VI Both parties to this Agreement agree to keep the necessary records as indicated by applicable state and federal law and to render the necessary assistance to one another for the accurate and timely preparation of such records.

   1
                                                                       EXHIBIT 3

                       PRINCIPAL UNDERWRITER'S AGREEMENT

         IT IS HEREBY AGREED by and between WESTERN NATIONAL LIFE INSURANCE
COMPANY ("INSURANCE COMPANY") on behalf of WNL SEPARATE ACCOUNT A (the "Variable
Account") and WNL BROKERAGE SERVICES, INC. ("PRINCIPAL UNDERWRITER") as follows:

                                       I

         INSURANCE COMPANY proposes to issue and sell Individual Fixed and
Variable Deferred Annuity Contracts with flexible Purchase Payments (the
"Contracts") of the Variable Account to the public through PRINCIPAL
UNDERWRITER. The PRINCIPAL UNDERWRITER agrees to provide sales service subject
to the terms and conditions hereof. The Contracts to be sold are more fully
described in the registration statement and prospectus hereinafter mentioned.
Such Contracts will be issued by INSURANCE COMPANY through the Variable Account.

                                       II

         INSURANCE COMPANY grants PRINCIPAL UNDERWRITER the exclusive right,
during the term of this Agreement, subject to registration requirements of the
Securities Act of 1933 and the Investment Company Act of 1940 and the provisions
of


                                      -1-
   2


the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, to be the distributor of the Contracts
issued through the Variable Account. PRINCIPAL UNDERWRITER will sell the
Contracts under such terms as set by INSURANCE COMPANY and will make such sales
to purchasers permitted to buy such Contracts as specified in the prospectus.

                                      III

         PRINCIPAL UNDERWRITER shall be compensated for its distribution
services in such amount as to meet all of its obligations to selling
broker-dealers with respect to all Purchase Payments accepted by INSURANCE
COMPANY on the Contracts covered hereby.

                                       IV

         On behalf of the Variable Account, INSURANCE COMPANY shall furnish
PRINCIPAL UNDERWRITER with copies of all prospectuses, financial statements and
other documents which PRINCIPAL UNDERWRITER reasonably requests for use in
connection with the distribution of the Contracts. INSURANCE COMPANY shall
provide to PRINCIPAL UNDERWRITER such number of copies of the current effective
prospectuses as PRINCIPAL UNDERWRITER shall request. 


                                      -2-
   3
                                       V


          PRINCIPAL UNDERWRITER is not authorized to give any information, or to
make any representations concerning the Contracts or the Variable Account of
INSURANCE COMPANY other than those contained in the current registration
statements or prospectuses relating to the Variable Account filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission or such sales literature as may be authorized
by INSURANCE COMPANY.

                                       VI

          Both parties to this Agreement agree to keep the necessary records as
indicated by applicable state and federal law and to render the necessary
assistance to one another for the accurate and timely preparation of such
records.

                                      VII

         This Agreement shall be effective upon the execution hereof and will
remain in effect unless terminated as hereinafter provided. This Agreement shall
automatically be terminated in the event of its assignment by PRINCIPAL
UNDERWRITER.


                                      -3-
   4


         This Agreement may at any time be terminated by either party hereto
upon 60 days' written notice to the other party.

                                      VIII

         All notices, requests, demands and other communications under this
Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been given on the date
of service if served personally on the party to whom notice is to be given, or
on the date of mailing if sent by First Class Mail, Registered or Certified,
postage prepaid and properly addressed. 


                                      -4-
   5


         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this instrument to 
be signed on their behalf by their respective officers thereunto duly
authorized.

EXECUTED this 23rd day of August, 1995

                                   INSURANCE COMPANY

                                   WESTERN NATIONAL LIFE
                                   INSURANCE COMPANY


                                   BY: /s/ [ILLEGIBLE]
                                      -------------------------------

ATTEST:
       ----------------------
             Secretary


                                   PRINCIPAL UNDERWRITER
               
                                   WNL BROKERAGE SERVICES, INC.


                                   BY: /s/ [ILLEGIBLE]
                                      -------------------------------


ATTEST:
       ----------------------
             Secretary



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