In this paper we derive limit theorems for the conditional distribution ofX1givenSn=snasn→ ∞, where theXiare independent and identically distributed (i.i.d.) random variables,Sn=X1+··· +Xn, andsn/nconverges orsn≡sis constant. We obtain convergence in total variation of PX1∣Sn/n=sto a distribution associated to that ofX1and of PnX1∣Sn=sto a gamma distribution. The case of stable distributions (to which the method of associated distributions cannot be applied) is studied in detail.