PROXY STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 14(A) OF THE SECURITIES
                EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 (AMENDMENT NO.   )
   
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                      CONSOLIDATED-TOMOKA LAND CO.
                                            
               (Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

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                                  1

CONSOLIDATED-TOMOKA LAND CO. Post Office Box 10809 Daytona Beach, Florida 32120-0809 NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS April 23, 1997 To the Shareholders: The annual meeting of shareholders of Consolidated-Tomoka Land Co., a Florida corporation (the "Company"), will be held at the Daytona Beach Hilton Resort, 2637 South Atlantic Avenue, Daytona Beach, Florida, on Wednesday, April 23, 1997, at ten o'clock in the morning for the following purposes: 1. To elect three directors to serve for a three-year term expiring at the annual meeting of shareholders to be held in 2000, or until their successors are elected and qualified. 2. To transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting or any adjournment thereof. Shareholders of record at the close of business on March 10, 1997, are entitled to notice of, and to participate in and vote at the meeting. Daytona Beach Hilton Resort has reserved a limited number of rooms for shareholders attending our meeting. Shareholders who plan to attend are urged to reserve rooms promptly upon receipt of the meeting notice by calling 1-904-767-7350. A complete list of shareholders as of the record date will be available for shareholders' inspection at the Corporate Offices at 149 South Ridgewood Avenue, Daytona Beach, Florida, for at least ten days prior to the meeting. By Order of the Board of Directors Patricia Lagoni Secretary Daytona Beach, Florida March 25, 1997 All shareholders are requested to date and sign the enclosed proxy and return it promptly in the accompanying envelope. This proxy is revocable by you at any time before it is exercised by notifying the corporate secretary of the Company in writing or by submitting a properly executed, later-dated proxy. Signing a proxy will not affect your right either to attend the meeting and vote your shares in person or to give a later proxy. A COPY OF THE COMPANY'S MOST RECENT FORM 10-K ANNUAL REPORT FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION WILL BE FURNISHED, WITHOUT CHARGE, TO ANY SHAREHOLDER UPON WRITTEN REQUEST DIRECTED TO THE COMPANY'S SECRETARY, P. O. BOX 10809, DAYTONA BEACH, FLORIDA 32120-0809. 2

CONSOLIDATED-TOMOKA LAND CO. PROXY STATEMENT INTRODUCTION This proxy statement and the enclosed form of proxy are being sent to the shareholders of Consolidated-Tomoka Land Co., a Florida corporation (the "Company"), on or about March 25, 1997, in connection with the solicitation by the Board of Directors of the Company of proxies to be used at the annual meeting of shareholders to be held on Wednesday, April 23, 1997 (and at any adjournment or adjournments thereof), for the purposes set forth in the accompanying notice of annual meeting. Shareholders who execute proxies retain the right to revoke them at any time before they are exercised by sending written notice to the secretary of the Company, by submitting a properly executed, later-dated proxy, or by attending the annual meeting and electing to vote in person. The cost of preparing, assembling, and mailing material in connection with this solicitation will be borne by the Company. At the close of business on March 10, 1997, there were 6,261,272 shares of common stock, $1 par value, of the Company outstanding. Each holder of common stock of record on that date is entitled to one vote for each share held by such shareholder on every matter submitted to the meeting. The Company's Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws do not provide for cumulative voting for the election of directors, which is permitted but not required by Florida law. As of February 24, 1997, Baker, Fentress & Company ("Baker Fentress"), a publicly owned, closed-end investment company, located at Madison Plaza, Suite 3510, 200 West Madison Street, Chicago, Illinois 60606, owned beneficially 5,000,000 shares (79.9%) of the outstanding shares of common stock of the Company. These shares were owned of record by Cede & Co., a nominee of Depository Trust Company, for the account of Baker Fentress. Baker Fentress has sole voting and dispositive power with respect to these shares. No other person owned of record, or was known by management to own beneficially, more than 5% of the Company's outstanding common stock as of February 24, 1997. As of February 24, 1997, Baker Fentress had 34,042,181 shares of its $1 par value common stock outstanding. As of that date, 6,445,103 shares (19.0%) of the common stock of Baker Fentress were held by the officers and directors of Baker Fentress as a group with power over voting or disposition of the shares. See "Interests in Stock" below for information as to the beneficial ownership of common stock of the Company and of Baker Fentress as of February 24, 1997 by each director of the Company and by all directors and officers as a group. ELECTION OF DIRECTORS The Company's Articles of Incorporation divide the Board of Directors into three classes, as nearly equal as possible. At the 1997 annual meeting of shareholders, three Class III directors are to be elected, each to hold office until the annual meeting of shareholders to be held in 2000, or until their successors are elected and qualified. The Company has no nominating committee other than the Board of Directors for the selection of candidates to serve as directors. It is the intention of the persons named in the accompanying form of proxy to vote such proxy for the election as directors of the persons named below who have been designated by the Board of Directors as nominees for Class III unless authority to do so is withheld. 3

All nominees for election as directors are now directors, each having been elected by the shareholders at the May 1994 annual meeting. Each nominee has indicated his willingness to serve if elected. If any nominee should be unable to serve, which is not now anticipated, the proxy will be voted for such other persons as shall be determined by the persons named in the proxy in accordance with their judgment. The election of Messrs. Chambers, Henry, and Pace will require the affirmative vote of the holders of a plurality of the shares present or represented at the meeting. The Board of Directors of the Company recommends a vote "for" the election of Messrs. Chambers, Henry, and Pace as directors in Class III. Proxies solicited by the Board will be so voted unless shareholders specify in their proxies a contrary choice. Abstentions will be treated as shares represented at the meeting and therefore will be the equivalent of a negative vote, and broker non-votes will not be considered as shares represented at the meeting. Additional information concerning the nominees and the directors who are continuing in office appears below. Name, Age at January 31, 1997, Class and Other and Principal Occupation Director Expiration Business since January 1, 1992 Since of Term Affiliations -------------------------- --------- ---------- ---------------- John C. Adams, Jr.-age 60(2) 1977 I Director, Hilb, Chairman of the board 1998 Rogal and Hamilton of Hilb, Rogal and Hamilton Company, Richmond, Company of Daytona Beach, Virginia Inc. (an insurance agency); executive vice president operations from January 1994; to present; chief executive officer from January 1990 until January 1993. Executive vice president since 1993 of Hilb, Rogal and Hamilton Company, Richmond, Virginia, chief operating officer during 1993 Bob D. Allen-age 62(1) 1990 I Director, First Union President and chief 1998 Corporation of Florida, executive officer of the First Union National Company Bank of Florida, and Baker, Fentress & Company Jack H. Chambers-age 66(3) 1986 III Director, Mobile Of Counsel to Law Firm of 1997 America Foley & Lardner since Corporation September 1994; real estate consultant and investor from January 1994 to September 1994; president and chief executive officer of Koger Properties Inc. from July 1991 to December 1993 James P. Gorter-age 67 1988 II Director, Baker, Chairman of the Board 1999 Fentress & Company, of Baker, Fentress & Company; Levin Management Co., Inc., limited partner of Goldman, and Caterpillar, Inc. Sachs & Co. (investment bankers) 4

Name, Age at January 31, 1997, Class and Other and Principal Occupation Director Expiration Business Since January 1, 1992 Since of Term Affiliations - ---------------------------- --------- ----------- ------------- William O. E. Henry-age 69(3) 1977 III None Practicing attorney and 1997 partner in law firm of Holland & Knight LLP, counsel for the Company Robert F. Lloyd-age 61(2) 1991 II None Chairman of the board and 1999 chief executive officer of Lloyd Buick-Cadillac Inc. John H. Pace, Jr.-age 79(3) 1968 III None Chairman of Cardinal 1997 Investment Company (investor in securities and real estate) David D. Peterson-age 65(1) 1984 I Director, Baker, Chairman of the board of 1998 Fentress & Company the Company; retired president and chief executive officer of Baker, Fentress & Company (a publicly owned, closed- end investment company) since June 1996 Bruce W. Teeters-age 51 1990 II None Senior vice president- 1999 finance and treasurer of the Company - --------------------------------------- (1) Member of the executive committee of the Company, which had one meeting in 1996. The executive committee has the authority during intervals between meetings of the Board of Directors to exercise power on matters designated by the Board. (2) Member of the compensation and stock option committee, which had two meetings in 1996. (3) Member of the audit committee, which had one meeting in 1996. The committee meets with representatives of the Company's independent public accountants to determine the scope of each audit and review the results. During 1996, the Board of Directors held one regular and three special meetings. Each outside director received a fee of $1,000 for each board meeting he attended in 1996. Each outside director received, in addition to meeting fees, an annual retainer of $13,000, payable quarterly. Mr. Peterson in 1996, began receiving as Chairman of the Board an additional annual fee of $8,000, payable quarterly. Members of the audit and compensation and stock option committees also received $1,000 for each meeting of those committees attended in 1996. All members of the Board attended 75% or more of the meetings of the Board and all committees on which they served. 5

INTERESTS IN STOCK The following table contains information at February 24, 1997 on the number of shares of common stock of the Company and of its 79.9% majority shareholder, Baker, Fentress & Company, of which each director and each officer named in the Summary Compensation Table set forth elsewhere in this Proxy Statement had outright ownership, or, alone or with others, any power to vote or dispose of the shares, or to direct the voting or disposition of the shares by others, and the percentage of the aggregate of such shares to all of the outstanding shares of the respective companies. The table also sets forth information with respect to all persons known by the Company to own beneficially more than 5% of the Company's common stock as of February 24, 1997: Power Over Voting Shares of and Disposition Aggregate Consolidated-Tomoka Land Co. Sole Shared Shares Percent - ----------------------------- -------------------- ----------- ---------- Baker Fentress & Company 5,000,000 -- 5,000,000 79.9% Madison Plaza, Suite 3510 200 West Madison Street Chicago, Illinois 60606 John C. Adams, Jr. -- 6,600 (1) 6,600 (1) 0.1% Bob D. Allen 121,220 (2) -- 121,220 (2) 1.9% Jack H. Chambers 194 1,200 1,394 -- James P. Gorter 2,400 4,000 6,400 0.1% William O. E. Henry 500 -- 500 -- Robert F. Lloyd 500 -- 500 -- John H. Pace, Jr. 400 -- 400 -- David D. Peterson 4,000 -- 4,000 -- Bruce W. Teeters 34,000 (2) 624 34,624 (2) 0.6% Directors and Officers as a group (16 persons) 165,542 (2) 19,640 185,182 (2) 3.1% Power Over Voting Shares of Baker, and Disposition Aggregate Fentress & Company Sole Shared Shares Percent - ------------------------ -------------------- --------- ----------- John C. Adams, Jr. -- 3,631 3,631 -- Bob D. Allen 27,782 34,580 62,362 0.2% Jack H. Chambers -- 3,000 3,000 -- James P. Gorter 143,626 491,590 635,216 1.9% William O. E. Henry -- -- -- -- Robert F. Lloyd -- -- -- -- John H. Pace, Jr. 579,858 -- 579,858 1.7% David D. Peterson 26,926 -- 26,926 0.1% Bruce W. Teeters -- 441 441 -- Directors and Officers as a group (16 persons) 779,304 534,287 1,313,591 3.9% (1) Does not include 4,400 shares held in trust for his wife who has sole voting and disposition power over these shares. (2) Includes shares subject to options that are currently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days of March 1, 1997: Bob D. Allen, 101,600 shares; Bruce W. Teeters, 34,000 shares; and executive officers as a group, 135,600 shares. 6

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION The sections which follow provide extensive information pertaining to the compensation of the executive officers of the Company. This information is introduced in the Compensation Committee Report on Executive Compensation set forth below which describes the policies and components of the Company's Compensation Program. To provide a context for considering the detailed compensation data, as well as the policies of the Compensation Committee, there is set forth immediately below information as to the cumulative shareholder return on the Company's Common Stock. The graph compares the yearly percentage change in this return with that of the American Stock Exchange Composite Index and the Real Estate Industry Index. COMPARISON OF FIVE-YEAR CUMULATIVE TOTAL SHAREHOLDER RETURN AMONG CONSOLIDATED-TOMOKA LAND CO., AMERICAN STOCK EXCHANGE INDEX, AND REAL ESTATE INDUSTRY INDEX MEASUREMENT PERIOD AMEX REAL ESTATE (FISCAL YEAR COVERED) CTO INDEX INDUSTRY - ------------------------- ------- ------ ------------ Measurement Pt. - 12/31/91 100 100 100 FYE 12/31/92 111.40 101.07 123.18 FYE 12/31/93 133.37 120.76 180.52 FYE 12/31/94 111.76 109.78 185.82 FYE 12/31/95 157.82 138.79 199.43 FYE 12/31/96 160.85 147.66 258.14 7

COMPENSATION AND STOCK OPTION COMMITTEE REPORT ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION The Compensation and Stock Option Committee of the Board of Directors consists solely of independent, outside directors and met two times during 1996. The committee reviews and approves salary adjustments for officers and key personnel with salaries in excess of $50,000, administers the Company's Stock Option Plan, and makes recommendations to the Board with respect to the Company's Compensation Program for the executive officers named in the following Summary Compensation Table. The two individuals named in the Summary Compensation Table are the only persons earning more than $100,000 in annual compensation who fall within the Securities and Exchange Commission definition of executive officers. The annual compensation program includes base pay plus an incentive program to reward key management employees who are in a position to make substantial contributions to the success or the growth of the Company and its subsidiaries. The Company seeks to provide through this program compensation opportunities that are competitive and directly related to Company performance. All participants in the incentive plan were approved by the compensation committee. There were sixteen participants in the plan during 1996. The executive officers are evaluated on performance, corporate and individual, based on a management-by-objectives system. Corporate performance is based on the Company's growth in earnings per share and progress on projects and activities which will have a major effect on future earnings. Individual performance includes implementation of goals and objectives, strategic planning, civic involvement, and public affairs. Base pay is designed to provide competitive rewards for the normal duties associated with the individual's job description. The incentive pay component is designed to stimulate actions that contribute to improved operating and financial results. The incentive awards are based on the achievement of predetermined corporate and individual performance goals. The Summary Compensation Table shows the incentive awards (Bonus in the Table) to the named executive officers for the past three years. For 1996, the goals for all executive officers included an overall operating and financial performance target measured by net income plus additional quantitative indicators. In addition to the 1996 quantified objectives, the Committee evaluated performance against predetermined qualitative objectives in determining the amount of incentive awards. The Summary Compensation Table shows the Options/SAR (Stock Appreciation Right) Grants to the named executive officers for the past three years. The exercise price of the options granted was equal to the market value of the underlying common stock on the date of the grant. Therefore, the value of these grants to the officers is dependent solely upon the future growth in share value of the Company's Common Stock. The stock appreciation right entitles the optionee to receive a supplemental payment which at the election of the Committee may be paid in whole or in part in cash or in shares of common stock equal to all or a portion of the spread between the exercise price and the fair market value of the underlying shares at the time of exercise. The Company's CEO, Mr. Allen, received a 4% increase in base pay determined by salary surveys which indicated such an increase was appropriate to maintain a competitive salary structure. Mr. Allen received a bonus of $72,000, which was based upon the operating results of the Company and Mr. Allen's individual performance. 8

The Committee believes that the components of salary, stock options/SARs, and incentive awards are fair, competitive, and in the best interest of the Company. Specific salary and incentives are disclosed in the Summary Compensation Table and the Options/SAR Grants in Last Fiscal Year Table. By the Compensation Committee: John C. Adams, Jr., Chairman Robert F. Lloyd SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE(a) LONG TERM COMPENSATION AWARDS AWARDS Name and Principal FISCAL OTHER ANNUAL #OPTIONS/ Position YEAR SALARY BONUS COMPENSATION(b) SARS - ------------------- -------- --------- ----- --------------- ------------ Bob D. Allen 1996 $256,362 $72,000 $5,395 20,000 President and 1995 246,500 75,000 4,897 20,000 Chief Executive Officer 1994 236,500 75,000 4,510 20,000 Bruce W. Teeters 1996 $160,596 $18,000 $2,141 8,000 Senior Vice President- 1995 154,428 20,000 2,205 8,000 Finance & Treasurer 1994 148,488 15,000 1,740 8,000 (a) 12/31 Fiscal Year (b) Other compensation includes personal use of company automobile and premium for term life insurance exceeding $50,000. OPTIONS/SAR GRANTS IN LAST FISCAL YEAR % OF TOTAL POTENTIAL REALIZABLE OPTIONS/SARS VALUE AT ASSUMED # GRANTED TO PER SHARE ANNUAL RATES OF STOCK OPTIONS/SARS EMPLOYEES IN DATE OF EXERCISE EXPIRATION PRICE APPRECIATION NAME GRANTED (a) FISCAL YEAR GRANT PRICE DATE FOR OPTION TERM ------------- ------------ -------- -------- ---------- ---------------------- 5% 10% Bob D. Allen 20,000 41.7% 01/22/97 $16.87 01/22/07 $212,189 $537,729 Bruce W. Teeters 8,000 16.7% 01/22/97 16.87 01/22/07 84,876 215,091 (a) 20% of options become exercisable one year from the grant date. Options vest 20% per year over the first five years, and the options expire ten years from the grant date. 9

DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLANS Under the Company's Unfunded Deferred Compensation Plan, effective July 1, 1981, fees earned by directors for service on the Board and its committees may be deferred until the director attains seventy years of age or ceases to be a member of the Board, whichever occurs first. Under a similar plan effective October 25, 1982, officers and key employees of the Company may elect to defer all or a portion of their earnings until such time as the participant ceases to be an officer or key employee. All sums credited to a participating director, officer, or employee under either of these plans may be distributed in a lump sum or in installments over not more than ten calendar years following the end of the deferral period. The participant will be entitled to elect the size of the installments and the period over which they will be distributed. The deferred compensation accrues interest annually at the average rate of return earned by the Company on its short-term investments. Compensation deferred pursuant to these plans during 1996 by officers named in the compensation table above is included in the table. PENSION PLAN The amount of the Company's contributions or accrual on behalf of any particular participant in the pension plan cannot readily be determined. The following table shows the estimated annual benefit payable under the pension plan (utilizing present levels of Social Security benefits) upon retirement to persons in a range-of-salary and years-of-service classification: PENSION PLAN TABLE Final Average Years of Service Earnings as 10 20 30 35 of 1/1/96 NRA 65 NRA 65 NRA 65 NRA 65 ------------ -------- ------ ------ ------ $ $ $ $ $ 50,000 7,345 14,691 22,036 25,709 75,000 11,845 23,691 35,536 41,459 100,000 16,345 32,691 49,036 57,209 125,000 20,845 41,691 62,536 72,959 150,000 25,345 50,691 76,036 88,709 175,000* 25,345 50,691 76,036 88,709 200,000* 25,345 50,691 76,036 88,709 225,000* 25,345 50,691 76,036 88,709 250,000* 25,345 50,691 76,036 88,709 300,000* 25,345 50,691 76,036 88,709 350,000* 25,345 50,691 76,036 88,709 400,000* 25,345 50,691 76,036 88,709 NRA = normal retirement age Calendar year of 65th birthday = 1996 1996 Social Security covered compensation = $27,576. Pension Benefit is Subject to IRC Section 415 Benefit Limitation of $120,000. *Pensionable Earnings are Subject to IRC Section 401(a)17 Salary Limitation of $150,000. As of December 31, 1996, the executive officers named in the compensation table above are expected to be credited with years of service under the amended plan as follows: Mr. Allen, 6 years, and Mr. Teeters, 17 years. 10

SECTION 16 REPORTING During 1996, no one subject to Section 16 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act") with respect to filing reports of ownership and change in ownership concerning a registered class of equity securities of the Company failed to file a timely report required by Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act. SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS Regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission require that proxy statements disclose the date by which shareholder proposals must be received by the corporate secretary of the Company in order to be included in the Company's proxy materials for the next annual meeting. In accordance with these regulations, shareholders are hereby notified that if they wish a proposal to be included in the Company's proxy statement and form of proxy relating to the 1998 annual meeting, a written copy of their proposal must be received at the principal executive offices of the Company no later than December 1, 1997. To ensure prompt receipt by the Company, proposals should be sent certified mail, return receipt requested. Proposals must comply with the proxy rules relating to shareholder proposals in order to be included in the Company's proxy materials. ANNUAL REPORT The Company's annual report to shareholders for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1996 accompanies this proxy statement. Additional copies may be obtained by writing to the Company at Post Office Box 10809, Daytona Beach, Florida 32120-0809. OTHER MATTERS The Board of Directors of the Company does not intend to bring any other matters before the meeting, and it does not know of any proposals to be presented to the meeting by others. If any other matters properly come before the meeting, however, the persons named in the accompanying proxy will vote thereon in accordance with their best judgment. Dated: March 25, 1997 11

APPENDIX A CONSOLIDATED-TOMOKA LAND CO. PROXY IS SOLICITED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING FOR ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS MAY 3, 1995 The undersigned hereby appoints Bob D. Allen and Patricia Lagoni, each or either of them, as Proxies, each with the power to appoint his or her substitute, and hereby authorizes them to represent, and to vote, as designated below, all the shares of common stock of Consolidated-Tomoka Land Co. held of record by the undersigned on March 10, 1997, at the annual meeting of shareholders to be held April 23, 1997, or any adjournment or postponement thereof. Election of three Class III Directors for three-year terms ending 2000. { } FOR all nominees listed below { } WITHHOLD AUTHORITY to vote for all (except as marked to the nominees listed below contrary below) To withhold authority to vote for any individual nominee, strike a line through the nominee's name in the list below. Class III. Jack H. Chambers, William O. E. Henry, John H. Pace In their discretion, the Proxies are authorized to vote upon such other business as may properly come before the meeting. CONSOLIDATED-TOMOKA LAND CO. PROXY This proxy when properly executed will be voted in the manner directed herein by the undersigned shareholder. If no direction is made, this proxy will be voted for each proposal. Please sign exactly as name appears. When shares are held by joint tenants, both should sign. When signing as attorney, executor, administrator, trustee, or guardian, please give full title as such. If signing for a corporation or partnership, authorized person should sign full corporation or partnership name and indicate capacity in which they sign. Dated____________________________________________ Signature________________________________________ Signature________________________________________ (if held jointly) PLEASE MARK, SIGN, DATE, AND RETURN THE PROXY CARD PROMPTLY USING THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE. 12