UNITED STATES

                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

                             Washington, D.C. 20549

                                   FORM 12b-25

                           NOTIFICATION OF LATE FILING

     [ ] Form 10-K [ ] Form 20-F [X] Form 11-K [ ] Form 10-Q [ ] Form N-SAR

                       For Period Ended December 31, 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 Transition Period Ended: ______________


      Nothing in this form shall be construed to imply that the Commission
                 has verified any information contained herein.



If the notification relates to a portion of the filing checked above, identify
the Item(s) to which the notification relates: _________________________

PART 1 - REGISTRANT INFORMATION

Full Name of Registrant:               Fund American Enterprises Holdings, Inc.
Address of Principal Executive Office:       80 South Main Street
                                             Hanover NH 03755

Full Title of Plan:                    Valley Group Employees' 401(k) Savings 
                                       Plan
Address of Plan:                       2450 14th Avenue S.E.,     P.O. Box 1119
                                       Albany, Oregon 97321





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 appropriate.)

     [X]  (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, 20-F, 11-K, 10-Q, 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 or 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.

PART III - NARRATIVE

State below in reasonable detail the reasons why the Form 10-K, 20-F, 11-K,
10-Q, N-SAR, or the transition report or portion thereof, could not be filed
within the prescribed time period.

The Registrant requires additional time to gather the information necessary to
prepare a complete and accurate filing.

PART IV - OTHER INFORMATION

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

            Michael S. Paquette, Senior Vice President and Controller
                                 (603) 640-2205

(2)  Have all 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 the preceding 12 months or for such shorter period that the
     registrant was required to file such report(s) been filed. If answer is no,
     identify report(s). [X] Yes [ ] No

(3)  Is it anticipated that any significant change in the results of operations
     from the corresponding period for the last fiscal year will be reflected by
     the earnings statement 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.

                    FUND AMERICAN ENTERPRISES HOLDINGS, INC.

                (Name of registrant as specified in its charter)

(on behalf of the Valley Group Employees' 401(k) Savings Plan) has caused this
notification to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned persons hereunto duly
authorized.

Date:   June 29, 1998

By:  /s/ Michael S. Paquette                  By: /s/Stuart E. Olson
    --------------------------                    -----------------------
    Senior Vice President and Controller          Trustee
    Fund American Enterprises Holdings, Inc.      Valley Group Employees'
                                                  401(k) Savings Plan