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                SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                    Washington, D. C.  20549



                           FORM 11-K

            (Mark One)

        [X]     ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 15(d) OF
                   THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934


           For the Plan year ended December 31, 1998


                               OR


        [ ]    TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 15(d) OF
                      THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934


For the Transition Period from _________________ to _________________


                 Commission file number 1-3523



                          A.  Full title of the Plan:

                              WESTERN RESOURCES, INC.
                              EMPLOYEES' 401(K) SAVINGS PLAN

                         B.   Name of issuer of the securities held
                              pursuant to the plan and the address
                              of its principal executive office:

                              WESTERN RESOURCES, INC.
                              818 Kansas Avenue
                              Topeka, Kansas  66612







                                               EIN:  48-0290150
                                                       PN:  004









                    WESTERN RESOURCES, INC.

                 EMPLOYEES' 401(k) SAVINGS PLAN


     FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AS OF DECEMBER 31, 1998 AND 1997

     TOGETHER WITH REPORT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS






            Report of Independent Public Accountants



To the Investment and Benefits Committee of
Western Resources, Inc. Employees' 401(k) Savings Plan:

We have audited the accompanying statements of net assets available for
benefits of WESTERN RESOURCES, INC. EMPLOYEES' 401(k) SAVINGS PLAN, as of
December 31, 1998 and 1997, and the related statements of changes in net
assets available for benefits for the years then ended.  These financial
statements and the schedules referred to below are the responsibility of the
Plan's management.  Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these
financial statements and schedules based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards.  Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to
obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of
material misstatement.  An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence
supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements.  An audit
also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant
estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial
statement presentation.  We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis
for our opinion.

In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in
all material respects, the net assets available for benefits of the Plan as of
December 31, 1998 and 1997, and the changes in net assets available for
benefits for the years then ended in conformity with generally accepted
accounting principles.

Our audits were performed for the purpose of forming an opinion on the basic
financial statements taken as a whole.  The supplemental schedules of assets
held for investment purposes and of loans or fixed income obligations as of
December 31, 1998, and reportable transactions for the year then ended are
presented for the purpose of additional analysis and are not a required part
of the basic financial statements, but are supplementary information required
by the Department of Labor's Rules and Regulations for Reporting and
Disclosure under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974. The
supplemental schedules have been subjected to the auditing procedures applied
in the audits of the basic financial statements and, in our opinion, are
fairly stated in all material respects in relation to the basic financial
statements taken as a whole.


Arthur Andersen LLP

Kansas City, Missouri,
June 25, 1999


                                               EIN:  48-0290150
                                                        PN: 004
WESTERN RESOURCES, INC. EMPLOYEES' 401(k) SAVINGS PLAN STATEMENTS OF NET ASSETS AVAILABLE FOR BENEFITS DECEMBER 31, 1998 AND 1997 1998 1997 ASSETS INVESTMENTS: Western Resources, Inc. Investment Contract Fund $ 53,513,047 $ 62,810,650 Vanguard Windsor Fund 75,724,206 115,488,510 Vanguard Prime Money Market Fund 7,101,463 8,419,646 Western Resources, Inc. Common Stock Fund 44,988,590 68,105,025 Loan Fund 10,930,989 16,912,202 Vanguard Wellington Fund 14,279,277 16,854,010 Vanguard 500 Index Fund 19,369,245 17,913,964 Vanguard PRIMECAP Fund 27,232,014 27,832,793 Fidelity Magellan Fund 40,652,666 34,871,118 Fixed Income Fund - 15,165,855 Vanguard International Growth Fund 2,056,595 1,876,580 Vanguard Total Bond Market Index Fund 1,833,739 531,093 Total Investments 297,681,831 386,781,446 Interest and Dividends Receivable 712,136 864,846 CONTRIBUTIONS RECEIVABLE: Participant - 259,676 Employer - 72,563 Total Assets 298,393,967 387,978,531 LIABILITIES ACCOUNTS PAYABLE - 89,854 NET ASSETS AVAILABLE FOR BENEFITS $298,393,967 $387,888,677 The accompanying notes to financial statements are an integral part of these statements.
EIN: 48-0290150 PN: 004
WESTERN RESOURCES, INC. EMPLOYEES' 401(k) SAVINGS PLAN STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS AVAILABLE FOR BENEFITS FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1998 AND 1997 1998 1997 NET ASSETS AVAILABLE FOR BENEFITS, beginning of year $387,888,677 $311,203,104 ADDITIONS: INVESTMENT INCOME- Net Appreciation in Fair Value of Investments 709,357 35,762,049 Interest 5,427,406 5,931,485 Dividends 15,189,930 27,275,525 Total Investment Income 21,326,693 68,969,059 CONTRIBUTIONS: Participant 10,839,602 15,282,172 Employer 3,154,108 4,463,372 Total Contributions 13,993,710 19,745,544 Total Additions 35,320,403 88,714,603 DEDUCTIONS: Benefits Paid (15,672,209) (12,054,784) Other (45,168) (84,920) Total Deductions (15,717,377) (12,139,704) TRANSFERS FROM (TO) OTHER PLANS (109,097,736) 110,674 NET INCREASE (DECREASE) (89,494,710) 76,685,573 NET ASSETS AVAILABLE FOR BENEFITS, end of year $298,393,967 $387,888,677 The accompanying notes to financial statements are an integral part of these statements.
WESTERN RESOURCES, INC. EMPLOYEES' 401(k) SAVINGS PLAN NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS DECEMBER 31, 1998 AND 1997 (1) PLAN DESCRIPTION: The following brief description of the Western Resources, Inc. (the Company) Employees' 401(k) Savings Plan (the Plan) is provided for general information purposes only. Participants should refer to the plan document for more complete information. (a) General--The Plan is a defined contribution plan, designed to assist eligible employees in establishing a regular savings plan. The Plan is subject to the provisions of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA), as amended. (b) Contributions--Participants of the plan are allowed to make tax deferred contributions of between 1 percent and 14 percent of earnings subject to certain Internal Revenue Code limits. In addition to or instead of pretax cash contributions, participants can elect to make after-tax contributions of between 1 percent and 4 percent of earnings. Cash contributions up to the first 6 percent of a participant's earnings are matched 50 percent by the Company. Participants are fully vested in all contributions and earnings thereon. The Plan allows rollover contributions into the Plan. Active participants were allowed to make additional contributions each quarter to meet the maximum contribution percentage based on their annual compensation. These contributions are considered in determining matching employer contributions. Matching employer contributions are suspended for a period of six months in the event that a participant withdrew money from after-tax and/or company-match accounts. Upon retirement, death, disability or termination of employment, all vested balances are paid to the participant or the participant's beneficiaries in accordance with plan terms. (c) Participant Accounts--A separate account is maintained for each participant. Allocations to participant accounts for employer and employee contributions are made when the contributions are received by the trustee. Allocations to participant accounts for the net of interest, dividends, realized and unrealized changes in investment gains and losses and plan expenses are made when such amounts are earned or incurred. (d) Investment Funds--During 1998 and 1997, participants in the Plan could elect to have their contributions and the Company's matching contributions invested in the funds listed below, excluding the Loan Fund. Allocations between the funds could be made in 10% increments. Participants could also elect to transfer investments between funds. The Western Resources, Inc. Investment Contract Fund is a fund which invests in investment contracts issued by life insurance companies and commercial banks, as well as other similar types of fixed principle investments. Principal of these investments, and interest thereon, are obligations of the issuing companies. Neither Vanguard, the Company, or the Federal government guarantees either principal or interest in such investments. The Vanguard Windsor Fund is a diversified equity fund invested in equity securities providing dividend and capital appreciation income. The Vanguard Prime Money Market Fund is a money market fund invested in high-quality money market obligations issued by financial institutions, nonfinancial corporations, U.S. and other governmental agencies, and repurchase agreements collateralized by such securities. The Western Resources, Inc. Common Stock Fund is invested primarily in the Company's common stock. Dividends from stock held in the fund are used to purchase additional shares of Company stock. The Loan Fund is a conduit for the distribution and repayment of loan proceeds. The investments in the fund represent loans due from participants. The Vanguard Wellington Fund is a balanced fund which invests in stocks for potential capital growth and dividend income and in bonds for current income potential and conservation of principal. The Vanguard 500 Index Fund is a growth and income fund which seeks to provide long-term capital growth. The Vanguard 500 Index Fund Portfolio attempts to provide investment results that correspond to the price and yield performance of publicly traded stocks, in the aggregate, as represented by the Standard & Poor's Composite Stock Price Index. The Vanguard PRIMECAP Fund is invested entirely in the Vanguard PRIMECAP Fund, a growth fund seeking long-term growth of capital by investing principally in a portfolio of common stocks. The Fidelity Magellan Fund is invested entirely in the Fidelity Magellan Fund, a diversified equity fund invested in equity securities providing long-term capital appreciation. Fixed Income Fund is invested in a Metropolitan Life Insurance Company Investment Contract. No new monies are allowed to be deposited in this fund after the transfer of its interest from the Kansas Gas Electric 401(k) Plan. In 1998, the monies in the Fixed Income Fund were transferred to The Western Resources, Inc. Investment Contract Fund. Vanguard International Growth Fund invests in the stocks of about 200 companies located in 30 countries around the world. Vanguard Total Bond Market Index Fund invests in about 1,500 bonds from a variety of industries in an attempt to match the performance and risk characteristics of the unmanaged Lehman Brothers Aggregate Bond Index. The investments range from short-term bonds that mature in a year to long-term bonds that mature in 20 or 30 years, giving the Fund an average maturity of nine years. The above funds are managed by the Plan's trustee, Vanguard Fiduciary Trust Company (Vanguard), except the Fidelity Magellan Fund which is managed by Fidelity Investments Institutional Services Company. All investments are stated at quoted market values, except as follows. Investments in Western Resources, Inc. Investment Contract Fund and Vanguard Prime Money Market Fund are stated at cost which approximates market value as determined by Vanguard. Investments in the Loan Fund are stated at face value. (e) Loans to Participants--Participants are permitted to borrow a specified portion of the balance in their individual account. Loan interest rates and terms are established by the Investment and Benefits Committee and all loans must be approved by that Committee. Loans are evidenced by promissory notes payable to the Plan over 1 to 5 years for general purpose loans and up to 30 years for principle residence loans, provided the age criteria is met. (f) Income Taxes--The Plan obtained its latest determination letter on May 15, 1996, in which the Internal Revenue Service stated the Plan, as then designed, was in compliance with the applicable requirements of the Internal Revenue Code. The Plan has been amended since receiving the determination letter. The plan administrator believes the plan is currently designed and being operated in compliance with the applicable requirements of the Internal Revenue Code. Therefore, no provision for income taxes is included in these financial statements. (g) Plan Termination--The Company is free to terminate the Plan at any time. Upon termination, all participant accounts remain fully vested. (2) SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES: (a) Basis of Accounting--The Plan's financial statements are maintained on the accrual basis. Employer and employee contributions are accrued as the employees' salaries are earned. (b) Use of Estimates--The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. (c) Administrative Expenses--All administrative expenses of the Plan were paid by the Company with the exception of loan administrative charges which were paid by the participants. The Company has no continuing obligation to pay these expenses. (3) INVESTMENTS: The following investments represent over 5% of net assets available for benefits at December 31, 1998 and/or 1997: 1998 1997 Vanguard/Windsor Fund $ 75,724,206 $115,488,510 Western Resources, Inc. Common Stock 44,549,846 67,941,677 Metropolitan Life Insurance Company, investment contract #12651/20105, general account 12,496,317 15,165,269 Fidelity Magellan Fund 40,652,666 34,871,118 Vanguard Prime Money Market Fund 11,956,387 18,398,231 Loan Fund 10,930,989 16,912,202 Vanguard PRIMECAP Fund 27,232,014 27,832,793 Vanguard/Wellington Fund 14,279,277 16,854,010 Vanguard 500 Index Fund 19,369,245 17,913,964 (4) PLAN AMENDMENTS: Effective January 1, 1998, the definition of annual compensation was amended to include merit recognition awards, incentive compensation program payments, and commissions. (5) ONEOK TRANSFER: Effective November 30, 1997, the Company sold substantially all of its gas operations to ONEOK, Inc., in exchange for a 45-percent ownership interest in ONEOK, Inc. On November 30, 1997, employees who were participants in Western Resources, Inc. Employees' 401(k) Savings Plan, as amended, became participants in the ONEOK, Inc. KGS 401(k) Thrift Plan (the ONEOK Plan). At July 31, 1998, the fair market value of those employees' accounts under the Western Resources Inc. Employees' 401(k) Savings Plan, were transferred to the ONEOK Plan. At July 31, 1998, the fair market value of the assets transferred to the ONEOK Plan were $109,158,738. (6) SUBSEQUENT EVENTS: Plan Amendment: Effective April 1, 1999, the Company has elected to make the matching contribution in WRI company stock instead of cash. (7) FUND INFORMATION: The following tables present changes in net assets available for benefits in fund detail:
(7) Fund Information (continued): Year Ended December 31, 1998 Prime Company Investment Money Common Contracts Windsor Market Stock Loan ADDITIONS Investment Income: Net appreciation in fair value of investments $ - $ (4,610,226) $ - $(13,837,978) $ - Interest 3,153,704 - 422,944 15,583 1,013,815 Dividends - 6,908,232 - 2,373,395 - 3,153,704 2,298,006 422,944 (11,449,000) 1,013,815 Contributions: Participant 1,308,741 3,141,574 247,770 1,102,983 - Employer 392,316 912,248 77,258 326,086 - 1,701,057 4,053,822 325,028 1,429,069 - Total additions (declines) 4,854,761 6,351,828 747,972 (10,019,931) 1,013,815 DEDUCTIONS Benefits paid (4,182,165) (4,575,387) (1,046,233) (1,856,290) (242,255) Other (8,210) (17,230) (7,774) (1,175) - Total deductions (4,190,375) (4,592,617) (1,054,007) (1,857,465) (242,255) Net increase (decrease) prior to transfers 664,386 1,759,211 (306,035) (11,877,396) 771,560 TRANSFERS Interfund transfers 11,462,323 (7,058,805) 1,755,327 1,967,888 (1,189,772) Transfers-Other plans (21,424,312) (34,464,710) (2,767,475) (13,206,927) (5,563,001) Total transfers (9,961,989) (41,523,515) (1,012,148) (11,239,039) (6,752,773) Net increase (decrease) (9,297,603) (39,764,304) (1,318,183) (23,116,435) (5,981,213) Net assets available for benefits: Beginning of year 62,810,650 115,488,510 8,419,646 68,105,025 16,912,202 End of year $ 53,513,047 $ 75,724,206 $ 7,101,463 $44,988,590 $10,930,989
(continued)
(7) Fund Information (continued): Year Ended December 31, 1998 500 Fixed Wellington Index PRIMECAP Magellan Income ADDITIONS Investment Income: Net appreciation in fair value of investments $ 202,217 $ 4,562,909 $5,079,888 $ 9,032,373 $ - Interest - - - - 821,360 Dividends 1,649,156 326,257 1,081,349 2,034,785 - 1,851,373 4,889,166 6,161,237 11,067,158 821,360 Contributions: Participant 1,027,925 1,041,380 1,396,940 1,362,065 - Employer 301,319 293,989 391,950 404,462 - 1,329,244 1,335,369 1,788,890 1,766,527 - Total additions 3,180,617 6,224,535 7,950,127 12,833,685 821,360 DEDUCTIONS Benefits paid (534,232) (395,462) (680,597) (1,315,470) (659,575) Other (12,110) 2,334 (1,655) 109 - Total deductions (546,342) (393,128) (682,252) (1,315,361) (659,575) Net increase (decrease) prior to transfers 2,634,275 5,831,407 7,267,875 11,518,324 161,785 TRANSFERS Interfund transfers 856,977 2,864,179 1,721,805 724,890 (13,853,282) Transfers-Other plans (6,065,985) (7,240,305) (9,590,459) (6,461,666) (1,474,358) Total transfers (5,209,008) (4,376,126) (7,868,654) (5,736,776) (15,327,640) Net increase (decrease) (2,574,733) 1,455,281 (600,779) 5,781,548 (15,165,855) Net assets available for benefits: Beginning of year 16,854,010 17,913,964 27,832,793 34,871,118 15,165,855 End of year $14,279,277 $19,369,245 $27,232,014 $40,652,666 $ -
(continued)
(7) Fund Information (continued): Year Ended December 31, 1998 Total Bond International Market Growth Index Other Total ADDITIONS Investment Income: Net appreciation in fair value of investments $ 276,144 $ 4,030 $ - $ 709,357 Interest - - - 5,427,406 Dividends 39,358 65,262 712,136 15,189,930 315,502 69,292 712,136 21,326,693 Contributions: Participant 150,329 59,895 - 10,839,602 Employer 41,388 13,092 - 3,154,108 191,717 72,987 - 13,993,710 Total additions 507,219 142,279 712,136 35,320,403 DEDUCTIONS Benefits paid (72,241) (112,302) - (15,672,209) Other 565 (22) - (45,168) Total deductions (71,676) (112,324) - (15,717,377) Net increase (decrease) prior to transfers 435,543 29,955 712,136 19,603,026 TRANSFERS Interfund transfers 277,448 1,578,253 (1,107,231) - Transfers-Other plans (532,976) (305,562) - (109,097,736) Total transfers (255,528) 1,272,691 (1,107,231) (109,097,736) Net increase (decrease) 180,015 1,302,646 (395,095) (89,494,710) Net assets available for benefits: Beginning of year 1,876,580 531,093 1,107,231 387,888,677 End of year $2,056,595 $1,833,739 $ 712,136 $298,393,967
(7) Fund Information (continued): Year Ended December 31, 1997 Prime Company Investment Money Common Contracts Windsor Market Stock Loan ADDITIONS Investment Income: Net appreciation in fair value of investments $ - $ 1,973,881 $ - $19,238,996 $ - Interest 3,753,286 - - 9,214 1,202,709 Dividends - 18,438,209 463,755 2,473,632 - 3,753,286 20,412,090 463,755 21,721,842 1,202,709 Contributions: Participant 2,091,401 4,869,903 452,485 1,449,775 - Employer 625,431 1,416,674 141,268 436,672 - 2,716,832 6,286,577 593,753 1,886,447 - Total additions 6,470,118 26,698,667 1,057,508 23,608,289 1,202,709 DEDUCTIONS Benefits paid (3,939,138) (2,496,502) (925,723) (1,899,849) (336,611) Other 36,518 (14,964) (6,350) (486) - Total deductions (3,902,620) (2,511,466) (932,073) (1,900,335) (336,611) Net increase (decrease) prior to transfers 2,567,498 24,187,201 125,435 21,707,954 866,098 TRANSFERS Interfund transfers (4,238,039) 661,562 165,623 (4,632,238) (182,352) Transfers-Other plans 5,901 23,311 - 76 - Total transfers (4,232,138) 684,873 165,623 (4,632,162) (182,352) Net increase (decrease) (1,664,640) 24,872,074 291,058 17,075,792 683,746 Net assets available for benefits: Beginning of year 64,475,290 90,616,436 8,128,588 51,029,233 16,228,456 End of year $62,810,650 $115,488,510 $ 8,419,646 $68,105,025 $16,912,202
(continued)
(7) Fund Information (continued): Year Ended December 31, 1997 500 Fixed Wellington Index PRIMECAP Magellan Income ADDITIONS Investment Income: Net appreciation in fair value of investments $1,509,046 $ 3,351,041 $4,657,162 $ 5,077,353 $ - Interest - - - - 930,544 Dividends 1,398,675 350,412 983,300 2,236,461 - 2,907,721 3,701,453 5,640,462 7,313,814 930,544 Contributions: Participant 1,455,343 1,258,957 1,733,889 1,545,792 - Employer 426,645 357,047 482,807 462,662 - 1,881,988 1,616,004 2,216,696 2,008,454 - Total additions 4,789,709 5,317,457 7,857,158 9,322,268 930,544 DEDUCTIONS Benefits paid (365,656) (283,550) (472,983) (543,749) (773,229) Other (10,430) (500) (735) (1,472) 4,093 Total deductions (376,086) (284,050) (473,718) (545,221) (769,136) Net increase (decrease) prior to transfers 4,413,623 5,033,407 7,383,440 8,777,047 161,408 TRANSFERS Interfund transfers 1,034,591 4,057,226 6,618,374 (2,761,029) (1,596,725) Transfers-Other plans 1,249 19,143 14,308 45,495 - Total transfers 1,035,840 4,076,369 6,632,682 (2,715,534) (1,596,725) Net increase (decrease) 5,449,463 9,109,776 14,016,122 6,061,513 (1,435,317) Net assets available for benefits: Beginning of year 11,404,547 8,804,188 13,816,671 28,809,605 16,601,172 End of year $16,854,010 $17,913,964 $27,832,793 $34,871,118 $15,165,855
(continued)
(7) Fund Information (continued): Year Ended December 31, 1997 Total Bond International Market Growth Index Other Total ADDITIONS Investment Income: Net appreciation in fair value of investments $ (59,374) $ 13,944 $ - $35,762,049 Interest - - 35,732 5,931,485 Dividends 81,931 20,036 829,114 27,275,525 22,557 33,980 864,846 68,969,059 Contributions: Participant 140,064 24,888 259,675 15,282,172 Employer 35,863 5,739 72,564 4,463,372 175,927 30,627 332,239 19,745,544 Total additions 198,484 64,607 1,197,085 88,714,603 DEDUCTIONS Benefits paid (17,746) (48) - (12,054,784) Other (740) - (89,854) (84,920) Total deductions (18,486) (48) (89,854) (12,139,704) Net increase prior to transfers 179,998 64,559 1,107,231 76,574,899 TRANSFERS Interfund transfers 1,695,391 466,534 (1,288,918) - Transfers-Other plans 1,191 - - 110,674 Total transfers 1,696,582 466,534 (1,288,918) 110,674 Net increase (decrease) 1,876,580 531,093 (181,687) 76,685,573 Net assets available for benefits: Beginning of year - - 1,288,918 311,203,104 End of year $1,876,580 $531,093 $1,107,231 $387,888,677
EIN: 48-0290150 PN: 004 PAGE 1 OF 2
WESTERN RESOURCES, INC. EMPLOYEES' 401(k) SAVINGS PLAN LINE 27a - SCHEDULE OF ASSETS HELD FOR INVESTMENT PURPOSES DECEMBER 31, 1998 Number Current Description Of Units Cost Value AIG Life, investment contract #944 2,967,532 $2,967,532 $2,967,532 Deutsche Bank, investment contract #1 general account 3,121,899 3,121,899 3,121,899 Deutsche Bank, investment contract #2, general account 4,697,918 4,697,918 4,697,918 John Hancock Mutual Life Insurance Company, investment contract #7307, general account 1,670,938 1,670,938 1,670,938 Life of Virginia, investment GS3115 contract #GS3115 3,430,709 3,430,709 3,430,709 Morgan Guaranty, investment contract #96-17, general account 1,503,680 1,503,680 1,503,680 Morgan Guaranty, investment contract #96-18, general account 1,485,582 1,485,582 1,485,582 NatWest Markets Sam, investment contract #185A 6,638,802 6,638,802 6,638,802 New York Life Insurance Company, investment contract #30309 3,020,681 3,020,681 3,020,681 Principal Mutual Life Insurance Company, investment contract #418026 3,380,563 3,380,563 3,380,563 Union Bank of Switzerland, investment contract #2127 4,682,246 4,682,246 4,682,246 Metropolitan Life Insurance Company, investment contract #20105, general account 12,496,317 12,496,317 12,496,317 *Vanguard Prime Money Market Fund 11,956,387 11,956,387 11,956,387 *Vanguard/Windsor Fund 4,863,469 74,468,799 75,724,206
EIN: 48-0290150 PN: 004 PAGE 2 OF 2
WESTERN RESOURCES, INC. EMPLOYEES' 401(k) SAVINGS PLAN LINE 27a - SCHEDULE OF ASSETS HELD FOR INVESTMENT PURPOSES DECEMBER 31, 1998 Number Current Description Of Units Cost Value *Vanguard/PRIMECAP Fund 571,381 $ 19,059,666 $27,232,014 *Vanguard 500 Index Fund Portfolio Fund 169,980 13,256,348 19,369,245 *Vanguard/Wellington Fund 486,517 12,816,256 14,279,277 *Fidelity Magellan Fund 336,473 27,078,805 40,652,666 *Vanguard International Growth Fund 109,568 1,913,362 2,056,595 *Vanguard Total Bond Market Index Fund 178,553 1,820,003 1,833,739 *Western Resources, Inc. Common Stock 1,339,845 33,828,953 44,549,846 *Participant Loans, at interest rates ranging from 14% to 5.7% 10,930,989 10,930,989 Total Investments $256,226,435 $297,681,831 *Investment with party-in-interest to the Plan.
EIN: 48-0290150 PN: 004
WESTERN RESOURCES, INC. EMPLOYEES' 401(k) SAVINGS PLAN LINE 27b - SCHEDULE OF LOANS OR FIXED INCOME OBLIGATIONS DECEMBER 31, 1998 Amount Received Unpaid Original During Reporting Balance Amount Year at End Amount Overdue Identity and Address of Obligator of Loan Principal Interest of Year Principal Interest Hovious, Jimmy J. Loan 1 $10,000.00 $402.20 $98.15 $6,039.81 $1,586.90 $314.43 1310 13th Terrace Loan 2 5,400.00 359.01 59.74 3,658.94 1,415.79 175.46 Hutchinson, KS 67501 ###-##-#### Detailed Description of Loan 1 - General purpose loan; dated 1/02/96; 7.5% interest rate; 120 successive semi-monthly installments. Loan 2 - General purpose loan; dated 1/27/97; 7.4% interest rate; 72 successive semi-monthly installments. Loans were defaulted in 1998 and were treated as 1998 distributions to the participant.
EIN: 48-0290150 PN: 004
WESTERN RESOURCES, INC. EMPLOYEES' 401(k) SAVINGS PLAN LINE 27d - SCHEDULE OF REPORTABLE TRANSACTIONS FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1998 Type of Dollar Net Gain Investment Transaction Number Value (1) (Loss) The Vanguard Group Purchases 201 $10,184,207 $ - Vanguard 500 Index Fund Sales 168 13,294,494 2,971,994 The Vanguard Group Purchases 186 9,589,166 - Vanguard PRIMECAP Fund Sales 186 15,269,832 3,324,911 The Vanguard Group Purchases 192 15,893,597 - Vanguard Windsor Fund Sales 235 51,047,674 6,012,203 The Vanguard Group Western Resources IC Purchases 187 22,472,064 - Fund Sales 210 31,733,652 - Western Resources Inc. Purchases 181 9,695,549 - Common Stock Fund* Sales 208 19,066,634 6,242,226 (1) Amounts shown in this column are costs of purchases or proceeds from sales. * This fund consists of two investments, Western Resources, Inc. Common Stock and Vanguard Money Market Reserves, Prime Portfolio. The Trustee is unable to split the transaction detail between the two investments.
SIGNATURES Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Investment and Benefits Committee for the Western Resources Inc. Employees' 401(K) Savings Plan has duly caused this annual report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized. WESTERN RESOURCES, INC. EMPLOYEES' 401(K) SAVINGS PLAN By: Signature Title Date /s/William B. Moore Chairman June 29, 1999 /s/Ira W. McKee, Jr. Member June 29, 1999 /s/Carl M. Koupal, Jr. Member June 29, 1999 /s/Richard D. Terrill Member June 29, 1999 EXHIBIT INDEX Exhibit Number Description of Documents Page 23 Consent of Independent Public Accountants (filed electronically)
                                                     Exhibit 23


           CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS


     As independent public accountants, we hereby consent to the incorporation
by reference of our report dated June 25, 1999, included in the Form 11-K for
the Western Resources, Inc. Employees' 401(k) Savings Plan, into the Company's
previously filed Registration Statements File Nos. 333-59673, 33-49467,
33-49553, 333-02023, 33-50069, 33-62375, and 333-26115 of
Western Resources, Inc. on Form S-3;  Nos. 333-02711 and 333-56369 of Western
Resources, Inc. on Form S-4; Nos. 333-70891, 33-57435, 333-13229, 333-06887,
333-20393, 333-20413 and 333-75395 of Western Resources, Inc. on Form S-8; and
No. 33-50075 of Kansas Gas and Electric Company on Form S-3.


ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP


Kansas City, Missouri,
 June 25, 1999