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                            FORM 10-Q

                SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

                     WASHINGTON, D.C.  20549

   [x]       QUARTERLY REPORT UNDER SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
                 SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934


           For the quarterly period ended June 30, 1998


   [ ]    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 1-7324

                  KANSAS GAS AND ELECTRIC COMPANY           
      (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

           KANSAS                                              48-1093840    
(State or other jurisdiction of                             (I.R.S.  Employer
 incorporation or organization)                            Identification No.)

                           P.O. BOX 208
                      WICHITA, KANSAS  67201
             (Address of Principal Executive Offices)

                           316/261-6611
       (Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

Indicated 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 the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer's classes of
common stock, as of the latest practicable date.

           Class                               Outstanding at August 12, 1998
 Common Stock (No par value)                           1,000 Shares       


Registrant meets the conditions of General Instruction H(1)(a) and (b) to
Form 10-Q and is therefore filing this form with a reduced disclosure format.



                 KANSAS GAS AND ELECTRIC COMPANY
                              INDEX



                                                                       Page

PART I.  Financial Information

     Item 1.  Financial Statements

              Balance Sheets                                             3 

              Statements of Income                                     4 - 6

              Statements of Comprehensive Income                         7

              Statements of Cash Flows                                 8 - 9

              Statements of Common Shareowners' Equity                  10 

              Notes to Financial Statements                             11  

     Item 2.  Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
                 Condition and Results of Operations                    14

     Item 3.  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About
                 Market Risk                                            19

Part II.  Other Information

     Item 3.  Defaults Upon Senior Securities                           20

     Item 4.  Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders       20

     Item 5.  Other Information                                         20

     Item 6.  Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K                          20

Signature                                                               21



                 KANSAS GAS AND ELECTRIC COMPANY
                          BALANCE SHEETS
                      (Dollars in Thousands)
                          (Unaudited)
June 30, December 31, 1998 1997 ASSETS CURRENT ASSETS: Cash and cash equivalents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 42 $ 43 Accounts receivable, (net). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81,424 66,654 Advances to parent company (net). . . . . . . . . . . . . 43,805 72,558 Inventories and supplies, at average cost . . . . . . . . 41,773 41,019 Prepaid expenses and other. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29,727 17,165 Total Current Assets. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 196,771 197,439 PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT (net) . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,535,660 2,565,175 OTHER ASSETS: Regulatory assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 275,656 278,568 Other . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55,004 75,926 Total Other Assets. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 330,660 354,494 TOTAL ASSETS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $3,063,091 $3,117,108 LIABILITIES AND SHAREOWNERS' EQUITY CURRENT LIABILITIES: Short-term debt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ - $ 45,000 Accounts payable. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88,614 81,986 Accrued liabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32,729 32,745 Accrued income taxes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7,544 4,212 Other . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5,912 4,032 Total Current Liabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 134,799 167,975 LONG-TERM LIABILITIES: Long-term debt (net). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 684,105 684,128 Deferred income taxes and investment tax credits. . . . . 808,551 820,838 Deferred gain from sale-leaseback . . . . . . . . . . . . 215,865 221,779 Other . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84,370 87,909 Total Long-term Liabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,792,891 1,814,654 COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES SHAREOWNERS' EQUITY (See Statements): Common stock, without par value, authorized and issued 1,000 shares . . . . . . . . . 1,065,634 1,065,634 Retained earnings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69,767 68,845 Total Shareowners' Equity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,135,401 1,134,479 TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREOWNERS' EQUITY . . . . . . . . . $3,063,091 $3,117,108 The Notes to Financial Statements are an integral part of these statements.
KANSAS GAS AND ELECTRIC COMPANY STATEMENTS OF INCOME (Dollars in Thousands) (Unaudited)
Three Months Ended June 30, 1998 1997 SALES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 162,816 $ 148,826 COST OF SALES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36,791 26,540 GROSS PROFIT. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126,025 122,286 OPERATING EXPENSES: Operating and maintenance expense . . . . . . . . . . 39,117 48,123 Depreciation and amortization . . . . . . . . . . . . 24,676 28,569 Selling, general and administrative expense . . . . . 18,120 13,173 Total Operating Expenses. . . . . . . . . . . . . 81,913 89,865 INCOME FROM OPERATIONS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44,112 32,421 OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6,635 606 INCOME BEFORE INTEREST AND TAXES. . . . . . . . . . . . 50,747 33,027 INTEREST EXPENSE: Interest expense on long-term debt. . . . . . . . . . 11,505 11,525 Interest expense on short-term debt and other . . . . 828 999 Total Interest Expense. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12,333 12,524 INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38,414 20,503 INCOME TAXES. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9,907 5,011 NET INCOME. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 28,507 $ 15,492 The Notes to Financial Statements are an integral part of these statements.
KANSAS GAS AND ELECTRIC COMPANY STATEMENTS OF INCOME (Dollars in Thousands) (Unaudited)
Six Months Ended June 30, 1998 1997 SALES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 297,382 $ 292,617 COST OF SALES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62,711 52,764 GROSS PROFIT. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 234,671 239,853 OPERATING EXPENSES: Operating and maintenance expense . . . . . . . . . . 74,661 93,301 Depreciation and amortization . . . . . . . . . . . . 49,109 57,492 Selling, general and administrative expense . . . . . 30,756 26,275 Total Operating Expenses. . . . . . . . . . . . . 154,526 177,068 INCOME FROM OPERATIONS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80,145 62,785 OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11,478 (831) INCOME BEFORE INTEREST AND TAXES. . . . . . . . . . . . 91,623 61,954 INTEREST EXPENSE: Interest expense on long-term debt. . . . . . . . . . 22,994 23,007 Interest expense on short-term debt and other . . . . 1,698 2,556 Total Interest Expense. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24,692 25,563 INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66,931 36,391 INCOME TAXES. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16,009 9,727 NET INCOME. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 50,922 $ 26,664 The Notes to Financial Statements are an integral part of these statements.
KANSAS GAS AND ELECTRIC COMPANY STATEMENTS OF INCOME (Dollars in Thousands) (Unaudited)
Twelve Months Ended June 30, 1998 1997 SALES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 619,210 $ 639,115 COST OF SALES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 139,541 117,854 GROSS PROFIT. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 479,669 521,261 OPERATING EXPENSES: Operating and maintenance expense . . . . . . . . . . 161,513 174,255 Depreciation and amortization . . . . . . . . . . . . 115,040 115,711 Selling, general and administrative expense . . . . . 61,748 54,254 Total Operating Expenses. . . . . . . . . . . . . 338,301 344,220 INCOME FROM OPERATIONS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 141,368 177,041 OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8,287 3,549 INCOME BEFORE INTEREST AND TAXES. . . . . . . . . . . . 149,655 180,590 INTEREST EXPENSE: Interest expense on long-term debt. . . . . . . . . . 46,049 46,012 Interest expense on short-term debt and other . . . . 3,530 9,945 Total Interest Expense. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49,579 55,957 INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100,076 124,633 INCOME TAXES. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23,690 34,648 NET INCOME. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 76,386 $ 89,985 The Notes to Financial Statements are an integral part of these statements.
KANSAS GAS AND ELECTRIC COMPANY STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (Dollars in Thousands) (Unaudited)
Three Months Ended June 30, 1998 1997 Net income. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 28,507 $ 15,492 Other comprehensive income. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . - - Comprehensive income. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 28,507 $ 15,492 Six Months Ended June 30, 1998 1997 Net income. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 50,922 $ 26,664 Other comprehensive income. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . - - Comprehensive income. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 50,922 $ 26,664 Twelve Months Ended June 30, 1998 1997 Net income. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 76,386 $ 89,985 Other comprehensive income. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . - - Comprehensive income. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 76,386 $ 89,985 The Notes to Financial Statements are an integral part of these statements.
KANSAS GAS AND ELECTRIC COMPANY STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Dollars in Thousands) (Unaudited)
Six Months Ended June 30, 1998 1997 CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES: Net income. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 50,922 $ 26,664 Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: Depreciation and amortization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49,109 57,492 Amortization of gain from sale-leaseback. . . . . . . . . . (5,914) (5,367) Changes in working capital items: Accounts receivable, (net). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (14,770) 2,068 Inventories and supplies. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (754) 27 Prepaid expenses and other. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (12,562) (17,046) Accounts payable. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6,628 22,112 Accrued liabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (16) (4,215) Accrued income taxes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3,332 4,651 Other . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,880 130 Changes in other assets and liabilities . . . . . . . . . . 16,592 14,802 Net cash flows from operating activities. . . . . . . . 94,447 101,318 CASH FLOWS USED IN INVESTING ACTIVITIES: Additions to property, plant and equipment (net). . . . . . (28,116) (45,541) Net cash flows (used in) investing activities . . . . . (28,116) (45,541) CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES: Short-term debt (net) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (45,000) (212,300) Advances to parent company (net). . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28,753 206,579 Retirements of long-term debt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (85) (65) Dividends to parent company . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (50,000) (50,000) Net cash flows (used in) financing activities. . . . . . (66,332) (55,786) NET (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENT. . . . . . . . . . (1) (9) CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS: Beginning of period . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43 44 End of period . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 42 $ 35 SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION CASH PAID FOR: Interest on financing activities (net of amount capitalized) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 51,694 $ 54,342 Income taxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19,220 20,100 The Notes to Financial Statements are an integral part of these statements.
KANSAS GAS AND ELECTRIC COMPANY STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Dollars in Thousands) (Unaudited)
Twelve Months Ended June 30, 1998 1997 CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES: Net income. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 76,386 $ 89,985 Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: Depreciation and amortization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 115,040 115,711 Amortization of gain from sale-leaseback. . . . . . . . . . (11,828) (10,187) Changes in working capital items: Accounts receivable, (net). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (7,821) 8,049 Inventories and supplies. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,846 1,821 Prepaid expenses and other. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4,310 (3,610) Accounts payable. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17,683 12,453 Accrued liabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 489 (4,981) Accrued income taxes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (8,335) 21,745 Other . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,936 191 Changes in other assets and liabilities . . . . . . . . . . (9,223) 21,206 Net cash flows from operating activities. . . . . . . . 180,483 252,383 CASH FLOWS USED IN INVESTING ACTIVITIES: Additions to property, plant and equipment (net). . . . . . (70,740) (82,520) Net cash flows (used in) investing activities . . . . . (70,740) (82,520) CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES: Short-term debt (net) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (10,000) (240,000) Advances to parent company (net). . . . . . . . . . . . . . 349 170,149 Retirements of long-term debt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (85) (65) Dividends to parent company . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (100,000) (100,000) Net cash flows (used in) financing activities. . . . . . (109,736) (169,916) NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS. . . . . 7 (53) CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS: Beginning of period . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 88 End of period . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 42 $ 35 SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION CASH PAID FOR: Interest on financing activities (net of amount capitalized) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 71,770 $ 82,402 Income taxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51,220 34,600 The Notes to Financial Statements are an integral part of these statements.
KANSAS GAS AND ELECTRIC COMPANY STATEMENTS OF COMMON SHAREOWNERS' EQUITY (Dollars in Thousands) (Unaudited)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Common Retained Income Stock Earnings (net) BALANCE DECEMBER 31, 1995, 1,000 shares. . . . . . $1,065,634 $ 120,443 $ - Net income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96,274 Dividend to parent company . . . . . . . . . . . . (100,000) BALANCE DECEMBER 31, 1996, 1,000 shares. . . . . . 1,065,634 116,717 - Net Income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52,128 Dividend to parent company . . . . . . . . . . . . (100,000) BALANCE DECEMBER 31, 1997, 1,000 shares. . . . . . 1,065,634 68,845 - Net Income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50,922 Dividend to parent company . . . . . . . . . . . . (50,000) BALANCE JUNE 30, 1998, 1,000 shares. . . . . . . . $1,065,634 $ 69,767 $ - The Notes to Financial Statements are an integral part of these statements.
KANSAS GAS AND ELECTRIC COMPANY NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited) 1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES Description of Business: Kansas Gas and Electric Company (the company, KGE) is a rate-regulated electric utility and wholly-owned subsidiary of Western Resources, Inc. (Western Resources). The company is engaged principally in the production, purchase, transmission, distribution, and sale of electricity. The company serves approximately 280,000 electric customers in southeastern Kansas. At December 31, 1997, the company had no employees. All employees are provided by the company's parent, Western Resources which allocates costs related to the employees of the company. The company owns 47% of Wolf Creek Nuclear Operating Corporation (WCNOC), the operating company for Wolf Creek Generating Station (Wolf Creek). The company records its proportionate share of all transactions of WCNOC as it does other jointly-owned facilities. The company's unaudited financial statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles for interim financial information and in accordance with the instructions to Form 10-Q. Accordingly, certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles have been condensed or omitted. These financial statements and notes should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and the notes included in the company's 1997 Annual Report on Form 10-K. The accounting and rates of the company are subject to requirements of the Kansas Corporation Commission (KCC) and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). New Pronouncements: Effective January 1, 1998, the company adopted the provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 130, "Reporting Comprehensive Income" (SFAS 130). This statement establishes standards for reporting and display of comprehensive income and its components (revenues, expenses, gains and losses) in a full set of general-purpose financial statements. In June 1998, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 133, "Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities" (SFAS 133). This statement established accounting and reporting standards for derivative instruments and for hedging activities. SFAS 133 requires that all derivatives be recognized as either assets or liabilities in the balance sheet and that these instruments be measured at fair value. The company will adopt SFAS 133 no later than January 1, 2000. Management is presently evaluating the impact that adoption of SFAS 133 will have on the company's financial position and results of operations. Reclassifications: Certain amounts in prior years have been reclassified to conform with classifications used in the current year presentation. 2. WESTERN RESOURCES AND KANSAS CITY POWER & LIGHT COMPANY MERGER AGREEMENT On February 7, 1997, Kansas City Power & Light Company (KCPL) and Western Resources entered into an agreement whereby KCPL would be combined with Western Resources. In December 1997, representatives of Western Resources' financial advisor indicated that they believed it was unlikely that they would be in a position to issue a fairness opinion required for the merger on the basis of the previously announced terms. On March 18, 1998, Western Resources and KCPL announced a restructuring of their February 7, 1997 merger agreement which will result in the formation of Westar Energy, a new regulated electric utility company. Under the terms of the merger agreement, the electric utility operations of Western Resources will be transferred to the company, and KCPL and the company will be merged into NKC, Inc., a subsidiary of Western Resources. NKC, Inc. will be renamed Westar Energy. In addition, under the merger agreement, KCPL shareowners will receive $23.50 of Western Resources common stock per KCPL share, subject to a collar mechanism, and one share of Westar Energy common stock per KCPL share. Upon consummation of the combination, Western Resources will own approximately 80.1% of the outstanding equity of Westar Energy and KCPL shareowners will own approximately 19.9%. As part of the combination, Westar Energy will assume all of the electric utility related assets and liabilities of Western Resources, KCPL, and the company. Westar Energy will assume $2.7 billion in debt, consisting of $1.9 billion of indebtedness for borrowed money of Western Resources and the company, and $800 million from KCPL. Long-term debt of Western Resources and the company was $2.1 billion at June 30, 1998. Under the terms of the merger agreement, it is intended that Western Resources will be released from its obligations with respect to the company's debt to be assumed by Westar Energy. Consummation of the merger is subject to customary conditions. On July 30, 1998 the Western Resources' shareowners and the shareowners of KCPL voted to approve the amended merger agreement at special meetings of shareowners. Western Resources estimates the transaction to close by mid-1999, subject to receipt of all necessary approvals from regulatory and government agencies. On August 7, 1998 Western Resources and KCPL filed an amended application with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to approve the Western Resources/KCPL merger and the formation of Westar Energy. KCPL is a public utility company engaged in the generation, transmission, distribution, and sale of electricity to customers in western Missouri and eastern Kansas. The company, KCPL and Western Resources have joint interests in certain electric generating assets, including Wolf Creek. At June 30, 1998, Western Resources had deferred approximately $7 million related to the KCPL transaction. These costs will be included in the determination of total consideration upon consummation of the transaction. 3. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES Manufactured Gas Sites: The company is associated with three former manufactured gas sites which may contain coal tar and other potentially harmful materials. The company and the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) entered into a consent agreement governing all future work at the three sites. The terms of the consent agreement will allow the company to investigate these sites and set remediation priorities based upon the results of the investigations and risk analyses. At June 30, 1998, the costs incurred for preliminary site investigation and risk assessment have been minimal. For additional information on Commitments and Contingencies, see Note 2 of the company's 1997 Annual Report on Form 10-K. 4. INCOME TAXES Total income tax expense included in the Statements of Income reflects the Federal statutory rate of 35%. The Federal statutory rate produces effective income tax rates of 25.8% and 24.4% for the three month periods, 23.9% and 26.7% for the six month periods, and 23.7% and 27.8% for the twelve month periods ended June 30, 1998 and 1997, respectively. The effective income tax rates vary from the Federal statutory rate due to the permanent differences, including the amortization of investment tax credits, and accelerated amortization of certain deferred income taxes. KANSAS GAS AND ELECTRIC COMPANY ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS INTRODUCTION In Management's Discussion and Analysis we explain the general financial condition and the operating results for the company. We explain: - What factors affect our business - What our earnings and costs were for the three, six and twelve month periods ended June 30, 1998 and 1997 - Why these earnings and costs differed from period to period - How our earnings and costs affect our overall financial condition - Any other items that particularly affect our financial condition or earnings The following Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations updates the information provided in the 1997 Annual Report on Form 10-K and should be read in conjunction with Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations in the company's 1997 Annual Report on Form 10-K. Forward-Looking Statements: Certain matters discussed here and elsewhere in this Form 10-Q are "forward-looking statements." The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 has established that these statements qualify for safe harbors from liability. Forward-looking statements may include words like we "believe," "anticipate," "expect" or words of similar meaning. Forward-looking statements describe our future plans, objectives, expectations or goals. Such statements address future events and conditions concerning capital expenditures, earnings, litigation, rate and other regulatory matters, possible corporate restructurings, mergers, acquisitions, dispositions, liquidity and capital resources, interest and dividend rates, environmental matters, changing weather, nuclear operations and accounting matters. What happens in each case could vary materially from what we expect because of such things as electric utility deregulation, including ongoing state and federal activities; future economic conditions; legislative developments; our regulatory and competitive markets; and other circumstances affecting anticipated operations, sales and costs. FINANCIAL CONDITION General: Net income for the three and six months ended June 30, 1998 of $28.5 million and $50.9 million increased substantially from net income of $15.5 million and $26.7 million for the same periods in 1997, respectively. The increases in net income were primarily due to increased electric sales because of warmer than normal weather, lower operating and maintenance costs, the completion of the amortization of phase-in revenues in December 1997, and increased other income. Net income for the twelve months ended June 30, 1998, of $76.4 million, decreased from net income of $90.0 million for the comparable period of 1997. The decrease was primarily attributable to a $36.3 million rate reduction on February 1, 1997, and increased cost of sales. OPERATING RESULTS The following discussion explains significant changes in results of sales, cost of sales, operating expenses, other income (expense), interest expense and income taxes between the three, six and twelve month periods ended June 30, 1998 and comparable periods of 1997. Sales: Sales are based on sales volumes and rates authorized by the Kansas Corporation Commission (KCC) and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). Rates charged for the sale and delivery of electricity are designed to recover the cost of service and allow investors a fair rate of return. Our sales vary with levels of energy deliveries. Changing weather affects the amount of energy our customers use. Very hot summers and very cold winters prompt more demand, especially among our residential customers. Mild weather reduces demand. Many things will affect our future sales. They include: - The weather - Our electric rates - Competitive forces - Customer conservation efforts - Wholesale demand - The overall economy of our service area The following table reflects changes in retail electric energy deliveries for the three, six and twelve months ended June 30, 1998 from the comparable periods of 1997. 3 Months 6 Months 12 Months Ended Ended Ended Residential 20.1% 11.4% 7.0% Commercial 11.2% 7.6% 5.3% Industrial 1.8% 2.9% 3.4% Total Retail 9.4% 6.6% 5.0% Sales increased 9.4% for the three months and 1.6% for the six months ended June 30, 1998, primarily due to the increase in residential energy deliveries as a result of warmer spring temperatures. Partially offsetting these increases in sales was the implementation of an electric rate reduction of $10.0 million on June 1, 1998. Sales decreased 3.1% for the twelve months ended June 30, 1998, primarily due to electric rate decreases we implemented on February 1, 1997. Although energy deliveries increased, it was not enough to compensate for our lower electric rates. Also contributing to the decrease in sales was the decrease in wholesale and interchange sales. Cost of Sales: Items included in cost of sales are fuel expense and purchased power expense (electricity we purchase from others for resale). Electric fuel costs are included in base rates. Therefore, if we wished to recover an increase in fuel costs, we would have to file a request for recovery in a rate filing with the KCC which could be denied in whole or in part. Any increase in fuel costs from the projected average which the company did not recover through rates would reduce our earnings. The degree of any such impact would be affected by a variety of factors, however, and thus cannot be predicted. Due to warmer than normal weather throughout the Midwest and lack of power available for purchase on the wholesale market, the wholesale power market has seen extreme volatility in prices and availability. This volatility could impact our cost of power purchases. Actual cost of fuel to generate electricity (coal, nuclear fuel, natural gas or oil) and the amount of power purchased from other utilities increased for each of the three periods ending June 30, 1998. Cost of sales were $10.3 million, $9.9 million, and $21.7 million higher for the three, six and twelve months ended June 30, 1998, respectively. With an increase in customer demand for electricity and the availability of our La Cygne coal generation station during 1998, we produced more electricity during the first six months of 1998 than in 1997. The increase in net generation caused our fossil fuel costs to increase for the three and six month periods ended June 30, 1998. The twelve month increase was primarily due to two of our generating stations being unavailable to produce power. Our Wolf Creek nuclear generating station was off-line in the fourth quarter of 1997 for scheduled maintenance and our La Cygne coal generation station was off-line during 1997 for an extended maintenance outage. As a result, we purchased more power from other utilities and burned more natural gas to generate electricity at our facilities. Natural gas is more costly to burn than coal and nuclear fuel for generating electricity. OPERATING EXPENSES Operating and Maintenance Expense: Total operating and maintenance expense decreased $9.0 million, $18.6 million, and $12.7 million for the three, six and twelve months ended June 30, 1998, respectively. The decreases were attributable to a decrease in KGE's portion of costs shared with Western Resources which are associated with the dispatching of electric power. Depreciation and Amortization Expense: Depreciation and amortization expense decreased $3.9 million and $8.4 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 1998 from the same periods in 1997, respectively, due to the completion of the amortization of phase-in revenues in December 1997. During the first six months of 1997, we recorded $8.8 million of amortization for phase-in revenues. Depreciation and amortization expense for the twelve months ended June 30, 1998 decreased less than $0.7 million from 1997 due to the additional amortization of $8.8 million relating to phase-in revenues recorded during the fourth quarter of 1997. Selling, General and Administrative Expense: Selling, general and administrative expense increased $4.9 million, $4.5 million, and $7.5 million for the three, six and twelve months ended June 30, 1998, respectively. Storm related restoration expenses and increased labor costs attributed to the increases. Other Income and Deductions: Other income (expense) includes miscellaneous income and expenses not directly related to our operations. Other income and (expense) for the second quarter of 1998 increased $6.0 million. Other income and (expense) for the six and twelve months ended June 30, 1998, increased $12.3 million and $4.7 million, respectively. Interest Expense: Interest expense includes the interest we paid on outstanding debt. We realized a decrease in interest expense for each of the three periods ending June 30, 1998. Our average outstanding short-term debt balances were lower during all three periods which attributed to the decreases in interest expense. The interest we paid on long-term debt remained virtually unchanged for all three periods. LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES: The company's liquidity is a function of its ongoing construction and maintenance program designed to improve facilities which provide electric service and meet future customer service requirements. Our ability to provide the cash or debt to fund our capital expenditures depends upon many things, including available resources, our financial condition and current market conditions. Other than operations, our primary source of short-term cash is from short-term bank loans and unsecured lines of credit. At June 30, 1998, there were no short-term borrowings compared to $45.0 million at December 31, 1997. Proceeds from the repayment of advances to the company's parent company have been used to repay all current outstanding short-term debt. The proceeds received are reflected in the decrease in current assets, advances to parent company (net) on the Balance Sheets. MERGERS AND ACQUISITIONS Western Resources and Kansas City Power & Light Company Merger Agreement: On February 7, 1997, KCPL and Western Resources entered into an agreement whereby KCPL would be combined with Western Resources. In December 1997, representatives of Western Resources' financial advisor indicated that they believed it was unlikely that they would be in a position to issue a fairness opinion required for the merger on the basis of the previously announced terms. On March 18, 1998, Western Resources and KCPL announced a restructuring of their February 7, 1997 merger agreement which will result in the formation of Westar Energy, a new regulated electric utility company. Under the terms of the merger agreement, the electric utility operations of Western Resources will be transferred to the company, and KCPL and the company will be merged into NKC, Inc., a subsidiary of Western Resources. NKC, Inc. will be renamed Westar Energy. In addition, under the merger agreement, KCPL shareowners will receive $23.50 of Western Resources common stock per KCPL share, subject to a collar mechanism, and one share of Westar Energy common stock per KCPL share. Upon consummation of the combination, Western Resources will own approximately 80.1% of the outstanding equity of Westar Energy and KCPL shareowners will own approximately 19.9%. As part of the combination Westar Energy will assume all of the electric utility related assets and liabilities of Western Resources, KCPL, and the company. Westar Energy will assume $2.7 billion in debt, consisting of $1.9 billion of indebtedness for borrowed money of Western Resources and the company, and $800 million from KCPL. Long-term debt of Western Resources and the company was $2.1 billion at June 30, 1998. Under the terms of the merger agreement, it is intended that Western Resources will be released from its obligations with respect to the company's debt to be assumed by Westar Energy. Consummation of the merger is subject to customary conditions. On July 30, 1998 the Western Resources' shareowners and the shareowners of KCPL voted to approve the amended merger agreement at special meetings of shareowners. Western Resources estimates the transaction to close by mid-1999, subject to receipt of all necessary approvals from regulatory and government agencies. On August 7, 1998 Western Resources and KCPL filed an amended application with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to approve the Western Resources/KCPL merger and the formation of Westar Energy. KCPL is a public utility company engaged in the generation, transmission, distribution, and sale of electricity to customers in western Missouri and eastern Kansas. The company, KCPL and Western Resources have joint interests in certain electric generating assets, including Wolf Creek. Following the closing of the combination, Westar Energy is expected to have approximately one million electric utility customers in Kansas and Missouri, approximately $8.2 billion in assets and the ability to generate more than 8,000 megawatts of electricity. At June 30, 1998, Western Resources had deferred approximately $7 million related to the KCPL transaction. These costs will be included in the determination of total consideration upon consummation of the transaction. OTHER INFORMATION YEAR 2000 ISSUE: We are currently addressing the effect of the Year 2000 Issue on our reporting systems and operations. We face the Year 2000 Issue because many computer systems and applications abbreviate dates by eliminating the first two digits of the year, assuming that these two digits are always "19". On January 1, 2000, some computer programs may incorrectly recognize the date as January 1, 1900. Some computer systems may incorrectly process critical financial and operational information, or stop processing altogether because of the date abbreviation. Calculations using the year 2000 will affect computer applications before January 1, 2000. We have recognized the potential adverse effects the Year 2000 Issue could have on our company. In 1996, we established a formal Year 2000 remediation program to investigate and correct these problems in the main computer systems of our company. In 1997, we expanded the program to include all business units and departments of our company. The goal of our program is to identify and assess every critical system potentially affected by the Year 2000 date change and to repair or replace those systems found to be incompatible with Year 2000 dates. We have completed approximately 75% of our contingency plan for all business units and departments of our company with the exception of WCNOC. WCNOC is currently pursuing their own contingency plan and their management does not believe that WCNOC will be substantially impacted. Our contingency plan includes pre-established action plans to work around any unforeseen operational impacts surrounding the century date change. We have identified four major areas of risk: 1) Vendors and suppliers, 2) Banks and Financial Institutions, 3) Telecommunications, including phone systems and cellular phones and 4) Large customers. We are addressing these risks in our contingency plan and expect no significant operational impact on our ability to serve our customers, pay suppliers, or operate other areas of our business. We plan to have our Year 2000 readiness efforts substantially completed by the end of 1998, excluding WCNOC. WCNOC is pursuing their own Year 2000 plan. Western Resources currently estimates that total costs to update all of its and our systems for year 2000 compliance will be approximately $12 million. As of June 30, 1998 Western Resources has expensed approximately $3 million of these costs and based on what they now know, they expect to incur an additional $9 million in 1998 to complete our efforts. Western Resources has allocated a portion of these costs to our company. Item 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK Not applicable. KANSAS GAS AND ELECTRIC COMPANY Part II Other Information Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities None Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders Information required by Item 4 is omitted pursuant to General Instruction H(2)(b) to Form 10-Q. Item 5. Other Information None Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K (a) Exhibits: Exhibit 12 - Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges for 12 Months Ended June 30, 1998 (filed electronically) Exhibit 27 - Financial Data Schedule (filed electronically) (b) Reports on Form 8-K: None SIGNATURE Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized. KANSAS GAS AND ELECTRIC COMPANY Date August 12, 1998 By /s/ Richard D. Terrill Richard D. Terrill Secretary, Treasurer and General Counsel

                                                                              Exhibit 12

                    KANSAS GAS AND ELECTRIC COMPANY
        Computations of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges and
     Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Combined Fixed Charges
         and Preferred and Preference Dividend Requirements
                       (Dollars in Thousands)
Unaudited Twelve Months Ended June 30, Year Ended December 31, 1998 1997 1996 1995 1994 1993 Net Income. . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 76,386 $ 52,128 $ 96,274 $110,873 $104,526 $108,103 Taxes on Income . . . . . . . . . . 23,690 17,408 36,258 51,787 55,349 46,896 Net Income Plus Taxes. . . . . 100,076 69,536 132,532 162,660 159,875 154,999 Fixed Charges: Interest on Long-Term Debt. . . . 46,049 46,062 46,304 47,073 47,827 53,908 Interest on Other Indebtedness. . 3,530 4,388 11,758 5,190 5,183 6,075 Interest on Corporate-owned Life Insurance Borrowings . . . 33,630 31,253 27,636 25,357 20,990 11,865 Interest Applicable to Rentals. . 24,904 25,143 25,539 25,375 25,096 24,967 Total Fixed Charges . . . . . 108,113 106,846 111,237 102,995 99,096 96,815 Earnings (1). . . . . . . . . . . . $208,189 $176,382 $243,769 $265,655 $258,971 $251,814 Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges. 1.93 1.65 2.19 2.58 2.61 2.60 (1) Earnings are deemed to consist of net income to which has been added income taxes (including net deferred investment tax credit) and fixed charges. Fixed charges consist of all interest on indebtedness, amortization of debt discount and expense, and the portion of rental expense which represents an interest factor.
 

5 This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the Balance Sheet at June 30, 1998 and the Statement of Income for the six months ended June 30, 1998 and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial statements. 1,000 6-MOS DEC-31-1998 JUN-30-1998 42 0 83,285 1,861 41,773 196,771 3,626,965 1,091,305 3,063,091 134,799 684,105 0 0 1,065,634 69,767 3,063,091 297,382 297,382 62,711 217,237 0 0 24,692 66,931 16,009 50,922 0 0 0 50,922 0 0