3-D GEOPHYSICAL INC
8-K, 1998-03-10
OIL & GAS FIELD EXPLORATION SERVICES
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                       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)          March 8, 1998
                                                 -------------------------------



                              3-D GEOPHYSICAL, INC.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


       Delaware                       33-99240                   13-3841601
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(State or Other Jurisdiction        (Commission                 (IRS Employer
         of Incorporation)          File Number)             Identification No.)



 8226 Park Meadows Drive,  Littleton, Colorado                          80124
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 (Address of principal executive offices)                             (Zip Code)


Registrant's telephone number, including area code:  (303) 858-0500
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------



- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         (Former name or former address, if changed since last report.)


                       The Exhibit Index appears on Page 6


                                Page 1 of pages.

<PAGE>

ITEM 2.  ACQUISITION OR DISPOSITION OF ASSETS

         3-D Geophysical,  Inc. (the "Company"),  Western Atlas Inc. ("Western")
and WAI  Acquisition  Corp.  have entered into an Agreement  and Plan of Merger,
dated as of March 8,  1998  (the  "Merger  Agreement"),  pursuant  to which  the
Company will become a  wholly-owned  subsidiary of Western (the  "Merger").  The
Merger  Agreement,  which was  unanimously  approved by the  Company's  Board of
Directors,  provides that WAI Acquisition Corp. will commence a tender offer for
any and all outstanding shares of the Company's common stock at a purchase price
of $9.65 per share in cash,  no later than five  business  days from the date of
the Merger Agreement and, following  successful  completion of the tender offer,
WAI  Acquisition  Corp.  will merge with and into the Company and each remaining
outstanding share of the Company's common stock will be converted into the right
to receive $9.65 in cash.

         In the event that less than 90% of the shares are tendered, the Company
has agreed to call a special meeting of  stockholders to vote on the Merger,  in
which case the Merger will be  consummated  upon the vote in favor of the Merger
by stockholders  holding a majority of the  outstanding  shares of common stock.
The  tender  offer is  subject  to the  satisfaction  of a number  of  customary
conditions  including among others,  expiration of all waiting periods under the
Hart-Scott  Rodino  Antitrust  Improvements  Act.  The Merger  Agreement  may be
terminated by the Company if, prior to the purchase of shares of common stock by
Western, the Company's Board of Directors approves an alternative transaction on
terms which a majority of the members of the Company's  Board of Directors  have
determined, in good faith and on a reasonable basis and as otherwise provided in
the Merger  Agreement,  to be more favorable to the Company and its stockholders
from a financial point of view than the  transaction  contemplated by the Merger
Agreement.

         In connection with the Merger  Agreement,  the Company has entered into
an  amendment,  dated as of March  6,  1998  (the  "Amendment"),  to the  Rights
Agreement,  dated  as of  July  17,  1997,  between  the  Company  and  American
Securities  Transfer & Trust, Inc. (the "Rights Agreement") to amend the defined
term  "Acquiring  Person" to provide  that neither  Western nor WAI  Acquisition
Corp.  will become  "Acquiring  Persons" as a result of any of the  transactions
contemplated  by the  Merger  Agreement.  Also in  connection  with  the  Merger
Agreement,  each of the Company's  executive  officers and directors has entered
into a Support Agreement pursuant to which they have agreed to tender any shares
of the  Company's  common stock owned by them to Western and to vote such shares
in favor of the Merger and Joel Friedman, the Company's Chairman,


                                Page 2 of    pages.

<PAGE>

and Luis Ferran, Executive Vice President and President of the Company's Mexican
subsidiary,  Geoevaluaciones,  S.A. de C.V.,  have each entered  into  four-year
Consulting and Non-Compete  Agreements  under which they will receive  aggregate
compensation of $1,000,000 and $500,000, respectively

         The  information  set forth in the Merger  Agreement and the Amendment,
attached hereto as Exhibits 2.1 and 2.2, respectively, is incorporated herein by
reference.


                                Page 3 of    pages.

<PAGE>

ITEM 7.  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, PRO FORMA FINANCIAL INFORMATION AND EXHIBITS.


        (a)      Financial Statements.

                 Not required.

        (b)      Pro Forma Financial Information.

                 Not required.

        (c)      Exhibits.

                 2.1      Agreement and Plan of Merger by and among Western 
                          Atlas Inc., WAI Acquisition Corp. and 3-D Geophysical,
                          Inc., dated as of March 8, 1998.

                 2.2      First Amendment,  dated as of March 6, 1998,
                          to the  Rights  Agreement,  dated as of July
                          17, 1997, between 3-D Geophysical,  Inc. and
                          American Securities Transfer & Trust, Inc.



                                Page 4 of    pages.

<PAGE>

                                   SIGNATURES

         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 thereunto duly authorized.

                                           3-D GEOPHYSICAL, INC.

                                            By:/s/ Joel Friedman
                                            --------------------
                                            Name:  Joel Friedman
                                            Title: Chairman


Date:  March 9, 1998


                                Page 5 of     pages.

<PAGE>

                                  EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit                                                                    Page



2.1  Agreement  and Plan of Merger by and among  Western  Atlas  Inc.,  WAI
     Acquisition Corp. and 3-D Geophysical, Inc. dated as of March 8, 1998.

2.2  First Amendment,  dated as of March 6, 1998, to the Rights  Agreement,
     dated as of July 17, 1997, between 3-D Geophysical,  Inc. and American
     Securities Transfer & Trust, Inc.


                                Page 6 of    pages.





================================================================================


                          AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER
                                  by and among
                               WESTERN ATLAS INC.,
                              WAI ACQUISITION CORP.
                                       and
                              3-D GEOPHYSICAL, INC.
                                   dated as of
                                  March 8, 1998


================================================================================


<PAGE>

                                TABLE OF CONTENTS


                                                                            Page

                                    ARTICLE I
                                    THE OFFER

SECTION 1.01   The Offer...................................................  2
SECTION 1.02   Company Actions.............................................  4
SECTION 1.03   Directors...................................................  5

                                   ARTICLE II
                                   THE MERGER

SECTION 2.01   The Merger....................................................6
SECTION 2.02   Effective Time                                                7
SECTION 2.03   Effects of the Merger                                         7
SECTION 2.04   Certificate of Incorporation and
                 By-Laws of the Surviving Corporation                        7
SECTION 2.05   Directors                                                     7
SECTION 2.06   Officers                                                      7
SECTION 2.07   Conversion of Common Shares                                   7
SECTION 2.08   Conversion of Purchaser Common Stock........................  8
SECTION 2.09   Options; Stock Plans........................................  8
SECTION 2.10   Stockholders' Meeting.......................................  9
SECTION 2.11   Merger Without Meeting of Stockholders......................  9

                                   ARTICLE III
                      DISSENTING SHARES; PAYMENT FOR SHARES

SECTION 3.01   Dissenting Shares..........................................  10
SECTION 3.02   Payment for Common Shares..................................  10

                                   ARTICLE IV
                  REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY

SECTION 4.01   Organization and Qualification;
                           Subsidiaries...................................  12
SECTION 4.02   Charter; By-Laws and Rights Agreement......................  13
SECTION 4.03   Capitalization; Subsidiaries...............................  13
SECTION 4.04   Authority..................................................  14
SECTION 4.05   No Conflict; Required Filings
                and Consents..............................................  15
SECTION 4.06   SEC Reports and Financial Statements.......................  16
SECTION 4.07   Environmental Matters......................................  18
SECTION 4.08   Compliance with Applicable Laws............................  20
SECTION 4.09   Change of Control..........................................  20
SECTION 4.10   Litigation.................................................  21
SECTION 4.11   Information................................................  21



                                                         i

<PAGE>



SECTION 4.12   Certain Approvals..........................................  22
SECTION 4.13   Employee Benefit Plans.....................................  22
SECTION 4.14   Intellectual Property......................................  25
SECTION 4.15   Taxes......................................................  27
SECTION 4.16   Absence of Certain Changes.................................  28
SECTION 4.17   Labor Matters..............................................  28
SECTION 4.18   Rights Agreement...........................................  28
SECTION 4.19   Condition of Assets........................................  29
SECTION 4.20   Brokers....................................................  29
SECTION 4.21   Opinion of Financial Advisor...............................  29
SECTION 4.22   Employees..................................................  29
SECTION 4.23   Customers..................................................  30
SECTION 4.24   Material Contracts.........................................  30
SECTION 4.25   Affiliated Transactions....................................  31
SECTION 4.26   Omission of Material Facts.................................  31

                                    ARTICLE V
                         REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
                           OF PARENT AND THE PURCHASER

SECTION 5.01   Organization and Qualification.............................  32
SECTION 5.02   Authority..................................................  32
SECTION 5.03   No Conflict; Required Filings
                 and Consents.............................................  33
SECTION 5.04   Information................................................  33
SECTION 5.05   Financing..................................................  34

                                   ARTICLE VI
                                    COVENANTS

SECTION 6.01   Conduct of Business of the Company.........................  34
SECTION 6.02   Access to Information......................................  38
SECTION 6.03   Efforts....................................................  38
SECTION 6.04   Public Announcements.......................................  39
SECTION 6.05   Employee Benefit Arrangements..............................  39
SECTION 6.06   Indemnification............................................  40
SECTION 6.07   Notification of Certain Matters............................  41
SECTION 6.08   Rights Agreement...........................................  42
SECTION 6.09   State Takeover Laws........................................  42
SECTION 6.10   No Solicitation............................................  42

                                   ARTICLE VII
                    CONDITIONS TO CONSUMMATION OF THE MERGER

SECTION 7.01   Conditions.................................................  43


                                  ARTICLE VIII
                        TERMINATION; AMENDMENTS; WAIVER

SECTION 8.01   Termination................................................  44


                                       ii

<PAGE>


SECTION 8.02   Effect of Termination......................................  46
SECTION 8.03   Fees and Expenses..........................................  46
SECTION 8.04   Amendment..................................................  47
SECTION 8.05   Extension; Waiver..........................................  47

                                   ARTICLE IX
                                  MISCELLANEOUS

SECTION 9.01   Non-Survival of Representations and
                           Warranties.....................................  48
SECTION 9.02   Entire Agreement; Assignment...............................  48
SECTION 9.03   Validity...................................................  48
SECTION 9.04   Notices....................................................  48
SECTION 9.05   Governing Law..............................................  49
SECTION 9.06   Descriptive Headings.......................................  49
SECTION 9.07   Counterparts...............................................  50
SECTION 9.08   Parties in Interest........................................  50
SECTION 9.09   Certain Definitions........................................  50
SECTION 9.10   Specific Performance.......................................  50

Signatures................................................................  51

ANNEX I           Conditions to the Offer
ANNEX II          Form of Support Agreement
ANNEX III         Form of Consulting and Noncompete Agreement with Joel
                  Friedman
ANNEX IV          Form of Consulting and Noncompete Agreement
                  with Luis H. Ferran Arroyo


                                       iii

<PAGE>

                          AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER

         AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER (this  "Agreement"),  dated as of March 8,
1998, by and among Western Atlas Inc., a Delaware  corporation  ("Parent"),  WAI
Acquisition  Corp.,  a Delaware  corporation  and a  subsidiary  of Parent  (the
"Purchaser"), and 3-D Geophysical, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Company").

         WHEREAS,  the respective  Boards of Directors of Parent,  the Purchaser
and the Company have  approved the  acquisition  of the Company on the terms and
subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement;

         WHEREAS,  pursuant  to this  Agreement  the  Purchaser  has  agreed  to
commence a tender offer (the "Offer") to purchase all of the outstanding  shares
of the Company's  common stock,  par value $.0l per share (the "Common  Shares")
(including the associated  preferred share purchase rights (the "Rights") issued
pursuant to the Share  Purchase  Rights  Agreement,  dated as of July 17,  1997,
between the Company and American  Securities  Transfer & Trust,  Inc., as Rights
Agent (the "Rights Agreement"), which Rights together with the Common Shares are
hereinafter  referred to as the "Shares"),  at a price per Share of $9.65 net to
the seller in cash (the "Offer Price");

         WHEREAS,  the Board of Directors of the Company (the  "Company  Board")
has (i) approved the offer and (ii) adopted and approved  this  Agreement and is
recommending  that the  Company's  stockholders  accept the Offer,  tender their
Shares to the Purchaser and approve this Agreement;

         WHEREAS,  the  respective  Boards of Directors of the Purchaser and the
Company have approved the merger of the Purchaser with and into the Company,  as
set forth below (the "Merger"),  in accordance with the General  Corporation Law
of Delaware  (the "GCL") and upon the terms and  subject to the  conditions  set
forth in this  Agreement,  whereby  each of the  issued and  outstanding  Common
Shares not owned directly or indirectly by Parent,  the Purchaser or the Company
will be converted into the right to receive $9.65 in cash;

         WHEREAS,  as a condition and inducement to Parent's and the Purchaser's
willingness  to enter into this  Agreement,  upon the  execution and delivery of
this Agreement,  Robert P. Andrews, Ralph M. Bahna, Douglas W. Brandrup, Richard
D. Davis,  Arthur D. Emil, P. Dennis  O'Brien and Emir L. Tavella (the "Director
Stockholders")  and Luis H. Ferran Arroyo,  Joel  Friedman,  Ronald L. Koons and
Wayne P. Widynowski (the "Management  Stockholders") are simultaneously entering
into and delivering support


<PAGE>

agreements (the "Support Agreements") in the form attached hereto as Annex II;

         WHEREAS,  as a condition and inducement to Parent's and the Purchaser's
willingness  to enter into this  Agreement,  Joel  Friedman  and Luis H.  Ferran
Arroyo are simultaneously entering into and delivering Consulting and Noncompete
Agreements in the forms of Annex III and IV attached hereto;

         WHEREAS,  Parent,  the Purchaser and the Company desire to make certain
representations,  warranties,  covenants and  agreements in connection  with the
Offer and the Merger and also to prescribe  various  conditions to the Offer and
the Merger.

         NOW,  THEREFORE,  in  consideration of the foregoing and the respective
representations,  warranties, covenants and agreements set forth herein, Parent,
the Purchaser and the Company agree as follows:


                                    ARTICLE I

                                    THE OFFER

         SECTION 1.01 The Offer.

         (a) Provided  that this  Agreement  shall not have been  terminated  in
accordance  with Article VIII hereof and none of the events set forth in Annex I
hereto (the  "Tender  Offer  Conditions")  shall have  occurred,  as promptly as
practicable  but in no event later than the fifth  business day from the date of
this  Agreement,  the  Purchaser  shall,  and Parent shall cause  Purchaser  to,
commence (within the meaning of Rule 14d-2 under the Securities  Exchange Act of
1934, as amended  (including the rules and regulations  promulgated  thereunder,
the "Exchange  Act")) an offer to purchase all  outstanding  Shares at the Offer
Price and shall file all necessary  documents  with the  Securities and Exchange
Commission (the "SEC") in connection with the Offer (the "Offer Documents"). The
obligation of the Purchaser to accept for payment or pay for any Shares tendered
pursuant  thereto will be subject only to the satisfaction of the conditions set
forth in Annex I hereto.

         (b) without the prior written  consent of the Company,  Purchaser shall
not  (i)  impose  conditions  to the  Offer  in  addition  to the  Tender  Offer
Conditions,  (ii) modify or amend the Tender Offer  Conditions or any other term
of the Offer in a manner adverse to the holders of Common  Shares,  (iii) reduce
the number of Shares  subject to the Offer,  (iv)  reduce the Offer  Price,  (v)
except as provided in the following  sentence,  extend the Offer,  if all of the
Tender Offer Conditions are satisfied or


                                       -2-

<PAGE>

waived,  or  (vi)  change  the  form  of  consideration  payable  in the  Offer.
Notwithstanding  the  foregoing,  Purchaser  may,  without  the  consent  of the
Company, extend the Offer at any time, and from time to time, (i) if at the then
scheduled  expiration  date of the Offer any of the  conditions  to  Purchaser's
obligation  to accept for  payment  and pay for all  Shares  shall not have been
satisfied  or waived;  (ii) for any  period  required  by any rule,  regulation,
interpretation  or position of the SEC or its staff  applicable to the Offer; or
(iii) if all Tender Offer  Conditions  are satisfied or waived but the number of
Common Shares  tendered is at least equal to 70%, but less than 90%, of the then
outstanding number of Common Shares, for an aggregate period of not more than 10
business days (for all such extensions)  beyond the latest  expiration date that
would be permitted  under clause (i) or (ii) of this  sentence.  So long as this
Agreement  is in  effect,  the Offer has been  commenced  and the  Tender  Offer
Conditions have not been satisfied or waived,  Purchaser shall, and Parent shall
cause  Purchaser  to,  cause  the  Offer  not  to  expire,  subject  however  to
Purchaser's and Parent's rights of termination under this Agreement.  Parent and
Purchaser shall comply with the obligations  respecting  prompt payment pursuant
to Rule 14e-l(c) under the Exchange Act.

                  (c) Parent and Purchaser  represent  that the Offer  Documents
will comply in all material  respects with the provisions of applicable  federal
securities  laws  and,  on the date  filed  with  the SEC and on the date  first
published,  sent or given to the Company's  stockholders,  shall not contain any
untrue  statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required
to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements  made therein,
in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, except
that no  representation  is made by  Parent or the  Purchaser  with  respect  to
information  supplied  by the  Company in  writing  for  inclusion  in the Offer
Documents.  Each of Parent and the Purchaser,  on the one hand, and the Company,
on the other hand, agrees promptly to correct any information provided by it for
use in the Offer  Documents if and to the extent that it shall have become false
or misleading in any material  respect and the Purchaser  further agrees to take
all steps  necessary  to cause the Offer  Documents  as so corrected to be filed
with the SEC and to be  disseminated  to  stockholders  of the Company,  in each
case, as and to the extent required by applicable federal securities laws.

         SECTION 1.02 Company Actions.

         (a) The  Company  shall  file with the SEC and mail to the  holders  of
Common  Shares,  as promptly as  practicable on the date of the filing by Parent
and  the  Purchaser  of  the  Offer  Documents,  a   Solicitation/Recommendation
Statement  on  Schedule  14D-9  (together  with any  amendments  or  supplements
thereto, the


                                       -3-

<PAGE>

"Schedule  14D-9")  reflecting  the  recommendation  of the  Company  Board that
holders  of  Shares  tender  their  Shares  pursuant  to  the  Offer  and  shall
disseminate the Schedule 14D-9 as required by Rule 14d-9  promulgated  under the
Exchange  Act.  The  Schedule  14D- 9 will set  forth,  and the  Company  hereby
represents,  that the Company Board,  at a meeting duly called and held, has (i)
determined by unanimous vote of its directors that the Offer and the Merger,  is
fair to and in the best  interests  of the  Company and its  stockholders,  (ii)
approved the Offer and adopted this Agreement in accordance  with the GCL, (iii)
recommended  acceptance  of the  offer and  approval  of this  Agreement  by the
Company's  stockholders  (if such approval is required by applicable  law),  and
(iv) taken all other action  necessary to render  Section 203 of the GCL and the
Rights  inapplicable  to the  Offer,  the  Merger  and the  Support  Agreements;
provided,  however,  that such  recommendation  and approval  may be  withdrawn,
modified  or amended to the extent  that the Company  Board  determines  in good
faith and on a reasonable  basis,  after  consultation with its outside counsel,
that  failure  to take  such  action  would be a breach of the  Company  Board's
fiduciary obligations under applicable law. The Company further represents that,
prior to the  execution  hereof,  Salomon  Smith Barney  ("SSB"),  the Company's
financial advisor, has delivered to the Company Board its opinion, and as of the
date hereof will deliver its written opinion, to the effect that, as of the date
of this  Agreement,  the cash  consideration  to be  received  by the holders of
Common Shares (other than Common Shares held by Parent or any of its affiliates,
in the treasury of the Company or by any wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company)
pursuant  to the Offer and the Merger is fair to such  holders  from a financial
point of view.  The Company  further  represents  and warrants  that it has been
authorized  by SSB to permit,  subject to prior  review and consent by SSB (such
consent not to be  unreasonably  withheld),  the inclusion of such opinion (or a
reference thereto) in the Offer Documents and in the Schedule 14D-9. The Company
hereby consents to the inclusion in the Offer  Documents of the  recommendations
of the Company Board described in this Section 1.02(a).

         (b) The Company  represents  that the Schedule 14D-9 will comply in all
material respects with the provisions of applicable federal securities laws and,
on the date filed with the SEC and on the date first published, sent or given to
the Company's stockholders, shall not contain any untrue statement of a material
fact or omit to state  any  material  fact  required  to be  stated  therein  or
necessary  in  order  to make  the  statements  made  therein,  in  light of the
circumstances  under  which  they were  made,  not  misleading,  except  that no
representation  is made by the Company with respect to  information  supplied by
Parent or the Purchaser in writing for inclusion in the Schedule 14D-9.  Each of
the Company,  on the one hand, and Parent and the Purchaser,  on the other hand,
agree promptly to correct any information


                                       -4-

<PAGE>

provided  by either of them for use in the  Schedule  14D-9 if and to the extent
that it shall have become false or misleading, and the Company further agrees to
take all steps necessary to cause the Schedule 14D-9 as so corrected to be filed
with the SEC and to be disseminated  to the holders of Shares,  in each case, as
and to the extent required by applicable federal securities law.

         (c) In connection with the Offer, the Company will promptly furnish the
Purchaser with mailing labels,  security  position  listings,  any non-objecting
beneficial owner lists and any available listing or computer list containing the
names and  addresses of the record  holders of the Common  Shares as of the most
recent  practicable  date and shall furnish the Purchaser  with such  additional
information  (including,  but not limited to, updated lists of holders of Common
Shares and their addresses,  mailing labels and lists of security  positions and
non-objecting beneficial owner lists) and such other assistance as the Purchaser
or its agents may reasonably request in communicating the Offer to the Company's
record and beneficial stockholders.

         SECTION 1.03 Directors.

         (a)  Subject to  compliance  with  applicable  law,  promptly  upon the
payment by the Purchaser for the Common Shares  pursuant to the offer,  and from
time to time  thereafter,  Parent shall be entitled to designate  such number of
directors, rounded up to the next whole number, on the Company Board as is equal
to the product of the total number of directors on the Company Board (determined
after  giving  effect  to the  directors  elected  pursuant  to  this  sentence)
multiplied  by the  percentage  that  the  aggregate  number  of  Common  Shares
beneficially  owned by Parent  or its  affiliates  bears to the total  number of
Common Shares then  outstanding,  and the Company shall, upon request of Parent,
promptly  take all  actions  necessary  to  cause  Parent's  designees  to be so
elected,  including,  if  necessary,  seeking  the  resignations  of one or more
existing  directors;  provided,  however,  that prior to the Effective  Time (as
defined  herein),  the Company  Board shall always have at least two members who
are neither  officers,  directors or  designees  of the  Purchaser or any of its
affiliates  ("Purchaser  Insiders").  If the  number  of  directors  who are not
Purchaser  Insiders  is  reduced  below two  prior to the  Effective  Time,  the
remaining director who is not a Purchaser Insider shall be entitled to designate
a person to fill such vacancy who is not a Purchaser  Insider and who shall be a
director  not  deemed  to be a  Purchaser  Insider  for  all  purposes  of  this
Agreement.

         (b) The  Company's  obligations  to appoint  Parent's  designees to the
Company  Board shall be subject to Section  14(f) of the  Exchange  Act and Rule
14f-i thereunder.  The Company shall promptly take all actions required pursuant
to such Section and


                                       -5-

<PAGE>

Rule in order to  fulfill  its  obligations  under this  Section  1.03 and shall
include in the Schedule 14D-9 such  information  with respect to the Company and
its officers and  directors as is required  under such Section and Rule in order
to fulfill  its  obligations  under this  Section  1.03.  Parent will supply any
information with respect to itself,  and its officers,  directors and affiliates
required by such Section and Rule to the Company.

         (c)  Following  the  election  or  appointment  of  Parent's  designees
pursuant  to this  Section  1.03 and  prior to the  Effective  Time (as  defined
herein),  any amendment or  termination  of this  Agreement by the Company,  any
extension  by  the  Company  of  the  time  for  the  performance  of any of the
obligations  or other  acts of Parent or the  Purchaser  or waiver of any of the
Company's  rights  hereunder,  will require the concurrence of a majority of the
directors  of the Company then in office who are not  Purchaser  Insiders (or in
the case where there are two or fewer directors who are not Purchaser  Insiders,
the  concurrence  of one  director  who  is not a  Purchaser  Insider)  if  such
amendment, termination,  extension or waiver would have an adverse effect on the
minority stockholders of the Company.


                                   ARTICLE II

                                   THE MERGER

         SECTION 2.01 The Merger. Upon the terms and subject to the satisfaction
or  waiver of the  conditions  hereof,  and in  accordance  with the  applicable
provisions of this  Agreement  and the GCL, at the Effective  Time the Purchaser
shall be merged with and into the Company.  Following  the Merger,  the separate
corporate  existence of the Purchaser shall cease and the Company shall continue
as the surviving corporation (the "Surviving Corporation").

         SECTION  2.02  Effective  Time.  As  soon  as  practicable   after  the
satisfaction  of the conditions set forth in Sections  7.01(a) and 7.01(b),  but
subject to Sections  7.01(c) and  7.01(d),  the Company  shall  execute,  in the
manner  required by the GCL, and deliver to the  Secretary of State of the State
of Delaware a duly executed and verified  certificate of merger, and the parties
shall take such other and further  actions as may be required by law to make the
Merger  effective.  The time the Merger  becomes  effective in  accordance  with
applicable law is referred to as the "Effective Time."

         SECTION 2.03  Effects of the Merger.  The Merger shall have the effects
set forth in the GCL.  Without  limiting the  generality of the  foregoing,  and
subject thereto, at the Effective Time, all the properties,  rights, privileges,
powers


                                       -6-

<PAGE>

and  franchises  of the Company and the  Purchaser  shall vest in the  Surviving
Corporation,  and all  debts,  liabilities  and  duties of the  Company  and the
Purchaser  shall  become the  debts,  liabilities  and  duties of the  Surviving
Corporation.

         SECTION 2.04 Certificate of  Incorporation  and ByLaws of the Surviving
Corporation.

         (a) The  Certificate of  Incorporation  of the Purchaser,  as in effect
immediately   prior  to  the  Effective  Time,   shall  be  the  Certificate  of
Incorporation  of  the  Surviving   Corporation  until  thereafter   amended  in
accordance with the provisions thereof and hereof and applicable law.

         (b) Subject to the  provisions of Section 6.06 of this  Agreement,  the
By-Laws of the Purchaser in effect at the Effective Time shall be the By-Laws of
the  Surviving  Corporation  until  amended in  accordance  with the  provisions
thereof and applicable law.

         SECTION 2.O5 Directors. Subject to applicable law, the directors of the
Purchaser immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be the initial directors
of the  Surviving  Corporation  and shall hold  office  until  their  respective
successors are duly elected and qualified,  or their earlier death,  resignation
or removal.

         SECTION 2.06 Officers.  The officers of the Purchaser immediately prior
to the Effective Time shall be the initial officers of the Surviving Corporation
and shall hold office  until their  respective  successors  are duly elected and
qualified, or their earlier death, resignation or removal.

         SECTION 2.07  Conversion of Common  Shares.  At the Effective  Time, by
virtue of the Merger and without any action on the part of the holders  thereof,
each Common Share issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time
(other than (i) any Common  Shares  held by Parent,  the  Purchaser,  any wholly
owned  subsidiary of Parent or the Purchaser,  in the treasury of the Company or
by any wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, which Common Shares, by virtue of
the Merger and  without any action on the part of the holder  thereof,  shall be
cancelled  and retired and shall cease to exist with no payment  being made with
respect  thereto  and (ii)  Dissenting  Shares (as  defined  herein)),  shall be
cancelled and retired and shall be converted  into the right to receive $9.65 in
cash (the  "Merger  Price"),  payable to the holder  thereof,  without  interest
thereon,  upon surrender of the certificate  formerly  representing  such Common
Share.

         SECTION 2.08  Conversion of Purchaser  Common Stock.  The Purchaser has
outstanding 1,000 shares of common stock, par value


                                       -7-

<PAGE>

$.0l per share,  all of which are  entitled to vote with respect to approval and
adoption of this  Agreement.  At the Effective Time, each share of common stock,
par value $.0l per share, of the Purchaser  issued and  outstanding  immediately
prior to the  Effective  Time  shall,  by virtue of the Merger and  without  any
action on the part of the  holder  thereof,  be  converted  into and  become one
validly issued,  fully paid and  nonassessable  share of common stock, par value
$.0l per share, of the Surviving Corporation.

         SECTION 2.09 Options;  Stock Plans.  Prior to the  consummation  of the
Offer, the Company Board (or, if appropriate, any committee thereof) shall adopt
appropriate  resolutions and take all other actions necessary to provide for the
cancellation,  effective at the  Effective  Time, of all the  outstanding  stock
options (the  "Options")  heretofore  granted  under any stock option or similar
plan of the Company  (the  "Stock  Plans") or under any  agreement,  without any
payment therefor except as otherwise provided in this Section 2.09.  Immediately
prior to the Effective Time, all Options  (whether vested or unvested) which are
listed in Section  4.03 of the  disclosure  schedule  delivered to Parent by the
Company prior to the date hereof (the "Company  Disclosure  Schedule")  (or were
inadvertently omitted from such schedule and for which the related Cash Payments
are de minimus in the aggregate)  shall be cancelled (and to the extent formerly
so  exercisable  shall no longer be  exercisable)  and shall entitle each holder
thereof, in cancellation and settlement therefor,  to a payment, if any, in cash
by the Company (less any applicable  withholding  taxes), at the Effective Time,
equal to the product of (i) the total  number of Common  Shares  subject to such
Option (whether  vested or unvested) and (ii) the excess,  if any, of the Merger
Price over the exercise price per Common Share subject to such Option (the "Cash
Payments"). The Company represents and warrants that the Company Board has taken
all  necessary  action to  terminate  the  Company's  1995  Long-Term  Incentive
Compensation Plan, as amended, the Company's 1997 Long-Term Stock Incentive Plan
and all other Stock Plans and any other plan,  program or arrangement  providing
for the issuance or grant of any other  interest in respect of the capital stock
of the Company or any subsidiary in each case  effective  prior to the Effective
Time.

         SECTION 2.10 Stockholders' Meeting.

         (a) If required by applicable  law in order to  consummate  the Merger,
the  Company,  acting  through the Company  Board,  shall,  in  accordance  with
applicable law:

          (i) duly call,  give notice of, convene and hold a special  meeting of
     its stockholders (the "Special  Meeting") as soon as practicable  following
     the  acceptance  for  payment  of and  payment  for  Common  Shares  by the
     Purchaser pursuant


                                       -8-

<PAGE>

     to the Offer for the  purpose of  considering  and taking  action upon this
     Agreement;

          (ii)  prepare  and file  with the SEC a  preliminary  proxy  statement
     relating to this  Agreement,  and use reasonable best efforts (A) to obtain
     and furnish the information required to be included by the SEC in the Proxy
     Statement (as hereinafter  defined) and, after consultation with Parent, to
     respond as soon as practicable to any comments made by the SEC with respect
     to the preliminary  proxy statement and cause a definitive  proxy statement
     (the "Proxy  Statement") to be mailed to its stockholders and (B) to obtain
     the necessary approvals of the Merger and adoption of this Agreement by its
     stockholders; and

          (iii) include in the Proxy Statement the recommendation of the Company
     Board that  stockholders  of the Company  vote in favor of the approval and
     adoption of the Merger and of this Agreement.

         (b) Parent agrees that it will vote,  or cause to be voted,  all of the
Common Shares then owned by it, the  Purchaser or any of its other  subsidiaries
in favor of the approval of the Merger and of this Agreement.

         SECTION 2.11 Merger Without  Meeting of  Stockholders.  Notwithstanding
Section 2.10, in the event that the Purchaser  shall acquire at least 90% of the
outstanding  Common Shares  pursuant to the Offer,  the parties  hereto agree to
take all  necessary  and  appropriate  action  to cause  the  Merger  to  become
effective as soon as practicable after the acceptance for payment of and payment
for Common  Shares by the  Purchaser  pursuant to the Offer without a meeting of
stockholders of the Company, in accordance with Section 253 of the GCL.


                                   ARTICLE III

                      DISSENTING SHARES; PAYMENT FOR SHARES

         SECTION 3.01 Dissenting  Shares.  Notwithstanding  Section 2.07, Common
Shares outstanding  immediately prior to the Effective Time and held by a holder
who has not voted in favor of the Merger or consented thereto in writing and who
has  demanded  appraisal  for such  Common  Shares  in  accordance  with the GCL
("Dissenting  Shares") shall not be converted into a right to receive the Merger
Price,  unless such holder fails to perfect or withdraws or otherwise loses such
holder's  right to appraisal.  If after the Effective  Time such holder fails to
perfect or  withdraws or loses such  holder's  right to  appraisal,  such Common
Shares shall be treated as if they had been converted as of the


                                       -9-

<PAGE>

Effective Time into a right to receive the Merger Price.  The Company shall give
Parent  prompt  notice of any demands  received by the Company for  appraisal of
Common  Shares,   and  Parent  shall  have  the  right  to  participate  in  all
negotiations  and  proceedings  with respect to such demands.  The Company shall
not,  except with the prior  written  consent of Parent,  make any payment  with
respect  to, or settle or offer to  settle,  or  otherwise  negotiate,  any such
demands.

         SECTION 3.02 Payment for Common Shares.

         (a) From and after  the  Effective  Time,  The Bank of New York or such
other bank or trust  company as shall be mutually  acceptable  to Parent and the
Company shall act as paying agent (the "Paying  Agent") in effecting the payment
of the Merger Price in respect of certificates (the "Certificates")  that, prior
to the Effective  Time,  represented  Common  Shares  entitled to payment of the
Merger Price  pursuant to Section  2.07. At the  Effective  Time,  Parent or the
Purchaser  shall  deposit,  or cause to be  deposited,  in trust with the Paying
Agent the  aggregate  Merger  Price to which  holders of Common  Shares shall be
entitled at the Effective Time pursuant to Section 2.07.

         (b) Promptly  after the Effective  Time, the Paying Agent shall mail to
each record holder of  Certificates a form of letter of transmittal  which shall
specify  that  delivery  shall be  effected,  and risk of loss and  title to the
Certificates  shall pass, only upon proper  delivery of the  Certificates to the
Paying Agent and  instructions  for use in surrendering  such  Certificates  and
receiving the Merger Price in respect  thereof.  Upon the surrender of each such
Certificate,  the  Paying  Agent  shall pay the holder of such  Certificate  the
Merger Price  multiplied by the number of Common Shares formerly  represented by
such  Certificate,   in  consideration  therefor,  and  such  Certificate  shall
forthwith be cancelled. Until so surrendered,  each such Certificate (other than
Certificates  representing  Common Shares held by Parent or the  Purchaser,  any
wholly  owned  subsidiary  of Parent or the  Purchaser,  in the  treasury of the
Company or by any wholly owned  subsidiary of the Company or Dissenting  Shares)
shall represent  solely the right to receive the aggregate Merger Price relating
thereto.  No interest or dividends shall be paid or accrued on the Merger Price.
If the Merger  Price (or any portion  thereof) is to be  delivered to any person
other than the person in whose name the  Certificate  surrendered is registered,
it shall be a  condition  to such right to receive  such  Merger  Price that the
Certificate so surrendered  shall be properly endorsed or otherwise be in proper
form for transfer and that the person  surrendering such Common Shares shall pay
to the  Paying  Agent any  transfer  or other  taxes  required  by reason of the
payment of the Merger Price to a person other than the registered  holder of the
Certificate surrendered, or shall establish to the satisfaction


                                      -10-

<PAGE>

of the Paying Agent that such taxes have been paid or are not applicable. In the
event any  Certificate  shall have been lost,  stolen or  destroyed,  the Paying
Agent shall be  required  to pay the full Merger  Price in respect of any Common
Shares represented by such Certificate; however, Parent may require the owner of
such lost, stolen or destroyed  Certificate to execute and deliver to the Paying
Agent a form of  affidavit  claiming  such  Certificate  to be lost,  stolen  or
destroyed  in form and  substance  reasonably  satisfactory  to  Parent  and the
posting  by such  owner of a bond in such  amount as  Parent  may  determine  is
reasonably  necessary  as  indemnity  against any claim that may be made against
Parent or the Paying Agent.

         (c) Promptly  following  the date which is 180 days after the Effective
Time,  the Paying Agent shall  deliver to the  Surviving  Corporation  all cash,
Certificates and other documents in its possession  relating to the transactions
described in this  Agreement,  and the Paying  Agent's  duties shall  terminate.
Thereafter,  each holder of a Certificate may surrender such  Certificate to the
Surviving Corporation and (subject to applicable abandoned property, escheat and
similar  laws)  receive in  consideration  therefor the  aggregate  Merger Price
relating thereto, without any interest or dividends thereon. Notwithstanding the
foregoing,  none of Parent, the Purchaser, the Company or the Paying Agent shall
be liable to any person in respect of any cash  delivered  to a public  official
pursuant to any applicable  abandoned  property,  escheat or similar law. If any
Certificates  shall not have been surrendered  immediately prior to such date on
which any payment  pursuant to this  Article III would  otherwise  escheat to or
become the property of any Governmental  Entity,  the cash payment in respect of
such  Certificate  shall, to the extent  permitted by applicable law, become the
property of the Surviving Corporation, free and clear of all claims or interests
of any person previously entitled thereto.

         (d) After the Effective Time,  there shall be no transfers on the stock
transfer  books of the  Surviving  Corporation  of any Common  Shares which were
outstanding  immediately  prior to the Effective  Time.  If, after the Effective
Time,  Certificates  are  presented to the Surviving  Corporation  or the Paying
Agent,  they shall be surrendered and cancelled in return for the payment of the
aggregate Merger Price relating thereto, as provided in this Article III.


                                      -11-

<PAGE>

                                   ARTICLE IV

                  REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY

         The Company  represents  and warrants to Parent and the Purchaser  that
except as set forth in the Company Disclosure Schedule:

         SECTION 4.01 Organization and Qualification;  Subsidiaries. The Company
is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the
laws  of the  State  of  Delaware.  Each  of  the  Company's  subsidiaries  is a
corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws
of  the  jurisdiction  of  its  incorporation.  The  Company  and  each  of  its
subsidiaries has the requisite  corporate power and authority to own, operate or
lease its properties and to carry on its business as it is now being  conducted,
and is duly qualified or licensed to do business,  and is in good  standing,  in
each  jurisdiction in which the nature of its business or the properties  owned,
operated or leased by it makes such  qualification,  licensing or good  standing
necessary,  except  where the  failure to have such power or  authority,  or the
failure to be so qualified,  licensed or in good standing,  would not reasonably
be expected,  individually or in the aggregate,  to result in a Material Adverse
Effect. The term "Material Adverse Effect," as used in this Agreement, means any
change in or effect on the business, assets,  liabilities,  financial condition,
results of  operations  or prospects  of the Company or any of its  subsidiaries
that would  reasonably be expected to be  materially  adverse to the Company and
its subsidiaries taken as a whole (except for changes or effects that (i) affect
the seismic exploration or oilfield service industries as a whole or (ii) result
from  performance by the Company or any of its  subsidiaries  pursuant to and in
compliance with the terms of the agreement between the Company and Maxus Bolivia
as set forth in the accepted proposal dated December 18, 1997 (other than losses
or liabilities resulting from any breach of contract, negligence or violation of
law in connection with performance of such contract).

         SECTION 4.02  Charter;  By-Laws and Rights  Agreement.  The Company has
heretofore  made  available  to Parent and the  Purchaser a complete and correct
copy  of  the  certificate  of  incorporation  and  the  by-laws  or  comparable
organizational documents, each as amended to the date hereof, of the Company and
each of its subsidiaries and a complete and correct copy of the Rights Agreement
as amended to the date hereof.

         SECTION 4.03 Capitalization; Subsidiaries. The authorized capital stock
of the Company  consists of 25,000,000  Common  Shares and  1,000,000  shares of
Preferred  Stock,  par value $.0l per share (the  "Preferred  Stock"),  of which
100,000 shares


                                      -12-

<PAGE>

are designated Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock, par value $.0l per
share (the "Junior  Preferred  Stock").  As of the close of business on March 2,
1998,  11,916,666  Common Shares were issued and  outstanding,  all of which are
entitled to vote on this Agreement,  and no Common Shares were held in treasury.
As of the close of business  on March 2, 1998 there were no shares of  Preferred
Stock issued and  outstanding.  The Company has no shares reserved for issuance,
except that, as of March 2, 1998,  there were 790,002 Common Shares reserved for
issuance  pursuant to  outstanding  Options and rights  granted  under the Stock
Plans or  agreements  providing  for the grant of Options and 100,000  shares of
Junior  Preferred  Stock  reserved  for  issuance  upon  exercise of the Rights.
Section 4.03 of the Company  Disclosure  Schedule  sets forth the holders of all
outstanding Options and the number, exercise prices and expiration dates of each
grant to such holders.  Since September 30, 1997, the Company has not issued any
shares of capital stock except  pursuant to the exercise of Options  outstanding
as of such date and except pursuant to the exchange of  exchangeable  non-voting
shares  (the  "Exchangeable  Shares")  of 3-D  Geophysical  Canada,  Inc.  ("3-D
Canada")  outstanding  as of such date for Common  Shares.  All the  outstanding
Common Shares are, and all the Common Shares which may be issued pursuant to the
exercise of  outstanding  Options  will be, when issued in  accordance  with the
respective  terms  thereof,  duly  authorized,  validly  issued,  fully paid and
nonassessable  and are not subject to, nor were they issued in violation of, any
preemptive rights. There are no bonds,  debentures,  notes or other indebtedness
having general voting rights (or convertible into securities having such rights)
("Voting  Debt")  of  the  Company  or  any  of  its  subsidiaries   issued  and
outstanding.  Except  as set  forth  above  or in  Section  4.03 of the  Company
Disclosure   Schedule  or  for  the  Rights  and  except  for  the  transactions
contemplated by this Agreement,  there are no existing options, warrants, calls,
subscriptions  or other rights,  agreements,  arrangements or commitments of any
character,  relating to the issued or unissued  capital  stock of the Company or
any of its  subsidiaries,  obligating the Company or any of its  subsidiaries to
issue, transfer or sell or cause to be issued, transferred or sold any shares of
capital stock or Voting Debt of, or other equity interest in, the Company or any
of its  subsidiaries or securities  convertible  into or  exchangeable  for such
shares or equity  interests and neither the Company nor any of its  subsidiaries
is obligated  to grant,  extend or enter into any such  option,  warrant,  call,
subscription  or other right,  agreement,  arrangement or commitment.  Except as
contemplated by this Agreement or the Rights Agreement, there are no outstanding
contractual obligations of the Company or any of its subsidiaries to repurchase,
redeem or  otherwise  acquire  any  Common  Shares or the  capital  stock of the
Company or any of its  subsidiaries.  Each of the outstanding  shares of capital
stock of each of the Company's subsidiaries is duly authorized,  validly issued,
fully


                                      -13-

<PAGE>

paid and nonassessable,  and such shares of the Company's subsidiaries are owned
by the Company or by a subsidiary  of the Company in each case free and clear of
any lien, claim, option, charge, security interest, limitation,  encumbrance and
restriction  of any kind (any of the  foregoing  being a  "Lien")  except as set
forth in Section 4.03 of the Company Disclosure  Schedule.  Set forth in Section
4.03 of the Company  Disclosure  Schedule is a complete and correct list of each
subsidiary  (direct  or  indirect)  of  the  Company  and  any  joint  ventures,
partnerships  or  similar  arrangements  in  which  the  Company  or  any of its
subsidiaries  has an  interest  (and  the  amount  and  percentage  of any  such
interest).  No entity  in which the  Company  or any of its  subsidiaries  owns,
directly or indirectly, less than a 50% equity interest is, individually or when
taken  together  with all such other  entities,  material to the business of the
Company and its subsidiaries taken as a whole.

         SECTION 4.04 Authority.  The Company has all necessary  corporate power
and  authority  to execute and deliver  this  Agreement  and to  consummate  the
transactions  contemplated  hereby. The execution and delivery of this Agreement
by the  Company  and  the  consummation  by  the  Company  of  the  transactions
contemplated  hereby have been duly and validly  authorized  and approved by the
Company Board and no other corporate  proceedings on the part of the Company are
necessary  to  authorize  or  approve  this   Agreement  or  to  consummate  the
transactions  contemplated  hereby (other than, with respect to the Merger,  the
approval and adoption of this Agreement by the  affirmative  vote of the holders
of a majority of the then outstanding Common Shares entitled to vote thereon, to
the extent required by applicable law). This Agreement has been duly and validly
executed  and  delivered  by  the  Company  and,  assuming  the  due  and  valid
authorization,  execution  and  delivery  of this  Agreement  by Parent  and the
Purchaser, constitutes a valid and binding obligation of the Company enforceable
against the Company in accordance with its terms.

         SECTION 4.05 No Conflict; Required Filings and Consents.

         (a)  Assuming  (i) the  filings  required  under the  Hart-Scott-Rodino
Antitrust  Improvements Act of 1976, as amended (the "HSR Act") are made and the
waiting  periods  thereunder  have been  terminated  or have  expired,  (ii) the
requirements of the Exchange Act and any applicable state securities, "blue sky"
or takeover law are met, (iii) the filing of the certificate of merger and other
appropriate  merger documents,  if any, as required by the GCL, is made and (iv)
approval of this agreement by the holders of a majority of the Common Shares, if
required by the GCL, is  received,  none of the  execution  and delivery of this
Agreement by the Company,  the  consummation by the Company of the  transactions
contemplated hereby or compliance by the Company with any of the


                                      -14-

<PAGE>

provisions  hereof  will  (i)  conflict  with  or  violate  the  Certificate  of
Incorporation  or  By-Laws  of  the  Company  or the  comparable  organizational
documents  of any of its  subsidiaries,  (ii)  except  as  disclosed  in the SEC
Reports (as hereinafter defined) or specifically disclosed in Section 4.05(a) of
the Company Disclosure  Schedule,  result in a breach or violation of, a default
under or the triggering of any payment or the increase in any other  obligations
pursuant to, any of the Company's  existing  Employee  Benefit  Arrangements (as
hereinafter  defined)  or any grant or award  made  under any of the  foregoing,
(iii) conflict with or violate any statute, ordinance, rule, regulation,  order,
judgment,  decree,  permit or license  applicable  to the  Company or any of its
subsidiaries,  or by which any of them or any of their respective  properties or
assets may be bound or affected,  or (iv) except as disclosed in Section 4.05(a)
of the  Company  Disclosure  Schedule,  result  in a  violation  or breach of or
constitute  a default  (or an event  which with  notice or lapse of time or both
would  become a default)  under,  or give to others  any rights of  termination,
amendment,  acceleration  or  cancellation  of,  or  result  in any  loss of any
benefit,  the  triggering  of any  payment  by,  or the  increase  in any  other
obligation  of, the Company or any of its  subsidiaries  or the  creation of any
material  Lien on any of the  property  or assets of the  Company  or any of its
subsidiaries  (any of the  foregoing  referred to in clause (ii),  (iii) or this
clause  (iv)  being a  "Violation")  pursuant  to,  any  note,  bond,  mortgage,
indenture,  contract,  agreement,  lease,  license,  permit,  franchise or other
instrument or obligation  to which the Company or any of its  subsidiaries  is a
party  or by  which  the  Company  or any of its  subsidiaries  or any of  their
respective  properties  may be bound or affected,  except in the case of clauses
(ii),  (iii) and (iv) where such  Violations  would not  reasonably be expected,
individually or in the aggregate, to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

         (b)  None  of the  execution  and  delivery  of this  Agreement  by the
Company,   the   consummation  by  the  Company  and  its  subsidiaries  of  the
transactions   contemplated   hereby  or   compliance  by  the  Company  and  it
subsidiaries with any of the provisions hereof will require any consent, waiver,
approval,  authorization  or  permit  of,  or  registration  or  filing  with or
notification  to (any of the  foregoing  being a "Consent"),  any  government or
subdivision thereof,  domestic,  foreign or supranational or any administrative,
governmental  or regulatory  authority,  agency,  commission,  tribunal or body,
domestic,  foreign or supranational (a  "Governmental  Entity"),  except for (i)
compliance with any applicable requirements of the Exchange Act, (ii) the filing
of a certificate of merger  pursuant to the GCL, (iii)  compliance  with the HSR
Act, and (iv) such filings, authorizations, orders and approvals, if any, as set
forth in Section 4.05(b) of the Company Disclosure Schedule, as are re-


                                      -15-

<PAGE>

quired  under  foreign  laws  except  in the case of  clause  (iv) for  filings,
authorizations,  orders  and  approvals  the  failure of which to make or obtain
would not reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to result in
a Material Adverse Effect.

         SECTION 4.06 SEC Reports and Financial Statements.

         (a) The Company and its subsidiaries have filed with the SEC all forms,
reports,  schedules,  registration  statements and definitive  proxy  statements
required  to be filed by them with the SEC since  February  9, 1996 (as  amended
since  the time of  their  filing,  collectively,  the  "SEC  Reports")  and has
heretofore  made  available to Parent  complete  and correct  copies of all such
forms, reports, schedules,  registration statements, and proxy statements. As of
their  respective  dates,  the SEC Reports  (including,  but not limited to, any
financial statements or schedules included or incorporated by reference therein)
complied in all material  respects with the  requirements of the Exchange Act or
the Securities Act of 1933, as amended,  including the rules and  regulations of
the SEC promulgated  thereunder (the "Securities Act")  applicable,  as the case
may be, to such SEC Reports,  and none of the SEC Reports  contained  any untrue
statement of a material  fact or omitted to state a material fact required to be
stated therein or necessary to make the statements made therein, in light of the
circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.

         (b) The (i)  consolidated  balance  sheets as of December 31, 1996 (the
"12/31/96 Balance Sheet") and December 31, 1995 and the consolidated  statements
of operations,  stockholders'  equity and cash flows for each of the three years
in the period ended December 31, 1996 (including the related notes and schedules
thereto) of the Company (or its  predecessors)  contained in the Company's  Form
10-K for the  fiscal  year  ended  December  31,  1996  and  (ii) the  unaudited
consolidated  balance  sheet as of  September  30,  1997 (the  "9/30/97  Balance
Sheet") and the unaudited consolidated  statements of operations,  stockholders'
equity and cash flows for the three- and nine-month  periods ended September 30,
1997 of the Company  contained in the  Company's  Form 10-Q for the  three-month
period  ended  September  30, 1997  present  fairly the  consolidated  financial
position  and the  consolidated  results  of  operations  and cash  flows of the
Company  and its  subsidiaries  as of the  dates  or for the  periods  presented
therein and were prepared in accordance  with United States  generally  accepted
accounting  principles ("GAAP") consistently applied during the periods involved
except  as  otherwise  disclosed  therein  (subject,  in the  case of  unaudited
statements, to recurring audit adjustments normal in nature and amount).


                                      -16-

<PAGE>

         (c) Except as  reflected  or reserved  against in the  9/30/97  Balance
Sheet or as disclosed in the notes thereto or as set forth in Section 4.06(c) of
the Company Disclosure Schedule, as of the date hereof,  neither the Company nor
any of its subsidiaries have any liabilities or obligations (absolute,  accrued,
fixed,  contingent  or  otherwise)  that are  material  to the  Company  and its
subsidiaries taken as a whole,  other than liabilities  incurred in the ordinary
course of business consistent with past practice since September 30, 1997.

         (d) The  Company  has  heretofore  furnished  to Parent a complete  and
correct copy of any  amendments or  modifications  which have not yet been filed
with the SEC to agreements,  documents or other instruments which previously had
been filed by the Company  with the SEC  pursuant to the  Securities  Act or the
Exchange Act.

         SECTION 4.07 Environmental Matters.

         (a)  Except  as set forth in  Section  4.07 of the  Company  Disclosure
Schedule,  the  operations of the Company and its  subsidiaries  comply with all
applicable material Environmental Laws, except for such failures to comply which
would not reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to result in
a Material Adverse Effect.  The Company and its  subsidiaries  have obtained all
Environmental Permits necessary for the operation of the business,  and all such
Environmental  Permits are in good standing and the Company and its subsidiaries
are in compliance  with all material terms and conditions of such  Environmental
Permits, except for such failures to obtain or comply which would not reasonably
be expected,  individually or in the aggregate,  to result in a Material Adverse
Effect.  Neither  the  Company  nor any of its  subsidiaries  is  subject to any
ongoing  investigation  by, order from or written claim by any Person (including
without  limitation any current or prior owner or operator of any of the Company
Property)  respecting  (i) any  Environmental  Law, (ii) any Remedial  Action or
(iii) any claim,  demand,  complaint or other action arising from the Release or
threatened   Release  of  a  Hazardous   Material  into  the  environment  which
individually  or in the  aggregate  would  reasonably be expected to result in a
Material  Adverse  Effect.  Neither the Company nor any of its  subsidiaries  is
subject to any judicial or  administrative  proceeding,  or  outstanding  order,
judgment,  decree  or  settlement  alleging  or  addressing  a  violation  of or
liability under any Environmental Law, which upon resolution would reasonably be
expected,  individually  or in the  aggregate,  to result in a Material  Adverse
Effect.

         (b)  There  have  been  no  Releases  by  the  Company  or  any  of its
subsidiaries  of any  Hazardous  Materials  (i) into,  on or under  any  Company
Property, or (ii) into, on or under any other


                                      -17-

<PAGE>

properties,  including landfills in which Hazardous Materials have been Released
or  properties  on or under  which the  Company or any of its  subsidiaries  has
performed  services,  in any case in such a way as to create any material unpaid
liability  (including  the costs of required  remediation)  under any applicable
Environmental  Law. As used in this Agreement,  the term  "Knowledge"  means the
actual  Knowledge of the officers  and  directors of the Company.  Except as set
forth in Section 4.07(b) of the Company Disclosure Schedule, no Company Property
has been used at any time as a landfill or as a  treatment,  storage or disposal
facility for any  Hazardous  Material.  To the Knowledge of the Company there is
no, and there has not been, any underground  storage tank, surface  impoundment,
landfill, waste pile or leachfield on or in any Company Property.

         (c) Any asbestos-containing material which is on or part of any Company
Property does not create any unpaid material  liability  (including the costs of
required  remediation) under any,  applicable  Environmental Law. No claims have
been made, and no suits or  proceedings  are pending or, to the Knowledge of the
Company,  threatened  by  any  employee  against  the  Company  or  any  of  its
subsidiaries  that are  premised on exposure to asbestos or  asbestos-containing
material, which would reasonably be expected,  individually or in the aggregate,
to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

         (d) For purposes of this Section:

          (i) "Company  Property"  means any real or personal  property,  plant,
     building, facility, structure, underground storage tank, equipment, fixture
     or unit, or other asset owned,  leased or operated by the Company or any of
     its subsidiaries.

          (ii)  "CERCLA"  means  the   Comprehensive   Environmental   Response,
     Compensation  and Liability Act, as amended,  and any rules and regulations
     promulgated thereunder.

          (iii)  "Environmental Law" means all applicable United States federal,
     state and local laws or  regulations  and all foreign  laws or  regulations
     governing the protection of the environment, and employee health or safety,
     including but not limited to CERCLA, OSHA and RCRA and any state or foreign
     equivalent thereof.

          (iv) "Hazardous Materials" means,  collectively,  (a) any petroleum or
     petroleum products, flammable explosives,  radioactive materials,  asbestos
     in any  form  that is or  could  become  friable,  urea  formaldehyde  foam
     insulation,  transformers or other equipment that contain  dielectric fluid
     containing levels of polychlorinated biphenyls, and


                                      -18-

<PAGE>

     radon gas; and (b) any chemicals, materials, substances or wastes which are
     defined  as  or  included  in  the  definition  of  "hazardous  materials",
     "hazardous  wastes" or "toxic  substances"  under applicable  Environmental
     Law.

          (v)  "Environmental  Permits"  means  all  approvals,  authorizations,
     consents, permits, licenses, registrations and certificates required by any
     applicable Environmental Law.

          (vi) "OSHA" means the Occupational  Safety and Health Act, as amended,
     and any rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

          (vii)  "RCRA"  means the Resource  Conservation  and Recovery  Act, as
     amended, and any rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

          (viii) "Release" means release,  spill,  emission,  leaking,  pumping,
     injection, deposit, disposal,  discharge,  dispersal, leaching or migration
     of Hazardous  Materials into the  environment or into or out of any Company
     Property,  including the movement of Hazardous  Materials through or in the
     air, soil, surface water, groundwater or Company Property.

          (ix)  "Remedial  Action"  means all actions  required to (a) clean up,
     remove,  treat or in any other way remediate any  Hazardous  Material;  (b)
     prevent the release of  Hazardous  Materials so that they do not migrate or
     endanger  or  threaten  to  endanger   public  health  or  welfare  or  the
     environment; or (c) perform studies, investigations and care related to any
     such Hazardous Material.

         SECTION 4.08 Compliance with  Applicable  Laws.  Except with respect to
Environmental  Laws which are  covered  in Section  4.07,  the  Company  and its
subsidiaries  hold all  permits,  licenses,  variances,  exemptions,  orders and
approvals of all Governmental  Entities (the "Permits")  except for such Permits
as would not reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to result
in a Material Adverse Effect. The Company and its subsidiaries are in compliance
with the terms of the Permits  which it holds  except for such  Permits as would
not reasonably be expected,  individually  or in the  aggregate,  to result in a
Material  Adverse Effect.  Except with respect to  Environmental  Laws which are
covered in Section  4.07,  the op- erations of the Company and its  subsidiaries
have been conducted in compliance  with all laws,  ordinances and regulations of
any Governmental Entity (except where lack of compliance would not reasonably be
expected,  individually  or in the  aggregate,  to result in a Material  Adverse
Effect).


                                      -19-

<PAGE>

         SECTION 4.09 Change of Control.  Except as set forth in Section 4.09 of
the Company Disclosure Schedule, the transactions contemplated by this Agreement
will not constitute a "change of control" under, require the consent from or the
giving of notice to a third party pursuant to, cause termination pursuant to the
terms  thereof or permit a third party to  terminate  or  accelerate  vesting or
repurchase  rights under the terms,  conditions  or  provisions of any (i) note,
bond,  mortgage,   indenture,  license,  lease,  contract,  agreement  or  other
instrument or obligation  to which the Company or any of its  subsidiaries  is a
party or by which any of them or any of their properties or assets may be bound,
(ii)  Permit,  except for such  Permits  as would not  reasonably  be  expected,
individually or in the aggregate,  to result in a Material  Adverse  Effect,  or
(iii) employment, compensation,  termination or severance agreement, instrument,
obligation  or other Plan (as defined in Section  4.13(a)) of the Company or any
of its subsidiaries.  The total amounts payable to the executives  identified in
Section 4.09 of the Company Disclosure Schedule, as a result of the transactions
contemplated  by this  Agreement  and/or any subsequent  employment  termination
(including any cash-out or acceleration of options and restricted  stock and any
other  payments  with  respect  thereto or in  connection  therewith),  based on
compensation  data  applicable  as  of  the  date  hereof,  calculated  assuming
effective  tax rates of 39.6%,  will not  exceed  the  amount  set forth on such
schedule.

         SECTION  4.10  Litigation.  Except as set forth in Section  4.10 of the
Company  Disclosure  Schedule or Section 4.07, there is no suit, claim,  action,
proceeding  or  investigation  pending  or,  to the  Knowledge  of the  Company,
threatened, against the Company or any of its subsidiaries,  which, if adversely
determined,  would, individually or in the aggregate,  reasonably be expected to
have a  Material  Adverse  Effect  or could  prevent  or  materially  delay  the
consummation of the transactions  contemplated by this Agreement.  Except as set
forth in Section 4.10 of the Company Disclosure Schedule neither the Company nor
any of its subsidiaries is subject to any outstanding order, writ, injunction or
decree which, individually or in the aggregate,  would reasonably be expected to
result in a Material  Adverse  Effect or could prevent or  materially  delay the
consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby.

         SECTION  4.11  Information.  None of the  information  supplied  by the
Company for inclusion or  incorporation by reference in (i) the Offer Documents,
(ii) the Proxy Statement or (iii) any other document to be filed with the SEC or
any other Governmental  Entity in connection with the transactions  contemplated
by this Agreement (the "Other Filings") will, at the respective times filed with
the SEC or other Governmental Entity and, in addition,  in the case of the Proxy
Statement, at the date


                                      -20-

<PAGE>

it or any amendment or supplement is mailed to stockholders,  at the time of the
Special  Meeting and at the Effective  Time,  contain any untrue  statement of a
material fact or omit to state any material  fact required to be stated  therein
or  necessary  in order to make the  statements  made  therein,  in light of the
circumstances  under which they were made, not  misleading.  The Proxy Statement
will  comply as to form in all  material  respects  with the  provisions  of the
Exchange Act, except that no  representation is made by the Company with respect
to  statements  made  therein  based on  information  supplied  by Parent or the
Purchaser in writing specifically for inclusion in the Proxy Statement.

         SECTION 4.12 Certain Approvals. The Company Board has taken any and all
necessary and appropriate action to render inapplicable to the Offer, the Merger
and the transactions  contemplated by this Agreement and the Support  Agreements
the  provisions  of Section 203 of the GCL. No other state  takeover  statute or
similar  domestic or foreign statute or regulation  applies or purports to apply
to the offer, the Merger or the  transactions  contemplated by this Agreement or
the Support Agreements.

         SECTION 4.13 Employee Benefit Plans.

         (a)  Section  4.13(a) of the  Company  Disclosure  Schedule  includes a
complete list of all employee  benefit  plans,  programs,  agreements  and other
arrangements  providing  benefits to any former or current employee,  officer or
director  of  the  Company  or any of its  subsidiaries  or any  beneficiary  or
dependent  thereof,  whether or not written,  and whether covering one person or
more than one  person,  sponsored  or  maintained  by the  Company or any of its
subsidiaries or to which the Company or any of its  subsidiaries  contributes or
is obligated to contribute  ("Plans").  Without  limiting the  generality of the
foregoing,  the term "Plans"  includes all employee welfare benefit plans within
the meaning of Section 3(i) of the Employee  Retirement  Income  Security Act of
1974, as amended, and the regulations  promulgated  thereunder ("ERISA") and all
employee  pension  benefit plans within the meaning of Section 3(2) of ERISA and
all other  employee  benefit,  employment,  bonus,  incentive,  profit  sharing,
thrift,   compensation,   restricted  stock,   retirement,   savings,   deferred
compensation,  stock purchase, stock option,  termination,  severance, change in
control,  fringe  benefit  and other  similar  plans,  programs,  agreements  or
arrangements.

         (b) With respect to each Plan, the Company has made available to Parent
a true,  correct and complete copy of: (i) each writing  constituting  a part of
such Plan, including, without limitation, all plan documents, benefit schedules,
trust agreements, and insurance contracts and other funding vehicles;


                                      -21-

<PAGE>

(ii) the most recent Annual Report (Form 5500 Series) and accompanying schedule,
if  any;  (iii)  the  current  summary  plan   description   (and  any  material
modification to such description), if any; (iv) the most recent annual financial
report,  if any; (v) the most recent actuarial report, if any; and (vi) the most
recent  determination  letter from the Internal Revenue Service (the "IRS"),  if
any. Except as specifically  provided in the foregoing  documents made available
to Parent, there are no material amendments to any Plan (or the establishment of
any new Plan),  other  than those  required  by law,  that have been  adopted or
approved nor has the Company or any of its subsidiaries  undertaken or committed
to make any such  material  amendments  or to adopt or  approve  any new  Plans,
except any such amendment to a Plan or  establishment of a new Plan, which would
not reasonably be expected,  individually  or in the  aggregate,  to result in a
Material Adverse Effect.

         (c) Section 4.13(c) of the Company Disclosure  Schedule identifies each
Plan that is intended  to be a  "qualified  plan"  within the meaning of Section
401(a) of the  Internal  Revenue  Code of 1986,  as  amended,  and the  Treasury
Regulations  thereunder (the "Code") ("Qualified Plans").  Except as provided in
Section  4.13(c)  of the  Company  Disclosure  Schedule,  the IRS has  issued  a
favorable  determination letter with respect to each Qualified Plan that has not
been revoked,  and there are no existing  circumstances nor any events that have
occurred that could adversely  affect the qualified status of any Qualified Plan
or the related trust.  No Plan is intended to meet the  requirements  of Section
501(c)(9) of the Code.

         (d) Except as  provided in Section  4.13(d) of the  Company  Disclosure
Schedule, all contributions required to be made to any Plan by applicable law or
regulation or by any plan  document or other  contractual  undertaking,  and all
premiums due or payable with respect to insurance policies funding any Plan have
been  timely  made or paid in full or, to the extent not  required to be made or
paid on or before the date hereof,  have been fully  reflected in the  financial
statements  of the Company  included  in the SEC Reports to the extent  required
under GAAP.

         (e) Except as  provided in Section  4.13(e) of the  Company  Disclosure
Schedule,  (i) the Company and each of its subsidiaries  have complied,  and are
now in compliance,  in all material respects,  with all provisions of ERISA, the
Code and all laws and  regulations  applicable  to the Plans;  (ii) there is not
now, nor do any circumstances exist that could give rise to, any requirement for
the posting of security with respect to a Plan or the  imposition of any Lien on
the assets of the  Company or any of its  subsidiaries  under ERISA or the Code;
and (iii) no  prohibited  transaction  has  occurred  with  respect to any Plan,
except for such noncompliance, requirements for the posting of security,


                                      -22-

<PAGE>

liens or  prohibited  transactions  which  would  not  reasonably  be  expected,
individually or in the aggregate, to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

         (f) (i) No Plan is  subject  to  Title  IV or  Section  302 of ERISA or
Section 412 or 4971 of the Code; and (ii) without limiting the generality of the
foregoing,  no Plan is a  "multiemployer  plan"  within  the  meaning of Section
4001(a)(3)  of ERISA (a  "Multiemployer  Plan")  or a plan  that has two or more
contributing sponsors at least two of whom are not under common control,  within
the  meaning of Section  4063 of ERISA and which is subject to Title IV of ERISA
(a "Multiple Employer Plan"), nor has the Company or any of its subsidiaries, or
any of their respective  ERISA Affiliates (as defined herein),  in the preceding
five years  contributed to or been obligated to contribute to any  Multiemployer
Plan or Multiple Employer Plan. An "ERISA Affiliate" means any entity,  trade or
business that is a member of a group described in Section 414(b),  (c) or (m) of
the Code or Section  4001(b)(1) of ERISA that includes the Company or any of its
subsidiaries,  or that is a member of the same "controlled group" as the Company
or any of its subsidiaries, pursuant to Section 4001(a)(14) of ERISA.

         (g) Except as  provided in Section  4.13(g) of the  Company  Disclosure
Schedule,  there does not now exist, nor do any circumstances  exist, that could
result in, any liability under (i) Title IV of ERISA (other than ordinary course
premium payments, if any, to the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation which have
been or will be made on a timely  basis,  if  applicable),  (ii)  Section 302 of
ERISA,  (iii)  Sections  412 and  4971 of the  Code,  or (iv)  the  continuation
coverage  requirements  of Section 601 et seq. of ERISA and Section 4980B of the
Code  that  would  be a  liability  of the  Company  or any of its  subsidiaries
following the Effective Time which would reasonably be expected, individually or
in the aggregate,  to result in a Material Adverse Effect.  without limiting the
generality of the foregoing, none of the Company, its subsidiaries nor any ERISA
Affiliate  of  the  Company  or  any  of its  subsidiaries  has  engaged  in any
transaction described in Section 4069, 4204 or 4212(c) of ERISA.

         (h) Except as  provided in Section  4.13(h) of the  Company  Disclosure
Schedule,  neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries has any liability for
life,  health,  medical  or  other  welfare  benefits  to  former  employees  or
beneficiaries or dependents thereof,  except for,health continuation coverage as
required by Section  4980B of the Code or Part 6 of Title I of ERISA which would
reasonably  be  expected,  individually  or in the  aggregate,  to  result  in a
Material Adverse Effect.

         (i) Except as  provided in Section  4.13(i) of the  Company  Disclosure
Schedule, there are no pending or, to the


                                      -23-

<PAGE>


knowledge of the Company,  threatened  claims (other than claims for benefits in
the  ordinary  course),  lawsuits,   arbitrations  or  other  alternate  dispute
resolution proceedings which have been asserted or instituted against the Plans,
any fiduciaries  thereof with respect to their duties to the Plans or the assets
of any of the trusts under any of the Plans which would  reasonably be expected,
individually or in the aggregate, to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

         (j) Except as  provided in Section  4.13(j) of the  Company  Disclosure
Schedule,  all Plans  covering  foreign  employees  of the Company or any of its
subsidiaries   comply  in  all  material  respects  with  applicable  local  law
(including any  qualification or registration  requirements)  and, to the extent
applicable,  the  fair  market  value of the  assets  and/or  the  book  reserve
established  for each  such  Plan  that is a  funded  or book  reserved  Plan is
sufficient to provide for the liability  for accrued  benefits  under such Plans
(based  upon  reasonable  actuarial  assumptions)  except  where any  failure to
maintain  sufficient  assets or  liabilities  would not  reasonably be expected,
individually or in the aggregate, to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

         SECTION 4.14 Intellectual Property.

         (a) Set forth in Section 4.14(a) of the Company Disclosure  Schedule is
a list and  description of all material  patents,  patent  applications,  patent
disclosures, assumed names, trade names, trademarks, trademark registrations and
trademark  applications,  service marks,  service mark registrations and service
mark  applications,  certification  marks,  certification mark registrations and
certification  mark  applications,   copyrights,   copyright  registrations  and
copyright  registration  applications,  chip registrations and chip registration
applications,  both domestic and foreign,  which are owned by the Company or any
of its  subsidiaries.  The assets  described  in Section  4.14(a) of the Company
Disclosure  Schedule  and all  computer  software  (and  related  documentation)
("Software"),  trade secrets, know-how, industrial property, technology or other
proprietary  rights  which  are  owned  or  used  by the  Company  or any of its
subsidiaries are referred to as the "Intellectual Property." Except as otherwise
indicated in Section 4.14(a) of the Company Disclosure Schedule, the Company and
its  subsidiaries  own all right,  title and interest in and to the Intellectual
Property free and clear of all Liens,  with the sole and exclusive  right to use
the same,  subject to those  licenses  listed on Section  4.14(b) of the Company
Disclosure  Schedule  except for such liens as would not reasonably be expected,
individually or in the aggregate, to result in a Material Adverse Effect.


                                      -24-

<PAGE>

         (b) Set forth in Section 4.14(b) of the Company Disclosure  Schedule is
a list and  description  of (i) all  material  licenses,  assignments  and other
transfers of  Intellectual  Property  granted to others by the Company or any of
its  subsidiaries,  and  (ii)  all  material  licenses,  assignments  and  other
transfers of patents, trade names, trademarks,  service marks, copyrights,  chip
registrations, Software, trade secrets, knowhow, technology or other proprietary
rights granted to the Company or any of its  subsidiaries  by others.  Except as
set forth in Section  4.14(b) of the Company  Disclosure  Schedule,  none of the
licenses  described above is subject to termination or cancellation or change in
its  terms or  provisions  as a result  of this  Agreement  or the  transactions
provided for in this Agreement  except where such  termination,  cancellation or
change  in terms  would  not  reasonably  be  expected,  individually  or in the
aggregate, to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

         (c) To the Knowledge of the Company, no Person or entity is infringing,
or has misappropriated, any material Intellectual Property.

         (d) Except as  disclosed in Section  4.14(d) of the Company  Disclosure
Schedule,  no material claims with respect to the Intellectual  Property or with
respect  to the  manufacture,  sale  or use of any  product  or  process  or the
furnishing  of any  services,  have been  asserted  or, to the  Knowledge of the
Company,  are  threatened by any Person (i) to the effect that the  manufacture,
sale or use of any  product  or  process  or the  furnishing  of any  service as
previously  used, now used or offered or proposed for use or sale by the Company
infringes  on  any  copyright,   trade  secret,   patent,   tradename  or  other
intellectual  property right of any Person,  (ii) against the use by the Company
or any of its subsidiaries of any Intellectual  Property,  or (iii)  challenging
the ownership,  validity or effectiveness of any Intellectual  Property.  To the
Company's  Knowledge,   all  granted  and  issued  patents  and  all  registered
trademarks and service marks listed in Section 4.14(a) of the Company Disclosure
Schedule and all copyrights held by the Company or any of its  subsidiaries  are
valid, enforceable and subsisting.

         (e) No  Intellectual  Property  is  subject to any  outstanding  order,
judgment,  decree,  stipulation  or  agreement  restricting  in any  manner  the
licensing thereof by the Company or any of its subsidiaries. Neither the Company
nor any of its  subsidiaries  has entered into any  agreement  to indemnify  any
other person against any charge of  infringement of any  Intellectual  Property,
except  standard  infringement  indemnities  agreed to in the ordinary course of
business included as part of the Company's license or source agreements. Neither
the Company nor any of its subsidiaries has entered into any agreement  granting
any third party the right to bring infringement actions with


                                      -25-

<PAGE>

respect to, or  otherwise to enforce  rights with  respect to, any  Intellectual
Property.  The Company and its  subsidiaries  have the exclusive  right to file,
prosecute  and  maintain  all  applications  and  registrations  with respect to
Intellectual Property.

         SECTION 4.15 Taxes.

         (a)  Except  as set forth in  Section  4.15 of the  Company  Disclosure
Schedule,  the Company and each of its  subsidiaries has duly filed all federal,
state,  local and foreign income and other Tax Returns (as hereinafter  defined)
required to be filed by it, and has duly paid or caused to be paid all Taxes (as
hereinafter  defined)  shown to be due on such Tax  Returns  in  respect  of the
periods covered by such returns and has made adequate provision in the Company's
financial  statements  for  payment  of all Taxes  anticipated  to be payable in
respect of all taxable periods or portions  thereof ending on or before the date
hereof, except for such as would not reasonably be expected,  individually or in
the  aggregate,  to result in a Material  Adverse  Effect.  Section  4.15 of the
Company  Disclosure  Schedule  lists the periods  through  which the Tax Returns
required to be filed by the Company or its  subsidiaries  have been  examined by
the IRS or other appropriate  taxing  authority,  or the period during which any
assessments  may be made by the IRS or other  appropriate  taxing  authority has
expired.  All  deficiencies  and  assessments  asserted  as  a  result  of  such
examinations  or  other  audits  by  federal,  state,  local or  foreign  taxing
authorities  have been paid,  fully  settled or  adequately  provided for in the
Company's financial statements, and no material issue or claim has been asserted
in writing for Taxes by any taxing  authority for any prior  period,  except for
such as would not reasonably be expected,  individually or in the aggregate,  to
result in a  Material  Adverse  Effect,  other  than  those  heretofore  paid or
adequately  provided for in the  Company's  financial  statements.  There are no
outstanding  agreements or waivers  extending the statutory period of limitation
applicable to any Tax Return of the Company or any of its subsidiaries.  Neither
the Company nor any of its  subsidiaries has filed a consent pursuant to Section
341(f) of the Code or agreed to have Section  341(f)(2) of the Code apply to any
disposition  of a  subsection  (f)  asset (as such term is  defined  in  Section
341(f)(2) of the Code) owned by the Company or any of its subsidiaries.  Neither
the Company nor any of its subsidiaries is a party to any agreement, contract or
arrangement that could result, separately or in the aggregate, in the payment of
any "excess  parachute  payments" within the meaning of Section 280G of the Code
or that would not be  deductible  pursuant  to the terms of  Section  162(a)(1),
162(m) or 162(n) of the Code.  Neither the  Company nor any of its  subsidiaries
(i) has been a member of a group filing consolidated  returns for federal income
tax purposes,  or (ii) is a party to a tax sharing or tax indemnity agreement or
any other agreement of a similar nature that remains


                                      -26-

<PAGE>

in effect, except that the Company and its subsidiaries organized under the laws
of the United States or any state file as consolidated entities.

         (b) For purposes of this  Agreement,  the term "Taxes" means all taxes,
charges,  fees,  levies or other  assessments,  including,  without  limitation,
income,  gross  receipts,  excise,  property,  sales,  use,  transfer,  license,
payroll,  withholding,  export,  import,  and customs duties,  capital stock and
franchise  taxes,  imposed by the United  States or any state,  local or foreign
government or subdivision or agency thereof,  including any interest,  penalties
or  additions  thereto.  For purposes of this  Agreement,  the term "Tax Return"
means any  report,  return  or other  information  or  document  required  to be
supplied to a taxing authority in connection with Taxes.

         SECTION 4.16 Absence of Certain Changes. Except as disclosed in Section
4.16 of the Company Disclosure Schedule,  since September 30, 1997 (i) there has
not been any Material  Adverse  Effect;  (ii) the  businesses of the Company and
each of its subsidiaries  have been conducted only in the ordinary course and in
a manner consistent with past practice; (iii) neither the Company nor any of its
subsidiaries  has  engaged  in any  material  transaction  or  entered  into any
material agreement or commitments outside the ordinary course of business;  (iv)
neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries has taken any action referred to
in Section 6.01 hereof except as permitted  thereby;  and (v) there has not been
any revaluation by the Company or any of its subsidiaries of any of its material
assets,  including  but not limited to writing  down the value of  inventory  or
writing off notes or accounts  receivable  other than in the ordinary  course of
business.

         SECTION 4.17 Labor Matters.  No work stoppage  involving the Company or
any of its subsidiaries is pending or threatened and neither the Company nor any
of its  subsidiaries is involved in, or to the Company's  Knowledge,  threatened
with  or  affected  by any  material  labor  dispute,  arbitration,  lawsuit  or
administrative proceeding. None of the employees of the Company or of any of its
subsidiaries  are  represented by any labor union or any  collective  bargaining
organization and, to the Knowledge of the Company,  no labor union is attempting
to organize employees of the Company or any of its subsidiaries.

         SECTION 4.18 Rights  Agreement.  The Company and the Company Board have
taken all necessary action to amend the Rights Agreement  (without redeeming the
Rights) so that none of the  execution  or  delivery of this  Agreement  and the
Support  Agreements,  the making of the offer,  the acquisition of Common Shares
pursuant  to the  Offer or the  consummation  of the  Merger  will (i) cause any
Rights issued pursuant to the Rights Agreement


                                      -27-

<PAGE>

to become  exercisable or to separate from the stock  certificates to which they
are  attached,  (ii) cause Parent,  the Purchaser or any of their  Affiliates or
Associates to be an Acquiring Person (as each such term is defined in the Rights
Agreement) or (iii) trigger other provisions of the Rights Agreement,  including
giving rise to a Distribution  Date or a Triggering  Event (as each such term is
defined in the Rights Agreement).

         SECTION 4.19 Condition of Assets. The properties and assets,  including
the  equipment,  supplies and other  consumables,  owned,  leased or used by the
Company and its subsidiaries in the operation of their  respective  business are
in good operating  condition and repair,  ordinary wear and tear  excepted,  are
reasonably  suitable for the purposes  for which they are used,  are  reasonably
adequate  and  sufficient  for  the  Company's  and  its  subsidiaries'  current
operations  and are  directly  related to the  business  of the  Company and its
subsidiaries.

         SECTION 4.20  Brokers.  Except for the  engagement  of SSB, none of the
Company, any of its subsidiaries, or any of their respective officers, directors
or employees has employed any broker or finder or incurred any liability for any
brokerage fees, commissions or finder's fees in connection with the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement. The Company has previously delivered to Parent a
copy of the  Company's  engagement  letter  with  SSB.  The  aggregate  fees and
expenses  payable to the Company's  legal and  financial  advisers in connection
with the Offer, the Merger and the  transactions  contemplated by this Agreement
will not exceed the amount set forth in Section  4.20 of the Company  Disclosure
Schedule.

         SECTION  4.21  Opinion of  Financial  Advisor.  The  Company  Board has
received  the  opinion,  and as of the date  hereof  will  receive  the  written
opinion,  of SSB, the Company's financial advisor, to the effect that, as of the
date of this Agreement,  the cash  consideration to be received in the Offer and
the  merger  by the  holders  of  Common  Shares  (other  than  Parent  and  its
affiliates) is fair to such holders from a financial  point of view. The Company
will deliver to Parent a copy of SSB's  written  opinion  promptly  upon receipt
thereof.

         SECTION  4.22  Employees.  As of the  date  hereof,  to  the  Company's
Knowledge, its relationship with its employees is satisfactory.

         SECTION  4.23  Customers.  Section  4.23(a) of the  Company  Disclosure
Schedule sets forth (a) the names of all customers of Company that accounted for
more than 5% of the  Company's  consolidated  revenues  during the  twelve-month
period ended  December 31, 1997 and (b) the amount for which each such  customer
was invoiced during such period. The Company has not received


                                      -28-

<PAGE>

any notice that any such customer of the Company (i) has ceased,  or will cease,
to use the products, goods or services of the Company and its subsidiaries, (ii)
has substantially  reduced or will  substantially  reduce,  the use of products,
goods or services of the Company and its subsidiaries or (iii) has sought, or is
seeking,  to substantially  reduce the price it will pay for products,  goods or
services of the Company and its  subsidiaries,  including in each case after the
consummation of the  transactions  contemplated  hereby.  Section 4.23(b) of the
Company Disclosure  Schedule sets forth the term, price, any "change in control"
provisions  and  geographic  dimensions  of any  currently  outstanding  bids or
proposals of the Company in excess of $1,000,000.

         SECTION 4.24 Material Contracts. Except as set forth in Section 4.24 of
the  Company  Disclosure  Schedule,  or filed as  exhibits  to the SEC  Reports,
neither the Company  nor any of its  subsidiaries  is a party to or bound by (i)
any  "material  contract"  (as  such  term  is  defined  in Item  601(b)(10)  of
Regulation  S-K of the SEC);  (ii) any  non-competition  agreement  or any other
agreement  or  obligation  which  purports to limit in any respect the manner in
which,  or the  localities  in  which,  the  business  of the  Company  and  its
subsidiaries  (including,  for  purposes  of this  Section  4.24  Parent and its
subsidiaries,  assuming the Merger has taken  place),  is or would be conducted;
(iii) any employment or consulting agreement requiring payments in the aggregate
in excess of $100,000;  (iv) any joint  venture,  partnership  or other  similar
agreement;  (v) any agreement  that grants a right of first refusal with respect
to any asset or  property of the  Company or any of its  subsidiaries;  (vi) any
agreement,  entered into other than in the ordinary course,  for the purchase or
sale of goods, supplies,  equipment,  services or other assets that provides for
payments by or to the Company or any of its  subsidiaries  in the  aggregate  in
excess  of  $200,000  or,  with  respect  to  contracts  for the sale of  goods,
supplies,  equipment,  other assets or services, if entered into in the ordinary
course,  in excess of $1,000,000;  (vii) any agreement  relating to indebtedness
for borrowed money or deferred  purchase price of property in excess of $200,000
(in either case, whether incurred,  assumed,  guaranteed or secured); (viii) any
other  contract,  agreement  or  arrangement,  entered  into  other  than in the
ordinary  course of  business,  requiring  future  payments in the  aggregate in
excess of $100,000; or (ix) any contract or other agreement which would prohibit
or materially delay the  consummation of the  transactions  contemplated by this
Agreement (all contracts of the type described in clauses (i) through (ix) being
referred to herein as  "Company  Material  Contracts").  Each  Company  Material
Contract is valid and binding on the Company (or, to the extent a subsidiary  of
the Company is a party,  such  subsidiary) and is in full force and effect,  and
the Company and each  subsidiary  of the Company have in all  material  respects
performed all obligations required to be performed by them to


                                      -29-

<PAGE>

date under each Company Material Contract, except for such instances which would
not reasonably be expected,  individually  or in the  aggregate,  to result in a
Material Adverse Effect. The Company does not have Knowledge,  nor has it or any
of its  subsidiaries  received written notice of, any violation or default under
nor, to the Knowledge of the Company,  does there exist any condition which with
the  passage  of time or the  giving  of  notice  or both  would  result in such
violation  or  default  under  any  Company  Material  Contract,  except in such
instances  which  would  not  reasonably  be  expected,  individually  or in the
aggregate, to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

         SECTION 4.25  Affiliated  Transactions.  Except as set forth in Section
4.25 of the  Company  Disclosure  Schedule,  neither  the Company nor any of its
subsidiaries  nor any of their  respective  officers,  directors,  employees  or
affiliates  (nor any  individual  related by blood,  marriage or adoption to any
such individual), is a party to any agreement, contract, commitment, transaction
or understanding  with or binding upon the Company or any of its subsidiaries or
any of their respective assets or has engaged in any transaction with any of the
foregoing  within the last  twelve  months  except  for  customary  payments  to
employees,  officers or directors in the ordinary course of business  consistent
with past  practice  for  services  rendered  in their  capacity  as  employees,
officers or directors.

         SECTION 4.26 Omission of Material  Facts.  No statements of the Company
contained  in  this  Agreement  or in the  Company  Disclosure  Schedule  or any
certificate  or opinion  delivered or to be delivered  pursuant  hereto omits or
will  omit to  state a  material  fact  necessary  in  order  to make  any  such
statement,  in  light  of  the  circumstances  under  which  it  was  made,  not
misleading.


                                    ARTICLE V

                         REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
                           OF PARENT AND THE PURCHASER

         Parent  and the  Purchaser  represent  and  warrant  to the  Company as
follows:

         SECTION 5.01  Organization  and  Qualification.  Each of Parent and the
Purchaser is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing
under the laws of the state of Delaware.  Each of Parent and the  Purchaser  has
the  requisite  corporate  power  and  authority  to own,  operate  or lease its
properties  and to carry on its  business as it is now being  conducted,  and is
duly  qualified or licensed to do  business,  and is in good  standing,  in each
jurisdiction in which the nature of


                                      -30-

<PAGE>

its  business  or the  properties  owned,  operated  or leased by it makes  such
qualification, licensing or good standing necessary, except where the failure to
have such power or authority, or the failure to be so qualified,  licensed or in
good  standing,  would not have a Material  Adverse  Effect on Parent.  The term
"Material Adverse Effect on Parent", as used in this Agreement, means any change
in or effect on the business, assets, liabilities,  financial condition, results
of operation or  prospects  of Parent or any of its  subsidiaries  that would be
materially adverse to Parent and its subsidiaries taken as a whole.

         SECTION  5.02  Authority.  Each of  Parent  and the  Purchaser  has all
necessary  corporate  power and authority to execute and deliver this  Agreement
and to  consummate  the  transactions  contemplated  hereby.  The  execution and
delivery of this Agreement by Parent and the Purchaser and the  consummation  by
Parent and the Purchaser of the transactions  contemplated hereby have been duly
and validly  authorized  and approved by the  respective  Boards of Directors of
Parent and the Purchaser and by Parent as sole  stockholder of the Purchaser and
no other  corporate  proceedings  on the part of  Parent  or the  Purchaser  are
necessary  to  authorize  or  approve  this   Agreement  or  to  consummate  the
transactions  contemplated  hereby.  This  Agreement  has been duly executed and
delivered by each of Parent and the  Purchaser  and,  assuming the due and valid
authorization,  execution  and delivery by the Company,  constitutes a valid and
binding obligation of each of Parent and the Purchaser  enforceable against each
of them in accordance with its terms.

         SECTION 5.03 No Conflict; Required Filings and Consents.

         (a)  Assuming (i) the filings  required  under the HSR Act are made and
the  waiting  periods  thereunder  have  terminated  or have  expired,  (ii) the
requirements of the Exchange Act and any applicable state securities, "blue sky"
or takeover  law are met and (iii) the filing of the  certificate  of merger and
other  appropriate  merger  documents,  if any, as required by the GCL, is made,
none of the execution and delivery of this Agreement by Parent or the Purchaser,
the  consummation  by Parent or the Purchaser of the  transactions  contemplated
hereby  or  compliance  by Parent or the  Purchaser  with any of the  provisions
hereof will (i) conflict with or violate the organizational  documents of Parent
or the Purchaser,  (ii) conflict with or violate any statute,  ordinance,  rule,
regulation,  order, judgment,  decree, permit or license applicable to Parent or
the  Purchaser or any of their  subsidiaries,  or by which any of them or any of
their respective  properties or assets may be bound or affected, or (iii) result
in a  violation  pursuant  to any note,  bond,  mortgage,  indenture,  contract,
agreement,  lease, license,  permit, franchise or other instrument or obligation
to which Parent or the


                                      -31-

<PAGE>

Purchaser  or any of their  subsidiaries  is a party or by which  Parent  or the
Purchaser or any of their subsidiaries or any of their respective  properties or
assets may be bound or affected.

         (b) None of the execution and delivery of this  Agreement by Parent and
the Purchaser,  the consummation by Parent and the Purchaser of the transactions
contemplated  hereby or compliance  by Parent and the Purchaser  with any of the
provisions  hereof will require any Consent of any Governmental  Entity,  except
for (i) compliance with any applicable  requirements of the Exchange Act and any
state  securities,  "blue sky" or takeover law, (ii) the filing of a certificate
of merger  pursuant to the GCL, (iii)  compliance with the HSR Act and (iv) such
Consents that become applicable  solely as a result of the business,  operations
or regulatory status of the Company or any of its subsidiaries.

         SECTION 5.04  Information.  None of the  information  supplied or to be
supplied by Parent and the Purchaser  for  inclusion in (i) the Schedule  14D-9,
(ii) the Proxy  Statement or (iii) the Other  Filings  will,  at the  respective
times filed with the SEC or such other Governmental Entity and, in addition,  in
the case of the Proxy  Statement,  at the date it or any amendment or supplement
is  mailed  to  stockholders,  at the  time of the  Special  Meeting  and at the
Effective Time, contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state
any material  fact  required to be stated  therein or necessary in order to make
the statements made therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were
made, not misleading.

         SECTION 5.05 Financing. Parent and Purchaser collectively have and will
have at the  closing of the Offer and the  Effective  Time and Parent  will make
available  to  Purchaser  sufficient  funds  available  to enable  Purchaser  to
purchase all Common Shares,  on a fully diluted  basis,  and to pay all fees and
expenses related to the transactions  contemplated by this Agreement  payable by
them.


                                   ARTICLE VI

                                    COVENANTS

         SECTION 6.01 Conduct of Business of the Company. Except as contemplated
by this Agreement or otherwise with the prior written consent of Parent,  during
the period from the date of this  Agreement to the Effective  Time,  the Company
will, and will cause each of its subsidiaries to, conduct its operations only in
the ordinary and usual course of business consistent with past practice and will
use its reasonable best efforts,  and will cause each of its subsidiaries to use
its reasonable best


                                      -32-

<PAGE>

efforts, to preserve intact the business organization of the Company and each of
its  subsidiaries,  to keep  available  the  services  of its and their  present
officers and employees,  and to preserve the good will of those having  business
relationships with it, including,  without limitation,  maintaining satisfactory
relationships  with licensors,  suppliers,  customers and others having business
relationships  with the  Company  and its  subsidiaries.  Without  limiting  the
generality  of the  foregoing,  and  except as  otherwise  contemplated  by this
Agreement, the Company will not, and will not permit any of its subsidiaries to,
prior to the Effective Time, without the prior written consent of Parent:

         (a) adopt any amendment to its certificate of  incorporation or by-laws
or comparable  organizational  documents or the Rights Agreement or adopt a plan
of merger, consolidation, reorganization, dissolution or liquidation;

         (b)  sell,  pledge  or  encumber  any  stock  owned by it in any of its
subsidiaries;

         (c) (i) issue,  reissue or sell, or authorize the issuance,  reissuance
or sale of (A)  additional  shares of capital stock of any class,  or securities
convertible into capital stock of any class, or any rights,  warrants or options
to acquire any convertible  securities or capital stock, other than the issuance
of Common Shares (and the related  Rights),  in accordance with the terms of the
instruments governing such issuance on the date hereof, pursuant to the exercise
or conversion of options and any  Exchangeable  Shares  outstanding  on the date
hereof,  or  (B)  any  other  securities  in  respect  of,  in  lieu  of,  or in
substitution  for,  Common  Shares  or any  other  capital  stock  of any  class
outstanding  on the date  hereof or (ii) make any other  changes in its  capital
structure;

         (d)  declare,  set  aside or pay any  dividend  or  other  distribution
(whether in cash,  securities or property or any combination thereof) in respect
of any  class or series of its  capital  stock  other  than  between  any of the
Company and any of its wholly owned subsidiaries;

         (e)  split,  combine,  subdivide,  reclassify  or redeem,  purchase  or
otherwise acquire,  or propose to redeem or purchase or otherwise  acquire,  any
shares of its capital stock, or any of its other securities (except as disclosed
in Section 6.01(e) of the Company Disclosure Schedule);

         (f) increase the  compensation or fringe benefits  payable or to become
payable to its directors, officers or, except in the ordinary course of business
consistent with past practice, employees (whether from the Company or any of its


                                      -33-

<PAGE>

subsidiaries),  or pay or award any benefit not required by any existing plan or
arrangement to any officer, director or employee (including, without limitation,
the granting of stock options,  stock appreciation rights,  shares of restricted
stock or performance  units pursuant to the Stock Plans or otherwise),  or grant
any severance or termination  pay to any officer,  director or other employee of
the  Company or any of its  subsidiaries  (other  than as  required  by existing
agreements  or policies  described  in Section  6.01 of the  Company  Disclosure
Schedule),  or enter  into any  employment  or  severance  agreement  with,  any
director, officer or other employee of the Company or any of its subsidiaries or
establish,  adopt,  enter  into,  amend,  or waive any  performance  or  vesting
criteria  under any Plan for the  benefit or  welfare  of any  current or former
directors,  officers or  employees of the Company or its  subsidiaries  or their
beneficiaries  or dependents  (any of the foregoing  being an "Employee  Benefit
Arrangement"), except, in each case, to the extent required by applicable law or
regulation;

         (g)  acquire,  mortgage,  encumber,  sell,  pledge,  lease,  license or
dispose of any assets (including  Intellectual  Property) or securities,  except
pursuant to existing  contracts  or  commitments  entered  into in the  ordinary
course of business  consistent  with past practice,  or enter into any contract,
arrangement,  commitment or transaction  outside the ordinary course of business
consistent  with past practice  other than  transactions  between a wholly owned
subsidiary of the Company and the Company or another wholly owned  subsidiary of
the Company;

         (h) (i) incur,  assume or prepay any long-term  debt or incur or assume
any short-term  debt,  except that the Company and its subsidiaries may incur or
prepay debt in the  ordinary  course of  business  in amounts  and for  purposes
consistent  with past  practice  under  existing  lines of credit,  (ii) assume,
guarantee,  endorse or otherwise become liable or responsible (whether directly,
contingently or otherwise) for the obligations of any other person except in the
ordinary course of business consistent with past practice,  (iii) pay, discharge
or satisfy any claims, liabilities or obligations (absolute, accrued, contingent
or otherwise),  except in the ordinary  course of business  consistent with past
practice,  (iv)  make any  loans,  advances  or  capital  contributions  to,  or
investments in, any other person or entity, except for loans, advances,  capital
contributions or investments  between any wholly owned subsidiary of the Company
and the Company or another wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, (v) authorize
or make capital expenditures in excess of $50,000, (vi) materially accelerate or
delay  collection of notes or accounts  receivable in advance of or beyond their
regular  due dates or the dates when the same would have been  collected  in the
ordinary  course of business  consistent  with past practice,  (vii)  materially
delay or accelerate payment of accounts payable beyond


                                      -34-

<PAGE>

or in advance of its due date or the date such liability would have been paid in
the ordinary course of business  consistent  with past practice,  or (viii) vary
the  Company's  inventory  practices in any material  respect from the Company's
past practices;

         (i) settle or compromise any suit or claim or threatened  suit or claim
where the amount involved is greater than $50,000;

         (j) other than in the ordinary course of business  consistent with past
practice,  (i) modify,  amend or terminate  any material  contract,  (ii) waive,
release,  relinquish or assign any contract (or any of the rights of the Company
or any of its  subsidiaries  thereunder),  right or  claim,  or (iii)  cancel or
forgive any  indebtedness  (other than with respect to indebtedness  which is de
minimus  in the  aggregate)  owed  to the  Company  or any of its  subsidiaries;
provided,  however,  that  neither the Company nor any of its  subsidiaries  may
under  any   circumstance   waive  or  release  any  of  its  rights  under  any
confidentiality agreement to which it is a party;

         (k) make any tax election  not required by law or settle or  compromise
any tax liability;

         (l) cancel or terminate any insurance policy naming it as a beneficiary
or a loss payable payee,  except in the ordinary  course of business  consistent
with past practice;

         (m) acquire (by merger, consolidation,  acquisition of stock or assets,
combination or other similar transaction) any material corporation,  partnership
or other business organization or division or assets thereof;

         (n) except as may be required as a result of a change in law or in GAAP
or the rules of the SEC, make any change in its methods of accounting, including
tax accounting policies and procedures;

         (o) enter into any  agreement  of a nature that would be required to be
filed as an exhibit to Form 10-K  under the  Exchange  Act or make or submit any
bids or proposals in excess of $1,000,000 with respect to any services  proposed
to be rendered in any location in Latin America, or in excess of $3,000,000 with
respect to any services proposed to be rendered in any location outside of Latin
America,  provided that Parent agrees not to unreasonably  withhold or delay its
consent with respect to such bids or proposals and provided  further that Parent
agrees that any  information  provided  by the Company  relating to such bids or
proposals  shall (i) be treated  confidentially,  (ii) shall not be disclosed to
any  employees  of Parent or its  subsidiaries  who are involved in preparing or
substantively analyzing a bid or


                                      -35-

<PAGE>

proposal  on  behalf  of  Parent  or any of its  subsidiaries  relating  to such
services at the applicable location and (iii) shall not be used to the detriment
of the Company in connection with such bid or proposal;

         (p) take,  or agree to  commit to take,  any  action  that  would or is
reasonably  likely to result in any of the  conditions to the offer set forth in
Annex I or any of the  conditions  to the Merger  set forth in  Article  VII not
being  satisfied,  or would make any  representation  or warranty of the Company
contained  herein,  when read  without  any  exception  or  qualification  as to
materiality or Material  Adverse Effect,  inaccurate in any respect at, or as of
any time prior to, the Effective Time except for such  inaccuracies  which would
not be reasonably  expected to,  individually  or in the aggregate,  result in a
Material  Adverse  Effect,  or that would  impair the  ability of the Company to
consummate  the  Merger  in  accordance  with the  terms  hereof  or delay  such
consummation; or

         (q) agree in writing or otherwise to take any of the foregoing  actions
prohibited under this Section 6.01.

         SECTION  6.02 Access to  Information.  From the date of this  Agreement
until the Effective Time, the Company will, and will cause its subsidiaries, and
each of their respective officers,  directors,  employees, counsel, advisors and
representatives  (collectively,  the "Company  Representatives") to, give Parent
and the Purchaser and their respective officers,  employees,  counsel,  advisors
and representatives  (collectively,  the "Parent  Representatives") full access,
upon  reasonable  notice and during normal  business  hours,  to the offices and
other  facilities  and  to  the  books  and  records  of  the  Company  and  its
subsidiaries  and will  cause  the  Company  Representatives  and the  Company's
subsidiaries to furnish Parent, the Purchaser and the Parent  Representatives to
the extent  available  with such  financial  and  operating  data and such other
information  with respect to the business and  operations of the Company and its
subsidiaries as Parent and the Purchaser may from time to time request  subject,
in  each  case,  to  the  continuing   obligations  of  the  parties  under  the
Confidentiality  Agreement  between  Parent and the Company  dated  December 19,
1997,  which  agreement  shall survive until  termination  pursuant to the terms
thereof.  The Company shall furnish  promptly to Parent and the Purchaser a copy
of each report, schedule,  registration statement and other document filed by it
or its  subsidiaries  during such period pursuant to the requirements of federal
or state or foreign securities laws.

         SECTION 6.03 Efforts.

         (a) Subject to the terms and conditions  provided  herein,  each of the
Company, Parent and the Purchaser shall, and


                                      -36-

<PAGE>

the Company  shall cause each of its  subsidiaries  to,  cooperate and use their
respective  reasonable  commercial  efforts  to take,  or cause to be made,  all
filings  reasonably  necessary,  proper or advisable  under  applicable laws and
regulations to consummate and make effective the  transactions  contemplated  by
this Agreement,  including but not limited to cooperation in the preparation and
filing of the Offer  Documents,  the Schedule 14D-9,  the Proxy  Statement,  any
required  filings under the HSR Act, or other foreign filings and any amendments
to any thereof.

         In addition,  if at any time prior to the  Effective  Time any event or
circumstance relating to either the Company or Parent or the Purchaser or any of
their respective  subsidiaries should be discovered by the Company or Parent, as
the  case  may be,  which  should  be set  forth in an  amendment  to the  Offer
Documents or Schedule  14D-9,  the  discovering  party will promptly  inform the
other party of such event or circumstance.

         (b) Each of the parties will use its reasonable  commercial  efforts to
obtain as promptly as practicable all Consents of any Governmental Entity or any
other person required in connection with, and waivers of any Violations that may
be caused by, the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Offer and
this Agreement.

         SECTION 6.04 Public  Announcements.  The Company,  on the one hand, and
Parent and the Purchaser, on the other hand, agree to consult promptly with each
other  prior to  issuing  any press  release  or  otherwise  making  any  public
statement  with  respect  to the Offer,  the  Merger and the other  transactions
contemplated  hereby,  agree to provide to the other  party for review a copy of
any such press release or statement,  and shall not issue any such press release
or make any such public statement prior to such consultation and review,  unless
required by applicable law or any listing agreement with a securities exchange.

         SECTION 6.O5 Employee Benefit Arrangements.

         (a) The Company shall, and Parent agrees to cause the Company to, honor
and, from and after the Effective Time, the Surviving  Corporation to honor, all
obligations  under the employment and severance  agreements to which the Company
or any of its subsidiaries is presently a party which are listed in Section 6.05
of the Company  Disclosure  Schedule.  Notwithstanding  the foregoing,  from and
after the  Effective  Time,  the Surviving  Corporation  shall have the right to
amend,  modify, alter or terminate any Plan, provided that any such action shall
not affect any rights for which the agreement or consent of the other party or a
beneficiary  is required.  Employees of the  Surviving  Corporation  immediately
following the Effective Time who


                                      -37-

<PAGE>

immediately  prior to the  Effective  Time were  employees of the Company or any
Company subsidiary shall be given credit for purposes of eligibility and vesting
under each employee benefit plan,  program,  policy or arrangement of the Parent
or the Surviving Corporation in which such employees  participate  subsequent to
the Effective  Time for all service with the Company and any Company  subsidiary
prior to the Effective  Time (to the extent such credit was given by the Company
or any Company subsidiary) for purposes of eligibility and vesting.

         (b) The Company will not take any action which could  prevent or impede
the termination of the 1995 Long-Term  Incentive  Compensation Plan, as amended,
the 1997  Long-Term  Incentive  Compensation  Plan Stock  Incentive Plan and all
other Stock Plans and any other plans,  programs or  arrangements  providing for
the issuance or grant of any other  interest in respect of the capital  stock of
the Company or any subsidiary of the Company in each case effective prior to the
Effective  Time.  The Company will take all necessary  action to (i) ensure that
none of Parent,  the Company or any of their respective  subsidiaries is or will
be bound by any Options,  other options,  warrants,  rights or agreements  which
would  entitle  any  Person,  other than  Parent or its  affiliates,  to own any
capital  stock of the Surviving  Corporation  or any of its  subsidiaries  or to
receive any payment in respect  thereof as of the Effective Time and (ii) obtain
all necessary consents so that after the Effective Time, holders of Options will
have no rights  other than the rights of the  holders of Options to receive  the
Cash Payment, if any, in cancellation and settlement thereof.

         SECTION 6.06 Indemnification.

         (a) Parent  agrees that all rights to  indemnification  now existing in
favor of any  director  or  officer of the  Company  and its  subsidiaries  (the
"Indemnified Parties") as provided in their respective charters or by-laws shall
survive  the merger and shall  continue in full force and effect for a period of
not less than six years  from the  Effective  Time.  After the  Effective  Time,
Parent  agrees  to cause  the  Surviving  Corporation  to honor  all  rights  to
indemnification referred to in the preceding sentence.

         (b)  Parent  agrees  to cause  the  Company,  and from  and  after  the
Effective  Time,  the Surviving  Corporation  to maintain in effect for not less
than four  years  (except  as  provided  in the last  sentence  of this  Section
6.06(b))  from the Effective  Time the current  policies of the  directors'  and
officers'  liability  insurance  maintained  by the Company;  provided  that the
Surviving   Corporation   may  substitute   therefor  other  policies  not  less
advantageous  (other than to a de minimus  extent) to the  beneficiaries  of the
current policies and provided that such


                                      -38-

<PAGE>

substitution  shall not result in any gaps or lapses in coverage with respect to
matters occurring prior to the Effective Time; and provided,  further,  that the
Surviving  Corporation  shall not be required to pay an annual premium in excess
of 175% of the last annual  premium paid by the Company prior to the date hereof
(which the Company  represents  to be $100,000  for the 12-month  period  ending
December  31,  1998) and if the  Surviving  Corporation  is unable to obtain the
insurance  required by this Section  6.06(b) it shall obtain as much  comparable
insurance  as  possible  for an annual  premium  equal to such  maximum  amount.
Notwithstanding the foregoing,  at any time on or after the first anniversary of
the Effective Time, Parent may, at its election,  provide funds to the Surviving
Corporation  to the  extent  necessary  so that the  Surviving  Corporation  may
self-insure with respect to the level of insurance  coverage required under this
Section  6.06(b)  in lieu of  causing  to remain in effect  any  directors'  and
officers' liability insurance policy.

         (c) Any  Indemnified  Party  wishing  to  claim  indemnification  under
paragraph  (a) of this Section 6.06,  upon  learning of any such claim,  action,
suit, proceeding or investigation, shall promptly notify Parent thereof (but any
such failure or delay shall not relieve Parent of liability except to the extent
Parent is  actually  prejudiced  as a result of such  failure or delay).  In the
event of any such claim,  action,  suit,  proceeding or  investigation  (whether
arising  before or after  the  Effective  Time),  (i)  Parent  or the  Surviving
Corporation  shall have the right,  from and after the purchase of Common Shares
pursuant  to the Offer,  to assume the defense  thereof and Parent  shall not be
liable to such  Indemnified  Parties for any legal  expenses of other counsel or
any  other  expenses  subsequently  incurred  by  such  Indemnified  Parties  in
connection with the defense thereof, (ii) the Indemnified Parties will cooperate
in the defense of any such matter and (iii)  Parent  shall not be liable for any
settlement  effected  without its prior  written  consent,  provided that Parent
shall not have any obligation  hereunder to any Indemnified  Party when and if a
court  of  competent   jurisdiction   shall  ultimately   determine,   and  such
determination  shall have  become  final,  that such  person is not  entitled to
indemnification  under applicable law. Any Indemnified  Party may retain its own
separate  counsel  reasonably  satisfactory  to Parent if there is a conflict of
interest  requiring  separate  representation  under  applicable  principles  of
professional responsibility and may participate in (but not, except with respect
to matters  relating  to such  conflict,  control)  the  defense of such  claim,
action,  suit,  proceeding or investigation and the Indemnifying  Party shall be
responsible for any reasonable legal expenses or any other  reasonable  expenses
subsequently  incurred  by  such  Indemnified  Party  in  connection  with  such
participation or defense to the extent such Indemnified  Party is entitled to be
indemnified therefrom pursuant to this Section 6.06. Parent shall not settle


                                      -39-

<PAGE>

any claim,  action,  suit,  proceeding or  investigation  unless the Indemnified
Party shall be fully released and discharged.

         SECTION 6.07  Notification of Certain  Matters.  Parent and the Company
shall promptly notify each other of (i) the occurrence or  non-occurrence of any
fact or event which would be reasonably  likely (A) to cause any  representation
or  warranty  contained  in this  Agreement  to be untrue or  inaccurate  in any
material  respect at any time from the date hereof to the Effective  Time or (B)
to cause any  covenant,  condition or agreement  under this  Agreement not to be
complied  with or satisfied in any material  respect and (ii) any failure of the
Company or Parent,  as the case may be, to comply with or satisfy any  covenant,
condition or  agreement to be complied  with or satisfied by it hereunder in any
material respect; provided,  however, that no such notification shall affect the
representations  or warranties of any party or the conditions to the obligations
of any party hereunder. Each of the Company, Parent and the Purchaser shall give
prompt notice to the other parties  hereof of any notice or other  communication
from any third party  alleging that the consent of such third party is or may be
required in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

         SECTION 6.08 Rights Agreement. The Company covenants and agrees that it
will not (i) redeem the Rights,  (ii) amend the Rights  Agreement  or (iii) take
any action  which would  allow any Person (as  defined in the Rights  Agreement)
other than Parent or the  Purchaser  to acquire  beneficial  ownership of 15% or
more of the Common Shares without  causing a  Distribution  Date or a Triggering
Event to occur.

         SECTION 6.09 State Takeover  Laws. The Company shall,  upon the request
of the Purchaser,  take all  reasonable  steps to assist in any challenge by the
Purchaser to the validity or applicability  to the transactions  contemplated by
this Agreement, including the Offer and the Merger, of any state takeover law.

         SECTION 6.10 No Solicitation.

         (a)  The  Company,   its  affiliates  and  their  respective  officers,
directors,  employees,  representatives  and agents shall  immediately cease any
existing  discussions  or  negotiations,  if any,  with  any  parties  conducted
heretofore  with respect to any  acquisition  or exchange of all or any material
portion of the assets of, or any equity  interest  in, the Company or any of its
subsidiaries  or  any  business  combination  with  the  Company  or  any of its
subsidiaries.  The Company  agrees that,  prior to the Effective  Time, it shall
not, and shall not authorize or permit any of its  subsidiaries or any of its or
its subsidiaries,  directors,  officers,  employees,  agents or representatives,
directly or indirectly, to solicit, initiate, encourage or


                                      -40-

<PAGE>

facilitate,  or furnish or disclose nonpublic information in furtherance of, any
inquiries or the making of any proposal with respect to any merger, liquidation,
recapitalization,  consolidation  or other  business  combination  involving the
Company or its  subsidiaries or acquisition of any capital stock or any material
portion of the assets of the Company or its subsidiaries,  or any combination of
the foregoing (an "Acquisition Transaction"), or negotiate, explore or otherwise
engage in discussions with any person (other than the Purchaser, Parent or their
respective  directors,  officers,  employees,  agents and representatives)  with
respect to any Acquisition Transaction or enter into any agreement,  arrangement
or  understanding  requiring it to abandon,  terminate or fail to consummate the
Merger or any other transactions  contemplated by this Agreement;  provided that
the Company may furnish  information  to, and  negotiate or otherwise  engage in
discussions  with,  any party who delivers a bona fide  written  proposal for an
Acquisition  Transaction if the Company Board  determines in good faith and on a
reasonable basis by a majority vote, after  consultation  with its outside legal
counsel and SSB, that (i) such Acquisition  Proposal is reasonably  likely to be
more favorable to the stockholders of the Company from a financial point of view
than the  transactions  contemplated  by this Agreement and (ii) that failing to
take such action would thus  constitute a breach of the fiduciary  duties of the
Company Board.

         (b) From and after the execution of this Agreement,  the Company shall,
as soon as practicable, advise the Purchaser in writing of the receipt, directly
or  indirectly,  of any  discussions,  negotiations,  proposals  or  substantive
inquiries  relating  to an  Acquisition  Transaction,  identify  the offeror and
furnish to the Purchaser a copy of any such proposal or substantive  inquiry, if
it is in  writing,  or a written  summary of any oral  proposal  or  substantive
inquiry  relating to an  Acquisition  Transaction.  The Company shall as soon as
practicable advise Parent in writing of any substantive  development relating to
such  proposal,   including  the  results  of  any  substantive  discussions  or
negotiations with respect thereto.


                                   ARTICLE VII

                    CONDITIONS TO CONSUMMATION OF THE MERGER

         SECTION 7.01  Conditions.  The respective  obligations  of Parent,  the
Purchaser  and  the  Company  to  consummate  the  Merger  are  subject  to  the
satisfaction,  at or  before  the  Effective  Time,  of  each  of the  following
conditions:


                                      -41-

<PAGE>

         (a) Stockholder  Approval.  The  stockholders of the Company shall have
duly approved the  transactions  contemplated by this Agreement,  if required by
applicable law.

         (b) Purchase of Common  Shares.  The Purchaser  shall have accepted for
payment and paid for Common Shares  pursuant to the Offer in accordance with the
terms hereof.

         (c) Injunctions;  Illegality.  The consummation of the Merger shall not
be restrained, enjoined or prohibited by any order, judgment, decree, injunction
or ruling of a court of competent  jurisdiction or any  Governmental  Entity and
there shall not have been any statute,  rule or regulation enacted,  promulgated
or deemed applicable to the Merger by any Governmental Entity which prevents the
consummation  of the Merger or has the effect of making the  purchase  of Common
Shares illegal.

         (d) HSR Act. Any waiting  period (and any extension  thereof) under the
HSR Act applicable to the Merger shall have expired or terminated.


                                  ARTICLE VIII

                         TERMINATION; AMENDMENTS; WAIVER

         SECTION 8.01  Termination.  This  Agreement may be  terminated  and the
Merger  contemplated  hereby may be abandoned at any time prior to the Effective
Time,  notwithstanding approval thereof by the stockholders of the Company (with
any termination by Parent also being an effective termination by the Purchaser):

         (a) by the  mutual  written  consent of the  Company,  by action of its
Board of Directors and Parent;

         (b) by the Company if (i) the Purchaser  fails to commence the Offer as
provided in Section 1.01 hereof,  (ii) the Purchaser shall not have accepted for
payment and paid for Common Shares  pursuant to the Offer in accordance with the
terms  thereof  on or before  June 30,  1998,  provided  that if any  applicable
waiting period under the HSR Act shall not have expired or been terminated prior
to June 30, 1998, then the Company may not terminate this Agreement  pursuant to
this Section  8.01(c)(ii)  until August 31, 1998 or (iii) the Purchaser fails to
purchase  validly  tendered  Common  Shares  in  violation  of the terms of this
Agreement;

         (c) by Parent or the Company if the Offer is  terminated  or  withdrawn
pursuant to its terms  without any Common  Shares  being  purchased  thereunder;
provided,  however,  that  neither  Parent nor the  Company may  terminate  this
Agreement pursuant


                                      -42-

<PAGE>

to this  Section  8.01(c) if such  party  shall have  materially  breached  this
Agreement  or, in the case of  Parent,  if it or the  Purchaser  is in  material
violation of the terms of the Offer;

         (d) by Parent or the Company if any court or other Governmental  Entity
shall have issued an order, decree, judgment or ruling or taken any other action
permanently  enjoining,  restraining or otherwise prohibiting the acceptance for
payment of, or payment for,  Common  Shares  pursuant to the Offer or the Merger
and such order,  decree or ruling or other  action  shall have become  final and
nonappealable;

         (e) by the Company if, prior to the purchase of Common Shares  pursuant
to the offer in accordance with the terms of this  Agreement,  the Company Board
approves an Acquisition Transaction, on terms which a majority of the members of
the Company Board have determined in good faith and on a reasonable basis, after
consultation  with  its  outside  counsel  and SSB,  that  (i) such  Acquisition
Transaction  is  more  favorable  to the  Company  and its  stockholders  from a
financial point of view than the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and
(ii) failure to approve such proposal and terminate  this  Agreement  would thus
constitute a breach of fiduciary  duties of the Company  Board under  applicable
law;  provided that the termination  described in this Section 8.01(e) shall not
be  effective  unless  and  until the  Company  shall  have  paid to Parent  the
Termination Fee (as defined in Section 8.03(b));

         (f) by Parent if the Company breaches its covenant in Section 6.08;

         (g) by Parent  prior to the purchase of Common  Shares  pursuant to the
Offer,  if the Company  Board shall have  withdrawn  or modified  (including  by
amendment  of the  Schedule  14D-9) in a manner  adverse  to the  Purchaser  its
approval or  recommendation  of the Offer,  this Agreement or the Merger,  shall
have  approved  or  recommended  another  offer or  transaction,  or shall  have
resolved to effect any of the foregoing;

         (h) by  Parent  if any  Management  Stockholder  shall  have  failed to
perform or to comply with any of his obligations, covenants or agreements in any
material respect under a Support Agreement;

         (i) by Parent  prior to the purchase of Common  Shares  pursuant to the
Offer if the  Minimum  Condition  (as  defined  in Annex I) shall  not have been
satisfied by the expiration date of the Offer and on or prior to such date (A) a
third party shall have made a proposal or public  announcement or  communication
to the Company  with  respect to (i) the  acquisition  of the Company by merger,
tender offer or otherwise; (ii) the acquisition of 50% or


                                      -43-

<PAGE>

more of the assets of the Company and its subsidiaries,  taken as a whole; (iii)
the  acquisition  of 15% or more of the  outstanding  Common  Shares;  (iv)  the
adoption by the Company of a plan of liquidation  or the  declaration or payment
of an extraordinary dividend; or (v) the repurchase by the Company or any of its
subsidiaries  of 15% or more of the  outstanding  Common  Shares  at a price  in
excess of the Offer Price or (B) any person (including the Company or any of its
affiliates or subsidiaries),  other than Parent or any of its affiliates,  shall
have become the beneficial owner of more than 15% of the Common Shares; or

         (j) by Parent if Purchaser shall not have accepted for payment and paid
for Common Shares  pursuant to the Offer in accordance with the terms thereof on
or before June 30, 1998.

         SECTION 8.02 Effect of Termination.  In the event of the termination of
this Agreement  pursuant to Section 8.01, this Agreement shall forthwith  become
void and have no effect,  without any  liability on the part of any party or its
directors,  officers,  employees or  stockholders,  other than the provisions of
this Section 8.02 and Section 8.03,  which shall  survive any such  termination.
Nothing  contained in this Section  8.02 or  elsewhere in this  Agreement  shall
relieve any party from liability for any breach of this Agreement.

         SECTION 8.03 Fees and Expenses.

         (a)  Whether  or not the  Merger is  consummated,  except as  otherwise
specifically provided herein, all costs and expenses incurred in connection with
the Offer,  this Agreement and the  transactions  contemplated by this Agreement
shall be paid by the party incurring such expenses.

         (b) In the event that this Agreement is terminated  pursuant to Section
8.01(e),  (f),  (g), or (h) or  pursuant  to Section  8.01(c) as a result of the
failure to satisfy any of the  conditions set forth in paragraph (d) of Annex I,
then the Company shall within one business day after such termination pay Parent
(except in the case of  termination  pursuant  to Section  8.01(e) in which case
payment shall be made upon or prior to such  termination)  a termination  fee of
$5,500,000  (the  "Termination  Fee")  in  immediately  available  funds by wire
transfer to an account designated by Parent. In the event that this Agreement is
terminated pursuant to Section 8.01(i) and within six months of such termination
the  Company  shall  have  entered  into a  definitive  agreement  or a  written
agreement in principle  providing for an  Acquisition  Transaction,  the Company
shall pay Parent the  Termination Fee at or prior to execution of such agreement
or agreement in principle in immediately  available funds by wire transfer to an
account designated by Parent. In the event this Agreement is terminated pursuant
to Section


                                      -44-

<PAGE>

8.01(c)  as a result of the  failure  to  satisfy  the  conditions  set forth in
paragraphs (f) or (g)(1) of Annex I, then the Company shall promptly (and in any
event within one business  day after such  termination  and receipt of notice by
Parent  specifying,  in reasonable  detail,  such fees and  expenses)  reimburse
Parent  for the  fees  and  expenses  of  Parent  and the  Purchaser  (including
reasonable  printing fees,  filing fees and reasonable  fees and expenses of its
legal  and  financial  advisors)  related  to the  offer,  this  Agreement,  the
transactions  contemplated  hereby and any related  financing up to a maximum of
$1,500,000  (collectively  "Expenses")  in immediately  available  funds by wire
transfer to an account designated by Parent.

         (c) The prevailing party in any legal action undertaken to enforce this
Agreement  or any  provision  hereof shall be entitled to recover from the other
party the costs and expenses  (including  attorneys'  and expert  witness  fees)
incurred in connection with such action.

         SECTION 8.04  Amendment.  This Agreement may be amended by the Company,
Parent  and the  Purchaser  at any time  before  or after any  approval  of this
Agreement by the  stockholders  of the Company but, after any such approval,  no
amendment  shall  be  made  which  decreases  the  Merger  Price,   changes  the
consideration to be received or which otherwise  adversely affects the rights of
the Company's  stockholders hereunder without the approval of such stockholders.
This  Agreement may not be amended  except by an instrument in writing signed on
behalf  of all the  parties.  Any  amendment  to this  Agreement  following  the
election or appointment of Parent's  designees pursuant to Section 1.03 shall be
made only in accordance with Section 1.03(c).

         SECTION 8.05 Extension; Waiver. Subject to Section 1.03(c), at any time
prior to the Effective  Time, the parties hereto may (i) extend the time for the
performance  of any of the  obligations or other acts of any other party hereto,
(ii) waive any  inaccuracies  in the  representations  and warranties  contained
herein by any other party or in any document,  certificate or writing  delivered
pursuant  hereto by any other  party or (iii) waive  compliance  with any of the
agreements of any other party or with any conditions to its own obligations. Any
agreement  on the part of any party to any such  extension  or  waiver  shall be
valid only if set forth in an  instrument  in  writing  signed on behalf of such
party.


                                      -45-

<PAGE>

                                   ARTICLE IX

                                  MISCELLANEOUS

         SECTION  9.01  Non-Survival  of  Representations  and  Warranties.  The
representations  and warranties  made in this Agreement shall not survive beyond
the Effective Time.  Notwithstanding the foregoing,  the agreements set forth in
Article III and  Sections  6.05(a) and 6.06 shall  survive  the  Effective  Time
indefinitely  (except  to the  extent a  shorter  period  of time is  explicitly
specified therein).

         SECTION 9.02 Entire Agreement; Assignment.

         (a)  This  Agreement  (including  the  documents  and  the  instruments
referred to herein)  constitute  the entire  agreement  and  supersede all prior
agreements  and  understandings,  both written and oral,  among the parties with
respect to the subject matter hereof and thereof.

         (b)  Neither  this  Agreement  nor  any of  the  rights,  interests  or
obligations  hereunder will be assigned by any of the parties hereto (whether by
operation of law or otherwise)  without the prior written  consent of each other
party (except that Parent may assign its rights and the Purchaser may assign its
rights,  interest  and  obligations  to any  affiliate  or  direct  or  indirect
subsidiary  of Parent  without the consent of the Company  provided that no such
assignment  shall  relieve  Parent  of any  liability  for  any  breach  by such
assignee).  Subject to the preceding  sentence,  this  Agreement will be binding
upon,  inure to the  benefit  of and be  enforceable  by the  parties  and their
respective successors and assigns.

         SECTION 9.03  Validity.  The  invalidity  or  unenforce-ability  of any
provision of this Agreement shall not affect the validity or  enforceability  of
any other provision of this Agreement,  each of which shall remain in full force
and effect.

         SECTION 9.04 Notices. All notices,  requests, claims, demands and other
communications  hereunder  shall be in writing  and shall be deemed to have been
duly given when  delivered in person,  by overnight  courier or facsimile to the
respective parties as follows:

                  If to Parent or the Purchaser:

                  Western Atlas Inc.
                  10205 Westheimer Road
                  Houston, Texas  77042-3115
                  Attention:  James E. Brasher, Esq.
                  Fax: (713)  266-1717



                                      -46-

<PAGE>

                  with a copy to:

                  Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz
                  51 West 52nd Street
                  New York, New York 10019
                  Attention: Daniel A. Neff, Esq.
                  Fax: (212) 403-2000

                  If to the Company:

                  3-D Geophysical, Inc.
                  599 Lexington Avenue
                  Suite 4102
                  New York, New York 10022
                  Attention: Joel Friedman
                  Fax: (212) 317-9230

                  with a copy to:

                  Kramer, Levin, Naftalis & Frankel
                  919 Third Avenue
                  New York, New York 10022
                  Attention: Peter S. Kolevzon, Esq.
                  Fax: (212) 715-8000

or to such  other  address  as the  person  to whom  notice  is  given  may have
previously  furnished  to the other in writing  in the  manner set forth  above;
provided  that  notice of any change of  address  shall be  effective  only upon
receipt thereof.

         SECTION 9.05  Governing  Law. This  Agreement  shall be governed by and
construed in  accordance  with the laws of the State of Delaware,  regardless of
the laws that might otherwise govern under applicable principles of conflicts of
laws thereof.

         SECTION 9.06 Descriptive Headings.  The descriptive headings herein are
inserted for convenience of reference only and are not intended to be part of or
to affect the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.

         SECTION 9.07  Counterparts.  This  Agreement  may be executed in two or
more counterparts,  each of which shall be deemed to be an original,  but all of
which shall constitute one and the same agreement.

         SECTION 9.08 Parties in Interest.  This Agreement shall be binding upon
and inure solely to the benefit of each party hereto,  and,  except with respect
to Sections 6.05(a) and 6.06, nothing in this Agreement,  express or implied, is
intended  to confer  upon any other  person any rights or remedies of any nature
whatsoever under or by reason of this Agreement.


                                      -47-

<PAGE>

         SECTION 9.09 Certain Definitions. As used in this Agreement:

         (a) the term  "affiliate",  as  applied to any  Person,  shall mean any
other person directly or indirectly controlling,  controlled by, or under common
control  with,  that  Person.  For the  purposes of this  definition,  "control"
(including,  with correlative meanings, the terms "controlling," "controlled by"
and  "under  common  control  with"),  as  applied  to  any  Person,  means  the
possession,  directly  or  indirectly,  of the  power to  direct  or  cause  the
direction of the  management  and policies of that Person,  whether  through the
ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise;

         (b)  the  term  "Person"  or  "person"   shall   include   individuals,
corporations,  partnerships, trusts, other entities and groups (which term shall
include a "group" as such term is defined in Section  13(d)(3)  of the  Exchange
Act); and

         (c) the term  "subsidiary"  or  "subsidiaries"  means,  with respect to
Parent,  the Company or any other person,  any corporation,  partnership,  joint
venture or other legal entity of which Parent, the Company or such other person,
as the  case may be  (either  alone  or  through  or  together  with  any  other
subsidiary),  owns, directly or indirectly,  stock or other equity interests the
holders  of  which  are  generally  entitled  to 50% or more of the vote for the
election of the board of directors or other  governing body of such  corporation
or other legal entity.

         SECTION  9.10  Specific  Performance.  The  parties  hereto  agree that
irreparable  damage would occur in the event that any of the  provisions of this
Agreement  were not performed in accordance  with their  specific  terms or were
otherwise breached.  It is accordingly agreed that the parties shall be entitled
to an injunction or  injunctions  to prevent  breaches of this  Agreement and to
enforce  specifically the terms and provisions hereof in any court of the United
States or any state  having  jurisdiction,  this being in  addition to any other
remedy to which they are entitled at law or in equity,  without posting any bond
or proving that damages would be inadequate.


                                      -48-

<PAGE>

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties has caused this Agreement to be
executed on its behalf by its respective officer thereunto duly authorized,  all
as of the day and year first above written.


                                               WESTERN ATLAS INC.


                                               By:/s/ Richard C. White
                                                  ---------------------
                                                  Name: Richard C. White
                                                  Title: Senior Vice President


                                               WAI ACQUISITION CORP.


                                               By:/s/ Richard C. White
                                                  ---------------------
                                                  Name: Richard C. White
                                                  Title: Vice President


                                               3-D GEOPHYSICAL, INC.


                                               By:/s/ Joel Friedman
                                                  -----------------
                                                  Name: Joel Friedman
                                                  Title: Chairman


                                      -49-

<PAGE>


                                                                         Annex I

         The capitalized  terms used in this Annex I shall have the meanings set
forth in the  Agreement  and Plan of Merger  to which  this  Annex is  attached,
except  that the  term  "Merger  Agreement"  shall  be  deemed  to refer to such
Agreement and Plan of Merger.

         Conditions to the Offer.  Notwithstanding  any other  provisions of the
Offer,  the Purchaser shall not be required to accept for payment or pay for any
tendered  Common Shares and may terminate or, subject to the terms of the Merger
Agreement,  amend the Offer, if (i) there shall not be validly  tendered and not
properly  withdrawn prior to the expiration date for the Offer (the  "Expiration
Date") that number of Common Shares which  represents at least a majority of the
total number of  outstanding  Common Shares on a fully diluted basis on the date
of purchase (not taking into account the Rights) (the "Minimum Condition"), (ii)
any  applicable  waiting period under the HSR Act shall not have expired or been
terminated, or (iii) at any time on or after March 8, 1998 and prior to the time
of payment for any Common Shares, any of the following exist:

               (a)  there  shall be any  action  taken,  or any  statute,  rule,
          regulation,  legislation,  interpretation,  ruling, judgment, order or
          injunction enacted, enforced,  promulgated,  amended, issued or deemed
          applicable to the Offer, by any legislative body, court, government or
          governmental,   administrative  or  regulatory  authority  or  agency,
          domestic or foreign, that would reasonably be expected to, directly or
          indirectly: (1) make illegal or otherwise prohibit or materially delay
          consummation  of the Offer or the  Merger  or seek to obtain  material
          damages or make  materially  more costly the making of the Offer,  (2)
          prohibit or  materially  limit the ownership or operation by Parent or
          the  Purchaser  of all or any portion of the business or assets of the
          Company or any of its subsidiaries that is material to the Company and
          its subsidiaries,  taken as a whole, or compel Parent or the Purchaser
          to dispose of or hold separately all or any portion of the business or
          assets  of  Parent  or  the  Purchaser  or the  Company  or any of its
          subsidiaries  that is material  to the  Company and its  subsidiaries,
          taken as a whole, or impose any material  limitation on the ability of
          Parent or the  Purchaser  to conduct its  business or own such assets,
          (3)  impose  material  limitations  on the  ability  of  Parent or the
          Purchaser  effectively  to acquire,  hold or  exercise  full rights of
          ownership of the Common Shares,  including,  without  limitation,  the
          right to vote any Common Shares  acquired or owned by the Purchaser or
          Parent  on  all   matters   properly   presented   to  the   Company's
          stockholders, (4)


<PAGE>

         require divestiture by Parent or the Purchaser of any Common
         Shares, or (5) result in a Material Adverse Effect; or

               (b) there shall be instituted or pending any action or proceeding
          by any Governmental  Entity seeking,  or by any third party that would
          reasonably be expected to result in, any of the consequences  referred
          to in clauses (1)through (5) of paragraph (a) above; or

               (c) any change  shall have  occurred or been  threatened  (or any
          development   shall  have  occurred  or  been   threatened   involving
          prospective change) in the business,  assets,  liabilities,  financial
          condition, results of operations or prospects of the Company or any of
          its subsidiaries  that has, or would reasonably be expected to have, a
          Material Adverse Effect; or

               (d) (1) it shall have been  publicly  disclosed or the  Purchaser
          shall have otherwise learned that beneficial ownership (determined for
          the  purposes  of  this  paragraph  (d) as set  forth  in  Rule  13d-3
          promulgated  under the Exchange Act) of 50% or more of the outstanding
          Common Shares has been acquired by any person  (including  the Company
          or any of its  subsidiaries  or  affiliates)  or group (as  defined in
          Section 13(d)(3) under the Exchange Act), (2) the Company Board or any
          committee  thereof  shall have  withdrawn,  or shall have  modified or
          amended in a manner adverse to Parent or the Purchaser,  the approval,
          adoption  or  recommendation,  as the case may be, of the Offer or the
          Merger  Agreement,  or  approved  or  recommended  any other  takeover
          proposal or other  acquisition  of Common  Shares other than the Offer
          and the Merger, (3) a third party shall have entered into a definitive
          agreement or a written  agreement  in principle  with the Company with
          respect to the  acquisition of a majority of the Company's  assets,  a
          tender offer or exchange  offer to be made to holders of Common Shares
          or a  merger,  consolidation  or other  business  combination  with or
          involving the Company or any of its  subsidiaries,  or (4) the Company
          Board or any  committee  thereof  shall have resolved to do any of the
          foregoing; or

               (e) the Company and the  Purchaser  and Parent shall have reached
          an agreement that the Offer or the Merger Agreement be terminated,  or
          the Merger Agreement shall have been terminated in accordance with its
          terms; or

               (f) any of the  representations and warranties of the Company set
          forth in the Merger  Agreement,  when read  without any  exception  or
          qualification as to materiality or Material Adverse Effect,  shall not
          be true and correct,  as if such  representations  and warranties were
          made  at the  time  of  such  determination  (except  as to  any  such
          representation or


                                       -2-

<PAGE>

         warranty  which speaks as of a specific  date,  which must be untrue or
         incorrect  as of such  specific  date),  except  where the  failure  or
         failures to be so true and correct  would not,  individually  or in the
         aggregate,  reasonably  be  expected  to (i)  have a  Material  Adverse
         Effect, (ii) prevent or materially delay the consummation of the Offer,
         or (iii) materially increase the cost of the Offer to the Purchaser; or

               (g) (1) the  Company  shall  have  failed to perform or to comply
          with any of its obligations,  covenants or agreements under the Merger
          Agreement in any material  respect or (2) any  Management  Stockholder
          shall have failed to perform or to comply in any material respect with
          any of his  obligations,  covenants  or  agreements  under  a  Support
          Agreement; or

               (h)  any  Consent  set  forth  in  Section  4.05  of the  Company
          Disclosure  and identified  thereon as a "required  Consent" shall not
          have been filed or  obtained or shall not have  occurred,  as the case
          may be; or

               (i) there shall have  occurred,  and continued to exist,  (1) any
          general  suspension  of, or  limitation  on  prices  for,  trading  in
          securities  on the New York Stock  Exchange or in the NASDAQ  National
          Market System, (2) any decline of at least 25% in either the Dow Jones
          Average of  Industrial  Stocks or the Standard & Poor's 500 Index from
          the close of business on the last  trading day  immediately  preceding
          the date of the  Merger  Agreement,  (3) a  declaration  of a  banking
          moratorium  or any  suspension  of payments in respect of banks in the
          United States, (4) a commencement of a war, armed hostilities or other
          national or international  crisis directly or indirectly involving the
          United  States,  with the  exception of any military  action  directed
          against the nation of Iraq, or a material  limitation  (whether or not
          mandatory)  by any  Governmental  Entity on the extension of credit by
          banks or other lending institutions,  or (5) in the case of any of the
          foregoing  clauses  (1)  through  (4)  existing  at  the  time  of the
          commencement  of the  Offer,  a  material  acceleration  or  worsening
          thereof.

         The foregoing conditions  (including those set forth in clauses (i) and
(ii) of the initial  paragraph)  are for the benefit of Parent and the Purchaser
and may be asserted by Parent or the Purchaser  regardless of the  circumstances
giving rise to any such conditions and may be waived by Parent or the Purchaser,
in  whole or in part,  at any  time  and from  time to time in their  reasonable
discretion,  in each case,  subject to the terms of the  Merger  Agreement.  The
failure by Parent or the  Purchaser at any time to exercise any of the foregoing
rights  shall not be deemed a waiver of any such right and each such right shall
be deemed an ongoing  right  which may be  asserted at any time and from time to
time.


                                       -3-

<PAGE>

                                                                        Annex II

         SUPPORT  AGREEMENT (this  "Agreement"),  dated as of March __, 1998, by
and  between  Western  Atlas  Inc.,  a  Delaware  corporation  ("Parent"),   and
________________ ("Seller").

         WHEREAS,  concurrently  herewith,  Parent,  WAI Acquisition  Corp. (the
"Purchaser"),  a  Delaware  corporation  and a  subsidiary  of  Parent,  and 3-D
Geophysical,  Inc. (the "Company"), a Delaware corporation, are entering into an
Agreement  and Plan of Merger of even date  herewith  (the  "Merger  Agreement",
which term shall not include any amendment to such Agreement which decreases the
Offer Price or changes the form of  consideration  payable in the Offer,  unless
Seller  consents to the inclusion of such  amendment in such term).  Capitalized
terms  used but not  defined  herein  shall have the  meanings  set forth in the
Merger Agreement), pursuant to which the Purchaser agrees to make a tender offer
(the "Offer") for all  outstanding  shares of common  stock,  par value $.0l per
share (the "Shares"), of the Company, at $9.65 per share (the "Offer Price") net
to the  seller  in cash,  to be  followed  by a  merger  (the  "Merger")  of the
Purchaser with and into the Company;

         WHEREAS,  as of the date  hereof,  Seller  beneficially  owns  directly
_________________ Shares (the "Owned Shares");

         WHEREAS,  as a condition to their  willingness to enter into the Merger
Agreement and make the Offer, Parent and the Purchaser have required that Seller
agree,  and Seller hereby agrees,  (i) to tender pursuant to the Offer the Owned
Shares, together with any Shares acquired after the date hereof and prior to the
termination  of the Offer,  whether upon the exercise of options,  conversion of
convertible securities or otherwise  (collectively,  the "Tender Shares") on the
terms and subject to the  conditions  provided for in this Agreement and (ii) to
enter into the other agreements set forth herein; and

         NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and for other good and
valuable  consideration  given to each  party  hereto,  the  receipt of which is
hereby acknowledged, the parties agree as follows:

         1. Agreement to Tender and Vote.

         1.1 Tender. Seller hereby agrees to validly tender (or cause the record
owner of such shares to validly tender),  pursuant to and in accordance with the
terms of the Offer, as soon as practicable  after  commencement of the Offer but
in no


<PAGE>

event later than five business days after the date of commencement of the Offer,
the Tender Shares by physical  delivery of the certificates  therefor and to not
withdraw such Tender  Shares,  except  following  termination  of this Agreement
pursuant  to  Section 2 hereof.  Seller  hereby  acknowledges  and  agrees  that
Parent's and the  Purchaser's  obligation  to accept for payment and pay for the
Tender Shares is subject to the terms and conditions of the Offer. Seller hereby
permits Parent and the Purchaser to publish and disclose in the Offer  Documents
and, if approval of the Company's stockholders is required under applicable law,
the Proxy  Statement  (including  all  documents  and  schedules  filed with the
Securities  and Exchange  Commission)  his identity and  ownership of the Tender
Shares and the nature of his commitments,  arrangements and understandings under
this Agreement.

         1.2 Voting.  Seller hereby agrees that,  during the time this Agreement
is in effect, at any meeting of the shareholders of the Company, however called,
Seller  shall (a) vote the Tender  Shares in favor of the  Merger;  (b) vote the
Tender Shares  against any action or agreement  that would result in a breach of
any covenant, representation or warranty or any other obligation or agreement of
the Company under the Merger  Agreement;  and (c) vote the Tender Shares against
any action or agreement  (other than the Merger  Agreement  or the  transactions
contemplated  thereby) that would impede,  interfere  with,  delay,  postpone or
attempt to discourage  the Merger or the Offer,  including,  but not limited to:
(i) any extraordinary corporate transaction,  such as a merger, consolidation or
other  business  combination  involving the Company or any of its  subsidiaries;
(ii) a sale or transfer of a material  amount of assets of the Company or any of
its  subsidiaries or a  reorganization,  recapitalization  or liquidation of the
Company and its  subsidiaries;  (iii) any change in the  management  or board of
directors  of the  Company,  except as  otherwise  agreed to in  writing  by the
Purchaser;  (iv) any material change in the present  capitalization  or dividend
policy  of the  Company;  or (v) any  other  material  change  in the  Company's
corporate  structure or business.  Seller  hereby  revokes any proxy  previously
granted by him with respect to the Tender Shares.

         1.3 Grant of Irrevocable Proxy; Appointment of Proxy.

         (i) Seller  hereby  irrevocably  grants to,  and  appoints,  William H.
Flores and James E. Brasher,  or either of them, in their respective  capacities
as officers or  directors  of Parent,  and any  individual  who shall  hereafter
succeed  to any  such  office  or  directorship  of  Parent,  and  each  of them
individually,   Seller's  proxy  and   attorney-in-fact   (with  full  power  of
substitution),  for and in the  name,  place and  stead of  Seller,  to vote the
Tender Shares in favor of the Merger and other transactions  contemplated by the
Merger Agreement, against any


                                       -2-

<PAGE>

Acquisition Transaction and otherwise as contemplated by Section 1.2.

         (ii) Seller represents that any proxies  heretofore given in respect of
the Tender  Shares are not  irrevocable,  and that any such  proxies  are hereby
revoked.

         (iii) Seller  understands and acknowledges that Parent is entering into
the Merger  Agreement in reliance upon  Seller's  execution and delivery of this
Agreement.  Seller hereby affirms that the  irrevocable  proxy set forth in this
Section 1.3 is given in connection  with the execution of the Merger  Agreement,
and that such irrevocable proxy is given to secure the performance of the duties
of  Seller  under  this  Agreement.  Seller  hereby  further  affirms  that  the
irrevocable  proxy is coupled with an interest and may under no circumstances be
revoked. Seller hereby ratifies and confirms all that such irrevocable proxy may
lawfully  do or cause to be done by virtue  hereof.  Such  irrevocable  proxy is
executed and intended to be  irrevocable  in accordance  with the  provisions of
Section 212(e) of the Delaware General Corporation Law.

         1.4 No Inconsistent  Arrangements.  Seller hereby  covenants and agrees
that,  except as  contemplated  by this Agreement and the Merger  Agreement,  it
shall not (i) transfer (which term shall include, without limitation,  any sale,
gift, pledge or other disposition), or consent to any transfer of, any or all of
the Tender Shares or any interest therein, (ii) enter into any contract,  option
or other agreement or  understanding  with respect to any transfer of any or all
of  the  Tender  Shares  or  any  interest  therein,   (iii)  grant  any  proxy,
power-of-attorney  or  other  authorization  in or with  respect  to the  Tender
Shares,  (iv)  deposit  the Tender  Shares  into a voting  trust or enter into a
voting  agreement or  arrangement  with respect to the Tender Shares or (v) take
any other action that would in any way  restrict,  limit or  interfere  with the
performance of his obligations hereunder or the transactions contemplated hereby
or by the Merger Agreement or which would make any representation or warranty of
Seller hereunder untrue or incorrect.

         1.5 No  Solicitation.  Seller  hereby agrees that Seller shall not, and
shall not permit or authorize any of his affiliates,  representatives  or agents
to,  directly or  indirectly,  encourage,  solicit,  explore,  participate in or
initiate   discussions  or  negotiations   with,  or  provide  or  disclose  any
information to, any  corporation,  partnership,  person or other entity or group
(other than Parent, the Purchaser or any of their affiliates or representatives)
concerning any Acquisition Transaction or enter into any agreement,  arrangement
or  understanding  requiring  the  Company  to  abandon,  terminate  or  fail to
consummate the Merger or any other transactions contemplated


                                       -3-

<PAGE>

by the Merger Agreement.  Seller will immediately cease any existing activities,
discussions or negotiations with any parties  conducted  heretofore with respect
to any Acquisition Transaction.  From and after the execution of this Agreement,
Seller shall  immediately  advise Parent in writing of the receipt,  directly or
indirectly, of any inquiries, discussions, negotiations or proposals relating to
an Acquisition Transaction, identify the offeror and furnish to Parent a copy of
any such proposal or inquiry,  if it is in writing,  or a written summary of any
oral proposal or inquiry  relating to an Acquisition  Transaction.  Seller shall
promptly advise Parent in writing of any development  relating to such proposal,
including the results of any discussions or negotiations  with respect  thereto.
Any action  taken by the Company or any member of the Board of  Directors of the
Company including, if applicable,  Seller acting in such capacity, in accordance
with the  proviso  to the  second  sentence  of  Section  6.10(a)  of the Merger
Agreement shall be deemed not to violate this Section 1.5.

         1.6  Reasonable  Best Efforts.  Subject to the terms and  conditions of
this Agreement, Seller hereby agrees to use all reasonable best efforts to take,
or cause to be taken,  all actions,  and to do, or cause to be done,  all things
necessary,  proper  or  advisable  under  applicable  laws  and  regulations  to
consummate and make effective the  transactions  contemplated  by this Agreement
and the Merger Agreement.  Seller shall promptly consult with Parent and provide
any  necessary  information  and  material  with  respect to all filings made by
Seller with any  Governmental  Entity in connection  with this Agreement and the
Merger Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby.

         1.7 Waiver of  Appraisal  Rights.  Seller  hereby  waives any rights of
appraisal or rights to dissent from the Merger that he may have.

         2.  Expiration.  This  Agreement  and  Seller's  obligation  to  tender
provided  hereto  shall  terminate  on the earlier of the payment for the Shares
pursuant to the Offer and the termination of the Merger  Agreement in accordance
with its terms.

         3. Representation and Warranties.

         Seller hereby represents and warrants to Parent as follows:

               (a) Title.  Seller has good and valid title to the Tender Shares,
          free and clear of any lien,  pledge,  charge,  encumbrance or claim of
          whatever  nature and,  upon the  purchase of the Tender  Shares by the
          Purchaser, Seller will deliver good and valid title to


                                       -4-

<PAGE>

          the Tender Shares, free and clear of any lien, charge,  encumbrance or
          claim of whatever nature.

               (b) Ownership of Shares. On the date hereof, the Owned Shares are
          owned of record or beneficially by Seller and, on the date hereof, the
          Owned  Shares  constitute  all  of  the  Shares  owned  of  record  or
          beneficially by Seller. Seller has sole voting power and sole power of
          disposition  with  respect  to  all  of  the  Owned  Shares,  with  no
          restrictions,  subject  to  applicable  federal  securities  laws,  on
          Seller's rights of disposition pertaining thereto.

               (c) Power;  Binding  Agreement.  Seller  has the legal  capacity,
          power and  authority to enter into and perform all of his  obligations
          under this Agreement. The execution,  delivery and performance of this
          Agreement  by Seller  will not violate  any other  agreement  to which
          Seller is a party including, without limitation, any voting agreement,
          stockholders  agreement or voting trust.  This Agreement has been duly
          and validly  executed and delivered by Seller and  constitutes a valid
          and  binding  agreement  of  Seller,  enforceable  against  Seller  in
          accordance with its terms.

               (d) No Conflicts.  Other than in connection with or in compliance
          with  the  provisions  of  the  Exchange  Act  and  the  HSR  Act,  no
          authorization,  consent or approval of, or filing  with,  any court or
          any public body or  authority  is necessary  for the  consummation  by
          Seller  of  the  transactions  contemplated  by  this  Agreement.  The
          execution,   delivery  and  performance  of  this  Agreement  and  the
          consummation  of  the  transactions   contemplated   hereby  will  not
          constitute a breach,  violation  or default (or any event which,  with
          notice or lapse of time or both, would constitute a default) under, or
          result in the termination  of, or accelerate the performance  required
          by, or result in a right of  termination  or  acceleration  under,  or
          result in the  creation of any lien,  encumbrance,  pledge,  charge or
          claim upon any of the properties or assets of Seller under,  any note,
          bond, mortgage, indenture, deed of trust, license, lease, agreement or
          other instrument to which Seller is a party or by which his properties
          or assets are bound.

               (e) No Finder's  Fees. No broker,  investment  banker,  financial
          advisor  or  other  person  is  entitled  to any  broker's,  finder's,
          financial  adviser's or other  similar fee or commission in connection
          with the


                                       -5-

<PAGE>

          transactions contemplated hereby based upon arrangements made by or on
          behalf of Seller.

         4. Additional Shares.  Seller hereby agrees, while this Agreement is in
effect,  to promptly  notify Parent of the number of any new Shares  acquired by
Seller, if any, after the date hereof.

         5. Further  Assurances.  From time to time, at the Parent's request and
without further consideration,  Seller shall execute and deliver such additional
documents  and take all such further  action as may be  reasonably  necessary or
desirable to consummate  and make  effective the  transactions  contemplated  by
Section 1 of this Agreement.

         6. Miscellaneous.

         6.1 Non-Survival.  The representations and warranties made herein shall
terminate upon Seller's sale of the Tender Shares to the Purchaser in the Offer,
other than Seller's  representation and warranty in Section 3.2(a),  which shall
survive  the sale of the Tender  Shares and the  termination  of this  Agreement
following such sale.

         6.2 Entire  Agreement;  Assignment.  This Agreement (i) constitutes the
entire  agreement  between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof
and supersedes all other prior agreements and  understandings,  both written and
oral,  between the parties  with respect to the subject  matter  hereof and (ii)
shall not be assigned by operation of law or otherwise, provided that Parent may
assign its rights and  obligations  hereunder  to any direct or indirect  wholly
owned  subsidiary of Parent,  but no such assignment shall relieve Parent of its
obligations hereunder if such assignee does not perform such obligations.

         6.3 Amendments. This Agreement may not be modified, amended, altered or
supplemented,  except upon the  execution  and  delivery of a written  agreement
executed by the parties hereto.

         6.4  Notices.  All  notices,   requests,   claims,  demands  and  other
communications  hereunder  shall  be in  writing  and  shall  be  given  by hand
delivery, telegram, telex or telecopy or by any courier service, such as Federal
Express,  providing  proof of delivery.  All  communications  hereunder shall be
delivered to the respective parties at the following addresses:

         If to Seller:


                                       -6-

<PAGE>

         copy to Seller's Counsel:






         If to Parent:

                  Western Atlas Inc.
                  10205 Westheimer Road
                  Houston, Texas  77042-3115
                  Attention:  James E. Brasher, Esq.
                  Fax:  (713) 266-1717

         copy to:

                  Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz
                  51 West 52nd Street
                  New York, New York 10019
                  Attention: Daniel A. Neff, Esq.
                  Fax: (212) 403-2000

or to such  other  address  as the  person  to whom  notice  is  given  may have
previously furnished to the others in writing in the manner set forth above.

         6.5 Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in
accordance  with the laws of the State of Delaware,  regardless of the laws that
might otherwise govern under applicable principles of conflicts of laws thereof.

         6.6 Specific  Performance.  Seller  recognizes and acknowledges  that a
breach by him of any covenants or agreements  contained in this  Agreement  will
cause Parent to sustain  damages for which it would not have an adequate  remedy
at law for money damages,  and therefore  Seller agrees that in the event of any
such breach  Parent shall be entitled to the remedy of specific  performance  of
such  covenants and agreements  and  injunctive  and other  equitable  relief in
addition to any other remedy to which it may be entitled, at law or in equity.

         6.7  Counterparts.  This Agreement may be executed in two counterparts,
each of which  shall  be  deemed  to be an  original,  but  both of which  shall
constitute one and the same Agreement.

         6.8  Descriptive  Headings.  The  descriptive  headings used herein are
inserted for convenience of reference only and


                                       -7-

<PAGE>

are not  intended  to be part of or to affect the meaning or  interpretation  of
this Agreement.

         6.9 Severability.  Whenever possible,  each provision or portion of any
provision  of  this  Agreement  will be  interpreted  in  such  manner  as to be
effective and valid under  applicable law but if any provision or portion of any
provision of this Agreement is held to be invalid,  illegal or  unenforceable in
any  respect  under  any  applicable  law  or  rule  in any  jurisdiction,  such
invalidity,  illegality or unenforceability  will not affect any other provision
or portion of any provision in such  jurisdiction,  and this  Agreement  will be
reformed,  construed  and  enforced  in such  jurisdiction  as if such  invalid,
illegal or  unenforceable  provision or portion of any  provision had never been
contained herein.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF,  Parent and Seller have caused this Agreement to be
duly executed as of the day and year first above written.


                                                     WESTERN ATLAS INC.



                                                     By:_____________________
                                                         Name:_______________
                                                         Title:______________


                                                      SELLER




                                                         Name:_____________


                                       -8-


<PAGE>


                                                                       Annex III

                      CONSULTING AND NON-COMPETE AGREEMENT

         AGREEMENT, dated as of March , 1998, by and between Western Atlas Inc.,
a Delaware  corporation (the "Parent"),  Friedman  Enterprises  Inc., a New York
corporation ("FEI") and Joel Friedman (the "Consultant").

         WHEREAS,  the  Consultant  is the Chairman of the Board of Directors of
3-D  Geophysical,   Inc.,  a  Delaware   corporation,   (collectively  with  its
subsidiaries, the "Company");

         WHEREAS,  the Parent has entered into an  Agreement  and Plan of Merger
with the Company and WAI  Acquisition  Corp.,  dated as of March ___,  1998 (the
"Merger Agreement");

         WHEREAS,  the  Consultant  will terminate  employment  with the Company
effec- tive as of the "Effective  Time" (as defined in the Merger  Agreement) of
the merger contemplated by the Merger Agreement (the "Merger"); and

         WHEREAS,  the Consultant is the President and sole  shareholder of FEI;
and

         WHEREAS,  the Parent  desires to provide for the  Consultant to perform
services for the Parent and the Company  following the Merger and FEI desires to
make Consultant avail- able to perform such services.

         NOW,  THEREFORE,  in  consideration  of  the  mutual  covenants  herein
contained  and  other  good  and  valuable  consideration,  the  Parent  and the
Consultant hereby agree as follows:

         1. Consulting Services. Subject to the effectiveness of the Merger, the
Consultant  hereby agrees to provide such consulting  services to the Parent and
to the Company as the President of the Western  Geophysical  Division of Western
Atlas International,  Inc. or his designee shall reasonably request for not more
than __ hours per month.  Such consulting  services may be rendered in New York,
New York, or at any other mutually  agreeable  place.  FEI hereby agrees to make
Consultant available to provide such service.

         2. Term. The period of consultancy  under this Agreement shall be for a
period commencing on the Effective Time and ending on the fourth  anniversary of
the Effective Time (the "Term").

         3. Consulting Fee. The Parent shall pay to FEI, in consideration of the
consulting  services,  a consulting fee (the "Consulting Fee") at an annual rate
of $_______ payable in substantially equal monthly installments during the Term.


<PAGE>

         4.  Expenses.   The  Parent  will  reimburse  FEI  for  all  authorized
reasonable and necessary  out-of-pocket  expenses  incurred by the Consultant in
the  performance of his duties  hereunder upon the  presentation  of appropriate
documentation.  Such  expenses  shall be submitted to Parent,  at P.O. Box 1407,
Houston, TX 77251-1407, Att: J. Perez, on Parent's standard expense report forms
in accordance with Parent's expense  reimbursement policy in effect from time to
time during the Term.

         5. Termination of Consultancy.  The Consultant's  consultancy hereunder
shall  terminate  prior to the scheduled end of the Term upon the first to occur
of:

         (a) the death of the Consultant; or

         (b) the Consultant's illness,  disability or incapacity  ("Disability")
that prevents the Consultant from performing his duties hereunder for sixty (60)
consecutive  days,  or for any sixty (60) days within any one hundred and eighty
(180) day period, and the provision of written notice of such termination to the
Consultant; or

         (c) written  notice by the Parent to the  Consultant of  termination of
the  Consultant's  consultancy  by the Parent for "Cause,"  which shall include,
without  limitation,  (i) the  failure of the  Consultant  to perform his duties
hereunder after at least 30 days' written notice thereof specifying such failure
and the Consultant's  failure to remedy same within such 30-day period; (ii) any
act of illegality,  dishonesty, moral turpitude, or fraud in connection with the
Consultant's consultancy;  (iii) any course of action by the Consultant which is
materially  detrimental  to the business of the Parent or any of its  affiliates
(including  without  limitation  any  violation  of  Sections  7, 8 or 9 of this
Agreement); or (iv) the commission by the Consultant of any felony; or

         (d) written  notice by the Parent to the  Consultant of  termination of
the Consultant's consultancy without Cause; or

         (e) written  notice by the  Consultant to the Parent of  termination of
his consul- tancy.

The  date of  termination  of the  Consultant's  consultancy  shall  be the date
written  notice is given or such later date (within  thirty (30) days  following
such notice) specified in the written notice.

         6.  Termination  Payments.  In  the  event  of the  termination  of the
Consultant's  consultancy  pursuant  to  Section  5, the  Parent  shall make the
payments to FEI set forth below and have no further obligation to the Consultant
or FEI hereunder.

         (a) In the event of the termination of the Consultant's  consultancy by
the  Parent  for  Cause  pursuant  to  Section  5(c)  of this  Agreement  or the
termination  of the  Consultant's  consultancy  by the  Consultant  pursuant  to
Section 5(e) of this Agreement, the


                                      - 2 -

<PAGE>

Parent shall pay to FEI the Consulting Fee previously  earned but not paid as of
the date of termination.

         (b) In the event of the termination of the Consultant's  consultancy by
the Parent without Cause (and not for death or  Disability)  pursuant to Section
5(d) of this Agreement, the Parent shall continue to pay FEI the full Consulting
Fee contemplated by Section 3 of this Agreement in monthly  installments through
the scheduled end of the Term,  subject to the Consultant's and FEI's compliance
with Sections 7, 8 and 9 of this Agreement.

         (c)  In  the  event  of  the  Consultant's  death  or  termination  for
Disability  pursuant  to Section  5(b) of this  Agreement  during the Term,  the
Parent shall continue to pay to FEI the Consulting Fee contemplated by Section 3
in monthly  installments for the lesser of (i) six months following such date of
termination or (ii) the number of months  remaining in the Term,  subject to the
Consultant's and FEI's compliance with Section 7, 8 and 9 of this Agreement.

         7. Covenant Not to Compete.  During the Tenn and until the later of (a)
12 months after the Consultant's  termination of consultancy with the Parent for
any reason or (b) the end of the scheduled Term (the  "Noncompetition  Period"),
the Consultant  will not,  directly or indirectly  (whether as sole  proprietor,
partner or venturer,  stockholder,  director, officer, employee or consultant or
in any other capacity as principal or agent or through any person, subsidiary or
employee acting as nominee or agent):

         (a) Conduct or engage in or have an interest in or be  associated  with
any person, firm,  association,  partnership,  corporation or other entity which
conducts  or  engages  in the  business  of  seismic  data  acquisition  or data
processing (the "Business"), which are the primary businesses of the Company;

         (b) Take any action, directly or indirectly,  to finance,  guarantee or
provide  any  other  material  assistance  to  any  person,  firm,  association,
partnership,  corporation  or other  entity  which  conducts  or  engages in the
Business;

         (c)  Influence or attempt to influence any person,  firm,  association,
partnership,  corporation or other entity which is a contracting  party with the
Parent at any time during the  Noncompetition  Period to terminate any agreement
with the Parent except to the extent the Consultant is acting on behalf,  and at
the direction, of the Parent in good faith;

         (d) Hire or attempt to hire for  employment  any person who is employed
by the Parent or attempt to influence  any such person to  terminate  employment
with the Parent, except to the extent the Consultant is acting on behalf, and at
the direction, of the Parent in good faith; or

         (e) Call on, solicit or take away as a client or customer or attempt to
call on,  solicit  or take  away as a  client  or  customer  any  person,  firm,
association, partnership,


                                      - 3 -

<PAGE>

corporation  or other  entity that is or was a client or customer of the Parent,
including  actively  sought  prospective  customers,  during  the  Term  or  the
Consultant's prior employment with the Company.

         The  restrictive  provisions of this  Agreement  shall not prohibit the
Consultant  from having an equity  interest in the securities of any corporation
engaged in the Business,  which securities are listed on a recognized securities
exchange  or  traded in the  over-the-counter  market  to the  extent  that such
interest does not exceed 3% of the value or voting power of such corporation and
does not constitute control of such corporation.  For purposes of this Section 7
and Sections 8 and 9 of this  Agreement,  the term  "Parent"  shall  include the
Parent and the Company, and each of their affiliates,  and the term "Consultant"
shall include the Consultant and FEI.

         8.  Confidential  Information;  Ownership  Rights.  (a) The  Consultant
acknowledges and agrees that all nonpublic  information  concerning the Parent's
business including,  without limitation,  information  relating to its products,
customer lists, pricing, trade secrets, patents, business methods, financial and
cost  data,  business  plans and  strategies  (collectively,  the  "Confidential
Information")  is and shall  remain the property of the Parent.  The  Consultant
recognizes  and  agrees  that  all  of  the  Confidential  Information,  whether
developed by the  Consultant  or made  available to the  Consultant,  other than
information  that is  generally  known to the public,  is a unique  asset of the
business of the Parent the  disclosure of which would be damaging to the Parent.
Accordingly,  the Consultant agrees to hold such  Confidential  Information in a
fiduciary  capacity for the benefit of the Parent. The Consultant agrees that he
will not at any time  during  or after  the  Consultant's  consultancy  with the
Parent  for any  reason,  directly  or  indirectly,  disclose  to any person any
Confidential  Information of the Parent,  other than information that is already
known to the  public,  except  as may be  required  in the  ordinary  course  of
business  of  the  Parent  or as may be  required  by  law.  Promptly  upon  the
termination of this Agreement for any reason, the Consultant agrees to return to
the Parent any and all documents,  memoranda,  drawings,  notes and other papers
and items  (including  all copies  thereof,  whether  electronic  or  otherwise)
embodying any Confidential Information of the Parent which are in the possession
or control of the Consultant.  Information concerning the Parent's business that
becomes public as a result of the Consultant's breach of this Section 8 shall be
treated as Confidential Information under this Section 8.

         (b) The Consultant  hereby  assigns to the Parent all right,  title and
interest  in  and  to any  ideas,  inventions,  original  works  or  authorship,
developments,  improvements  or trade secrets with respect to the Business which
the Consultant  solely or jointly has conceived or reduced to practice,  or will
conceive or reduce to practice, or cause to be conceived or reduced to practice,
during the Term or his prior employment with the Company.  All original works or
authorship  which are made by Consultant  (solely or jointly with others) within
the scope of  Consultants  services  hereunder  or for the Company and which are
protectable  by copyright  are "works made for hire," as that term is defined in
the United States Copyright Act.


                                      - 4 -

<PAGE>

         9. Disparagement. During the Term and thereafter, the Consultant agrees
not to (a) criticize,  denigrate or speak adversely of, or (b) disclose negative
information  about,  the operations,  management or performance of the Parent or
about any director,  officer,  employee or agent of the Parent, except as may be
required by law.

         10. Breach of Certain  Provisions.  The Consultant  acknowledges that a
violation on the Consultant's part of any of the covenants contained in Sections
7, 8 or 9 of this Agreement would cause  immeasurable and irreparable  damage to
the Parent and the Company.  Accordingly,  the Consultant agrees that the Parent
shall be entitled to  injunctive  relief in any court of competent  jurisdiction
for any actual or  threatened  violation of any such covenant in addition to any
other  remedies it may have.  The  Consultant  agrees that in the event that any
court of competent jurisdiction shall finally hold that any provision of Section
7, 8 or 9 hereof is void or constitutes an unreasonable  restriction against the
Consultant,  the provisions of such Section shall not be rendered void but shall
apply to such  extent  as such  court may  determine  constitutes  a  reasonable
restriction  under the  circumstances.  Sections  7, 8 and 9 shall  survive  the
termination of this Agreement.

         11. Independent Contractor. Nothing herein shall be construed to create
an  employer-employee,  agency, master and servant or joint venture relationship
or  other  association  between  the  Parent  or  the  Company  and  FEI  or the
Consultant,  and the  Consultant  shall not be deemed to be an  employee  of the
Parent or the Company for any  purpose,  including  without  limitation  for the
purpose  of  participating  in any  employee  benefit  plan of the Parent or the
Company. The Consultant agrees that he is an independent contractor and will not
hold  himself out to be an employee  of the Parent or the  Company.  FEI and the
Consultant shall perform all services under this Agreement as, and shall remain,
independent  contractors.  All  persons  performing  or  assisting  FEI  or  the
Consultant with any part of the services under this Agreement for the Company or
the Parent shall be employees or agents of FEI.  FEI's  employees  and personnel
are not employees,  agents or  representatives  of the Company or the Parent, or
their shareholders,  affiliates or co-venturers,  notwithstanding  that any such
employees or personnel  may be construed to be borrowed  servants of the Company
or the Parent at any time or from time to time. FEI shall not hold its employees
or personnel out as employees,  representatives  or agents of the Company or the
Parent or make any  representations  to create such impression.  The Consultant,
FEI,  and its  employees  and  personnel  shall  have no  authority,  express or
implied,  to make any contract or  agreement  for, or on behalf of, or otherwise
commit  the  Company  or  the  Parent,  or  their  shareholders,  affiliates  or
coventurers to any contract, commitment, obligation, or liability binding on the
Company  or the  Parent,  and the  Parent  and the  Company  do not  assume  any
responsibility  for proposals,  guarantees,  or contracts entered into by FEI or
the Consultant with others.

         12. Risk of Loss. The Consultant assumes all risk of personal injury or
death  to  himself  and all  risk of  damage  to or  loss of  personal  property
furnished by the  Consultant in connection  with the services to be performed by
the Consultant under this Agreement. The Consultant will abide by the safety and
security regulations of the Parent and the Company while


                                      - 5 -

<PAGE>

on the respective properties of the Parent and the Company.

         13.  Warranty.  The  Consultant and FEI warrant that entering into this
Agreement  and  performance  of services  hereunder  will not conflict  with any
obligation of the Consultant arising under any other contract or by operation of
law. The Consultant  warrants that he has the right to disclose all  information
transmitted to the Parent or the Company  pursuant to this  Agreement,  and that
the  services to be  performed  by the  Consultant  under this  Agreement do not
violate  or in any way  infringe  upon the  rights of third  parties,  including
property,  contractual,  employment, trade secrets, proprietary information, and
nondisclosure  rights,  or any trademark,  copyright or patent rights,  and that
Consultant will not enter into any agreements or arrangements with third persons
that would result in the  performance  of such services  violating or infringing
the rights of such persons.

         14. Assignment.  This agreement is a contract for the personal services
of the Consultant,  and neither FEI nor the Consultant may assign this Agreement
or subcontract  any services  without first obtaining the written consent of the
Parent.  The Parent may assign this  Agreement to any  subsidiary  or affiliated
company or to any third party together with the business to which it pertains.

         15.  Governing  Law.  This  Agreement  is  governed  by,  and  is to be
construed  and enforced in accordance  with,  the laws of the State of Delaware.
If, under such law, any portion of this Agreement is at any time deemed to be in
conflict with any  applicable  statute,  rule,  regulation  or  ordinance,  such
portion shall be deemed to be modified or altered to conform thereto or, if that
is not possible,  to be omitted from this  Agreement;  and the invalidity of any
such portion  shall not affect the force,  effect and validity of the  remaining
portion hereof.  The parties agree that all actions or proceedings  initiated by
any party hereto and arising  directly or indirectly out of this Agreement which
are brought  pursuant to judicial  proceedings  shall be  litigated in the State
courts of Delaware.

         16.  Notices.  All notices  hereunder  shall be in writing and shall be
given  (and  shall be deemed to have  been  duly  received  if so given) by hand
delivery,  telegram, telex or telecopy, or by mail (registered or certified mail
postage prepaid,  return receipt  requested) or by any courier service,  such as
Federal Express, providing proof of delivery. All communications hereunder shall
be delivered to the respective parties at the following addresses:

         If to the Parent, to:

                           Western Atlas Inc.
                           10205 Westheimer Road
                           Houston, Texas 77042-3115
                           Attention: General Counsel
                           Fax: 713-266-1717


                                      - 6 -

<PAGE>


         If to the Consultant, to:

                           Joel Friedman
                           11 Reimer Road
                           Scarsdale, NY 10583

         If to FEI, to:

                           11 Reimer Road
                           Scarsdale, NY 10583
                           Attention: Joel Friedman

or to such  other  address  as the  person  to whom  notice  is  given  may have
previously furnished to the others in writing in the manner set forth above.

         17. Miscellaneous.  The Consultant shall terminate from employment with
the Company as of the Effective  Time.  This  Agreement  constitutes  the entire
understanding  between  the Parent and the  Consultant  and FEI  relating to the
consulting  services  to be  rendered  by the  Consultant  to the Parent and the
Company and cancels all prior  written and oral  agreements  and  understandings
with respect to the subject matter of this Agreement between the Company and the
Consultant,  and the Consultant  hereby waives any further  payments,  under the
Employment  Agreement,  dated  February  1, 1996,  between  the  Company and the
Consultant,  and any  severance  payments  under  any  plan or  agreement.  This
Agreement may be amended only by a subsequent  written  agreement of the parties
hereto.  This Agreement  shall be binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of
FEI, its  successors  and  permitted  assigns,  and the  Consultant,  his heirs,
executors,  administrators,  beneficiaries  and  permitted  assigns and shall be
binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of the Parent and its successors and
permitted assigns.


                                      - 7 -

<PAGE>


         IN WITNESS WHEREOF,  the parties hereto have executed this agreement as
of the year and day first above written.

                                       WESTERN ATLAS INC.


                                       By:_________________________



                                       ____________________________
                                       Joel Friedman



                                       FRIEDMAN ENTERPRISES INC.



                                       By:_________________________
                                          Joel Friedman, President


                                      - 8 -

<PAGE>


                                                                        Annex IV


                      CONSULTING AND NON-COMPETE AGREEMENT


         AGREEMENT,  dated as of March ___,  1998, by and between  Western Atlas
Inc., a Delaware  corporation  (the  "Parent"),  and Luis H. Ferran  Arroyo (the
"Consultant").

         WHEREAS,  the  Consultant  is the  Executive  Vice  President for Latin
American   Operations  of  3-D  Geophysical,   Inc.,  a  Delaware   corporation,
(collectively with its subsidiaries, the "Company");

         WHEREAS,  the Parent has entered into an  Agreement  and Plan of Merger
with the Company and WAI  Acquisition  Corp.,  dated as of March ___,  1998 (the
"Merger Agreement");

         WHEREAS,  the  Consultant  will terminate  employment  with the Company
effec- tive as of the "Effective  Time" (as defined in the Merger  Agreement) of
the merger contemplated by the Merger Agreement (the "Merger"); and

         WHEREAS,  the Parent  desires to provide for the  Consultant to perform
services for the Parent and the Company following the Merger.

         NOW,  THEREFORE,  in  consideration  of  the  mutual  covenants  herein
contained  and  other  good  and  valuable  consideration,  the  Parent  and the
Consultant hereby agree as follows:

         1. Consulting Services. Subject to the effectiveness of the Merger, the
Consultant  hereby agrees to provide such consulting  services to the Parent and
to the Company as the President of the Western  Geophysical  Division of Western
Atlas  International,  Inc. or his designee shall reasonably request,  including
without limitation consulting services with respect to Petroleos Mexicanos,  for
not more than __ hours per month.  Such  consulting  services may be rendered in
person at the  corporate  offices of the  Parent or the  Company or one of their
affiliates, or at any other mutually agreeable place.

         2. Term. The period of consultancy  under this Agreement shall be for a
period commencing on the Effective Time and ending on the fourth  anniversary of
the Effective Time (the "Term").

         3.  Consulting  Fee.  The  Parent  shall  pay  to  the  Consultant,  in
consideration  of his consulting  services,  a consulting  fee (the  "Consulting
Fee") at an annual  rate of  $_______  payable in  substantially  equal  monthly
installments during the Term.


<PAGE>

         4.  Expenses.   The  Parent  will  reimburse  the  Consultant  for  all
authorized  reasonable and necessary  out-of-pocket  expenses incurred by him in
the  performance of his duties  hereunder upon the  presentation  of appropriate
documentation.  Such  expenses  shall be submitted to Parent,  at P.O. Box 1407,
Houston, TX 77251-1407, Att: J. Perez, on Parent's standard expense report forms
in accordance with Parent's expense  reimbursement policy in effect from time to
time during the Term.

         5. Termination of Consultancy.  The Consultant's  consultancy hereunder
shall  terminate  prior to the scheduled end of the Term upon the first to occur
of:

         (a) the death of the Consultant; or

         (b) the Consultant's illness,  disability or incapacity  ("Disability")
that prevents the Consultant from performing his duties hereunder for sixty (60)
consecutive  days,  or for any sixty (60) days within any one hundred and eighty
(180) day period, and the provision of written notice of such termination to the
Consultant; or

         (c) written  notice by the Parent to the  Consultant of  termination of
the  Consultant's  consultancy  by the Parent for "Cause,"  which shall include,
without  limitation,  (i) the  failure of the  Consultant  to perform his duties
hereunder after at least 30 days' written notice thereof specifying such failure
and the Consultant's  failure to remedy same within such 30-day period; (ii) any
act of illegality,  dishonesty, moral turpitude, or fraud in connection with the
Consultant's consultancy;  (iii) any course of action by the Consultant which is
materially  detrimental  to the business of the Parent or any of its  affiliates
(including  without  limitation  any  violation  of  Sections  7, 8 or 9 of this
Agreement); or (iv) the commission by the Consultant of any felony; or

         (d) written  notice by the Parent to the  Consultant of  termination of
the Consultant's consultancy without Cause; or

         (e) written  notice by the  Consultant to the Parent of  termination of
his consul- tancy.

The  date of  termination  of the  Consultant's  consultancy  shall  be the date
written  notice is given or such later date (within  thirty (30) days  following
such notice) specified in the written notice.

         6.  Termination  Payments.  In  the  event  of the  termination  of the
Consultant's  consultancy  pursuant  to  Section  5, the  Parent  shall make the
payments to the Consultant set forth below and have no further obligation to the
Consultant hereunder.

         (a) In the event of the termination of the Consultant's  consultancy by
the  Parent  for  Cause  pursuant  to  Section  5(c)  of this  Agreement  or the
termination  of the  Consultant's  consultancy  by the  Consultant  pursuant  to
Section 5(e) of this Agreement, the


                                      - 2 -

<PAGE>

Parent shall pay the Consultant  the  Consulting  Fee previously  earned but not
paid as of the date of termination.

         (b) In the event of the termination of the Consultant's  consultancy by
the Parent  without Cause (and not for  Disability)  pursuant to Section 5(d) of
this  Agreement,  the  Parent  shall  continue  to pay the  Consultant  the full
Consulting  Fee   contemplated  by  Section  3  of  this  Agreement  in  monthly
installments  through the scheduled end of the Term, subject to the Consultant's
compliance with Sections 7, 8 and 9 of this Agreement.

         (c)  In  the  event  of  the  Consultant's  death  or  termination  for
Disability  pursuant  to Section  5(b) of this  Agreement  during the Term,  the
Parent shall  continue to pay to Consultant  (or to his estate or beneficiary in
the event of his death) the Consulting Fee  contemplated by Section 3 in monthly
installments for the lesser of (i) six months following such date of termination
or (ii) the number of months remaining in the Term,  subject to, in the event of
termination for Disability, the Consultant's compliance with Sections 7, 8 and 9
of this  Agreement.  7.  Covenant Not to Compete.  During the Term and until the
later of (a) 12 months after the  Consultant's  termination of consultancy  with
the  Parent  for  any  reason  or  (b)  the  end  of  the  scheduled  Term  (the
"Noncompetition  Period"),  the  Consultant  will not,  directly  or  indirectly
(whether as sole  proprietor,  partner or  venturer,  stock,  holder,  director,
officer,  employee or consultant or in any other  capacity as principal or agent
or through any person, subsidiary or employee acting as nominee or agent):

         (a) Conduct or engage in or have an interest in or be  associated  with
any person, firm,  association,  partnership,  corporation or other entity which
conducts  or  engages  in the  business  of  seismic  data  acquisition  or data
processing (the "Business"), which are the primary businesses of the Company;

         (b) Take any action, directly or indirectly,  to finance,  guarantee or
provide  any  other  material  assistance  to  any  person,  firm,  association,
partnership,  corporation  or other  entity  which  conducts  or  engages in the
Business;

         (c)  Influence or attempt to influence any person,  firm,  association,
partnership,  corporation or other entity which is a contracting  party with the
Parent at any time during the  Noncompetition  Period to terminate any agreement
with the Parent except to the extent the Consultant is acting on behalf,  and at
the direction, of the Parent in good faith;

         (d) Hire or attempt to hire for  employment  any person who is employed
by the Parent or attempt to influence  any such person to  terminate  employment
with the Parent, except to the extent the Consultant is acting on behalf, and at
the direction, of the Parent in good faith; or

         (e) Call on, solicit or take away as a client or customer or attempt to
call on,


                                      - 3 -

<PAGE>

solicit or take away as a client or  customer  any  person,  firm,  association,
partnership,  corporation or other entity that is or was a client or customer of
the Parent, including actively sought prospective customers,  during the Term or
the Consultant's prior employment with the Company.

         The  restrictive  provisions of this  Agreement  shall not prohibit the
Consultant  from having an equity  interest in the securities of any corporation
engaged in the Business,  which securities are listed on a recognized securities
exchange  or  traded in the  over-the-counter  market  to the  extent  that such
interest does not exceed 1% of the value or voting power of such corporation and
does not constitute control of such corporation.  For purposes of this Section 7
and Sections 8 and 9 of this  Agreement,  the term  "Parent"  shall  include the
Parent and the Company, and each of their affiliates.

         8.  Confidential  Information;  Ownership  Rights.  (a) The  Consultant
acknowledges and agrees that all nonpublic  information  concerning the Parent's
business including,  without limitation,  information  relating to its products,
customer lists, pricing, trade secrets, patents, business methods, financial and
cost  data,  business  plans and  strategies  (collectively,  the  "Confidential
Information")  is and shall  remain the property of the Parent.  The  Consultant
recognizes  and  agrees  that  all  of  the  Confidential  Information,  whether
developed by the  Consultant  or made  available to the  Consultant,  other than
information  that is  generally  known to the public,  is a unique  asset of the
business of the Parent, the disclosure of which would be damaging to the Parent.
Accordingly,  the Consultant agrees to hold such  Confidential  Information in a
fiduciary  capacity for the benefit of the Parent. The Consultant agrees that he
will not at any time  during  or after  the  Consultant's  consultancy  with the
Parent  for any  reason,  directly  or  indirectly,  disclose  to any person any
Confidential  Information of the Parent,  other than information that is already
known to the  public,  except  as may be  required  in the  ordinary  course  of
business  of  the  Parent  or as may be  required  by  law.  Promptly  upon  the
termination of this Agreement for any reason, the Consultant agrees to return to
the Parent any and all documents,  memoranda,  drawings,  notes and other papers
and items  (including  all copies  thereof,  whether  electronic  or  otherwise)
embodying any Confidential Information of the Parent which are in the possession
or control of the Consultant.  Information concerning the Parent's business that
becomes public as a result of the Consultant's breach of this Section 8 shall be
treated as Confidential Information under this Section 8.

         (b) The Consultant  hereby  assigns to the Parent all right,  title and
interest  in  and  to any  ideas,  inventions,  original  works  or  authorship,
developments,  improvements  or trade secrets with respect to the Business which
the Consultant  solely or jointly has conceived or reduced to practice,  or will
conceive or reduce to practice, or cause to be conceived or reduced to practice,
during the Term or his prior employment with the Company.  All original works or
authorship  which are made by Consultant  (solely or jointly with others) within
the scope of  Consultant's  services  hereunder or for the Company and which are
protectable  by copyright  are "works made for hire," as that term is defined in
the United States Copyright Act.


                                      - 4 -


<PAGE>


         9. Disparagement. During the Term and thereafter, the Consultant agrees
not to (a) criticize,  denigrate or speak adversely of, or (b) disclose negative
information  about,  the operations,  management or performance of the Parent or
about any director,  officer,  employee or agent of the Parent, except as may be
required by law.

         10. Breach of Certain  Provisions.  The Consultant  acknowledges that a
violation on the Consultant's part of any of the covenants contained in Sections
7, 8 or 9 of this Agreement would cause  immeasurable and irreparable  damage to
the Parent and the Company.  Accordingly,  the Consultant agrees that the Parent
shall be entitled to  injunctive  relief in any court of competent  jurisdiction
for any actual or  threatened  violation of any such covenant in addition to any
other  remedies it may have.  The  Consultant  agrees that in the event that any
court of competent jurisdiction shall finally hold that any provision of Section
7, 8 or 9 hereof is void or constitutes an unreasonable  restriction against the
Consultant,  the provisions of such Section shall not be rendered void but shall
apply to such  extent  as such  court may  determine  constitutes  a  reasonable
restriction  under the  circumstances.  Sections  7, 8 and 9 shall  survive  the
termination of this Agreement.

         11. Independent Contractor. Nothing herein shall be construed to create
an  employer-employee,  agency, master and servant or joint venture relationship
or other association  between the Parent or the Company and the Consultant,  and
the  Consultant  shall  not be  deemed to be an  employee  of the  Parent or the
Company  for any  purpose,  including  without  limitation  for the  purpose  of
participating  in any employee  benefit  plan of the Parent or the Company.  The
Consultant  agrees  that he will not hold  himself  out to be an employee of the
Parent or the Company.  The  Consultant  shall  perform all services  under this
Agreement as, and shall remain, an independent contractor.  The Consultant shall
have no authority, express or implied, to make any contract or agreement for, or
on  behalf  of,  or  otherwise  commit  the  Company  or the  Parent,  or  their
shareholders, affiliates or coventurers to any contract, commitment, obligation,
or  liability  binding  on the  Company  or the  Parent,  and the Parent and the
Company do not assume any responsibility for proposals, guarantees, or contracts
entered into by the Consultant with others.

         12. Risk of Loss. The Consultant assumes all risk of personal injury or
death  to  himself  and all  risk of  damage  to or  loss of  personal  property
furnished by the  Consultant in connection  with the services to be performed by
the Consultant under this Agreement. The Consultant will abide by the safety and
security  regulations  of the Parent  and the  Company  while on the  respective
properties of the Parent and the Company.

         13. Warranty. The Consultant warrants that entering into this Agreement
and  performance  of service  hereunder will not conflict with any obligation of
the  Consultant  arising  under any other  contract or by  operation of law. The
Consultant   warrants  that  he  has  the  right  to  disclose  all  information
transmitted  to the Parent or the  Company  under this  Agreement,  and that the
services to be performed by the  Consultant  under this Agreement do not violate
or in any way infringe  upon the rights of third  parties,  including  property,
contractual, employment,


                                      - 5 -

<PAGE>

trade  secrets,  proprietary  information,  and  nondisclosure  rights,  or  any
trademark,  copyright or patent rights,  and that Consultant will not enter into
any  agreements  or  arrangements  with third  persons  that would result in the
performance of such services violating or infringing the rights of such persons.

         14. Assignment.  This agreement is a contract for the personal services
of the  Consultant,  and  the  Consultant  may  not  assign  this  Agreement  or
subcontract  any services  without first  obtaining  the written  consent of the
Parent.  The Parent may assign this  Agreement to any  subsidiary  or affiliated
company or to any third party together with the business to which it pertains.

         15.  Governing  Law.  This  Agreement  is  governed  by,  and  is to be
construed  and enforced in accordance  with,  the laws of the State of Delaware.
If, under such law, any portion of this Agreement is at any time deemed to be in
conflict with any  applicable  statute,  rule,  regulation  or  ordinance,  such
portion shall be deemed to be modified or altered to conform thereto or, if that
is not possible,  to be omitted from this  Agreement;  and the invalidity of any
such portion  shall not affect the force,  effect and validity of the  remaining
portion hereof.  The parties agree that all actions or proceedings  initiated by
any party hereto and arising  directly or indirectly out of this Agreement which
are brought  pursuant to judicial  proceedings  shall be  litigated in the State
courts of Delaware.

         16.  Notices.  All notices  hereunder  shall be in writing and shall be
given  (and  shall be deemed to have  been  duly  received  if so given) by hand
delivery, telegram, telex or telecopy, or by mail (registered or certified mail,
postage prepaid,  return receipt  requested) or by any courier service,  such as
Federal Express, providing proof of delivery. All communications hereunder shall
be delivered to the respective parties at the following addresses:

                  If to the Parent, to:

                           Western Atlas Inc.
                           10205 Westheimer Road
                           P.O. Box 1407
                           Houston, Texas 77251
                           Attention: General Counsel

                           Houston, Texas 77042-3115
                           Attention: General Counsel
                           Fax: 713-266-1717

                  If to the Consultant, to:

                           Luis H. Ferran Arroyo
                           Avenida La Malinche No. 320


                                      - 6 -


<PAGE>

                           Colonia Colinas del Basques
                           Deleg, Tialplan, Mexico, D.F
                           Fax: (525) 532-5700

or to such  other  address  as the  person  to whom  notice  is  given  may have
previously furnished to the others in writing in the manner set forth above.

         17. Miscellaneous.  The Consultant shall terminate from employment with
the Company as of the Effective  Time.  This  Agreement  constitutes  the entire
understanding  between the Parent and the Consultant  relating to the consulting
services  to be  rendered  by the  Consultant  to the Parent and the Company and
cancels all prior written and oral agreements and understandings with respect to
the subject matter of this Agreement between the Company and the Consultant, and
the  Consultant   hereby  waives  any  further  payments  under  the  Employment
Agreement,  dated February 1, 1996, between the Company and the Consultant,  and
any  severance  payments  under any plan or  agreement.  This  Agreement  may be
amended only by a subsequent written agreement of the Consultant and the Parent.
This  Agreement  shall be  binding  upon and shall  inure to the  benefit of the
Consultant,  his heirs, executors,  administrators,  beneficiaries and permitted
assigns  and shall be binding  upon and shall inure to the benefit of the Parent
and its successors and permitted assigns.


                                      - 7 -

<PAGE>

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF,  the parties hereto have executed this agreement as
of the year and day first above written.


                                                      WESTERN ATLAS INC.


                                                      By:______________________


                                                      _________________________
                                                        Luis H. Ferran Arroyo


                                      - 8 -





                                 FIRST AMENDMENT
                                       TO
                                RIGHTS AGREEMENT

         FIRST  AMENDMENT dated as of March 6, 1998 ("this  Amendment")  between
3-D Geophysical,  Inc., a Delaware  corporation  (the  "Company"),  and American
Securities Transfer & Trust, Inc., as Rights Agent.

         WHEREAS, the above-mentioned  parties have previously entered into that
certain  Rights  Agreement  dated as of July 17, 1997 (the  "Rights  Agreement")
governing  certain  preferred  stock  purchase  rights  (the  "Rights")  of  the
Company's stockholders;

         WHEREAS,  the Company  proposes to enter into an Agreement  and Plan of
Merger (the  "Merger  Agreement"),  dated as of March 8, 1998,  by and among the
Company,  Western  Atlas  Inc.,  a  Delaware  corporation  ("Parent"),  and  WAI
Acquisition  Corp., a Delaware  corporation  and a subsidiary of Parent ("WAI"),
whereby  WAI will make a tender  offer  (the  "Tender  Offer") to  purchase  all
outstanding shares of Common Stock of the Company for cash and upon consummation
of the Tender Offer WAI will merge with and into the Company (the "Merger") upon
the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Merger Agreement;

         WHEREAS,  upon the  execution  and  delivery  of the Merger  Agreement,
certain directors and officers of the Company will simultaneously enter into and
deliver,  support  agreements (each a "Support  Agreement") in substantially the
form attached to the Merger Agreement as Annex II;

         WHEREAS,  the Board of  Directors  deems it  desirable  and in the best
interests of its stockholders  that the transactions  contemplated by the Merger
Agreement be consummated;

         WHEREAS,  Section 4.18 of the Merger  Agreement  provides that prior to
the Effective Time (as defined in the Merger Agreement), the Company shall amend
the  Rights  Agreement  (without  redeeming  the  Rights)  so  that  none of the
transaction  contemplated  by the  Merger  Agreement  will (i) cause any  Rights
issued  pursuant to the Rights  Agreement to become  exercisable  or to separate
from the stock  certificates to which they are attached,  (ii) cause Parent, WAI
or any of their Affiliates or Associates to be an Acquiring Person (as each such
term is defined in the Rights  Agreement),  or (iii) trigger other provisions of
the  Rights  Agreement,  including  giving  rise  to a  Distribution  Date  or a
Triggering Event (as each such term is defined in the Rights Agreement).

         WHEREAS,  such parties wish to amend the Rights Agreement in the manner
set forth below.


<PAGE>

         NOW, THEREFORE, the parties hereto agree as follows:

         1. All capitalized terms used herein,  unless otherwise defined herein,
shall have the meanings given them in the Rights  Agreement,  and each reference
in the Rights Agreement to "this Agreement,"  "hereof," "herein," "hereunder" or
"hereby" and each other similar reference shall be deemed to refer to the Rights
Agreement as amended hereby. All references to the Rights Agreement in any other
agreement   between  or  among  any  of  the  parties  hereto  relating  to  the
transactions  contemplated  by the Rights  Agreement shall be deemed to refer to
the Rights Agreement as amended hereby.

         2. The definition of "Acquiring  Person" in Section 1 is hereby amended
by  adding  the  following  provision  to the end of  paragraph  (a)(i)  of such
definition:

         "and neither Parent nor WAI shall become an Acquiring  Person by reason
or as a result of the  execution  or delivery of any  Support  Agreement  or the
Merger Agreement or the consummation of the Tender Offer or of the Merger or any
other transaction contemplated by the Merger Agreement."

         3. The definition of "Distribution Date" in Section 1 is hereby amended
by adding the following provision to the end of such definition:

         ";  PROVIDED  THAT no  Distribution  Date shall occur by reason or as a
result of the  execution  or  delivery of any  Support  Agreement  or the Merger
Agreement  or the  consummation  of the  Tender  Offer or  Merger  or any  other
transaction contemplated by the Merger Agreement."

         4. The following definitions are hereby added to Section 1:

         ""Merger"  means the merger of WAI with and into the  Company  upon the
terms and conditions set forth in the Merger Agreement."

         ""Merger Agreement" means the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of
March 8, among the Company, WAI and Parent."

         ""Parent" means Western Atlas Inc., a Delaware corporation."

         ""Support  Agreement" means the Support  Agreement in the form of Annex
II to the Merger  Agreement,  dated as of the date of the Merger  Agreement  and
executed by certain directors and officers of the Company."

         ""Tender  Offer"  means  the  offer  by  WAI  to  purchase  all  of the
outstanding  shares of Common Stock  (including the Right  associated  with each
share of Common Stock) pursuant to Article I of the Merger Agreement.

         ""WAI"  means WAI  Acquisition  Corp.,  a  Delaware  corporation  and a
direct, wholly owned subsidiary of Parent."


                                        2

<PAGE>

         5. This Amendment shall be governed by and construed in accordance with
the internal  laws of the State of Delaware  applicable  to  contracts  made and
performed entirely in Delaware.

         6. This Amendment may be signed in any number of counterparts,  each of
which shall be deemed an  original,  with the same  effect as if the  signatures
thereto and hereto were upon the same instrument.

         7. Except as  expressly  amended  hereby,  the Rights  Agreement  shall
remain in full force and effect.


                                        3

<PAGE>


         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Amendment to be
duly executed and their  respective  corporate seals to be hereunto  affixed and
attested, all as of the day and year first above written.


                                                     3-D GEOPHYSICAL, INC.

Attest:

/s/ John M. Wilkie, Jr.                     By:   /s/ Joel Friedman
- -----------------------                          -----------------
                                            Name:  Joel Friedman
                                            Title:  Chairman


                                               AMERICAN SECURITIES TRANSFER
                                                   & TRUST, INC.

Attest:

/s/ Kimberly Hammond                         By:   /s/ Kellie Gwinn
- --------------------                               ----------------
                                             Name:  Kellie Gwinn
                                             Title:  Senior Vice President


                                        4




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