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

                                   FORM 12b-25
                           NOTIFICATION OF LATE FILING

 (Check One):[ ]Form 10-K [ ]Form 20-F [ ]Form 11-K [X]Form 10-Q [ ]Form N-SAR

                  For Period Ending:   September 30, 1997
                  [ ] Transition Report on Form 10-K
                  [ ] Transition Report on Form 20-F
                  [ ] Transition Report on Form 11-K
                  [ ] Transition Report on Form 10-Q
                  [ ] Transition Report on Form N-SAR
                  For the Transition Period Ended: __________

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READ ATTACHED  INSTRUCTION  SHEET BEFORE  PREPARING FORM.  PLEASE PRINT OR TYPE.
NOTHING  IN THIS  FORM  SHALL BE  CONSTRUED  TO IMPLY  THAT THE  COMMISSION  HAS
VERIFIED ANY INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN.
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     If the  notification  relates  to a portion of the  filing  checked  above,
identify the Item(s) to which the notification relates:

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PART I - REGISTRANT INFORMATION

                           SURETY CAPITAL CORPORATION
                           --------------------------
                             Full Name of Registrant

 
                       1845 PRECINCT LINE ROAD, SUITE 100
             ---------------------------------------------------------
             Address of Principal Executive Office (Street and Number)


                               HURST, TEXAS 76054
                            ------------------------
                            City, State and Zip Code


PART II - RULES 12b-25(b) AND (c)

If the subject report could not be filed without  unreasonable effort or expense
and the registrant seeks relief pursuant to Rule 12b-25(b), the following should
be completed. (Check box if applicable)

     (a)  The reasons  described in  reasonable  detail in Part III of this form
          could not be eliminated without unreasonable effort or expense;

[X]  (b)  The subject annual report,  semi-annual  report,  transition report on
          Form 10-K, Form 20-F, Form 11-K, Form N-SAR, or portion thereof,  will
          be filed  on or  before  the  fifteenth  calendar  day  following  the
          prescribed  due date;  or the subject  quarterly  report of transition
          report on Form 10-Q, or portion thereof will be filed on or before the
          fifth calendar day following the prescribed due date; and

     (c)  The accountant's statement or other exhibit required by Rule 12b-25(c)
          has been attached if applicable.

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PART III - NARRATIVE

State below in  reasonable  detail the reasons  why the Form 10-K,  11-K,  10-Q,
N-SAR, or the transition  report or portion  thereof,  could not be filed within
the prescribed time period. (Attach Extra Sheets If Needed)

	The Registrant cannot without unreasonable effort and expense complete the 
	Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
	Operations and other portions of the Form 10-Q before the due date  of the
 report.
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PART IV - OTHER INFORMATION

(1)  Name  and  telephone  number  of  person  to  contact  in  regard  to  this
     notification.

                B.J. Curley           (817) 788-7505
                -----------------------------------------------
                (Name)          (Area Code) (Telephone Number)

(2)  Have all other periodic  reports  required under Section 13 or 15(d) of the
     Securities Exchange Act of 1934 or Section 30 of the Investment Company Act
     of 1940 during this  preceding 12 months (or for such shorter)  period that
     the registrant was required to file such reports) been filed?  If answer is
     no, identify reports(s).
     [X] Yes  [ ] No

(3)  Is it anticipated that any significant change in results of operations from
     the corresponding  period for the last fiscal year will be reflected by the
     earnings  statements  to be  included  in the  subject  report  or  portion
     thereof?
     [  ] Yes  [X] No

     If so, attach an explanation of the anticipated  change,  both  narratively
     and quantitatively, and, if appropriate, state the reasons why a reasonable
     estimate of the results cannot be made.

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                           SURETY CAPITAL CORPORATION
                  --------------------------------------------
                  (Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)

has  caused  this  notification  to be signed on its  behalf by the  undersigned
hereunto duly authorized.

Date: November 13, 1997        By:/s/ B. J. Curley
      -----------------           ----------------
                                  B. J. Curley, Vice President, Chief Financial 
                                  Officer and Secretary

INSTRUCTION: The form may be signed by an executive officer of the registrant or
by any other duly  authorized  representative.  The name and title of the person
signing  the form  shall  be typed or  printed  beneath  the  signature.  If the
statement is signed on behalf of the registrant by an authorized  representative
(other than an executive officer), evidence of the representative's authority to
sign on behalf of the registrant shall be filed with the form.



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                                   ATTENTION

Intentional  misstatements  or omissions  of fact  constitute  Federal  Criminal
Violations (See 18 U.S.C. 1001).

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                              GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS

1.   This form is  required by Rule  12b-25 (17 CFR  240.12b-25)  of the General
     Rules and Regulations under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

2.   One signed  original and four conformed  copies of this form and amendments
     thereto  must be  completed  and filed  with the  Securities  and  Exchange
     Commission,  Washington,  D.C.  20549,  in accordance  with Rule 0-3 of the
     General Rules and Regulations  under the Act. The information  contained in
     or filed  with  the form  will be made a matter  of  public  record  in the
     Commission files.

3.   A manually  signed copy of the form and  amendments  thereto shall be filed
     with each national  securities exchange on which any class of securities of
     the registrant is registered.

4.   Amendments to the notifications  must also be filed on Form 12b-25 but need
     to restate information that has been correctly furnished. The form shall be
     clearly identified as an amended notification.