UNITED STATES
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549

                                    FORM 8-K

                                 CURRENT REPORT

                     PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
                        SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934


        Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported: August 6, 2002)


                                AMERUS GROUP CO.
               (Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)


            IOWA                       000-30898                 42-1458424
(State or Other Jurisdiction    (Commission File Number)        (IRS Employer
     of Incorporation)                                       Identification No.)


699 WALNUT STREET
DES MOINES, IOWA                                                 50309-3948
(Address of principal executive offices)                         (Zip Code)

Registrant's telephone number, including area code:              (515) 362-3600


ITEM 7 (c).  EXHIBITS

Exhibit 99.1   Press Release dated August 6, 2002.

Exhibit 99.2   Supplemental Information.

ITEM 9. REGULATION FD DISCLOSURE

     On August 6, 2002, AmerUs Group Co. issued the press release attached
hereto as Exhibit 99.1 and posted the supplemental information attached hereto
as Exhibit 99.2 on its web site.



                                   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 hereunto duly authorized.


                                     AMERUS GROUP CO.

                                     By:  /s/ MELINDA S. URION
                                          -----------------------------
                                              Melinda S. Urion
                                              Executive Vice President
                                              and Chief Financial Officer


Dated: August 7, 2002



                                    EXHIBITS



Exhibit No.   Description
-----------   -----------
           
   99.1       Press Release dated August 6, 2002.

   99.2       Supplemental Information.