The St. Paul agreed to indemnify Aon
against most of Minet's preclosing liabilities. The St. Paul
recorded a $68 million after-tax loss on disposal of Minet in 1997,
resulting primarily from commitments for certain severance,
employee benefits, future lease commitments and other costs related
to Minet. Note 12 to The St. Paul's consolidated financial
statements, which is included in The St. Paul's Form 8-K Current Report
dated Feb. 26, 1998, contains additional information relating to the
Minet sale and is incorporated herein by reference.


Business Segments

The St. Paul's insurance underwriting operations, composed of six
distinct underwriting business segments and an investment
operations segment, accounted for at least 95% of consolidated
revenues from continuing operations in each of the years 1997, 1996
and 1995. The asset management-investment banking segment and
parent company accounted for the remaining revenues in each of
those years. Financial information about The St. Paul's business
segments is set forth in Note 16 to The St. Paul's consolidated
financial statements included in the Form 8-K Current Report dated
Feb. 26, 1998, and is incorporated herein by reference.
The following table summarizes the sources of The St. Paul's
consolidated revenues from continuing operations for each of the
last three years. Following the table is a narrative description
of each of The St. Paul's business segments as they existed at the
date of this report. The descriptions do not reflect the
anticipated impact of the proposed merger with USF&G Corporation on
The St. Paul's business segments, because the merger had not been
approved or consummated at the date of this report.

Percentage of
Consolidated Revenues

1997 1996 1995
---- ---- ----
Underwriting:
Worldwide Insurance Operations
St. Paul Fire and Marine:
Specialized Commercial 20.8% 22.2% 24.3%
Commercial 15.5 15.0 11.6
Personal Insurance 12.0 12.4 13.0
Medical Services 9.6 10.5 12.0
----- ----- -----
Total Fire and Marine 57.9 60.1 60.9
St. Paul International Underwriting 4.4 4.6 4.7
----- ----- -----
Total Worldwide Insurance Operations 62.3 64.7 65.6
St. Paul Re 12.0 12.8 13.0
Investment Operations:
Net investment income 14.2 13.9 14.5
Realized investment gains 6.4 3.6 1.5
----- ----- -----
Total Investment Operations 20.6 17.5 16.0
Other 0.6 0.8 0.6
----- ----- -----
Total Underwriting 95.5 95.8 95.2
Asset management-investment banking 4.3 4.1 4.7
Parent company and elimations 0.2 0.1 0.1
----- ----- -----
Total 100.0% 100.0% 100.0%
===== ===== =====

NARRATIVE DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS

Underwriting Operations

The St. Paul's primary insurance underwriting business is conducted
through its Worldwide Insurance Operations, which include St. Paul
Fire and Marine (Fire and Marine) and St. Paul International
Underwriting (International). Fire and Marine, The St. Paul's U.S.
insurance operation, underwrites property and liability insurance
and provides insurance-related products and services to commercial,
professional and individual customers throughout the United States.
International underwrites primary property and liability insurance
coverages outside the United States. International also includes
insurance written for foreign exposures of U.S.-based corporations
and U.S. exposures of foreign-based companies. The St. Paul's
reinsurance business operates under the name St. Paul Re, which
underwrites reinsurance for leading property-liability insurance
companies worldwide.

The primary sources of the underwriting operations' revenues are
premiums earned from insurance policies and reinsurance contracts,
income earned from the investment portfolio and sales of
investments. According to the most recent industry statistics
published in "Best's Review" with respect to property-liability
insurers doing business in the United States, The St. Paul's
underwriting operations ranked 13th on the basis of 1996 written
premiums.


Principal Departments and Products. The "Underwriting Results by
Segment" table included in the 8-K Current Report dated Feb. 26,
1998, which summarizes written premiums, underwriting results and
combined ratios for each of its underwriting segments for the last
three years, is incorporated herein by reference. The following
discussion summarizes the business structure of The St. Paul's
insurance underwriting operations.
WORLDWIDE INSURANCE OPERATIONS
St. Paul Fire and Marine

Fire and Marine underwrites insurance through the following
business segments:

Specialized Commercial. This is the largest of Fire and Marine's
operations, based on written premium volume. Specialized
Commercial includes a number of individual underwriting operations
which serve specific commercial customer segments or provide
specialized products and services for targeted industry groups.
Specialized Commercial, in general, provides coverage for damage to
the customer's property (fire, inland marine and auto), liability
for bodily injury or damage to the property of others (general
liability, auto liability and excess), workers' compensation
insurance, and various professional liability coverages.

Operations serving specific customer segments consist of the
following: Financial and Professional Services provides fidelity
and property-liability coverages for depository institutions, and
markets errors and omissions coverages for lawyers, insurance
agents and other nonmedical professionals, including directors and
officers. Ocean Marine provides a variety of property-liability
insurance related to ocean and inland waterways traffic, including
cargo and hull property protection. Public Sector Services markets
insurance products and services, including professional liability
insurance, to all levels of government entities. Surplus Lines
underwrites products liability insurance, umbrella and excess
liability coverages, property insurance for high-risk classes of
business, and coverages for unique, sometimes one-of-a-kind risks.
Technology underwrites a range of specialized coverages for
information technology firms, including manufacturers of
electronics, synthetics, industrial machinery and medical
equipment.

The following operations provide products and services for targeted
industry groups. Construction provides insurance to medium- and
large-size general building contractors, highway contractors and
specialty contractors. Large construction projects are insured
during the life of the project. Surety underwrites surety bonds,
primarily for construction contractors, which guarantee that third
parties will be indemnified against the nonperformance of
contractual obligations. Based on 1996 written premiums, Fire and
Marine's surety operation ranked as the sixth-largest underwriter
of surety bonds in the United States. Manufacturing provides
liability insurance and risk management products and services for
large manufacturing operations. Service Industries provides large
service-related businesses with insurance and risk management
programs. Businesses served include retailers, wholesalers,
insurance companies, and hospitality and entertainment firms.
Special Property underwrites large property accounts, layered and
excess property programs, large deductible accounts, stop-loss and
loss limit programs and other customized property business.
National Programs underwrites coverages for nationwide, multiple-
policyholder programs through a single agency source.
Transportation provides large motor carriers with customized
insurance programs.

Fire and Marine's limited participation in insurance pools and
associations, which provide specialized underwriting skills and
risk management services for the classes of business that they
write, is also included in Specialized Commercial results. These
pools and associations serve to increase the underwriting capacity
of participating companies for insurance policies where the
concentration of risk is so high or the amount so large that a
single company could not prudently accept the entire risk.

Commercial. Fire and Marine's Commercial underwriting operation
offers property-liability insurance to a broad range of small to
midsized commercial enterprises. Business coverages marketed
include package, general liability, umbrella and excess liability,
commercial auto and fire, inland marine and workers' compensation.
Commercial offers tailored coverages and insurance products for
specific customer groups such as golf courses, museums, colleges
and schools, multipurpose recreational facilities, manufacturers,
wholesalers and processors. Coverages marketed to the small
commercial customer include the Package Accounts for Commercial
Enterprises (PACE) policy for individuals, groups or franchise
operations, including offices, retailers and family restaurants.
In July 1996, Fire and Marine acquired Northbrook Holdings, Inc.
and its three commercial underwriting subsidiaries (Northbrook)
from Allstate Insurance Company. Northbrook underwrites various
property-liability commercial insurance coverages throughout the
United States. Northbrook accounted for $230 million and $140
million of written premiums in Fire and Marine's Commercial
operations in 1997 and 1996, respectively.

Personal Insurance. This operation provides a broad portfolio of
property-liability insurance products and services for individuals.
Through a variety of single-line policies and multi-line package
policies, individuals can acquire coverages to protect personal
property such as homes, automobiles and boats, as well as to
provide coverage for personal liability.

Medical Services. Medical Services underwrites professional
liability, property and general liability insurance for the health
care delivery system. Products include coverages for health care
professionals (physicians and surgeons, dental professionals and
nurses); individual health care facilities (including hospitals,
long-term care facilities and other facilities such as
laboratories); and entire systems such as hospital networks and
managed care systems. Specialized claim and loss control services
are vital components of Medical Services' insurance products and
services. Fire and Marine is the largest medical liability insurer
in the United States, with premium volume accounting for
approximately 8% of the U.S. market in 1996 based on premium data
published in "Best's Review."

St. Paul International Underwriting

St. Paul International Underwriting includes most primary insurance
written outside the United States. International has a domestic
presence as a licensed insurance company in Canada, and ten
countries in Europe, Africa and Latin America. It also includes
The St. Paul's participation in Lloyd's of London as a provider of
capital to selected underwriting syndicates and as the owner of two
managing agencies. International also includes insurance written
for foreign operations of multinational corporations based in the
United States, and insurance written to cover exposures in the
United States for foreign-based companies. This operation offers a
broad range of commercial and personal lines products and services
tailored to meet the unique needs of both its multinational
customers as well as its customers in each of the indigenous
markets which it serves.

ST. PAUL RE

St. Paul Re underwrites reinsurance in both domestic and
international insurance markets (referred to as "assumed
reinsurance"). Reinsurance is an agreement through which one
insurance company will transfer some of the risk it has
underwritten to another insurer and will pay a premium in order to
do so. A large portion of reinsurance is effected automatically
under general reinsurance contracts known as treaties. In some
instances, reinsurance is effected by negotiation on individual
risks, which is referred to as facultative reinsurance. St. Paul
Re underwrites both treaty and facultative reinsurance for
property, liability, ocean marine, surety and several specialty
coverages. According to data published by the Reinsurance
Association of America, St. Paul Re ranked as the eighth-largest
U.S. reinsurance underwriter based on written premium volume for
the first nine months of 1997.

In 1996, The St. Paul completed a $68.5 million securitized
reinsurance transaction that provided St. Paul Re with property
catastrophe reinsurance capacity of $45.1 million for up to three
years and up to $21.1 million in the subsequent seven years. A
newly-formed single-purpose reinsurance company called George Town
Re was organized to reinsure only St. Paul Re. Collateral for
claims is provided from the proceeds raised in a private placement.
This reinsurance allows St. Paul Re to write more catastrophe-
exposed property business without having to seek additional capital
and without any impact on The St. Paul's consolidated balance
sheet. St. Paul Re utilized a portion of this securitized
reinsurance capacity in 1997.

In January 1997, St. Paul Re acquired the right to renew
Constitution Reinsurance Corporation's approximately $20 million
book of U.S. casualty facultative reinsurance business.
Principal Markets and Methods of Distribution.  St. Paul Fire and
Marine Insurance Company and its subsidiaries are licensed and
transact business in all 50 states, the District of Columbia,
Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. Fire and Marine's business is
broadly distributed throughout the United States, with a
particularly strong market presence in the Midwestern region. Five
percent or more of Fire and Marine's 1997 property-liability
written premiums were produced in each of Illinois, California,
Minnesota, New York and Texas.

Fire and Marine's business is produced primarily through
approximately 6,000 independent insurance agencies and insurance
brokers. Fire and Marine maintains 12 regional offices in major
cities throughout the United States and 90 additional service
offices in the United States to respond to the needs of agents,
brokers and policyholders.

St. Paul Re produces business from its New York headquarters, as
well as from its offices in London, Miami, Chicago, Atlanta,
Philadelphia, Brussels, Munich, Singapore, Tokyo and Sydney. St.
Paul Re obtains business primarily through the broker or
intermediary market. Approximately 40% of St. Paul Re's business
in 1997 originated from outside the United States.

St. Paul International Underwriting is headquartered in London and
underwrites insurance through local operations in 11 markets
outside the United States (South Africa, Botswana, Argentina,
Mexico, Canada, the Netherlands, the Republic of Ireland, Spain,
France, Germany and the United Kingdom).

A portion of The St. Paul's property-liability insurance written
premium volume originates with insurance brokers. In 1997,
approximately 18% of The St. Paul's underwriting operations' gross
written premium volume originated with two brokerage firms - Aon
Corporation, and J&H Marsh & McLennan, Inc.
Reserves for Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses

General Information. When claims are made by or against
policyholders, any amounts that The St. Paul's underwriting
operations pay or expect to pay to the claimant are referred to as
losses. The costs of investigating, resolving and processing these
claims are referred to as loss adjustment expenses (LAE). The St.
Paul establishes reserves that reflect the estimated unpaid total
cost of these two items. The reserves for unpaid losses and LAE at
Dec. 31, 1997 cover claims that were incurred not only in 1997 but
also in prior years. They include estimates of the total cost of
claims that have already been reported but not yet settled ("case"
reserves), and those that have been incurred but not yet reported
("IBNR" reserves). Loss reserves are not discounted, but they are
reduced for estimates of salvage and subrogation.

Management continually reviews loss reserves, using a variety of
statistical and actuarial techniques to analyze current claim
costs, frequency and severity data, and prevailing economic, social
and legal factors. Management believes that the reserves currently
established for losses and LAE are adequate to cover their eventual
costs. However, final claim payments may differ from these
reserves, particularly when these payments may not take place for
several years. Reserves established in prior years are adjusted as
loss experience develops and new information becomes available.
Adjustments to previously estimated reserves are reflected in
results in the year in which they are made.

Ten-year Development. The table on page 9 presents a development
of net loss and LAE reserve liabilities and payments for the years
1987 through 1997. The top line on the table shows the estimated
liability for unpaid losses and LAE, net of reinsurance
recoverable, recorded at the balance sheet date for each of the
years indicated. Loss development data for The St. Paul's U.K.-
based reinsurance and international underwriting operations are
included in the table from 1988 to 1997.

In 1997, The St. Paul changed the method by which it assigns loss
activity to a particular year for assumed reinsurance written by
its U.K.-based reinsurance operation. Prior to 1997, that loss
activity was assigned to the year in which the underlying
reinsurance contract was written. In 1997, The St. Paul's analysis
indicated that an excess amount of loss activity was being assigned
to prior years because of this practice. As a result, The St. Paul
implemented an improved procedure in 1997 that more accurately
assigns loss activity for this business to the year in which it
occurred. This change had the impact of increasing favorable
development on previously established reserves by approximately
$110 million in 1997. There was no net impact on total incurred
losses, however, because there was a corresponding increase in the
provision for current year loss activity in 1997. Development data
for individual years prior to 1997 in this table were not restated
to reflect this new procedure because reliable data to do so was
not available.

The upper portion of the table, which shows the re-estimated amount
relating to the previously recorded liability, is based upon
experience as of the end of each succeeding year. This estimate is
either increased or decreased as further information becomes known
about individual claims and as changes in the trend of claim
frequency and severity become apparent.

The "Cumulative redundancy" line on the table for any given year
represents the aggregate change in the estimates for all years
subsequent to the year the reserves were initially established.
For example, the 1987 reserve of $4,745 million developed to $4,727
million, or an $18 million redundancy, by the end of 1988. By the
end of 1997, the 1987 reserve had developed a redundancy of $512
million. The changes in the estimate of 1987 loss reserves were
reflected in operations during the past ten years.

In 1993, The St. Paul adopted the provisions of Statement of
Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 113, "Accounting and
Reporting for Reinsurance of Short-Duration and Long-Duration
Contracts." This statement required, among other things, that
reinsurance recoverables on unpaid losses and LAE be shown as an
asset, instead of the prior practice of netting this amount against
insurance reserves for balance sheet reporting purposes.
The middle portion of the table, which includes data for only those
periods impacted since the adoption of SFAS No. 113 (the years 1992
through 1997), represents a reconciliation between the net reserve
liability as shown on the top line of the table and the gross
reserve liability as shown on The St. Paul's balance sheet. This
portion of the table also presents the gross re-estimated reserve
liability as of the end of the latest re-estimation period (Dec. 31,
1997) and the related re-estimated reinsurance recoverable.
The St. Paul did not restate data for years prior to 1992 in this
table for presentation on a gross basis due to the impracticality
of determining such gross data on a reliable basis for its foreign
underwriting operations.

The lower portion of the table presents the cumulative amounts paid
with respect to the previously recorded liability as of the end of
each succeeding year. For example, as of Dec. 31, 1997, $3,814
million of the currently estimated $4,233 million of losses and LAE
that have been incurred for the years up to and including 1987 have
been paid. Thus, as of Dec. 31, 1997, it is estimated that $419
million of incurred losses and LAE have yet to be paid for the
years up to and including 1987.

Caution should be exercised in evaluating the information shown on
this table. It should be noted that each amount includes the
effects of all changes in amounts for prior periods. For example,
the portion of the development shown for year-end 1995 reserves
that relates to 1987 losses is included in the cumulative
redundancy for the years 1987 through 1995.

In addition, the table presents calendar year data. It does not
present accident or policy year development data, which some
readers may be more accustomed to analyzing. The social, economic
and legal conditions and other trends which have had an impact on
the changes in the estimated liability in the past are not
necessarily indicative of the future. Accordingly, readers are
cautioned against extrapolating any conclusions about future
results from the information presented in this table.

Note 6 to The St. Paul's consolidated financial statements, which
is included in the Form 8-K Current Report dated Feb. 26, 1998,
includes a reconciliation of beginning and ending loss reserve
liabilities for each of the last three years and is incorporated
herein by reference. Additional information about The St. Paul's
reserves is contained in the "Loss and Loss Adjustment Expense
Reserves" and "Environmental and Asbestos Claims" sections of
"Management's Discussion and Analysis." Those sections are also
included in The St. Paul's Form 8-K Current Report dated Feb. 26, 1998,
and are incorporated herein by reference.
Analysis of Loss and Loss Adjustment Expense (LAE) Development
(in millions)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

Year ended December 31 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997
- ---------------------- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ----

Net liability for <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
unpaid losses and LAE $4,745 5,502 5,907 6,279 6,688 7,207 7,640 7,890 8,393 9,783 9,925
===== ===== ===== ===== ===== ===== ===== ===== ===== ===== =====
<S>
Liability re-estimated
as of:
One year later 4,727 5,313 5,656 6,037 6,436 6,984 7,312 7,642 8,141 9,295
Two years later 4,489 4,914 5,338 5,787 6,259 6,704 7,027 7,330 7,672
Three years later 4,268 4,789 5,135 5,628 6,066 6,563 6,781 6,905
Four years later 4,226 4,731 5,027 5,490 6,063 6,384 6,426
Five years later 4,178 4,707 4,975 5,521 5,960 6,155
Six years later 4,180 4,682 5,058 5,472 5,814
Seven years later 4,169 4,796 5,038 5,407
Eight years later 4,163 4,798 5,013
Nine years later 4,183 4,826
Ten years later 4,233

Cumulative redundancy $512 676 894 872 874 1,052 1,214 985 721 488
===== ===== ===== ===== ===== ===== ===== ===== ===== =====

Cumulative redundancy
excluding foreign
exchange (1) $512 686 874 872 881 1,045 1,209 984 714 489
===== ===== ===== ===== ===== ===== ===== ===== ===== =====

Net liability for
unpaid losses and LAE 7,207 7,640 7,890 8,393 9,783 9,925

Reinsurance recoverable on
unpaid losses 1,606 1,545 1,533 1,854 1,890 1,893
----- ----- ----- ----- ----- -----

Gross liability 8,813 9,185 9,423 10,247 11,673 11,818
===== ===== ===== ====== ====== ======
Gross re-estimated liability:
One year later 8,692 8,842 9,599 9,980 11,262
Two years later 8,389 8,934 9,274 9,295
Three years later 8,622 8,665 8,681
Four years later 8,426 8,178
Five years later 8,092

Gross cumulative
redundancy 721 1,007 742 952 411
===== ===== ===== ===== =====

Gross cumulative
redundancy excluding
foreign exchange (1) 680 980 702 934 410
===== ===== ===== ===== =====

Cumulative amount of net
liability paid through:
One year later $1,101 1,196 1,318 1,450 1,452 1,547 1,566 1,591 1,839 2,228
Two years later 1,884 2,044 2,209 2,361 2,493 2,576 2,608 2,751 3,084
Three years later 2,466 2,646 2,797 3,015 3,155 3,245 3,373 3,543
Four years later 2,869 3,043 3,216 3,442 3,584 3,745 3,881
Five years later 3,132 3,348 3,496 3,713 3,922 4,090
Six years later 3,322 3,554 3,674 3,942 4,178
Seven years later 3,453 3,691 3,846 4,137
Eight years later 3,573 3,819 4,002
Nine years later 3,666 3,975
Ten years later 3,814

Cumulative amount of
gross liability paid
through:
One year later 1,935 1,872 1,958 2,160 2,532
Two years later 3,199 3,136 3,352 3,377
Three years later 4,047 4,065 4,129
Four years later 4,678 4,563
Five years later 5,018

(1) The results of The St. Paul's U.K.-based operations
translated from original currencies into U.S. dollars are
included with The St. Paul's U.S. underwriting operations in
this table from 1988 to 1997. The foreign currency
translation impact on the cumulative redundancy arises from
the difference between reserve developments translated at
the exchange rates at the end of the year in which the
liabilities were originally estimated, and the exchange
rates at the end of the year in which the liabilities were
re-estimated.

</TABLE>
Ceded Reinsurance.  Through ceded reinsurance, other insurers and
reinsurers agree to share certain risks that The St. Paul's
subsidiaries have underwritten. The purpose of reinsurance is to
limit a ceding insurer's maximum net loss arising from large risks
or catastrophes. Reinsurance also serves to increase the direct
writing capacity of the ceding insurer. Amounts recoverable on
ceded losses are recorded as an asset.

With respect to ceded reinsurance, The St. Paul strives to protect
its assets from large individual risk and occurrence losses, and
provide its respective underwriting operations with the capacity
necessary to write large limits on accounts.

The collectibility of reinsurance is subject to the solvency of
reinsurers. The St. Paul's Reinsurance Security Committee, which
has established financial standards to determine qualified,
financially secure reinsurers, guides the placement of ceded
reinsurance. Uncollectible reinsurance recoverables have not had a
material adverse impact on The St. Paul's results of operations,
liquidity or financial position. Note 14 to The St. Paul's
consolidated financial statements, which is included in the Form 8-
K Current Report dated Feb. 26, 1998, provides a schedule of ceded
reinsurance information and is incorporated herein by reference.


INVESTMENT OPERATIONS

Objectives. The St. Paul's board of directors approves the annual
investment plans of the underwriting subsidiaries. The primary
objectives of those plans are as follows:

1) to maintain a widely diversified fixed maturities portfolio
structured to maximize investment income while minimizing credit
risk through investments in high-quality instruments;

2) to provide for long-term growth in the market value of the
investment portfolio and enhance shareholder value through
investments in certain other investment classes, such as equity
securities, venture capital and real estate.

The St. Paul has had limited involvement with derivative financial
instruments for purposes of hedging against fluctuations in
interest rates. The St. Paul has not participated in the
derivatives market for trading or speculative purposes.

Fixed Maturities. Fixed maturities constituted 85% of The St.
Paul's underwriting operations' investment portfolio at Dec. 31,
1997. The portfolio is primarily composed of high-quality,
intermediate-term taxable U.S. government agency and corporate
bonds and tax-exempt U.S. municipal bonds. The following table
presents information about the fixed maturities portfolio for the
last five years (dollars in millions).

Weighted Weighted
Amortized Market Pretax Net Average Average
Cost at Value at Investment Pretax After-tax
Year Year-end Year-end Income Yield Yield
- ---- -------- -------- ---------- -------- --------
1997 $11,745.2 $12,414.3 $812.9 7.1% 5.4%
1996 11,425.5 11,908.2 740.4 7.0% 5.4%
1995 9,712.7 10,394.5 671.9 7.2% 5.6%
1994 9,015.4 8,938.2 637.2 7.4% 5.7%
1993 8,490.8 9,249.3 618.1 7.4% 5.9%

The St. Paul determines the mix of its investments in taxable and
tax-exempt securities based on its current and projected tax
position and the relationship between taxable and tax-exempt
investment yields. Fixed maturity purchases in 1997 consisted of
intermediate-term, investment-grade taxable and tax-exempt
securities. The fixed maturities portfolio is carried on The St.
Paul's balance sheet at estimated market value, with unrealized
appreciation and depreciation (net of taxes) recorded in common
shareholders' equity. At Dec. 31, 1997, pretax unrealized
appreciation totaled $669 million.
The fixed maturities portfolio is managed conservatively to provide
reasonable returns while limiting exposure to risks. Approximately
96% of the fixed maturities portfolio is rated at investment grade
levels (BBB or better). Nonrated securities comprise the remainder
of the portfolio. Most of these are nonrated municipal bonds
which, in management's view, would be considered of investment-
grade quality if rated.

Equities. Equity securities comprised 5% of the underwriting
operations' investments at Dec. 31, 1997, and consist of a
diversified portfolio of common stocks, which are held with the
primary objective of achieving capital appreciation. Sales of
equities generated $155 million of pretax realized investment gains
in 1997, and dividend income totaled $15 million. The portfolio's
carrying value at year-end included $232 million of unrealized
appreciation.

Real Estate. The St. Paul's real estate holdings, which comprised
5% of total investments at Dec. 31, 1997, consist of a diversified
portfolio of commercial office and warehouse properties that The
St. Paul owns directly or has partial interest in through joint
ventures. The properties are geographically distributed throughout
the United States. This portfolio produced $44 million of pretax
investment income in 1997, and sales of real estate investments in
1997 generated $35 million of pretax realized gains. The St. Paul
does not have a portfolio of real estate mortgage investments, but
included in debt outstanding are two mortgages totaling $15 million
on two of its warehouse properties.

Venture Capital. Securities of small to medium sized companies
spanning a variety of industries comprise The St. Paul's venture
capital investments, which accounted for 2% of total investments at
Dec. 31, 1997. These investments are in the form of limited
partnership interests or direct equity investments. Sales of
venture capital investments in 1997 generated pretax realized
investment gains of $213 million. This included a gain of $129
million on the sale of the stock of Advanced Fibre Communications,
Inc., a direct equity investment. The carrying value of venture
capital investments at Dec. 31, 1997 included $138 million of
unrealized appreciation.

Other Investments. The St. Paul's portfolio also includes short-
term securities and other miscellaneous investments, which in the
aggregate comprised 3% of total investments at Dec. 31, 1997.

Notes 3, 4 and 5 to The St. Paul's consolidated financial
statements, which are included in the Form 8-K Current Report dated
Feb. 26, 1998, provide additional information about The St. Paul's
investment portfolio and are incorporated herein by reference. The
"Investment Operations" and "Exposures to Market Risk" sections of
"Management's Discussion and Analysis" in said Form 8-K Current
Report are also incorporated herein by reference.


Asset Management-Investment Banking

The John Nuveen Company (Nuveen) is The St. Paul's asset management-
investment banking subsidiary. The St. Paul and Fire and Marine
hold a combined 77% interest in Nuveen. Nuveen is headquartered in
Chicago and maintains regional sales offices in other cities across
the United States. Nuveen specializes in the sponsorship,
marketing and management of fixed income and equity investment
products, and in municipal and corporate investment banking
services.

Through John Nuveen & Co. Incorporated, a wholly-owned subsidiary,
Nuveen markets open-end and closed-end (exchange-traded) managed
funds. Nuveen also underwrites and trades municipal bonds and tax-
free and taxable unit investment trusts (UITs). Nuveen markets its
funds and UITs to individuals through registered representatives
associated with unaffiliated national and regional broker-dealers
and other financial organizations. Through its Municipal
Securities Division, Nuveen underwrites and distributes municipal
bonds, trades municipal bonds in the secondary market and serves as
remarketing agent for variable rate bonds. The majority of its
underwritings are for governmental and not-for-profit entities and
substantially all of its sales are to institutional investors.
Nuveen Advisory Corp. and Nuveen Institutional Advisory Corp.,
wholly-owned subsidiaries of John Nuveen & Co. Incorporated,
provide investment advice to and administer the business affairs of
the Nuveen family of management investment companies.

In 1997, Nuveen acquired Flagship Resources, Inc., a municipal bond
mutual fund sponsor and asset management firm, for cash and
preferred stock with a total value of $72 million. This
acquisition expanded the range of municipal investments offered to
investors and added approximately $4.6 billion to Nuveen's assets
under management. Also in 1997, Nuveen acquired Rittenhouse
Financial Services, Inc., an equity and balanced portfolio
investment management firm serving affluent investors, for $147
million in cash. This acquisition added approximately $9 billion
to Nuveen's managed assets.

As the leading sponsor of tax-free UITs, Nuveen currently sponsors
trusts with assets at Dec. 31, 1997 of approximately $12 billion in
national, state and insured portfolios. During 1997, Nuveen
offered UITs which invested in equities, treasury bonds and
corporate bonds. Nuveen manages 40 tax-free mutual funds and money
market funds with net assets of approximately $11 billion in
national, state, insured and money market portfolios. Nuveen also
manages six taxable mutual funds investing in equity and balanced
portfolios. In addition, Nuveen manages 57 tax-free exchange-
traded funds with approximately $26 billion in net assets.

In 1997, Nuveen repurchased 1.8 million of its outstanding common
shares for a total cost of $55 million. The repurchases were
proportioned between The St. Paul and minority shareholders to
maintain the combined 77% ownership interest in Nuveen held by The
St. Paul and Fire and Marine. The St. Paul received proceeds of
$41 million from Nuveen's share repurchases.


COMPETITION AND REGULATION

The insurance underwriting and asset management-investment banking
industries are both highly competitive.

Underwriting. The St. Paul's domestic and international
underwriting subsidiaries compete with a large number of other
insurers and reinsurers. In addition, many large commercial
customers self-insure their risks or utilize large deductibles on
purchased insurance. The St. Paul's subsidiaries compete
principally by attempting to offer a combination of superior
products, underwriting expertise and services at a competitive
price. The combination of products, services, pricing and other
methods of competition varies by line of insurance and by coverage
within each line of insurance.

The St. Paul and its underwriting subsidiaries are subject to
regulation by certain states as an insurance holding company
system. Such regulation generally provides that transactions
between companies within the holding company system must be fair
and equitable. Transfers of assets among such affiliated
companies, certain dividend payments from underwriting subsidiaries
and certain material transactions between companies within the
system may be subject to prior notice to or approval of state
regulatory authorities. During 1997, The St. Paul received from
Fire and Marine $200.0 million of cash dividends, and a noncash
dividend in the form of common shares of The John Nuveen Company
with a market value of $211.1 million. In 1998, up to $427.5
million in cash dividends can be paid by Fire and Marine to The St.
Paul without regulatory approval. In addition, any change of
control (generally presumed by the holding company laws to occur
with the acquisition of 10% or more of an insurance holding
company's voting securities) of The St. Paul and its underwriting
subsidiaries is subject to such prior approval.

The underwriting subsidiaries are subject to licensing and
supervision by government regulatory agencies in the jurisdictions
in which they do business. The nature and extent of such
regulations vary
but generally have their source in statutes which delegate
regulatory, supervisory and administrative powers to state
insurance commissioners. Such regulation, supervision and
administration of the underwriting subsidiaries may relate, among
other things, to the standards of solvency which must be met and
maintained; the licensing of insurers and their agents; the nature
of and limitations on investments; restrictions on the size of risk
which may be insured under a single policy; deposits of securities
for the benefit of policyholders; regulation of policy forms and
premium rates; periodic examination of the affairs of insurance
companies; annual and other reports required to be filed on the
financial condition of insurers or for other purposes; requirements
regarding reserves for unearned premiums, losses and other matters;
the nature of and limitations on dividends to policyholders and
shareholders; the nature and extent of required participation in
insurance guaranty funds; and the involuntary assumption of hard-to-
place or high-risk insurance business, primarily in the personal
auto and workers' compensation insurance lines.

Loss ratio trends in property-liability insurance underwriting
experience may be improved by, among other things, changing the
kinds of coverages provided by policies, providing loss prevention
and risk management services, increasing premium rates or by a
combination of these. The freedom of The St. Paul's insurance
underwriting subsidiaries to meet emerging adverse underwriting
trends may be slowed, from time to time, by the effects of those
state laws which require prior approval by insurance regulatory
authorities of changes in policy forms and premium rates. Fire and
Marine does business in all 50 states and the District of Columbia,
Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. Many of these jurisdictions
require prior approval of most or all premium rates.

The St. Paul's insurance underwriting business in the United
Kingdom is regulated by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).
The DTI's principal objectives are to ensure that insurance
companies are responsibly managed, that they have adequate funds to
meet liabilities to policyholders and that they maintain required
levels of solvency. In Canada, the conduct of insurance business
is regulated under provisions of the Insurance Companies Act of
1992, which requires insurance companies to maintain certain levels
of capital depending on the type and amount of insurance policies
in force. The St. Paul is also subject to regulations in the other
countries and jurisdictions in which it writes insurance business.

Asset Management-Investment Banking. Nuveen is a publicly-traded
company registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and
listed on the New York Stock Exchange. One of its subsidiaries is
a broker and dealer registered under the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, and is subject to regulation by the Securities and Exchange
Commission, the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.
and other federal and state agencies. Nuveen's other four
subsidiaries are investment advisers registered under the
Investment Advisers Act of 1940. As such, they are subject to
regulation by the Securities and Exchange Commission.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENT DISCLOSURE

This report contains certain forward-looking statements within the
meaning of the Private Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-
looking statements are statements other than historical information
or statements of current condition. Words such as expects,
anticipates, intends, plans, believes, seeks or estimates, or
variations of such words, and similar expressions are also intended
to identify forward-looking statements. In light of the risks and
uncertainties inherent in future projections, many of which are
beyond The St. Paul's control, actual results could differ
materially from those in the forward-looking statements. These
statements should not be regarded as a representation that the
objectives will be achieved. Risks and uncertainties include, but
are not limited to, the following: general economic conditions
including changes in interest rates and the performance of
financial markets; changes in domestic and foreign laws, regulation
and taxes; changes in the demand for, pricing of, or supply of
reinsurance or insurance; catastrophic events of unanticipated
frequency or severity; loss of significant customers; judicial
decisions and rulings; and various other matters, including the effects
of the proposed merger with USF&G Corporation. The St. Paul
undertakes no obligation to release publicly the results of any
future revisions it may make to forward-looking statements to
reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect
the occurrence of unanticipated events.
Item 2.   Properties.
- ------ ----------

St. Paul Fire and Marine Insurance Company owns The St. Paul's
corporate headquarters buildings, located at 385 Washington Street
and 130 West Sixth Street, Saint Paul, Minnesota. These buildings
are adjacent to one another and connected by skyway, and consist of
approximately 1.1 million square feet of gross floor space. St.
Paul Fire and Marine Insurance Company also owns a building in
Freeport, Illinois that houses a portion of its personal insurance
operations.

St. Paul International Insurance Company Ltd. owns a building in
London, England which houses a portion of its operations. As part
of the agreement to sell its brokerage operation, Minet, to Aon in
1997, The St. Paul retained ownership of two former Minet buildings
in London and is currently leasing office space in those buildings
to Aon.

St. Paul Fire and Marine Insurance Company and its subsidiary, St.
Paul Properties, Inc., own a portfolio of income-producing
properties in various locations across the United States that they
have purchased for investment.

The St. Paul's operating subsidiaries rent or lease office space in
most cities in which they operate.

Management considers the currently owned and leased office
facilities of The St. Paul and its subsidiaries adequate for the
current and anticipated future level of operations.


Item 3. Legal Proceedings.
- ------ -----------------

The information set forth in the "Legal Matters" section of Note 11
to The St. Paul's consolidated financial statements, and the
"Environmental and Asbestos Claims" section of "Management's
Discussion and Analysis," which are included in the Form 8-K
Current Report dated Feb. 26, 1998, are incorporated herein by
reference.

In 1990, at the direction of the UK Department of Trade and
Industry (DTI), five insurance underwriting subsidiaries of London
United Investments PLC (LUI) suspended underwriting new insurance
business. At the same time, four of those subsidiaries, being
insolvent, suspended payment of claims and have since been placed
in provisional liquidation. The fifth subsidiary, Walbrook
Insurance Company, continued paying claims until May 1992 but has
now also been placed in provisional insolvent liquidation. Weavers
Underwriting Agency (Weavers), an LUI subsidiary, managed these
insurers. Minet, a former insurance brokerage subsidiary of The
St. Paul, had brokered business to and from Weavers for many years.
From 1973 through 1980, The St. Paul's UK-based underwriting
operations, now called St. Paul International Insurance Company
Limited (SPI), had accepted business from Weavers. A portion of
that business was ceded by SPI to reinsurers. Certain of those
reinsurers have challenged the validity of certain reinsurance
contracts relating to the Weavers pool, of which SPI was a member,
in an attempt to avoid liability under those contracts. SPI and
other members of the Weavers pool are seeking enforcement of the
reinsurance contracts. Minet may also become the subject of legal
proceedings arising from its role as one of the major brokers for
Weavers. When The St. Paul sold Minet in May 1997, it agreed to
indemnify the purchaser for most of Minet's preclosing liabilities,
including liabilities relating to the Weavers matter. The
proceedings will be vigorously contested by The St. Paul
and it recognizes that the final outcome of these proceedings,
if adverse to The St. Paul, may materially impact the results of
operations in the period in which that outcome occurs, but believes
it will not have a materially adverse effect on its liquidity or
overall financial position.


Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.
- ------ ---------------------------------------------------

No matter was submitted to a vote of security holders during the
quarter ended Dec. 31, 1997.
Executive Officers of the Registrant.
- ------------------------------------

All of the following persons are regarded as executive officers of
The St. Paul Companies, Inc. because of their responsibilities and
duties as elected officers of The St. Paul, Fire and Marine,
St. Paul International Underwriting or St. Paul Re. There are no
family relationships between any of The St. Paul's executive
officers and directors, and there are no arrangements or
understandings between any of these officers and any other person
pursuant to which the officer was selected as an officer. All of
the following officers except Paul J. Liska, Michael J. Conroy and
James Hom have held positions with The St. Paul or one or more of
its subsidiaries for more than five years, and have been employees
of The St. Paul or a subsidiary for more than five years. Paul J.
Liska joined The St. Paul in January 1997. For three years prior
to that date, Mr. Liska held various management positions with
Specialty Foods Corporation, including the position of president
and chief executive officer from January 1996 to January 1997. For
six years prior to joining Specialty Foods Corporation, Mr. Liska
held several executive positions with Kraft General Foods. Michael
J. Conroy joined The St. Paul in August 1994. For three years
prior to that date, Mr. Conroy served as executive vice president
and chief administrative officer of The Home Insurance Company.
For two years prior to that, Mr. Conroy held various other
management positions with The Home Insurance Company. James Hom
joined The St. Paul in October 1994. For two years prior to that
date, Mr. Hom served as vice president-corporate claims and project
management for The Home Insurance Company. Prior to that, Mr. Hom
spent seven years managing insurance consulting groups for two
large public accounting firms.


Positions Term of Office
Presently and Period of
Name Age Held Service
- ---- --- ----------- --------------

Douglas W. 61 Chairman, President Serving at the
Leatherdale and Chief Executive pleasure of the
Officer-The St. Paul Board from 5-90
Companies, Inc.

Patrick A. Thiele 47 Executive Vice Serving at the
President, President pleasure of the
and Chief Executive Board from 5-96
Officer-Worldwide
Insurance Operations

Paul J. Liska 42 Executive Vice Serving at the
President and pleasure of the
Chief Financial Board from 1-97
Officer

Michael J. Conroy 56 Executive Vice Serving at the
President and pleasure of the
Chief Administrative Board from 8-95
Officer-Fire and
Marine

James F. Duffy 54 President - Serving at the
St. Paul Re pleasure of the
Board from 9-93

Mark L. Pabst 51 President - Serving at the
St. Paul pleasure of the
International Board from 2-95
Underwriting
Joseph B. Nardi     53   Executive Vice               Serving at the
President - Fire and pleasure of the
Marine; President - Board from 2-98
Specialty Commercial

James A. Schulte 48 Executive Vice Serving at the
President - Fire and pleasure of the
Marine; President - Board from 2-98
General Commercial

Stephen J. Klingel 47 President- Serving at the
Personal pleasure of the
Insurance- Board from 8-95
Fire and Marine

Bruce A. Backberg 49 Senior Vice Serving at the
President and pleasure of the
Chief Legal Counsel Board from 11-97

James L. Boudreau 62 Senior Vice Serving at the
President - Finance pleasure of the
Board from 3-98

Howard E. Dalton 60 Senior Vice Serving at the
President and pleasure of the
Chief Accounting Board from 9-87
Officer

Karen L. Himle 42 Senior Vice Serving at the
President- pleasure of the
Public Affairs Board from 11-97

James Hom 42 Senior Vice Serving at the
President- pleasure of the
Corporate Planning Board from 10-94

Greg A. Lee 48 Senior Vice Serving at the
President- pleasure of the
Human Resources Board from 1-93

Sandra Ulsaker 38 Corporate Serving at the
Wiese Secretary pleasure of the
Board from 2-98
In addition to these current employees, The St. Paul has announced
that the executives of USF&G named below have agreed, if the merger
is consummated, to become part of The St. Paul's senior management
structure. There are no family relationships between these
executives and the current executives and directors of The St.
Paul, and there are no arrangements and understandings between
these executives and any other person pursuant to which the
executive was chosen to be an officer of The St. Paul upon
consummation of the merger.


Norman P. Blake, Jr.
- -------------------
Age 56. Currently Chairman of the Board, President, and Chief
Executive Officer of USF&G Corporation. Would serve as Vice
Chairman of The St. Paul's Board of Directors. Mr. Blake has
been employed by USF&G for more than five years.

John A. MacColl
- ---------------
Age 49. Currently Executive Vice President and General Counsel of
USF&G. Would join The St. Paul as an Executive Vice President in
charge of the Baltimore, Md. office. During the previous five
years, Mr. MacColl served in various USF&G executive capacities.

Robert J. Lamendola
- -------------------
Age 53. Currently President of USF&G's Surety Group. Would join
The St. Paul as Senior Vice President of St. Paul Fire and Marine
Insurance Company and President - Surety. Mr. Lamendola has been
employed by USF&G for more than five years.

Kenneth E. Cihiy
- ----------------
Age 51. Currently Executive Vice President - Claim of USF&G.
Would join The St. Paul as Senior Vice President - Claim for St.
Paul Fire and Marine Insurance Company. Mr. Cihiy joined USF&G in
1993. Prior to that, he was Vice President with Aetna Life and
Casualty Co.

Stephen W. Lilienthal
- ---------------------
Age 48. Currently President - Commercial Insurance Group and
Executive Vice President - Chief Underwriting Officer of USF&G.
Would join The St. Paul as Senior Vice President - Operations
for St. Paul Fire and Marine Insurance Company. Mr.
Lilienthal has been employed by USF&G in various underwriting
positions for the last five years.

Harry N. Stout
- --------------
Age 45. Currently President of Fidelity and Guaranty Life
Insurance Company, a subsidiary of USF&G. Would continue in that
role for The St. Paul. Mr. Stout has been employed by USF&G since
May 1993. Prior to that, he was Senior Vice President of United
Pacific Insurance Company.

Thomas A. Bradley
- -----------------
Age 40. Currently Vice President and Corporate Controller of
USF&G. Would join The St. Paul as Senior Vice President and
Corporate Controller. Mr. Bradley has been employed by USF&G
since 1993. Prior to that, he was Vice President and Chief
Financial Officer of the Commercial Insurance Division of
Maryland Casualty Company.
Part II
-------

Item 5. Market for the Registrant's Common Equity and
- ------ Related Stockholder Matters.
---------------------------

The St. Paul's common stock is traded nationally on the New York
Stock Exchange, where it is assigned the symbol SPC. The stock is
also listed on the London Stock Exchange under the symbol SPA. The
number of holders of record, including individual owners, of The
St. Paul's common stock was 7,677 as of March 25, 1998.

The following table sets forth the amount of cash dividends
declared per share and the high and low closing sales prices of The
St. Paul's common stock for each quarter during 1997 and 1996:

Cash
Dividend
High Low Declared
1997 ---- ---- ---------
- ----
1st Quarter $71 5/8 $57 7/8 $0.47
2nd Quarter 80 1/8 64 1/8 0.47
3rd Quarter 81 13/16 73 1/8 0.47
4th Quarter 85 5/16 79 1/8 0.47

Cash dividend paid in 1997 was $1.85.

Cash
Dividend
High Low Declared
1996 ---- ---- ---------
- ----
1st Quarter $60 $54 $0.44
2nd Quarter 56 1/8 50 7/8 0.44
3rd Quarter 55 1/2 50 5/8 0.44
4th Quarter 59 5/8 54 0.44

Cash dividend paid in 1996 was $1.72.

As partial consideration for the acquisition of the economic
interest of Gravett & Tilling (Holdings) Limited, a United Kingdom
corporation, The St. Paul, on Dec. 31, 1997, issued 20,488 shares
of its common stock to the eleven former shareholders of Gravett &
Tilling (Holdings) Limited in an exempt transaction pursuant to
Section 4(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. As part of
this acquisition, The St. Paul also issued to the eleven former
shareholders of Gravett & Tilling (Holdings) Limited 28,748 shares
on Dec. 31, 1996. The market value of each share issuance was
approximately one million pounds sterling.

Item 6. Selected Financial Data.
- ------ -----------------------

The "Eleven-year Summary of Selected Financial Data" included in
the Form 8-K Current Report dated February 26, 1998 is
incorporated herein by reference.

Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
- ------ Condition and Results of Operations.
-----------------------------------

The "Management's Discussion and Analysis" included in the Form 8-K
Current Report dated February 26, 1998 is incorporated herein by
reference.
Item 7A.  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.
- ------- ----------------------------------------------------------

The "Exposures to Market Risk" section in the Form 8-K Current
Report dated February 26, 1998 is incorporated herein by reference.

Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.
- ------ -------------------------------------------

The "Management's Responsibility for Financial Statements,"
"Independent Auditors' Report," Consolidated Balance Sheets,
Consolidated Statements of Income, Shareholders' Equity,
Comprehensive Income and Cash Flows, and Notes to Consolidated
Financial Statements included in the Form 8-K Current Report dated
Feb. 26, 1998 are incorporated herein by reference.

Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements With Accountants on
- ------ Accounting and Financial Disclosure.
-----------------------------------
None.

Part III
--------

Item 10. Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant.
- ------- --------------------------------------------------

The "Election of Directors - Nominees for Directors" section, which
provides information regarding The St. Paul's directors, on pages 4
to 6 of The St. Paul's Proxy Statement relating to the annual
meeting of shareholders to be held May 5, 1998, is incorporated
herein by reference. In addition, Ronald James, 47, is currently a
director of The St. Paul, but is not standing for re-election at
the annual meeting of shareholders to be held May 5, 1998.
Information regarding The St. Paul's executive officers is included
in Part I of this report.

If the proposed merger agreement with USF&G is consummated, Mr.
Norman P. Blake, Jr. (currently Chairman of the Board, President
and Chief Executive Officer of USF&G) and two additional USF&G
directors selected by the board governance committee of The St.
Paul's Board of Directors will be appointed to The St. Paul's
Board.

Item 11. Executive Compensation.
- ------- ----------------------

The "Executive Compensation" section on pages 25 to 36 and the
"Election of Directors - Board of Directors Compensation" section
on pages 7 to 9 of the Proxy Statement relating to the annual
meeting of shareholders to be held May 5, 1998, are incorporated
herein by reference.

Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial
- ------- Owners and Management.
---------------------

The "Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and
Management" section on pages 39 to 41 of the Proxy Statement
relating to the annual meeting of shareholders to be held May 5,
1998, is incorporated herein by reference.

Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions.
- ------- ----------------------------------------------

The "Indebtedness of Management" section on page 38 of the Proxy
Statement relating to the annual meeting of shareholders to be held
May 5, 1998, is incorporated herein by reference.
Part IV
-------

Item 14. Exhibits, Financial Statements, Financial Statement
- ------- Schedules and Reports on Form 8-K.
---------------------------------

(a) Filed documents. The following documents are filed as part of
this report:

1. Financial Statements.
Incorporated by reference into Part II of this report:
The St. Paul Companies, Inc. and Subsidiaries:
Consolidated Statements of Income - Years Ended
December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995
Consolidated Balance Sheets - December 31, 1997
and 1996
Consolidated Statements of Shareholders'
Equity - Years Ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income -
Years Ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - Years Ended
December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

The foregoing documents are incorporated by
reference to the Form 8-K Current Report dated
Feb. 26, 1998.

2. Financial Statement Schedules.
The St. Paul Companies, Inc. and Subsidiaries:

Independent Auditors' Report on Financial
Statement Schedules
I. Summary of Investments - Other than Investments
in Related Parties
II. Condensed Financial Information of Registrant
III. Supplementary Insurance Information
IV. Reinsurance
V. Valuation and Qualifying Accounts


All other schedules are omitted because they are not
applicable, not required, or the information is
included elsewhere in the Consolidated Financial
Statements or Notes thereto.

3. Exhibits. An Exhibit Index is set forth at page 36
of this report.

(2) The definitive Agreement and Plan of
Merger among The St. Paul, USF&G Corporation
and SP Merger Corporation is incorporated herein by
reference to the Form 8-K Current Report dated
January 19, 1998.

(3) The current articles of incorporation of
The St. Paul are incorporated herein by reference to
Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 1995.

The current bylaws of The St. Paul are
incorporated herein by reference to Form 10-Q for
the quarter ended March 31, 1994.
(4) (a) A specimen certificate of The St. Paul's
common stock is incorporated herein by
reference to the Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 1992.

(b) The Amended and Restated Shareholder
Protection Rights Agreement is incorporated herein
by reference to Form 10-Q for the quarter ended
June 30, 1995.

There are no long-term debt instruments in
which the total amount of securities authorized
exceeds 10% of the total assets of The St. Paul and
its subsidiaries on a consolidated basis. The St.
Paul agrees to furnish a copy of any of its long-
term debt instruments to the Securities and Exchange
Commission upon request.

(10) (a) The Deferred Management Incentive Awards Plan
is filed herewith.

(b) The Directors' Deferred Compensation Plan is
filed herewith.

(c) The Relocation Loan Payback Agreement
with Mr. James F. Duffy is filed herewith.

(d) The 1994 Stock Incentive Plan, as amended, is
filed herewith.

(e) The Benefit Equalization Plan - 1995
Revision is filed herewith.

(f) First Amendment to Benefit Equalization Plan -
1995 Revision is filed herewith.

(g) Executive Post-Retirement Life Insurance Plan -
Summary Plan Description is filed herewith.

(h) Executive Long-Term Disability Plan -
Summary Plan Description is filed herewith.

(i) Letter Agreement dated Jan. 18, 1998 among
The St. Paul, USF&G Corporation, SP Merger
Corporation and Mr. Norman P. Blake, Jr. pertaining
to Mr. Blake's duties with The St. Paul subsequent
to the consummation of the proposed merger of The
St. Paul and USF&G Corporation is filed herewith.

(j) The St. Paul Re Long-Term Incentive Plan
is incorporated by reference to the Form S-8
Registration Statement filed March 17, 1998
(Commission File No. 333-48121).

(k) Letter Agreement between The St. Paul and
Mr. Paul J. Liska relating to the terms of his
employment is incorporated by reference to Form 10-Q
for the quarter ended March 31, 1997.

(l) Letter Agreement between The St. Paul and
Mr. Paul J. Liska relating to severance benefits
is incorporated by reference to Form 10-Q for the
quarter ended March 31, 1997.

(m) The Special Leveraged Stock Purchase Plan
is incorporated by reference to Form 10-Q for
the quarter ended March 31, 1997.

(n) Amendment to Deferred Stock Agreement with
Mr. Mark L. Pabst is incorporated by reference
to Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 1997.
(o) The Deferred Stock Grant Agreement with
Mr. Mark L. Pabst is incorporated by reference
to the Form 10-K for the year ended December 31,
1995.

(p) The Directors' Charitable Award Program is
incorporated by reference to the Form 10-K
for the year ended December 31, 1994.

(q) The 1994 Annual Incentive Plan is
incorporated by reference to Form 10-Q
for the quarter ended March 31, 1994.

(r) The Long-Term Incentive Plan is
incorporated by reference to Form 10-Q
for the quarter ended March 31, 1994.

(s) The Non-Employee Director Stock Retainer
Plan is incorporated by reference to Form
10-K for the year ended December 31, 1991.

(t) The summary description of the Outside
Directors' Retirement Plan is incorporated
by reference to the Proxy Statement relating to the
annual meeting of shareholders to be held May 5,
1998.

(u) The 1988 Stock Option Plan as in effect for
options granted prior to June 1994, as
amended, is incorporated by reference to Form 10-K
for the year ended December 31, 1990.

(v) The Restricted Stock Award Plan, as in effect
for awards granted prior to June 1994, as
amended, is incorporated by reference to Form 10-K
for the year ended December 31, 1989.

(w) Special Severance Policy is incorporated
by reference to Form 10-K for the year
ended December 31, 1987.

(x) Stock option agreement between The St. Paul Companies,
Inc. and USF&G Corporation dated as of January 19,
1998 is incorporated by reference to the Form 8-K
Current Report dated January 19, 1998.

(11) A statement regarding the computation of
per share earnings is filed herewith.

(12) A statement regarding the computation of
the ratio of earnings to fixed charges and the ratio
of earnings to combined fixed charges and preferred
stock dividends is filed herewith.

(13) The St. Paul's 1997 Annual Report to
Shareholders is furnished to the Commission in paper
format pursuant to Rule 14a-3(c). The following
portions of such annual report were filed
electronically with the Commission in the Form 8-K
Current Report dated Feb. 26, 1998 and are
incorporated herein by reference to such Form 8-K:


Portions of Annual Report Items in
for the year ended this
December 31, 1997 report
------------------------- --------

Consolidated Financial
Statements Item 8
Notes to Consolidated
Financial Statements Item 1,8
Independent Auditors' Report Item 8
Management's Discussion and
Analysis Item 1, 3, 7
Eleven-year Summary of
Selected Financial Data Item 6
(21)     List of subsidiaries of The St. Paul Companies, Inc.
is filed herewith.

(23) Consent of independent auditors to incorporation
by reference of certain reports into Registration
Statements on Form S-8 (SEC File No. 2-69894,
No. 33-15392, No. 33-20516, No. 33-23446,
No. 33-23948, No. 33-24220, No. 33-24575, No. 33-
26923, No. 33-49273, No. 33-56987, No. 333-01065,
No. 333-22329, No. 333-25203, No. 333-28915 and No.
333-48121), Form S-3 (SEC File No. 33-33931, No. 33-
50115, No. 33-58491 and No. 333-06465) and Form S-4
(SEC File No. 333-47007) is filed herewith.

(24) Power of attorney is filed herewith.

(27) Financial data schedule is filed herewith.

(b) Reports on Form 8-K.


A Form 8-K Current Report dated October 27, 1997 was
filed relating to the announcement of The St. Paul's
financial results for the quarter ended September 30,
1997.

A Form 8-K Current Report dated January 19, 1998,
was filed relating to the announcement of The St. Paul's
definitive merger agreement and stock option agreement
with USF&G Corporation.

A Form 8-K Current Report dated January 26, 1998,
was filed relating to the announcement of The St. Paul's
financial results for the year ended December 31, 1997.

A Form 8-K Current Report dated February 26, 1998,
was filed containing the following documents for The St.
Paul for the year ended Dec. 31, 1997: Audited Financial
Statements, Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements,
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations, Eleven-year Summary
of Selected Financial Data, Independent Auditors' Report,
Statement Regarding Management's Responsibility for
Financial Statements, Consent of Independent Auditors and
Financial Data Schedule.
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, The St. Paul Companies, Inc. has
duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

THE ST. PAUL COMPANIES, INC.
----------------------------
(Registrant)

Date: March 26, 1998 By /s/ Bruce A. Backberg
-------------- ---------------------
Bruce A. Backberg
Senior Vice President and
Chief Legal Counsel

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on
behalf of The St. Paul Companies, Inc. and in the capacities and on
the dates indicated.

Date: March 26, 1998 By /s/ Douglas W. Leatherdale
-------------- --------------------------
Douglas W. Leatherdale,
Director, Chairman of the
Board, President and Chief
Executive Officer

Date: March 26, 1998 By /s/ Patrick A. Thiele
-------------- ---------------------
Patrick A. Thiele, Director,
Executive Vice President,
President and Chief
Executive Officer -
Worldwide Insurance
Operations

Date: March 26, 1998 By /s/ Paul J. Liska
-------------- -----------------
Paul J. Liska, Executive
Vice President and Chief
Financial Officer

Date: March 26, 1998 By /s/ Howard E. Dalton
-------------- --------------------
Howard E. Dalton, Senior
Vice President and Chief
Accounting Officer

Date: March 26, 1998 By /s/ Michael R. Bonsignore
-------------- -------------------------
Michael R. Bonsignore*, Director

Date: March 26, 1998 By /s/ John H. Dasburg
-------------- -------------------
John H. Dasburg*, Director

Date: March 26, 1998 By /s/ W. John Driscoll
-------------- --------------------
W. John Driscoll*, Director

Date: March 26, 1998 By /s/ Pierson M. Grieve
-------------- ---------------------
Pierson M. Grieve*, Director

Date: March 26, 1998 By /s/ Thomas R. Hodgson
-------------- ---------------------
Thomas R. Hodgson*, Director

Date: March 26, 1998 By /s/ Ronald James
-------------- ----------------
Ronald James*, Director

Date: March 26, 1998 By /s/ David G. John
-------------- -----------------
David G. John*, Director
Date:  March 26, 1998          By    /s/ William H. Kling
-------------- --------------------
William H. Kling*, Director

Date: March 26, 1998 By /s/ Bruce K. MacLaury
-------------- ---------------------
Bruce K. MacLaury*, Director

Date: March 26, 1998 By /s/ Glen D. Nelson
-------------- ------------------
Glen D. Nelson*, Director

Date: March 26, 1998 By /s/ Anita M. Pampusch
-------------- ---------------------
Anita M. Pampusch*, Director

Date: March 26, 1998 By /s/ Gordon M. Sprenger
-------------- ----------------------
Gordon M. Sprenger*, Director

Date: March 26, 1998 *By /s/ Bruce A. Backberg
-------------- ---------------------
Bruce A. Backberg, Attorney-
in-fact
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT ON FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES



The Board of Directors and Shareholders
The St. Paul Companies, Inc.:

Under date of January 26, 1998, we reported on the consolidated
balance sheets of The St. Paul Companies, Inc. and subsidiaries as
of December 31, 1997 and 1996, and the related consolidated
statements of income, shareholders' equity, comprehensive income
and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended
December 31, 1997, as contained in the 1997 annual report to
shareholders. These consolidated financial statements and our
report thereon are incorporated by reference in the annual report
on Form 10-K for the year 1997. In connection with our audits of
the aforementioned consolidated financial statements, we also have
audited the related financial statement schedules listed in the
index in Item 14(a) 2. of said Form 10-K. These financial
statement schedules are the responsibility of the Company's
management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these
financial statement schedules based on our audits.

In our opinion, such financial statement schedules, when considered
in relation to the basic consolidated financial statements taken as
a whole, present fairly, in all material respects, the information
set forth therein.



Minneapolis, Minnesota /s/ KPMG Peat Marwick LLP
January 26, 1998 ---------------------
KPMG Peat Marwick LLP
THE ST. PAUL COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

SCHEDULE I - SUMMARY OF INVESTMENTS
OTHER THAN INVESTMENTS IN RELATED PARTIES
December 31, 1997
(In thousands)

1997
------------------------------------
Amount at
which shown
in the
Cost* Value* balance sheet
-------- --------- -------------
Type of investment:

Fixed maturities:
- ----------------
United States Government and
government agencies and
authorities $ 2,257,397 $ 2,364,982 $ 2,364,982
States, municipalities and
political subdivisions 5,071,738 5,438,306 5,438,306
Foreign governments 946,317 979,274 979,274
Corporate securities 1,840,337 1,925,971 1,925,971
Mortgage-backed securities 1,690,048 1,741,260 1,741,260
---------- ---------- ----------
Total fixed maturities 11,805,837 12,449,793 12,449,793
---------- ---------- ----------

Equity securities:
- -----------------
Common stocks:
Public utilities 27,521 40,446 40,446
Banks, trusts and insurance
companies 154,287 203,850 203,850
Industrial, miscellaneous and
all other 602,461 789,624 789,624
---------- ---------- ----------
Total equity securities 784,269 1,033,920 1,033,920
---------- ---------- ----------
Venture capital 324,333 $ 461,892 461,892
---------- ========== ----------
Real estate 654,114** 649,114
Other investments 41,359 41,359
Short-term investments 400,004 400,004
---------- ----------
Total investments $14,009,916 $15,036,082
========== ==========



* See Notes 1, 3, 4 and 5 to the consolidated financial statements
included in The St. Paul's 1997 Annual Report to Shareholders.

** The cost of real estate represents the cost of the properties
before valuation provisions. (See Schedule V on page 35).
THE ST. PAUL COMPANIES, INC. (Parent Only)

SCHEDULE II - CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF REGISTRANT
CONDENSED BALANCE SHEET INFORMATION
December 31, 1997 and 1996
(In thousands)


Assets: 1997 1996
------- -------
Investment in subsidiaries $5,096,653 $4,533,106
Investments:
Fixed maturities 159,957 162,895
Equity securities 52,834 40,424
Short-term investments 11,472 25,271
Deferred income taxes 455,445 453,560
Other assets 257,925 102,280
--------- ---------
Total assets $6,034,286 $5,317,536
========= =========

Liabilities:

Debt $1,091,995 $1,090,477
Dividends payable to shareholders 39,305 36,579
Other liabilities 276,276 186,660
--------- ---------
Total liabilities 1,407,576 1,313,716
--------- ---------

Shareholders' Equity:
Preferred:
Convertible preferred stock 137,892 142,131
Guaranteed obligation - PSOP (121,167) (126,068)
--------- ---------
Total preferred shareholders' equity 16,725 16,063
--------- ---------

Common:
Common stock, authorized 240,000 shares;
issued 83,728 shares (83,198 in 1996) 512,162 475,710
Retained earnings 3,450,601 2,935,928
Guaranteed obligation - ESOP (8,453) (20,353)
Accumulated other comprehensive income:
Unrealized appreciation of investments 677,069 616,968
Unrealized loss on foreign
currency translation (21,394) (20,496)
--------- ---------
Total accumulated other
comprehensive income 655,675 596,472
--------- ---------
Total common shareholders' equity 4,609,985 3,987,757
--------- ---------
Total shareholders' equity 4,626,710 4,003,820
--------- ---------
Total liabilities and
shareholders' equity $6,034,286 $5,317,536
========= =========

See accompanying notes to condensed financial information.
THE ST. PAUL COMPANIES, INC. (Parent Only)

SCHEDULE II - CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF REGISTRANT
CONDENSED STATEMENT OF INCOME INFORMATION
Years Ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995
(In thousands)


1997 1996 1995
------ ------ ------
Revenues:
Net investment income $ 17,472 $ 12,695 $ 9,165
Realized investment gains 7,211 8,810 8,800
------- ------- -------
Total revenues 24,683 21,505 17,965
------- ------- -------
Expenses:
Interest expense 66,726 64,731 54,672
Administrative and other 52,160 39,906 38,548
------- ------- -------
Total expenses 118,886 104,637 93,220
------- ------- -------
Loss before
income tax benefit (94,203) (83,132) (75,255)
Income tax benefit (113,366) (46,462) (18,941)
------- ------- -------
Net income (loss) from continuing
operations- parent only 19,163 (36,670) (56,314)

Provision for loss on disposal of
discontinued operations (67,750) (88,543) -
------- ------- -------
Net loss - parent only (48,587) (125,213) (56,314)

Equity in net income
of subsidiaries 754,060 575,312 577,523
------- ------- -------
Consolidated net income $705,473 $450,099 $521,209
======= ======= =======

See accompanying notes to condensed financial information.
THE ST. PAUL COMPANIES, INC. (Parent Only)

SCHEDULE II - CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF REGISTRANT
CONDENSED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS INFORMATION
Years Ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995
(In thousands)


1997 1996 1995
------ ------ ------
Operating Activities:
Net loss $ (48,587) $(125,213) $ (56,314)
Cash dividends from subsidiaries 216,301 200,648 206,118
Tax payments from subsidiaries 166,423 93,928 159,216
State and federal income tax payments (61,000) (70,000) (103,000)
Adjustments to reconcile net income
(loss) to net cash provided by
operating activities:
Provision for loss on
discontinued operations 67,750 88,543 -
Deferred tax benefit - operations (59,779) (21,891) (1,077)
Realized investment gains (7,211) (8,810) (8,800)
Other (19,458) (3,951) (110)
------- ------- -------
Cash provided by operating activities 254,439 153,254 196,033
------- ------- -------
Cash outflow resulting from sale
of discontinued operations (54,018) - -

Investing Activities:
Purchases of investments (55,756) (104,322) (218,525)
Proceeds from sales and maturities
of investments 75,674 109,958 93,919
Capital contributions and loans
to subsidiaries (107,120) (55,922) (223,623)
Other (3,221) (268) (870)
------- ------- -------
Cash used in
investing activities (90,423) (50,554) (349,099)
------- ------- -------
Financing Activities:
Dividends paid to shareholders (165,809) (155,268) (144,662)
Proceeds from issuance of debt 117,572 53,000 455,028
Repayment of debt (100,000) (17,711) (125,446)
Repurchase of common shares (26,503) (74,217) (41,714)
Proceeds from Nuveen stock repurchase 41,069 73,966 -
Stock options exercised and other 23,673 17,530 9,860
------- ------- -------
Cash provided by
(used in) financing activities (109,998) (102,700) 153,066
------- ------- -------
Change in cash - - -
Cash at beginning of year - - -
------- ------- -------
Cash at end of year $ - $ - $ -
======= ======= =======

See accompanying notes to condensed financial information.
THE ST. PAUL COMPANIES, INC. (Parent Only)

SCHEDULE II - CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF REGISTRANT
NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION



1. The accompanying condensed financial information should be
read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements
and notes included in The St. Paul's 1997 Annual Report to
Shareholders. The Annual Report includes The St. Paul's
Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity and
Comprehensive Income.

Some data in the accompanying condensed financial information
for the years 1996 and 1995 were reclassified to conform with
the 1997 presentation.


2. Debt consists of the following (in thousands):

December 31,
------------------
1997 1996
----- -----
Medium-term notes $ 511,920 $ 430,427
Convertible subordinated debentures (1) 262,026 262,026
Commercial paper 168,429 131,610
Guaranteed PSOP debt (1) 121,167 126,068
Intercompany loan (1) 20,000 20,000
Guaranteed ESOP debt (1) 5,673 6,462
Guaranteed ESOP debt 2,780 13,890
9-3/8% notes - 99,994
--------- ---------
Total debt $1,091,995 $1,090,477
========= =========


(1) Eliminated in consolidation.

See Note 8 to the consolidated financial statements included
in the 1997 Annual Report to Shareholders for further
information on debt outstanding at Dec. 31, 1997.

The amount of debt, other than debt eliminated in
consolidation, that becomes due during each of the next five
years is as follows: 1998, $27.8 million; 1999, $20.0 million;
2000, none; 2001, $45.5 million; and 2002, $217.1 million.
THE ST. PAUL COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

SCHEDULE III - SUPPLEMENTARY INSURANCE INFORMATION
(In thousands)


At December 31,
----------------------------------------------
Gross loss
Deferred and loss Other policy
policy adjustment Gross claims and
acquisition expense unearned benefits
expenses reserves premiums payable
---------- -------------- -------- ----------
1997
- ----
Property-Liability
Insurance Underwriting:
Worldwide Insurance
Operations:
Fire and Marine:
Specialized Commercial $127,208 $ 3,441,821 $ 700,917 -
Commercial 72,415 2,397,658 359,713 -
Personal Insurance 60,594 516,924 324,712 -
Medical Services 56,381 2,009,335 563,925 -
------- ---------- ---------- -------
Total Fire and Marine 316,598 8,365,738 1,949,267 -
International 20,715 1,227,370 154,181 -
------- ---------- ---------- -------
Total Worldwide Insurance 337,313 9,593,108 2,103,448 -
St. Paul Re 66,961 2,224,525 276,255 -
------- ---------- ---------- -------
Total $404,274 $11,817,633 $2,379,703 -
======= ========== ========= =======

1996
- ----
Property-Liability
Insurance Underwriting:
Worldwide Insurance
Operations:
Fire and Marine:
Specialized Commercial $120,222 $ 3,345,102 $ 719,969 -
Commercial 78,702 2,629,381 483,135 -
Personal Insurance 59,803 483,414 303,658 -
Medical Services 60,087 2,053,221 650,199 -
------- ---------- --------- -------
Total Fire and Marine 318,814 8,511,118 2,156,961 -
International 17,700 1,122,397 138,029 -
------- ---------- --------- -------
Total Worldwide Insurance 336,514 9,633,515 2,294,990 -
St. Paul Re 65,254 2,039,633 271,561 -
------- ---------- --------- -------
Total $401,768 $11,673,148 $2,566,551 -
======= ========== ========= =======
THE ST. PAUL COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

SCHEDULE III - SUPPLEMENTARY INSURANCE INFORMATION
(In thousands)

Insurance
losses Amortization
Net and loss of policy Other
Premiums investment adjustment acquisition operating Premiums
1997 earned income expenses expenses expenses written
- ---- ------- --------- ---------- ----------- --------- --------
Worldwide
Insurance
Operations:
Fire and Marine:
Specialized
Commercial $1,291,702 - $ 861,148 $ 289,193 $116,017 $1,281,745
Commercial 964,121 - 683,618 247,866 101,792 872,999
Personal
Insurance 747,449 - 587,344 155,897 67,462 767,523
Medical
Services 594,186 - 455,623 98,371 51,357 522,960
--------- ------- --------- ------- ------- ---------
Total Fire
and Marine 3,597,458 - 2,587,733 791,327 336,628 3,445,227
International 274,968 - 229,629 49,989 46,357 289,883
--------- ------ --------- ------- ------- ---------
Total
Worldwide
Insurance 3,872,426 - 2,817,362 841,316 382,985 3,735,110
St. Paul Re 744,030 - 527,806 180,307 68,380 744,793
Net investment
income - $880,802 - - - -
Other - - - - 102,159 -
--------- ------- --------- ------- ------- ---------
Total $4,616,456 $880,802 $3,345,168 $1,021,623 $553,524 $4,479,903
========= ======= ========= ========= ======= =========

1996
- ----
Worldwide
Insurance
Operations:
Fire and Marine:
Specialized
Commercial $1,272,561 - $ 826,670 $303,206 $ 97,935 $1,278,814
Commercial 862,092 - 637,693 204,904 83,957 778,487
Personal
Insurance 707,299 - 694,551 156,109 58,456 724,616
Medical
Services 601,679 - 409,124 100,086 38,680 585,876
--------- ------- --------- ------- ------- ---------
Total Fire
and Marine 3,443,631 - 2,568,038 764,305 279,028 3,367,793
International 268,830 - 196,948 47,308 46,360 267,805
--------- ------- --------- ------- ------- ---------
Total
Worldwide
Insurance 3,712,461 - 2,764,986 811,613 325,388 3,635,598
St. Paul Re 735,787 - 553,315 163,843 55,327 760,524
Net investment
income - $794,901 - - - -
Other - - - - 131,761 -
--------- ------- --------- ------- ------- ---------
Total $4,448,248 $794,901 $3,318,301 $975,456 $512,476 $4,396,122
========= ======= ========= ======= ======= =========

1995
- ----
Worldwide
Insurance
Operations:
Fire and Marine:
Specialized
Commercial $1,230,790 - $ 961,801 $298,765 $ 98,328 $1,304,062
Commercial 587,016 - 378,754 155,125 57,580 617,767
Personal
Insurance 655,347 - 486,275 145,547 56,524 673,347
Medical
Services 605,468 - 387,716 97,695 44,557 673,980
--------- ------- --------- ------- ------- ---------
Total Fire
and Marine 3,078,621 - 2,214,546 697,132 256,989 3,269,156
International 237,727 - 188,728 27,326 44,857 260,582
--------- ------- --------- ------- ------- ---------
Total
Worldwide
Insurance 3,316,348 - 2,403,274 724,458 301,846 3,529,738
St. Paul Re 654,981 - 461,033 132,521 56,936 713,475
Net investment
income - $731,096 - - - -
Other - - - - 82,130 -
--------- ------- --------- ------- ------- ---------
Total $3,971,329 $731,096 $2,864,307 $856,979 $440,912 $4,243,213
========= ======= ========= ======= ======= =========
THE ST. PAUL COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

SCHEDULE IV - REINSURANCE
Years Ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995
(In thousands)



Percentage
Property-liability Ceded to Assumed of amount
insurance Gross other from other Net assumed to
premiums earned: amount companies companies amount net
- --------------- ------- --------- --------- -------- ----------


1997 $4,142,706 484,358 958,108 4,616,456 20.8%
========= ======= ======= =========


1996 $4,001,384 528,409 975,273 4,448,248 21.9%
========= ======= ======= =========


1995 $3,678,190 641,351 934,490 3,971,329 23.5%
========= ======= ======= =========
THE ST. PAUL COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

SCHEDULE V - VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS
Years Ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995
(In thousands)


Additions
---------------------
Balance at Charged to Charged to Balance
beginning costs and other at end
Description of year expenses accounts Deductions(1) of year
- ----------- --------- ---------- --------- ---------- -------

1997
- ----
Real estate valuation
adjustment $14,000 - - 9,000 5,000
====== ====== ===== ====== ======
Allowance for
uncollectible:
Agency loans $ 1,664 - - - 1,664
====== ====== ===== ====== ======
Premiums receivable
from underwriting
activities $21,159 10,227 - 7,091 24,295
====== ====== ===== ====== ======
Reinsurance $22,681 5,784 - 1,712 26,753
====== ====== ===== ====== ======
Uncollectible
deductibles $15,694 3,257 - - 18,951
====== ====== ===== ====== ======

1996
- ----
Real estate valuation
adjustment $34,000 - - 20,000 14,000
====== ====== ===== ====== ======
Allowance for
uncollectible:
Agency loans $ 1,664 - - - 1,664
====== ====== ===== ====== ======
Premiums receivable
from underwriting
activities $18,918 5,073 - 2,832 21,159
====== ====== ===== ====== ======
Reinsurance $21,531 1,150 - - 22,681
====== ====== ===== ====== ======
Uncollectible
deductibles $16,000 - - 306 15,694
====== ====== ===== ====== ======

1995
- ----
Real estate valuation
adjustment $24,000 10,000 - - 34,000
====== ====== ===== ====== ======
Allowance for
uncollectible:
Agency loans $ 1,664 - - - 1,664
====== ====== ===== ====== ======
Premiums receivable
from underwriting
activities $20,938 4,192 - 6,212 18,918
====== ====== ===== ====== ======
Reinsurance $25,823 - - 4,292 21,531
====== ====== ===== ====== ======
Uncollectible
deductibles $16,000 - - - 16,000
====== ====== ===== ====== ======


(1) Deductions include write-offs of amounts determined to be
uncollectible, unrealized foreign exchange gains and losses and, for
real estate, a reduction in the valuation allowance for properties sold
during the year.
EXHIBIT INDEX*
------------- How
Exhibit Filed
- -------- -----
(2) Plan of acquisition, reorganization, arrangement,
liquidation, or succession
(a) Definitive Agreement and Plan of Merger among
The St. Paul, USF&G Corporation and SP Merger
Corporation***.............................................
(3) Articles of incorporation and by-laws***.........................
(4) Instruments defining the rights of security holders,
including indentures
(a) Specimen Common Stock Certificate***.........................
(b) Amended and Restated Shareholder Protection Rights
Agreement***................................................
(9) Voting trust agreements**........................................
(10) Material contracts
(a) The Deferred Management Incentive Awards Plan................(1)
(b) The Directors' Deferred Compensation Plan....................(1)
(c) Relocation Loan Payback Agreement with Mr. James F. Duffy....(1)
(d) 1994 Stock Incentive Plan, as Amended........................(1)
(e) Benefit Equalization Plan - 1995 Revision....................(1)
(f) First Amendment to Benefit Equalization
Plan - 1995 Revision........................................(1)
(g) Executive Post-Retirement Life Insurance Plan -
Summary Plan Description....................................(1)
(h) Executive Long-Term Disability Plan -
Summary Plan Description....................................(1)
(i) Letter Agreement dated Jan. 18, 1998 among The St. Paul,
USF&G Corporation, SP Merger Corporation and Mr.
Norman P. Blake, Jr. pertaining to Mr. Blake's duties with
The St. Paul subsequent to the consummation of the proposed
merger of The St. Paul and USF&G Corporation................(1)
(j) The St. Paul Re Long-Term Incentive Plan***..................
(k) Letter Agreement dated May 8, 1997 between The St. Paul
and Mr. Paul J. Liska related to the terms of
his employment***...........................................
(l) Letter Agreement, agreed to January 20, 1997 between
The St. Paul and Mr. Paul J. Liska related to severance
benefits***.................................................
(m) The Special Leveraged Stock Purchase Plan***.................
(n) Amendment to Deferred Stock Agreement with Mr. Mark L.
Pabst***....................................................
(o) The Deferred Stock Grant Agreement with Mr. Mark L.
Pabst***....................................................
(p) The Directors' Charitable Award Program***...................
(q) 1994 Annual Incentive Plan***................................
(r) Long-Term Incentive Plan***..................................
(s) Non-Employee Director Stock Retainer Plan***.................
(t) Outside Directors' Retirement Plan***........................
(u) 1988 Stock Option Plan***....................................
(v) Restricted Stock Award Plan***...............................
(w) Special Severance Policy***..................................
(x) Stock Option Agreement between The St. Paul
Companies, Inc. and USF&G Corporation dated
as of January 19, 1998***...................................
(11) Statements re computation of per share earnings................(1)
(12) Statements re computation of ratios............................(1)
(13) Annual report to security holders**............................
(16) Letter re change in certifying accountant**....................
(18) Letter re change in accounting principles**....................
(21) Subsidiaries of The St. Paul...................................(1)
(22) Published report regarding matters submitted to vote
of security holders**.........................................
(23) Consent of experts and counsel.................................(1)
(24) Power of attorney..............................................(1)
(27) Financial data schedule........................................(1)
(99) Additional exhibits**

* The exhibits are included only with the
copies of this report that are filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission. However,
copies of the exhibits may be obtained from
The St. Paul for a reasonable fee by writing
to the Corporate Secretary, The St. Paul
Companies, Inc., 385 Washington Street, St.
Paul, Minnesota 55102.

** These items are not applicable.

*** These items are incorporated by reference as
described in Item 14(a)(3) of this report.

(1) Filed electronically herewith.