Exhibit 4(a) November 13, 1997 Securities and Exchange Commission 450 5th Street NW Washington, DC 20549 Ladies/Gentlemen: The company agrees to furnish the Commission upon request copies of the following long-term debt instruments: 1. Credit...

                                                               Exhibit 4(a)





November 13, 1997

Securities and Exchange Commission
000 0xx Xxxxxx XX
Xxxxxxxxxx, XX  00000

Ladies/Gentlemen:

The company agrees to furnish the Commission upon request copies of the
following long-term debt instruments:

1.    Credit Agreement, as amended, between Equitable of Iowa Companies and
      Xxxxxx Guaranty Trust Company of New York, as Agent, and the Bank of
      New York, as Administrative Agent, and participating banks, dated May
      10, 1996, re:  line of credit in amount of $300,000,000.



Very truly yours,

/s/  Xxxx X. Xxxxxx

Xxxx X. Xxxxxx
Executive Vice President and CFO
Equitable of Iowa Companies