UNITED STATES SURGICAL CORP
S-3/A, 1998-03-05
SURGICAL & MEDICAL INSTRUMENTS & APPARATUS
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<PAGE>
   
                                                      REGISTRATION NO. 333-46239
    
 
   
     AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON MARCH 5, 1998
    
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
                            ------------------------
 
   
                                AMENDMENT NO. 1
                                       TO
                                    FORM S-3
                             REGISTRATION STATEMENT
                                     UNDER
                           THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
    
                            ------------------------
                       UNITED STATES SURGICAL CORPORATION
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
                         ------------------------------
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                     <C>
                       DELAWARE                                               13-2518270
               (State of Incorporation)                                     (IRS Employer
                                                                         Identification No.)
</TABLE>
 
                            ------------------------
 
                               150 GLOVER AVENUE
                           NORWALK, CONNECTICUT 06856
                                 (203) 845-1000
  (Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of
                    registrant's principal executive office)
                         ------------------------------
 
                             SCOTT L. SPITZER, ESQ.
                       SENIOR COUNSEL AND SENIOR DIRECTOR
                       UNITED STATES SURGICAL CORPORATION
                               150 GLOVER AVENUE
                           NORWALK, CONNECTICUT 06856
                                 (203) 845-1784
  (Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of
                               agent for service)
                         ------------------------------
                  Please send copies of all communications to:
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                          <C>
         FREDERICK W. KANNER, ESQ.                     MARC S. ROSENBERG, ESQ.
           DEWEY BALLANTINE LLP                        CRAVATH, SWAINE & MOORE
        1301 AVENUE OF THE AMERICAS                       825 EIGHTH AVENUE
         NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10019                     NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10019
              (212) 259-8000                               (212) 474-1000
</TABLE>
 
                            ------------------------
 
    APPROXIMATE DATE OF COMMENCEMENT OF PROPOSED SALE TO PUBLIC: FROM TIME TO
TIME AFTER THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT.
                            ------------------------
 
    If the only securities being registered on this form are being offered
pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following
box. / /
 
    If any of the securities being registered on this form are to be offered on
a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of
1933, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or interest
reinvestment plans, check the following box. /X/
 
    If this form is filed to register additional securities for an offering
pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box
and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier
effective registration statement for the same offering. / /
 
    If this form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(b)
under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act
registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement
for the same offering. / /
 
   
    If delivery of the prospectus is expected to be made pursuant to Rule 434,
please check the following box. / /
    
                            ------------------------
 
    THE REGISTRANT HEREBY AMENDS THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON SUCH DATE OR
DATES AS MAY BE NECESSARY TO DELAY ITS EFFECTIVE DATE UNTIL THE REGISTRANT SHALL
FILE A FURTHER AMENDMENT WHICH SPECIFICALLY STATES THAT THIS REGISTRATION
STATEMENT SHALL THEREAFTER BECOME EFFECTIVE IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 8(A) OF
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 OR UNTIL THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT SHALL BECOME
EFFECTIVE ON SUCH DATE AS THE COMMISSION, ACTING PURSUANT TO SAID SECTION 8(A),
MAY DETERMINE.
 
    PURSUANT TO RULE 429, THE PROSPECTUS CONTAINED IN THIS REGISTRATION
STATEMENT WILL ALSO BE USED IN CONNECTION WITH THE OFFERING OF PREVIOUSLY
REGISTERED SECURITIES PURSUANT TO THE COMPANY'S REGISTRATION STATEMENT (FILE NO.
33-59729) AND NOT ISSUED. IN THE EVENT ANY SUCH PREVIOUSLY REGISTERED SECURITIES
ARE OFFERED PRIOR TO THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT, THEY WILL
NOT BE INCLUDED IN ANY PROSPECTUS HEREUNDER.
 
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<PAGE>
   
                   SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED MARCH 5, 1998
    
   
INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN IS SUBJECT TO COMPLETION OR AMENDMENT. A
REGISTRATION STATEMENT RELATING TO THESE SECURITIES HAS BEEN FILED WITH THE
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION. THESE SECURITIES MAY NOT BE SOLD NOR MAY
OFFERS TO BUY BE ACCEPTED PRIOR TO THE TIME THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT BECOMES
EFFECTIVE. THIS PROSPECTUS SHALL NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL OR THE
SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY NOR SHALL THERE BE ANY SALE OF THESE SECURITIES
IN ANY STATE IN WHICH SUCH OFFER, SOLICITATION OR SALE WOULD BE UNLAWFUL PRIOR
TO REGISTRATION OR QUALIFICATION UNDER THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY SUCH STATE.
    
<PAGE>
   
PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
(TO PROSPECTUS DATED      , 1998)
    
 
   
                                  $
    
 
   
                       UNITED STATES SURGICAL CORPORATION
                               % SENIOR NOTES DUE
    
                               ------------------
 
   
    Interest on the Senior Notes (the "Notes") is payable semiannually on
and      of each year, commencing       , 1998. The Notes are not redeemable
prior to maturity by the Company and will not be subject to any sinking fund.
    
 
   
    The Notes will be represented by one or more book-entry securities
registered in the name of a nominee of The Depository Trust Company (the
"Depositary"). Beneficial interests in the Notes will be shown on, and transfers
thereof will be effected only through, records maintained by the Depositary and
its participants. Except as described in this Prospectus Supplement and the
accompanying Prospectus, Notes in certificated form will not be issued in
exchange for the book-entry securities.
    
 
                            ------------------------
 
   
    SEE "RISK FACTORS" BEGINNING ON PAGE 3 OF THE ACCOMPANYING PROSPECTUS FOR A
DISCUSSION OF CERTAIN FACTORS THAT SHOULD BE CONSIDERED BY PROSPECTIVE
PURCHASERS OF THE NOTES.
    
                             ---------------------
 
   
 THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND
  EXCHANGE COMMISSION (THE "COMMISSION") OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION
     NOR HAS THE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION PASSED UPON
        THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT OR THE
         PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL
                                    OFFENSE.
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<S>                                                              <C>                 <C>                 <C>
                                                                                        UNDERWRITING
                                                                                       DISCOUNTS AND        PROCEEDS TO
                                                                 PRICE TO PUBLIC(1)    COMMISSIONS(2)      COMPANY(1)(3)
Per Note                                                                 %                   %                   %
Total                                                                    $                   $                   $
</TABLE>
    
 
   
(1) Plus accrued interest, if any, from March   , 1998.
    
 
   
(2) For information regarding indemnification of the Underwriters, see
    "Underwriting."
    
 
   
(3) Before deducting expenses payable by the Company estimated at $400,000.
    
 
                            ------------------------
 
   
    The Notes are offered by the several Underwriters, subject to prior sale,
when, as and if accepted by them and subject to certain conditions. It is
expected that delivery of the Notes in book-entry form will be made through the
facilities of The Depository Trust Company on or about March   , 1998.
    
 
                            ------------------------
 
   
SALOMON SMITH BARNEY
    
 
   
   MERRILL LYNCH & CO.
    
 
   
      J.P. MORGAN & CO.
    
 
   
          BANCAMERICA ROBERTSON STEPHENS
    
 
   
             BNY CAPITAL MARKETS, INC.
    
 
   
                CHASE SECURITIES INC.
    
 
   
                    NATIONSBANC MONTGOMERY SECURITIES LLC
    
 
   
           , 1998
    
<PAGE>
   
    CERTAIN PERSONS PARTICIPATING IN THIS OFFERING MAY ENGAGE IN TRANSACTIONS
THAT STABILIZE, MAINTAIN OR OTHERWISE AFFECT THE PRICE OF THE NOTES, INCLUDING
OVER-ALLOTMENT, STABILIZING AND SHORT-COVERING TRANSACTIONS IN SUCH SECURITIES,
AND THE IMPOSITION OF A PENALTY BID, IN CONNECTION WITH THE OFFERING OF THE
NOTES. FOR A DESCRIPTION OF THESE ACTIVITIES, SEE "UNDERWRITING."
    
 
   
    Trademarks of the Company appear herein in italicized capital letters.
    
 
   
                                  THE COMPANY
    
 
   
OVERVIEW
    
 
   
    United States Surgical Corporation (together with its subsidiaries, the
"Company") is a Delaware corporation primarily engaged in developing,
manufacturing and marketing a proprietary line of technologically advanced
surgical products to hospitals throughout the world. The Company specializes in
technologies that improve patient care and lower health care costs. The Company
develops, manufactures and markets surgical staplers, laparoscopic products and
sutures and products in numerous surgical specialties including spine surgery;
vascular and cardiovascular surgery and interventional cardiology; urology; and
breastcare. The Company has also recently completed the acquisition of
Valleylab, the world's leading manufacturer and marketer of electrosurgical and
ultrasound surgical products. The Company currently operates domestically and
internationally through subsidiaries, divisions and distributors.
    
 
   
    To respond to business conditions in the health care market, including cost
containment initiatives by health care providers and payors, the Company has
expanded its marketing efforts to meet the needs of hospital management through
cost effective pricing programs, by assisting hospitals in implementing more
efficient surgical practices and by demonstrating the favorable economics
associated with the use of the Company's products. The Company has also
implemented a strategy to expand its product lines beyond general surgery
through a program of acquisitions and alliances in a number of surgical
specialties where the Company believes market conditions and product innovation
offer substantial growth opportunities, including the following acquisitions:
Surgical Dynamics and the Smith & Nephew spinal products business (spine
surgery); Progressive Angioplasty Systems and a controlling interest in Medolas
(vascular and cardiovascular surgery and interventional cardiology); the
strategic alliance with Trex Medical and the acquisition of NeoVision
(breastcare); and the acquisition of Valleylab. In addition, the Company
continues to expand its product and technology base in its established
businesses through investment in internal research and development and
acquisition of new technologically advanced products that provide better patient
care and an effective means of reducing hospital costs.
    
 
   
    The Company's principal executive offices are located at 150 Glover Avenue,
Norwalk, Connecticut 06856; telephone (203) 845-1000.
    
 
   
VALLEYLAB ACQUISITION
    
 
   
    In December 1997, the Company entered into an agreement with Pfizer Inc. to
acquire Valleylab, the world's leading manufacturer of electrosurgical and
ultrasound surgical products, based in Boulder, Colorado and which has been in
existence for over 30 years. The Valleylab acquisition, which is the largest
acquisition in the Company's history, was completed in early 1998.
    
 
   
    Valleylab's products consist primarily of electrosurgical generators,
pencils, accessories, and patient return pads. In addition, Valleylab's products
include ultrasound cutting devices including generators, handpieces, tubing and
titanium tips, and laparoscopic surgical devices. Electrocautery, which has been
utilized since the 1920s, offers a safe, versatile and effective method to cut
and coagulate tissue and is utilized in a broad range of surgical applications.
Electrical current flows from the generator to the active electrode (an
electrosurgical pencil or other surgical instrument) and then through the body
tissue to the patient return pad where it is collected and returned to the
generator. Ultrasonic aspiration systems use a
    
 
                                      S-2
<PAGE>
   
combination of mechanical vibration and suction to selectively fragment tissue.
An ultrasonic aspirator system consists of an ultrasonic generator, a handpiece
and a single- use pack containing tubing and titanium tips. A transducer within
the handpiece vibrates the hollow titanium tip at ultrasonic frequencies while
suction is applied to the tip core. When applied to a surgical site, tissue with
high water content is fragmented and aspirated. Valleylab is currently
developing several additional products which use radio-frequency energy and are
designed to improve clinical outcomes and reduce procedure cost and duration.
    
 
   
    The Valleylab acquisition constitutes a major milestone in the Company's
strategy to grow through acquisition. The Company believes that Valleylab offers
a major opportunity for the Company to acquire a leading medical device company
with strong brand name recognition, an established customer base and
demonstrated profitability. The Company believes that the Valleylab business
provides substantial growth opportunities principally through innovative product
upgrades, aggressive expansion of international sales through the Company's
subsidiaries and international distributor network, and through Valleylab's
substantial expertise and product development activities in women's health care
and radiofrequency energy which will complement the Company's internal product
development efforts in these areas.
    
 
                                      S-3
<PAGE>
   
                                USE OF PROCEEDS
    
 
   
    The net proceeds to the Company from the sale of the Notes are estimated to
be approximately $         , after deduction of underwriting discounts and
commissions and estimated offering expenses. The Company intends to use the net
proceeds from the sale of the Notes to reduce outstanding indebtedness under the
Company's $450,000,000 Credit Agreement dated as of January 30, 1998 among the
Company, the lenders party thereto, Bank of America National Trust and Savings
Association as Syndication Agent, The Bank of New York as Administrative Agent
and Morgan Guaranty Trust Company of New York as Documentation Agent (the
"364-Day Credit Facility"). Borrowings under the 364-Day Credit Facility bear
interest, at the election of the Company, at a rate equal to (i) the higher of
(a) the prime rate of The Bank of New York and (b) the sum of 1/2 of 1% plus the
federal funds rate or (ii) in the case of Eurodollar loans, the sum of between
 .225% and .650% (dependent on a certain financial ratio) and adjusted LIBOR. The
outstanding indebtedness under the 364-Day Credit Facility was incurred solely
to finance the acquisition of Valleylab. Bank of America National Trust and
Savings Association, The Bank of New York, The Chase Manhattan Bank, Morgan
Guaranty Trust Company of New York and NationsBank, N.A., agent banks and
lenders under the 364-Day Credit Facility, are affiliated with BancAmerica
Robertson Stephens, BNY Capital Markets, Inc., Chase Securities Inc., J.P.
Morgan Securities Inc. and NationsBanc Montgomery Securities LLC, respectively,
each of which is an Underwriter of the offering being made hereby. See
"Underwriting."
    
 
   
                   RATIOS OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES AND OF
        EARNINGS TO COMBINED FIXED CHARGES AND PREFERRED STOCK DIVIDENDS
    
 
   
    The following table sets forth the Company's ratios of consolidated earnings
to fixed charges and consolidated earnings to combined fixed charges and
preferred stock dividends for the periods indicated.
    
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                          YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                                            ----------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                                         <C>            <C>          <C>          <C>
                                                                              1997 PRO
                                                                              FORMA(3)        1997         1996         1995
                                                                            -------------     -----        -----        -----
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges and capitalized interest (1)...........          2.9           6.4          6.2          3.7
Ratio of earnings to combined fixed charges, capitalized interest and
  preferred stock dividends (1)...........................................          2.6           4.9          3.0          1.9
 
<CAPTION>
 
<S>                                                                         <C>          <C>
 
                                                                               1994        1993
                                                                               -----     ---------
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges and capitalized interest (1)...........         2.0      N.M.(2)
Ratio of earnings to combined fixed charges, capitalized interest and
  preferred stock dividends (1)...........................................         1.2
</TABLE>
    
 
- ------------------------
 
   
(1) The ratios of earnings to fixed charges and capitalized interest and to
    combined fixed charges, capitalized interest and preferred stock dividends
    are computed by dividing the sum of earnings before provision for income
    taxes and fixed charges (excluding capitalized interest) by total fixed
    charges and capitalized interest, or by the sum of total fixed charges and
    capitalized interest and preferred stock dividends. Total fixed charges and
    capitalized interest includes all interest (including capitalized interest)
    and the interest factor of all rentals, assumed to be one-third of
    consolidated rent expense. Preferred stock dividends have been increased to
    an amount representing the pretax earnings which would be required to cover
    such dividend requirements, assuming a statutory tax rate of 35%.
    
 
   
(2) Earnings were inadequate to cover fixed charges. The dollar amount of the
    deficiency for the year ended December 31, 1993 was $147 million. If
    restructuring charges of $138 million were excluded from the calculation,
    the dollar amount of the deficiency would have been $9 million.
    
 
   
(3) The 1997 Pro Forma calculation gives effect to the amount of debt required
    to fund the acquisition of Valleylab ($425 million) assuming such debt was
    outstanding since January 1, 1997. No other pro forma adjustments are
    included in the pro forma calculation.
    
 
                                      S-4
<PAGE>
   
                                 CAPITALIZATION
    
 
   
    The following table sets forth the capitalization of the Company as of
December 31, 1997, on an actual basis and as adjusted to give effect to the
acquisition of Valleylab and the sale of the Notes, after deducting underwriting
discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses, and assumes the use
of the proceeds from the sale of the Notes to reduce outstanding borrowings as
described under "Use of Proceeds."
    
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                            DECEMBER 31, 1997
                                                                                        --------------------------
<S>                                                                                     <C>           <C>
                                                                                           ACTUAL     AS ADJUSTED
                                                                                        ------------  ------------
 
<CAPTION>
                                                                                          (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                                                                     <C>           <C>
Long-term debt (less current maturities):
    Long-term bank credit facilities..................................................  $     28,800  $
      % Senior Notes due     .........................................................            --
    Other long-term debt..............................................................       102,500       102,500
                                                                                        ------------  ------------
        Total long-term debt..........................................................  $    131,300  $
                                                                                        ------------  ------------
                                                                                        ------------  ------------
Stockholders' equity:
    Preferred stock $5.00 par value, authorized 2,000,000 shares;
      none outstanding................................................................  $         --  $         --
    Common stock $.10 par value, authorized 250,000,000 shares; issued, 82,898,473....         8,300         8,300
Additional paid-in capital--common stock..............................................       973,600       973,600
Retained earnings.....................................................................       395,800       395,800
Treasury stock at cost; 7,015,207 shares..............................................       (96,800)      (96,800)
Accumulated translation adjustments...................................................       (28,300)      (28,300)
Unrealized gain on marketable securities..............................................         4,300         4,300
                                                                                        ------------  ------------
        Total stockholders' equity....................................................     1,256,900     1,256,900
                                                                                        ------------  ------------
        Total capitalization..........................................................  $  1,388,200  $
                                                                                        ------------  ------------
                                                                                        ------------  ------------
</TABLE>
    
 
                                      S-5
<PAGE>
   
    The following should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial
Statements of the Company on Form 10-K which is incorporated by reference in
this Registration Statement.
    
 
   
                            SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
                     (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                   YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31
                                             --------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                          <C>           <C>           <C>           <C>           <C>
                                               1997(1)         1996        1995(2)       1994(3)       1993(4)
                                             ------------  ------------  ------------  ------------  ------------
Net sales..................................  $  1,172,100  $  1,112,700  $  1,022,300  $    918,700  $  1,037,200
Income (loss) before income taxes..........  $    121,000  $    141,700  $     89,800  $     32,700  $   (137,400)
Net Income (loss)..........................  $     94,100  $    109,100  $     79,200  $     19,200  $   (138,700)
Net Income (loss) per basic common share
  (5)......................................  $       1.24  $       1.48  $       1.05  $        .08  $      (2.48)
Average number of basic common shares
  outstanding (5)..........................        72,100        60,500        57,000        56,600        56,000
Net Income (loss) per diluted common share
  (5)......................................  $       1.21  $       1.43  $       1.04  $        .08  $      (2.48)
Average number of diluted common shares
  outstanding (5)..........................        73,700        62,600        57,400        56,900        56,000
Dividends paid per common share............  $        .16  $        .08  $        .08  $        .08  $       .245
 
At December 31,
Total assets...............................  $  1,726,000  $  1,514,800  $  1,265,500  $  1,103,500  $  1,170,500
Long-term debt.............................  $    131,300  $    142,400  $    256,500  $    248,500  $    505,300
Stockholders' equity (6)...................  $  1,256,900  $  1,053,800  $    741,100  $    662,000  $    443,900
</TABLE>
    
 
- ------------------------
 
   
(1) In the second quarter of 1997, the Company recorded litigation costs of $24
    million ($.24 per basic common share), restructuring charges of $6 million
    ($.06 per basic common share), and the tax benefit resulting from an IRS
    examination of $7 million ($.10 per basic common share). In the fourth
    quarter of 1997, the Company recorded restructuring charges of $12 million
    ($.11 per basic common share), and wrote off the carrying value of two
    terminated license/distribution agreements of $3 million each ($.05 per
    basic common share). In addition, the Company expensed $4 million of certain
    software related costs, previously capitalized ($.04 per basic common share)
    as a result of a mandated change in accounting standards.
    
 
   
(2) In the third quarter of 1995, the Company reached an agreement with respect
    to the settlement of all issues raised by the Internal Revenue Service in
    the examination of the Company's income tax returns for the years 1984
    through 1990. As a result of the agreement, the Company recognized a net
    credit to the tax provision of $10 million ($.18 per basic common share) in
    the third quarter of 1995.
    
 
   
(3) In the fourth quarter of 1994 the Company signed a letter of intent to
    purchase certain assets of its independent distributor in Japan, which
    included inventory of the Company's products purchased by the independent
    distributor but not yet sold to third parties at December 31, 1994. Sales
    and net income were reduced by $17 million and $8 million ($.14 per basic
    common share), respectively, in anticipation of the pending reacquisition of
    these products and valuing these products at the Company's cost.
    
 
   
(4) Income (loss) before income taxes and net income (loss) for 1993 include
    restructuring charges of $137.6 million and $129.6 million ($2.31 per basic
    common share), respectively.
    
 
   
(5) In the fourth quarter of 1997, the Company adopted the provisions of
    Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 128 "Earnings Per Share"
    (FAS 128), as required. The previously reported earnings per share, and
    share outstanding information, have been restated as required by FAS 128.
    
 
   
(6) Included in Stockholders' equity in 1996, 1995 and 1994 is $191.5 million of
    convertible preferred stock which had a liquidation value of $200.0 million.
    The preferred stock was redeemed and converted into common shares on April
    1, 1997.
    
 
                                      S-6
<PAGE>
   
    The following should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial
Statements of the Company on Form 10-K which is incorporated by reference in
this Registration Statement.
    
 
   
        MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND
                             RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
    
 
   
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
    
 
   
    In 1997 the Company attained sales of $1.17 billion compared with sales of
$1.11 billion in 1996 and $1.02 billion in 1995. Sales increased $59 million or
5% in 1997, increased $90 million or 9% in 1996, and increased $104 million or
11% in 1995. In 1997 the Company reported net income of $94.1 million. Net
income, as adjusted, for the effect of litigation costs ($24 million or $.24 per
basic common share), restructuring charges ($18 million or $.18 per basic common
share) , the termination of two distribution/ license agreements ($6 million or
$.05 per basic common share), the expensing, as a result of a mandated change in
accounting, of previously capitalized software related costs ($4 million or $.04
per basic common share), and the benefits resulting from an IRS examination ($7
million or $.10 per basic common share) was $124 million or $1.65 per basic
common share (after preferred stock dividends of $5 million) compared with $109
million or $1.48 per basic common share (after preferred stock dividends of $20
million) in 1996 and net income of $79 million or $1.05 per basic common share
(after preferred stock dividends of $20 million) in 1995. Net income and net
income per basic common share, as adjusted, increased $15 million and $.17,
respectively, in 1997 compared to 1996, increased $30 million and $.43,
respectively, in 1996 compared to 1995, and increased $60 million and $.97,
respectively, in 1995 compared to 1994. The effect of changes in foreign
currency exchange rates on results of operations was to decrease net income by
$27 million in 1997 in comparison to 1996, decrease net income by $8 million in
1996 in comparison to 1995, and increase net income by $14 million in 1995 in
comparison to 1994.
    
 
   
    The increase in sales in 1997 to $1.17 billion compared to $1.11 billion in
1996 was primarily due to volume increases attributable to new product
introductions, specifically the substantial growth of the Company's Surgical
Dynamics (SDI) business, as well as the Company's ABBI device, and related
products. The increase in 1997 sales was partially offset by a reduction in the
Company's core mechanical products business as continuing industry pricing
pressures, and competition impact the marketplace in which the Company operates.
Sales were negatively impacted by the reduction of inventories at Just-in-Time
(JIT) distributors due to hospital purchases from JIT distributors exceeding
distributor purchases from the Company by $24.1 million and $13.1 million for
1996 and 1995, respectively. JIT inventories stabilized in 1997.
    
 
   
    The following table analyzes the change in sales in 1997, 1996 and 1995
compared with the prior years.
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                               1997       1996       1995
                                                                                             ---------  ---------  ---------
<S>                                                                                          <C>        <C>        <C>
                                                                                                      (IN MILLIONS)
COMPOSITION OF SALES INCREASE:
Sales volume increase......................................................................  $     144  $     117  $      64
Net price changes(A)(B)....................................................................        (35)       (12)        12
Effects of changes in foreign currency exchange rates......................................        (50)       (15)        28
                                                                                             ---------  ---------  ---------
Sales increase.............................................................................  $      59  $      90  $     104
                                                                                             ---------  ---------  ---------
                                                                                             ---------  ---------  ---------
</TABLE>
    
 
- ------------------------
 
   
(A) Approximately $13 million and $36 million of the sales increase accounted
    for in net price changes for 1996 and 1995, respectively, is the result of
    the 1995 acquisition of the Company's former Japanese distributor and the
    change from distributor pricing to subsidiary pricing as of April 1, 1995.
    In addition, the sales for 1996 include twelve months of subsidiary
    operations in Japan as compared to three months of distributor operations
    through the former Japanese distributor and eight months of operations as a
    subsidiary in 1995. The Company receives higher selling prices when selling
    as a subsidiary to the ultimate customer than was previously recognized by
    the Company when sales were made at distributor prices to the Company's
    former distributor.
    
 
   
(B) Prices were adversely effected by approximately $16 million and $7 million,
    respectively, in 1997 and 1996 due to changes in reimbursement to French
    public hospitals by France's Social Security Administration.
    
 
                                      S-7
<PAGE>
   
    Sales volume accounted for all of the sales increases in 1997 and 1996 and
62% of the 1995 sales increase.
    
 
   
    Gross margin from operations (sales less cost of products sold divided by
sales) was 60% in 1997 compared with 59% in 1996 and 56% in 1995. The reduction,
as a percentage of sales , in cost of products sold and improved gross margins
over the comparable 1996 period are primarily attributable to higher sales
volumes of the Company's SDI products and the ongoing corporate wide cost saving
initiatives. Gross margins continued to improve throughout 1995 and 1996 as a
result of the implementation of the 1993/1994 restructuring plans, higher sales
volumes and ongoing cost savings initiatives as well as the inclusion, effective
April 1, 1995, of higher margin sales resulting from the acquisition of certain
assets from the Company's former Japanese distributor. The reserves for
obsolescence of production tooling and inventories, which are an ongoing cost of
business, amounted to $12 million, $30 million and $45 million, respectively, in
the years ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995. Changes in foreign currency
exchange rates from those existing in the prior year had the effect of
decreasing cost of products sold by $5 million in 1997, and were immaterial in
1996 and 1995.
    
 
   
    The Company's investment in research and development during the past three
years (1997 - $72 million; 1996 - $58 million; 1995 - $43 million) has yielded
numerous product improvements as well as the development of numerous new product
lines as the Company continues to broaden its product offerings. The $14 million
increase in research and development expense in 1997 compared to 1996 is
primarily attributable to increased spending towards developing advanced
surgical techniques which could be used for additional surgical applications,
including surgical specialties, and significant clinical costs primarily in the
vascular, cardiovascular and interventional cardiology field in which the
Company plans to significantly increase its presence in 1998. The increase in
research and development expense in 1996 as compared to 1995 is also
attributable to increased spending towards developing advanced surgical
techniques and products, some of which were introduced throughout 1997. The
increase in research and development expense in 1995 compared to 1994 resulted
primarily from $4.6 million of charges during the third quarter of 1995 related
to certain technologies which the Company decided not to pursue. The Company is
continuing its on-going commitment to develop and acquire unique new products
and technologies for use in new surgical procedures and specialty areas.
    
 
   
    Selling, general and administrative expenses expressed as a percentage of
sales were 40% in 1997 (38% after adjusting for the unusual termination costs of
distribution/license agreements and expensing of capitalized computer software
costs in the fourth quarter of 1997), 40% in 1996 and 41% in 1995. The increase
in selling, general, and administrative expenses in 1997 as compared to 1996, is
attributable to $10 million of fourth quarter expenses attributable to certain
previously capitalized software costs ($4 million), and two distribution/license
agreements ($6 million) which the Company decided to terminate. In addition,
1997 selling, general, and administrative expense contains the intangible
amortization, as well as the selling, general and administrative expense of its
recent 1997 acquisitions. The increase in 1996 and 1995 in selling, general and
administrative expenses is primarily due to the effects of the initiation by the
Company of the marketing of the Company's products to its Japanese customers as
a result of the acquisition of certain assets from the Company's former Japanese
distributor. Changes in foreign currency exchange rates from those existing in
the prior year had the effect of decreasing selling, general, and administrative
expenses by $19 million in 1997 and $6 million in 1996, and increasing selling,
general, and administrative expenses by $13 million in 1995.
    
 
   
    The Company recorded restructuring charges of $6 million during the second
quarter of 1997 which related primarily to employee severance costs associated
with the Company's consolidation of manufacturing and certain marketing
operations. The Company had an additional restructuring of operations during the
fourth quarter of 1997 of $12 million which also related to additional employee
termination and facility disposals as part of the Company's cost cutting
objectives. Collectively, the 1997 restructuring charges resulted in over 450
employee terminations worldwide, which should save the Company approximately $19
million on an annual basis. The majority of the cash outlays relative to the
second quarter restructuring were made during the third and fourth quarter of
1997 with the remainder to be made in 1998. All of the cash outlays relative to
the fourth quarter 1997 restructuring will be made in 1998.
    
 
                                      S-8
<PAGE>
   
    The Company recorded restructuring charges of approximately $7 million
during the fourth quarter of 1995. These restructuring charges related primarily
to lease terminations and employee severance costs associated with the
relocation of one of the Company's largest international subsidiaries and the
plan to centralize the distribution of the Company's products to its European
customers. In addition, severance payments were incurred in relation to the
restructuring of the Company's manufacturing plants. The majority of the cash
outlays relative to these restructuring charges were made during the third and
fourth quarters of 1995, with the remainder made during 1996. The 1995
restructuring charges were basically offset by the reversal of restructuring
cost estimates in excess of ultimate costs which were originally recognized in
the Company's fourth quarter 1993 consolidated statements of operations. There
were no material adjustments to previously accrued restructuring charges in
1997.
    
 
   
    The decrease in interest expense in 1997 and 1996 as compared to 1995 is
attributable to the reduction of bank borrowings with the proceeds from the
Company's public common stock offering in June 1996 and the interest income
generated by the investment of the remaining proceeds in high quality short-term
liquid money market instruments.
    
 
   
    The tax provision for 1997 relates to domestic state and federal taxes,
including taxes in Puerto Rico, as well as foreign taxes, while the provisions
for 1996 and 1995 related primarily to foreign taxes and taxes in Puerto Rico.
The Company's tax provisions in 1997, 1996 and 1995 reflect the lower effective
tax rates on a subsidiary's operations in Puerto Rico and the availability of a
tax credit under Section 936 of the Internal Revenue Code and the tax benefit of
certain net operating loss and tax credit carryforwards which were not
previously considered recognizable. In addition, in 1997 the Company's tax
provision reflects a reduction in federal taxes due to certain tax benefits
arising from the operation of the Company's Foreign Sales Corporation.
    
 
   
    The Company is currently in the process of having its federal income tax
returns for the years 1991 through 1993 surveyed by the Internal Revenue Service
(IRS). Incident to such examination, during the second quarter of 1997 the IRS
documented its intention to accept the Company's tax filing position with
respect to years 1991 through 1993 on a basis such that certain previously
established tax reserves are no longer required. As a result, in the second
quarter of 1997 the Company reduced its current liability by $7 million,
recognizing a credit to the tax provision of $7 million.
    
 
   
    In August 1995, the Company reached agreement with respect to settlement of
all issues raised by the IRS in its examination of the Company's income tax
returns for the years 1984 through 1990. Prior to this resolution, a significant
portion of deferred tax assets related to available net operating loss and tax
credit carryforwards had been fully reserved by the Company because of
uncertainty over the future utilization of the tax benefits. Based upon
circumstances relative to the IRS audit and the Company's estimate of future
domestic taxable income, it is more likely than not that a significant portion
of such fully reserved assets will be realized in the future. As a result, in
the third quarter of 1995 the Company reduced the valuation allowances related
to a significant portion of these deferred tax assets by $54.3 million (change
in valuation allowances in 1995 was a reduction of $75.6 million), increased its
current tax liabilities by $28.6 million for the remaining estimated tax
liabilities relating to years subsequent to 1990, decreased tax assets by $7.4
million, recognized a net credit to the tax provision of $10.0 million ($.18 per
basic common share) and recorded a credit to Additional paid-in capital (for
windfall tax benefits related to net operating losses generated from stock
compensation deductions in prior years) of $8.3 million.
    
 
   
    In the fourth quarter of 1997, the Company adopted the provisions of
Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 128 "Earnings Per Share" (SFAS
128), as required and restated the previously reported earnings per share in
conformity with FAS 128. The new standard specifies the computation,
presentation, and disclosure requirements for earnings per share.
    
 
   
    The Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Accounting Standards (SFAS
130), " Reporting Comprehensive Income", in June 1997 which requires a statement
of comprehensive income to be included in the financial statements for fiscal
years beginning after December 15, 1997. The Company is presently designing such
statement and, accordingly, will include such statement beginning with the first
quarter of 1998.
    
 
                                      S-9
<PAGE>
   
    In addition, in June of 1997, the FASB issued SFAS 131, "Disclosures About
Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information". SFAS 131 requires disclosure
of certain information about operating segments and about products and services,
geographic areas in which a company operates, and their major customers. The
Company is presently in the process of evaluating the effect that this new
standard will have on disclosures in the Company's financial statements and the
required information will be reflected in the year ended December 31, 1998
financial statements.
    
 
   
FINANCIAL CONDITION
    
 
   
    The increase in Receivables results primarily from the $19 million increase
in sales in the fourth quarter 1997 when compared to the fourth quarter 1996 and
sales of the Company's ABBI system biopsy device which is a capital equipment
purchase by hospitals and, accordingly, results in longer payment periods. In
addition, in some competitive situations extended payment terms have also
contributed to the increase in accounts receivable.
    
 
   
    Inventory was increased during 1997 in order to support a higher level of
sales in 1997 as compared to 1996. In addition, new products introduced late in
1997, primarily resulting from the Company's 1997 acquisitions, had the effect
of increasing inventory balances.
    
 
   
    The increase in Other assets during 1997 is primarily attributable to the
intangibles acquired in the Company's 1997 acquisitions (see Note E of Notes to
Consolidated Financial Statements included in the Company's Annual Report on
Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1997 incorporated by reference
herein), and the increase in prepaid rent related to the Company's North Haven
facility lease agreement.
    
 
   
    The increase in Accrued liabilities of $33 million during 1997 results from
the accrual of estimated settlement and related costs relative to ongoing
litigation and litigation related matters in which the company is a defendant.
    
 
   
    The Company's current cash and cash equivalent balances, existing borrowing
capacity and projected operating cash flows are currently in excess of its
foreseeable operating cash flow requirements. In the second quarter of 1996, the
Company sold 4.3 million shares of its common stock in a public offering for
approximately $141.8 million of proceeds net of issuance costs. A portion of the
proceeds were used to repay certain domestic bank debt and the balance of the
proceeds was used for general corporate purposes, including financing the
Company's 1997 various cash acquisitions.
    
 
   
    The Company entered into a $325 million credit agreement in December 1995.
This credit agreement matures January 2001 and provides for certain covenants
such as restrictions on asset sales, common stock dividends in excess of 20% of
net income and subsidiary debt as well as required maintenance of certain
minimum levels of tangible net worth and fixed charge coverage ratios and a
stipulated level of debt to total capitalization. The credit facility provides
for borrowings up to $25 million worth of Japanese Yen. The Company entered into
an additional conditional committed bank term loan facility of $175 million
during the third quarter of 1996 to exclusively finance its pending tender offer
for Circon Corporation (see Note C of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December
31, 1997 incorporated by reference herein). This conditional term loan facility
has similar terms and conditions to the Company's present syndicated bank credit
facility. Throughout 1997 and 1996, the Company entered into additional
uncommitted facilities for 6 billion Japanese Yen (approximately $50 million)
with three Japanese banks and $95 million with four other banks which are short
term in nature. Such borrowings under the uncommitted facilities have been
categorized as long-term debt as such borrowings will be refinanced under the
Company's long-term bank credit agreement. The Company is in full compliance
with all of its covenants associated with its various bank and leasing
agreements.
    
 
   
    The Company increased its capital spending in 1997 by 31% compared to 1996
levels as a result of investing in new and more efficient production and
information processing equipment. The Company's building programs were
essentially completed by 1995 which enabled the Company to reduce its capital
spending by more than 28% in 1995 compared to 1994 levels. Additions to
Property, plant, and equipment
    
 
                                      S-10
<PAGE>
   
on the accrual method totaled $59 million in 1997 ($56 million on a cash basis)
compared with $44 million in 1996, and $48 million in 1995, and consist
primarily of additions to machinery and equipment ($39 million), molds and dies
($13 million), land and buildings ($3 million), and leasehold improvements ($4
million). During 1997 the Company removed from its balance sheet, Property,
plant, and equipment which had an original cost of $29 million and is now fully
depreciated and out of service.
    
 
   
    The Company's North Haven facilities are leased from a trust, of which the
original developer (the "Owner Participant") holds the beneficial interest. The
Owner Participant has the right to require the Company or the Company's designee
to purchase the Owner Participant's beneficial interest. During 1997, the
Company and the Owner Participant agreed to amend the date this right could be
exercised from January 1998 to no earlier than April 2000. The Company's
obligation, if the right is exercised, would be to take title to the beneficial
interest in the trust, or find another investor, suitable to the noteholders who
financed these facilities, to take such title. In either case the Company's
obligations as lessee under the lease would not change. The Company would be
obligated, whether or not the right is exercised, to make payments called for
under the existing lease of approximately $57 million annually through the year
2002, a payment of $28 million in January 2003 and nominal annual payments of
$100,000 through 2022. In addition, the Company is obligated to make contingent
rental payments based upon the consumer price index. There are presently several
alternatives available to the Owner Participant and the Company relative to the
additional contingent rental payments. The earliest potential payment of
approximately $19 million could be due as early as July 2000 if the Owner
Participant exercises the right to sell the facility to the Company, or the
Owner Participant elects the one-time lump sum payment of contingent rent. If
this right is not exercised, and the Owner Participant does not elect the one-
time payment of contingent rent of approximately $19 million, the determination
of the additional contingent rental payments will be based upon movements in the
consumer price index during the period September 1997 to September 2000 with an
annual cap on the consumer price index movement of 2.5% per year. If the second
option is chosen, additional contingent rental payments cannot exceed
approximately $39 million as stipulated in the agreement. Under the second
option, the Company can elect to pay free of interest from 2004 to 2023 the
additional contingent rental payments in excess of $19 million. The present
value of the contingent rental payments under the second option of approximately
$23 million would be a charge to rent expense during the contingent rent period,
September 1997 to September 2000, in comparison to the $19 million charge during
the period, September 1997 to June 2000, under the other option. Through
December 31, 1997, the Company has accrued $4.5 million related to contingent
rental payments. If, as described above, the Company takes title to the
beneficial interest in the facilities in July 2000, it is estimated that the
Company's balance sheet would be affected through an increase in Property, plant
and equipment of $339 million, a decrease in Other assets of $213 million and an
increase in Long-term debt of $126 million.
    
 
   
QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURE ABOUT MARKET RISK
    
 
   
    The Company has only limited involvement with derivative financial
instruments and does not use them for trading purposes. They are used to manage
well-defined interest rate and foreign exchange risks.
    
 
   
    The Company routinely enters into contracts to reduce its exposure to and
risk from foreign exchange rate changes and interest rate fluctuations in the
regular course of the Company's global business. As of December 31, 1997 the
Company's foreign currency exchange contracts have all matured and the
outstanding foreign currency option contracts of $33 million will mature
throughout 1998. Realized and unrealized foreign currency gains and losses are
recognized when incurred and are included as a component of selling, general,
and administrative expenses in the consolidated statements of operations and
cash paid to vendors, suppliers and employees in the consolidated statements of
cash flows. Realized and unrealized foreign currency gains and losses relating
to the foreign exchange options and contracts were immaterial during the fourth
quarter and year ended December 31, 1997 in relation to the Company's projected
exposure to foreign exchange rate fluctuations.
    
 
   
    In addition, the Company routinely enters into interest rate swap agreements
to reduce its exposure to interest rate fluctuations for a portion of its French
franc denominated financing lease. The net gain or loss from the exchange of
interest rate payments is included in interest (net) in the consolidated
statements of
    
 
                                      S-11
<PAGE>
   
operations and interest paid (net) in the consolidated statements of cash flows.
As a result of the Company's interest rate hedging program, fluctuations in
interest rates have had an immaterial effect on the Company during the fourth
quarter and year ended December 31, 1997. The Company presently has a 200
million French franc denominated interest rate swap outstanding which expires in
December 1999, against its 458 million French franc denominated financing lease.
Historically, interest rate changes relative to this swap have had an immaterial
impact on the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements and are anticipated to
be immaterial in the future.
    
 
   
    The Company maintains investments in marketable equity securities. The
securities are classified as available for sale and are recorded on the balance
sheet at fair value with unrealized gains or losses reported as a separate
component of shareholders' equity. The following analysis presents the
hypothetical change in fair values of the public equity investments held by the
Company that are sensitive to changes in the stock market. The modeling
technique used measures the hypothetical change in fair values arising from
selected hypothetical changes in the stock price for each security. Stock price
fluctuations of plus or minus 10% and plus or minus 25% were selected for
computational purposes. Estimates of fair value of these securities are as
follows assuming the respective percentage change in each share price (in
millions):
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<S>                                                                                     <C>
Current market value at December 31, 1997.............................................  $      40
10% decrease..........................................................................  $      36
25% decrease..........................................................................  $      30
10% increase..........................................................................  $      44
25% increase..........................................................................  $      50
</TABLE>
    
 
   
    The Company operates in a global environment and, accordingly, is subject to
adverse fluctuations in foreign exchange rates in relation to the U.S. Dollar.
The fluctuations of foreign exchange rates may vary over time and could have a
materially adverse impact on the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements.
Historically, the Company's primary exposures have related to foreign currency
denominated revenues and operating expenses in Japan, France, and Germany, with
lesser exposures throughout the world. The Company has a limited exposure in the
Asian markets. Currently, the Company enters into foreign exchange contracts and
options primarily in the countries mentioned to attempt to manage its exposure.
The success of these instruments depends upon forecasts of activities
denominated in foreign currencies. To the extent the forecasts differ from
actual results, and unanticipated foreign currency volatility occurs, the
Company could experience unanticipated foreign currency gains or losses.
    
 
   
IMPACT OF THE YEAR 2000 ISSUE
    
 
   
    The Year 2000 Issue is the result of potential problems with computer
systems or any equipment with computer chips that use dates where the date has
been stored as just two digits (e.g. 97 for 1997). On January 1, 2000, any clock
or date recording mechanism including date sensitive software which uses only
two digits to represent the year, may recognize a date using 00 as the year 1900
rather than the year 2000. This could result in a system failure or
miscalculations causing disruption of operations, including among other things,
a temporary inability to process transactions, send invoices, or engage in
similar activities.
    
 
   
    The Company determined that it would be required to replace or modify
significant portions of its business application software so that its computer
systems would properly utilize dates beyond December 31, 1999. The Company
presently believes that with conversions to new systems and modifications to
existing software the Year 2000 Issue can be mitigated. However, if such
modifications and conversions are not made, or are not timely, the Year 2000
Issue could have a material impact on the operations of the Company.
    
 
   
    During 1997, the Company initiated the implementation of Enterprise Resource
Planning (ERP) software to replace the Company's core business applications
which support sales and customer service, manufacturing, distribution, and
finance and accounting. The ERP software was selected to add functionality and
efficiency in the business processes of the Company in the normal course of
upgrading its systems
    
 
                                      S-12
<PAGE>
   
to address its business needs. In addition, the Company also began a project to
analyze and assess the remainder of its business not addressed by the ERP
software. The scope of the project covers all computer systems, computer and
network hardware, production process controllers, office equipment, access
control, maintenance machinery, and the products it sells.
    
 
   
    The Company is in the process of initiating formal communications with all
of its significant suppliers and large customers to determine the extent to
which the Company is vulnerable to those third parties failure to remediate
their own Year 2000 Issues. The Company can give no guarantee that the systems
of other companies on which the Company's systems rely will be converted on time
or that a failure to convert by another company or a conversion that is
incompatible with the Company's systems, would not have a material adverse
effect on the Company.
    
 
   
    The Company is currently and will continue to utilize internal and external
resources to implement, reprogram, or replace and test software and related
assets affected by the Year 2000 Issue. The Company expects to complete the
majority of its efforts in this area by early 1999 leaving adequate time to
assess and correct any significant issues that may materialize. The total
remaining cost of the ERP system and the Year 2000 project is estimated at $30-
40 million and is being funded through operating cash flows. Of the total
project cost, approximately $25-30 million is attributable to the purchase and
implementation of the new software which will be capitalized. The remainder will
be expensed as incurred over the next two years and is not expected to have a
material effect on the results of operations during any quarterly or annual
reporting period. To date, the Company has incurred and expensed approximately
$4 million related to the assessment of, and preliminary efforts in connection
with, its Year 2000 project and the development of its remediation plan. All
cost estimates provided herein are inclusive of assessment, implementation,
training and education costs associated with the installation of the ERP
software which would have been incurred regardless of the Year 2000 Issue.
    
 
   
    The costs of the project and the timetable in which the Company plans to
complete the Year 2000 compliance requirements are based on management's best
estimates, which were derived utilizing numerous assumptions of future events
including the continued availability of certain resources, third party
modification plans and other factors. However, there can be no guarantee that
these estimates will be achieved and actual results could differ materially from
these plans. Specific factors that might cause such material differences
include, but are not limited to, the availability and cost of personnel trained
in this area, the ability to locate and correct all relevant computer codes, and
similar uncertainties.
    
 
   
VALLEYLAB ACQUISITION
    
 
   
    In December of 1997, the Company entered into an agreement with Pfizer Inc.
to purchase its Valleylab division for cash consideration of $425 million
payable at closing. The Valleylab acquisition was completed in early 1998.
Valleylab, based in Colorado is the world's leading manufacturer of
electrosurgical and ultrasonic products, with annual sales of approximately $200
million.
    
 
   
                                  * * * * * *
    
 
   
    The Company may, from time to time, provide estimates as to future
performance, including comments on financial estimates made by the analyst
community. These forward looking statements are estimates, and may or may not be
realized by the Company. The Company undertakes no duty to update such forward
looking statements. Many factors could cause actual results to differ from these
forward looking statements, including loss of market share through competition,
introduction of competing products by other firms, pressure on prices from
competition or purchasers of the Company's products, regulatory obstacles to
development of new products which are important to the Company's growth, lack of
acceptance of new products by the health care market, slow rates of conversion
by surgeons to procedures which utilize the Company's products, and interest
rate and foreign exchange fluctuations.
    
 
                                      S-13
<PAGE>
   
                            DESCRIPTION OF THE NOTES
    
 
   
    The following description of the Notes supplements, and should be read in
conjunction with, statements under "Description of Debt Securities" set forth in
the Prospectus. The Notes will be "Senior Debt Securities" (as defined in the
Prospectus). The Indenture pursuant to which the Notes will be issued is the
"Senior Indenture" (as defined in the Prospectus).
    
 
   
GENERAL
    
 
   
    The Notes will be limited to $         in aggregate principal amount. The
Notes constitute part of the senior debt of the Company and will rank pari passu
with all other unsecured and unsubordinated debt of the Company. The Notes will
bear interest from            , 1998, or from the most recent date to which
interest has been paid or provided for, at the annual rate set forth on the
cover page of this Prospectus Supplement, and will mature on            .
Interest will be payable semi-annually on            and            , commencing
           , 1998 to the persons in whose names the Notes are registered at the
close of business on the preceding            or            , respectively. The
Notes will be issued in fully registered form only, in denominations of $1,000
and integral multiples thereof. All payments of interest and principal will be
payable in U.S. Dollars. Interest will be paid on the basis of a 360-day year
comprised of twelve 30-day months.
    
 
   
    The Indenture permits the defeasance of the Notes upon the satisfaction of
the conditions described under "Description of Debt Securities--Defeasance and
Discharge" and "--Defeasance of Certain Obligations" in the Prospectus. The
Notes are subject to these defeasance provisions.
    
 
   
REDEMPTION AND SINKING FUND
    
 
   
    The Notes will not be redeemable at the option of the Company prior to
maturity and will not be subject to any sinking fund.
    
 
   
BOOK-ENTRY, DELIVERY AND FORM
    
 
   
    The Notes will be issued in the form of one or more Book-Entry Securities
(as defined in the Prospectus) which will be deposited with, or on behalf of,
the Depositary and registered in the name of the Depositary's nominee. See
"Description of Debt Securities--Global and Book-Entry Debt Securities" in the
Prospectus. Payments of principal of and interest on the Notes will be made to
the Depositary in immediately available funds.
    
 
   
    The Depositary has advised as follows: It is a limited-purpose trust company
which was created to hold securities for its participating organizations (the
"Participants") and to facilitate the clearance and settlement of securities
transactions between Participants in such securities through electronic
book-entry changes in accounts of its Participants. Participants include
securities brokers and dealers (including the Underwriters), banks and trust
companies, clearing corporations and certain other organizations. Access to the
Depositary's system is also available to others such as banks, brokers, dealers
and trust companies that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with
a Participant. Persons who are not Participants may beneficially own securities
held by the Depositary only through Participants.
    
 
   
    The laws of some states require that certain persons take physical delivery
of securities which they own. Consequently, the ability to transfer beneficial
interest in the Book-Entry Securities is limited to the extent this requirement
may prevent certain potential purchasers of such beneficial interests from
purchasing them.
    
 
   
    Under the terms of the Senior Indenture, the Company and the Trustee will
treat the persons in whose names the Notes are registered as the owners of such
Notes for the purpose of receiving payment of principal of and interest on the
Notes and for all other purposes whatsoever. Therefore, neither the Company, the
Trustee nor any paying agent has any direct responsibility or liability for the
payment of principal of or interest on the Notes to owners of beneficial
interests in the Notes.
    
 
                                      S-14
<PAGE>
   
                                  UNDERWRITING
    
 
   
    Under the terms and subject to the conditions contained in an Underwriting
Agreement dated the date hereof, the Underwriters named below have severally
agreed to purchase, and the Company has agreed to sell to them, severally, the
respective principal amounts of Notes set forth opposite their respective names
below:
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
UNDERWRITER                                                                                       PRINCIPAL AMOUNT
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------  ----------------
<S>                                                                                               <C>
Salomon Brothers Inc............................................................................   $
Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith
          Incorporated..........................................................................
J.P. Morgan Securities Inc......................................................................
BancAmerica Robertson Stephens..................................................................
BNY Capital Markets, Inc........................................................................
Chase Securities Inc............................................................................
NationsBanc Montgomery Securities LLC...........................................................
                                                                                                  ----------------
      Total.....................................................................................   $
                                                                                                  ----------------
                                                                                                  ----------------
</TABLE>
    
 
   
    Subject to the terms and conditions of the Underwriting Agreement, the
Underwriters are committed to take and pay for all of the Notes, if any are
taken.
    
 
   
    The Underwriters propose initially to offer the Notes directly to the public
at the public offering price set forth on the cover page hereof and to certain
dealers at such price less a concession not in excess of     % of the principal
amount. The Underwriters may allow, and such dealers may reallow, a discount not
in excess of     % of the principal amount to certain other dealers. After the
initial public offering, the public offering price, concession and discount may
be changed.
    
 
   
    The Company has agreed to indemnify the several Underwriters against certain
liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
    
 
   
    In connection with the offering of the Notes, the Underwriters may purchase
and sell the Notes in the open market. These transactions may include
overallotment and stabilizing transactions and purchases to cover short
positions created by the Underwriters in connection with the offering of the
Notes. The Underwriters also may impose a penalty bid, whereby selling
concessions allowed to broker-dealers in respect of securities sold in the
offering may be retained by the Underwriters if such Notes are repurchased by
the Underwriters in stabilizing or covering transactions. These activities may
stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the market price of the Notes, which may
be higher than the price that might otherwise prevail in the open market, and
these activities, if commenced, may be discontinued at any time. These
transactions may be effected in the over-the-counter market or otherwise.
    
 
   
    The Company does not intend to apply for listing of the Notes on a national
securities exchange. The Notes are a new issue of securities with no established
trading market. The Underwriters have informed the Company that they intend to
make a market in the Notes, but are under no obligation to do so and such market
making activities may be terminated at any time. Therefore, no assurance can be
given as to the existence of a trading market in the Notes in the future.
    
 
   
    Bank of America National Trust and Savings Association, The Bank of New
York, The Chase Manhattan Bank, Morgan Guaranty Trust Company of New York and
NationsBank, N.A., agent banks and lenders under the 364-Day Credit Facility,
are affiliates of BancAmerica Robertson Stephens, BNY Capital Markets, Inc.,
Chase Securities Inc., J.P. Morgan Securities Inc. and NationsBanc Montgomery
Securities LLC, respectively (each of which are Underwriters of the offering
being made hereby). Such lenders are
    
 
                                      S-15
<PAGE>
   
expected to receive, in the aggregate, 28.9% of the estimated net proceeds of
the offering in repayment of a portion of amounts outstanding under the 364-Day
Credit Facility. See "Use of Proceeds."
    
 
   
    The Company has agreed not to offer, sell, contract to sell or otherwise
dispose of any debt securities of the Company in an offering to the public (or
in a private offering where holders of the debt securities are granted rights to
have such debt securities registered under the Securities Act or to exchange
such debt securities for other debt securities that are so registered) from the
date of this Prospectus Supplement until the first business day after the
closing of the offering being made hereby without the prior consent of Salomon
Brothers Inc.
    
 
   
    Certain of the Underwriters and their affiliates engage in transactions
(including commercial banking transactions) with and perform services for the
Company or one or more of its affiliates in the ordinary course of business
future. In particular, Chase Securities Inc. acted as financial advisor to the
Company in connection with the Valleylab acquisition, for which Chase Securities
Inc. received from the Company a customary fee.
    
 
   
                                 LEGAL OPINIONS
    
 
   
    The validity of the Notes will be passed upon for the Company by Thomas R.
Bremer, Senior Vice President and General Counsel of the Company. Certain other
legal matters will be passed upon for the Company by Dewey Ballantine LLP,
counsel for the Company, and certain legal matters will be passed upon for the
Underwriters by Cravath, Swaine & Moore, counsel for the Underwriters.
    
 
                                      S-16
<PAGE>
   
                   SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED MARCH 5, 1998
    
 
PROSPECTUS
INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN IS SUBJECT TO COMPLETION OR AMENDMENT. A
REGISTRATION STATEMENT RELATING TO THESE SECURITIES HAS BEEN FILED WITH THE
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION. THESE SECURITIES MAY NOT BE SOLD NOR MAY
OFFERS TO BUY BE ACCEPTED PRIOR TO THE TIME THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT BECOMES
EFFECTIVE. THIS PROSPECTUS SHALL NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL OR THE
SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY NOR SHALL THERE BE ANY SALE OF THESE SECURITIES
IN ANY STATE IN WHICH SUCH OFFER, SOLICITATION OR SALE WOULD BE UNLAWFUL PRIOR
TO REGISTRATION OR QUALIFICATION UNDER THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY SUCH STATE.
<PAGE>
                       UNITED STATES SURGICAL CORPORATION
 
              DEBT SECURITIES, PREFERRED STOCK, DEPOSITARY SHARES,
 
                           COMMON STOCK AND WARRANTS
 
                             ---------------------
 
    United States Surgical Corporation (the "Company") may offer from time to
time, together or separately, (i) its debt securities (the "Debt Securities"),
which may be either senior debt securities (the "Senior Debt Securities") or
subordinated debt securities (the "Subordinated Debt Securities"), consisting of
notes, debentures or other unsecured evidences of indebtedness in one or more
series, (ii) shares of its preferred stock, par value $5.00 per share (the
"Preferred Stock"), which may be issued in the form of depositary shares
evidenced by depositary receipts (the "Depositary Shares"); (iii) shares of its
common stock, par value $.10 per share (the "Common Stock"), and (iv) warrants
to purchase Debt Securities, Preferred Stock, Depositary Shares, or Common Stock
or any combination thereof, as shall be designated by the Company at the time of
the offering (the "Warrants") in amounts, at prices and on terms to be
determined at the time of the offering. The Debt Securities, Preferred Stock,
the Depositary Shares, Common Stock, and Warrants are collectively called the
"Securities."
 
    The Securities may be offered as separate series or issuances at an
aggregate initial public offering price not to exceed $500,000,000 or, if
applicable, the equivalent thereof in one or more foreign currencies, currency
units, composite currencies or in amounts determined by reference to an index as
shall be designated by the Company, in amounts, at prices and on terms to be
determined in light of market conditions at the time of sale and set forth in
the applicable Prospectus Supplement.
 
    Unless otherwise specified in a Prospectus Supplement, the Senior Debt
Securities, when issued, will be unsecured and will rank on a parity with all
other unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness of the Company. The Subordinated
Debt Securities, when issued, will be subordinated in right of payment to all
Senior Debt (as hereinafter defined) of the Company.
 
    Certain specific terms of the particular Securities in respect of which this
Prospectus is being delivered will be set forth in the applicable Prospectus
Supplement, including, where applicable, (i) in the case of Debt Securities, the
title, aggregate principal amount, denominations, maturity, any interest rate
(which may be fixed or variable) and time of payment of any interest, any terms
for redemption at the option of the Company or the holder, any terms for sinking
fund payments, any terms for conversion or exchange into other Securities,
currency or currencies of denomination and payment, if other than U.S. dollars,
any listing on a securities exchange and any other terms in connection with the
offering and sale of the Debt Securities in respect of which this Prospectus is
delivered, as well as the initial public offering price; (ii) in the case of
Preferred Stock and Depositary Shares, the specific title, the aggregate amount,
any dividend (including the method of calculating payment of dividends),
seniority, liquidation, redemption, voting and other rights, any terms for any
conversion or exchange into other Securities, any listing on a securities
exchange, the initial public offering price and any other terms, (iii) in the
case of Common Stock, the number of shares of Common Stock and the terms of
offering thereof; and (iv) in the case of Warrants, the designation and number,
the exercise price, any listing of the Warrants or the underlying Securities on
a securities exchange and any other terms in connection with the offering, sale
and exercise of the Warrants. Any Prospectus Supplement relating to any series
of Securities will contain information concerning certain United States federal
income tax considerations, if applicable, to the Securities.
 
    The Company's Common Stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under
the trading symbol "USS." Any Common Stock sold pursuant to a Prospectus
Supplement will be listed on such exchange, subject to official notice of
issuance.
 
    The Securities may be sold directly, through agents, underwriters or dealers
as designated from time to time, or through a combination of such methods. See
"Plan of Distribution." If agents of the Company or any dealers or underwriters
are involved in the sale of the Securities in respect of which this Prospectus
is being delivered, the names of such agents, dealers or underwriters and any
applicable commissions or discounts will be set forth in or may be calculated
from the Prospectus Supplement with respect to such Securities. The net proceeds
to the Company from such sale also will be set forth in the applicable
Prospectus Supplement.
 
   
    SEE "RISK FACTORS" BEGINNING ON PAGE 3 FOR A DISCUSSION OF CERTAIN FACTORS
THAT SHOULD BE CONSIDERED BY PROSPECTIVE INVESTORS.
    
                             ---------------------
  THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND
 EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS THE SECURITIES
  AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE
      ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE
                        CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
 
                           --------------------------
 
                  The date of this Prospectus is       , 1998
<PAGE>
                             AVAILABLE INFORMATION
 
    The Company is subject to the informational requirements of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), and in accordance
therewith files reports and other information with the Securities and Exchange
Commission (the "Commission"). Such reports, proxy statements, and other
information filed by the Company can be inspected and copied at the public
reference facilities of the Commission at Room 1024, Judiciary Plaza, 450 Fifth
Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549, and at the following Regional Offices of
the Commission: 7 World Trade Center, 13th Floor, New York, New York 10048; and
Citicorp Center, 500 West Madison Street, Suite 1400, Chicago, Illinois 60661.
The Commission also maintains a site on the World Wide Web, the address of which
is http://www.sec.gov, that contains reports, proxy and information statements
and other information regarding issuers such as the Company, that file
electronically with the Commission. Copies of such material can be obtained from
the Public Reference Section of the Commission, Washington, D.C. 20549, at
prescribed rates. The Company's Common Stock is listed on, and reports, proxy
statements and other information concerning the Company can be inspected and
copied at the offices of, the New York Stock Exchange, Inc. ("New York Stock
Exchange"), 20 Broad Street, New York, New York 10005.
 
    The Company has filed with the Commission a registration statement on Form
S-3 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), with
respect to the Securities offered hereby (the "Registration Statement"). This
Prospectus and the accompanying Prospectus Supplement does not contain all
information set forth in the Registration Statement, certain parts of which are
omitted in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Commission.
Reference is made to the Registration Statement and to the exhibits relating
thereto for further information with respect to the Company and the Securities
offered hereby.
 
                INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE
 
    The following documents filed by the Company with the Commission pursuant to
the Exchange Act (File No. 1-9776) are incorporated herein by reference:
 
    (1) Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1997;
 
   
    (2) Current Report on Form 8-K, dated February 11, 1998, as amended; and
    
 
    (3) The description of the Company's Common Stock, par value $.10 per share
(the "Common Stock"), contained in the Company's Registration Statement on Form
8-A, dated August 3, 1990.
 
    All documents filed by the Company with the Commission pursuant to Section
13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act subsequent to the date of this
Prospectus and prior to the termination of the offering of the Securities made
by this Prospectus shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference in this
Prospectus and to be a part of this Prospectus from the date of filing of such
documents. Any statement contained in a document, all or a portion of which is
incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference herein, or contained in
this Prospectus, shall be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of
this Prospectus to the extent that a statement contained herein or in any
subsequently filed document which also is or is deemed to be incorporated by
reference herein modifies or supersedes such statement. Any such statement so
modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded,
to constitute a part of this Prospectus.
 
    The Company will provide without charge to each person to whom a copy of
this Prospectus is delivered, upon the written or oral request of such person, a
copy of any and all of the documents referred to above which have been or may be
incorporated by reference in this Prospectus (without exhibits to such documents
other than exhibits specifically incorporated by reference into such documents).
Such written or oral request should be directed to United States Surgical
Corporation, 150 Glover Avenue, Norwalk, Connecticut 06856, Attention: Investor
Relations Department (203) 845-1333.
                            ------------------------
 
     Trademarks of the Company appear herein in italicized capital letters.
 
                                       2
<PAGE>
                                  RISK FACTORS
 
    THIS PROSPECTUS (INCLUDING THE DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE HEREIN)
CONTAINS, IN ADDITION TO HISTORICAL INFORMATION, FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS THAT
INVOLVE RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES. THE COMPANY'S ACTUAL RESULTS COULD DIFFER
MATERIALLY FROM SUCH HISTORICAL AND FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS. FACTORS THAT
COULD CAUSE OR CONTRIBUTE TO SUCH DIFFERENCES INCLUDE, BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO,
THOSE DISCUSSED BELOW, AS WELL AS THOSE DISCUSSED ELSEWHERE IN THIS PROSPECTUS
(INCLUDING THE DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE HEREIN). EXCEPT WHERE THE
CONTEXT OTHERWISE REQUIRES, THE TERM "COMPANY" AS USED HEREIN INCLUDES THE
COMPANY'S SUBSIDIARIES AND DIVISIONS.
 
COMPETITION
 
   
    There is intense competition in the markets in which the Company engages in
business. Many major companies that compete with the Company, such as Ethicon,
Inc. ("Ethicon"), a Johnson & Johnson subsidiary, and Sherwood-Davis & Geck (a
unit of Tyco International) have a wider range of other medical products than
the Company and dominate much of the markets for these other products. Ethicon
markets, in addition to sutures and other wound closure products, disposable
skin staplers, clip appliers, and internal staplers. Sherwood-Davis & Geck
markets disposable skin staplers, clip appliers and suture materials. The
Company believes that these major companies will continue their efforts to
develop and
market competitive devices.
    
 
    The market for products for minimally invasive surgery is highly
competitive. Ethicon, through a division known as Ethicon Endo-Surgery, markets
a line of endoscopic instruments which directly compete with the Company's
products and is its principal competitor in the minimally invasive surgery
market. The Company believes that Ethicon devotes considerable resources to
research and development and sales efforts in this field. Numerous other
companies manufacture and distribute disposable endoscopic instruments. In
addition, manufacturers of reusable trocars and other reusable endoscopic
instruments, including Richard Wolf Medical Instruments Corp. (a subsidiary of
Richard Wolf, GmbH) and Karl Storz Endoscopy-American Inc. (a subsidiary of Karl
Storz, GmbH), compete directly with the Company.
 
    Industry studies show Ethicon currently has in excess of 70% of the domestic
suture market. The Company expects that, because the size of the total suture
market is relatively stable, any increase in the Company's market share in this
area will have to be earned at the expense of the other current market
participants.
 
   
    There is intense competition in sales of products for use in spinal,
vascular, cardiovascular, interventional cardiology, breast biopsy, urologic,
orthopedic and oncological procedures. A broad range of companies presently
offer products or are developing products for use in such procedures. Many of
such companies have significantly greater capital than the Company and are
expected to devote substantial resources to development of newer technologies
which would be competitive with products which the Company may offer. There are
also a number of smaller companies which offer such products which present
additional competition. Competitors which are developing or offering products in
spine procedures include Spine-Tech, Inc. (recently acquired by Sulzer Medica)
and Sofamor Danek Group, Inc. Principal competitors which are developing or
offering cardiovascular, vascular and interventional cardiology products include
Johnson & Johnson's Ethicon and Cordis subsidiaries, Boston Scientific
Corporation, Medtronic, Inc., Guidant Corporation, C.R. Bard, Inc., Heartport,
Inc. and CardioThoracic Systems, Inc. Ethicon, through its acquisition of
Biopsys Medical, Inc. and its alliance with Fischer Imaging Corporation, offers
products which compete directly with the Company's ABBI System.
    
 
    The market for the electrosurgical and ultrasound surgical products being
offered by the Company's recently-acquired Valleylab subsidiary is highly
competitive. Competitive pricing pressure and the introduction of new products
by competitors could have an adverse effect on Valleylab's revenues and
profitability. Competitors of Valleylab products include Minnesota Mining and
Manufacturing Company, CONMED Corporation and Erbe Electromedizin GmbH.
 
                                       3
<PAGE>
    The Company's principal methods of competing are the development of
innovative products, the performance and breadth of its products, its
technically trained sales force, educational services, including sponsorship of
training programs in advanced laparoscopic techniques, and more recently,
assisting hospital management with cost containment and marketing programs. Some
of the Company's major competitors have greater financial resources than the
Company. Some of its competitors, particularly Ethicon, have engaged in
substantial price discounting and other significant efforts to gain market
share, including bundled contracts for a wide variety of healthcare products
with group purchasing organizations. In the current health care environment,
cost containment has become the predominant factor in purchasing decisions by
hospitals. As a result, the Company's traditional reliance on the quality of its
products for marketing purposes has been adversely affected. Due to the
considerable competition in the industry, no assurance can be given as to the
Company's competitive position. The impact of competition will likely have a
continuing effect on sales volumes and on prices charged by the Company.
 
HEALTH CARE MARKET
 
    The health care industry continues to undergo change, led primarily by
market forces which are demanding greater efficiencies and reduced costs.
Government proposed health care mandates in the United States have not occurred,
and it is unclear whether, and to what extent, any government mandate will
affect the domestic health care market. Industry led changes are expected to
continue irrespective of any governmental efforts toward health care reform. The
scope and timing of any further government sponsored proposals for health care
reform are presently unclear.
 
    The primary trend in the industry is toward consolidation and cost
containment. Payors have been able to exercise greater influence through managed
treatment and hospitalization patterns, including a shift from reimbursement on
a cost basis to per capita limits for patient treatment. Hospitals have been
severely impacted by the resulting cost restraints. The increasing use of
managed care, centralized purchasing decisions through group purchasing
organizations, consolidations among hospitals and hospital groups, and
integration of health care providers are continuing to affect purchasing
patterns in the health care system. Purchasing decisions are often shared by a
coalition of surgeons, nursing staff, and hospital administrators, with
purchasing decisions taking into account whether a product reduces the cost of
treatment and/or attracts additional patients to a hospital. All of these
factors have contributed to reductions in prices for the Company's products, to
a reduction in the volume of hospital purchasing and, in the near term, slower
acceptance of more advanced surgical procedures in which the Company's products
are used, given hospital and surgeon concerns as to the costs of training and
reimbursement by payors. While the Company has implemented programs to assist
hospitals in cost containment through more efficient surgical practices and
application of minimally invasive surgery, there can be no assurance that the
Company will not continue to be adversely affected by these matters.
 
    Internationally, several factors have slowed the pace of conversion from
traditional to minimally invasive procedures or acceptance of surgical
techniques that utilize the Company's products. The socialization of health care
in many developed, international countries results in surgeons and patients
having less influence on the type of care the patients receive. Cost containment
efforts by governments often slow down the process of obtaining reimbursement
for procedures that are performed with the Company's products. The Company
expects these factors to continue to impact growth in foreign countries. In
addition, the Company is experiencing pricing pressures from competition and
from cost containment efforts by health care payors in many foreign countries.
 
    There can be no assurance as to the impact of cost containment on the
Company's future operations.
 
DEPENDENCE ON PATENTS AND PROPRIETARY RIGHTS; PATENT LITIGATION
 
    The Company owns numerous United States and foreign patents and has numerous
patent applications pending. The Company also has license rights to certain
patents held by third parties. The Company
 
                                       4
<PAGE>
is currently subject to claims of, and legal actions alleging, infringement by
the Company of the patent rights of others. An adverse outcome with respect to
one or more of these claims or actions or any future claims or actions could
have a material adverse effect on the Company. For a description of these legal
actions, see Item 3 (Legal Proceedings) of the Company's Annual Report on Form
10-K for the year ended December 31, 1997. In addition, there can be no
assurance that pending patent applications will result in issued patents, that
patents issued or licensed by the Company will not be challenged or circumvented
by competitors or that such patents will be found to be valid or sufficiently
broad to protect the Company's technology or provide the Company with any
competitive advantage. Third parties could also obtain patents that may require
licensing for the conduct of the Company's business.
 
STRINGENT GOVERNMENT REGULATION
 
    The Company's products are subject to extensive regulation by the Federal
Food and Drug Administration ("FDA") and, in many instances, by comparable
agencies in the foreign countries in which these products are manufactured or
distributed. In particular, the Company must obtain specific clearance from the
FDA before it can market products in the United States. The process of obtaining
such clearances can be time consuming and expensive, and there can be no
assurance that all clearances sought by the Company will be granted or that FDA
review will not involve delays adversely affecting the marketing and sale of the
Company's products. In the past, the Company's stapling and endoscopic products
have been cleared by the FDA under the most expedited form of pre-market review
or have not required FDA approval. Many of the Company's new products under
development, however, may be subject to a more complex and time consuming
regulatory process. Many of these future products may require lengthy human
clinical trials and the Pre-Market Approval of the FDA relating to Class III
Medical Devices. Current FDA enforcement policy prohibits the promotion or
labeling of approved products for unapproved uses. The Company is also required
to adhere to the manufacturing, testing, control, labeling, documentation and
product surveillance requirements of the FDA. These regulations may have a
material impact on the Company's business. Laws regulating surgical products are
also in effect in many of the foreign countries where the Company does business.
The Company is now subject to uniform regulations for European Economic Area
nations which took effect on January 1, 1995 and which subject the Company to a
single regulatory scheme for all participating countries. Although the Company
has taken steps designed to comply with these new, more rigorous regulations,
including obtaining ISO 9000 certifications of its operations, there is no
assurance that these regulations will not have a material adverse effect on the
Company. Federal, state and foreign regulations regarding the manufacture and
sale of medical devices are subject to future changes. If the FDA believes that
a company is not in compliance with applicable regulations, it can institute
proceedings to detain or seize products, issue a recall, impose operating
restrictions, enjoin future violations and assess civil and criminal penalties
against the company, its officers or its employees and can recommend criminal
prosecution to the Department of Justice. Other regulatory agencies may have
similar powers. In addition, product approvals could be withdrawn due to the
failure to comply with regulatory standards or the occurrence of unforeseen
problems following initial marketing. In addition, any adverse regulatory
action, depending on its magnitude, may have a material adverse effect on the
Company.
 
EFFECT OF ACQUISITIONS AND ALLIANCES
 
   
    The Company has implemented a strategy to expand its product lines beyond
general surgery through a program of acquisitions and alliances in a number of
surgical specialties where the Company believes market conditions and product
innovation offer substantial growth opportunities. Although the Company believes
that these areas of surgical practice offer significant opportunities for
revenue growth and profitability, considerable risks may be involved and there
can be no assurance that favorable results will be achieved. In January 1998,
the Company acquired the Valleylab division of Pfizer Inc. ("Valleylab"), the
Company's largest acquisition to date. The Company's future success is partially
dependent upon its ability effectively to integrate acquired businesses with the
Company's operations. In addition, the financial
    
 
                                       5
<PAGE>
   
performance of the Company is now and will continue to be subject to various
risks associated with the acquisition of businesses, including the financial
effects associated with the integration of such businesses. There can be no
assurance that past or future acquisitions will be successfully integrated or
that any such acquisition will otherwise be successful. As part of its strategy
of expanding its product lines through a program of acquisitions and alliances,
the Company regularly engages in discussions with potential acquisition
candidates. Such acquisitions could be material in relation to the acquisitions
previously completed by the Company (including in relation to the Valleylab
acquisition). There can be no assurance that any such acquisitions will be
consummated.
    
 
RISKS RELATING TO INTERNATIONAL OPERATIONS
 
    International sales represented approximately 47% of the Company's net sales
in 1997. As a result of its international operations, the Company is subject to
risks associated with operating in foreign countries, including devaluations and
fluctuations in currency exchange rates, imposition of limitations on
conversions of foreign currencies into dollars or remittance of dividends and
other payments by foreign subsidiaries, imposition or increase of withholding
and other taxes on remittances and other payments by foreign subsidiaries, trade
barriers, political risks, including political instability, hyperinflation in
certain foreign countries and imposition or increase of investment and other
restrictions by foreign governments. There can be no assurance that such risks
will not have a material adverse effect on the Company's business and operating
results. For a discussion of certain factors impacting the Company's growth
internationally, see "--Health Care Market."
 
POSSIBLE OBSOLESCENCE FROM TECHNOLOGICAL CHANGE AND NEED TO DEVELOP NEW PRODUCTS
 
    The surgical products market is characterized by rapid product development
and technological change. The present or future products of the Company could be
rendered obsolete or uneconomical by technological advances by one or more of
the Company's current or future competitors. The Company's future success will
depend upon its ability to develop or acquire new products and technology to
remain competitive with other developers of surgical products. The Company's
business strategy emphasizes the continued development or acquisition and
commercialization of new products and the enhancement of existing products.
There can be no assurance that the Company will be able to continue to
successfully develop or acquire new products and to enhance existing products,
to manufacture these products in a commercially viable manner, to obtain
required regulatory approvals or to gain satisfactory market acceptance for such
products.
 
POTENTIAL PRODUCT LIABILITY
 
    The Company's business exposes it to potential product liability risks which
are inherent in the design, manufacture and marketing of surgical products.
Manufacturing flaws, design defects or inadequate disclosure of product-related
risks with respect to products manufactured or sold by the Company could result
in an unsafe condition or injury to, or death of, the patient. The occurrence of
such a problem could result in product liability claims and/or a recall of, or
safety alert relating to, one or more of the Company's products. For example,
Surgical Dynamics, Inc. ("Surgical Dynamics"), a subsidiary of the Company,
offers spinal products, some of which are designed to be permanently implanted
in the human body. There has been substantial litigation in the spinal implant
industry in recent years and the Company faces the business risk of financial
exposure to product liability claims with respect to such products. There can be
no assurance that the Company's current product liability insurance will be
adequate or that the Company will be able to obtain insurance in the future at
satisfactory rates or in adequate amounts. Product liability claims or product
recalls in the future, regardless of their ultimate outcome, could have a
material adverse effect on the Company's business and reputation and on its
ability to attract and retain customers for its products.
 
                                       6
<PAGE>
                                  THE COMPANY
 
OVERVIEW
 
    The Company is a Delaware corporation primarily engaged in developing,
manufacturing and marketing a proprietary line of technologically advanced
surgical products to hospitals throughout the world. The Company specializes in
technologies that improve patient care and lower health care costs. The Company
develops, manufactures and markets surgical staplers, laparoscopic products and
sutures and products in numerous surgical specialties including spine surgery;
vascular and cardiovascular surgery and interventional cardiology; urology; and
breastcare. The Company has also recently completed the acquisition of
Valleylab, the world's leading manufacturer and marketer of electrosurgical and
ultrasound surgical products. The Company currently operates domestically and
internationally through subsidiaries, divisions and distributors.
 
    To respond to business conditions in the health care market, including cost
containment initiatives by health care providers and payors, the Company has
expanded its marketing efforts to meet the needs of hospital management through
cost effective pricing programs, by assisting hospitals in implementing more
efficient surgical practices and by demonstrating the favorable economics
associated with the use of the Company's products. The Company has also
implemented a strategy to expand its product lines beyond general surgery
through a program of acquisitions and alliances in a number of surgical
specialties where the Company believes market conditions and product innovation
offer substantial growth opportunities, including the following acquisitions:
Surgical Dynamics and the Smith & Nephew spinal products business (spine
surgery); Progressive Angioplasty Systems and a controlling interest in Medolas
(vascular and cardiovascular surgery and interventional cardiology); the
strategic alliance with Trex Medical and the acquisition of NeoVision
(breastcare); and the acquisition of Valleylab. In addition, the Company
continues to expand its product and technology base in its established
businesses through investment in internal research and development and
acquisition of new technologically advanced products that provide better patient
care and an effective means of reducing hospital costs.
 
    The Company's principal executive offices are located at 150 Glover Avenue,
Norwalk, Connecticut 06856; telephone (203) 845-1000.
 
WOUND CLOSURE PRODUCTS
 
    AUTO SUTURE STAPLING PRODUCTS, CLIP APPLIERS, PRODUCTS FOR MINIMALLY
     INVASIVE SURGERY AND SUTURE PRODUCTS
 
    The Company is a leading multinational developer, manufacturer and marketer
of innovative surgical wound closure products. In this category, principal
products consist of a series of surgical stapling instruments (both single use
and reusable), and single use loading units ("DLUs") for use with stapling
instruments and single use surgical clip appliers. The instruments are an
alternative to manual suturing techniques utilizing needle/suture combinations
which enable surgeons to reduce blood loss, tissue trauma and operating time
while joining internal tissue, reconstructing or sealing off organs, removing
diseased tissue, occluding blood vessels and closing skin, either with titanium,
stainless steel, or proprietary absorbable copolymer staples or with titanium,
stainless steel, or proprietary absorbable copolymer clips. Surgical stapling
also makes possible several surgical procedures which cannot be achieved with
surgical needles and suturing materials.
 
    The Company is a leading manufacturer and marketer of specialized wound
management products designed for use in the field of minimally invasive surgery.
This surgical technique (also referred to as laparoscopic or endoscopic surgery)
requires incisions of up to one half inch in diameter through which various
procedures are performed using laparoscopic instruments and optical devices,
known as laparoscopes or endoscopes, for viewing inside the body cavity.
Laparoscopy generally provides patients with significant reductions in
post-operative hospital stay, pain, recuperative time and hospital costs, with
 
                                       7
<PAGE>
improved cosmetic results, and with the ability to return to work and normal
life in a shorter time frame. The Company has developed and markets single use
surgical clip appliers and stapling instruments in a variety of sizes and
configurations designed for laparoscopic uses. The Company's products in this
area also include trocars, which provide entry ports to the body in laparoscopic
surgery, and a line of instruments which allows the surgeon to see, cut,
cauterize, clamp, retract, suction, irrigate or otherwise manipulate tissue
during a laparoscopic procedure. The Company also designs and markets
laparoscopes. Applications for minimally invasive surgery currently include
cholecystectomy (gall bladder removal), hysterectomy, hernia repair, bladder
suspension for urinary stress incontinence, anti-reflux procedures for
correction of heartburn, and various forms of bowel, stomach, gynecologic,
urologic, pediatric and thoracic (chest) surgery. The Company believes that
laparoscopy can also be used effectively in many other surgical procedures.
 
    Sutures comprise a major portion of the wound closure market. Since most
surgical procedures which use staples also require manual suturing, the Company
considers sutures to be a natural complement to its stapling instrumentation.
The Company is continuing its expansion into this mature global market. The
Company offers a complete suture product line, including both absorbable
products and non-absorbable suture products.
 
SPINE SURGERY PRODUCTS
 
    The Company, through its subsidiary Surgical Dynamics, is a leading
developer and manufacturer of spinal cages and other instrumentation for spine
surgery and instruments for arthroscopic procedures. During the latter part of
1997, Surgical Dynamics acquired Smith & Nephew's spinal product business,
including spinal instrumentation systems for cervical, thoracic and lumbar
procedures, and instruments for minimally invasive spinal surgery. The
acquisition enables Surgical Dynamics to offer spine surgeons a broader range of
products, including rigid spinal fixation systems.
 
VASCULAR THERAPIES
 
    PRODUCTS FOR VASCULAR AND CARDIOVASCULAR SURGERY AND INTERVENTIONAL
     CARDIOLOGY
 
    During the latter part of 1997, the Company established Vascular Therapies,
a new division to develop and market the Company's products for vascular and
cardiovascular surgery and interventional cardiology. These products include:
(i) specialized instrumentation for use in vascular procedures, including the
Company's VCS vascular clip applier (a device which permits arteriotomies,
venotomies, and vascular anastomoses without penetration of the inner wall of
the vessel); (ii) the Company's ONE-SHOT instrument for joining small vessels,
including coronary arteries; (iii) the Company's MINI HARVEST system products,
which permit minimally invasive harvesting of the saphenous vein from a
patient's leg in connection with cardiovascular surgery; and (iv) the Company's
MINI-CABG line of instruments, which allows surgeons to operate on a beating
heart through a 3- to 4-inch incision between the ribs instead of the 12-inch
incision associated with traditional approaches and permits reduced operating
time, recuperating time and costs, and reduce risks associated with current
practices.
 
    During the latter part of 1997, the Company acquired Progressive Angioplasty
Systems, Inc., a developer and marketer of a line of coronary stents and balloon
angioplasty catheters. In addition, the Company is continuing development of
intravascular radiation therapy, a new technology to reduce restenosis in
patients following balloon angioplasty and stenting procedures, and the
development of products for transmyocardial revascularization and percutaneous
transmyocardial revascularization (frequently known as TMR and PTMR,
respectively), promising cardiovascular surgical and interventional cardiology
procedures that are designed to create pathways for blood to reach
oxygen-starved heart tissue in patients with coronary artery problems.
 
                                       8
<PAGE>
BREASTCARE PRODUCTS
 
    The Company is continuing development of a comprehensive approach to breast
care. The Company's ABBI system incorporates a stereotactic table and the
Company's ABBI biopsy device. The ABBI biopsy device combines wire localization
with removal of a biopsy specimen. This system allows a one-step, minimally
invasive process for breast biopsy, offering the surgeon increased accuracy and
control, and helping hospitals reduce procedural and operating room costs. The
one piece larger specimen (5 mm to 20 mm in diameter) obtained by the ABBI
system aids in specimen orientation and diagnosis during pathology assessment,
and facilitates physicians' decision making for improved results. The Company
offers the stereotactic tables under a strategic alliance with Lorad, a unit of
Trex Medical Corporation and a leading manufacturer of stereotactic equipment.
The Company received FDA approval in the later part of 1997 to market its MIBB
minimally invasive breast biopsy device. MIBB permits doctors to remove multiple
tissue samples as small as 2 mm in diameter using either stereotactic x-ray (the
ABBI system) or 3-D ultrasound (the SONOPSY system) technology.
 
    The Company's SONOPSY system incorporates a proprietary breast compression
device with an automated three-dimensional ultrasound scanner to accurately
locate and biopsy suspicious lesions using MIBB or the Company's core needle
biopsy products. The Company acquired the SONOPSY system during the latter part
of 1997 in connection with its acquisition of NeoVision Corporation, with which
it previously had a sales and marketing agreement. The Company expects to offer
multiple versions of SONOPSY, including a version that integrates ABBI and
SONOPSY so that the clinician can simultaneously image by ultrasound or x-ray
for biopsy guidance, potentially increasing the number of lesions that can
benefit from ABBI or MIBB biopsies. During the latter part of 1997, the Company
enhanced its ultrasound technology capabilities by acquiring the assets of DRS
Medical Systems, Inc., a developer and marketer of ultrasound systems for
medical applications.
 
    In January 1998, the Company introduced its NAVIGATOR Gamma Guidance System.
The NAVIGATOR System and the Company's LYMPHAZURIN Blue Dye are principal
products designed for use by surgeons during a lymphatic mapping procedure.
Current treatment standards for many cancer patients call for an Axiallary Lymph
Node Dissection (ALND) in conjunction with resection of the primary tumor. In
this procedure, up to 25 lymph nodes are harvested in order to obtain critical
staging information. Due to the radical nature of this surgery, ALND is
associated with a high degree of post-operative morbidity. Lymphatic mapping is
a minimally invasive technique that allows the surgeon to harvest the sentinel
(primary) lymph node from the affected nodal basin through a small incision. The
NAVIGATOR System is used to track a radioactive mapping agent in the lymph node
basin while the LYMPHAZURIN is used to dye the appropriate lymph nodes blue,
thus aiding in the identification of the sentinel node. The procedure is
designed to provide a less traumatic patient staging with lower morbidity and
costs compared to the more radical ALND procedure. The lymphatic mapping
procedure is currently being utilized for staging patients who have been
diagnosed with malignant melanoma and breast cancer.
 
VALLEYLAB ACQUISITION
 
   
    In December 1997, the Company entered into an agreement with Pfizer Inc. to
acquire Valleylab, the world's leading manufacturer of electrosurgical and
ultrasound surgical products based in Boulder, Colorado and which has been in
existence for over 30 years. The Valleylab acquisition, which is the largest
acquisition in the Company's history, was completed in early 1998.
    
 
    Valleylab's products consist primarily of electrosurgical generators,
pencils, accessories, and patient return pads. In addition, Valleylab's products
include ultrasound cutting devices including generators, handpieces, tubing and
titanium tips, and laparoscopic surgical devices. Electrocautery, which has been
utilized since the 1920s, offers a safe, versatile and effective method to cut
and coagulate tissue and is utilized in a broad range of surgical applications.
Electrical current flows from the generator to the active electrode (an
electrosurgical pencil or other surgical instrument) and then through the body
tissue to the
 
                                       9
<PAGE>
patient return pad where it is collected and returned to the generator.
Ultrasonic aspiration systems use a combination of mechanical vibration and
suction to selectively fragment tissue. An ultrasonic aspirator system consists
of an ultrasonic generator, a handpiece and a single-use pack containing tubing
and titanium tips. A transducer within the handpiece vibrates the hollow
titanium tip at ultrasonic frequencies while suction is applied to the tip core.
When applied to a surgical site, tissue with high water content is fragmented
and aspirated. Valleylab is currently developing several additional products
which use radio-frequency energy and are designed to improve clinical outcomes
and reduce procedure cost and duration.
 
    The Valleylab acquisition constitutes a major milestone in the Company's
strategy to grow through acquisition. The Company believes that Valleylab offers
a major opportunity for the Company to acquire a leading medical device company
with strong brand name recognition, an established customer base and
demonstrated profitability. The Company believes that the Valleylab business
provides substantial growth opportunities principally through innovative product
upgrades, aggressive expansion of international sales through the Company's
subsidiaries and international distributor network, and through Valleylab's
substantial expertise and product development activities in women's health care
and radiofrequency energy which will complement the Company's internal product
development efforts in these areas.
 
OTHER PRODUCTS
 
    The Company is continuing development of its Radio Frequency Therapy ("RFT")
system, a new technology for treating benign prostate hyperplasia ("BPH"), an
enlargement of the prostate that constricts the urethra, making urination
difficult and causing other bothersome symptoms. The most common procedure for
BPH uses electrocautery to burn away prostate tissue. Although effective, the
procedure requires general or spinal anesthesia, uncomfortable and confining
post-operative catheterization and a four to six week recovery period. The
procedure also has potentially serious side effects-- including impotence--and
costs more than $8,000.
 
    RFT is completely automated and uses radio waves and a flexible scope, which
most surgeons already own. The Company's system, combined with the scope, is
designed to allow surgeons to perform the procedure in their offices using only
local anesthesia and with shorter operating time. Patients should not require
postoperative catheterization and should be able to resume normal activities in
a few days. The RFT system will not only be better for the patient, but will
offer the first truly cost-effective minimally invasive approach to BPH. It will
be available outside the United States during the first half of 1998.
 
    The Company maintains an alliance with V.I. Technologies, Inc. and has
obtained exclusive worldwide rights to market V.I. Technologies' human fibrin
glue for wound healing applications. The product is a tissue adhesive, treated
by a unique method to address viral transmission concerns, and is intended to be
used during surgical procedures to augment or replace sutures or staples for
wound closure. The Company also owns approximately 9% of the outstanding shares
of Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. which is traded on the Nasdaq System. The
Company maintains an alliance with Alexion with respect to worldwide
manufacturing and marketing rights to market Alexion's transgenetically
engineered non-human cells, tissues and organs. The Company has certain options
to fund Alexion's future research and development and pay royalties on any
resulting product sales. During the latter part of 1997, the Company purchased
additional equity, exclusive licensing rights and certain xenograft
manufacturing assets from Alexion.
 
                                       10
<PAGE>
                   RATIOS OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES AND OF
 
        EARNINGS TO COMBINED FIXED CHARGES AND PREFERRED STOCK DIVIDENDS
 
    The following table sets forth the Company's ratios of consolidated earnings
to fixed charges and consolidated earnings to combined fixed charges and
preferred stock dividends for the periods indicated.
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                          YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                                           -----------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                                        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>
                                                                             1997       1996       1995       1994       1993
                                                                           ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges and capitalized interest (1)..........        6.4        6.2        3.7        2.0     N.M.(2)
Ratio of earnings to combined fixed charges, capitalized interest and
  preferred stock dividends (1)..........................................        4.9        3.0        1.9        1.2
</TABLE>
    
 
- ------------------------
 
(1) The ratios of earnings to fixed charges and capitalized interest and to
    combined fixed charges, capitalized interest and preferred stock dividends
    are computed by dividing the sum of earnings before provision for income
    taxes and fixed charges (excluding capitalized interest) by total fixed
    charges and capitalized interest, or by the sum of total fixed charges and
    capitalized interest and preferred stock dividends. Total fixed charges and
    capitalized interest includes all interest (including capitalized interest)
    and the interest factor of all rentals, assumed to be one-third of
    consolidated rent expense. Preferred stock dividends have been increased to
    an amount representing the pretax earnings which would be required to cover
    such dividend requirements, assuming a statutory tax rate of 35%.
 
(2) Earnings were inadequate to cover fixed charges. The dollar amount of the
    deficiency for the year ended December 31, 1993 was $147 million. If
    restructuring charges of $138 million were excluded from the calculation,
    the dollar amount of the deficiency would have been $9 million.
 
                                USE OF PROCEEDS
 
    The net proceeds to be received by the Company from the sale of the
Securities offered hereby will be used for general corporate purposes, including
possible acquisitions of technologies or the stock or assets of other companies,
repurchase of shares of the Company's Common Stock, retirement of short-term or
long-term indebtedness, or expenditures for property, plant and equipment, or
for such other uses as may be set forth in a prospectus supplement.
 
                                       11
<PAGE>
                         DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES
 
    The following description sets forth certain general terms and provisions of
the Debt Securities to which any Prospectus Supplement may relate. The
particular terms of the Debt Securities offered by any Prospectus Supplement and
the extent, if any, to which such general provisions may not apply to the Debt
Securities so offered will be described in the Prospectus Supplement relating to
such Debt Securities.
 
   
    The Senior Debt Securities will be issued under an Indenture (the "Senior
Indenture"), to be entered into between the Company and The Bank of New York, as
trustee. The Subordinated Debt Securities will be issued under a separate
Indenture (the "Subordinated Indenture"), to be entered into between the Company
and The Bank of New York, as trustee. The Senior Indenture and the Subordinated
Indenture are sometimes referred to collectively as the "Indentures." Copies of
the forms of the Senior Indenture and the Subordinated Indenture have been filed
as exhibits to the Registration Statement. The trustee under the Senior
Indenture and under the Subordinated Indenture is referred to herein as the
"Trustee."
    
 
    The following summaries of certain provisions of the Senior Debt Securities,
the Subordinated Debt Securities and the Indentures do not purport to be
complete and are subject to, and qualified in their entirety by reference to,
all the provisions of the Indenture applicable to a particular series of Debt
Securities, including the definitions therein of certain terms. Wherever
particular Sections, Articles or defined terms of the Indentures are referred to
herein or in a Prospectus Supplement, it is intended that such Sections,
Articles or defined terms shall be incorporated by reference herein or therein,
as the case may be. Section and Article references used herein are references to
the applicable Indenture. Except as otherwise indicated, the terms of the Senior
Indenture and the Subordinated Indenture are identical. Capitalized terms not
otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the applicable
Indenture.
 
GENERAL
 
   
    The Indentures will not limit the aggregate principal amount of Debt
Securities which may be issued thereunder, and each Indenture provides that Debt
Securities may be issued thereunder from time to time in one or more series up
to the aggregate amount from time to time authorized by the Company for each
series. (Section 3.1) Unless otherwise specified in the Prospectus Supplement,
the Senior Debt Securities when issued will be unsecured and unsubordinated
obligations of the Company and will rank equally and ratably with all other
unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness of the Company. The Subordinated Debt
Securities when issued will be unsecured obligations of the Company,
subordinated in right of payment to the prior payment in full of all Senior Debt
(as defined in the Subordinated Indenture) of the Company as described in the
applicable Prospectus Supplement. (Section 15.1 of the Subordinated Indenture)
    
 
    Reference is made to the Prospectus Supplement relating to the particular
series of Debt Securities offered thereby for a description of the following
terms or additional provisions of the Debt Securities: (1) the title of the Debt
Securities; (2) whether the Debt Securities are Senior Debt Securities or
Subordinated Debt Securities; (3) any limit on the aggregate principal amount of
the Debt Securities; (4) whether the Debt Securities are to be issuable as
Registered Securities or Bearer Securities or both, whether any of the Debt
Securities shall be issuable in whole or in part in temporary or permanent
global form or in the form of Book-Entry Securities and, if so, the
circumstances under which any such global securities or Book-Entry Securities
may be exchanged for Debt Securities registered in the name of, and any transfer
of such global or Book-Entry Securities may be registered in the name of, a
Person other than the depositary for such temporary or permanent global
securities or Book-Entry Securities or its nominee; (5) the price or prices
(expressed as a percentage of the aggregate principal amount thereof) at which
the Debt Securities will be issued; (6) the date or dates on which the Debt
Securities will mature; (7) the rate or rates per annum at which the Debt
Securities will bear interest, if any, and the date from which any such interest
will accrue; (8) the Interest Payment Dates on which any such interest on the
Debt Securities will be payable,
 
                                       12
<PAGE>
   
the Regular Record Date for any interest payable on any Debt Securities which
are Registered Securities on any Interest Payment Date and the extent to which,
or the manner in which, any interest payable on a temporary global Security on
an Interest Payment Date will be paid; (9) any mandatory or optional sinking
fund or analogous provisions; (10) each office or agency where, subject to the
terms of the applicable Indenture as described below under "Payment and Paying
Agents," the principal of and any premium and interest on the Debt Securities
will be payable and each office or agency where, subject to the terms of the
applicable Indenture as described below under "Form, Exchange, Registration and
Transfer," the Debt Securities may be presented for registration of transfer or
exchange; (11) the date, if any, after which and the price or prices at which
the Debt Securities may, pursuant to any optional or mandatory redemption
provisions, be redeemed, in whole or in part, and the other detailed terms and
provisions of any such optional or mandatory redemption provisions, which may
include with respect to a particular series or particular Debt Securities within
a series, redemption at the option of Holders upon certain conditions; (12) the
denominations in which any Debt Securities which are Registered Securities will
be issuable, if other than denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple
thereof, and the denomination or denominations in which any Debt Securities
which are Bearer Securities will be issuable, if other than the denomination of
$5,000; (13) the currency or currency units of payment of the principal of (and
premium, if any) and interest on the Debt Securities; (14) any index used to
determine the amount of payments of the principal of (and premium, if any) and
interest on the Debt Securities and the manner in which such amounts shall be
determined; (15) the terms and conditions, if any, pursuant to which such Debt
Securities are convertible or exchangeable into a security or securities of the
Company; (16) the terms pursuant to which such Debt Securities are subject to
defeasance; and (17) any other terms of the Debt Securities not inconsistent
with the provisions of the applicable Indenture. Any such Prospectus Supplement
will also describe any special provisions for the payment of additional amounts
with respect to the Debt Securities. Debt Securities may also be issued under
the Indenture upon the exercise of Warrants. See "Description of Warrants."
    
 
   
    Debt Securities may be issued as Original Issue Discount Securities. An
Original Issue Discount Security is a Debt Security, including any zero-coupon
security, which is issued at a price lower than the amount payable upon the
Stated Maturity thereof and which provides that upon redemption or acceleration
of the maturity, an amount less than the amount payable upon the Stated
Maturity, determined in accordance with the terms of such Debt Security, shall
become due and payable. Certain special United States federal income tax
considerations applicable to Debt Securities sold at an original issue discount
will be described in the Prospectus Supplement relating thereto. In addition,
certain special United States federal income tax or other considerations
applicable to any Debt Securities which are denominated in a currency or
currency unit other than United States dollars may be described in the
applicable Prospectus Supplement relating thereto.
    
 
FORM, EXCHANGE, REGISTRATION AND TRANSFER
 
    Debt Securities of a series may be issuable in definitive form solely as
Registered Securities, solely as Bearer Securities or as both Registered
Securities and Bearer Securities. (Section 3.1) Unless otherwise indicated in an
applicable Prospectus Supplement, Bearer Securities will have interest coupons
attached. (Section 2.1) The Indentures also will provide that Debt Securities of
a series may be issuable in temporary or permanent global form and may be issued
as Book-Entry Securities that will be deposited with, or on behalf of, The
Depository Trust Company ("DTC") or another depositary named by the Company and
identified in a Prospectus Supplement with respect to such series. See "Global
and Book-Entry Debt Securities."
 
    In connection with its original issuance, no Bearer Security (including a
Debt Security exchangeable for a Bearer Security or a Debt Security in global
form that is either a Bearer Security or exchangeable for Bearer Securities)
shall be mailed or otherwise delivered to any location in the United States (as
defined under "Limitations on Issuance of Bearer Securities") and a Bearer
Security may be delivered in
 
                                       13
<PAGE>
connection with its original issuance only if the Person entitled to receive
such Bearer Security furnishes written certification of the beneficial ownership
of the Bearer Security as required by Treasury Regulation Section
1.163-5(c)(2)(i)(D)(3) (or any comparable successor provisions). In the case of
a Bearer Security in permanent global form, such certification must be given in
connection with notation of a beneficial owner's interest therein in connection
with the original issuance of such Debt Security. See "Global and Book-Entry
Debt Securities" and "Limitations on Issuance of Bearer Securities."
 
   
    Registered Securities of any series will be exchangeable for other
Registered Securities of the same series of any authorized denominations and of
a like aggregate principal amount and tenor. In addition, if Debt Securities of
any series are issuable as both Registered Securities and Bearer Securities, at
the option of the Holder upon request confirmed in writing, and subject to the
terms of the applicable Indenture, Bearer Securities (with all unmatured
coupons, except as provided below, and all matured coupons in default) of such
series will be exchangeable into Registered Securities of the same series of any
authorized denominations and of a like aggregate principal amount and tenor.
Bearer Securities surrendered in exchange for Registered Securities between a
Regular Record Date or a Special Record Date and the relevant date for payment
of interest shall be surrendered without the coupon relating to such date for
payment of interest and interest accrued as of such date will not be payable in
respect of the Registered Security issued in exchange for such Bearer Security,
but will be payable only to the Holder of such coupon when due in accordance
with the terms of the applicable Indenture. Registered Securities may not be
exchanged for Bearer Securities. (Section 3.5) Each Bearer Security, and any
coupon attached thereto, other than a temporary global Bearer Security will bear
the following legend: "Any United States person who holds this obligation will
be subject to limitations under the United States income tax laws, including the
limitations provided in Sections 165(j) and 1287(a) of the Internal Revenue
Code." A Book-Entry Security may not be registered for transfer or exchange
(other than as a whole by DTC to a nominee or by such nominee to such DTC)
unless DTC or such nominee notifies the Company that it is unwilling or unable
to continue as depositary or DTC ceases to be qualified as required by the
applicable Indenture or the Company instructs the Trustee in accordance with the
applicable Indenture that such Book-Entry Securities shall be so registrable and
exchangeable or there shall have occurred and be continuing an Event of Default
or an event which after notice or lapse of time would be an Event of Default
with respect to the Debt Securities evidenced by such Book-Entry Securities or
there shall exist such other circumstances, if any, as may be specified in the
applicable Prospectus Supplement.
    
 
   
    Debt Securities may be presented for exchange as provided above, and
Registered Securities may be presented or surrendered for registration of
transfer or for exchange (with the form of transfer endorsed thereon duly
executed), at the office of the Security Registrar or at the office of any
transfer agent designated by the Company for such purpose with respect to any
series of Debt Securities and referred to in an applicable Prospectus
Supplement, without service charge and upon payment of any taxes and other
governmental charges as described in the applicable Indenture. Such transfer or
exchange will be effected upon the Security Registrar or such transfer agent, as
the case may be, being satisfied with the documents of title and identity of the
person making the request. (Section 3.5) If a Prospectus Supplement refers to
any transfer agents (in addition to the Security Registrar) initially designated
by the Company with respect to any series of Debt Securities, the Company may at
any time rescind the designation of any such transfer agent or approve a change
in the location through which any such transfer agent acts, except that, if Debt
Securities of a series are issuable solely as Registered Securities, the Company
will be required to maintain a transfer agent in each Place of Payment for such
series and, if Debt Securities of a series are issuable as Bearer Securities,
the Company will be required to maintain (in addition to the Security Registrar)
a transfer agent in a Place of Payment for such series located outside the
United States. The Company may at any time designate additional transfer agents
with respect to any series of Debt Securities. (Section 10.2)
    
 
    In the event of any redemption in part, the Company shall not be required to
(i) issue, register the transfer of or exchange Debt Securities of any series
during a period beginning at the opening of business 15 days before any
selection of Debt Securities of that series to be redeemed and ending at the
close of
 
                                       14
<PAGE>
business on (A) if Debt Securities of the series are issuable only as Registered
Securities, the day of mailing of the relevant notice of redemption and (B) if
Debt Securities of the series are issuable as Bearer Securities, the day of the
first publication of the relevant notice of redemption or, if Debt Securities of
the series are also issuable as Registered Securities and there is no
publication, the mailing of the relevant notice of redemption; (ii) register the
transfer of or exchange any Registered Security being redeemed in part, except
the unredeemed portion of any Registered Security being redeemed in part; or
(iii) exchange any Bearer Security so selected for redemption, except that such
Bearer Security may be exchanged for a Registered Security of that series and
like tenor, provided, that such Registered Security shall be simultaneously
surrendered for redemption. (Section 3.5)
 
PAYMENT AND PAYING AGENTS
 
    Unless otherwise indicated in an applicable Prospectus Supplement, payment
of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on Bearer Securities will
be payable, subject to any applicable laws and regulations, at the offices of
such Paying Agents outside the United States as the Company may designate from
time to time, at the option of the Holder, by check or by transfer to an account
maintained by the payee with a bank located outside the United States. Unless
otherwise indicated in an applicable Prospectus Supplement, payment of interest
on Bearer Securities on any Interest Payment Date will be made only against
surrender to the Paying Agent of such coupon relating to such Interest Payment
Date. (Section 10.1) No payment with respect to any Bearer Security will be made
at any office or agency of the Company in the United States or by check mailed
to any address in the United States or by transfer to an account maintained with
a bank located in the United States. Notwithstanding the foregoing, payments of
the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on Bearer Securities
denominated and payable in U.S. dollars will be made at the office of the
Company's Paying Agent in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, if
(but only if) payment of the full amount thereof in U.S. dollars at all offices
or agencies outside the United States is illegal or effectively precluded by
exchange controls or other similar restrictions. (Section 10.2)
 
    Unless otherwise indicated in an applicable Prospectus Supplement, payment
of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on Registered Securities
will be made at the office of such Paying Agent or Paying Agents as the Company
may designate from time to time, except that payment of any interest may be made
at the option of the Company by check mailed to the address of the person
entitled thereto as such address shall appear in the Security Register or, if so
provided in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, at the option of the Holder by
wire transfer to an account designated by the Holder. Unless otherwise indicated
in an applicable Prospectus Supplement, payment of any installment of interest
on Registered Securities will be made to the Person in whose name such
Registered Security is registered at the close of business on the Regular Record
Date for such interest. (Section 3.7)
 
   
    Unless otherwise indicated in an applicable Prospectus Supplement, the
Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee in The City of New York will be designated
as a Paying Agent for the Company for payments with respect to Debt Securities
that are issuable solely as Registered Securities and the Company will maintain
a Paying Agent outside of the United States for payments with respect to Debt
Securities (subject to the limitations described above in the case of Bearer
Securities) that are issuable solely as Bearer Securities or both Registered
Securities and Bearer Securities. (Section 10.2) Any Paying Agents outside the
United States and any other Paying Agent in the United States initially
designated by the Company for the Debt Securities will be named in an applicable
Prospectus Supplement. The Company may at any time designate additional Paying
Agents or rescind the designation of any Paying Agent or approve a change in the
office through which any Paying Agent acts, except that, if Debt Securities of a
series are issuable solely as Registered Securities, the Company will be
required to maintain a Paying Agent in each Place of Payment for such series
and, if Debt Securities of a series are issuable as Bearer Securities, the
Company will be required to maintain (i) a Paying Agent in the Borough of
Manhattan, The City of New York for payments with respect to any Registered
Securities of the series (and for payments with respect to Bearer Securities
    
 
                                       15
<PAGE>
of the series in the circumstances described above, but not otherwise), and (ii)
a Paying Agent in a Place of Payment located outside the United States where
Debt Securities of such series and any coupons appertaining thereto may be
presented and surrendered for payment; provided that if the Debt Securities of
such series are listed on The Stock Exchange of the United Kingdom and the
Republic of Ireland or the Luxembourg Stock Exchange or any other stock exchange
located outside the United States and such stock exchange shall so require, the
Company will maintain a Paying Agent in London or Luxembourg or any other
required city located outside the United States, as the case may be, for the
Debt Securities of such series. (Section 10.2)
 
    Payments of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on
Book-Entry Securities registered in the name of any depositary or its nominee
will be made to the depositary or its nominee, as the case may be, as the
registered owner of the global security representing such Book-Entry Securities.
The Company expects that the depositary, upon receipt of any payment of the
principal of (and premium, if any) or interest, will credit immediately
participants' accounts with payments in amounts proportionate to their
respective beneficial interests as shown on the records of such depositary or
its nominee. Neither the Company, the Trustee, any Paying Agent nor the
Securities Registrar for such Debt Securities will have any responsibility or
liability for any aspects of the records relating to, or payments made on
account of, such beneficial ownership interests in the Book-Entry Securities or
for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to such
beneficial ownership interests.
 
    All moneys paid by the Company to a Paying Agent for the payment of the
principal of (and premium, if any) or interest on any Debt Securities which
remain unclaimed at the end of two years after such principal, premium or
interest shall have become due and payable will be repaid to the Company and the
Holder of such Debt Security or any coupon will thereafter, as an unsecured
general creditor, look only to the Company for payment thereof. (Section 10.3)
 
   
GLOBAL AND BOOK-ENTRY DEBT SECURITIES
    
 
   
    If so specified in an applicable Prospectus Supplement, the portion of the
Debt Securities of a series that are issuable as Bearer Securities will
initially be represented by one or more temporary or permanent global Debt
Securities, without interest coupons, to be deposited with a common depositary
in London for the benefit of Euro-clear System ("Euro-clear") and CEDEL Bank,
SOCIETE ANONYME ("CEDEL") for credit to the respective accounts of the
beneficial owners of such Debt Securities (or to such other accounts as they may
direct). (Section 3.4) Unless otherwise indicated by an applicable Prospectus
Supplement, on or after 40 days following its issuance, each such temporary
global Debt Security will be exchangeable for definitive Bearer Securities,
definitive Registered Securities or all or a portion of a permanent global Debt
Security, or any combination thereof, as specified in an applicable Prospectus
Supplement, only upon written certification in the form and to the effect
described under "Form, Exchange, Registration and Transfer." No Bearer Security
(including a Debt Security in permanent global form) delivered in exchange for a
portion of a temporary or permanent global Debt Security shall be mailed or
otherwise delivered to any location in the United States in connection with such
exchange. (Section 3.5)
    
 
    A person having a beneficial interest in a permanent global Debt Security
will, except with respect to payment of the principal of (and premium, if any)
and interest on such permanent global Debt Security, be treated as a Holder of
such principal amount of Outstanding Debt Securities represented by such
permanent global Debt Security as shall be specified in a written statement of
the Holder of such permanent global Debt Security or, in the case of a permanent
global Debt Security in bearer form, of the operator of Euro-clear or CEDEL
which is provided to the Trustee by such Person. (Section 2.3)
 
    If Debt Securities to be sold in the United States are designated by the
Company in a Prospectus Supplement as Book-Entry Securities, a global security
representing the Book-Entry Securities will be deposited in the name of Cede &
Co., as nominee for DTC representing the securities to be sold in the
 
                                       16
<PAGE>
   
United States. Upon such deposit of the Book-Entry Securities, DTC shall credit
an account maintained or designated by an institution to be named by the Company
or any purchaser of the Debt Securities represented by the Book-Entry Securities
with an aggregate amount of Debt Securities equal to the total number of Debt
Securities that have been so purchased. The specific terms of any depositary
arrangement with respect to any portion of a series of Debt Securities to be
represented by one or more global securities will be described in the applicable
Prospectus Supplement. Beneficial interests in such Book-Entry Securities will
only be evidenced by, and transfers thereof will only be effected through,
records maintained by DTC and the institutions that are DTC participants.
    
 
SUBORDINATION OF SUBORDINATED DEBT SECURITIES
 
    Unless otherwise indicated in the Prospectus Supplement, the following
provisions will apply to the Subordinated Debt Securities.
 
   
    The Subordinated Debt Securities will, to the extent set forth in the
Subordinated Indenture, be subordinate in right of payment to the prior payment
in full of all Senior Debt. (Section 15.1 of the Subordinated Indenture) In the
event of (a) any insolvency or bankruptcy case or proceeding, or any
receivership, liquidation, reorganization or other similar case or proceeding in
connection therewith, relative to the Company or to its creditors, as such, or
to its assets, or (b) any liquidation, dissolution or other winding up of the
Company, whether voluntary or involuntary and whether or not involving
insolvency or bankruptcy, or (c) any assignment for the benefit of creditors or
any other marshaling of assets and liabilities of the Company, then and in any
such event the holders of Senior Debt shall be entitled to receive payment in
full of all amounts due or to become due on or in respect of all Senior Debt, or
provision shall be made for such payment in cash, before the Holders of
Subordinated Debt Securities are entitled to receive any payment on account of
principal of (or premium, if any) or interest on Subordinated Debt Securities,
and to that end the holders of Senior Debt shall be entitled to receive, for
application to the payment thereof, any payment or distribution of any kind or
character, whether in cash, property or securities, including any such payment
or distribution which may be payable or deliverable by reason of the payment of
any other indebtedness of the Company being subordinated to the payment of
Subordinated Debt Securities, which may be payable or deliverable in respect of
the Subordinated Debt Securities in any such case, proceeding, dissolution,
liquidation or other winding up event. (Section 15.2 of the Subordinated
Indenture).
    
 
    By reason of such subordination, in the event of liquidation or insolvency,
creditors of the Company who are Holders of Senior Debt may recover more,
ratably, than the Holders of Subordinated Debt Securities, and creditors who are
not Holders of Senior Debt may recover less, ratably, than Holders of Senior
Debt and may recover more, ratably, than the Holders of the Subordinated Debt
Securities.
 
   
    In the event of the acceleration of the maturity of any Subordinated Debt
Securities, the Holders of all Senior Debt outstanding at the time of such
acceleration will first be entitled to receive payment in full of all amounts
due thereon before the Holders of the Subordinated Debt Securities will be
entitled to receive any payment upon the principal of (and premium, if any) or
interest on the Subordinated Debt Securities. (Section 15.3 of the Subordinated
Indenture).
    
 
   
    No payments on account of the principal of (and premium, if any) or interest
in respect of the Subordinated Debt Securities may be made if there shall have
occurred and be continuing a default in any payment with respect to Senior Debt,
or an event of default with respect to any Senior Debt resulting in the
acceleration of the maturity thereof, or if any judicial proceeding shall be
pending with respect to any such default. (Section 15.4 of the Subordinated
Indenture) For purposes of the subordination provisions, the payment, issuance
and delivery of cash, property or securities (other than stock and certain
subordinated securities of the Company) upon conversion of a Subordinated Debt
Security will be deemed to constitute payment on account of the principal of
such Subordinated Debt Security. (Section 15.15 of the Subordinated Indenture)
The Subordinated Indenture does not limit or prohibit the incurrence of
    
 
                                       17
<PAGE>
additional Senior Debt, which may include indebtedness that is senior to the
Subordinated Debt Securities, but subordinate to other obligations of the
Company. The Senior Debt Securities constitute Senior Debt under the
Subordinated Indenture.
 
    "Senior Debt" is defined to include the principal of (and premium, if any)
and interest (including interest accrued on or after the filing of any petition
in bankruptcy or for reorganization relating to the Company whether or not such
claim for post-petition interest is allowed in such proceeding) on all
indebtedness of the Company (including, without limitation, indebtedness
incurred pursuant to any long-term credit arrangement or facility (or any
refinancing thereof) to which the Company is a party and indebtedness of others
guaranteed by the Company), other than the Subordinated Debt Securities, whether
outstanding on the date of the Subordinated Indenture or thereafter created,
incurred or assumed, which is (i) for money borrowed, (ii) evidenced by a note
or similar instrument given in connection with the acquisition of any
businesses, properties or assets of any kind, (iii) obligations of the Company
for rent and other amounts payable in respect of the Company's leased facilities
located at North Haven, Connecticut (the "North Haven Facilities") under a lease
agreement and participation agreement, each dated January 14, 1993, as amended
from time to time, to the extent such obligations equal principal and interest
payable to holders of notes from time to time issued by the lessor of the North
Haven Facilities pursuant to a trust indenture dated as of January 14, 1993, as
amended from time to time, or (iv) obligations of the Company as lessee under
leases required to be capitalized on the balance sheet of the lessee under
generally accepted accounting principles or leases of property or assets made as
part of any sale and leaseback transaction to which the Company is a party,
including amendments, renewals, extensions, modifications and refundings of any
such indebtedness or obligation, unless in any case the instrument creating or
evidencing any such indebtedness or obligation or pursuant to which the same is
outstanding provides that such indebtedness or obligation is not superior in
right of payment to the Subordinated Debt Securities; provided however, Senior
Debt will not include (1) any obligation of the Company to any Subsidiary, (2)
any liability for Federal, state, local or other taxes owed or owing by the
Company, (3) any accounts payable or other liability to trade creditors arising
in the ordinary course of business (including guarantees thereof or instruments
evidencing such liabilities), (4) any obligations with respect to any capital
stock of the Company or (5) any indebtedness incurred in violation of the
applicable Indenture (Section 1.1 of the Subordinated Indenture). The Prospectus
Supplement may further describe the provisions, if any, applicable to the
subordination of the Subordinated Debt Securities of a particular series.
 
CONVERSION OR EXCHANGE RIGHTS
 
   
    The terms on which Debt Securities of any series are convertible into or
exchangeable for Common Stock or other securities of the Company will be set
forth in the Prospectus Supplement relating thereto. Such terms will include
provisions as to whether conversion or exchange is mandatory, at the option of
the Holder or at the option of the Company, and may include provisions pursuant
to which the number of shares of Common Stock or other securities of the Company
to be received by the Holders of Debt Securities would be subject to adjustment.
(Section 3.1 and Article XIV)
    
 
COVENANTS
 
    LIMITATIONS ON LIENS
 
    Unless otherwise provided in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, pursuant
to the Senior Indenture the Company will covenant not to create, assume or
suffer to exist any Lien on any Restricted Property to secure any indebtedness
for money borrowed of the Company, any Subsidiary or any other Person, or permit
any Subsidiary so to do, without securing the Senior Debt Securities of any
series having the benefit of the "Limitation on Liens" covenant by such Lien
equally and ratably with such indebtedness for so long as such indebtedness
shall be so secured, subject to the following exceptions: (i) with respect to
any series
 
                                       18
<PAGE>
of Senior Debt Securities, any Lien existing on the date of issuance of such
series; (ii) any Lien existing on property owned or leased by a corporation at
the time it becomes a Subsidiary; (iii) any Lien existing on property at the
time of the acquisition thereof by the Company or any Subsidiary; (iv) any Lien
to secure any indebtedness incurred prior to, at the time of, or within 12
months after the acquisition of Restricted Property for the purpose of financing
all or any part of the purchase price thereof and any Lien to the extent that it
secures indebtedness which is in excess of the purchase price and for the
payment of which recourse may be had only against such Restricted Property; (v)
any Lien to secure any indebtedness incurred prior to, at the time of, or within
12 months after the completion of the construction, alteration, repair or
improvement of Restricted Property for the purpose of financing all or any part
of the cost thereof and any Lien to the extent that it secures indebtedness
which is in excess of such cost and for the payment of which recourse may be had
only against such Restricted Property; (vi) any Lien securing indebtedness of a
Subsidiary owing to the Company or to another Subsidiary of the Company; (vii)
any Liens securing industrial development, pollution control, or similar revenue
bonds or indebtedness issued by or guaranteed by the United States of America,
any State thereof or any other country or any department, agency or
instrumentality thereof; (viii) Liens resulting from the deposit of funds or
evidences of indebtedness in trust for the purpose of defeasing indebtedness of
the Company or any of its Subsidiaries; (ix) Liens securing Hedging Obligations;
(x) any extension, renewal or replacement (or successive extensions, renewals or
replacements) in whole or in part of any Lien referred to in clauses (i) through
(ix) above, so long as the Lien as so extended, renewed or replaced is limited
to the same property or properties subject to the Lien so extended, renewed or
replaced (plus improvements and additions on such property or properties); and
(xi) any Lien not permitted by the foregoing clauses (i) through (x) securing
indebtedness, if the outstanding principal amount of such indebtedness, together
with the aggregate outstanding principal amount of all other indebtedness of the
Company and its Subsidiaries owning Restricted Property which would otherwise be
subject to the foregoing restrictions and the aggregate Value of existing Sale
and Leaseback Transactions which would be subject to the restrictions of the
covenant described in the "Limitation on Sale and Leaseback Transactions"
covenant but for this clause (xi), does not exceed 15% of Consolidated Net
Tangible Assets at the time such Lien is incurred. (Section 10.7)
 
    LIMITATION ON SALE AND LEASEBACK TRANSACTIONS
 
    Unless otherwise provided in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, pursuant
to the Senior Indenture the Company will covenant not to, and not to permit any
Subsidiary to, enter into any Sale and Leaseback Transaction covering any
Restricted Property unless (a) the Company or such Subsidiary would be entitled
under the provisions described under "Limitations on Liens" above to incur
indebtedness, in a principal amount at least equal to the Value of such Sale and
Leaseback Transaction, secured by Liens on the property to be leased, without
equally and ratably securing the Debt Securities, or (b) the Company, during the
six months following the effective date of such Sale and Leaseback Transaction,
applies an amount equal to the Value of such Sale and Leaseback Transaction to
the voluntary retirement of Funded Debt (whether by redemption, defeasance,
repurchase or otherwise) or to the acquisition of Restricted Property. (Section
10.8)
 
    CERTAIN DEFINITIONS
 
    "CONSOLIDATED NET TANGIBLE ASSETS" means the total amount of assets (less
applicable reserves and other properly deductible items) after deducting (1) all
current liabilities (excluding the amount of those which are by their terms
extendable or renewable at the option of the obligor to a date more than 12
months after the date as of which the amount is being determined) and (2) all
intangible assets other than patents, patent applications pending and licenses,
all as set forth on or included in the most recent balance sheet of the Company
and its consolidated Subsidiaries and determined in accordance with generally
accepted accounting principals.
 
                                       19
<PAGE>
    "FUNDED DEBT"  means indebtedness of the Company or a Subsidiary owning
Restricted Property maturing by its terms more than one year after its creation
and indebtedness classified as long-term debt under generally accepted
accounting principles and in each case ranking at least PARI PASSU with the
outstanding Senior Debt Securities. The foregoing notwithstanding, "Funded Debt"
shall also include indebtedness incurred pursuant to that certain Credit
Agreement dated as of January 30, 1998 among the Company, the lenders party
thereto, Bank of America National Trust and Savings Association, as Syndication
Agent, the Bank of New York, as Administrative Agent, and Morgan Guaranty Trust
Company of New York, as Documentation Agent.
 
    "HEDGING OBLIGATION"  of any Person means an obligation of such Person
pursuant to any rate swap transaction, basis swap, forward rate transaction,
commodity swap, commodity option, equity or equity index swap, equity or equity
index option, bond option, interest rate option, foreign exchange transaction,
cap transaction, floor transaction, collar transaction, currency swap
transaction, cross-currency rate swap transaction, currency option or any other
similar transaction (including any option with respect to any of the foregoing
transactions) or any combination of the foregoing transactions.
 
    "LIEN"   means any mortgage, pledge, lien, encumbrance, charge or security
interest.
 
    "RESTRICTED PROPERTY"  means (1) any manufacturing facility, or portion
thereof, owned or leased by the Company or any Subsidiary which, in the opinion
of the Board of Directors, is of material importance to the business of the
Company and its Subsidiaries taken as whole, but no such manufacturing facility,
or portion thereof, shall be deemed of material importance if its gross book
value (before deducting accumulated depreciation) is less than 5% of
Consolidated Net Tangible Assets, or (2) any shares of capital stock or
indebtedness of any Subsidiary owning any such manufacturing facility. As used
in this definition, "manufacturing facility" means any real property (or portion
thereof) used for actual commercial scale manufacturing and excludes, without
limitation, sales offices, research facilities, pilot production facilities, and
any facility (or portion thereof) used primarily for warehousing or general
administration.
 
    "SALE AND LEASEBACK TRANSACTION"  means any arrangement with any Person
pursuant to which the Company or any Subsidiary leases any Restricted Property
that has been or is to be sold or transferred by the Company or the Subsidiary
to such Person, other than (1) temporary leases for a term, including renewals
at the option of the lessee, of not more than five years, (2) leases between the
Company and a Subsidiary or between Subsidiaries, and (3) leases of a Restricted
Property executed by the time of, or within 12 months after the latest of, the
acquisition, the completion of construction or improvement, or the commencement
of commercial operation of the Restricted Property.
 
    "SUBSIDIARY"   of any Person means (i) any Person of which more than 50% of
the total voting power of shares of capital stock entitled (without regard to
the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the election of directors,
managers or trustees thereof is at the time owned or controlled, directly or
indirectly, by any Person or one or more of the Subsidiaries of that Person or a
combination thereof, and (ii) any partnership, joint venture or other Person in
which such Person or one or more of the Subsidiaries of that Person or a
combination thereof has the power to control by contract or otherwise the board
of directors or equivalent governing body or otherwise controls such entity.
 
    "VALUE"   means, with respect to a Sale and Leaseback Transaction, an amount
equal to the present value of the lease payments with respect to the term of the
lease remaining on the date as of which the amount is being determined, without
regard to any renewal or extension options contained in the lease, discounted at
the weighted average interest rate on the Senior Debt Securities of all series
(including the effective interest rate on any Original Issue Discount
Securities) which are outstanding on the effective date of such Sale and
Leaseback Transaction and which have the benefit of the "Limitation on Sale and
Leaseback Transactions" covenant above.
 
                                       20
<PAGE>
    Unless so specified in the Prospectus Supplement, the applicable Securities
and the Indentures will not provide for any restrictive covenants that would
afford holders of the Debt Securities protection in the event of a highly
leveraged transaction involving the Company or any of its affiliates or any
covenants relating to total indebtedness, interest coverage, stock repurchases,
recapitalizations, dividends and distributions to shareholders and current
ratios.
 
CONSOLIDATION, MERGER, SALE OF ASSETS
 
   
    The Company, without the consent of the Holders of any of the Outstanding
Debt Securities under the applicable Indenture, may consolidate with or merge
with or into, or sell, lease, transfer or otherwise dispose of its assets
substantially as an entirety to, any Person which is a corporation, partnership
or trust organized and validly existing under the laws of any domestic
jurisdiction, or may permit any such Person to consolidate with or merge with or
into the Company or sell, lease, transfer or otherwise dispose of its assets
substantially as an entirety to the Company, provided that, among other things,
any successor Person assumes the Company's obligations on the Debt Securities
and under the applicable Indenture, that after giving effect to the transaction
no Event of Default, and no event which, after notice or lapse of time, would
become an Event of Default, shall have occurred and be continuing, and that
certain other conditions are met. (Section 8.1) Other than the provisions in the
Indenture described above, there are no covenants or provisions in the Indenture
which would provide the Holders of the Debt Securities with any special
protection or rights in the event the Company is involved in a change in control
or other highly leveraged transaction, reorganization, restructuring or merger,
or similar transaction involving the Company that may adversely affect Holders
of the Debt Securities.
    
 
EVENTS OF DEFAULT
 
    Any one of the following events will constitute an Event of Default under
the applicable Indenture with respect to Debt Securities of any series: (a)
failure to pay any interest on any Debt Security of that series when due,
continued for 30 days (in the case of the Subordinated Indenture, whether or not
such payment is prohibited by the subordination provisions); (b) failure to pay
the principal of (or premium, if any) on any Debt Security of that series when
due (in the case of the Subordinated Indenture, whether or not such payment is
prohibited by the subordination provisions); (c) failure to deposit any sinking
fund payment, when due, in respect of any Debt Security of that series (in the
case of the Subordinated Indenture, whether or not such deposit is prohibited by
the subordination provisions); (d) failure to perform any other covenant of the
Company in the applicable Indenture or such Debt Security (other than a covenant
included in the applicable Indenture solely for the benefit of a series of Debt
Securities other than that series), continued for 60 days after written notice
has been given as provided in the applicable Indenture; (e) certain events in
bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization involving the Company; or (f) any other
Event of Default provided with respect to the Debt Securities of that series.
(Section 5.1)
 
    If an Event of Default with respect to the Debt Securities of any series at
the time Outstanding occurs and is continuing, then in every such case the
Trustee or the Holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the
Outstanding Debt Securities of that series by notice as provided in the
applicable Indenture may declare the principal amount of the Debt Securities of
that series (or, if any of the Debt Securities of that series are Original Issue
Discount Securities, such portion of the principal amount of such Debt
Securities, as may be specified in the terms thereof) to be due and payable
immediately. At any time after a declaration of acceleration with respect to
Debt Securities of any series has been made and before a judgment or decree for
payment of money due has been obtained by the Trustee, the Holders of a majority
in principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of that series may, under
certain circumstances, rescind and annul such declaration. (Section 5.2)
 
    The Indentures will provide that, subject to the duty of the Trustee during
default to act with the required standard of care, the Trustee will be under no
obligation to exercise any of its rights or powers under the applicable
Indenture at the request or direction of any of the Holders, unless such Holders
shall
 
                                       21
<PAGE>
   
have offered to the Trustee reasonable security or indemnity. (Section 6.1)
Subject to such provisions for the indemnification of the Trustee, the Holders
of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities
of any series will have the right to direct the time, method and place of
conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee or exercising
any trust or power conferred on the Trustee, with respect to the Debt Securities
of that series. (Section 5.12)
    
 
   
    The Company will be required to furnish to the Trustee annually a statement
as to the performance of certain of its obligations under the applicable
Indenture and as to any default in such performance. (Section 10.9)
    
 
DEFEASANCE AND DISCHARGE
 
    If so specified with respect to any particular series of Debt Securities,
the Company may discharge its indebtedness and its obligations or certain of its
obligations under the applicable Indenture with respect to such series by
depositing funds or obligations issued or guaranteed by the United States of
America with the Trustee. (Section 4.3)
 
   
    The Indentures will provide that, if so specified with respect to the Debt
Securities of any series, the Company will be discharged from any and all
obligations in respect of the Debt Securities of such series (including, in the
case of Subordinated Debt Securities, the subordination provisions described
under "Subordination of Subordinated Debt Securities" herein and, except for
certain obligations relating to temporary Debt Securities and exchange of Debt
Securities, registration of transfer or exchange of Debt Securities of such
series, replacement of stolen, lost or mutilated Debt Securities of such series,
maintenance of paying agencies, to hold monies for payment in trust and payment
of additional amounts, if any, required in consequence of United States
withholding taxes imposed on payments to non-United States persons) upon the
deposit with the Trustee, in trust, of money and/or U.S. Government Obligations
which through the payment of interest and principal in respect thereof in
accordance with their terms will provide money in an amount sufficient to pay
the principal of (and premium, if any), each installment of interest on, and any
sinking fund payments on, the Debt Securities of such series on the Stated
Maturity of such payments in accordance with the terms of the applicable
Indenture and the Debt Securities of such series (Section 4.6). Such a trust may
only be established if, among other things, (a) the Company has delivered to the
Trustee an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that (i) the Company has received
from, or there has been published by, the Internal Revenue Service a ruling, or
(ii) since the date of the applicable Indenture there has been a change in
applicable federal income tax law, in either case to the effect that, and based
thereon such Opinion of Counsel shall confirm that, the Holders of Debt
Securities of such series will not recognize income, gain or loss for federal
income tax purposes as a result of such deposit, defeasance and discharge, and
will be subject to federal income tax on the same amounts and in the same manner
and at the same times as would have been the case if such deposit, defeasance
and discharge had not occurred; (b) the Debt Securities of such series, if then
listed on any domestic or foreign securities exchange, will not be delisted as a
result of such deposit, defeasance and discharge; and (c) in the case of the
Subordinated Debt Securities, (x) no default in the payment of the principal of
(and premium, if any) or any interest on any Senior Debt beyond any applicable
grace period shall have occurred and be continuing, or (y) no other default with
respect to any Senior Debt shall have occurred and be continuing and shall have
resulted in the acceleration of such Senior Debt. In the event of any such
defeasance and discharge of Debt Securities of such series, Holders of Debt
Securities of such series would be able to look only to such trust fund for
payment of principal of and any premium and any interest on their Debt
Securities until Maturity. (Section 4.6)
    
 
DEFEASANCE OF CERTAIN OBLIGATIONS
 
   
    The Indentures will provide that, if so specified with respect to the Debt
Securities of any series, the Company may omit to comply with any covenants
applicable to such Debt Securities (including, in the case of Senior Debt
Securities, the restrictive covenants described under "Covenants" above) which
are subject
    
 
                                       22
<PAGE>
   
to covenant defeasance and any such omission shall not be an Event of Default
with respect to the Debt Securities of such series, upon the irrevocable deposit
with the Trustee, in trust, of money and/or U.S. Government Obligations which
through the payment of interest and principal in respect thereof in accordance
with their terms will provide money in an amount sufficient to pay the principal
of (and premium, if any), and each installment of principal (and premium, if
any) and interest on the Debt Securities of such series on the Stated Maturity
of such payments or upon optional redemption and any mandatory sinking fund
payments or analogous payments on the Debt Securities of such series on the day
on which such payments are due and payable in accordance with the terms of the
applicable Indenture and the Debt Securities of such series. (Sections 4.5 and
4.6) The obligations of the Company under the applicable Indenture and the Debt
Securities of such series other than with respect to such covenants shall remain
in full force and effect. (Section 4.5) Such a trust may be established only if,
among other things, the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of
Counsel to the effect that (i) the Holders of the Debt Securities of such series
will not recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a
result of such deposit, defeasance and discharge of certain obligations and will
be subject to federal income tax on the same amount and in the same manner and
at the same times as would have been the case if such deposit, defeasance and
discharge had not occurred and (ii) the Debt Securities of such series, if then
listed on any domestic or foreign securities exchange, will not be delisted as a
result of such deposit, defeasance and discharge. (Section 4.6)
    
 
   
    In the event the Company exercises its option to omit compliance with the
covenants applicable with respect to the Debt Securities of any series as
described above and the Debt Securities of such series are declared due and
payable because of the occurrence of any Event of Default, then the amount of
money and U.S. Government Obligations on deposit with the Trustee will be
sufficient to pay amounts due on the Debt Securities of such series at the time
of their Stated Maturity but may not be sufficient to pay amounts due on the
Debt Securities of such series at the time of the acceleration resulting from
such Event of Default. The Company shall in any event remain liable for such
payments as provided in the applicable Indenture.
    
 
    The Trustee must deliver or pay to the Company from time to time, upon
request of the Company, any amounts held by it with respect to any Securities
which, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public
accountants, are in excess of the amount which would then be required to be
deposited to effect a satisfaction, discharge or defeasance, as the case may be,
with respect to such Securities.
 
MEETINGS, MODIFICATION AND WAIVER
 
   
    Modifications and amendments of the Indentures may be made by the Company
and the Trustee under the applicable Indenture only with the consent of the
Holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Debt
Securities issued under the applicable Indenture and affected by such
modification or amendment unless a greater percentage of such principal amount
is specified in the applicable Prospectus Supplement; provided, however, that no
such modification or amendment may, without the consent of each Holder of such
Outstanding Debt Security affected thereby, (a) change the Stated Maturity of
the principal of, or any installment of principal of or interest on, any such
Debt Security, (b) reduce the principal amount of (and premium, if any) or
interest on, any such Debt Security, (c) change any obligation of the Company to
pay additional amounts, (d) reduce the amount of principal of an Original Issue
Discount Security or any other Debt Security payable upon acceleration of the
maturity thereof, (e) change the coin or currency in which any Debt Security or
any premium or interest thereon is payable, (f) impair the right to institute
suit for the enforcement of any payment on or with respect to any such Debt
Security, (g) adversely change the right to convert or exchange, including
decreasing the conversion rate or increasing the conversion price of, such Debt
Security other than in accordance with the terms of the applicable Indenture (if
applicable), (h) in the case of the Subordinated Indenture, modify the
subordination provisions in a manner adverse to the Holders of the Subordinated
Debt Securities, (i) reduce the percentage in principal amount of Outstanding
Debt Securities of any series, the consent of
    
 
                                       23
<PAGE>
   
whose Holders is required for modification or amendment of the applicable
Indenture or for waiver of compliance with certain provisions of the applicable
Indenture or for waiver of certain defaults, (j) reduce the requirements
contained in the applicable Indenture for quorum or voting, (k) change any
obligations of the Company to maintain an office or agency for the purposes
required by the Indentures, or (l) modify any of the above provisions. (Section
9.2)
    
 
    The Holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding
Debt Securities of each series may, on behalf of the Holders of all the Debt
Securities of that series, waive, insofar as that series is concerned,
compliance by the Company with certain restrictive provisions of the applicable
Indenture and, if applicable, such Debt Securities, unless a greater percentage
of such principal amount is specified in the applicable Prospectus Supplement.
The Holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding
Debt Securities of each series may, on behalf of all Holders of Debt Securities
of that series and any coupons pertaining thereto, waive any past default under
the applicable Indenture, except a default (a) in the payment of principal of
(and premium, if any) or any interest on any Debt Security of such series, and
(b) in respect of a covenant or provision of the applicable Indenture and, if
applicable, such Debt Securities which cannot be modified or amended without the
consent of the Holder of each Outstanding Debt Security of such series affected.
(Section 5.13)
 
    The applicable Indenture will provide that in determining whether the
Holders of the requisite principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities
have given any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or
waiver thereunder or are present at a meeting of Holders of Debt Securities for
quorum purposes, (i) the principal amount of an Original Issue Discount Security
that shall be deemed to be Outstanding shall be the amount of the principal
thereof that would be due and payable as of the date of such determination upon
acceleration of the Maturity thereof, and (ii) the principal amount of a Debt
Security denominated in a foreign currency or currency units shall be the U.S.
dollar equivalent, determined on the date of original issuance of such Debt
Security, of the principal amount of such Debt Security or, in the case of an
Original Issue Discount Security, the U.S. dollar equivalent, determined on the
date of original issuance of such Debt Security, of the amount determined as
provided in (i) above.
 
    The applicable Indenture will contain provisions for convening meetings of
the Holders of Debt Securities of a series if Debt Securities of that series are
issuable as Bearer Securities. A meeting may be called at any time by the
Trustee, and also, upon request, by the Company or the Holders of at least 25%
in principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of such series, in any
such case upon notice given in accordance with "Notices" below. (Sections 13.1
and 13.2) Except for any consent which must be given by the Holder of each
Outstanding Debt Security affected thereby, as described above, any resolution
presented at a meeting or adjourned meeting at which a quorum is present may be
adopted by the affirmative vote of the Holders of a majority in principal amount
of the Outstanding Debt Securities of that series; provided, however, that,
except for any consent which must be given by the Holder of each Outstanding
Debt Security affected thereby, as described above, any resolution with respect
to any consent or waiver which may be given by the Holders of not less than a
majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of a series may
be adopted at a meeting or an adjourned meeting at which a quorum is present
only by the affirmative vote of a majority in principal amount of the
Outstanding Debt Securities of that series; and provided, further, that, except
for any consent which must be given by the Holder of each Outstanding Debt
Security affected thereby, as described above, any resolution with respect to
any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other
action which may be made, given or taken by the Holders of a specified
percentage, which is less than or greater than a majority in principal amount of
the Outstanding Debt Securities of a series may be adopted at a meeting or
adjourned meeting duly reconvened at which a quorum is present by the
affirmative vote of the Holders of such specified percentage of the principal
amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of that series. Any resolution passed
or decision taken at any meeting of Holders of Debt Securities of any series
duly held in accordance with the applicable Indenture will be binding on all
Holders of Debt Securities of that series and the related coupons. The quorum at
any meeting called to adopt a resolution or with respect to a
 
                                       24
<PAGE>
consent or waiver which may be given by the Holders of not less than a majority
in principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of a series, and at any
reconvened meeting, will be persons holding or representing a majority in
principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of a series. (Section 13.4)
 
NOTICES
 
    Except as otherwise provided in the applicable Indenture, notices to Holders
of Bearer Securities will be given by publication at least twice in a daily
newspaper in The City of New York and in such other city or cities as may be
specified in such Debt Securities. Notices to Holders of Registered Securities
will be given by mail to the address of such Holders as they appear in the
Security Register. (Section 1.6)
 
TITLE
 
    Title to any Bearer Securities (including Bearer Securities in temporary or
permanent global form) and any coupons appertaining thereto will pass by
delivery. The Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee
may treat the bearer of any Bearer Security and the bearer of any coupon and the
registered owner of any Registered Security as the absolute owner thereof
(whether or not such Debt Security or coupon shall be overdue and
notwithstanding any notice to the contrary) for the purpose of making payment
and for all other purposes. (Section 3.8)
 
REPLACEMENT OF DEBT SECURITIES AND COUPONS
 
   
    Any mutilated Debt Security or a Debt Security with a mutilated coupon
appertaining thereto will be replaced by the Company at the expense of the
Holder upon surrender of such Debt Security to the Trustee. Debt Securities or
coupons that became destroyed, stolen or lost will be replaced by the Company at
the expense of the Holder upon delivery to the Trustee of the Debt Security and
coupons or evidence of the destruction, loss or theft thereof satisfactory to
the Company and the Trustee; in the case of any coupon which becomes destroyed,
stolen or lost, such coupon will be replaced by issuance of a new Debt Security
in exchange for the Debt Security to which such coupon appertains. In the case
of a destroyed, lost or stolen Debt Security or coupon, an indemnity
satisfactory to the Trustee and the Company may be required at the expense of
the Holder of such Debt Security or coupon before a replacement Debt Security
will be issued. (Section 3.6)
    
 
GOVERNING LAW
 
    The Indentures, the Debt Securities and the coupons will be governed by, and
construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York without regard
to principles of conflicts of laws. (Section 1.13)
 
REGARDING THE TRUSTEE
 
    The Indentures contain limitations on the right of the Trustee, as a
creditor of the Company, to obtain payment of claims in certain cases or to
realize on certain property received in respect of any such claim as security or
otherwise. (Section 6.10) In addition, the Trustee may be deemed to have a
conflicting interest and may be required to resign as Trustee if at the time of
a default under one of the Indentures it is a creditor of the Company. (Section
6.8)
 
   
    The Company may from time to time maintain deposit accounts and conduct its
banking transactions with the Trustee in the ordinary course of business.
(Section 6.3)
    
 
                                       25
<PAGE>
                          DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK
 
    The authorized capital stock of the Company consists of (i) 250,000,000
shares of common stock, $.10 par value per share (the "Common Stock"), and (ii)
2,000,000 shares of preferred stock, $5.00 par value (the "Preferred Stock"). At
December 31, 1997, there were (a) 75,883,266 shares of Common Stock outstanding,
(b) 25,268,549 shares of Common Stock reserved for issuance in connection with
restricted stock rewards, stock option plans and employee stock purchase plans
and (c) no shares of Preferred Stock outstanding.
 
                         DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED STOCK
 
    The following summary contains a description of certain general terms of the
Company's Preferred Stock to which any Prospectus Supplement may relate. Certain
terms of any series of Preferred Stock offered by any Prospectus Supplement will
be described in the Prospectus Supplement relating thereto. If so indicated in
the Prospectus Supplement, the terms of any series may differ from the terms set
forth below. The description of certain provisions of the Company's Preferred
Stock does not purport to be complete and is subject to and qualified in its
entirety by reference to the provisions of the Company's Certificate of
Incorporation, and the Certificate of Designation (the "Certificate of
Designation") relating to each particular series of Preferred Stock which will
be filed or incorporated by reference, as the case may be, as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement of which this Prospectus is a part at or prior to the
time of the issuance of such Preferred Stock.
 
GENERAL
 
    Under the Company's Certificate of Incorporation, 2,000,000 shares of
Preferred Stock are authorized for issuance. The Preferred Stock may be issued
in one or more series, with such designations of titles; dividend rates; any
redemption provisions; special or relative rights in the event of liquidation,
dissolution, distribution or winding up of the Company; any sinking fund
provisions; any conversion provisions; any voting rights thereof; and any other
preferences, privileges, powers, rights, qualifications, limitations and
restrictions, as shall be set forth as and when established by the Board of
Directors of the Company. The shares of any series of Preferred Stock will be,
when issued, fully paid and non-assessable and holders thereof will have no
preemptive rights in connection therewith.
 
RANK
 
    Any series of Preferred Stock will, with respect to rights on liquidation,
winding up and dissolution, rank (i) senior to all classes of Common Stock and
to all equity securities issued by the Company, the terms of which specifically
provide that such equity securities will rank junior to such series of Preferred
Stock; (ii) on a parity with all equity securities issued by the Company, the
terms of which specifically provide that such equity securities will rank on a
parity with such series of Preferred Stock (see "Preferred Stock Outstanding");
(iii) junior to all equity securities issued by the Company, the terms of which
specifically provide that such equity securities will rank senior to such series
of Preferred Stock. In addition, any series of Preferred Stock will, with
respect to dividend rights, rank (i) senior to all equity securities issued by
the Company, the terms of which specifically provide that such equity securities
will rank junior to such series of Preferred Stock and, to the extent provided
in the applicable Certificate of Designation, to Common Stock, (ii) on a parity
with all equity securities issued by the Company, the terms of which
specifically provide that such equity securities will rank on a parity with such
series of Preferred Stock and, to the extent provided in the applicable
Certificate of Designation, to Common Stock, and (iii) junior to all equity
securities issued by the Company, the terms of which specifically provide that
such equity securities will rank senior to such series of Preferred Stock. As
used in any Certificate of Designation for these purposes, the term "equity
securities" will not include debt securities convertible into or exchangeable
for equity securities.
 
                                       26
<PAGE>
DIVIDENDS
 
    Holders of each series of Preferred Stock will be entitled to receive, when,
as and if declared by the Board of Directors of the Company out of funds legally
available therefor, cash dividends at such rates and on such dates as are set
forth in the Prospectus Supplement relating to such series of Preferred Stock.
Such rate may be fixed or variable or both. Dividends will be payable to holders
of record of Preferred Stock as they appear on the books of the Company (or, if
applicable, the records of the Depositary referred to below under "Description
of Depositary Shares") on such record dates as shall be fixed by the Board of
Directors. Dividends on any series of Preferred Stock may be cumulative or
noncumulative.
 
    No full dividends may be declared or paid on funds set apart for the payment
of dividends on any series of Preferred Stock unless dividends shall have been
paid or set apart for such payment on equity securities ranking on a parity with
respect to dividends with such series of Preferred Stock. If full dividends are
not so paid, such series of Preferred Stock shall share dividends pro rata with
such other equity securities.
 
CONVERSION AND EXCHANGE
 
    The Prospectus Supplement for any series of Preferred Stock will state the
terms, if any, on which shares of that series are convertible into shares of
another series of Preferred Stock or Common Stock or exchangeable for another
series of Preferred Stock, Common Stock or Debt Securities of the Company. The
Common Stock of the Company is described below under "Description of Common
Stock."
 
REDEMPTION
 
    A series of Preferred Stock may be redeemable at any time, in whole or in
part, at the option of the Company or the holder thereof and may be subject to
mandatory redemption pursuant to a sinking fund or otherwise upon terms and at
the redemption prices set forth in the Prospectus Supplement relating to such
series.
 
    In the event of partial redemptions of Preferred Stock, whether by mandatory
or optional redemption, the shares to be redeemed will be determined by lot or
pro rata, as may be determined by the Board of Directors of the Company, or by
any other method determined to be equitable by the Board of Directors.
 
    On and after a redemption date, unless the Company defaults in the payment
of the redemption price, dividends will cease to accrue on shares of Preferred
Stock called for redemption and all rights of holders of such shares will
terminate except for the right to receive the redemption price.
 
LIQUIDATION PREFERENCE
 
    Upon any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of
the Company, holders of each series of Preferred Stock will be entitled to
receive out of assets of the Company available for distribution to shareholders,
before any distribution is made on any securities ranking junior with respect to
liquidation, including Common Stock, distributions upon liquidation in the
amount set forth in the Prospectus Supplement relating to such series of
Preferred Stock, plus an amount equal to any accrued and unpaid dividends. If,
upon any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the
Company, the amounts payable with respect to the Preferred Stock of any series
and any other securities ranking on a parity with respect to liquidation rights
are not paid in full, the holders of the Preferred Stock of such series and such
other securities will share ratably in any such distribution of assets of the
Company in proportion to the full liquidation preferences to which each is
entitled. After payment of the full amount of the liquidation preference to
which they are entitled, the holders of such series of Preferred Stock will not
be entitled to any further participation in any distribution of assets of the
Company.
 
                                       27
<PAGE>
VOTING RIGHTS
 
    Except as set forth in the Prospectus Supplement relating to a particular
series of Preferred Stock or except as expressly required by applicable law, the
holders of shares of Preferred Stock will have no voting rights.
 
TRANSFER AGENT AND REGISTRAR
 
    The transfer agent for each series of Preferred Stock will be described in
the applicable Prospectus Supplement.
 
                                       28
<PAGE>
                        DESCRIPTION OF DEPOSITARY SHARES
 
    The description set forth below of certain provisions of the Deposit
Agreement (as defined below) and of the Depositary Shares and Depositary
Receipts (as defined below) does not purport to be complete and is subject to
and qualified in its entirety by reference to the forms of Deposit Agreement and
Depositary Receipt relating to the Preferred Stock, which will be filed or
incorporated by reference, as the case may be, as exhibits to the Registration
Statement of which this Prospectus is a part.
 
GENERAL
 
    The Company may, at its option, elect to offer fractional shares of
Preferred Stock, rather than full shares of Preferred Stock. In such event, the
Company will issue receipts for Depositary Shares, each of which will represent
a fraction (to be set forth in the Prospectus Supplement relating to a
particular series of Preferred Stock) of a share of a particular series of
Preferred Stock as described below.
 
    The shares of any series of Preferred Stock represented by Depositary Shares
will be deposited under a Deposit Agreement (the "Deposit Agreement") between
the Company and a bank or trust company selected by the Company having its
principal office in the United States and having a combined capital and surplus
of at least $50,000,000 (the "Depositary"). Subject to the terms of the Deposit
Agreement, each owner of a Depositary Share will be entitled, in proportion to
the applicable fraction of a share of Preferred Stock represented by such
Depositary Share, to all the rights and preferences of the Preferred Stock
represented thereby (including dividend, voting, redemption, conversion and
liquidation rights).
 
    The Depositary Shares will be evidenced by depositary receipts issued
pursuant to the Deposit Agreement (the "Depositary Receipts"). Depositary
Receipts will be distributed to those persons purchasing the fractional shares
of Preferred Stock in accordance with the terms of the offering.
 
    Pending the preparation of definitive Depositary Receipts, the Depositary
may, upon the written order of the Company or any holder of deposited Preferred
Stock, execute and deliver temporary Depositary Receipts which are substantially
identical to, and entitle the holders thereof to all the rights pertaining to,
the definitive Depositary Receipts. Depositary Receipts will be prepared
thereafter without unreasonable delay, and temporary Depositary Receipts will be
exchangeable for definitive Depositary Receipts.
 
   
DIVIDENDS AND OTHER DISTRIBUTIONS
    
 
    The Depositary will distribute all cash dividends or other cash
distributions received in respect of the deposited Preferred Stock to the record
holders of Depositary Shares relating to such Preferred Stock in proportion to
the numbers of such Depositary Shares owned by such holders.
 
    In the event of a distribution other than in cash, the Depositary will
distribute property received by it to the record holders of Depositary Shares
entitled thereto. If the Depositary determines that it is not feasible to make
such distribution, it may, with the approval of the Company, sell such property
and distribute the net proceeds from such sale to such holders.
 
REDEMPTION OF STOCK
 
    If a series of Preferred Stock represented by Depositary Shares is to be
redeemed, the Depositary Shares will be redeemed from the proceeds received by
the Depositary resulting from the redemption, in whole or in part, of such
series of Preferred Stock held by the Depositary. The Depositary Shares will be
redeemed by the Depositary at a price per Depositary Share equal to the
applicable fraction of the redemption price per share payable in respect of the
shares of Preferred Stock so redeemed. Whenever the Company redeems shares of
Preferred Stock held by the Depositary, the Depositary will redeem as of the
same date the number of Depositary Shares representing shares of Preferred Stock
so redeemed. If fewer than all the Depositary Shares are to be redeemed, the
Depositary Shares to be redeemed will be selected
 
                                       29
<PAGE>
by the Depositary by lot or pro rata or by any other equitable method as may be
determined by the Depositary.
 
WITHDRAWAL OF STOCK
 
    Any holder of Depositary Shares may, upon surrender of the Depositary
Receipts at the corporate trust office of the Depositary (unless the related
Depositary Shares have previously been called for redemption), receive the
number of whole shares of the related series of Preferred Stock and any money or
other property represented by such Depositary Receipts. Holders of Depositary
Shares making such withdrawals will be entitled to receive whole shares of
Preferred Stock on the basis set forth in the related Prospectus Supplement for
such series of Preferred Stock, but holders of such whole shares of Preferred
Stock will not thereafter be entitled to deposit such Preferred Stock under the
Deposit Agreement or to receive Depositary Receipts therefor. If the Depositary
Shares surrendered by the holder in connection with such withdrawal exceed the
number of Depositary Shares that represent the number of whole shares of
Preferred Stock to be withdrawn, the Depositary will deliver to such holder at
the same time a new Depositary Receipt evidencing such excess number of
Depositary Shares.
 
VOTING DEPOSITED PREFERRED STOCK
 
    Upon receipt of notice of any meeting at which the holders of any series of
deposited Preferred Stock are entitled to vote, the Depositary will mail the
information contained in such notice of meeting to the record holders of the
Depositary Shares relating to such series of Preferred Stock. Each record holder
of such Depositary Shares on the record date (which will be the same date as the
record date for the relevant series of Preferred Stock) will be entitled to
instruct the Depositary as to the exercise of the voting rights pertaining to
the amount of the Preferred Stock represented by such holder's Depositary
Shares. The Depositary will endeavor, insofar as practicable, to vote the amount
of such series of Preferred Stock represented by such Depositary Shares in
accordance with such instructions, and the Company will agree to take all
reasonable actions that may be deemed necessary by the Depositary in order to
enable the Depositary to do so. The Depositary will abstain from voting shares
of the Preferred Stock to the extent it does not receive specific instructions
from the holder of Depositary Shares representing such Preferred Stock.
 
AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION OF THE DEPOSIT AGREEMENT
 
    The form of Depositary Receipt evidencing the Depositary Shares and any
provision of the Deposit Agreement may at any time be amended by agreement
between the Company and the Depositary. However, any amendment which materially
and adversely alters the rights of the holders of the Depositary Shares
representing Preferred Stock of any series will not be effective unless such
amendment has been approved by the holders of at least the amount of the
Depositary Shares then outstanding representing the minimum amount of Preferred
Stock of such series necessary to approve any amendment that would materially
and adversely affect the rights of the holders of the Preferred Stock of such
series. Every holder of an outstanding Depositary Receipt at the time any such
amendment becomes effective, or any transferee of such holder, shall be deemed,
by continuing to hold such Depositary Receipt, or by reason of the acquisition
thereof, to consent and agree to such amendment and to be bound by the Deposit
Agreement as amended thereby. The Deposit Agreement automatically terminates if
(i) all outstanding Depositary Shares have been redeemed; or (ii) each share of
Preferred Stock has been converted into other preferred stock or Common Stock or
has been changed for debt securities; or (iii) there has been a final
distribution in respect of the Preferred Stock in connection with any
liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company and such distribution has
been distributed to the holders of Depositary Shares.
 
                                       30
<PAGE>
CHARGES OF DEPOSITARY
 
    The Company will pay all transfer and other taxes and governmental charges
arising solely from the existence of the depositary arrangements. The Company
will pay all charges of the Depositary in connection with the initial deposit of
the relevant series of Preferred Stock and any redemption of such Preferred
Stock. Holders of Depositary Receipts will pay other transfer and other taxes
and governmental charges and such other charges or expenses as are expressly
provided in the Deposit Agreement to be for their accounts.
 
RESIGNATION AND REMOVAL OF DEPOSITARY
 
    The Depositary may resign at any time by delivering to the Company notice of
its intent to do so, and the Company may at any time remove the Depositary, any
such resignation or removal to take effect upon the appointment of a successor
Depositary and its acceptance of such appointment. Such successor Depositary
must be appointed within 60 days after delivery of the notice of resignation or
removal and must be a bank or trust company having its principal office in the
United States and having a combined capital and surplus of at least $50,000,000.
 
MISCELLANEOUS
 
    The Depositary will forward all reports and communications from the Company
which are delivered to the Depositary and which the Company is required to
furnish to the holders of the deposited Preferred Stock.
 
    Neither the Depositary nor the Company will be liable if it is prevented or
delayed by law or any circumstances beyond its control in performing its
obligations under the Deposit Agreement. The obligations of the Company and the
Depositary under the Deposit Agreement will be limited to performance in good
faith of their duties thereunder and they will not be obligated to prosecute or
defend any legal proceeding in respect of any Depositary Shares, Depositary
Receipts or shares of Preferred Stock unless satisfactory indemnity is
furnished. They may rely upon written advice of counsel or accountants, or upon
information provided by holders of Depositary Receipts or other persons believed
to be competent and on documents believed to be genuine.
 
                                       31
<PAGE>
                          DESCRIPTION OF COMMON STOCK
 
GENERAL
 
    Subject to the rights of the holders of any shares of the Company's
Preferred Stock, holders of Common Stock are entitled to receive such dividends
as may be declared from time to time by the Board of Directors out of funds
legally available therefor.
 
    The holders of Common Stock are entitled to one vote per share on all
matters submitted to a vote of shareholders and do not have cumulative voting
rights. Holders of Common Stock are entitled to receive, upon any liquidation of
the Company, all remaining assets available for distribution to shareholders
after satisfaction of the Company's liabilities and the preferential rights of
any preferred stock that may then be issued and outstanding. The outstanding
shares of Common Stock are, and the shares offered hereby will be, fully paid
and nonassessable. The holders of Common Stock have no preemptive, conversion or
redemption rights. The Common Stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange.
The registrar and transfer agent for the Common Stock is First Chicago Trust
Company of New York.
 
CERTAIN PROVISIONS
 
    The Board of Directors, generally without further action by the
shareholders, is authorized to issue Preferred Stock in one or more series and
to designate as to any such series the dividend rate, redemption prices,
preferences on liquidation or dissolution, conversion rights, voting rights and
any other preferences, and relative, participating, optional or other special
rights and qualifications, limitations and restrictions. The rights of the
holders of Common Stock will be subject to, and may be adversely affected by,
the rights of the holders of any Preferred Stock that may be issued in the
future. Issuance of a new series of Preferred Stock, while providing desirable
flexibility in connection with possible acquisitions or other corporate
purposes, could have the effect of making it more difficult for a third party to
acquire, or discouraging a third party from acquiring, a majority of the
outstanding voting stock of the Company.
 
    Generally, Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law prohibits a
publicly held Delaware corporation from engaging in any "business combination"
with any "interested stockholder" for a period of three years following the date
that such stockholder became an interested stockholder, unless (i) prior to such
date either the business combination or the transaction which resulted in the
stockholder being an interested stockholder is approved by the board of
directors of the corporation, (ii) upon consummation of the transaction which
resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder, the interested
stockholder owned at least 85% of the voting stock of the corporation
outstanding at the time the transaction commenced, excluding for purposes of
determining the number of shares outstanding those shares owned (A) by persons
who are both directors and officers and (B) certain employee stock plans, or
(iii) on or after such date the business combination is approved by the board
and authorized at an annual or special meeting of stockholders, and not by
written consent, by the affirmative vote of at least 66 2/3% of the outstanding
voting stock which is not owned by the interested stockholder. A "business
combination" includes certain mergers, consolidations, asset sales, transfers
and other transactions resulting in a financial benefit to the interested
stockholder. An "interested stockholder" is a person who, together with
affiliates and associates, owns (or within the preceding three years, did own)
15% or more of the corporation's voting stock. The overall effect of these
provisions may be to deter or discourage hostile takeover attempts by making it
more difficult for a person who has gained a substantial equity interest in the
Company effectively to exercise control.
 
                            DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS
 
    The Company may issue Warrants, including Warrants to purchase Debt
Securities ("Debt Warrants"), Preferred Stock, including Preferred Stock
represented by Depositary Shares ("Preferred Stock Warrants"), Common Stock
("Common Stock Warrants"), or any combination thereof. Warrants may be issued
independently or together with any Securities and may be attached to or separate
from such
 
                                       32
<PAGE>
Securities. The Warrants are to be issued under warrant agreements (each a
"Warrant Agreement") to be entered into between the Company and a bank or trust
company, as warrant agent (the "Warrant Agent"), all as shall be set forth in
the Prospectus Supplement relating to Warrants being offered pursuant thereto.
 
DEBT WARRANTS
 
    The applicable Prospectus Supplement will describe the terms of Debt
Warrants offered thereby, the Warrant Agreement relating to such Debt Warrants
and the certificates representing such Debt Warrants, including the following:
(1) the title of such Debt Warrants; (2) the aggregate number of such Debt
Warrants; (3) the price or prices at which such Debt Warrants will be issued;
(4) the currency or currencies, including composite currencies or currency
units, in which the price of such Debt Warrants may be payable; (5) the
designation, aggregate principal amount and terms of the Debt Securities
purchasable upon exercise of such Debt Warrants, and the procedures and
conditions relating to the exercise of such Debt Warrants; (6) the designation
and terms of any related Debt Securities with which such Debt Warrants are
issued, and the number of such Debt Warrants issued with each such Debt
Security; (7) the currency or currencies, including composite currencies or
currency units, in which the principal of or any premium or interest on the Debt
Securities purchasable upon exercise of such Debt Warrants will be payable; (8)
the date, if any, on and after which such Debt Warrants and the related Debt
Securities will be separately transferable; (9) the principal amount of Debt
Securities purchasable upon exercise of each Debt Warrant, and the price at
which and the currency or currencies, including composite currencies or currency
units, in which such principal amount of Debt Securities may be purchased upon
such exercise; (10) the date on which the right to exercise such Debt Warrants
will commence, and the date on which such right will expire; (11) the maximum or
minimum number of such Debt Warrants which may be exercised at any time; (12) a
discussion of any material federal income tax considerations; and (13) any other
terms of such Debt Warrants and terms, procedures and limitations relating to
the exercise of such Debt Warrants.
 
    Certificates representing Debt Warrants will be exchangeable for new
certificates representing Debt Warrants of different denominations, and Debt
Warrants may be exercised at the corporate trust office of the Warrant Agent or
any other office indicated in the Prospectus Supplement. Prior to the exercise
of their Debt Warrants, holders of Debt Warrants will not have any of the rights
as holders of the Debt Securities purchasable upon such exercise and will not be
entitled to payment of principal of or any premium or interest on the Debt
Securities purchasable upon such exercise.
 
PREFERRED STOCK WARRANTS
 
    The applicable Prospectus Supplement will describe the terms of Preferred
Stock Warrants offered thereby, the Warrant Agreement relating to such Preferred
Stock Warrants and the certificates representing such Preferred Stock Warrants,
including the following: (1) the title of such Preferred Stock Warrants; (2) the
aggregate number of such Preferred Stock Warrants; (3) the price or prices at
which such Preferred Stock Warrants will be issued; (4) the currency or
currencies, including composite currencies or currency units, in which the price
of such Preferred Stock Warrants may be payable; (5) the designation, number of
shares and terms (including, among others, dividend, liquidation, redemption and
voting rights) of the Preferred Stock (including Preferred Stock represented by
Depositary Shares) purchasable upon exercise of such Preferred Stock Warrants,
and the procedures and conditions relating to the exercise of such Preferred
Stock Warrants; (6) the designation and terms of any related Securities of the
Company with which such Warrants are issued, and the number of such Preferred
Stock Warrants issued with each such Security; (7) the date, if any, on and
after which such Preferred Stock Warrants and the related Securities will be
separately transferable; (8) the maximum or minimum number of Preferred Stock
Warrants which may be exercised at any time; (9) if applicable, a discussion of
any material federal income tax considerations; and (10) any other terms of such
Preferred Stock Warrants, including terms, procedures and limitations relating
to the exchange and exercise of such Preferred Stock Warrants.
 
                                       33
<PAGE>
    Certificates representing Preferred Stock Warrants will be exchangeable for
new certificates representing Preferred Stock Warrants of different
denominations, and Preferred Stock Warrants may be exercised at the corporate
trust office of the Warrant Agent or any office indicated in the Prospectus
Supplement. Prior to the exercise of their Preferred Stock Warrants, holders of
such Preferred Stock Warrants will not have any of the rights as holders of the
Preferred Stock purchasable upon such exercise and will not be entitled to any
dividend payments, liquidation premiums or voting rights of the Preferred Stock
(including Preferred Stock represented by Depositary Shares) purchasable upon
such exercise.
 
COMMON STOCK WARRANTS
 
    The applicable Prospectus Supplement will describe the terms of any Common
Stock Warrants, the Warrant Agreement relating to such Common Stock Warrants and
the certificates representing such Common Stock Warrants in respect of which
this Prospectus is being delivered which may include: (1) the title of such
Common Stock Warrants; (2) the aggregate number of such Common Stock Warrants;
(3) the price or prices at which such Common Stock Warrants will be issued; (4)
the currency or currencies, including composite currencies or currency units, in
which the price of such Common Stock Warrants may be payable; (5) if applicable,
the designation and terms of any related Security with which such Common Stock
Warrants are issued, and the number of such Common Stock Warrants issued with
each such related Security; (6) if applicable, the date on and after which such
Common Stock Warrants and the related Security will be separately transferable;
(7) the date on which the right to exercise such Common Stock Warrants will
commence, and the date on which such right will expire; (8) the maximum or
minimum number of such Common Stock Warrants which may be exercised at any time;
(9) if applicable, a discussion of any material federal income tax
considerations; and (10) any other terms of such Common Stock Warrants,
including terms, procedures and limitations relating to the exchange and
exercise of such Common Stock Warrants.
 
    Certificates representing Common Stock Warrants will be exchangeable for new
certificates representing Common Stock Warrants of different denominations, and
Common Stock Warrants may be exercised at the corporate trust office of the War
ant Agent or any other office indicated in the Prospectus Supplement. Prior to
the exercise of their Common Stock Warrants, holders of Common Stock Warrants
will not have any of the rights as holders of Common Stock purchasable upon such
exercise and will not be entitled to dividend payments, if any, or voting rights
of the Common Stock purchasable upon such exercise.
 
EXERCISE OF WARRANTS
 
    Each Warrant will entitle the holder to purchase for cash such principal
amount of Debt Securities or number of shares of Preferred Stock or Common Stock
at such exercise price as shall in each case be set forth in, or be determinable
as set forth in, the Prospectus Supplement relating to the Warrants offered
thereby. Warrants may be exercised at any time up to the close of business on
the expiration date set forth in the Prospectus Supplement relating to the
Warrants offered thereby. After the close of business on the expiration date,
unexercised Warrants will become void. Warrants may be exercised as set forth in
the Prospectus Supplement relating to the Warrants offered thereby. Upon receipt
of payment and the certificate representing the Warrant properly completed and
duly executed at the corporate trust office of the Warrant Agent or any other
office indicated in the Prospectus Supplement, the Company will, as soon as
practicable, forward the Securities purchasable upon such exercise. If less than
all of the Warrants represented by such certificate are exercised, a new
certificate will be issued for the remaining Warrants.
 
                  LIMITATIONS ON ISSUANCE OF BEARER SECURITIES
 
    Unless otherwise provided in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, in
compliance with United States federal tax laws and regulations, Bearer
Securities (including Debt Securities in global form) may not be offered, sold,
resold or delivered in connection with their original issuance in the United
States or to
 
                                       34
<PAGE>
United States persons (each as defined below) other than to a Qualifying Branch
of a United States Financial Institution (as defined below) or a United States
person acquiring Bearer Securities through a Qualifying Branch of a United
States Financial Institution. Any underwriters, agents and dealers participating
in the offering of Debt Securities must agree that they will not offer any
Bearer Securities for sale or resale in the United States or to United States
persons (other than a Qualifying Branch of a United States Financial Institution
or a United States person acquiring Bearer Securities through a Qualifying
Branch of a United States Financial Institution) or deliver Bearer Securities
within the United States. In addition, any such underwriters, agents and dealers
must represent in writing that they have in effect, in connection with the offer
and sale of the Debt Securities, procedures reasonably designed to ensure that
their employees or agents who are directly engaged in selling the Debt
Securities are aware that Bearer Securities cannot be offered or sold to a
person who is within the United States or is a United States person (other than
a Qualifying Branch of a United States Financial Institution or a United States
person acquiring Bearer Securities through a Qualifying Branch of a United
States Financial Institution). Furthermore, the owner of the obligation (or
financial institution or clearing organization through which the owner holds the
obligation) must certify that the owner is not a United States person. The term
"Qualifying Branch of a United States Financial Institution" means a branch
located outside the United States of a United States securities clearing
organization, bank or other financial institution listed under Treasury
Regulation Section 1.165-12(c)(1)(v) that agrees to comply with the requirements
of Section 165(j)(3)(A), (B) or (C) of the United States Internal Revenue Code
of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), and the regulations thereunder.
 
    Bearer Securities and any coupons appertaining thereto will bear the
following legend: "Any United States person who holds this obligation will be
subject to limitations under the United States income tax laws, including the
limitations provided in Sections 165(j) and 1287(a) of the Internal Revenue
Code." Under Sections 165(j) and 1287(a) of the Code, holders that are United
States persons, with certain exceptions, will not be entitled to deduct any loss
on Bearer Securities and must treat as ordinary income any gain realized on the
sale or other disposition of Bearer Securities.
 
    The term "United States person" means a citizen or resident of the United
States, a corporation, partnership or other entity created or organized in or
under the laws of the United States or of any political subdivision thereof, an
estate the income of which is subject to United States federal income taxation
regardless of its source, or a trust if a court within the United States is able
to exercise primary supervision over the administration of the trust and one or
more United States persons have the authority to control all substantial
decisions of the trust. The term "United States" means the United States of
America (including the states and the District of Columbia), its territories,
its possessions and other areas subject to its jurisdiction.
 
                                       35
<PAGE>
                              PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
 
    The Company may sell Securities to or through underwriters or dealers,
directly to other purchasers, or through agents. The Prospectus Supplement with
respect to the Securities will set forth the terms of the offering of the
Securities, including the name or names of any underwriters, dealers or agents,
the price of the offered Securities and the net proceeds to the Company from
such sale, any delayed delivery arrangements, any underwriting discounts or
other items constituting underwriters' compensation, any discounts or
concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers and any securities exchanges
on which the Securities may be listed. If underwriters are used in the sale, the
Securities will be acquired by the underwriters for their own account and may be
resold from time to time in one or more transactions, including negotiated
transactions, at a fixed public price or at varying prices determined at the
time of sale. The underwriter or underwriters with respect to a particular
underwritten offering of Securities will be named in the Prospectus Supplement
relating to such offering, and if an underwriting syndicate is used, the
managing underwriter or underwriters will be set forth on the cover of such
Prospectus Supplement. Unless otherwise set forth in the Prospectus Supplement,
the obligations of the underwriters or agents to purchase the Securities will be
subject to certain conditions precedent and the underwriters will be obligated
to purchase all the Securities if any are purchased. Any initial public offering
price and any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers
may be changed from time to time.
 
    If a dealer is utilized in the sale of any Securities in respect of which
this Prospectus is delivered, the Company will sell such Securities to the
dealer, as principal. The dealer may then resell such Securities to the public
at varying prices to be determined by such dealer at the time of resale. The
name of the dealer and the terms of the transaction will be set forth in the
Prospectus Supplement relating thereto.
 
    Securities may be sold directly by the Company to one or more institutional
purchasers, or through agents designated by the Company from time to time, at a
fixed price or prices, which may be changed, or at varying prices determined at
time of sale. Any agent involved in the offer or sale of the Securities will be
named, and any commissions payable by the Company to such agent will be set
forth, in the Prospectus Supplement relating thereto. Unless otherwise indicated
in the Prospectus Supplement, any such agent will be acting on a best efforts
basis for the period of its appointment.
 
    In connection with the sale of the Securities, underwriters or agents may
receive compensation from the Company or from purchasers of Securities for whom
they may act as agents in the form of discounts, concessions, or commissions.
Underwriters, agents, and dealers participating in the distribution of the
Securities may be deemed to be underwriters, and any discounts or commissions
received by them from the Company and any profit on the resale of the Securities
by them may be deemed to be underwriting discounts or commissions under the
Securities Act. If so indicated in the Prospectus Supplement, the Company will
authorize agents, underwriters or dealers to solicit offers by certain specified
institutions to purchase Securities from the Company at the public offering
price set forth in such Prospectus Supplement pursuant to delayed delivery
contracts providing for payment and delivery on a specified date in the future.
Such contracts will be subject only to those conditions set forth in the
Prospectus Supplement, and the Prospectus Supplement will set forth the
commission payable for solicitation of such contracts.
 
    Each underwriter, dealer and agent participating in the distribution of any
Debt Securities which are issuable in bearer form will agree that it will not
offer, sell or deliver, directly or indirectly, Debt Securities in bearer form
in the United States or to United States persons except as otherwise permitted
by Treasury Regulation Section 1.163- 5(c)(2)(i)(D). See "Limitations on
Issuance of Bearer Securities." The Securities may not be offered or sold
directly or indirectly in Great Britain other than to persons whose ordinary
business it is to buy or sell shares or debentures (except in circumstances
which do not constitute an offer to the public within the meaning of the
Companies Act of 1985), and this Prospectus and any Prospectus Supplement or any
other offering material relating to the Securities may not be distributed in or
from Great Britain other than to persons whose business involves the acquisition
and disposal, or the holding, of securities whether as principal or as agent.
 
                                       36
<PAGE>
    Each series of Securities will be a new issue with no established trading
market, other than the Common Stock which is listed on the New York Stock
Exchange. Any Common Stock sold pursuant to a Prospectus Supplement will be
listed on the New York Stock Exchange, subject to official notice of issuance.
 
    Any underwriters to whom Securities are sold by the Company for public
offering and sale may make a market in such Securities, but such underwriters
will not be obligated to do so and may discontinue any market making at any time
without notice. No assurance can be given as to the liquidity of the trading
market for any Securities.
 
    Agents, dealers, and underwriters may be entitled under agreements entered
into with the Company to indemnification by the Company against certain civil
liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, or to contribution
with respect to payments that such agents, dealers, or underwriters may be
required to make with respect thereto. Underwriters, dealers, or agents and
their associates may be customers of, engage in transactions with and perform
services for, the Company in the ordinary course of business.
 
    In connection with underwritten offerings of the Securities and in
accordance with applicable law and industry practice, underwriters may
over-allot or effect transactions which stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect
the market price of the Securities at levels above those which might otherwise
prevail in the open market, including by entering stabilizing bids, effecting
syndicate covering transactions or imposing penalty bids. A stabilizing bid
means the placing of any bid, or the effecting of any purchase, for the purpose
of pegging, fixing or maintaining the price of a security. A syndicate covering
transaction means the placing of any bid on behalf of the underwriting syndicate
or effecting of any purchase to reduce a short position created in connection
with the offering. A penalty bid means an arrangement that permits the managing
underwriter to reclaim a selling concession from a syndicate member in
connection with the offering when Securities originally sold by the syndicate
member are purchased in syndicate covering transactions. Such transactions may
be effected on the NYSE, in the over-the-counter market, or otherwise.
Underwriters are not required to engage in any of these activities. Any such
activities, if commenced, may be discontinued at any time.
 
                                 LEGAL OPINIONS
 
    The validity of the Securities will be passed upon for the Company by Thomas
R. Bremer, Senior Vice President and General Counsel of the Company. Certain
other legal matters will be passed upon for the Company by Dewey Ballantine LLP,
counsel for the Company, and certain legal matters will be passed upon for any
underwriters or agents, by Cravath, Swaine & Moore, counsel for such
underwriters or agents.
 
                                    EXPERTS
 
    The financial statements and the related financial statement schedule
incorporated in this prospectus by reference from the Company's Annual Report on
Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1997, have been audited by Deloitte &
Touche LLP, independent auditors, as stated in their report, which is
incorporated herein by reference, and have been so incorporated in reliance upon
the report of such firm given upon their authority as experts in accounting and
auditing.
 
                                       37
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
   
    NO DEALER, SALESMAN OR OTHER PERSON HAS BEEN AUTHORIZED TO GIVE ANY
INFORMATION OR TO MAKE ANY REPRESENTATIONS OTHER THAN THOSE CONTAINED OR
INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE IN THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT OR THE PROSPECTUS IN
CONNECTION WITH THE OFFER MADE BY THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT AND THE PROSPECTUS
AND, IF GIVEN OR MADE, SUCH INFORMATION OR REPRESENTATIONS MUST NOT BE RELIED
UPON AS HAVING BEEN AUTHORIZED BY THE COMPANY OR THE UNDERWRITERS. NEITHER THE
DELIVERY OF THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT AND THE PROSPECTUS NOR ANY SALE MADE
HEREUNDER AND THEREUNDER SHALL UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCE CREATE AN IMPLICATION THAT
THERE HAS BEEN NO CHANGE IN THE AFFAIRS OF THE COMPANY SINCE THE DATE HEREOF.
THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT AND THE PROSPECTUS DO NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER OR
SOLICITATION BY ANYONE IN ANY STATE IN WHICH SUCH OFFER OR SOLICITATION IS NOT
AUTHORIZED OR IN WHICH THE PERSON MAKING SUCH OFFER OR SOLICITATION IS NOT
QUALIFIED TO DO SO OR TO ANYONE TO WHOM IT IS UNLAWFUL TO MAKE SUCH OFFER OR
SOLICITATION.
    
 
                           --------------------------
 
   
                               TABLE OF CONTENTS
    
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT                         PAGE
                                            ---------
 
<S>                                         <C>
The Company...............................        S-2
Use of Proceeds...........................        S-4
Ratios of Earnings to Fixed Charges and of
  Earnings to Combined Fixed Charges and
  Preferred Stock Dividends...............        S-4
Capitalization............................        S-5
Selected Financial Data...................        S-6
Management's Discussion and Analysis of
  Financial Condition and Results of
  Operations..............................        S-7
Description of the Notes..................       S-14
Underwriting..............................       S-15
Legal Opinions............................       S-16
 
<CAPTION>
 
PROSPECTUS                                    PAGE
                                            ---------
<S>                                         <C>
 
Available Information.....................          2
Incorporation of Certain Documents by
  Reference...............................          2
Risk Factors..............................          3
The Company...............................          7
Ratios of Earnings to Fixed Charges and of
  Earnings to Combined Fixed Charges and
  Preferred Stock Dividends...............         11
Use of Proceeds...........................         11
Description of Debt Securities............         12
Description of Capital Stock..............         26
Description of Preferred Stock............         26
Description of Depositary Shares..........         29
Description of Common Stock...............         32
Description of Warrants...................         32
Limitations on Issuance of Bearer
  Securities..............................         34
Plan of Distribution......................         36
Legal Opinions............................         37
Experts...................................         37
</TABLE>
    
 
   
                                  $
    
 
   
                                 UNITED STATES
                              SURGICAL CORPORATION
    
 
   
                                      % SENIOR NOTES
                               DUE
    
 
                                ---------------
 
   
                             PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
                                         , 1998
    
 
                           --------------------------
 
   
                              SALOMON SMITH BARNEY
    
 
   
                              MERRILL LYNCH & CO.
    
 
   
                               J.P. MORGAN & CO.
    
 
   
                         BANCAMERICA ROBERTSON STEPHENS
    
 
   
                           BNY CAPITAL MARKETS, INC.
    
 
   
                             CHASE SECURITIES INC.
    
 
   
                             NATIONSBANC MONTGOMERY
                                 SECURITIES LLC
    
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>
                                    PART II
 
                     INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
 
   
ITEM 14. OTHER EXPENSES OF ISSUANCE AND DISTRIBUTION*
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S>                                                                 <C>
Securities and Exchange Commission Registration Fee...............  $ 131,947
Trustees and Depositary's Fees and Expenses.......................     15,000
Printing and Engraving Fees and Expenses..........................     50,000
Accounting Fees and Expenses......................................     75,000
Legal Fees........................................................     50,000
Rating Agency Fees................................................     50,000
Miscellaneous (including Listing Fees, if applicable).............     28,053
                                                                    ---------
      TOTAL.......................................................  $ 400,000
                                                                    ---------
                                                                    ---------
</TABLE>
    
 
- ------------------------
 
   
*   All fees are estimates except for the Securities and Exchange Commission
    filing fee.
    
 
   
ITEM 15. INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS
    
 
    Section 145 of the Delaware Corporation Law empowers a corporation to
indemnify its directors and officers or former directors and officers and to
purchase insurance with respect to liability arising out of their capacity or
status as directors and officers. Such law provides further that the
indemnification permitted thereunder shall not be deemed exclusive of any other
rights to which the directors and officers may be entitled under a corporation's
Certificate of Incorporation, Bylaws, any agreement or otherwise.
 
    Article Eight of the Company's Certificate of Incorporation, as amended,
provides that, to the fullest extent permitted by the Delaware General
Corporation Law, as the same exists or may hereafter be amended, a director of
the Company shall not be liable to the Company or its stockholders for monetary
damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director. Article XI of the Company's
By-laws provides for indemnification of officers and directors to the fullest
extent permitted by law.
 
    Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act
may be permitted to directors, officers or persons controlling the Company
pursuant to the foregoing provisions, the Company has been advised that in the
opinion of the Commission such indemnification is against public policy as
expressed in the Securities Act and is therefore unenforceable.
 
    The Company has purchased certain liability insurance for its officers and
directors as permitted by Section 145(g) of the Delaware General Corporation Law
and has entered into indemnity agreements with certain directors and officers
providing indemnification in addition to that provided under the Delaware
General Corporation Law, as permitted by Section145(f) of the Delaware General
Corporation Law.
 
                                      II-1
<PAGE>
ITEM 16. EXHIBITS
 
    The following is a list of all exhibits filed as a part of this Registration
Statement on Form S-3, including those incorporated herein by reference.
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
  EXHIBIT
  NUMBER                                             DESCRIPTION OF EXHIBIT
- -----------  ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>          <C>
 
         1(a) Form of Underwriting Agreement.
 
         4(a) Form of Indenture for Senior Debt Securities between United States Surgical Corporation and The Bank
             of New York, as trustee.
 
         4(b) Form of Indenture for Subordinated Debt Securities between United States Surgical Corporation and The
             Bank of New York, as trustee.
 
         4(c) The form or forms of Securities with respect to each particular series of Securities registered
             hereunder will be filed as an exhibit to a Current Report of the Registrant on Form 8-K and
             incorporated herein by reference.
 
         5   Opinion of Thomas R. Bremer.
 
        12   Statement re: Computation of Ratios of Earnings to Fixed Charges and of Earnings to Combined Fixed
             Charges and Preferred Stock Dividends.
 
        23   Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP, Independent Auditors.
 
        24   Power of Attorney.*
 
        25(a) Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 of the Trustee for the Senior
             Indenture.
 
        25(b) Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 of the Trustee for the
             Subordinated Indenture.
</TABLE>
    
 
- ------------------------
 
   
*   Previously filed.
    
 
ITEM 17. UNDERTAKINGS
 
    The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes: (1) To file, during any period
in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this
registration statement: (i) To include any prospectus required by Section
10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933; (ii) To reflect in the prospectus any
facts or events arising after the effective date of the registration statement
(or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in
the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in
the registration statement; notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or
decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of
securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation
from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be
reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule
424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more
than a 20% change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the
"Calculation of Registration Fee" table in the effective registration statement;
(iii) To include any material information with respect to the plan of
distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any
material change to such information in the registration statement; provided,
however, that paragraphs (1)(i) and (1)(ii) do not apply if the registration
statement is on Form S-3 or Form S-8, and the information required to be
included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in
periodic reports filed with or furnished to the Commission by the registrant
pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
that are
 
                                      II-2
<PAGE>
incorporated by reference in the registration statement; (2) That, for the
purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each such
post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement
relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities
at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof; (3)
To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the
securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the
offering.
 
    The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of
determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the
Registrant's annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that is incorporated by reference in the
registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement
relating to the securities offered herein, and the offering of such securities
at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
 
    The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes that (i) for purposes of
determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, the information
omitted from the form of prospectus filed as part of this registration statement
in reliance upon Rule 430A and contained in a form of prospectus filed by the
Registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(1) or (4) or 497(h) under the Securities Act
shall be deemed to be part of this registration statement as of the time it was
declared effective and (ii) for the purpose of determining any liability under
the Securities Act of 1933, each post-effective amendment that contains a form
of prospectus shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the
securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time
shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
 
    The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes to file an application for the
purpose of determining the eligibility of the trustee to act under subsection
(a) of Section 310 of the Trust Indenture Act in accordance with the rules and
regulations prescribed by the Commission under Section 305(b)(2) of the Act.
 
    Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act
of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the
registrant pursuant to the provisions set forth in Item 15, or otherwise, the
registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange
Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act
and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification
against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses
incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant
in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such
director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being
registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter
has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate
jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public
policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of
such issue.
 
                                      II-3
<PAGE>
                                   SIGNATURES
 
   
    Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant
certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the
requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this amendment to the
registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto
duly authorized, in the City of Norwalk, State of Connecticut, on March 4, 1998.
    
 
<TABLE>
<S>                             <C>  <C>
                                      UNITED STATES SURGICAL CORPORATION
                                                 (Registrant)
 
                                By:             /s/ THOMAS R. BREMER
                                     -----------------------------------------
                                                 Thomas R. Bremer,
                                             SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT AND
                                                  GENERAL COUNSEL
</TABLE>
 
   
    Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this amendment
to the registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the
capacities and on the dates indicated.
    
 
   
          SIGNATURES                      TITLE                    DATE
- ------------------------------  --------------------------  -------------------
                                Chairman of the Board,
     /s/ LEON C. HIRSCH*          Chief Executive Officer
- ------------------------------    and Director (Principal      March 4, 1998
        Leon C. Hirsch            Executive Officer)
 
     /s/ JULIE K. BLAKE*
- ------------------------------  Director                       March 4, 1998
        Julie K. Blake
 
  /s/ JOHN A. BOGARDUS, JR.*
- ------------------------------  Director                       March 4, 1998
    John A. Bogardus, Jr.
 
    /s/ THOMAS R. BREMER*
- ------------------------------  Director                       March 4, 1998
       Thomas R. Bremer
 
      /s/ TURI JOSEFSEN*
- ------------------------------  Director                       March 4, 1998
        Turi Josefsen
 
     /s/ DOUGLAS L. KING*
- ------------------------------  Director                       March 4, 1998
       Douglas L. King
 
- ------------------------------  Director                      March   , 1998
       Robert A. Knarr
 
                                      II-4
    
<PAGE>
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
          SIGNATURES                      TITLE                    DATE
- ------------------------------  --------------------------  -------------------
 
     /s/ WILLIAM F. MAY*
- ------------------------------  Director                       March 4, 1998
        William F. May
<C>                             <S>                         <C>
 
     /s/ JAMES R. MELLOR*
- ------------------------------  Director                       March 4, 1998
       James R. Mellor
 
    /s/ BARRY D. ROMERIL*
- ------------------------------  Director                       March 4, 1998
       Barry D. Romeril
 
  /s/ HOWARD M. ROSENKRANTZ*
- ------------------------------  Director                       March 4, 1998
    Howard M. Rosenkrantz
 
    /s/ MARIANNE SCIPIONE*
- ------------------------------  Director                       March 4, 1998
      Marianne Scipione
 
     /s/ JOHN R. SILBER*
- ------------------------------  Director                       March 4, 1998
        John R. Silber
 
                                Senior Vice President and
   /s/ RICHARD A. DOUVILLE*       Chief Financial Officer
- ------------------------------    (Principal Financial         March 4, 1998
     Richard A. Douville          Officer)
 
    /s/ JOSEPH C. SCHERPF*      Vice President and
- ------------------------------    Controller (Principal        March 4, 1998
      Joseph C. Scherpf           Accounting Officer)
</TABLE>
    
 
*By:    /s/ THOMAS R. BREMER
      -------------------------
          Thomas R. Bremer,
         (ATTORNEY IN FACT)
 
                                      II-5

<PAGE>

                                                                [Draft-02/18/98]

                                                                       Exhibit 1

                          United States Surgical Corporation

                                UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT


                                                                 March [ ], 1998
                                                              New York, New York



To the Representatives named in Schedule I 
  hereto of the Underwriters named in 
  Schedule II hereto


Dear Sirs:

          United States Surgical Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the
"Company"), proposes to sell to the underwriters named in Schedule II hereto
(the "Underwriters"), for whom you (the "Representatives") are acting as
representatives, (1) debt securities (the "Debt Securities") of the Company; (2)
shares of common stock, $.10 par value, of the Company (the "Common Stock");
(3) shares of preferred stock, par value $5.00 per share (the "Preferred
Stock"), of the Company; (4) depositary shares representing entitlement to all
rights and preferences of a fraction of a share of Preferred Stock of a specific
series (the "Depositary Shares"); and/or (5) warrants to purchase Debt
Securities, shares of Preferred Stock, Depositary Shares or shares of Common
Stock (the "Warrants").  The Debt Securities, Common Stock, Preferred Stock,
Depositary Shares and Warrants may be sold either separately or as units (the
"Units") together with any of the foregoing.  The terms of such sales, pursuant
to this Agreement, are described in Schedule I hereto.  The Debt Securities,
Common Stock, Preferred Stock, Depositary Shares and Warrants to be sold
pursuant to this Agreement as set forth in Schedule I hereto shall be referred
to herein as the "Securities".  The Common Stock and Preferred Stock described
in Schedule I hereto shall collectively be referred to herein as the "Equity
Securities".  If the firm or firms listed in Schedule II hereto include only the
firm or firms listed in Schedule I hereto, then the terms "Underwriters" and
"Representatives", as used herein, shall each be deemed to refer to such firm or
firms.

          1.  Representations and Warranties.  The Company represents and
warrants to, and agrees with, each Underwriter as set forth below in this
Section 1.  Certain terms used in this Section 1 are defined in paragraph (c)
hereof.

          (a)  If the offering of the Securities is a Delayed Offering (as
     specified in Schedule I hereto), paragraph (i) below is applicable and, if
     the offering of the Securities is a Non-Delayed Offering (as so specified),
     paragraph (ii) below is applicable.

                    (i)  The Company meets the requirements for the use of Form
               S-3 under the Securities Act of 1933 (the "Act") and has filed
               with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission") a
               registration statement (the file number of which 

<PAGE>

               is set forth in Schedule I hereto) on such Form, including a
               basic prospectus, for registration under the Act of the offering
               and sale of the Securities.  The Company may have filed one or
               more amendments thereto, and may have used a Preliminary Final
               Prospectus, each of which has previously been furnished to you. 
               Such registration statement, as so amended, has become effective.
               The offering of the Securities is a Delayed Offering and,
               although the Basic Prospectus may not include all the information
               with respect to the Securities and the offering thereof required
               by the Act and the rules thereunder to be included in the Final
               Prospectus, the Basic Prospectus is responsive to all the
               disclosure requirements of the Act and the rules and regulations
               thereunder as of the Effective Date.  The Company will next file
               with the Commission pursuant to Rules 415, 424(b)(2) or (5) or
               434 or a combination thereof a final supplement to the form of
               prospectus included in such registration statement relating to
               the Securities and the offering thereof.  As filed, such final
               prospectus supplement shall include all required information with
               respect to the Securities and the offering thereof and, except to
               the extent the Representatives shall agree in writing to a
               modification, shall be in all substantive respects in the form
               furnished to you prior to the Execution Time or, to the extent
               not completed at the Execution Time, shall contain only such
               specific additional information and other changes (beyond that
               contained in the Basic Prospectus and any Preliminary Final
               Prospectus) as the Company has advised you, prior to the
               Execution Time, will be included or made therein.   If the
               Rule 434 Delivery Alternative is used, the Company will also file
               the Rule 434 Term Sheet in accordance with Rule 434.  As filed,
               such Rule 434 Term Sheet shall contain all the information
               required by Rule 434 and, except to the extent the
               Representatives shall agree in writing to a modification, shall
               be in all substantive respects in the form furnished to you prior
               to the Execution Time or, to the extent not completed at the
               Execution Time, shall contain only such specific additional
               information and other changes (beyond that contained in the
               latest Preliminary Prospectus) as the Company has advised you,
               prior to the Execution Time, will be included or made therein. 
               Upon your request, but not without your agreement, the Company
               will also file a Rule 462(b) Registration Statement in accordance
               with Rule 462(b).

                    (ii)  The Company meets the requirements for the use of Form
               S-3 under the Act and has filed with the Commission a
               registration statement (the file number of which is set forth in
               Schedule I hereto) on such Form, including a basic prospectus,
               for registration under the Act of the offering and sale of the
               Securities.  The Company may have filed one or more 

<PAGE>

               amendments thereto, including a Preliminary Final Prospectus,
               each of which has previously been furnished to you.  The Company
               will next file with the Commission either (x) a final prospectus
               supplement relating to the Securities in accordance with Rules
               430A and 424(b)(1) or (4) and/or 434, or (y) prior to the
               effectiveness of such registration statement, an amendment to
               such registration statement, including the form of final
               prospectus supplement.  In the case of clause (x), the Company
               has included in such registration statement, as amended at the
               Effective Date, all information (other than Rule 430A Information
               and Rule 434 Information) required by the Act and the rules
               thereunder to be included in the Final Prospectus with respect to
               the Securities and the offering thereof.  As filed, such final
               prospectus supplement or such amendment and form of final
               prospectus supplement shall contain all Rule 430A Information,
               together with all other such required information, with respect
               to the Securities and the offering thereof and, except to the
               extent the Representatives shall agree in writing to a
               modification, shall be in all substantive respects in the form
               furnished to you prior to the Execution Time or, to the extent
               not completed at the Execution Time, shall contain only such
               specific additional information and other changes (beyond that
               contained in the Basic Prospectus and any Preliminary Final
               Prospectus) as the Company has advised you, prior to the
               Execution Time, will be included or made therein.  If the
               Rule 434 Delivery Alternative is used, the Company will also file
               the Rule 434 Term  Sheet in accordance with Rule 434.  As filed,
               such Rule 434 Term Sheet shall contain all the information
               required by Rule 434, and except to the extent the
               Representatives shall agree in writing to a modification, shall
               be in all substantive respects in the form furnished to you prior
               to the Execution Time or, to the extent not completed at the
               Execution Time, shall contain only such specific additional
               information and other changes (beyond that contained in the
               latest Preliminary Prospectus) as the Company has advised you,
               prior to the Execution Time, will be included or made therein. 
               Upon your request, but not without your agreement, the Company
               will also file a Rule 462(b) Registration Statement in accordance
               with Rule 462(b).

          (b)  On the Effective Date, the Registration Statement did or will, 
     and when the Final Prospectus and any Rule 434 term sheet is first filed 
     (if required) in accordance with Rule 424(b) and on the Closing Date, the 
     Final Prospectus (and any supplement thereto) will, comply in all 
     material respects with the applicable requirements of the Act, the 
     Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act") (with respect to 
     documents incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement) and 
     the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 (the "Trust Indenture Act") and the 
     respective rules thereunder; on the Effective 

<PAGE>

     Date, the Registration Statement did not or will 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 therein 
     not misleading; on the Effective Date and on the Closing Date, the 
     Indenture, if applicable, did or will comply in all material respects 
     with the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act and the rules 
     thereunder; and, on the Effective Date, the Final Prospectus, if not 
     filed pursuant to Rule 424(b), did not or will not, or on the date of any 
     filing pursuant to Rule 424(b) or Rule 434 and on the Closing Date, the 
     Final Prospectus (together with any supplement thereto) will not, include 
     any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact 
     necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the 
     circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; provided, 
     however, that the Company makes no representations or warranties as to 
     (i) that part of the Registration Statement which shall constitute the 
     Statement of Eligibility and Qualification (Form T-1) under the Trust 
     Indenture Act of the Trustee or (ii) the information contained in or 
     omitted from the Registration Statement or the Final Prospectus (or any 
     supplement thereto) in reliance upon and in conformity with information 
     furnished in writing to the Company by or on behalf of any Underwriter 
     through the Representatives specifically for inclusion in the 
     Registration Statement or the Final Prospectus (or any supplement 
     thereto).

          (c)  If the Securities are to be listed on any securities exchange,
     authorization therefor has been given, subject to official notice of
     issuance and evidence of satisfactory distribution, or the Company is
     filing or has filed a preliminary listing application and all required
     supporting documents with respect to the Securities with such securities
     exchange and has no reason to believe that the Securities will not be
     authorized for listing, subject to official notice of issuance and evidence
     of satisfactory distribution.

          (d)  The terms which follow, when used in this Agreement, shall have
     the meanings indicated.  The term "Effective Date" shall mean each date
     that the Registration Statement, any post-effective amendment or amendments
     thereto or any Rule 462(b) Registration Statement became or become
     effective and each date after the date hereof on which a document
     incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement is filed. 
     "Execution Time" shall mean the date and time that this Agreement is
     executed and delivered by the parties hereto.  "Basic Prospectus" shall
     mean the prospectus referred to in paragraph (a) above contained in the
     Registration Statement at the Effective Date including, in the case of a
     Non-Delayed Offering, any Preliminary Final Prospectus.  "Preliminary Final
     Prospectus" shall mean any preliminary prospectus supplement to the Basic
     Prospectus which describes the Securities and the offering thereof and is
     used prior to filing of the Final Prospectus.  "Final Prospectus" shall
     mean the prospectus supplement relating to the Securities that is first
     filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) and any term sheet pursuant to Rule 434 after
     the Execution Time, together with the Basic Prospectus or, if, in the case
     of a Non-Delayed Offering, no filing pursuant to Rule 424(b) is required,
     shall mean the form of final prospectus relating to the Securities, 

<PAGE>

     including the Basic Prospectus, included in the Registration Statement at
     the Effective Date.  If the Rule 434 Delivery Alternative is used, such
     term shall also include the Basic Prospectus and the Rule 434 Term Sheet,
     taken together.  "Registration Statement" shall mean the registration
     statement referred to in paragraph (a) above, including incorporated
     documents, exhibits and financial statements, as amended at the Execution
     Time (or, if not effective at the Execution Time, in the form in which it
     shall become effective) and, in the event any post-effective amendment
     thereto or any Rule 462(b) Registration Statement  becomes effective prior
     to the Closing Date (as hereinafter defined), shall also mean such
     registration statement as so amended.  Such term shall include any Rule
     430A Information and  Rule 434 Information deemed to be included therein at
     the Effective Date as provided by Rule 430A and Rule 434, respectively. 
     "Rule 415", "Rule 424", "Rule 430A", "Rule 434", "Rule 462(b)" and
     "Regulation S-K" refer to such rules or regulation under the Act.  "Rule
     430A Information" means information with respect to the Securities and the
     offering thereof permitted to be omitted from the Registration Statement
     when it becomes effective pursuant to Rule 430A.  "Rule 434 Delivery
     Alternative" shall mean the delivery alternative permitted by Rule 434. 
     "Rule 434 Information" shall mean any information to be included in a
     Rule 434 Term Sheet.  "Rule 434 Term Sheet" shall mean the term sheet or
     abbreviated term sheet delivered by the Underwriters to investors and filed
     by the Company with the Commission pursuant to Rule 434.  "Rule 462(b)
     Registration Statement" shall mean a registration statement and any
     amendments thereto filed pursuant to Rule 462(b) relating to the offering
     covered by the initial Registration Statement (file number 33-[      ]). 
     Any reference herein to the Registration Statement, the Basic Prospectus,
     any Preliminary Final Prospectus or the Final Prospectus shall be deemed to
     refer to and include the documents incorporated by reference therein
     pursuant to Item 12 of Form S-3 which were filed under the Exchange Act on
     or before the Effective Date of the Registration Statement or the issue
     date of the Basic Prospectus, any Preliminary Final Prospectus or the Final
     Prospectus, as the case may be; and any reference herein to the terms
     "amend", "amendment" or "supplement" with respect to the Registration
     Statement, the Basic Prospectus, any Preliminary Final Prospectus or the
     Final Prospectus shall be deemed to refer to and include the filing of any
     document under the Exchange Act after the Effective Date of the
     Registration Statement or the issue date of the Basic Prospectus, any
     Preliminary Final Prospectus or the Final Prospectus, as the case may be,
     deemed to be incorporated therein by reference.  A "Non-Delayed Offering"
     shall mean an offering of securities which is intended to commence promptly
     after the effective date of a registration statement, with the result that,
     pursuant to Rules 415 and 430A, all information (other than Rule 430A
     Information) with respect to the securities so offered must be included in
     such registration statement at the effective date thereof.  A "Delayed
     Offering" shall mean an offering of securities pursuant to Rule 415 which
     does not commence promptly after the effective date of a registration
     statement, with the result that only information required pursuant to
     Rule 415 need be included in such registration statement at the effective
     date thereof with respect to the securities so offered.

<PAGE>

     Whether the offering of the Securities is a Non-Delayed Offering or a
     Delayed Offering shall be set forth in Schedule I hereto.

     Any certificate signed by any officer of the Company and delivered to the
Representatives or counsel for the Underwriters in connection with the offering
of the Securities shall be deemed a representation and warranty by the Company,
as to matters covered thereby, to each Underwriter.

          2.  Purchase and Sale.  (a)  Subject to the terms and conditions and
in reliance upon the representations and warranties herein set forth, the
Company agrees to sell to each Underwriter, and each Underwriter agrees,
severally and not jointly, to purchase from the Company, at the purchase price
set forth in Schedule I hereto the principal amount or number of shares or Units
of Securities set forth opposite such Underwriter's name in Schedule II hereto,
except that, in the case of Debt Securities, if Schedule I hereto provides for
the sale of such Debt Securities pursuant to delayed delivery arrangements, the
respective principal amount of Securities to be purchased by the Underwriters
shall be as set forth in Schedule II hereto less the respective amounts of
Contract Securities determined as provided below.  Securities to be purchased by
the Underwriters are herein sometimes called the "Underwriters' Securities" and
Securities to be purchased pursuant to Delayed Delivery Contracts as hereinafter
provided are herein called "Contract Securities".

          (b)  If so provided in Schedule I hereto, the Underwriters are
authorized to solicit offers to purchase Securities from the Company pursuant to
delayed delivery contracts ("Delayed Delivery Contracts"), substantially in the
form of Schedule III hereto but with such changes therein as the Company may
authorize or approve.  The Underwriters will endeavor to make such arrangements
and, as compensation therefor, the Company will pay to the Representatives, for
the account of the Underwriters, on the Closing Date, the percentage set forth
in Schedule I hereto of the principal amount of the Debt Securities for which
such Delayed Delivery Contracts are made.  Delayed Delivery Contracts are to be
with institutional investors, including commercial and savings banks, insurance
companies, pension funds, investment companies and educational and charitable
institutions.  The Company will enter into Delayed Delivery Contracts in all
cases where such sales of Contract Securities arranged by the Underwriters have
been approved by the Company but, except as the Company may otherwise agree,
each such Delayed Delivery Contract must be for not less than the minimum
principal amount set forth in Schedule I hereto and the aggregate principal
amount set forth in Schedule I hereto and the aggregate principle amount of
Contract Securities may not exceed the maximum aggregate principal amount set
forth in Schedule I hereto.  The Underwriters will not have any responsibility
in respect of the validity or performance of Delayed Delivery Contracts.  The
principal amount of Securities to be purchased by each Underwriter as set forth
in Schedule II hereto shall be reduced by an amount which shall bear the same
proportion to the total principal amount of Contract Securities as the principal
amount of Securities set forth opposite the name of such Underwriter bears to
the aggregate principal amount set forth in Schedule II hereto, except to the
extent that you determine that such reduction shall be otherwise than in such
proportion and so advise the Company in writing; provided, 


<PAGE>

however, that the total principal amount of Securities to be purchased by all
Underwriters shall be the aggregate principal amount set forth in Schedule II
hereto less the aggregate principal amount of Contract Securities. 

          3.  Delivery and Payment.  Delivery of and payment for the
Underwriters' Securities shall be made on the date and at the time specified in
Schedule I hereto (or such later date not later than three business days after
such specified date as the Representatives shall designate), which date and time
may be postponed by agreement between the Representatives and the Company or as
provided in Section 8 hereof (such date and time of delivery and payment for the
Underwriters' Securities being herein called the "Closing Date").  Delivery of
the Underwriters' Securities shall be made to the Representatives for the
respective accounts of the several Underwriters against payment by the several
Underwriters through the Representatives of the purchase price thereof to or
upon the order of the Company by wire transfer in immediately available funds or
as otherwise may be agreed as set forth on Schedule I hereto.  Delivery of the
Underwriters' Securities shall be made at such location as the Representatives
shall reasonably designate at least one business day in advance of the Closing
Date and payment for the Securities shall be made at the office specified in
Schedule I hereto.  Certificates for the Underwriters' Securities shall be
registered in such names and in such denominations as the Representatives may
request not less than three full business days in advance of the Closing Date.

          The Company agrees to have the Underwriters' Securities available for
inspection, checking and packaging by the Representatives in New York, New York,
not later than 1:00 PM on the business day prior to the Closing Date.

          4.  Agreements.  The Company agrees with the several Underwriters
that:

          (a)  The Company will use its best efforts to cause the Registration
     Statement, if not effective at the Execution Time, and any amendment
     thereto, to become effective.  Prior to the termination of the offering of
     the Securities, the Company will not file any amendment of the Registration
     Statement or supplement (including the Final Prospectus or any Preliminary
     Final Prospectus) to the Basic Prospectus unless the Company has furnished
     you a copy for your review prior to filing and will not file any such
     proposed amendment or supplement to which you reasonably object.  Subject
     to the foregoing sentence, the Company will cause the Final Prospectus,
     properly completed, and any supplement thereto to be filed with the
     Commission pursuant to the applicable paragraph of Rule 424(b) within the
     time period prescribed and will provide evidence satisfactory to the
     Representatives of such timely filing.  The Company will promptly advise
     the Representatives (i) when the Registration Statement, if not effective
     at the Execution Time, and any amendment thereto, shall have become
     effective, (ii) when the Final Prospectus, and any supplement thereto,
     shall have been filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b), (iii)
     when, prior to termination of the offering of the Securities, any amendment
     to the Registration Statement shall have been filed or become effective,
     (iv) of any 

<PAGE>

     request by the Commission at any time when a prospectus relating to the
     Securities is required to be delivered under the Act for any amendment of
     the Registration Statement or supplement to the Final Prospectus or for any
     additional information, (v) of the issuance by the Commission at any time
     when a prospectus relating to the Securities is required to be delivered
     under the Act of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of the
     Registration Statement or the institution or threatening of any proceeding
     for that purpose and (vi) of the receipt by the Company of any notification
     with respect to the suspension of the qualification of the Securities for
     sale in any jurisdiction or the initiation or threatening of any proceeding
     for such purpose.  The Company will use its best efforts to prevent the
     issuance of any such stop order and, if issued, to obtain as soon as
     possible the withdrawal thereof.

          (b)  At any time when a prospectus relating to the Securities is
     required to be delivered under the Act, if any event occurs as a result of
     which the Final Prospectus as then supplemented would include any untrue
     statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary
     to make the statements therein in the light of the circumstances under
     which they were made not misleading, or if it shall be necessary to amend
     the Registration Statement or supplement the Final Prospectus to comply
     with the Act or the Exchange Act or the respective rules thereunder, the
     Company promptly will (i) notify the Representatives of such event, (ii)
     prepare and file with the Commission, subject to the second sentence of
     paragraph (a) of this Section 4, an amendment or supplement which will
     correct such statement or omission or effect such compliance and (iii)
     supply any supplemented Prospectus to you in such quantities as you may
     reasonably request.

          (c)  As soon as practicable, but not later than the Availability Date,
     the Company will make generally available to its security holders and to
     the Representatives an earnings statement or statements of the Company and
     its subsidiaries which will satisfy the provisions of Section 11(a) of the
     Act and Rule 158 under the Act.  For the purpose of the preceding sentence,
     "Availability Date" means the 45th day after the end of the fourth fiscal
     quarter following the fiscal quarter that includes the Effective Date,
     except that, if such fourth fiscal quarter is the last quarter of the
     Company's fiscal year, "Availability Date" means the 90th day after the end
     of such fourth fiscal quarter.

          (d)  The Company will furnish to the Representatives and counsel for
     the Underwriters, without charge, copies of the Registration Statement
     (including exhibits thereto) and to each other Underwriter a copy of the
     Registration Statement (without exhibits thereto) and, so long as delivery
     of a prospectus by an Underwriter or dealer may be required by the Act, as
     many copies of any Preliminary Final Prospectus and the Final Prospectus
     and any supplement thereto as the Representatives may reasonably request. 
     The Company will pay the expenses of printing or other production of all
     documents relating to the offering.

<PAGE>

          (e)  The Company will cooperate with the Underwriters in connection
     with the qualification of the Securities and any Debt Securities, Common
     Stock, Preferred Stock, Warrants or Depositary Shares that may be issuable
     pursuant to the exercise, conversion or exchange, as the case may be, of
     the Securities offered by the Company, for sale under the laws of such
     jurisdictions as the Representatives may designate, will maintain such
     qualifications in effect so long as required for the distribution of the
     Securities (except that in no event will the Company be required in
     connection therewith to qualify as a foreign corporation or to execute a
     general consent to service of process), will arrange for the determination
     of the legality of the Securities for purchase by institutional investors,
     will pay all fees and expenses, including the reasonable fees, costs and
     expenses of counsel for the Underwriters, associated with such
     qualification and will pay the fee of the National Association of
     Securities Dealers, Inc., in connection with its review, if any, of the
     offering.

          (f)  The Company confirms as of the date hereof that it is in
     compliance with all provisions of Section 1 of Laws of Florida, Chapter
     92-198, An Act Relating to Disclosure of Doing Business with Cuba, and the
     Company further agrees that if it commences engaging in business with the
     government of Cuba or with any person or affiliate located in Cuba after
     the date the Registration Statement becomes or has become effective with
     the Commission or with the Florida Department of Banking and Finance (the
     "Department"), whichever date is later, or if the information reported in
     the Prospectus, if any, concerning the Company's business with Cuba or with
     any person or affiliate located in Cuba changes in any material way, the
     Company will provide the Department notice of such business or change, as
     appropriate, in a form acceptable to the Department.

          (g)  The Company will not take, directly or indirectly, any action
     designed to or which has constituted or which might reasonably be expected
     to cause or result, under the Exchange Act or otherwise, in stabilization
     or manipulation of the price of any security of the Company to facilitate
     the sale or resale of the Securities.

          (h)  The Company also agrees to comply with such other covenants as
     may be set forth on Schedule I hereto.

          5.  Conditions to the Obligations of the Underwriters.  The
obligations of the Underwriters to purchase the Underwriters' Securities shall
be subject to the accuracy of the representations and warranties on the part of
the Company contained herein as of the Execution Time and the Closing Date, to
the accuracy of the statements of the Company made in any certificates pursuant
to the provisions hereof, to the performance by the Company of its obligations
hereunder and to the following additional conditions:

          (a)  If the Registration Statement has not become effective prior to
     the Execution Time, unless the Representatives agree in writing to a later 
     time, the 

<PAGE>

     Registration Statement will become effective not later than (i) 6:00 PM New
     York City time, on the date of determination of the public offering price,
     if such determination occurred at or prior to 3:00 PM New York City time on
     such date or (ii) 12:00 Noon on the business day following the day on which
     the public offering price was determined, if such determination occurred
     after 3:00 PM New York City time on such date; if filing of the Final
     Prospectus, or any supplement thereto, is required pursuant to Rule 424(b),
     the Final Prospectus, and any such supplement, shall have been filed in the
     manner and within the time period required by Rule 424(b); and no stop
     order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement shall have
     been issued and no proceedings for that purpose shall have been instituted
     or threatened.

          (b) (1)  The Company shall have furnished to the Representatives the
     opinion of Thomas R. Bremer, Esq., Senior Vice President and General
     Counsel of the Company, dated the Closing Date and addressed to the
     Representatives, to the effect that:

               (i)  each of the Company and USSC Puerto Rico, Inc. (together
          with Auto Suture France, S.A., individually, a "Subsidiary" and
          collectively, the "Subsidiaries") (A) has been duly incorporated and
          is validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the
          jurisdiction in which it is chartered or organized, with full
          corporate power and authority to own its properties and conduct its
          business as described in the Final Prospectus (in the case of the
          opinion of Dewey Ballantine LLP, with respect to the Company only) and
          (B) is duly qualified to do business as a foreign corporation and in
          good standing under the laws of each jurisdiction which requires such
          qualification wherein it owns or leases material properties or
          conducts material business and where its failure to so qualify would
          have a material adverse effect on the Company; 

               (ii)  all the outstanding shares of capital stock of the Company
          and each Subsidiary have been duly and validly authorized and issued
          and are fully paid and nonassessable, and all outstanding shares of
          capital stock of the subsidiaries of the Company are owned by the
          Company either directly or through wholly owned subsidiaries free and
          clear of any perfected security interest and, to the knowledge of such
          counsel, any other security interests, claims, liens or encumbrances;

               (iii)  (A) the Company's authorized equity capitalization is as
          set forth in the Final Prospectus; and (B) the Securities conform in
          all material respects to the description thereof contained in the
          Final Prospectus; 

               (iv)  in the case of an offering of Debt Securities, (A) the
          indenture governing such Debt Securities (the "Indenture") has been
          duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company; (B) the
          Indenture 

<PAGE>

          constitutes a valid and binding instrument enforceable against the
          Company in accordance with its terms (except to the extent that
          enforcement thereof may be limited by (1) bankruptcy, reorganization,
          insolvency, fraudulent transfer, moratorium or other laws now or
          hereafter in effect relating to creditors' rights generally and
          (2) general principles of equity, regardless of whether such
          enforceability is considered in a proceeding at law or in equity);
          (C) the Debt Securities have been duly authorized and, when executed
          and authenticated in accordance with the provisions of the Indenture
          and delivered to and paid for by the Underwriters pursuant to this
          Agreement, in the case of the Underwriters' Securities, or by the
          purchasers thereof pursuant to Delayed Delivery Contracts, in the case
          of any Contract Securities, will constitute valid and binding
          obligations of the Company, be convertible or exercisable for other
          securities of the Company in accordance with their terms as set forth
          in the Final Prospectus, as the case may be, and will be entitled to
          the benefits of the Indenture; (D) if the Debt Securities are
          convertible or exercisable into Equity Securities, the shares of
          Equity Securities issuable upon such conversion or exercise will have
          been duly authorized and reserved for issuance upon such conversion
          and, when issued upon such conversion in accordance with the terms of
          the Indenture, will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable
          and will conform to the description thereof contained in the Final
          Prospectus; and (E)  the issuance of such shares of Equity Securities
          upon conversion or exchange will not be subject to preemptive or other
          similar rights arising by operation of Applicable Laws (as defined
          below) or under the Certificate of Incorporation or By-Laws of the
          Company;

               (v)  in the case of an offering of Common Stock, (A) the shares
          of Common Stock being delivered at such Closing Date have been duly
          authorized by the Company and, when issued and delivered and paid for
          by the Underwriters pursuant to this agreement, will be fully paid and
          nonassessable; and (B) the issuance of the Common Stock is not subject
          to preemptive or other similar rights arising by operation of
          Applicable Laws or under the Certificate of Incorporation or By-Laws
          of the Company;

               (vi)  in the case of an offering of Preferred Stock, (A) the
          shares of Preferred Stock being delivered at such Closing Date have
          been duly authorized by the Company and, when issued and delivered to
          and paid for by the Underwriters pursuant to this Agreement, will be
          fully paid and nonassessable; (B) the issuance of the shares of
          Preferred Stock is not subject to preemptive or other similar rights
          arising by operation of Applicable Laws or under the Certificate of
          Incorporation or By-Laws of the Company; and (C) the shares of such
          Common Stock or other securities initially issuable upon conversion or
          exchange of such shares of Preferred Stock will have been duly
          authorized and reserved for issuance upon such 

<PAGE>

          conversion or exchange and, when issued upon such conversion or
          exchange in accordance with the terms of the certificate of
          designation for such Preferred Stock, will be validly issued, fully
          paid and nonassessable and will conform to the description thereof
          contained in the Final Prospectus; 

               (vii) in the case of an offering of Depositary Shares, the
          deposit agreement relating to the Securities (the "Deposit Agreement")
          has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company, and,
          assuming due authorization, execution and delivery thereof by the
          Depositary named therein (the "Depositary"), constitutes a valid and
          binding instrument enforceable against the Company in accordance with
          its terms (except to the extent that (a) enforcement thereof may be
          limited by (1) bankruptcy, reorganization, insolvency, fraudulent
          transfer, moratorium or other laws now or hereafter in effect relating
          to creditors' rights generally and (2) general principles of equity,
          regardless of whether enforceability is considered in a proceeding at
          law or in equity); assuming payment of the purchase price by the
          Underwriters, each Depositary Share represents the fractional interest
          set forth in the applicable Prospectus Supplement in a validly issued,
          fully paid and nonassessable share of Preferred Stock; and the
          Depositary Shares have been duly authorized by the Company and, when
          issued under the Deposit Agreement in accordance with the provisions
          of the Deposit Agreement, will be validly issued, and, assuming due
          execution and delivery of the depositary receipts relating to the
          Securities by the Depositary pursuant to the Deposit Agreement, such
          Depositary Receipts will entitle the holders thereof to the benefits
          provided therein and in the Deposit Agreement;

               (viii) in the case of an offering of Warrants, (A) the warrant
          agreement relating to the Securities (the "Warrant Agreement") has
          been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company, and,
          assuming due authorization, execution and delivery thereof by the
          warrant agent named therein (the "Warrant Agent"), constitutes a valid
          and binding instrument enforceable against the Company in accordance
          with its terms (except to the extent that (a) enforcement thereof may
          be limited by (1) bankruptcy, reorganization, insolvency, fraudulent
          transfer, moratorium or other laws now or hereafter in effect relating
          to creditors' rights generally and (2) general principles of equity,
          regardless of whether enforceability is considered in a proceeding at
          law or in equity); and (B) the Warrants have been duly authorized by
          the Company and, when executed and authenticated in accordance with
          the provisions of the Warrant Agreement, and delivered to and paid for
          by the Underwriters pursuant to this Agreement, or the purchasers
          thereof pursuant to Delayed Delivery Contracts, in the case of any
          Contract Securities, Deposit Agreement, will constitute valid and
          binding obligations of the Company entitled to the benefits of the
          Warrant Agreement;

<PAGE>

               (ix)  the information contained in the Final Prospectus under the
          heading "Risk Factors--Government Regulation" fairly summarizes the
          matters therein described and there is no pending or, to such
          counsel's knowledge, threatened suit or proceeding before any court,
          Governmental Authority or arbitrator involving the Company or any of
          its subsidiaries, of a character required to be disclosed in the
          Registration Statement which is not disclosed as required in the Final
          Prospectus, and there is no franchise, contract or other document of a
          character required to be described in the Registration Statement or
          Final Prospectus, or to be filed as an exhibit to the Registration
          Statement, which is not described or filed as required; and the
          statements included or incorporated in the Final Prospectus describing
          any legal proceedings or material contracts or agreements relating to
          the Company and its subsidiaries fairly summarize such matters;

               (x)  this Agreement and any Delayed Delivery Contracts have been
          duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company;

               (xi)  any Delayed Delivery Contracts are valid and binding
          agreements of the Company enforceable in accordance with their terms
          (except to the extent that (a) enforcement thereof may be limited by
          (1) bankruptcy, reorganization, insolvency, fraudulent transfer,
          moratorium or other laws now or hereafter in effect relating to
          creditors' rights generally; and (2) general principles of equity,
          regardless of whether such enforceability is considered in a
          proceeding at law or in equity); 

               (xii)  based on such counsel's review of Applicable Laws, no
          consent, approval, authorization or order of any court or Governmental
          Authority is required under Applicable Laws for the consummation of
          the transactions contemplated herein or in any Delayed Delivery
          Contracts, except such as have been obtained under the Act or, in the
          event an application is made to list the Securities on any exchange or
          automated quotation system, the Exchange Act, and such as may be
          required under the blue sky laws of any jurisdiction in connection
          with the purchase and distribution of the Securities by the
          Underwriters and such other approvals (specified in such opinion) as
          have been obtained;

               (xiii)  neither the execution and delivery of the Indenture, the
          issue and sale of the Securities, nor the consummation of any other of
          the transactions contemplated herein or therein nor the fulfillment of
          the terms hereof or thereof or of any Delayed Delivery Contracts will
          conflict with, result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a
          default, and, on the Closing Date, the Company and its subsidiaries
          will not be in default, under (A) Applicable Laws, (B) the Certificate
          of Incorporation or By-Laws of the Company; (C) the material terms of
          any material indenture or other material agreement or instrument known
          to 

<PAGE>

          such counsel and to which the Company or any of its subsidiaries is a
          party or bound or (D) any judgment, order or decree known to such
          counsel to be applicable to the Company or any of its subsidiaries of
          any court, arbitrator or Governmental Authority having jurisdiction
          over the Company or any of its subsidiaries, except for any default or
          defaults which individually or in the aggregate do not have a material
          adverse effect on the Company;

               (xiv)  the Company is not an "investment company" within the
          meaning of the Investment Company Act; 

               (xv)  (A) the Registration Statement and the Final Prospectus as
          amended or supplemented, and any further amendments and supplements
          thereto made by the Company prior to the Closing Date (other than the
          financial statements, including the notes thereto and related
          schedules, and other financial data and accounting information
          contained therein, as to which such counsel need express no opinion),
          appeared on their face to be appropriately responsive in all material
          respects with the requirements of the Act and the rules and
          regulations thereunder; and (B) the documents incorporated by
          reference in the Final Prospectus as amended or supplemented (other
          than the financial statements, including the notes thereto, and
          related schedules and other financial data and accounting information
          contained therein, as to which such counsel need express no opinion),
          when they became effective or were filed with the Commission, as the
          case may be, complied as to form in all material respects with the
          requirements of the Act or the Exchange Act, as applicable, and the
          rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder; and except in each
          case that neither counsel assumes any responsibility for the accuracy,
          completeness or fairness of the statements contained in such
          documents;

               (xvi) there are no contracts or instruments known to such counsel
          between the Company and any person granting such person the right to
          require the Company to include such securities in the securities
          registered pursuant to the Registration Statement; and no holders of
          securities of the Company have rights to the registration of such
          securities under the Registration Statement; and

               (xvii)  such other legal opinions with respect to the Securities
          as are set forth on Schedule I hereto.

     (2)  The Company also shall have furnished to the Representatives the
opinion of Dewey Ballantine LLP, counsel to the Company, dated the Closing Date,
to the same effect as that described in the preceding paragraph (b) (1) of this
section, except for subparagraphs (i) (B), (ii), (iii) (A), (iv) (E), (v)(B),
(vi) (B), (viii) (A), (ix), (xi), (xii), (xiii), (xiv), (xv) (B) and (xvi), and
to the effect that:

<PAGE>

               (i)  in the case of an offering of debt securities, the Indenture
          has been qualified under the Trust Indenture Act; and

               (ii)  to the extent that the descriptions contained in the Final
          Prospectus under the heading "Taxation", if any, constitute summaries
          of provisions of law, such descriptions fairly summarize in all
          material respects the provisions described therein.

          Each such counsel shall state that the Registration Statement has 
     become effective under the Act; any required filing of the Basic 
     Prospectus, any Preliminary Final Prospectus and the Final Prospectus, 
     and any supplements thereto, pursuant to Rule 424(b) or Rule 434 has been 
     made in the manner and within the time period required by Rule 424(b) or 
     Rule 434; to the best knowledge of such counsel, no stop order suspending 
     the effectiveness of the Registration Statement has been issued and no 
     proceedings for that purpose have been instituted or threatened.

          Each such counsel shall also state that they have no reason to 
     believe that at the Effective Date the Registration Statement contained 
     an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material 
     fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of 
     the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading or that the 
     Final Prospectus includes an untrue statement of a material fact or omits 
     to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements 
     therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, 
     not misleading.

          The term "Applicable Laws" shall mean the Delaware General 
     Corporation law and those laws, rules and regulations of the United 
     States of America and the State of New York, in each case, which are 
     currently in effect and typically applicable to transactions of the type 
     contemplated by this Agreement.  The term "Governmental Authority" shall 
     mean any executive, legislative, judicial, administrative or regulatory 
     body of the States of New York or Delaware or the United States of 
     America.

          In rendering such opinion, such counsel may rely (A) as to matters 
     involving the application of laws of any jurisdiction other than the 
     State of Delaware, the State of New York or the United States, to the 
     extent they deem proper and specified in such opinion, upon the opinion 
     of other counsel of good standing whom they believe to be reliable and 
     who are reasonably satisfactory to counsel for the Underwriters and (B) 
     as to matters of fact, to the extent they deem proper, on certificates of 
     responsible officers of the Company and public officials.  References to 
     the Final Prospectus in this paragraph (b) include any supplements 
     thereto at the Closing Date.  The opinion of each such counsel shall be 
     rendered to the Underwriters at the request of the Company and shall so 
     state therein.

<PAGE>

          (c)  The Representatives shall have received from Cravath, Swaine & 
     Moore, counsel for the Underwriters, such opinion or opinions, dated the 
     Closing Date, with respect to the issuance and sale of the Securities, 
     the Indenture, any Delayed Delivery Contracts, the Registration 
     Statement, the Final Prospectus (together with any supplement thereto) 
     and other related matters as the Representatives may reasonably require, 
     and the Company shall have furnished to such counsel such documents as 
     they request for the purpose of enabling them to pass upon such matters. 

          (d)  The Company shall have furnished to the Representatives a 
     certificate of the Company, signed by the Chairman of the Board or the 
     President and the principal financial or accounting officer of the 
     Company, dated the Closing Date, to the effect that the signers of such 
     certificate have carefully examined the Registration Statement, the Final 
     Prospectus, any supplement to the Final Prospectus and this Agreement and 
     that:

               (i) the representations and warranties of the Company in this
          Agreement are true and correct in all material respects on and as of
          the Closing Date with the same effect as if made on the Closing Date
          and the Company has complied in all material respects with all the
          agreements and satisfied in all material respects all the conditions
          on its part to be performed or satisfied at or prior to the Closing
          Date; 

               (ii) no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the
          Registration Statement has been issued and no proceedings for that
          purpose have been instituted or, to the Company's knowledge,
          threatened; and

               (iii) since the date of the most recent financial statements
          included in the Final Prospectus (exclusive of any supplement
          thereto), there has been no material adverse change in the condition
          (financial or other), earnings, business or properties of the Company
          and its subsidiaries whether or not arising from transactions in the
          ordinary course of business, except as set forth in or contemplated in
          the Final Prospectus (exclusive of any supplement thereto).

<PAGE>

          (e)  At the Closing Date, Deloitte & Touche, LLP shall have furnished
     to the Representatives a letter or letters (which may refer to letters
     previously delivered to one or more of the Representatives), dated as of
     the Closing Date, in form and substance satisfactory to the
     Representatives, confirming that they are independent accountants within
     the meaning of the Act and the Exchange Act and the respective applicable
     published rules and regulations thereunder and that they have performed the
     procedures specified by the American Institute of Certified Public
     Accountants for a review of interim financial information in accordance
     with, and as described in, Statement of Auditing Standards No. 71 for the
     latest unaudited financial statements in or incorporated in the
     Registration Statement or the Final Prospectus and stating to the effect
     set forth in Exhibit A to Schedule I hereto.

          References to the Final Prospectus in this paragraph (e) and Exhibit A
     to Schedule I include any supplement thereto at the date of the letter.

          In addition, except as provided in Schedule I hereto, at the Execution
     Time, Deloitte & Touche, LLP shall have furnished to the Representatives a
     letter or letters, dated as of the Execution Time, in form and substance
     satisfactory to the Representatives, to the effect set forth above.

          (f)  Subsequent to the Execution Time or, if earlier, the dates as of
     which information is given in the Registration Statement (exclusive of any
     amendment thereof) and the Final Prospectus (exclusive of any supplement
     thereto), there shall not have been (i) any change or decrease specified in
     the letter or letters referred to in paragraph (e) of this Section 5 or
     (ii) any change, or any development involving a prospective change, in or
     affecting the business or properties of the Company and its subsidiaries
     the effect of which, in any case referred to in clause (i) or (ii) above,
     is, in the reasonable judgment of the Representatives, so material and
     adverse as to make it impractical or inadvisable to proceed with the
     offering or delivery of the Securities as contemplated by the Registration
     Statement (exclusive of any amendment thereto) and the Final Prospectus
     (exclusive of any supplement thereto).

          (g)  On or after the Execution Time (i) no downgrading shall have
     occurred in the rating accorded the Company's debt securities or preferred
     stock by any "nationally recognized statistical rating organization", as
     that term is defined by the Commission for purposes of Rule 436(g)(2) under
     the Act, and (ii) no such organization shall have publicly announced that
     it has under surveillance or review, with possible negative implications,
     its rating of any of the Company's debt securities or preferred stock.

          (h) In connection with any offering of Common Stock, at the Execution
     Time, the Company shall have furnished to the Representatives a letter from
     each officer and director of the Company and certain major shareholders
     specified in Schedule I hereto, addressed to the Representatives, in which
     each such person agrees not to offer, sell or contract to sell, or
     otherwise dispose of, 

<PAGE>

     directly or indirectly, or announce an offering of, any shares of Equity
     Securities beneficially owned by such person or any securities convertible
     into, or exchangeable for, shares of such Securities for a period specified
     in Schedule I hereto following the Execution Time without the prior written
     consent of the Representatives.

          (i)  Prior to the Closing Date, the Company shall have furnished to
     the Representatives such further legal opinions, information, certificates
     and documents as the Representatives may reasonably request.

          (j)  The Company shall have accepted Delayed Delivery Contracts in any
     case where sales of Contract Securities arranged by the Underwriters have
     been approved by the Company.

          (k)  The Company also agrees to comply with such other conditions as
     may be set forth on Schedule I hereto.

          If any of the conditions specified in this Section 5 shall not have
been fulfilled in all material respects when and as provided in this Agreement,
or if any of the opinions and certificates mentioned above or elsewhere in this
Agreement shall not be in all material respects reasonably satisfactory in form
and substance to the Representatives and counsel for the Underwriters, this
Agreement and all obligations of the Underwriters hereunder may be canceled at,
or at any time prior to, the Closing Date by the Representatives.  Notice of
such cancelation shall be given to the Company in writing or by telephone or
telegraph confirmed in writing.

          The documents required to be delivered by this Section 5 shall be
delivered at the office of Cravath, Swaine & Moore, counsel for the
Underwriters, at Worldwide Plaza, 825 Eighth Avenue, New York, New York, on the
Closing Date.

          6.  Reimbursement of Underwriters' Expenses.  If the sale of the
Securities provided for herein is not consummated because any condition to the
obligations of the Underwriters set forth in Section 5 hereof is not satisfied,
because of any termination pursuant to Section 9 hereof or because of any
refusal, inability or failure on the part of the Company to perform any
agreement herein or comply with any provision hereof other than by reason of a
default by any of the Underwriters, the Company will reimburse the Underwriters
severally through Salomon Smith Barney upon demand for all out-of-pocket
expenses (including reasonable fees and disbursements of one Underwriter's
counsel) approved by the Representatives that shall have been incurred by them
in connection with the proposed purchase and sale of the Securities.

          7.  Indemnification and Contribution.  (a)  The Company agrees to
indemnify and hold harmless each Underwriter, the directors, officers, employees
and agents of each Underwriter and each person who controls any Underwriter
within the meaning of either the Act or the Exchange Act against any and all
losses, claims, damages or liabilities, joint or several, to which they or any
of them may become 

<PAGE>

subject under the Act, the Exchange Act or other Federal or state statutory law
or regulation, at common law or otherwise, insofar as such losses, claims,
damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) arise out of or are based
upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact
contained in the registration statement for the registration of the Securities
as originally filed or in any amendment thereof, or in the Basic Prospectus, any
Preliminary Final Prospectus or the Final Prospectus, or in any amendment
thereof or supplement thereto, or arise out of or are based upon the omission or
alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein
or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, and agrees to
reimburse each such indemnified party, as incurred, for any legal or other
expenses reasonably incurred by them in connection with investigating or
defending any such loss, claim, damage, liability or action; provided, however,
that (i) the Company will not be liable in any such case to the extent that any
such loss, claim, damage or liability arises out of or is based upon any such
untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission
made therein in reliance upon and in conformity with written information
furnished to the Company by or on behalf of any Underwriter through the
Representatives specifically for inclusion therein, and (ii) such indemnity with
respect to any untrue statement or omission of a material fact made in any
Preliminary Final Prospectus shall not inure to the benefit of any Underwriter
(or any of the directors, officers, employees and agents of such Underwriter or
any person controlling such Underwriter) from whom the person asserting any such
loss, claim, damage or liability purchased the Securities which are the subject
thereof if such person did not receive a copy of the Final Prospectus (or the
Final Prospectus as supplemented), excluding documents incorporated therein by
reference, at or prior to the confirmation of the sale of such Securities to
such person in any case where such delivery is required by the Act and the
untrue statement or omission of a material fact contained in such Preliminary
Final Prospectus was corrected in the Final Prospectus (or the Final Prospectus
as supplemented).  This indemnity agreement will be in addition to any liability
which the Company may otherwise have.

          (b)  Each Underwriter severally and not jointly agrees to indemnify
and hold harmless the Company, each of its directors, each of its officers who
signs the Registration Statement, and each person who controls the Company
within the meaning of either the Act or the Exchange Act, to the same extent as
the foregoing indemnity from the Company to each Underwriter, but only with
reference to written information relating to such Underwriter furnished to the
Company by or on behalf of such Underwriter through the Representatives
specifically for inclusion in the documents referred to in the foregoing
indemnity, and agrees to reimburse each such indemnified party, as incurred, for
any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by them in connection with
investigating or defending any such action or claim.  This indemnity agreement
will be in addition to any liability which any Underwriter may otherwise have. 
The Company acknowledges that the statements set forth in the last paragraph of
the cover page, under the heading "Underwriting" or "Plan of Distribution" and,
if Schedule I hereto provides for sales of Securities pursuant to delayed
delivery arrangements, in the last sentence under the heading "Delayed Delivery
Arrangements" in any Preliminary Final Prospectus or the Final Prospectus
constitute the only information furnished in writing by or on behalf of the
several Underwriters for 

<PAGE>

inclusion in the documents referred to in the foregoing indemnity, and you, as
the Representatives, confirm that such statements are correct.

          (c)  Promptly after receipt by an indemnified party under this Section
7 of notice of the commencement of any action, such indemnified party will, if a
claim in respect thereof is to be made against the indemnifying party under this
Section 7, notify the indemnifying party in writing of the commencement thereof;
but the failure so to notify the indemnifying party (i) will not relieve it from
liability under paragraph (a) or (b) above unless and to the extent it did not
otherwise learn of such action and such failure results in the forfeiture by the
indemnifying party of substantial rights and defenses and (ii) will not, in any
event, relieve the indemnifying party from any obligations to any indemnified
party other than the indemnification obligation provided in paragraph (a) or (b)
above.  The indemnifying party shall be entitled to appoint counsel of the
indemnifying party's choice at the indemnifying party's expense to represent the
indemnified party in any action for which indemnification is sought (in which
case the indemnifying party shall not thereafter be responsible for the fees and
expenses of any separate counsel retained by the indemnified party or parties
except as set forth below); provided, however, that such counsel shall be
satisfactory to the indemnified party.  Notwithstanding the indemnifying party's
election to appoint counsel to represent the indemnified party in an action, the
indemnified party shall have the right to employ separate counsel (including
local counsel), and the indemnifying party shall bear the reasonable fees, costs
and expenses of such separate counsel if (i) the use of counsel chosen by the
indemnifying party to represent the indemnified party would present such counsel
with a conflict of interest, (ii) the actual or potential defendants in, or
targets of, any such action include both the indemnified party and the
indemnifying party and the indemnified party shall have reasonably concluded
that there may be legal defenses available to it and/or other indemnified
parties which are different from or additional to those available to the
indemnifying party, (iii) the indemnifying party shall not have employed counsel
satisfactory to the indemnified party to represent the indemnified party within
a reasonable time after notice of the institution of such action or (iv) the
indemnifying party shall authorize the indemnified party to employ separate
counsel at the expense of the indemnifying party.  An indemnifying party will
not, without the prior written consent of the indemnified parties, settle or
compromise or consent to the entry of any judgment with respect to any pending
or threatened claim, action, suit or proceeding in respect of which
indemnification or contribution may be sought hereunder (whether or not the
indemnified parties are actual or potential parties to such claim or action)
unless such settlement, compromise or consent includes an unconditional release
of each indemnified party from all liability arising out of such claim, action,
suit or proceeding.  An indemnifying party shall not be liable under this
Section 7 to any indemnified party regarding any settlement or compromise or
consent to the entry of any judgment with respect to any pending or threatened
claim, action, suit or proceeding in respect of which indemnification or
contribution may be sought hereunder (whether or not the indemnified parties are
actual or potential parties to such claim or action) unless such settlement,
compromise or consent is consented to by such indemnifying party, which consent
shall not be unreasonably withheld.

<PAGE>

          (d)  In the event that the indemnity provided in paragraph (a) or (b)
of this Section 7 is unavailable to or insufficient to hold harmless an
indemnified party for any reason, the Company and the Underwriters agree to
contribute to the aggregate losses, claims, damages and liabilities (including
legal or other expenses reasonably incurred in connection with investigating or
defending same) (collectively "Losses") to which the Company and one or more of
the Underwriters may be subject in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect
the relative benefits received by the Company and by the Underwriters from the
offering of the Securities; provided, however, that in no such case shall any
Underwriter (except as may be provided in any agreement among underwriters
relating to the offering of the Securities) be responsible for any amount in
excess of the underwriting discount or commission applicable to the Securities
purchased by such Underwriter hereunder.  If the allocation provided by the
immediately preceding sentence is unavailable for any reason, the Company and
the Underwriters shall contribute in such proportion as is appropriate to
reflect not only such relative benefits but also the relative fault of the
Company and of the Underwriters in connection with the statements or omissions
which resulted in such Losses as well as any other relevant equitable
considerations.  Benefits received by the Company shall be deemed to be equal to
the total net proceeds from the offering (before deducting expenses), and
benefits received by the Underwriters shall be deemed to be equal to the total
underwriting discounts and commissions, in each case as set forth on the cover
page of the Final Prospectus.  Relative fault shall be determined by reference
to whether any alleged untrue statement or omission relates to information
provided by the Company or the Underwriters.  The Company and the Underwriters
agree that it would not be just and equitable if contribution were determined by
pro rata allocation or any other method of allocation which does not take
account of the equitable considerations referred to above.  Notwithstanding the
provisions of this paragraph (d), no person guilty of fraudulent
misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Act) shall be
entitled to contribution from any person who was not guilty of such fraudulent
misrepresentation.  For purposes of this Section 7, each person who controls an
Underwriter within the meaning of either the Act or the Exchange Act and each
director, officer, employee and agent of an Underwriter shall have the same
rights to contribution as such Underwriter, and each person who controls the
Company within the meaning of either the Act or the Exchange Act, each officer
of the Company who shall have signed the Registration Statement and each
director of the Company shall have the same rights to contribution as the
Company, subject in each case to the applicable terms and conditions of this
paragraph (d).

          8.  Default by an Underwriter.  If any one or more Underwriters shall
fail to purchase and pay for any of the Securities agreed to be purchased by
such Underwriter or Underwriters hereunder and such failure to purchase shall
constitute a default in the performance of its or their obligations under this
Agreement, the remaining Underwriters shall be obligated severally to take up
and pay for (in the respective proportions which the amount of Securities set
forth opposite their names in Schedule II hereto bears to the aggregate amount
or number of Securities set forth opposite the names of all the remaining
Underwriters) the Securities which the 

<PAGE>

defaulting Underwriter or Underwriters agreed but failed to purchase; provided,
however, that in the event that the aggregate amount or number of Securities
which the defaulting Underwriter or Underwriters agreed but failed to purchase
shall exceed 10% of the aggregate amount or number of Securities set forth in
Schedule II hereto, the remaining Underwriters shall have the right to purchase
all, but shall not be under any obligation to purchase any, of the Securities,
and if such nondefaulting Underwriters do not purchase all the Securities, this
Agreement will terminate without liability to any nondefaulting Underwriter or
the Company.  In the event of a default by any Underwriter as set forth in this
Section 8, the Closing Date shall be postponed for such period, not exceeding
seven days, as the Representatives shall determine in order that the required
changes in the Registration Statement and the Final Prospectus or in any other
documents or arrangements may be effected.  Nothing contained in this Agreement
shall relieve any defaulting Underwriter of its liability, if any, to the
Company and any nondefaulting Underwriter for damages occasioned by its default
hereunder.

          9.  Termination.  This Agreement shall be subject to termination in
the absolute discretion of the Representatives, by notice given to the Company
prior to delivery of and payment for the Securities, if prior to such time (i)
trading in the Company's securities shall have been suspended by the Commission
or the New York Stock Exchange or trading in securities generally on the New
York Stock Exchange shall have been suspended or limited or minimum prices shall
have been established on such Exchange, (ii) a banking moratorium shall have
been declared either by Federal or New York State authorities or (iii) there
shall have occurred any outbreak or escalation of hostilities, declaration by
the United States of a national emergency or war or other calamity or crisis the
effect of which on financial markets is such as to make it, in the reasonable
judgment of the Representatives, impracticable or inadvisable to proceed with
the offering or delivery of the Securities as contemplated by the Final
Prospectus (exclusive of any supplement thereto).

          10.  Representations and Indemnities to Survive.   The respective
agreements, representations, warranties, indemnities and other statements of the
Company or its officers and of the Underwriters set forth in or made pursuant to
this Agreement will remain in full force and effect, regardless of any
investigation made by or on behalf of any Underwriter or the Company or any of
the officers, directors or controlling persons referred to in Section 7 hereof,
and will survive delivery of and payment for the Securities.  The provisions of
Sections 6 and 7 hereof shall survive the termination or cancellation of this
Agreement.

          11.  Notices.  All communications hereunder will be in writing and
effective only on receipt, and, if sent to the Representatives, will be mailed,
delivered or telegraphed and confirmed to them, at the address specified in
Schedule I hereto; or, if sent to the Company, will be mailed, delivered or
telegraphed and confirmed to it at 150 Glover Avenue, Norwalk, CT 06856,
attention of Thomas R. Bremer, Senior Vice President and General Counsel.

          12.  Successors.  This Agreement will inure to the benefit of and be
binding upon the parties hereto and their respective successors and the officers
and directors and controlling persons referred to in Section 7 hereof, and no
other person will have any right or obligation hereunder.

<PAGE>

          13.  Applicable Law.  This Agreement will be governed by and construed
in accordance with the laws of the State of New York without reference to
principles of conflicts of laws.

<PAGE> 
          If the foregoing is in accordance with your understanding of our
agreement, please sign and return to us the enclosed duplicate hereof, whereupon
this letter and your acceptance shall represent a binding agreement among the
Company and the several Underwriters.


                                        Very truly yours,

                                        United States Surgical Corporation,

                                        By:
                                        ---------------------------------------
                                            Name:                               
                                            Title:



The foregoing Agreement is 
hereby confirmed and accepted 
as of the date specified in 
Schedule I hereto.

By:  Salomon Brothers Inc,

By:  ------------------------------------
     Name:
     Title:


For themselves and the other
several Underwriters, if any,
named in Schedule II to the
foregoing Agreement.

<PAGE>

                                      SCHEDULE I


                                   Debt Securities



Underwriting Agreement dated March [  ], 1998

Registration Statement No. 33-[     ] as amended by Amendment No. 1 thereto

Representatives:    Salomon Brothers Inc
                    388 Greenwich Street
                    New York, New York 10013
                    Fax Number (212) 816-7912

                    J.P. Morgan Securities Inc.
                    60 Wall Street
                    New York, New York 10260
                    Fax Number (212) 648-5939

                    Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated
                    World Financial Center
                    North Tower
                    New York, New York 10281
                    Fax Number (212) [        ]

Description:   Debt Securities
               Delayed Offering 

Amount of Securities:   $

Price to public--total:  $

Underwriting Discount--total:  $[       ]

Proceeds to Company--total:  $[           ]

Other provisions of or Amendments to Underwriting Agreement:

     None.

Method of Payment of Underwriters' Securities:

     Wire transfer in immediately available funds.

Section 4(h) provisions, if any:

     None.


<PAGE>

Section 5(h) provisions, if any:

          Until the first business day following the Closing Date, the Company
     will not, without the consent of Salomon Smith Barney, offer, sell or
     contract to sell, or otherwise dispose of, directly or indirectly, or
     announce the offering of, any debt securities issued or guaranteed by the
     Company or any securities convertible into or exchangeable for, such
     securities (other than the Securities) subject to certain exceptions as set
     forth in the letter from the Company to the Underwriters in the form
     attached hereto as Exhibit B.  

Modification of items to be covered by the letter from Deloitte & Touche, LLP
delivered pursuant to Section 5(e) at the Execution Time:

     None.

Supplemental matters to be covered by the opinion of Dewey Ballantine LLP and/or
Thomas R. Bremer to be delivered pursuant to Section 5(b):

     None.

Closing Date and Time:

     March [  ], 1998
     [10:00 a.m.]


                                    I-2

<PAGE>


                               EXHIBIT A TO SCHEDULE I


          In the letter or letters furnished to the Representatives pursuant to
Section 5(e), Deloitte & Touche, LLP shall, subject to such limitations and
qualifications as are required by applicable accounting rules and standards
including, without limitation, the Statement on Auditing Standards Number 72,
state in effect that:

          (i) in their opinion the audited financial statements and financial
     statement schedules and any audited pro forma financial statements of the
     Company and its subsidiaries included or incorporated in the Registration
     Statement and the Final Prospectus and reported on by them comply in form
     in all material respects with the applicable accounting requirements of the
     Act and the Exchange Act and the related published rules and  regulations;

          (ii) on the basis of a reading of the latest unaudited financial
     statements made available by the Company and its subsidiaries; their
     limited review to the extent and in accordance with standards established
     by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants under Statement
     of Auditing Standards No. 71, of any unaudited interim financial
     information of the Company and its subsidiaries as included in the
     Registration Statement and Final Prospectus (including those incorporated
     therein by reference) carrying out certain specified procedures (but not an
     examination in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards) which
     would not necessarily reveal matters of significance with respect to the
     comments set forth in such letter; a reading of the minutes of the meetings
     of the stockholders, directors and the executive, finance, audit, pension
     and compensation committees of the Company and the Subsidiaries; and
     inquiries of certain officials of the Company who have responsibility for
     financial and accounting matters of the Company and its subsidiaries as to
     transactions and events subsequent to the date of the most recent audited
     financial statements in or incorporated in the Final Prospectus, nothing
     came to their attention which caused them to believe that:

               (1) any unaudited financial statements included or incorporated
          in the Registration Statement and the Final Prospectus do not comply
          in form in all material respects with applicable accounting
          requirements and with the published rules and regulations of the
          Commission with respect to financial statements included or
          incorporated in quarterly reports on Form 10-Q under the Exchange Act;
          or that said unaudited financial statements are not in conformity with
          generally accepted accounting principles applied on a basis
          substantially consistent with that of the audited financial statements
          included or incorporated in the Registration Statement and the Final
          Prospectus;

               (2) with respect to the period subsequent to the date of the most
          recent financial statements (other than any capsule information),
          audited or unaudited, in or incorporated in the Registration Statement
          and the Final Prospectus, there were any changes, at a specified date
          not more 
<PAGE>

          than five business days prior to the date of the letter, in the
          long-term debt of the Company and its subsidiaries or capital stock of
          the Company, or decreases in the stockholders' equity of the Company
          or other balance sheet items the Representatives may reasonably
          request as compared with the amounts shown on the most recent
          financial statements included or incorporated in the Registration
          Statement and the Final Prospectus, or for the period from the date of
          the most recent financial statements included or incorporated in the
          Registration Statement and the Final Prospectus to such specified date
          there were any decreases, as compared with the corresponding period in
          the preceding year or the preceding quarter in net revenues, net
          sales, gross margin, income from operations, income before income
          taxes and effect of accounting changes or in total or per share
          amounts of net income applicable to common stockholders of the Company
          and its subsidiaries or any other income statement items as the
          Representatives may reasonably request, except in all instances for
          changes or decreases set forth in such letter, in which case the
          letter shall be accompanied by an explanation by the Company as to the
          significance thereof unless said explanation is not deemed necessary
          by the Representatives;

               (3) the information included in the Registration Statement and
          Final Prospectus in response to Regulation S-K, Item 301 (Selected
          Financial Data), Item 302 (Supplementary Financial Information),
          Item 402 (Executive Compensation) and Item 503(d) (Ratio of Earnings
          to Fixed Charges) is not in conformity with the applicable disclosure
          requirements of Regulation S-K; or

               (4) the amounts included in any unaudited "capsule" information
          included or incorporated in the Registration Statement and the Final
          Prospectus do not agree with the amounts set forth in the unaudited
          financial statements for the same periods or were not determined on a
          basis substantially consistent with that of the corresponding amounts
          in the audited financial statements included or incorporated in the
          Registration Statement and the Final Prospectus;

          (iii) they have performed certain other specified procedures as a
     result of which they determined that certain information of an accounting,
     financial or statistical nature (which is limited to accounting, financial
     or statistical information derived from the general accounting records of
     the Company and its subsidiaries) set forth in the Registration Statement
     and the Final Prospectus and in Exhibit 12 to the Registration Statement,
     including the information included or incorporated in Items 1, 2, 6, 7, 8A
     and 11 of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K, incorporated in the
     Registration Statement and the Prospectus, and the information included in
     the "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
     Results of Operations" included or incorporated in the Company's Quarterly
     Reports on Form 10-Q, incorporated in the Registration Statement and the
     Final Prospectus, agrees with the accounting records of the Company and its
     subsidiaries, excluding any questions of legal interpretation; and

<PAGE>


          (iv) if unaudited pro forma financial statements are included or
     incorporated in the Registration Statement or the Final Prospectus, on the
     basis of a reading of the unaudited pro forma financial statements,
     carrying out certain specified procedures, inquiries of certain officials
     of the Company and the acquired company who have responsibility for
     financial and accounting matters, and proving the arithmetic accuracy of
     the application of the pro forma adjustments to the historical amounts in
     the pro forma financial statements, nothing came to their attention which
     caused them to believe that the pro forma financial statements do not
     comply in form in all material respects with the applicable accounting
     requirements of Rule 11-02 of Regulation S-X or that the pro forma
     adjustments have not been properly applied to the historical amounts in the
     compilation of such statements.

<PAGE>



                               EXHIBIT B TO SCHEDULE I

                          United States Surgical Corporation
                          Public Offering of Debt Securities


                                                                March [  ], 1998

Salomon Smith Barney
J.P. Morgan Securities Inc.
Merrill Lynch
As Representatives of the several Underwriters
c/o Salomon Smith Barney
388 Greenwich Street
New York, New York 10013

Dear Sirs:

          This letter is being delivered to you in connection with the proposed
Underwriting Agreement (the "Underwriting Agreement"), between United States
Surgical Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), and you relating
to an underwritten public offering of Debt Securities (the "Securities"), of the
Company.

          In order to induce you to enter into the Underwriting Agreement, the
Company agrees not to offer, sell or contract to sell, or otherwise dispose of,
directly or indirectly, or announce an offering of, any debt securities issued
or guaranteed by the Company until the first business day following the day on
which delivery of and payment for the Securities is made without your prior
written consent, except that the Company may issue (i) the Securities to be
offered pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement, (ii) securities as consideration
in connection with an acquisition (provided that any recipient of such
securities agrees for your benefit not to offer, sell or contract to sell or
otherwise dispose of such shares except on the same terms described herein) and
(iii) securities pursuant to existing employee or outside director plans.

          If for any reason the Underwriting Agreement shall be terminated prior
to the Closing Date (as defined in the Underwriting Agreement), the agreement
set forth above shall likewise be terminated.

                                   Yours very truly,

                                   UNITED STATES SURGICAL CORPORATION,

                                   By:
                                      ______________________
                                      Name:
                                      Title:
                                      Address:




<PAGE>


                                     SCHEDULE II




Underwriter                                                Principal Amount  

Salomon Brothers Inc 

Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated 

J.P. Morgan Securities Inc. 

BancAmerica Robertson Stephens 

BNY Capital Markets, Inc. 

Chase Securities Inc.

NationsBanc Montgomery Securities LLC





<PAGE>

                                                                   Exhibit 4(a)

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                         UNITED STATES SURGICAL CORPORATION

                                         TO

                               THE BANK OF NEW YORK,
                                      Trustee


                                     INDENTURE


                             Dated as of ________________


                               Senior Debt Securities

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------

<PAGE>

                                  TABLE OF CONTENTS (1)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                           Page
                                                                           ----
<S>                                                                        <C>
Recitals of the Company. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  1

         ARTICLE I Definitions And Other Provisions Of General Application

SECTION 1.1.  Definitions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  1
         "Act" . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  1
         "Affiliate" . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  2
         "Authenticating Agent"  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  2
         "Authorized Newspaper"  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  2
         "Bearer Security" . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  2
         "Board of Directors"  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  2
         "Board Resolution"  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  2
         "Book-Entry Security" . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  2
         "Business Day"  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  3
         "CEDEL S.A."  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  3
         "Commission"  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  3
         "Common Stock"  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  3
         "Company" . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  3
         "Company Request" . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  3
         "Consolidated Net Tangible Assets"  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  3
         "Corporate Trust Office . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  3
         "Corporation" . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  4
         "Coupon"  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  4
         "Defaulted Interest"  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  4
         "Depositary"  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  4
         "Dollar" or "$" . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  4
         "Euro-clear"  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  4
         "Event of Default"  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  4
         "Exchange Date" . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  4
         "Funded Debt" . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  4
         "Hedging Obligation"  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  5
         "Holder"  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  5
         "Indenture" . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  5
         "Interest"  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  5
         "Interest Payment Date" . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  5
         "Lien"  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  5
         "Maturity"  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  5
         "Officers' Certificate" . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  6
         "Opinion of Counsel"  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  6
         "Original Issue Discount Security"  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  6

</TABLE>

- -------------------    
    (1) NOTE: This table of contents shall not, for any purpose, be deemed to 
be a part of the Indenture.

                                          i

<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                           Page
                                                                           ----
<S>                                                                        <C>

         "Outstanding" . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  6
         "Paying Agent"  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  7
         "Person"  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  7
         "Place of Payment"  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  7
         "Predecessor Security"  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  7
         "Redemption Date" . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  7
         "Redemption Price"  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  8
         "Registered Security" . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  8
         "Regular Record Date" . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  8
         "Responsible Officer" . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  8
         "Restricted Property" . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  8
         "Sale and Leaseback Transaction"  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  8
         "Securities"  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  9
         "Security Register" and "Security Registrar"  . . . . . . . . . . .  9
         "Special Record Date" . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  9
         "Stated Maturity" . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  9
         "Subsidiary"  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  9
         "Trustee" . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  9
         "Trust Indenture Act" . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
         "United States" . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
         "United States Alien" . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
         "U.S. Government Obligations" . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
         "Value" . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
SECTION 1.2.  Compliance Certificates and Opinions . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
SECTION 1.3.  Form of Documents Delivered to Trustee . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
SECTION 1.4.  Acts of Holders. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
SECTION 1.5.  Notices, etc., to Trustee and Company. . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
SECTION 1.6.  Notice to Holders of Securities; Waiver. . . . . . . . . . . . 15
SECTION 1.7.  Language of Notices, etc . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
SECTION 1.8.  Conflict with Trust Indenture Act. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
SECTION 1.9.  Effect of Headings and Table of Contents . . . . . . . . . . . 16
SECTION 1.10. Successors and Assigns . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
SECTION 1.11. Separability Clause. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
SECTION 1.12. Benefits of Indenture . . . . . . .  . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
SECTION 1.13. Governing Law. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
SECTION 1.14. Legal Holidays . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
SECTION 1.15. Judgment Currency. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17


                             ARTICLE II Security Forms

SECTION 2.1.  Forms Generally. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
SECTION 2.2.  Form of Trustee's Certificate of Authentication. . . . . . . . 18
SECTION 2.3.  Securities in Global Form. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
SECTION 2.4.  Form of Legend for Book-Entry Securities . . . . . . . . . . . 20
SECTION 2.5.  Form of Conversion Notice. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

</TABLE>

                                          ii

<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                           Page
                                                                           ----
<S>                                                                        <C>

                             ARTICLE III The Securities
SECTION 3.1.  Amount Unlimited; Issuable in Series . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
SECTION 3.2.  Denominations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
SECTION 3.3.  Execution, Authentication, Delivery and Dating . . . . . . . . 23
SECTION 3.4.  Temporary Securities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
SECTION 3.5.  Registration, Registration of Transfer and Exchange. . . . . . 28
SECTION 3.6.  Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost and Stolen Securities and Coupons . 31
SECTION 3.7.  Payment of Interest; Interest Rights Preserved . . . . . . . . 32
SECTION 3.8.  Persons Deemed Owners. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
SECTION 3.9.  Cancellation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
SECTION 3.10. Computation of Interest. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
SECTION 3.11. Electronic Security Issuance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34


                       ARTICLE IV Satisfaction and Discharge

SECTION 4.1.  Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture. . . . . . . . . . . . 35
SECTION 4.2.  Application of Trust Money . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
SECTION 4.3.  Company's Option to Effect Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance . 36
SECTION 4.4.  Discharge and Defeasance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
SECTION 4.5.  Covenant Defeasance. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
SECTION 4.6.  Conditions to Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance. . . . . . . . 37


                                 ARTICLE V Remedies

SECTION 5.1.  Events of Default. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
SECTION 5.2.  Acceleration of Maturity; Rescission and Annulment . . . . . . 41
SECTION 5.3.  Collection of Indebtedness and Suits for Enforcement by
                Trustee. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
SECTION 5.4.  Trustee May File Proofs of Claim . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
SECTION 5.5.  Trustee May Enforce Claims Without Possession of 
                Securities or Coupons. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
SECTION 5.6.  Application of Money Collected . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
SECTION 5.7.  Limitation on Suits. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
SECTION 5.8.  Unconditional Right of Holders to Receive Principal, 
                Premium and Interest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
SECTION 5.9.  Restoration of Rights and Remedies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
SECTION 5.10. Rights and Remedies Cumulative . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
SECTION 5.11. Delay or Omission Not Waiver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
SECTION 5.12. Control by Holders of Securities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
SECTION 5.13. Waiver of Past Defaults. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
SECTION 5.14. Undertaking for Costs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
SECTION 5.15. Waiver of Stay or Extension Laws . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47


                               ARTICLE VI The Trustee

SECTION 6.1.  Certain Rights of Trustee. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48

</TABLE>

                                         iii

<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                           Page
                                                                           ----
<S>                                                                        <C>

SECTION 6.2.  Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of Securities . . . . 49
SECTION 6.3.  May Hold Securities. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
SECTION 6.4.  Money Held in Trust. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
SECTION 6.5.  Compensation and Reimbursement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
SECTION 6.6.  Resignation and Removal; Appointment of Successor. . . . . . . 50
SECTION 6.7.  Acceptance of Appointment by Successor . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
SECTION 6.8.  Disqualification; Conflicting Interests. . . . . . . . . . . . 52
SECTION 6.9.  Corporate Trustee Required; Eligibility. . . . . . . . . . . . 53
SECTION 6.10. Preferential Collection of Claims Against Company. . . . . . . 53
SECTION 6.11. Merger, Conversion Consolidation or Succession to Business . . 53
SECTION 6.12. Appointment of Authenticating Agent. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
SECTION 6.13. Notice of Defaults . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55

           ARTICLE VII Holders' Lists and Reports by Trustee and Company

SECTION 7.1.  Preservation of Information; Communications to Holders . . . . 55
SECTION 7.2.  Reports by Trustee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
SECTION 7.3.  Reports by Company . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57

ARTICLE VIII Consolidation, Merger, Sale, Lease, Transfer or Other Disposition

SECTION 8.1.  Company May Consolidate, etc. Only on Certain Terms. . . . . . 57
SECTION 8.2.  Successor Substituted. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58


                         ARTICLE IX Supplemental Indentures

SECTION 9.1.  Supplemental Indentures Without Consent of Holders . . . . . . 59
SECTION 9.2.  Supplemental Indentures with Consent of Holders. . . . . . . . 60
SECTION 9.3.  Execution of Supplemental Indentures . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61
SECTION 9.4.  Effect of Supplemental Indentures. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62
SECTION 9.5.  Conformity with Trust Indenture Act. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62
SECTION 9.6.  Reference in Securities to Supplemental Indentures . . . . . . 62


                                ARTICLE X Covenants

SECTION 10.1. Payment of Principal, Premium and Interest . . . . . . . . . . 62
SECTION 10.2. Maintenance of Office or Agency. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63
SECTION 10.3. Money for Securities Payments to Be Held in Trust. . . . . . . 64
SECTION 10.4. Additional Amounts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65
SECTION 10.5. Existence. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66
SECTION 10.6. Purchase of Securities by Company or Subsidiary. . . . . . . . 67
SECTION 10.7. Limitation on Liens. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67
SECTION 10.8. Limitation on Sale and Leaseback Transactions. . . . . . . . . 68
SECTION 10.9. Statement by Officers as to Default. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69


                        ARTICLE XI Redemption of Securities

SECTION 11.1. Applicability of Article . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69
</TABLE>

                                          iv
<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                           Page
                                                                           ----
<S>                                                                        <C>


SECTION 11.2.  Election to Redeem; Notice to Trustee . . . . . . . . . . . . 69
SECTION 11.3.  Selection by Trustee of Securities to Be Redeemed . . . . . . 69
SECTION 11.4.  Notice of Redemption  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70
SECTION 11.5.  Deposit of Redemption Price . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71
SECTION 11.6.  Securities Payable on Redemption Date . . . . . . . . . . . . 71
SECTION 11.7.  Securities Redeemed in Part . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72


                             ARTICLE XII Sinking Funds

SECTION 12.1.  Applicability of Article  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72
SECTION 12.2.  Satisfaction of Sinking Fund Payments with Securities . . . . 73
SECTION 12.3.  Redemption of Securities for Sinking Fund . . . . . . . . . . 73


                   ARTICLE XIII Meetings of Holders of Securities

SECTION 13.1.  Purposes for Which Meetings May Be Called . . . . . . . . . . 74
SECTION 13.2.  Call, Notice and Place of Meetings  . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74
SECTION 13.3.  Persons Entitled to Vote at Meetings  . . . . . . . . . . . . 74
SECTION 13.4.  Quorum; Action  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75
SECTION 13.5.  Determination of Voting Rights; Conduct and Adjournment of 
               Meetings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76
SECTION 13.6.  Counting Votes and Recording Action of Meetings . . . . . . . 77


                        ARTICLE XIV Conversion of Securities

SECTION 14.1.  Applicability of Article  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77
SECTION 14.2.  Exercise of Conversion Privilege  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78
SECTION 14.3.  No Fractional Shares  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79
SECTION 14.4.  Adjustment of Conversion Price  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79
SECTION 14.5.  Notice of Certain Corporate Actions . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80
SECTION 14.6.  Reservation of Shares of Common Stock . . . . . . . . . . . . 81
SECTION 14.7.  Payment of Certain Taxes upon Conversion  . . . . . . . . . . 81
SECTION 14.8.  Nonassessability  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81
SECTION 14.9.  Effect of Consolidation or Merger on Conversion Privilege . . 81
SECTION 14.10. Duties of Trustee Regarding Conversion  . . . . . . . . . . . 82
SECTION 14.11. Repayment of Certain Funds upon Conversion  . . . . . . . . . 83
</TABLE>

                                        v





<PAGE>
                         CROSS-REFERENCE TABLE*

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 
  Trust Indenture
    Act Section                                   Indenture Section


  <S>                                             <C>
    Section  310(a)(1). . . . . . . . . . . . .         6.9
                (a)(2). . . . . . . . . . . . .         6.9
                (a)(3). . . . . . . . . . . . .   Not Applicable
                (a)(4). . . . . . . . . . . . .   Not Applicable
                (b) . . . . . . . . . . . . . .         6.8
                                                        6.6
    Section  311(a) . . . . . . . . . . . . . .         6.10
                (b) . . . . . . . . . . . . . .         6.10
    Section  312(a) . . . . . . . . . . . . . .         7.1
                (b) . . . . . . . . . . . . . .         7.1
                (c) . . . . . . . . . . . . . .         7.1
    Section  313(a) . . . . . . . . . . . . . .         7.2
                (b) . . . . . . . . . . . . . .         7.2
                (c) . . . . . . . . . . . . . .         7.2
                (d) . . . . . . . . . . . . . .         7.2
    Section  314(a) . . . . . . . . . . . . . .         7.3
                (a)(4). . . . . . . . . . . . .         1.1
                                                        10.9
                (b) . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   Not Applicable
                (c)(1). . . . . . . . . . . . .         1.2
                (c)(2). . . . . . . . . . . . .         1.2
                (c)(3). . . . . . . . . . . . .   Not Applicable
                (d) . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   Not Applicable
                (e) . . . . . . . . . . . . . .         1.2
    Section  315(a) . . . . . . . . . . . . . .         6.1
                (b) . . . . . . . . . . . . . .         6.13
                (c) . . . . . . . . . . . . . .         6.1
                (d) . . . . . . . . . . . . . .         6.1
                (e) . . . . . . . . . . . . . .         5.14
    Section  316(a) . . . . . . . . . . . . . .         1.1
                (a)(1)(A) . . . . . . . . . . .         5.2
                                                        5.12
                (a)(1)(B) . . . . . . . . . . .         5.13
                (a)(2). . . . . . . . . . . . .   Not Applicable
                (b) . . . . . . . . . . . . . .         5.8
                (c) . . . . . . . . . . . . . .         1.4
    Section  317(a)(1). . . . . . . . . . . . .         5.3
                (a)(2). . . . . . . . . . . . .         5.4
                (b) . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        10.3
    Section  318(a) . . . . . . . . . . . . . .         1.8
</TABLE>
- --------------------
*  Note:  This Cross-Reference Table is not part of the Indenture.

                                         vi
<PAGE>


            INDENTURE, dated as of ______________,  between UNITED STATES 
SURGICAL CORPORATION, a corporation duly organized and existing under the 
laws of the State of Delaware (herein called the "Company"), having its 
principal office at 150 Glover Avenue, Norwalk, Connecticut 06856, and The 
Bank of New York, as Trustee (herein called the "Trustee") .

                                Recitals of the Company

            The Company has duly authorized the execution and delivery of this
Indenture to provide for the issuance from time to time of its unsecured and
unsubordinated debentures, notes or other evidences of indebtedness (herein
called the "Securities"), to be issued in one or more series as in this
Indenture provided.

            All things necessary to make this Indenture a valid agreement of 
the Company, in accordance with its terms, have been done.

            Now, Therefore, This Indenture Witnesseth:

            For and in consideration of the premises and the purchase of the 
Securities by the Holders thereof, it is mutually agreed, for the equal and 
proportionate benefit of all Holders of the Securities or of a series 
thereof, as follows:

                                     ARTICLE I

                Definitions And Other Provisions Of General Application

SECTION 1.1.    Definitions.

               For all purposes of this Indenture, except as otherwise 
expressly provided or unless the context otherwise requires:

               (1)  the terms defined in this Article have the meanings 
assigned to them in this Article and include the plural as well as the 
singular;

               (2)  all other terms used herein which are defined in the 
Trust Indenture Act, either directly or by reference therein, have the 
meanings assigned to them therein; and

               (3)  all accounting terms not otherwise defined herein have 
the meanings assigned to them in accordance with generally accepted 
accounting principles in the United States of America, and, except as 
otherwise herein expressly provided, the term "generally accepted accounting 
principles" with respect to any computation required or permitted hereunder 
shall mean such accounting principles as are generally accepted in the United 
States of America at the date of such computation.

                    "Act", when used with respect to any Holder of a 
Security, has the meaning specified in Section 1.4.

<PAGE>

                    "Affiliate" of any specified Person means any other 
Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or 
indirect common control with such specified Person. For the purposes of this 
definition, "control", when used with respect to any specified Person, means 
the power to direct the management and policies of such Person, directly or 
indirectly, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract 
or otherwise; and the terms "controlling" and "controlled" have meanings 
correlative to the foregoing.

                    "Authenticating Agent" means any Person authorized by the 
Trustee pursuant to Section 6.12 to act on behalf of the Trustee to 
authenticate Securities of one or more series.

                    "Authorized Newspaper" means a newspaper, in the English 
language or in an official language of the country of publication, 
customarily published on each Business Day, whether or not published on 
Saturdays, Sundays or holidays, and of general circulation in the place, in 
connection with which the term is used, or in the financial community of such 
place. Where successive publications are required to be made in Authorized 
Newspapers, the successive publications may be made in the same or in 
different newspapers in the same city meeting the foregoing requirements and 
in each case on any Business Day.

                    "Bearer Security" means any Security in the form 
established pursuant to Section 2.1 which is payable to bearer.

                    "Board of Directors" means either the board of directors 
of the Company or any duly authorized committee of that board.

                    "Board Resolution" means a copy of a resolution certified 
by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company to have been duly 
adopted by the Board of Directors and to be in full force and effect on the 
date of such certification, and delivered to the Trustee.

                    "Book-Entry Security" means a Security bearing the legend 
specified in Section 2.4, evidencing all or part of a series of Securities, 
issued to the Depositary for such series or its nominee, and registered in 
the name of such Depositary or nominee. Book-Entry Securities shall not be 
deemed to be securities in global form for purposes of Sections 2.1 and 2.3 
and Article III of the Indenture.

                    "Business Day", when used with respect to any Place of 
Payment or any other particular location referred to in this Indenture or in 
the Securities, means each Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday 
which is not a day on which banking institutions in that Place of Payment or 
other location are authorized or obligated by law or executive order to close.

                    "CEDEL S.A." means CEDEL BANK, SOCIETE ANONYME.

                    "Commission" means the United States Securities and 
Exchange Commission.

                                          2
<PAGE>


                    "Common Stock" includes any stock of any class of the 
Company which has no preference in respect of dividends or of amounts payable 
in the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or 
winding up of the Company and which is not subject to redemption by the 
Company.

                    "Company" means the Person named as the "Company" in the 
first paragraph of this instrument until a successor Person shall have become 
such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter 
"Company" shall mean such successor Person.

                    "Company Request" or "Company Order" means a written 
request or order signed in the name of the Company by its Chairman of the 
Board, its President, its Chief Financial Officer, or its Treasurer, and 
delivered to the Trustee.

                    "Consolidated Net Tangible Assets" means the total amount 
of assets (less applicable reserves and other properly deductible items) 
after deducting (1) all current liabilities (excluding the amount of those 
which are by their terms extendable or renewable at the option of the obligor 
to a date more than 12 months after the date as of which the amount is being 
determined) and (2) all intangible assets other than patents, patent 
applications pending and licenses, all as set forth on or included in the 
most recent balance sheet of the Company and its consolidated Subsidiaries 
and determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.

                    "Corporate Trust Office" means the principal office of 
the Trustee in New York, New York at which at any particular time its 
corporate trust business shall be administered.

                    "Corporation" means a corporation, association, company, 
joint-stock company or business trust.

                    "Coupon" means any interest coupon appertaining to a 
Bearer Security.

                    "Defaulted Interest" has the meaning specified in Section 
3.7.

                    "Depositary" means, with respect to the Securities of any 
series issuable or issued in whole or in part in the form of one or more 
Book-Entry Securities, the clearing agency registered under the Securities 
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended specified for that purpose as contemplated 
by Section 3.1.

                    "Dollar" or "$" means a dollar or other equivalent unit 
in such coin or currency of the United States of America as at the time shall 
be legal tender for the payment of public and private debts.

                    "Euro-clear" means the operator of the Euro-clear System.

                    "Event of Default" has the meaning specified in Section 
5.1.

                    "Exchange Date" has the meaning specified in Section 3.4.

                                          3
<PAGE>


                    "Funded Debt" means indebtedness of the Company or a 
Subsidiary owning Restricted Property maturing by its terms more than one 
year after its creation and indebtedness classified as long-term debt under 
generally accepted accounting principles and in each case ranking at least 
pari passu with the outstanding Securities of all series.  The foregoing 
notwithstanding, "Funded Debt" shall also include indebtedness incurred 
pursuant to that certain Credit Agreement dated as of January 30, 1998 among 
the Company, the lenders party thereto, Bank of America National Trust and 
Savings Association, as Syndication Agent, the Bank of New York, as 
Administrative Agent, and Morgan Guaranty Trust Company of New York, as 
Documentation Agent.

                    "Hedging Obligation" of any Person means an obligation of 
such Person pursuant to any rate swap transaction, basis swap, forward rate 
transaction, commodity swap, commodity option, equity or equity index swap, 
equity or equity index option, bond option, interest rate option, foreign 
exchange transaction, cap transaction, floor transaction, collar transaction, 
currency swap transaction, cross-currency rate swap transaction, currency 
option or any other similar transaction (including any option with respect to 
any of the foregoing transactions) or any combination of the foregoing 
transactions.

                    "Holder", when used with respect to any Security, means 
in the case of a Registered Security, the Person in whose name the Security 
is registered in the Security Register and in the case of a Bearer Security 
the bearer thereof and, when used with respect to any coupon, means the 
bearer thereof.

                    "Indenture" means this instrument as originally executed 
or as it may from time to time be supplemented or amended by one or more 
indentures supplemental hereto entered into pursuant to the applicable 
provisions hereof and shall include the terms of particular series of 
Securities established as contemplated by Section 3.1.

                    "Interest", when used with respect to an Original Issue 
Discount Security which by its terms bears interest only after Maturity, 
means interest payable after Maturity.

                    "Interest Payment Date", when used with respect to any 
Security, means the Stated Maturity of an installment of interest on such 
Security.

                    "Lien" means any mortgage, pledge, lien, encumbrance, 
charge or security interest.

                    "Maturity", when used with respect to any Security, means 
the date on which the principal of such Security or an installment of 
principal becomes due and payable as therein or herein provided, whether at 
the Stated Maturity or by declaration of acceleration, call for redemption or 
otherwise.

                    "Officers' Certificate" means a certificate signed by the 
Company's Chairman of the Board, its President, its Chief Financial Officer, 
its Treasurer or any Vice President, and delivered to the Trustee.

                                          4
<PAGE>


                    "Opinion of Counsel" means a written opinion of counsel, 
who may be counsel for the Company, and who shall be reasonably acceptable to 
the Trustee.

                    "Original Issue Discount Security" means any Security 
which provides for an amount less than the principal amount thereof to be due 
and payable upon a declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof 
pursuant to Section 5.2.

                    "Outstanding", when used with respect to Securities, 
means, as of the date of determination, all Securities theretofore 
authenticated and delivered under this Indenture, except:

                    (i)  Securities theretofore cancelled by the Trustee or 
               delivered to the Trustee for cancellation;

                    (ii)  Securities for whose payment or redemption money in 
               the necessary amount has been theretofore deposited with the 
               Trustee or any Paying Agent (other than the Company) in trust 
               or set aside and segregated in trust by the Company (if the 
               Company shall act as its own Paying Agent) for the Holders of 
               such Securities and any coupons appertaining thereto; provided 
               that, if such Securities are to be redeemed, notice of such 
               redemption has been duly given pursuant to this Indenture or 
               provision therefor satisfactory to the Trustee has been made;

                    (iii)  Securities which have been paid pursuant to 
               Section 3.6 or in exchange for or in lieu of which other 
               Securities have been authenticated and delivered pursuant to 
               this Indenture, other than any such Securities in respect of 
               which there shall have been presented to the Trustee proof 
               satisfactory to it that such Securities are held by a bona 
               fide purchaser in whose hands such Securities are valid 
               obligations of the Company; provided, however, that in 
               determining whether the Holders of the requisite principal 
               amount of the Outstanding Securities have given any request, 
               demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver 
               hereunder or whether a quorum is present at a meeting of 
               Holders of Securities (i) the principal amount of an Original 
               Issue Discount Security that shall be deemed to be Outstanding 
               shall be the amount of the principal thereof that would be due 
               and payable as of the date of such determination upon 
               acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 5.2, 
               (ii) the principal amount of a Security denominated in a 
               foreign currency or currencies shall be the U.S. dollar 
               equivalent, determined on the date of original issuance of 
               such Security, of the principal amount (or, in the case of an 
               Original Issue Discount Security, the U.S. dollar equivalent 
               on the date of original issuance of such Security of the 
               amount determined as provided in (i) above) of such Security, 
               and (iii) Securities owned by the Company or any other obligor 
               upon the Securities or any Affiliate of the Company or of such 
               other obligor shall be disregarded and deemed not to be 
               Outstanding, except that, in determining whether the Trustee 
               shall be protected in relying upon any such request, demand, 
               authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver, or upon 
               any such determination as to the presence of a quorum, only 
               Securities which the Trustee 

                                          5
<PAGE>


               knows to be so owned shall be so disregarded. Securities so 
               owned which have been pledged in good faith may be regarded as 
               Outstanding if the pledgee establishes to the satisfaction of 
               the Trustee the pledgee's right so to act with respect to such 
               Securities and that the pledgee is not the Company or any 
               other obligor upon the Securities or any Affiliate of the 
               Company or of such other obligor; and
               
                    (iv)  Securities as to which Defeasance has been effected 
               pursuant to Section 4.4.

                    "Paying Agent" means any Person authorized by the Company 
to pay the principal of and any premium and interest on any Securities or any 
Coupons appertaining thereto on behalf of the Company.

                    "Person" means any individual, corporation, limited 
liability company, partnership, joint venture, trust, unincorporated 
organization or government or any agency or political subdivision thereof.

                    "Place of Payment", when used with respect to the 
Securities of any series, means the place or places where, subject to the 
provisions of Section 10.2, the principal of and any premium and interest on 
the Securities of that series are payable as specified as contemplated by 
Section 3.1.

                    "Predecessor Security" of any particular Security means 
every previous Security evidencing all or a portion of the same debt as that 
evidenced by such particular Security; and, for the purposes of this 
definition, any Security authenticated and delivered under Section 3.6 in 
exchange for or in lieu of a mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security or 
a Security to which a mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen coupon appertains 
shall be deemed to evidence the same debt as the mutilated, destroyed, lost 
or stolen Security or the Security to which the mutilated, destroyed, lost or 
stolen coupon appertains, as the case may be.

                    "Redemption Date", when used with respect to any Security 
to be redeemed, means the date fixed for such redemption by or pursuant to 
this Indenture.

                    "Redemption Price", when used with respect to any 
Security to be redeemed, means the price at which it is to be redeemed 
pursuant to this Indenture.

                    "Registered Security" means any Security in the form 
established pursuant to Section 2.1 which is registered in the Security 
Register.

                    "Regular Record Date" for the interest payable on any 
Interest Payment Date on the Registered Securities of any series means the 
date specified for that purpose as contemplated by Section 3.1, whether or 
not such day is a Business Day.

                    "Responsible Officer", when used with respect to the 
Trustee, means the Chairman of the board of directors, the executive 
committee of the board of directors, the chairman of the trust committee, the 
president, any vice president, the secretary, any 

                                       6
<PAGE>

assistant secretary, the treasurer, any assistant treasurer, the cashier, any 
assistant cashier, any trust officer or assistant trust officer, the 
controller or any assistant controller or any other officer of the Trustee 
customarily performing functions similar to those performed by any of the 
above designated officers and also means, with respect to a particular 
corporate trust matter, any other officer to whom such matter is referred 
because of his knowledge of and familiarity with the particular subject.

                    "Restricted Property" means (1) any manufacturing 
facility, or portion thereof, owned or leased by the Company or any 
Subsidiary which, in the opinion of the Board of Directors, is of material 
importance to the business of the Company and its Subsidiaries taken as 
whole, but no such manufacturing facility, or portion thereof, shall be 
deemed of material importance if its gross book value (before deducting 
accumulated depreciation) is less than 5% of Consolidated Net Tangible 
Assets, or (2) any shares of capital stock or indebtedness of any Subsidiary 
owning any such manufacturing facility.  As used in this definition, 
"manufacturing facility" means any real property (or portion thereof) used 
for actual commercial scale manufacturing and excludes, without limitation, 
sales offices, research facilities, pilot production facilities, and any 
facility (or portion thereof) used primarily for warehousing or general 
administration.

                    "Sale and Leaseback Transaction" means any arrangement 
with any Person pursuant to which the Company or any Subsidiary leases any 
Restricted Property that has been or is to be sold or transferred by the 
Company or the Subsidiary to such Person, other than (1) temporary leases for 
a term, including renewals at the option of the lessee, of not more than five 
years, (2) leases between the Company and a Subsidiary or between 
Subsidiaries, and (3) leases of a Restricted Property executed by the time 
of, or within 12 months after the latest of, the acquisition, the completion 
of construction or improvement, or the commencement of commercial operation 
of the Restricted Property.

                    "Securities" has the meaning stated in the first recital 
of this Indenture and more particularly means any Securities authenticated 
and delivered under this Indenture.

                    "Security Register" and "Security Registrar" have the 
respective meanings specified in Section 3.5.

                    "Special Record Date" for the payment of any Defaulted 
Interest on the Registered Securities of any series means a date fixed by the 
Trustee pursuant to Section 3.7.

                    "Stated Maturity", when used with respect to any Security 
or any installment of principal thereof or interest thereon, means the date 
specified in such Security or a Coupon representing such installment of 
interest as the fixed date on which the principal of such Security or such 
installment of principal or interest is due and payable.

                    "Subsidiary" of any Person means (i) any Person of which 
more than 50% of the total voting power of shares of capital stock entitled 
(without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the election 
of directors, managers or trustees 

                                          7
<PAGE>

thereof is at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by any 
Person or one or more of the Subsidiaries of that Person or a combination 
thereof, and  (ii) any partnership, joint venture or other Person in which 
such Person or one or more of the Subsidiaries of that Person or a 
combination thereof has the power to control by contract or otherwise the 
board of directors or equivalent governing body or otherwise controls such 
entity.

                    "Trustee" means the Person named as the "Trustee" in the 
first paragraph of this instrument until a successor Trustee shall have 
become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and 
thereafter "Trustee" shall mean or include each Person who is then a Trustee 
hereunder, and if at any time there is more than one such Person, "Trustee" 
as used with respect to the Securities of any series shall mean the Trustee 
with respect to Securities of that series.

                    "Trust Indenture Act" means the Trust Indenture Act of 
1939 as in force at the date as of which this instrument was executed, 
provided, however, that in the event the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 is 
amended after such date, "Trust Indenture Act" means, to the extent required 
by any such amendment, the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 as so amended.

                    "United States" means the United States of America 
(including the States and the District of Columbia), its territories, its 
possessions and other areas subject to its jurisdiction.

                    "United States Alien" means any Person who, for United 
States Federal income tax purposes, is a foreign corporation, a nonresident 
alien individual, a non-resident alien fiduciary of a foreign estate or 
trust, or a foreign partnership one or more of the members of which is, for 
United States Federal income tax purposes, a foreign corporation, a 
nonresident alien individual or a nonresident alien fiduciary of a foreign 
estate or trust.

                    "U.S. Government Obligations" means direct obligations of 
the United States for the payment of which its full faith and credit is 
pledged, or obligations of a person controlled or supervised by and acting as 
an agency or instrumentality of the United States and the payment of which is 
unconditionally guaranteed as a full faith and credit obligation by the 
United States which, in either case, are not callable or redeemable at the 
option of the issuer thereof, and shall also include a depository receipt 
issued by a bank (as defined in Section 3(a)(2) of the Securities Act of 
1933, as amended) as custodian with respect to any such U.S. Government 
Obligations or a specific payment of principal of or interest on any such 
U.S. Government Obligations held by such custodian for the account of the 
holder of such depository receipt, provided that (except as required by law) 
such custodian is not authorized to make any deduction from the amount 
payable to the holder of such depository receipt from any amount received by 
the custodian in respect of the U.S. Government Obligations or the specific 
payment of principal of or interest on the U.S. Government Obligations 
evidenced by such depository receipt.

                                          8
<PAGE>


                    "Value" means, with respect to a Sale and Leaseback 
Transaction, an amount equal to the present value of the lease payments with 
respect to the term of the lease remaining on the date as of which the amount 
is being determined, without regard to any renewal or extension options 
contained in the lease, discounted at the weighted average interest rate on 
the Securities of all series (including the effective interest rate on any 
Original Issue Discount Securities) which are outstanding on the effective 
date of such Sale and Leaseback Transaction and which have the benefit of 
Section 10.8 of this Indenture.

SECTION 1.2.    Compliance Certificates and Opinions.

               Except as otherwise expressly provided by this Indenture, upon 
any application or request by the Company to the Trustee to take any action 
under any provision of this Indenture, the Company shall furnish to the 
Trustee an Officers' Certificate stating that all conditions precedent, if 
any, provided for in this Indenture relating to the proposed action have been 
complied with and an Opinion of Counsel stating that in the opinion of such 
counsel all such conditions precedent, if any, have been complied with, 
except that in the case of any such application or request as to which the 
furnishing of such documents is specifically required by any provision of 
this Indenture relating to such particular application or request, no 
additional certificate or opinion need be furnished.

               Every certificate or opinion by or on behalf of the Company 
with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant provided for in this 
Indenture, except for certificates provided for in Section 10.9, shall 
include:

               (1)  a statement that each individual signing such certificate 
or opinion has read such covenant or condition and the definitions herein 
relating thereto;

               (2)  a brief statement as to the nature and scope of the 
examination or investigation upon which the statements or opinions contained 
in such certificate or opinion are based;

               (3)  a statement that, in the opinion of each such individual, 
he has made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable him 
to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant or 
condition has been complied with; and

               (4)  a statement as to whether, in the opinion of each such 
individual, such condition or covenant has been complied with.

SECTION 1.3.    Form of Documents Delivered to Trustee.

               In any case where several matters are required to be certified 
by, or covered by an opinion of, any specified Person, it is not necessary 
that all such matters be certified by, or covered by the opinion of, only one 
such Person, or that they be so certified or covered by only one document, 
but one such Person may certify or give an opinion with respect to some 
matters and one or more other such Persons as to other matters, and any such 
Person may certify or give an opinion as to such matters in one or several 
documents.

                                          9
<PAGE>


               Any certificate or opinion of an officer of the Company may be 
based, insofar as it relates to legal matters, upon a certificate or opinion 
of, or representations by, counsel, unless such officer knows, or in the 
exercise of reasonable care should know, that the certificate or opinion or 
representations with respect to the matters upon which his certificate or 
opinion is based are erroneous. Any such certificate or Opinion of Counsel 
may be based, insofar as it relates to factual matters, upon a certificate or 
opinion of, or representations by, an officer or officers of the Company 
stating that the information with respect to such factual matters is in the 
possession of the Company, unless such counsel knows, or in the exercise of 
reasonable care should know, that the certificate or opinion or 
representations with respect to such matters are erroneous.

               Where any Person is required to make, give or execute two or 
more applications, requests, consents, certificates, statements, opinions or 
other instruments under this Indenture, they may, but need not, be 
consolidated and form one instrument.

SECTION 1.4.    Acts of Holders.

                    (a)   Any request, demand, authorization, direction, 
notice, consent, waiver or other action provided or permitted by this 
Indenture to be given or taken by Holders may be embodied in and evidenced by 
one or more instruments of substantially similar tenor signed by such Holders 
in person or by agent duly appointed in writing. If Securities of a series 
are issuable as Bearer Securities, any request, demand, authorization, 
direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action provided or permitted by 
this Indenture to be given or taken by Holders of such series may, 
alternatively, be embodied in and evidenced by the record of Holders of 
Securities of such series voting in favor thereof, either in person or by 
proxies duly appointed in writing, at any meeting of Holders of Securities of 
such series duly called and held in accordance with the provisions of Article 
XIII, or a combination of such instruments and any such record. Except as 
herein otherwise expressly provided, such action shall become effective when 
such instrument or instruments or record or both are delivered to the Trustee 
and, where it is hereby expressly required, to the Company. Such instrument 
or instruments and any such record (and the action embodied therein and 
evidenced thereby) are herein sometimes referred to as the "Act" of the 
Holders signing such instrument or instruments and so voting at any such 
meeting. Proof of execution of any such instrument or of a writing appointing 
any such agent or proxy, or of the holding by any Person of a Security, shall 
be sufficient for any purpose of this Indenture and (subject to Section 6.1) 
conclusive in favor of the Trustee and the Company, if made in the manner 
provided in this Section. The record of any meeting of Holders of Securities 
shall be proved in the manner provided in Section 13.6.

                    (b)   The fact and date of the execution by any Person of 
any such instrument or writing may be proved by the affidavit of a witness of 
such execution or by a certificate of a notary public or other officer 
authorized by law to take acknowledgments of deeds, certifying that the 
individual signing such instrument or writing acknowledged to him the 
execution thereof. Where such execution is by a signer acting in a capacity 
other than his individual capacity, such certificate or affidavit shall also 
constitute sufficient proof of his authority. The fact and date of the 
execution of any 

                                          10
<PAGE>

such instrument or writing, or the authority of the Person executing the 
same, may also be proved in any other manner which the Trustee deems 
sufficient.

                    (c)   The principal amount and serial numbers of 
Registered Securities held by any Person, and the date of holding the same, 
shall be proved by the Security Register.

                    (d)   The principal amount and serial numbers of Bearer 
Securities held by any Person, and the date of holding the same, may be 
proved by the production of such Bearer Securities or by a certificate 
executed, as depositary, by any trust company, bank, banker or other 
depositary, wherever situated, if such certificate shall be deemed by the 
Trustee to be satisfactory, showing that at the date therein mentioned such 
Person had on deposit with such depositary, or exhibited to it, the Bearer 
Securities therein described; or such facts may be proved by the certificate 
or affidavit of the Person holding such Bearer Securities, if such 
certificate or affidavit is deemed by the Trustee to be satisfactory. The 
Trustee and the Company may assume that such ownership of any Bearer Security 
continues until (1) another certificate or affidavit bearing a later date 
issued in respect of the same Bearer Security is produced, or (2) such Bearer 
Security is produced to the Trustee by some other Person, or (3) such Bearer 
Security is surrendered in exchange for a Registered Security, or (4) such 
Bearer Security is no longer Outstanding. The principal amount and serial 
numbers of Bearer Securities held by any Person, and the date of holding the 
same, may also be proved in any other manner which the Trustee deems 
sufficient.

                    (e)   Any request, demand, authorization, direction, 
notice, consent, waiver or other Act of the Holder of any Security shall bind 
every future Holder of the same Security and the Holder of every Security 
issued upon the registration of transfer thereof or in exchange therefor or 
in lieu thereof in respect of anything done, omitted or suffered to be done 
by the Trustee or the Company in reliance thereon, whether or not notation of 
such action is made upon such Security.

                    (f)   With respect to the Securities of any Series, upon 
receipt by the Trustee of (i) any written notice directing the time, method 
or place of conducting any proceeding or exercising any trust or power 
pursuant to Section 5.12 with respect to Securities of such series or (ii) 
any written demand, request or notice with respect to any matter on which the 
Holders of Securities of such series are entitled to act under this 
Indenture, in each case from Holders of less than, or proxies representing 
less than, the requisite principal amount of Outstanding Securities or such 
series entitled to give such demand, request or notice, the Trustee shall 
establish a record date for determining Holders of Outstanding Securities of 
such series entitled to join in such demand, request or notice, which record 
date shall be the close of business on the day the Trustee received such 
demand, request or notice. The Holders on such record date, or their duly 
designated proxies, and only such Persons, shall be entitled to join in such 
demand, request or notice whether or not such Holders remain Holders after 
such record date; provided, however, that unless the Holders of the requisite 
principal amount of Outstanding Securities of such series shall have joined 
in such demand, request or notice prior to the day which is the ninetieth day 
after such record date, such demand, request or notice shall 

                                          11
<PAGE>

automatically and without further action by any Holder be canceled and of no 
further effect. Nothing in this paragraph shall prevent a Holder, or a proxy 
of a Holder, from giving, (i) after the expiration of such 90-day period, a 
new demand, request or notice identical to a demand, request or notice which 
has been canceled pursuant to the proviso to the preceding sentence or (ii) 
during any such 90-day period, a new demand, request or notice which has been 
canceled pursuant to the proviso to the preceding sentence or (iii) during 
any such 90-day period, a new demand, request or notice contrary to or 
different from such demand, request or notice, in either of which events a 
new record date shall be established pursuant to the provisions of this 
clause.

                    (g)   The Company may set any day as the record date for 
the purpose of determining the Holders of Outstanding Securities of any 
series entitled to give or take any request, demand, authorization, 
direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action provided or permitted by 
this Indenture to be given or taken by Holders of Securities of such series. 
With regard to any record date set pursuant to this paragraph, the Holders of 
Outstanding Securities of the relevant series on such record date (or their 
duly appointed agents), and only such Persons, shall be entitled to give or 
take the relevant action, whether or not such Holders remain Holders after 
such record date. With regard to any action that may be given or taken 
hereunder only by Holders of a requisite principal amount of Outstanding 
Securities of any series (or their duly appointed agents) and for which a 
record date is set pursuant to this paragraph, the Company may, at its 
option, set an expiration date after which no such action purported to be 
given or taken by any Holder shall be effective hereunder unless given or 
taken on or prior to such expiration date by Holders of the requisite 
principal amount of Outstanding Securities of such series on such record date 
(or their duly appointed agents). On or prior to any expiration date set 
pursuant to this paragraph, the Company may, on one or more occasions at its 
option, extend such date to any later date. Nothing in this paragraph shall 
prevent any Holder (or any duly appointed agent thereof) from giving or 
taking, after any expiration date, any action identical to, or, at any time, 
contrary to or different from, any action given or taken, or purported to 
have been given or taken, hereunder by a Holder on or prior to such date, in 
which event the Company may set a record date in respect thereof pursuant to 
this paragraph. Notwithstanding the foregoing or the Trust Indenture Act, the 
Company shall not set a record date for, and the provisions of this paragraph 
shall not apply with respect to, any action to be given or taken by Holders 
pursuant to Section 5.1, 5.2 or 5.12.

SECTION 1.5.    Notices, etc., to Trustee and Company.

               Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, 
consent, waiver or Act of Holders or other document provided or permitted by 
this Indenture to be made upon, given or furnished to, or filed with,

               (1)  the Trustee by any Holder or by the Company shall be 
sufficient for every purpose hereunder if made, given, furnished or filed in 
writing to or with the Trustee at its Corporate Trust Office, Attention: 
____________, or

                                          12
<PAGE>


               (2)  the Company by the Trustee or by any Holder shall be 
sufficient for every purpose hereunder (unless otherwise herein expressly 
provided) if in writing and mailed, first-class postage prepaid, to the 
Company addressed to it at the address of its principal office specified in 
the first paragraph of this instrument, to the attention of its Treasurer, or 
at any other address previously furnished in writing to the Trustee by the 
Company.

SECTION 1.6.   Notice to Holders of Securities; Waiver.

               Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, where this 
Indenture provides for notice to Holders of Securities of any event:

               (1)  such notice shall be sufficiently given to Holders of 
Registered Securities if in writing and mailed, first-class postage prepaid, 
to each Holder of a Registered Security affected by such event, at the 
address of such Holder as it appears in the Security Register, not earlier 
than the earliest date, and not later than the latest date, prescribed for 
the giving of such notice; and

               (2)  such notice shall be sufficiently given to Holders of 
Bearer Securities if published in an Authorized Newspaper in The City of New 
York and in such other city or cities as may be specified 
in such Securities on a Business Day at least twice, the first such 
publication to be not earlier than the earliest date, and not later than the 
latest date, prescribed for the giving of such notice.

               In case by reason of the suspension of regular mail service or 
by reason of any other cause it shall be impracticable to give such notice to 
Holders of Registered Securities by mail, then such notification as shall be 
made with the approval of the Trustee shall constitute sufficient notice to 
such Holders for every purpose hereunder. In any case where notice to Holders 
of Registered Securities is given by mail, neither the failure to mail such 
notice, nor any defect in any notice mailed to any particular Holder of a 
Registered Security shall affect the sufficiency of such notice with respect 
to other Holders of Registered Securities or the sufficiency of any notice to 
Holders of Bearer Securities given as provided herein.

               In case by reason of the suspension of publication of any 
Authorized Newspaper or Authorized Newspapers or by reason of any other cause 
it shall be impracticable to publish any notice to Holders of Bearer 
Securities as provided above, then such notification as shall be given with 
the approval of the Trustee shall constitute sufficient notice to such 
Holders for every purpose hereunder. Neither the failure to give notice by 
publication to Holders of Bearer Securities as provided above, nor any defect 
in any notice so published, shall affect the sufficiency of any notice to 
Holders of Registered Securities given as provided herein.

               Where this Indenture provides for notice in any manner, such 
notice may be waived in writing by the Person entitled to receive such 
notice, either before or after the event, and such waiver shall be the 
equivalent of such notice. Waivers of notice by Holders of Securities shall 
be filed with the Trustee, but such filing shall not be a condition precedent 
to the validity of any action taken in reliance upon such waiver.

                                   13
<PAGE>

SECTION 1.7.   Language of Notices, etc.

               Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent 
or waiver required or permitted under this Indenture shall be in the English 
language, except that any published notice may be in an official language of 
the country of publication.

SECTION 1.8.   Conflict with Trust Indenture Act.

               If and to the extent that any provision of this Indenture 
limits, qualifies or conflicts with the duties imposed by, or with another 
provision (an "incorporated provision") included in this Indenture by 
operation of Sections 310 to 318, inclusive, of the Trust Indenture Act, such 
imposed duties or incorporated provision shall control.

SECTION 1.9.   Effect of Headings and Table of Contents.

               The Article and Section headings herein and the Table of 
Contents are for convenience only and shall not affect the construction 
hereof.

SECTION 1.10.   Successors and Assigns.

               All covenants and agreements in this Indenture by the Company 
shall bind its successors and assigns, whether so expressed or not.

SECTION 1.11.   Separability Clause.

               In case any provision in this Indenture or the Securities or 
coupons shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality 
and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be 
affected or impaired thereby.

SECTION 1.12.   Benefits of Indenture.

               Nothing in this Indenture or the Securities or coupons, 
express or implied, shall give to any Person, other than the parties hereto, 
their successors hereunder and the Holders of Securities and coupons, any 
benefit or any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under this Indenture.

SECTION 1.13.   Governing Law.

               This Indenture and the Securities and coupons shall be 
governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New 
York without regard to conflicts of laws.

SECTION 1.14.   Legal Holidays.

               In any case where any Interest Payment Date, Redemption Date 
or Stated Maturity of any Security shall not be a Business Day at any Place 
of Payment, then (notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture or of 
the Securities or coupons other than a provision in the Securities of any 
series which specifically states that such provision shall apply in lieu of 
this Section) payment of interest or principal (and 

                                          14
<PAGE>

premium, if any) need not be made at such Place of Payment on such date, but 
may be made on the next succeeding Business Day at such Place of Payment with 
the same force and effect as if made on the Interest Payment Date or 
Redemption Date, or at the Stated Maturity, provided that no interest shall 
accrue on the amount so payable for the period from and after such Interest 
Payment Date, Redemption Date or Stated Maturity, as the case may be, to such 
succeeding Business Day.

SECTION 1.15.   Judgment Currency.

               The Company agrees, to the fullest extent that it may 
effectively do so under applicable law, that (a) if for the purpose of 
obtaining judgment in any court it is necessary to convert the sum due on the 
Securities of any series from the currency in which such sum is payable in 
accordance with the terms of such Securities (the "Required Currency") into a 
currency in which a judgment will be rendered (the "Judgment Currency"), the 
rate of exchange used shall be the rate at which in accordance with normal 
banking procedures the Trustee could purchase in The City of New York the 
Required Currency with the Judgment Currency on the New York Banking Day 
preceding that on which a final unappealable judgment is rendered and (b) its 
obligations under this Indenture to make payments in the Required Currency 
(i) shall not be discharged or satisfied by any tender, or any recovery 
pursuant to any judgment (whether or not entered in accordance with 
subsection (a)), in any currency other than the Required Currency, except to 
the extent that such tender or recovery shall result in the actual receipt, 
by the payee, of the full amount of the Required Currency expressed to be 
payable in respect of such payments, (ii) shall be enforceable as an 
alternative or additional cause of action for the purpose of recovering in 
the Required Currency the amount, if any, by which such actual receipt shall 
fall short of the full amount of the Required Currency so expressed to be 
payable and (iii) shall not be affected by judgment being obtained for any 
other sum due under this Indenture. For purposes of the foregoing, "New York 
Banking Day" means any day except a Saturday, Sunday or a legal holiday in 
The City of New York or a day on which banking institutions in The City of 
New York are authorized or required by law or executive order to close.

                                     ARTICLE II

                                     Security Forms

SECTION 2.1.   Forms Generally.

               The Registered Securities, if any, of each series and the 
Bearer Securities, if any, of each series and related coupons shall be in 
such form (including temporary or permanent global form) as shall be 
established by or pursuant to a Board Resolution or in one or more indentures 
supplemental hereto, in each case with such appropriate insertions, 
omissions, substitutions and other variations as are required or permitted by 
this Indenture, and may have such letters, numbers or other marks of 
identification and such legends or endorsements placed thereon as may be 
required to comply with the rules of any securities exchange or as may, 
consistently herewith, be determined by the officers executing such 
Securities or coupons, as evidenced by their execution of the Securities or 

                                          15
<PAGE>

coupons. If temporary Securities of any series are issued in global form as 
permitted by Section 3.4, the form thereof shall be established as provided 
in the preceding sentence. If the forms of Securities or coupons of any 
series (or any such temporary global Security) are established by action 
taken pursuant to a Board Resolution, a copy of an appropriate record of such 
action shall be certified by the Secretary of the Company and delivered to 
the Trustee at or prior to the delivery of the Company Order contemplated by 
Section 3.3 for the authentication and delivery of such Securities (or any 
such temporary global Security) or coupons.

               Unless otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 3.1, 
Securities in bearer form shall have interest coupons attached.

               The definitive Securities and coupons, if any, shall be 
printed, lithographed or engraved on steel engraved borders or may be 
produced in any other manner, all as determined by the officers executing 
such Securities or coupons, as evidenced by their execution of such 
Securities or coupons.

SECTION 2.2.   Form of Trustee's Certificate of Authentication.

               The Trustee's certificates of authentication shall be in 
substantially the following form:

               This is one of the Securities of the series designated therein 
referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture.

               The Bank of New York, As Trustee

               By Authorized Signatory

SECTION 2.3.   Securities in Global Form.

               If Securities of a series are issuable in global form, as 
contemplated by Section 3.1, then, notwithstanding clause (12) of Section 3.1 
and the provisions of Section 3.2, any such Security shall represent such of 
the Outstanding Securities of such series as shall be specified therein and 
may provide that it shall represent the aggregate amount of Outstanding 
Securities from time to time endorsed thereon and that the aggregate amount 
of Outstanding Securities represented thereby may from time to time be 
reduced to reflect exchanges. Any endorsement of a Security in global form to 
reflect the amount, or any increase or decrease in the amount, of Outstanding 
Securities represented thereby shall be made by the Trustee in such manner 
and upon instructions given by such Person or Persons as shall be specified 
therein or in the Company Order to be delivered to the Trustee pursuant to 
Section 3.3 or Section 3.4. Subject to the provisions of Section 3.3 and, if 
applicable, Section 3.4, the Trustee shall deliver and redeliver any Security 
in permanent global form in the manner and upon instructions given by the 
Person or Persons specified therein or in the applicable Company Order. If a 
Company Order pursuant to Section 3.3 or 3.4 has been, or simultaneously is, 
delivered, any instructions by the Company with respect to endorsement or 
delivery or redelivery of a Security in 

                                          16
<PAGE>

global form shall be in writing but need not comply with Section 1.2 and need 
not be accompanied by an Opinion of Counsel.

               The provisions of the last sentence of Section 3.3 shall apply 
to any Security represented by a Security in global form if such Security was 
never issued and sold by the Company and the Company delivers to the Trustee 
the Security in global form together with written instructions (which need 
not comply with Section 1.2 and need not be accompanied by an Opinion of 
Counsel) with regard to the reduction in the principal amount of Securities 
represented thereby, together with the written statement contemplated by the 
last sentence of Section 3.3.

               Notwithstanding the provisions of Sections 2.1 and 3.7, unless 
otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 3.1, payment of principal of 
and any premium and interest on any Security in permanent global form shall 
be made to the Person or Persons specified therein.

               Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 3.8 and except as 
provided in the preceding paragraph, the Company, the Trustee and any agent 
of the Company and the Trustee shall treat a Person as the Holder of such 
principal amount of Outstanding Securities represented by a permanent global 
Security as shall be specified in a written statement of the Holder of such 
permanent global Security or, in the case of a permanent global Security in 
bearer form, of Euro-clear or CEDEL S.A. which is provided to the Trustee by 
such Person.

SECTION 2.4.   Form of Legend for Book-Entry Securities.

               Any Book-Entry Security authenticated and delivered hereunder 
shall bear a legend in substantially the following form:

               "This Security is a Book-Entry Security within the meaning of 
the Indenture hereinafter referred to and is registered in the name of a 
Depositary or a nominee of a Depositary. This Security is exchangeable for 
Securities registered in the name of a Person other than the Depositary or 
its nominee only in the limited circumstances described in the Indenture, and 
no transfer of this Security (other than a transfer of this Security as a 
whole by the Depositary to a nominee of the Depositary or by a nominee of the 
Depositary to the Depositary or another nominee of the Depositary) may be 
registered except in such limited circumstances."

SECTION 2.5.   Form of Conversion Notice.

               The Form of conversion notice for the conversion of Securities 
into shares of Common Stock or other securities of the Company shall be in 
substantially the form included with the applicable form of Securities as 
shall be established pursuant to Section 2.1 hereinabove.

                                          17


<PAGE>


                                  ARTICLE III

                                The Securities


SECTION 3.1    Amount Unlimited; Issuable in Series.

   The aggregate principal amount of Securities which may be authenticated 
and delivered under this Indenture is unlimited.

   The Securities may be issued in one or more series. There shall be 
established in or pursuant to a Board Resolution and, subject to Section 3.3, 
set forth, or determined in the manner provided, in an Officers' Certificate, 
or established in one or more indentures supplemental hereto, prior to the 
issuance of Securities of any series:

      (1)  the title of the Securities of the series (which shall distinguish 
the Securities of the series from all other Securities);

      (2)  any limit upon the aggregate principal amount of the Securities of 
the series which may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture 
(except for Securities authenticated and delivered upon registration of 
transfer of, or in exchange for, or in lieu of, other Securities of the 
series pursuant to Section 3.4, 3.5, 3.6, 9.6 or 11.7 and except for any 
Securities which, pursuant to Section 3.3, are deemed never to have been 
authenticated and delivered hereunder);

      (3)  whether Securities of the series are to be issuable as Registered 
Securities, Bearer Securities or both, whether any Securities of the series 
are to be issuable initially in temporary global form and whether any 
Securities of the series are to be issuable in permanent global form with or 
without coupons and, if so, whether beneficial owners of interests in any 
such permanent global Security may exchange such interests for Securities of 
such series and of like tenor of any authorized form and denomination and the 
circumstances under which any such exchanges may occur, if other than in the 
manner provided in Section 3.5;

      (4)  the Person to whom any interest on any Registered Security of the 
series shall be payable, if other than the Person in whose name that Security 
(or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of 
business on the Regular Record Date for such interest, the manner in which, 
or the Person to whom, any interest on any Bearer Security of the series 
shall be payable, if otherwise than upon presentation and surrender of the 
coupons appertaining thereto as they severally mature, and the extent to 
which, or the manner in which, any interest payable on a temporary global 
Security on an Interest Payment Date will be paid if other than in the manner 
provided in Section 3.4;

      (5)  the date or dates on which the principal of the Securities of the 
series is payable;

      (6)  the rate or rates at which the Securities of the series shall bear 
interest, if any, or the formula pursuant to which such rate or rates shall 
be determined, the date or dates from which any such interest shall accrue, 
the Interest Payment Dates on 

                                                18

<PAGE>


which any such interest shall be payable, and the Regular Record Date for any 
interest payable on any Registered Securities on any Interest Payment Date 
and the basis upon which interest shall be calculated if other than that of a 
360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months;

      (7)  the place or places where, subject to the provisions of Sections 
11.4 and 10.2, the principal of and any premium and interest on Securities of 
the series shall be payable, any Registered Securities of the series may be 
surrendered for registration of transfer, Securities of the series may be 
surrendered for conversion or exchange, notices and demands to or upon the 
Company in respect of the Securities of the series and this Indenture may be 
served and where notices to Holders of Bearer Securities pursuant to Section 
1.6 will be published;

      (8)  the period or periods within which, the price or prices at which 
and the terms and conditions upon which Securities of the series may be 
redeemed, in whole or in part, at the option of the Company;

      (9)  the period or periods within which, the price or prices at which 
and the terms and conditions upon which Securities of the series may be 
redeemed, in whole or in part, at the option of the Holders on such terms and 
conditions as may be set forth in an Officers' Certificate or supplemental 
indenture;

      (10) the obligation, if any, of the Company to redeem or purchase 
Securities of the series, or particular Securities within the Series, 
pursuant to any sinking fund or analogous provisions or at the option of a 
Holder thereof, and the period or periods within which, the price or prices 
at which and the terms and conditions upon such Securities shall be redeemed 
or purchased, in whole or in part, pursuant to such obligation;

      (11) the terms of any right to convert or exchange Securities of the 
series, either at the option of the Holder thereof or the Company, into or 
for shares of Common Stock of the Company or other securities or property, 
including without limitation the period or periods within which and the price 
or prices (including adjustments thereto) at which any Securities of the 
series shall be converted or exchanged, in whole or in part;

      (12) the denominations in which any Registered Securities of the series 
shall be issuable, if other than denominations of $1,000 and any integral 
multiple thereof, and the denomination or denominations in which any Bearer 
Securities of the series shall be issuable, if other than the denomination of 
$5,000;

      (13) the currency or currencies, including composite currencies, in 
which payment of the principal of and any premium and interest on the 
Securities of the series shall be payable if other than the currency of the 
United States of America;

      (14) if the principal of and any premium or interest on the Securities 
of the series are to be payable, at the election of the Company or a Holder 
thereof, in a currency or currencies, including composite currencies, other 
than that or those in which 

                                           19

<PAGE>


the Securities are stated to be payable, the currency or currencies in which 
payment of the principal of and any premium and interest on Securities of 
such series as to which such election is made shall be payable, and the 
periods within which and the terms and conditions upon which such election is 
to be made;

      (15) if the amount of payments of principal of and any premium or 
interest on the Securities of the series may be determined with reference to 
an index, the manner in which such amounts shall be determined;

      (16) if other than the principal amount thereof, the portion of the 
principal amount of any Securities of the series which shall be payable upon 
declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 5.2;

      (17) the Person who shall be the Security Registrar, if other than the 
Trustee;

      (18) whether the Securities of the series shall be issued upon original 
issuance in whole or in part in the form of one or more Book-Entry Securities 
and, in such case, (a) the Depositary with respect to such Book-Entry 
Security or Securities; and (b) the circumstances under which any such 
Book-Entry Security may be exchanged for Securities registered in the name 
of, and any transfer of such Book-Entry Security may be registered to, a 
Person other than such Depositary or its nominee, if other than as set forth 
in Section 3.5;

      (19) if the provisions of Section 4.4 or 4.5 are applicable to the 
Securities of such series;

      (20) whether and under what conditions additional amounts will be 
payable to Holders of Securities of the series pursuant to Section 10.4; and

      (21) any other terms of the series (which terms shall not be 
inconsistent with the provisions of this Indenture).

   All Securities of any one series and the coupons appertaining to any 
Bearer Securities of such series shall be substantially identical except, in 
the case of Registered Securities, as to denomination and except as may 
otherwise be provided in or pursuant to the Board Resolution referred to 
above and (subject to Section 3.3) set forth in, or determined in the manner 
provided in, the Officers' Certificate referred to above or in any such 
indenture supplemental hereto.

   If any of the terms of the series are established by action taken pursuant 
to a Board Resolution, a copy of an appropriate record of such action shall 
be certified by the Secretary of the Company and delivered to the Trustee at 
or prior to the delivery of the Officers' Certificate setting forth the 
terms, or the manner of determining the terms, of the series.


                                        20

<PAGE>


SECTION 3.2     Denominations.

   Unless otherwise provided as contemplated by Section 3.1 with respect to 
any series of Securities, any Registered Securities of a series shall be 
issuable in denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof and any 
Bearer Securities of a series shall be issuable in the denomination of $5,000.

SECTION 3.3     Execution, Authentication, Delivery and Dating.

   The Securities shall be executed on behalf of the Company by its Chairman 
of the Board, its President, its Chief Financial Officer, its Treasurer, any 
Assistant Treasurer or any Vice President under its corporate seal reproduced 
thereon attested by its Secretary. The signature of any of these officers on 
the Securities may be manual or facsimile. Coupons shall bear the facsimile 
signature of the Chief Financial Officer, the Treasurer or any Assistant 
Treasurer of the Company.

   Securities and Coupons bearing the manual or facsimile signatures of 
individuals who were at any time the proper officers of the Company shall 
bind the Company, notwithstanding that such individuals or any of them have 
ceased to hold such offices prior to the authentication and delivery of such 
Securities or did not hold such offices at the date of such Securities.

   At any time and from time to time after the execution and delivery of this 
Indenture, the Company may deliver Securities of any series, together with 
any Coupons appertaining thereto executed by the Company to the Trustee for 
authentication, together with a Company Order for the authentication and 
delivery of such Securities, and the Trustee in accordance with the Company 
Order shall authenticate and deliver such Securities; provided, however, 
that, in connection with its original issuance, no Bearer Security shall be 
mailed or otherwise delivered to any location in the United States; and 
provided, further, that a Bearer Security may be delivered in connection with 
its original issuance only if the Person entitled to receive such Bearer 
Security shall have furnished a certificate in the form specified in such 
Security as to certain tax matters in respect of United States citizens, 
dated no earlier than 15 days prior to the earlier of the date on which such 
Bearer Security is delivered and the date on which any temporary global 
Security first becomes exchangeable for such Bearer Security in accordance 
with the terms of such temporary global Security and this Indenture. If any 
Security shall be represented by a permanent global Bearer Security, then, 
for purposes of this Section and Section 3.4, the notation of a beneficial 
owner's interest therein upon original issuance of such Security or upon 
exchange of a portion of a temporary global Security shall be deemed to be 
delivery in connection with its original issuance of such beneficial owner's 
interest in such permanent global Security. Except as permitted by Section 
3.6, the Trustee shall not authenticate and deliver any Bearer Security 
unless all appurtenant Coupons for interest then matured have been detached 
and cancelled.

   If all the Securities of any series are not to be issued at one time and 
if the Board Resolution and indenture supplement establishing such series 
shall so permit, such Company Order may set forth procedures acceptable to 
the Trustee for the issuance of 


                                         21

<PAGE>


such Securities and determining the terms of particular Securities of such 
series, such as interest rate, maturity date, date of issuance and date from 
which interest shall accrue.

   If the forms or terms of the Securities of the series and any related 
Coupons have been established in or pursuant to one or more Board Resolutions 
as permitted by Sections 2.1 and 3.1, in authenticating such Securities, and 
accepting the additional responsibilities under this Indenture in relation to 
such Securities, the Trustee shall be entitled to receive, and (subject to 
Section 6.1) shall be fully protected in relying upon, an Opinion of Counsel 
stating:

      (a)  that such forms have been established in conformity with the 
provisions of this Indenture;

      (b)  that such terms, or the manner of determining such terms, have 
been established in conformity with the provisions of this Indenture; and

      (c)  that such Securities, together with any Coupons appertaining 
thereto, when authenticated and delivered by the Trustee and issued by the 
Company in the manner and subject to any conditions specified in such Opinion 
of Counsel, will constitute valid and legally binding obligations of the 
Company, enforceable in accordance with their terms, subject, as to 
enforcement, to bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization and other laws of 
general applicability relating to or affecting the enforcement of creditors' 
rights and to general equity principles.

   If such forms or terms have been so established, the Trustee shall not be 
required to authenticate such Securities if the issue or such Securities 
pursuant to this Indenture will affect the Trustee's own rights, duties or 
immunities under the Securities and this Indenture or otherwise in a manner 
which is not reasonably acceptable to the Trustee.

   Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 3.1 and of the two preceding 
paragraphs, if all Securities of a series are not to be originally issued at 
one time, it shall not be necessary to deliver the Officers' Certificate 
otherwise required pursuant to Section 3.1 or the Company Order and Opinion 
of Counsel otherwise required pursuant to such preceding paragraphs at or 
prior to the time of authentication of each Security of such series if such 
documents are delivered at or prior to the authentication upon original 
issuance of the first Security of such series to be issued.

   Each Registered Security shall be dated the date of its authentication; 
and each Bearer Security shall be dated as of the date of original issuance 
of the first Security of such series to be issued.

   No Security or coupon shall be entitled to any benefit under this 
Indenture or be valid or obligatory for any purpose unless there appears on 
such Security, or the Security to which such coupon appertains, a certificate 
of authentication substantially in the form provided for herein executed by 
the Trustee by manual signature, and such certificate upon any Security shall 
be conclusive evidence, and the only evidence, that such Security has been 
duly authenticated and delivered hereunder. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if 
any Security shall have been authenticated and delivered hereunder but never 
issued and 


                                       22


<PAGE>


sold by the Company, and the Company shall deliver such Security to the 
Trustee for cancellation as provided in Section 3.9 together with a written 
statement (which need not comply with Section 1.2 and need not be accompanied 
by an Opinion of Counsel) stating that such Security has never been issued 
and sold by the Company, for all purposes of this Indenture such Security 
shall be deemed never to have been authenticated and delivered hereunder and 
shall never be entitled to the benefits of this Indenture.

SECTION 3.4.  Temporary Securities.

   Pending the preparation of definitive Securities of any series, the 
Company may execute, and upon Company Order the Trustee shall authenticate 
and deliver, temporary Securities which are printed, lithographed, 
typewritten, mimeographed or otherwise produced, in any authorized 
denomination, substantially of the tenor of the definitive Securities in lieu 
of which they are issued, in registered form or, if authorized, in bearer 
form with one or more coupons or without coupons, and with such appropriate 
insertions, omissions, substitutions and other variations as the officers 
executing such Securities or coupons may determine, as evidenced by their 
execution of such Securities or coupons. In the case of any series issuable 
as Bearer Securities, such temporary Securities may be in global form. A 
temporary Bearer Security shall be delivered only in compliance with the 
conditions set forth in Section 3.3.

   Except in the case of temporary Securities in global form (which shall be 
exchanged in accordance with the provisions of the following paragraphs), if 
temporary Securities of any series are issued, the Company will cause 
definitive Securities of that series to be prepared without unreasonable 
delay. After the preparation of definitive Securities of such series, the 
temporary Securities of such series shall be exchangeable for definitive 
Securities of such series upon surrender of the temporary Securities of such 
series at the office or agency of the Company maintained pursuant to Section 
10.2 in a Place of Payment for such series for the purpose of exchanges of 
Securities of such series, without charge to the Holder. Upon surrender for 
cancellation of any one or more temporary Securities of any series 
(accompanied by any unmatured coupons appertaining thereto) the Company shall 
execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver in exchange therefor a 
like aggregate principal amount of definitive Securities of the same series 
and of like tenor of authorized denominations; provided, however, that no 
definitive Bearer Security shall be delivered in exchange for a temporary 
Registered Security.

   If temporary Securities of any series are issued in global form, any such 
temporary global Security shall, unless otherwise provided therein, be 
delivered to the London office of a depositary or common depositary (the 
"Common Depositary"), for the benefit of Euro-clear and CEDEL S.A., for 
credit to the respective accounts of the beneficial owners of such Securities 
(or to such other accounts as they may direct).

   Without unnecessary delay but in any event not later than the date 
specified in, or determined pursuant to the terms of, any such temporary 
global Security (the "Exchange Date"), the Company shall deliver to the 
Trustee definitive Securities of that series, in aggregate principal amount 
equal to the principal amount of such temporary global 


                                        23

<PAGE>


Security, executed by the Company. On or after the Exchange Date such 
temporary global Security shall be surrendered by the Common Depositary to 
the Trustee, as the Company's agent for such purpose, to be exchanged, in 
whole or from time to time in part, for definitive Securities of such series 
without charge and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, in exchange 
for each portion of such temporary global Security, a like aggregate 
principal amount of definitive Securities of the same series of authorized 
denominations and of like tenor as the portion of such temporary global 
Security to be exchanged; provided, however, that, unless otherwise specified 
in such temporary global Security, upon such presentation by the Common 
Depositary, such temporary global Security is accompanied by a certificate 
dated the Exchange Date or a subsequent date and signed by Euro-clear as to 
the portion of such temporary global Security held for its account then to be 
exchanged and a certificate dated the Exchange Date or a subsequent date and 
signed by CEDEL S.A. as to the portion of such temporary global Security held 
for its account then to be exchanged, each in such form as shall be specified 
in such Security. The definitive Securities to be delivered in exchange for 
any such temporary global Security shall be in bearer form, registered form, 
permanent global bearer form or permanent global registered form, or any 
combination thereof, as specified as contemplated by Section 3.1, and, if any 
combination thereof is so specified, as requested by the beneficial owner 
thereof; provided, however, that definitive Bearer Securities shall be 
delivered in exchange for a portion of a temporary global Security only in 
compliance with the requirements of Section 3.3.

   Unless otherwise specified in such temporary global Security, the interest 
of a beneficial owner of Securities of a series in a temporary global 
Security shall be exchanged for definitive Securities of the same series and 
of like tenor following the Exchange Date when the account holder instructs 
Euro-clear or CEDEL S.A., as the case may be, to request such exchange on his 
behalf and delivers to Euro-clear or CEDEL S.A., as the case may be, a 
certificate in such form as shall be specified in such Security, dated no 
earlier than 15 days prior to the Exchange Date, copies of which certificate 
shall be available from the offices of Euro-clear and CEDEL S.A., the 
Trustee, any Authenticating Agent appointed for such series of Securities and 
each Paying Agent. Unless otherwise specified in such temporary global 
Security, any such exchange shall be made free of charge to the beneficial 
owners of such temporary global Security, except that a Person receiving 
definitive Securities must bear the cost of insurance, postage, 
transportation and the like in the event that such Person does not take 
delivery of such definitive Securities in person at the offices of Euro-clear 
or CEDEL S.A. Definitive Securities in bearer form to be delivered in 
exchange for any portion of a temporary global Security shall be delivered 
only outside the United States.

   Until exchanged in full as hereinabove provided, the temporary Securities 
of any series shall in all respects be entitled to the same benefits under 
this Indenture as definitive Securities of the same series and of like tenor 
authenticated and delivered hereunder, except that, unless otherwise 
specified as contemplated by Section 3.1, interest payable on a temporary 
global Security on an Interest Payment Date for Securities of such series 
occurring prior to the applicable Exchange Date shall be payable to Euroclear 
and CEDEL S.A. on such Interest Payment Date upon delivery by Euro-clear and 
CEDEL S.A. to the Trustee of a certificate or certificates in such form as 
shall 


                                         24

<PAGE>


be specified in such Security, for credit without further interest on or 
after such Interest Payment Date to the respective accounts of the Persons 
who are the beneficial owners of such temporary global Security on such 
Interest Payment Date and who have each delivered to Euro-clear or CEDEL 
S.A., as the case may be, a certificate in such form as shall be specified in 
such Security. Any interest so received by Euro-clear and CEDEL S.A. and not 
paid as herein provided shall be returned to the Trustee immediately prior to 
the expiration of two years after such Interest Payment Date in order to be 
repaid to the Company in accordance with Section 10.3.

SECTION 3.5. Registration, Registration of Transfer and Exchange.

   The Company shall cause to be kept at an office or agency to be maintained 
by the Company in accordance with Section 10.2 a register (the "Security 
Register") in which, subject to such reasonable regulations as it may 
prescribe, the Company shall provide for the registration of Registered 
Securities and the registration of transfers of Registered Securities. The 
Trustee is hereby appointed "Security Registrar" for the purpose of 
registering Registered Securities and transfers of Registered Securities as 
herein provided.

   Upon due surrender for registration of transfer of any Registered Security 
of any series at the office or agency of the Company maintained pursuant to 
Section 10.2 for such purpose in a Place of Payment for such series, the 
Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, in the 
name of the designated transferee or transferees, one or more new Registered 
Securities of the same series of any authorized denominations and of a like 
aggregate principal amount and tenor.

   At the option of the Holder, Registered Securities of any series may be 
exchanged for other Registered Securities of the same series of any 
authorized denominations and of a like aggregate principal amount and tenor, 
upon surrender of the Securities to be exchanged at any such office or 
agency. Whenever any Securities are so surrendered for exchange, the Company 
shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, the Securities 
which the Holder making the exchange is entitled to receive. Registered 
Securities may not be exchanged for Bearer Securities.

    At the option of the Holder, Bearer Securities of any series may be 
exchanged for Registered Securities of the same series of any authorized 
denominations and of a like aggregate principal amount and tenor, upon 
surrender of the Bearer Securities to be exchanged at any such office or 
agency, with all unmatured coupons, and all matured coupons in default 
appertaining thereto. If the Holder of a Bearer Security is unable to produce 
any such unmatured coupon or coupons or matured coupon or coupons in default, 
such exchange may be effected if the Bearer Securities are accompanied by 
payment in funds acceptable to the Company in an amount equal to the face 
amount of such missing coupon or coupons, or the surrender of such missing 
coupon or coupons may be waived by the Company and the Trustee if there is 
furnished to them such security or indemnity as they may require to save each 
of them and any Paying Agent harmless. If thereafter the Holder of such 
Securities shall surrender to any Paying Agent any such missing coupon in 
respect of which such a payment shall have been made, such 

                                        25

<PAGE>


Holder shall be entitled to receive the amount of such payment; provided, 
however, that, except as otherwise provided in Section 10.2, interest 
represented by coupons shall be payable only upon presentation and surrender 
of those coupons at an office or agency located outside the United States. 
Notwithstanding the foregoing, in case a Bearer Security of any series is 
surrendered at any such office or agency in exchange for a Registered 
Security of the same series and like tenor after the close of business at 
such office or agency on (i) any Regular Record Date and before the opening 
of business at such office or agency on the relevant Interest Payment Date, 
or (ii) any Special Record Date and before the opening of business at such 
office or agency on the related proposed date for payment of Defaulted 
Interest, such Bearer Security shall be surrendered without the coupon 
relating to such Interest Payment Date or proposed date for payment, as the 
case may be, and interest or Defaulted Interest, as the case may be, will not 
be payable on such Interest Payment Date or proposed date for payment, as the 
case may be, in respect of the Registered Security issued in exchange for 
such Bearer Security, but will be payable only to the Holder of such coupon 
when due in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture.

   Whenever any Securities are so surrendered for exchange, the Company shall 
execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, the Securities which 
the Holder making the exchange is entitled to receive.

   Notwithstanding the foregoing, except as otherwise specified as 
contemplated by Section 3.1, any permanent global Security shall be 
exchangeable only as provided in this paragraph. If the beneficial owners of 
interests in a permanent global Security are entitled to exchange such 
interests for Securities of such series and of like tenor and principal 
amount of another authorized form and denomination, as specified as 
contemplated by Section 3.1, then without unnecessary delay but in any event 
not later than the earliest date on which such interests may be so exchanged, 
the Company shall deliver to the Trustee definitive Securities of that series 
in aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of such permanent 
global Security, executed by the Company. On or after the earliest date on 
which such interests may be so exchanged, such permanent global Security 
shall be surrendered by the Common Depositary or such other depositary or 
Common Depositary as shall be specified in the Company Order with respect 
thereto to the Trustee, as the Company's agent for such purpose, to be 
exchanged, in whole or from time to time in part, for definitive Securities 
of such series without charge and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, 
in exchange for each portion of such permanent global Security, a like 
aggregate principal amount of definitive Securities of the same series of 
authorized denominations and of like tenor as the portion of such permanent 
global Security to be exchanged which, unless the Securities of the series 
are not issuable both as Bearer Securities and as Registered Securities, as 
specified as contemplated by Section 3.1, shall be in the form of Bearer 
Securities or Registered Securities, or any combination thereof, as shall be 
specified by the beneficial owner thereof; provided, however, that no Bearer 
Security delivered in exchange for a portion of a permanent global Security 
shall be mailed or otherwise delivered to any location in the United States. 
If a Registered Security is issued in exchange for any portion of a permanent 
global Security after the close of business at the office or agency where 
such exchange occurs on (i) any Regular Record Date and before the opening of 
business at such office 


                                     26

<PAGE>


or agency on the relevant Interest Payment Date, or (ii) any Special Record 
Date and before the opening of business at such office or agency on the 
related proposed date for payment of Defaulted Interest, interest or 
Defaulted Interest, as the case may be, will not be payable on such Interest 
Payment Date or proposed date for payment, as the case may be, in respect of 
such Registered Security, but will be payable on such Interest Payment Date 
or proposed date for payment, as the case may be, only to the Person to whom 
interest in respect of such portion of such permanent global Security is 
payable in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture.

   All Securities issued upon any registration of transfer or exchange of 
Securities shall be the valid obligations of the Company, evidencing the same 
debt, and entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture, as the 
Securities surrendered upon such registration of transfer or exchange.

   Every Registered Security presented or surrendered for registration of 
transfer or for exchange shall (if so required by the Company or the Trustee 
or any transfer agent) be duly endorsed, or be accompanied by a written 
instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company and the Security 
Registrar or any transfer agent duly executed, by the Holder thereof or his 
attorney duly authorized in writing.

   No service charge shall be made for any registration of transfer or 
exchange of Securities, but the Company may require payment of a sum 
sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed 
in connection with any registration of transfer or exchange of Securities, 
other than exchanges pursuant to Section 3.4, 9.6 or 11.7 not involving any 
transfer.

   The Company shall not be required (i) to issue, register the transfer of 
or exchange Securities of any series during a period beginning at the opening 
of business 15 days before any selection of Securities of that series to be 
redeemed and ending at the close of business on (A) if Securities of the 
series are issuable only as Registered Securities, the day of the mailing of 
the relevant notice of redemption and (B) if Securities of the series are 
issuable as Bearer Securities, the day of the first publication of the 
relevant notice of redemption or, if Securities of the series are also 
issuable as Registered Securities and there is no publication, the mailing of 
the relevant notice of redemption, (ii) to register the transfer of or 
exchange any Registered Security so selected for redemption, in whole or in 
part, except the unredeemed portion of any Security being redeemed in part, 
or (iii) to exchange any Bearer Security so selected for redemption except 
that such a Bearer Security may be exchanged for a Registered Security of 
that series and like tenor, provided that such Registered Security shall be 
simultaneously surrendered for redemption.

   Notwithstanding the foregoing and except as otherwise specified or 
contemplated by Section 3.1, any Book-Entry Security shall be exchangeable 
pursuant to this Section 3.5 or Sections 3.4, 9.6 and 11.7 for Securities 
registered in the name of, and a transfer of a Book-Entry Security or any 
series may be registered to, any Person other than the Depositary for such 
Security or its nominee only if (i) such Depositary notifies the Company that 
it is unwilling or unable to continue as Depositary for such Book-Entry 


                                     27

<PAGE>


Security or if at any time such Depositary ceases to be a clearing agency 
registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, (ii) the 
Company executes and delivers to the Trustee a Company Order that such 
Book-Entry Security shall be so exchangeable and the transfer thereof so 
registerable or (iii) there shall have occurred and be continuing an Event of 
Default, or an event which after notice or lapse of time would be an Event of 
Default, with respect to the Securities of such series. Upon the occurrence 
in respect of any Book-Entry Security of any series of any one or more of the 
conditions specified in clause (i), (ii) or (iii) or the preceding sentence 
or such other conditions as may be specified as contemplated by Section 3.1 
for such series, such Book-Entry Security may be exchanged for Securities 
registered in the names of, and the transfer of such Book-Entry Security may 
be registered to, such Persons (including Persons other than the Depositary 
with respect to such series and its nominees) as such Depositary shall 
direct. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture, any Security 
authenticated and delivered upon registration of transfer of, or in exchange 
for, or in lieu of, any Book-Entry Security shall also be a Book-Entry 
Security and shall bear the legend specified in Section 2.4 except for any 
Security authenticated and delivered in exchange for, or upon registration of 
transfer of, Book-Entry Security pursuant to the preceding sentence.

SECTION 3.6.  Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost and Stolen Securities and Coupons.

   If any mutilated Security or a Security with a mutilated coupon 
appertaining thereto is surrendered to the Trustee, the Company shall execute 
and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver in exchange therefor a new 
Security of the same series and of like tenor and principal amount and 
bearing a number not contemporaneously outstanding, with coupons 
corresponding to the coupons, if any, appertaining to the surrendered 
Security and such mutilated Security or a Security with a mutilated coupon, 
if any, shall be cancelled by the Trustee in accordance with the Indenture.

   If there shall be delivered to the Company and the Trustee (i) evidence to 
their satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of any Security or 
coupon and (ii) such security or indemnity as may be required by them, then, 
in the absence of notice to the Company or the Trustee that such Security or 
coupon has been acquired by a bona fide purchaser, the Company shall, subject 
to the following paragraph, execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and 
deliver, in lieu of any such destroyed, lost or stolen Security or in 
exchange for the Security to which a destroyed, lost or stolen coupon 
appertains (with all appurtenant coupons not destroyed, lost or stolen), a 
new Security of the same series and of like tenor and principal amount and 
bearing a number not contemporaneously outstanding, with coupons 
corresponding to the coupons, if any, appertaining to such destroyed, lost or 
stolen Security or to the Security to which such destroyed, lost or stolen 
coupon appertains.

   In case any such mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security or coupon 
has become or is about to become due and payable, the Company in its 
discretion may, instead of issuing a new Security, pay such Security or 
coupon; provided, however, that principal of and any premium and interest on 
Bearer Securities shall, except as otherwise provided in Section 10.2, be 
payable only at an office or agency located outside the United States.


                                         28

<PAGE>

   Upon the issuance of any new Security under this Section, the Company may 
require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental 
charge that may be imposed in relation thereto and any other expenses 
(including the fees and expenses of the Trustee) connected therewith.

   Every new Security of any series, with any coupons appertaining thereto, 
issued pursuant to this Section in lieu of any destroyed, lost or stolen 
Security or in exchange for a Security to which a destroyed, lost or stolen 
coupon appertains, shall constitute an original additional contractual 
obligation of the Company, whether or not the destroyed, lost or stolen 
Security and any coupons appertaining thereto, or the destroyed, lost or 
stolen coupon shall be at any time enforceable by anyone, and any such new 
Security and coupons, if any, shall be entitled to all the benefits of this 
Indenture equally and proportionately with any and all other Securities of 
that series and their coupons, if any, duly issued hereunder.

   The provisions of this Section are exclusive and shall preclude (to the 
extent lawful) all other rights and remedies with respect to the replacement 
or payment of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Securities or coupons.

SECTION 3.7.  Payment of Interest; Interest Rights Preserved.

   Unless otherwise provided as contemplated by Section 3.1 with respect to 
any series of Securities, interest on any Registered Security which is 
payable, and is punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment 
Date shall be paid to the Person in whose name that Security (or one or more 
Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business on the Regular 
Record Date for such interest.

   Any interest on any Registered Security of any series which is payable, 
but is not punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date 
(herein called "Defaulted Interest") shall forthwith cease to be payable to 
the Holder on the relevant Regular Record Date by virtue of having been such 
Holder, and such Defaulted Interest may be paid by the Company, at its 
election in each case, as provided in clauses (1) and (2) below:

      (1)  The Company may elect to make payment of any Defaulted Interest to 
the Persons in whose names the Registered Securities of such series (or their 
respective Predecessor Securities) are registered at the close of business on 
a Special Record Date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest, which shall 
be fixed in the following manner. The Company shall notify the Trustee in 
writing of the amount of Defaulted Interest proposed to be paid on each 
Registered Security of such series and the date of the proposed payment, and 
at the same time the Company shall deposit with the Trustee an amount of 
money equal to the aggregate amount proposed to be paid in respect of such 
Defaulted Interest or shall make arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for 
such deposit prior to the date of the proposed payment, such money when 
deposited to be held in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled to such 
Defaulted Interest as in this clause provided. Thereupon the Trustee shall 
fix a Special Record Date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest which 
shall be not more than 15 days and not less than 10 days prior to the date 


                                       29

<PAGE>


of the proposed payment and not less than 10 days after the receipt by the 
Trustee of the notice of the proposed payment. The Trustee shall promptly 
notify the Company of such Special Record Date and, in the name and at the 
expense of the Company, shall cause notice of the proposed payment of such 
Defaulted Interest and the Special Record Date therefor to be mailed, 
first-class postage prepaid, to each Holder of Registered Securities of such 
series at the address of such Holder as it appears in the Security Register, 
not less than 10 days prior to such Special Record Date. Notice of the 
proposed payment of such Defaulted Interest and the Special Record Date 
therefor having been so mailed, such Defaulted Interest shall be paid to the 
Persons in whose names the Registered Securities of such series (or their 
respective Predecessor Securities) are registered at the close of business on 
such Special Record Date and shall no longer be payable pursuant to the 
following clause (2); and

      (2)  The Company may make payment of any Defaulted Interest on the 
Registered Securities of any series in any other lawful manner not 
inconsistent with the requirements of any securities exchange on which such 
Securities may be listed, and upon such notice as may be required by such 
exchange, if, after notice given by the Company to the Trustee of the 
proposed payment pursuant to this clause, such manner of payment shall be 
deemed practicable by the Trustee.

   Subject to the foregoing provisions of this Section and Section 3.5, each 
Security delivered under this Indenture upon registration of, transfer of or 
in exchange for or in lieu of any other Security shall carry the rights to 
interest accrued and unpaid, and to accrue, which were carried by such other 
Security.

SECTION 3.8.  Persons Deemed Owners.

   Prior to due presentment of a Registered Security for registration of 
transfer, the Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company or the 
Trustee may treat the Person in whose name such Registered Security is 
registered as the owner of such Registered Security for the purpose of 
receiving payment of principal of (and premium, if any) and (subject to 
Sections 3.5 and 3.7) any interest on such Security and for all other 
purposes whatsoever, whether or not such Security shall be overdue, and 
neither the Company, the Trustee nor any agent of the Company or the Trustee 
shall be affected by notice to the contrary.

   Title to any Bearer Security and any coupons appertaining thereto shall 
pass by delivery. The Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company or 
the Trustee may treat the bearer of any Bearer Security and the Bearer of any 
coupon as the absolute owner of such Security or coupon for the purpose of 
receiving payment thereof or on account thereof and for all other purposes 
whatsoever, whether or not such Security or coupon shall be overdue, and 
neither the Company, the Trustee nor any agent of the Company or the Trustee 
shall be affected by notice to the contrary.


                                          30
<PAGE>

SECTION 3.9.  Cancellation.

   All Securities and coupons surrendered for payment, redemption, 
registration of transfer or exchange or for credit against any sinking fund 
payment shall, if surrendered to any Person other than the Trustee, be 
delivered to the Trustee. All Registered Securities and matured coupons so 
delivered shall be promptly cancelled by the Trustee. All Bearer Securities 
and unmatured coupons so delivered shall be cancelled. All Bearer Securities 
and unmatured coupons held by the Trustee pending such cancellation or 
reissuance shall be deemed to be delivered for cancellation for all purposes 
of this Indenture and the Securities. The Company may at any time deliver to 
the Trustee for cancellation any Securities previously authenticated and 
delivered hereunder which the Company may have acquired in any manner 
whatsoever, and may deliver to the Trustee (or to any other Person for 
delivery to the Trustee) for cancellation any Securities previously 
authenticated hereunder which the Company has not issued and sold, and all 
Securities so delivered shall be promptly cancelled by the Trustee. No 
Securities shall be authenticated in lieu of or in exchange for any 
Securities cancelled as provided in this Section, except as expressly 
permitted by this Indenture. All cancelled Securities and coupons held by the 
Trustee shall be disposed of as directed by a Company Order, or in the 
absence of a Company Order, may be destroyed by the Trustee.

   Notwithstanding the foregoing, with respect to any Book-Entry Security, 
nothing herein shall prevent the Company, the Trustee or any agent of the 
Company or the Trustee, from giving effect to any written certification, 
proxy or other authorization furnished by a Depositary or impair, as between 
a Depositary and holders of beneficial interests in any Book-Entry Security, 
the operation of customary practices governing the exercise of the rights of 
the Depositary (or its nominee) as Holder of such Book-Entry Security.

SECTION 3.10.      Computation of Interest.

   Except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 3.1 for 
Securities of any series, interest on the Securities of each series shall be 
computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months.

SECTION 3.11.     Electronic Security Issuance.

   The Securities may, pursuant to a Board Resolution and Officers' 
Certificate complying with Section 3.1 hereof, be issued by means of an 
electronic issuance system. Any such Security issuance instructions may 
specify the name, address and taxpayer identification number of the Holder, 
the principal amount and Maturity of the Security, the interest rate to be 
borne by the Security and any other terms not inconsistent with such Board 
Resolution and Officers' Certificate. Nothing in this Section 3.11 shall be 
construed as prohibiting the Company from issuing Securities by any means not 
inconsistent with the provisions of this Indenture.


                                   31

<PAGE>

                                  ARTICLE IV

                            Satisfaction and Discharge

SECTION 4.1. Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture.

   This Indenture shall upon Company Request cease to be of further effect 
(except as to any surviving rights of registration of transfer or exchange of 
Securities herein expressly provided for, and any right to receive additional 
amounts, as provided in Section 10.4), and the Trustee, at the expense of the 
Company, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging satisfaction and 
discharge of this Indenture, when:

      (1)  either

      (A)  all Securities theretofore authenticated and
delivered and all coupons, if any, appertaining thereto (other
than (i) coupons appertaining to Bearer Securities surrendered
for exchange for Registered Securities and maturing after such
exchange, whose surrender is not required or has been waived
as provided in Section 3.5, (ii) Securities and coupons which
have been destroyed, lost or stolen and which have been
replaced or paid as provided in Section 3.6, (iii) coupons
appertaining to Securities called for redemption and maturing
after the relevant Redemption Date, whose surrender has been
waived as provided in Section 11.6, and (iv) Securities and
coupons for whose payment money has theretofore been deposited
in trust or segregated and held in trust by the Company and
thereafter repaid to the Company or discharged from such
trust, as provided in Section 10.3) have been delivered to the
Trustee for cancellation; or

      (B)  all such Securities and, in the case of (i) or (ii) below, any 
coupons appertaining thereto not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for 
cancellation,

      (i)  have become due and payable, or

      (ii) will become due and payable at their Stated Maturity within one 
year, or

     (iii) are to be called for redemption within one year under arrangements 
satisfactory to the Trustee for the giving of notice of redemption by the 
Trustee in the name, and at the expense, of the Company, and the Company, in 
the case of (i), (ii) or (iii) above, has deposited or caused to be deposited 
with the Trustee as trust funds in trust for the purpose, an amount 
sufficient to pay and discharge the entire indebtedness on such Securities 
and coupons not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation, for 
principal (and premium, if any) and any interest to the date of such deposit 
(in the case of Securities which have become due and payable) or to the 
Stated Maturity or Redemption Date, as the case may be;

      (2) the Company has paid or caused to be paid all other sums payable 
hereunder by the Company; and


                                      32

<PAGE>


      (3) the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Officers'
Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all
conditions precedent herein provided for relating to the
satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture have been
complied with.

   Notwithstanding the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture, the 
obligations of the Company to the Trustee under Section 6.5, the obligations 
of the Trustee to any Authenticating Agent under Section 6.12 and, if money 
shall have been deposited with the Trustee pursuant to clause (1)(B) of this 
Section, the obligations of the Trustee under Section 4.2 and the last 
paragraph of Section 10.3 shall survive.

SECTION 4.2.  Application of Trust Money.

   Subject to the provisions of the last paragraph of Section 10.3, all money 
and U.S. Government Obligations deposited with the Trustee pursuant to 
Section 4.1 or 4.3 and all money received by the Trustee in respect of such 
U.S. Government Obligations shall be held in trust and applied by it, in 
accordance with the provisions of the Securities, the coupons and this 
Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any Paying Agent 
(including the Company acting as its own Paying Agent) as the Trustee may 
determine, to the Persons entitled thereto, of the principal (and premium, if 
any) and any interest for whose payment such money and U.S. Government 
Obligations has been deposited with or received by the Trustee.

SECTION 4.3. Company's Option to Effect Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance.

   If applicable to a particular series of Securities, the Company may elect, 
at its option at any time, to have Section 4.4 or Section 4.5 applied to any 
such series of Securities or any Securities of such series, as the case may 
be, designated pursuant to Section 3.1 as being defeasible pursuant to such 
Section 4.4 or 4.5, in accordance with any applicable requirements provided 
pursuant to Section 3.1 and upon compliance with the conditions set forth 
below in this Article. Any such election shall be evidenced by a Board 
Resolution or in another manner specified as contemplated by Section 3.1 for 
such Securities.

SECTION 4.4. Discharge and Defeasance.

   If this Section 4.4 is specified, as contemplated by Section 3.1, to be 
applicable to Securities of any series, then notwithstanding Section 4.1 and 
upon compliance with the applicable conditions set forth in Section 4.6 (i) 
the Company shall be deemed to have paid and discharged the entire 
indebtedness on all the Outstanding Securities of any such series 
("Defeasance"); and (ii) the provisions of this Indenture as it relates to 
such Outstanding Securities shall no longer be in effect (except as to the 
rights of Holders of Securities to receive, solely from the trust fund 
described in Section 4.6, payment of (x) the principal of (and premium, if 
any) and any installment of principal of (and premium, if any) or interest on 
such Securities on the Stated Maturity of such principal (and premium, if 
any) or installment of principal (and premium, if any) or interest or upon 
optional redemption and/or (y) any mandatory sinking fund payments or 
analogous payments applicable to the Securities of that series on that day on 
which such payments 

                                       33

<PAGE>


are due and payable in accordance with the terms of the Indenture and of such 
Securities, the Company's obligations with respect to such Securities under 
Sections 3.4, 3.5, 3.6, 10.2, 10.3 and 10.4 and the rights, powers, trusts, 
duties and immunities of the Trustee hereunder, including those under Section 
6.5 hereof).

SECTION 4.5. Covenant Defeasance.

   If this Section 4.5 is specified, as contemplated by Section
3.1, to be applicable to any series of Securities or any
Securities of such series, as the case may be, (1) the Company
shall be released from its obligations under Section 8.1(3)
and Sections 10.5 through 10.8, inclusive, and any covenants
provided pursuant to Section 3.1(21), 9.1(2) or 9.1(7) for the
benefit of the Holders of such Securities that pursuant to the
terms of such Securities are defeasible pursuant to this
Section 4.5 and (2) the occurrence of any event specified in
Sections 5.1(4) (with respect to any of Section 8.1(3),
Sections 10.5 through 10.8, inclusive, and any such covenants
provided pursuant to Section 3.1(21), 9.1(2), or 9.1(7) and
5.1(7) (if pursuant to the terms of such Securities this
Section 4.5 is applicable to any such event specified in
Section 5.1(7)) shall be deemed not to be or result in an
Event of Default, in each case with respect to such Securities
as provided in this Section on and after the date the
conditions set forth in Section 4.6 are satisfied (hereinafter
called "Covenant Defeasance"). For this purpose, such Covenant
Defeasance means that, with respect to such Securities, the
Company may omit to comply with and shall have no liability in
respect of any term, condition or limitation set forth in any
such specified Section (to the extent so specified in the case
of Sections 5.1(4) and 5.1(7)), whether directly or indirectly
by reason of any reference elsewhere herein to any such
Section or by reason of any reference in any such Section to
any other provision herein or in any other document, but the
remainder of this Indenture and such Securities shall be
unaffected thereby.

SECTION 4.6. Conditions to Defeasance or Covenant
Defeasance.

The following shall be the conditions to the application of
Section 4.4 or Section 4.5 to any applicable series of
Securities or any Securities of such series, as the case may
be:

          (1)     either

      (A)  with respect to all Outstanding Securities of such series or such 
Securities of such Series, as the case may be, with reference to this Section 
4.6, the Company has deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee 
irrevocably (but subject to the provisions of Section 4.2 and the last 
paragraph of Section 10.3), as trust funds in trust, specifically pledged as 
security for, and dedicated solely to, the benefit of the Holders of such 
Securities, (X) lawful money of the United States in an amount, or (Y) U.S. 
Government Obligations which through the payment of interest and principal in 
respect thereof in accordance with their terms will provide not later than 
the opening of business on the due dates of any payment referred to in clause 
(i) or (ii) of this subparagraph (1)(A) lawful money of the United States in 
an amount, or (z) a combination thereof, sufficient, in the opinion of a 
nationally recognized firm of 


                                      34


<PAGE>

independent public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof 
delivered to the Trustee, to pay and discharge (i) the principal of (and 
premium, if any) and each installment of principal (and premium, if any) and 
interest on such Securities the Stated Maturity of such principal or 
installment of principal or interest or upon optional redemption and (ii) any 
mandatory sinking fund payments or analogous payments applicable to such 
Securities on the day on which such payments are due and payable in 
accordance with the terms of this Indenture and of such Securities; or

      (B)  the Company has properly fulfilled such other means of 
satisfaction and discharge as is specified, as contemplated by Section 3.1, 
to be applicable to the Securities of such series;

      (2)  the Company has paid or caused to be paid all other sums payable 
with respect to such Securities;

      (3)  such deposit will not result in a breach or violation of, or 
constitute a default under, this Indenture or any other agreement or 
instrument to which the Company is a party or by which it is bound;

      (4)  no Event of Default or event which with the giving of notice or 
lapse of time, or both, would become an Event of Default with respect to such 
Securities shall have occurred and be continuing on the date of such deposit 
and no Event of Default under Section 5.1(5) or Section 5.1(6) or event which 
with the giving of notice or lapse of time, or both, would become an Event of 
Default under Section 5.1(5) or Section 5.1(6) shall have occurred and be 
continuing on the 91st day after such date;

      (5)  in the event of an election to have Section 4.4 apply to any 
series of Securities, the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of 
Counsel to the effect that (a) the Company has received from, or there has 
been published by, the Internal Revenue Service a ruling, or (b) since the 
date of this Indenture there has been a change in applicable federal income 
tax law, in either case to the effect that, and based thereon such Opinion of 
Counsel shall confirm that, the Holders of Securities of such series will not 
recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of 
such deposit, defeasance and discharge and will be subject to federal income 
tax on the same amount and in the same manner and at the same times as would 
have been the case if such deposit, defeasance and discharge had not occurred;

    (6)  in the event of an election to have Section 4.5 apply to any series 
of Securities, the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of 
Counsel, to the effect that the Holders of such Securities will not recognize 
gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of the deposit and 
Covenant Defeasance to be effected with respect to such Securities and will 
be subject to federal income tax on the same amount, in the same manner and 
at the same times as would be the case if such deposit and Covenant 
Defeasance were not to occur.

      (7)  if the Securities of that series are then listed on any domestic 
or foreign securities exchange, the Company shall have delivered to the 
Trustee an Opinion 

                                          35

<PAGE>

of Counsel to the effect that such deposit, defeasance and discharge will not 
cause such Securities to be delisted; and

      (8)  the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Officers' Certificate 
and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent herein 
provided for relating to the Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance with respect 
to such Securities of any such series have been complied with and an Opinion 
of Counsel to the effect that either (i) as a result of such deposit and the 
related exercise of the Company's option under this Article, registration is 
not required under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, by the 
Company, the trust funds representing such deposit or the Trustee or (ii) all 
necessary registrations under said Act have been effected.

   Any deposits with the Trustee referred to in Section 4.6(1)(A) above shall 
be irrevocable and shall be made under the terms of an escrow/trust agreement 
in form and substance satisfactory to the Trustee. If any Outstanding 
Securities of such series are to be redeemed prior to their Stated Maturity, 
whether pursuant to any optional redemption provisions or in accordance with 
any mandatory sinking fund requirement, the applicable escrow trust agreement 
shall provide therefor and the Company shall make such arrangements as are 
satisfactory to the Trustee for the giving of notice of redemption by the 
Trustee in the name, and at the expense, of the Company.

   Upon Defeasance with respect to all the Securities of a series, the terms 
and conditions of such securities, including the terms and conditions with 
respect thereto set forth in this Indenture, shall no longer be binding upon, 
or applicable to, the Company; provided that the Company shall not be 
discharged from any payment obligations in respect of Securities which are 
deemed not to be Outstanding under clause (iii) of the definition thereof if 
such obligations continue to be valid obligations of the Company under 
applicable law.

   Notwithstanding the cessation, termination and discharge of all 
obligations, covenants and agreements (except as provided above in this 
Section 4.6) of the Company under this Indenture with respect to any series 
of Securities, the obligations of the Company to the Trustee under Section 
6.5, and the obligations of the Trustee under Section 4.2 and the last 
paragraph of Section 10.3 shall survive with respect to such series of 
Securities.

   Anything in this Article to the contrary notwithstanding, the Trustee 
shall deliver or pay to the Company from time to time upon Company Request 
any money or U.S. Government Obligations held by it as provided in this 
Section 4.6 with respect to any Securities which, in the opinion of a 
nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants expressed in a 
written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee, are in excess of the 
amount thereof which would then be required to be deposited to effect the 
Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance, as the case may be, with respect to such 
Securities.


                                    36


<PAGE>

                                ARTICLE V 
  
                                 Remedies

SECTION 5.1.   Events of Default.

     "Event of Default", wherever used herein with respect to Securities of 
any series, means any one of the following events (whatever the reason for 
such Event of Default and whether it shall be voluntary or involuntary or be 
effected by operation of law or pursuant to any judgment, decree or order of 
any court or any order, rule or regulation of any administrative or 
governmental body):

          (1)  default in the payment of any interest upon any Security of 
that series when it becomes due and payable, and continuance of such default 
for a period of 30 days; or

          (2)  default in the payment of the principal of (or premium, if 
any, on) any Security of that series at its Maturity; or

          (3)  default in the deposit of any sinking fund payment, when and 
as due by the terms of a Security of that series; or

          (4)  default in the performance, or breach, of any covenant or 
warranty of the Company in this Indenture (other than a covenant or warranty 
a default in whose performance or whose breach is elsewhere in this Section 
specifically dealt with or which has expressly been included in this 
Indenture solely for the benefit of series of Securities other than that 
series), and continuance of such default or breach for a period of 60 days 
after there has been given, by registered or certified mail, to the Company 
by the Trustee or to the Company and the Trustee by the Holders of at least 
25% in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series, a 
written notice specifying such default or breach and requiring it to be 
remedied and stating that such notice is a "Notice of Default," hereunder; or

          (5)  the entry by a court having jurisdiction in the premises of 
(A) a decree or order for relief in respect of the Company in an involuntary 
case or proceeding under any applicable Federal or State bankruptcy, 
insolvency, reorganization or other similar law or (B) a decree or order 
adjudging the Company a bankrupt or insolvent, or approving as properly filed 
a petition seeking reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition of 
or in respect of the Company under any applicable Federal or State law, or 
appointing a custodian, receiver, liquidation, assignee, trustee, 
sequestrator or other similar official of the Company or of any substantial 
part of its property, or ordering the winding up or liquidation of its 
affairs, and the continuance of any such decree or order for relief or any 
such other decree or order unstayed and in effect for a period of 60 
consecutive days; or

          (6)  the commencement by the Company of a voluntary case or 
proceeding under any applicable Federal or State bankruptcy, insolvency, 
reorganization or other similar law or of any other case or proceeding to be 
adjudicated a bankrupt or

                                37
<PAGE>

insolvent, or the consent by it to the entry of a decree or order for relief 
in respect of the Company in an involuntary case or proceeding under any 
applicable Federal or State bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other 
similar law or to the commencement of any bankruptcy or insolvency case or 
proceeding against it, or the filing by it of a petition or answer or consent 
seeking reorganization or relief under any applicable Federal or State law, 
or the consent by it to the filing of such petition or to the appointment of 
or taking possession by a custodian, receiver, liquidation, assignee, 
trustee, sequestrator or similar official of the Company or of any 
substantial part of its property, or the making by it of an assignment for 
the benefit of creditors, or the admission by it in writing of its inability 
to pay its debts generally as they become due, or the taking of corporate 
action by the Company in furtherance of any such action; or

          (7)  any other Event of Default provided with respect to Securities 
of that series.

SECTION 5.2.   Acceleration of Maturity; Rescission and Annulment.

     If an Event of Default with respect to Securities of any series at the 
time Outstanding occurs and is continuing, then in every such case the 
Trustee or the Holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the 
Outstanding Securities of that series may declare the principal amount (or, 
if any of the Securities of that series are Original Issue Discount 
Securities, such portion of the principal amount of such Securities as may be 
specified in the terms thereof) of all of the Securities of that series to be 
due and payable immediately, by a notice in writing to the Company (and to 
the Trustee if given by Holders), and upon any such declaration such 
principal amount (or specified amount) shall become immediately due and 
payable.

     At any time after such a declaration of acceleration with respect to 
Securities of any series has been made and before a judgment or decree for 
payment of the money due has been obtained by the Trustee as hereinafter in 
this Article provided, the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the 
Outstanding Securities of that series, by written notice to the Company and 
the Trustee, may rescind and annul such declaration and its consequences if:

     (1)  the Company has paid or deposited with the Trustee a sum sufficient 
to pay,

     (A)  all overdue interest on all Securities of that series,

     (B)  the principal of (and premium, if any, on) any Securities of that 
series which have become due otherwise than by such declaration of 
acceleration and any interest thereon at the rate or rates prescribed 
therefor in such Securities,

     (C)  to the extent that payment of such interest is lawful, interest 
upon overdue interest at the rate or rates prescribed therefor in such 
Securities, and

     (D)  all sums paid or advanced by the Trustee hereunder and the 
reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, 
its agents and counsel;

                                38
<PAGE>

     and

     (2)  all Events of Default with respect to Securities of that series, 
other than the nonpayment of the principal of Securities of that series which 
have become due solely by such declaration of acceleration, have been cured 
or waived as provided in Section 5.13.

     No such rescission shall affect any subsequent default or impair any 
right consequent thereon.

SECTION 5.3.   Collection of Indebtedness and Suits for Enforcement by 
Trustee.

     The Company covenants that if,

     (1)  default is made in the payment of any interest on any Security of 
any series when such interest becomes due and payable and such default 
continues for a period of 30 days, or

     (2)  default is made in the payment of the principal of (or premium, if 
any, on) any Security of any series at the Maturity thereof, the Company 
will, upon demand of the Trustee, pay to it, for the benefit of the Holders 
of such Securities of that series and any coupons appertaining thereto, to 
margin the whole amount then due and payable on such Securities of that 
series and coupons for principal and any premium and interest and, to the 
extent that payment of such interest shall be legally enforceable, interest 
on any overdue principal and on the premium, if any, and overdue interest, at 
the rate or rates prescribed therefor in such Securities of that series and, 
in addition thereto, such further amount as shall be sufficient to cover the 
costs and expenses of collection, including the reasonable compensation, 
expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel.

     If the Company fails to pay such amounts forthwith upon such demand, the 
Trustee, in its own name and as trustee of an express trust, may institute a 
judicial proceeding for the collection of the sums so due and unpaid, may 
prosecute such proceeding to judgment or final decree and may enforce the 
same against the Company or any other obligor upon such Securities and 
collect the moneys adjudged or decreed to be payable in the manner provided 
by law out of the property of the Company or any other obligor upon such 
Securities, wherever situated.

     If an Event of Default with respect to Securities of any series occurs 
and is continuing, the Trustee may in its discretion proceed to protect and 
enforce its rights and the rights of the Holders of Securities of such series 
and any coupons appertaining thereto by such appropriate judicial proceedings 
as the Trustee shall deem most effectual to protect and enforce any such 
rights, whether for the specific enforcement of any covenant or agreement in 
this Indenture or in aid of the exercise of any power granted herein, or to 
enforce any other proper remedy.

                                39
<PAGE>

SECTION 5.4.   Trustee May File Proofs of Claim.

     In case of the pendency of any receivership, insolvency, liquidation, 
bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement, adjustment, composition or other 
judicial proceeding relative to the Company or any other obligor upon the 
Securities or the property of the Company or of such other obligor or their 
creditors, the Trustee (irrespective of whether the principal of the 
Securities shall then be due and payable as therein expressed or by 
declaration or otherwise and irrespective of whether the Trustee shall have 
made any demand on the Company for the payment of overdue principal or 
interest) shall be entitled and empowered, by intervention in such proceeding 
or otherwise,

          (i)  to file and prove a claim for the whole amount of
     principal and any premium and interest owing and unpaid in
     respect of the Securities and to file such other papers or
     documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have
     the claims of the Trustee (including any claim for the
     reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and
     advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel) and of the
     Holders of Securities and coupons allowed in such judicial
     proceeding, and

          (ii) to collect and receive any moneys or other
     property payable or deliverable on any such claims and to
     distribute the same, and any custodian, receiver, assignee,
     trustee, liquidation, sequestrator or other similar official
     in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each
     Holder of Securities and coupons to make such payments to
     the Trustee and, in the event that the Trustee shall consent
     to the making of such payments directly to the Holders of
     Securities and coupons, to pay to the Trustee any amount due
     it for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements
     and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, and any
     other amounts due the Trustee under Section 6.7.

     Nothing herein contained shall be deemed to authorize the Trustee to 
authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Holder of a 
Security or coupon any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or 
composition affecting the Securities or coupons or the rights of any Holder 
thereof or to authorize the Trustee to vote in respect of the claim of any 
Holder of a Security or coupon in any such proceeding.

SECTION 5.5.   Trustee May Enforce Claims Without Possession of 
               Securities or Coupons.

     All rights of action and claims under this Indenture or the Securities 
or coupons may be prosecuted and enforced by the Trustee without the 
possession of any of the Securities or coupons or the production thereof in 
any proceeding relating thereto, and any such proceeding instituted by the 
Trustee shall be brought in its own name as trustee of an express trust, and 
any recovery of judgment shall, after provision for the payment of the 
reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, 
its agents and counsel, be for the ratable benefit of the Holders of the 
Securities and coupons in respect of which such judgment has been recovered.

                                40
<PAGE>

SECTION 5.6.   Application of Money Collected.

     Any money collected by the Trustee pursuant to this Article shall be 
applied in the following order, at the date or dates fixed by the Trustee 
and, in case of the distribution of such money on account of principal or any 
premium or interest, upon presentation of the Securities or coupons, or both, 
as the case may be, and the notation thereon of the payment if only partially 
paid and upon surrender thereof if fully paid:

     First:  To the payment of all amounts due the Trustee under Section 6.7; 
and

     Second:  To the payment of the amounts then due and unpaid for principal 
of and any premium and interest on the Securities and coupons in respect of 
which or for the benefit of which such money has been collected, ratably, 
without preference or priority of any kind, according to the amounts due and 
payable on such Securities and coupons for principal and any premium and 
interest, respectively.

SECTION 5.7.   Limitation on Suits.

     No Holder of any Security of any series or any related coupons shall 
have any right to institute any proceeding, judicial or otherwise, with 
respect to this Indenture, or for the appointment of a receiver or trustee, 
or for any other remedy hereunder, unless:

          (1)  such Holder has previously given written notice to the Trustee 
of a continuing Event of Default with respect to the Securities of that 
series;

          (2)  the Holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the 
Outstanding Securities of that series shall have made written request to the 
Trustee to institute proceedings in respect of such Event of Default in its 
own name as Trustee hereunder;

          (3)  such Holder or Holders have offered to the Trustee reasonable 
indemnity against the costs, expenses and liabilities to be incurred in 
compliance with such request;

          (4)  the Trustee for 60 days after its receipt of such notice, 
request and offer of indemnity has failed to institute any such proceeding; 
and

          (5)  no direction inconsistent with such written request has been 
given to the Trustee during such 60-day period by the Holders of a majority 
in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series; it being 
understood and intended that no one or more of such Holders shall have any 
right in any manner whatever by virtue of, or by availing of, any provision 
of this Indenture to affect, disturb or prejudice the rights of any other of 
such Holders, or to obtain or to seek to obtain priority or preference over 
any other of such Holders or to enforce any right under this Indenture, 
except in the manner herein provided and for the equal and ratable benefit of 
all of such Holders.

                                41
<PAGE>

SECTION 5.8.   Unconditional Right of Holders to Receive
               Principal, Premium and Interest.

     Notwithstanding any other provision in this Indenture, the Holder of any 
Security or coupon shall have the right, which is absolute and unconditional, 
to receive payment of the principal of and any premium and (subject to 
Section 3.7) interest on such Security, and any additional amounts 
contemplated by Section 10.4 in respect of such Security or payment of such 
coupon on the Stated Maturity or Maturities expressed in such Security or 
coupon (or, in the case of redemption, on the Redemption Date) and to 
institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment, and such rights shall 
not be impaired without the consent of such Holder.

SECTION 5.9.   Restoration of Rights and Remedies.

     If the Trustee or any Holder of a Security or coupon has instituted any 
proceeding to enforce any right or remedy under this Indenture and such 
proceeding has been discontinued or abandoned for any reason, or has been 
determined adversely to the Trustee or to such Holder, then and in every such 
case, subject to any determination in such proceeding, the Company, the 
Trustee and the Holders of Securities and coupons shall be restored severally 
and respectively to their former positions hereunder and thereafter all 
rights and remedies of the Trustee and the Holders shall continue as though 
no such proceeding had been instituted.

SECTION 5.10.  Rights and Remedies Cumulative.

     Except as otherwise provided with respect to the replacement or payment 
of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Securities or coupons in the last 
paragraph of Section 3.6, no right or remedy herein conferred upon or 
reserved to the Trustee or to the Holders of Securities or coupons is 
intended to be exclusive or any other right or remedy, and every right and 
remedy shall, to the extent permitted by law, be cumulative and in addition 
to every other right and remedy given hereunder or now or hereafter existing 
at law or in equity or otherwise. The assertion or employment of any right or 
remedy hereunder, or otherwise, shall not prevent the concurrent assertion or 
employment of any other appropriate right or remedy.

SECTION 5.11.  Delay or Omission Not Waiver.

     No delay or omission of the Trustee or of any Holder of any Security or 
coupon to exercise any right or remedy accruing upon any Event of Default 
shall impair any such right or remedy or constitute a waiver of any such 
Event of Default or an acquiescence therein. Every right and remedy given by 
this Article or by law to the Trustee or to the Holders of Securities or 
coupons may be exercised from time to time, and as often as may be deemed 
expedient, by the Trustee or by the Holders of Securities or coupons, as the 
case may be.

                                42
<PAGE>

SECTION 5.12.  Control by Holders of Securities.

     The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding 
Securities of any series shall have the right to direct the time, method and 
place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee, 
or exercising any trust or power conferred on the Trustee, with respect to 
the Securities of such series, provided that,

          (1)  such direction shall not be in conflict with any rule of law 
or with this Indenture, and

          (2)  the Trustee may take any other action deemed proper by the 
Trustee which is not inconsistent with such direction.

SECTION 5.13.  Waiver of Past Defaults.

     The Holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the 
Outstanding Securities of any series may on behalf of the Holders of all the 
Securities of such series and any coupons appertaining thereto waive any past 
default hereunder with respect to the Securities of such series and its 
consequences, except a default

          (1)  in the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any) or any 
interest on any Security of such series, or

          (2)  in respect of a covenant or provision hereof which under 
Article IX cannot be modified or amended without the consent of the Holder of 
each Outstanding Security of such series affected.

     Upon any such waiver, such default shall cease to exist, and any Event 
of Default arising therefrom shall be deemed to have been cured, for every 
purpose of this Indenture; but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent 
or other default or impair any right consequent thereon.

SECTION 5.14.  Undertaking for Costs.

     All parties to this Indenture agree, and each Holder of any Security or 
coupon by his acceptance thereof shall be deemed to have agreed, that any 
court may in its discretion require, in any suit for the enforcement of any 
right or remedy under this Indenture, or in any suit against the Trustee for 
any action taken, suffered or omitted by it as Trustee, the filing by any 
party litigant in such suit of an undertaking to pay the costs of such suit, 
and that such court may in its discretion assess reasonable costs, including 
reasonable attorneys' fees, against any party litigant in such suit, having 
due regard to the merits and good faith of the claims or defenses made by 
such party litigant; but the provisions of this Section shall not apply to 
any suit instituted by the Company, to any suit instituted by the Trustee, to 
any suit instituted by any Holder, or group of Holders, holding in the 
aggregate more than 10% in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of 
any series, or to any suit instituted by any Holder of any Security or coupon 
for the enforcement of the payment of the principal of or any premium or 
interest on any Security or the payment of any coupon on or after the Stated 
Maturity or Maturities 

                                43
<PAGE>

expressed in such Security or coupon (or, in the case of redemption, on or 
after the Redemption Date).

SECTION 5.15.  Waiver of Stay or Extension Laws.

     The Company covenants (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) that it 
will not at any time insist upon, or plead, or in any manner whatsoever claim 
or take the benefit or advantage of, any stay or extension law wherever 
enacted, now or at any time hereafter in force, which may affect the 
covenants or the performance of this Indenture; and the Company (to the 
extent that it may lawfully do so) hereby expressly waives all benefit or 
advantage of any such law and covenants that it will not hinder, delay or 
impede the execution of any power herein granted to the Trustee, but will 
suffer and permit the execution of every such power as though no such law had 
been enacted.

                             ARTICLE VI

                            The Trustee

SECTION 6.1.   Certain Rights of Trustee.

     Subject to the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act:

          (a)  the Trustee may rely and shall be protected in acting or 
refraining from acting upon any resolution, certificate, statement, 
instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, 
bond, debenture, note, coupon, other evidence of indebtedness or other paper 
or document believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented 
by the proper party or parties;

          (b)  any request or direction of the Company mentioned herein shall 
be sufficiently evidenced by a Company Request or Company Order or as 
otherwise expressly provided herein and any resolution of the Board of 
Directors may be sufficiently evidenced by a Board Resolution;

          (c)  whenever in the administration of this Indenture the Trustee 
shall deem it desirable that a matter be proved or established prior to 
taking, suffering or omitting any action hereunder, the Trustee (unless other 
evidence be herein specifically prescribed) may, in the absence of bad faith 
on its part, rely upon an Officers' Certificate;

          (d)  the Trustee may consult with counsel and the advice of such 
counsel or any Opinion of Counsel shall be full and complete authorization 
and protection in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by it 
hereunder in good faith and in reliance thereon;

          (e)  the Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of 
the rights or powers vested in it by this Indenture at the request or 
direction of any of the Holders of Securities of any series or any related 
coupons pursuant to this Indenture, unless such Holders shall have offered to 
the Trustee reasonable security or indemnity against the 

                                44
<PAGE>

costs, expenses and liabilities which might be incurred by it in compliance 
with such request or direction;

          (f)  the Trustee shall not be bound to make any investigation into 
the facts or matters stated in any resolution, certificate, statement, 
instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, 
bond, debenture, note, coupon, other evidence of indebtedness or other paper 
or document, but the Trustee, in its discretion, may make such further 
inquiry or investigation into such facts or matters as it may see fit, and, 
if the Trustee shall determine to make such further inquiry or investigation, 
it shall be entitled to examine the books, records and premises of the 
Company, personally or by agent or attorney; and

          (g)  the Trustee may execute any of the trusts or powers hereunder 
or perform any duties hereunder either directly or by or through agents or 
attorneys and the Trustee shall not be responsible for any misconduct or 
negligence on the part of any agent or attorney appointed with due care by it 
hereunder.

SECTION 6.2.   Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of Securities.

     The recitals contained herein and in the Securities (except the 
Trustee's certificates of authentication) and in any coupons shall be taken 
as the statements of the Company, and the Trustee or any Authenticating Agent 
assumes no responsibility for their correctness. The Trustee makes no 
representations as to the validity or sufficiency of this Indenture or of the 
Securities or coupons. The Trustee or any Authenticating Agent shall not be 
accountable for the use or application by the Company of Securities or the 
proceeds thereof.

SECTION 6.3.   May Hold Securities.

     The Trustee, any Authenticating Agent, any Paying Agent, any Security 
Registrar or any other agent of the Company, in its individual or any other 
capacity, may become the owner or pledgee of Securities and coupons and, 
subject to Sections 6.8 and 6.10, may otherwise deal with the Company with 
the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee, Authenticating Agent, 
Paying Agent, Security Registrar or such other agent.

SECTION 6.4.   Money Held in Trust.

     Money held by the Trustee in trust hereunder need not be segregated from 
other funds except to the extent required by law. The Trustee shall be under 
no liability for interest on any money received by it hereunder except as 
otherwise agreed with the Company.

SECTION 6.5.   Compensation and Reimbursement.

     The Company agrees:

          (1)  to pay to the Trustee or any predecessor Trustee from time to 
time reasonable compensation for all services rendered by it hereunder (which 
compensation 

                                45
<PAGE>

shall not be limited by any provision of law in regard to the compensation of 
a trustee of an express trust);

          (2)  except as otherwise expressly provided herein, to reimburse 
the Trustee or any predecessor Trustee upon its request for all reasonable 
expenses, disbursements and advances incurred or made by the Trustee in 
accordance with any provision of this Indenture (including the compensation 
and the expenses and disbursements of its agents and counsel), except any 
such expense, disbursement or advance as may be attributable to its 
negligence or bad faith; and

          (3)  to indemnify the Trustee and any predecessor Trustee for, and 
to hold it harmless against, any loss, liability or expense incurred without 
negligence or bad faith on its part, arising out of or in connection with the 
acceptance or administration of the trust or trusts hereunder, including the 
costs and expenses of defending itself against any claim or liability in 
connection with the exercise or performance of any of its powers or duties 
hereunder.

SECTION 6.6.   Resignation and Removal; Appointment of Successor.

          (a)  The Trustee may resign at any time with respect to the 
Securities of one or more series by giving written notice thereof to the 
Company. If the instrument of acceptance by a successor Trustee required by 
Section 6.7 shall not have been delivered to the Trustee within 30 days after 
the giving of such notice of resignation, the resigning Trustee may petition 
any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor 
Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series.

          (b)  The Trustee may be removed at any time with respect to the 
Securities of any series by Act of the Holders of a majority in principal 
amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series delivered to the Trustee 
and to the Company.

          (c)  If at any time:

          (1)  the Trustee shall fail to comply with Section 310(b) of the 
Trust Indenture Act after written request therefor by the Company or by any 
Holder of a Security who has been a bona fide Holder of a Security for at 
least six months, or

          (2)  the Trustee shall cease to be eligible under Section 6.9 and 
Section 310(a) of the Trust Indenture Act and shall fail to resign after 
written request therefor by the Company or by any such Holder, or

          (3)  the Trustee shall become incapable of acting or shall be 
adjudged a bankrupt or insolvent or a receiver of the Trustee or of its 
property shall be appointed or any public officer shall take charge or 
control of the Trustee or of its property or affairs for the purpose of 
rehabilitation, conservation or liquidation,

     then, in any such case, (i) the Company by a Board Resolution may remove 
the Trustee with respect to all Securities, or (ii) subject to Section 5.14 
any Holder of a Security who has been a bona fide Holder of a Security for at 
least six months may, on 

                                46
<PAGE>

behalf of himself and all others similarly situated, petition any court of 
competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee with respect to all 
Securities and the appointment of a successor Trustee or Trustees.

          (d)  If the Trustee shall resign, be removed or become incapable of 
acting, or if a vacancy shall occur in the office of Trustee for any cause, 
with respect to the Securities of one or more series, the Company, by a Board 
Resolution, shall promptly appoint a successor Trustee or Trustees with 
respect to the Securities of that or those series (it being understood that 
any such successor Trustee may be appointed with respect to the Securities of 
one or more or all of such series and that at any time there shall be only 
one Trustee with respect to the Securities of any particular series) and 
shall comply with the applicable requirements of Section 6.7. If, within one 
year after such resignation, removal or incapability, or the occurrence of 
such vacancy, a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of any 
series shall be appointed by Act of the Holders of a majority in principal 
amount of Outstanding Securities of such series delivered to the Company and 
the retiring Trustee, the successor Trustee so appointed shall, forthwith 
upon its acceptance of such appointment in accordance with the applicable 
requirements of Section 6.7, become the successor Trustee with respect to the 
Securities of such series and to that extent supersede the successor Trustee 
appointed by the Company. If no successor Trustee with respect to the 
Securities of any series shall have been so appointed by the Company or the 
Holders of Securities of that series and accepted appointment in the manner 
required by Section 6.7, any Holder of a Security who has been a bona fide 
Holder of a Security of such series for at least six months may, on behalf of 
himself and all others similarly situated, petition any court of competent 
jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee with respect to the 
Securities of such series.

          (e)  The Company shall give notice of each resignation and each 
removal of the Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series and each 
appointment of a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of any 
series in the manner provided in Section 1.6. Each notice shall include the 
name of the successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series 
and the address of its Corporate Trust Office.

SECTION 6.7.   Acceptance of Appointment by Successor.

          (a)  In case of the appointment hereunder of a successor Trustee 
with respect to all Securities every such successor Trustee so appointed 
shall execute, acknowledge and deliver to the Company and to the retiring 
Trustee an instrument accepting such appointment, and thereupon the 
resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective and 
such successor Trustee, without any further act, deed or conveyance, shall 
become vested with all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring 
Trustee; but on the request of the Company or the successor Trustee, such 
retiring Trustee shall, upon payment of its charges, execute and deliver an 
instrument transferring to such successor Trustee all the rights, powers and 
trusts of the retiring Trustee and shall duly assign, transfer and deliver to 
such successor Trustee all property and money held by such retiring Trustee 
hereunder.

                                47
<PAGE>

          (b)  In case of the appointment hereunder of a successor Trustee 
with respect to the Securities of one or more (but not all) series, the 
Company, the retiring Trustee and each successor Trustee with respect to the 
Securities of one or more series shall execute and deliver an indenture 
supplemental hereto wherein each successor Trustee shall accept such 
appointment and which (l) shall contain such provisions as shall be necessary 
or desirable to transfer and confirm to, and to vest in, each successor 
Trustee all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee 
with respect to the Securities of that or those series to which the 
appointment of such successor Trustee relates, (2) if the retiring Trustee is 
not retiring with respect to all Securities, shall contain such provisions as 
shall be deemed necessary or desirable to confirm that all the rights, 
powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee with respect to the 
Securities of that or those series as to which the retiring Trustee is not 
retiring shall continue to be vested in the retiring Trustee, and (3) shall 
add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture as shall be 
necessary to provide for or facilitate the administration of the trusts 
hereunder by more than one Trustee, it being understood that nothing herein 
or in such supplemental indenture shall constitute such Trustees as 
co-trustees of the same trust and that each such Trustee shall be trustee of 
a trust or trusts hereunder separate and apart from any trust or trusts 
hereunder administered by any other such Trustee; and upon the execution and 
delivery of such supplemental indenture the resignation or removal of the 
retiring Trustee shall become effective to the extent provided therein and 
each such successor Trustee, without any further act, deed or conveyance, 
shall become vested with all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the 
retiring Trustee with respect to the Securities of that or those series to 
which the appointment of such successor Trustee relates; but, on request of 
the Company or any successor Trustee, such retiring Trustee shall duly 
assign, transfer and deliver to such successor Trustee all property and money 
held by such retiring Trustee hereunder with respect to the Securities of 
that or those series to which the appointment of such successor Trustee 
relates.

          (c)  Upon request of any such successor Trustee, the Company shall 
execute any and all instruments for more fully and certainly vesting in and 
confirming to such successor Trustee all such rights, powers and trusts 
referred to in paragraph (a) or (b) of this Section, as the case may be.

          (d)  No successor Trustee shall accept its appointment unless at 
the time of such acceptance such successor Trustee shall be qualified and 
eligible under this Article.

SECTION 6.8.   Disqualification; Conflicting Interests.  

     If the Trustee has or shall acquire a conflicting interest within the 
meaning of the Trust Indenture Act, the Trustee shall either eliminate such 
interest or resign, to the extent and in the manner provided by, and subject 
to the provisions of, the Trust Indenture Act and this Indenture.

                                48
<PAGE>

SECTION 6.9.   Corporate Trustee Required; Eligibility.

     There shall be at all times a Trustee hereunder which shall be a Person 
that is eligible pursuant to the Trust Indenture Act to act as such and has a 
combined capital and surplus of at least $50,000,000. If such Person 
publishes reports of condition at least annually, pursuant to law or to the 
requirements of said supervising or examining authority, then for the 
purposes of this Section, the combined capital and surplus of such Person 
shall be deemed to be its combined capital and surplus as set forth in its 
most recent report of condition so published. If at any time the Trustee 
shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section, 
it shall resign immediately in the manner and with the effect hereunder 
specified in this Article.

SECTION 6.10.  Preferential Collection of Claims Against Company.

     If and when the Trustee shall be or become a creditor of the Company (or 
any other obligor upon the Securities), the Trustee shall be subject to the 
provisions of the Trust Indenture Act regarding the collection of claims 
against the Company (or any such other obligor).

SECTION 6.11.  Merger, Conversion Consolidation or Succession to Business.

     Any corporation into which the Trustee may be merged or converted or 
with which it may be consolidated, or any corporation resulting from any 
merger, conversion or consolidation to which the Trustee shall be a party, or 
any corporation succeeding to all or substantially all the corporate trust 
business of the Trustee shall be the successor of the Trustee hereunder, 
provided such corporation shall be otherwise qualified and eligible under 
this Article, without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act 
on the part of any of the parties hereto. In case any Securities shall have 
been authenticated, but not delivered, by the Trustee then in office, any 
successor by merger, conversion or consolidation to such authenticating 
Trustee may adopt such authentication and deliver the Securities so 
authenticated with the same effect as if such successor Trustee had itself 
authenticated such Securities.

SECTION 6.12.  Appointment of Authenticating Agent.

     The Trustee may appoint an Authenticating Agent or Agents with respect 
to one or more series of Securities which shall be authorized to act on 
behalf of the Trustee to authenticate Securities of such series issued upon 
original issue or upon exchange, registration of transfer or partial 
redemption thereof or pursuant to Section 3.6, and Securities so 
authenticated shall be entitled to the benefits of this Indenture and shall 
be valid and obligatory for all purposes as if authenticated by the Trustee 
hereunder. Wherever reference is made in this Indenture to the authentication 
and delivery of Securities by the Trustee or the Trustee's certificate of 
authentication such reference shall be deemed to include authentication and 
delivery on behalf of the Trustee by an Authenticating Agent and a 
certificate of authentication executed on behalf of the Trustee by an 
Authenticating Agent. Each Authenticating Agent shall be acceptable to the 
Company. If such Authenticating Agent publishes reports of condition at least 
annually, 

                                49
<PAGE>

pursuant to law or to the requirements of said supervising or examining 
authority, then for the purposes of this Section, the combined capital and 
surplus of such Authenticating Agent shall be deemed to be its combined 
capital and surplus as set forth in its most recent report of condition so 
published. If at any time an Authenticating Agent shall cease to be eligible 
in accordance with the provisions of this Section, such Authenticating Agent 
shall resign immediately in the manner and with the effect specified in this 
Section.

     Any corporation into which an Authenticating Agent may be merged or 
converted or with which it may be consolidated, or any corporation resulting 
from any merger, conversion or consolidation to which such Authenticating 
Agent shall be a party, or any corporation succeeding to the corporate agency 
or corporate trust business of such Authenticating Agent, shall continue to 
be an Authenticating Agent provided such corporation shall be otherwise 
eligible under this Section, without the execution or filing of any paper or 
any further act on the part of the Trustee or such Authenticating Agent.

     An Authenticating Agent may resign at any time by giving written notice 
thereof to the Trustee and to the Company. The Trustee may at any time 
terminate the agency of an Authenticating Agent by giving written notice 
thereof to such Authenticating Agent and to the Company. Upon receiving such 
a notice of resignation or upon such a termination, or in case at any time 
such Authenticating Agent shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the 
provisions of this Section, the Trustee may appoint a successor 
Authenticating Agent which shall be acceptable to the Company and shall 
promptly give notice of such appointment to all Holders of Securities 
pursuant to Section 1.6. Any successor Authenticating Agent upon acceptance 
of its appointment hereunder shall become vested with all the rights, powers 
and duties of its predecessor hereunder with like effect as if originally 
named as an Authenticating Agent. No successor Authenticating Agent shall be 
appointed unless eligible under the provisions of this Section.

     The Trustee agrees to pay to each Authenticating Agent from time to time 
reasonable compensation for its services under this Section, and the Trustee 
shall be entitled to be reimbursed for such payments, subject to the 
provisions of Section 6.5.

     If an appointment with respect to one or more series is made pursuant to 
this Section, the Securities of such series may have endorsed thereon, in 
addition to the Trustee's certificate of authentication, an alternative 
certificate of authentication in the following form:

     This is one of the Securities of the series designated therein referred 
to in the within-mentioned Indenture.

     The Bank of New York, As Trustee

     By Authenticating Agent

     By Authorized Signatory


                                50
<PAGE>

     If all of the Securities of a series may not be originally issued at one 
time, and if the Company has an Affiliate eligible to be appointed as an 
Authenticating Agent hereunder or the Trustee does not have an office capable 
of authenticating Securities upon original issuance located in a Place of 
Payment where the Company wishes to have Securities of such series 
authenticated upon original issuance, the Trustee, if so requested by the 
Company in writing (which writing need not comply with Section 1.2 and need 
not be accompanied by an Opinion of Counsel), shall appoint in accordance 
with this Section an Authenticating Agent (which if so requested by the 
Company, shall be such Affiliate of the Company) having an office in a Place 
of Payment designated by the Company with respect to such series of 
Securities.

SECTION 6.13.  Notice of Defaults.

     If a default occurs hereunder with respect to Securities of any series, 
the Trustee shall give the Holders of Securities of such series notice of 
such default as and to the extent provided by the Trust Indenture Act; 
provided, however, that in the case of any default of the character specified 
in Section 5.1(4) with respect to Securities of such series, no such notice 
to Holders shall be given until at least 30 days after the occurrence 
thereof. For the purpose of this Section, the term "default" means any event 
which is, or after notice of lapse or time or both would become, an Event of 
Default with respect to Securities of such series.

                                    ARTICLE VII

                Holders' Lists and Reports by Trustee and Company

SECTION 7.1.   Preservation of Information; Communications to Holders.

          (a)  The Trustee shall preserve, in as current a form as is 
reasonably practicable, the names and addresses of Holders of Securities (i) 
contained in the most recent list furnished to the Trustee as provided in 
Section 312(a) of the Trust Indenture Act, (ii) received by the Trustee in 
its capacity as Security Registrar and (iii) filed with it within the two 
preceding years pursuant to Section 313(c)(2) of the Trust Indenture Act. The 
Trustee may (i) destroy any list furnished to it as provided in Section 
312(a) of the Trust Indenture Act upon receipt of a new list so furnished, 
(ii) destroy any information received by it as Paying Agent (if so acting) 
hereunder upon delivering to itself as Trustee, not earlier than           
or               of each year, a list containing the names and addresses of 
the Holders of Securities obtained from such information since the delivery 
of the next previous list, if any, (iii) destroy any list delivered to itself 
as Trustee which was compiled from information received by it as Paying Agent 
(if so acting) hereunder upon the receipt of a new list so delivered and (iv) 
destroy not earlier than two years after filing, any information filed with 
it pursuant to Section 313(c)(2) or the Trust Indenture Act. For purposes of 
Section 312(a) of the Trust Indenture Act, the term "stated intervals" shall 
mean           and        .

          (b)  If three or more Holders of Securities (herein referred to as 
"applicants") apply in writing to the Trustee, and furnish to the Trustee 
reasonable proof 

                                51
<PAGE>

that each such applicant has owned a Security for a period of at least six 
months preceding the date of such application, and such application states 
that the applicants desire to communicate with other Holders of Securities 
with respect to their rights under this Indenture or under the Securities and 
is accompanied by a copy of the form of proxy or other communication which 
such applicants propose to transmit, then the Trustee shall, within five 
business days after the receipt of such application, at its election, either

               (i)  afford such applicants access to the
          information preserved at the time by the Trustee in
          accordance with Section 7.1(a), or

               (ii) inform such applicants as to the approximate
          number of Holders of Securities whose names and
          addresses appear in the information preserved at the
          time by the Trustee in accordance with Section 7.1(a),
          and as to the approximate cost of mailing to such
          Holders the form of proxy or other communication, if
          any, specified in such application.

     If the Trustee shall elect not to afford such applicants access to such 
information, the Trustee shall, upon the written request of such applicants, 
mail to each Holder of Securities whose name and address appears in the 
information preserved at the time by the Trustee in accordance with Section 
7.1(a) a copy of the form of proxy or other communication which is specified 
in such request, with reasonable promptness after a tender to the Trustee of 
the material to be mailed and of payment, or provision for the payment of the 
reasonable expenses of mailing, unless within five days after such tender the 
Trustee shall mail to such applicants and file with the Commission, together 
with a copy of the material to be mailed, a written statement to the effect 
that, in the opinion of the Trustee, such mailing would be contrary to the 
best interest of the Holders of Securities or would be in violation of 
applicable law. Such written statement shall specify the basis of such 
opinion. If the Commission, after opportunity for a hearing upon the 
objections specified in the written statement so filed, shall enter an order 
refusing to sustain any of such objections or if after the entry of an order 
sustaining one or more of such objections, the Commission shall find, after 
notice and opportunity for hearing that all the objections so sustained have 
been met and shall enter an order so declaring, the Trustee shall mail copies 
of such material to all such Holders of Securities with reasonable promptness 
after the entry of such order and the renewal of such tender; otherwise the 
Trustee shall be relieved of any obligation or duty to such applicants 
respecting their application.

          (c)  Every Holder of Securities or coupons, by receiving and 
holding the same, agrees with the Company and the Trustee that neither the 
Company nor the Trustee nor any agent of either of them shall be held 
accountable by reason of the disclosure of any such information as to the 
names and addresses of the Holders of Securities in accordance with Section 
7.1(b), regardless of the source from which such information was derived and 
that the Trustee shall not be held accountable by reason of mailing any 
material pursuant to a request made under Section 7.1(b).

                                52
<PAGE>

SECTION 7.2.   Reports by Trustee.

     The Trustee shall in each year transmit to Holders such reports 
concerning the Trustee and its actions under this Indenture as may be 
required pursuant to the Trust Indenture Act in the manner provided pursuant 
thereto and as of a date at least one year after the date of original 
issuance of the Securities hereunder, and each anniversary thereafter, such 
report, if so required, to be transmitted within 60 days of each such 
anniversary date.

     A copy of each such report shall, at the time of such transmission to 
Holders, be filed by the Trustee with each stock exchange upon which any 
Securities are listed, with the Commission and with the Company. The Company 
will notify the Trustee when any Securities are listed on any stock exchange 
or market center.

SECTION 7.3.   Reports by Company.

     The Company shall file with the Trustee and the Commission, and transmit 
to Holders, such information, documents and other reports, and such summaries 
thereof, as may be required pursuant to the Trust Indenture Act at the times 
and in the manner provided pursuant to such Act; provided that any such 
information, documents or reports required to be filed with the Commission 
pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act shall be filed with the 
Trustee within 15 days after the same is so required to be filed with the 
Commission.

                               ARTICLE VIII

     Consolidation, Merger, Sale, Lease, Transfer or Other Disposition

SECTION 8.1.   Company May Consolidate, etc. Only on Certain Terms.

     The Company shall not consolidate with or merge with or into any other 
Person or sell, lease, transfer or otherwise dispose of its assets 
substantially as an entirety to any Person, and the Company shall not permit 
any Person to consolidate with or merge with or into the Company or to sell, 
lease, transfer or otherwise dispose of its assets substantially as an 
entirety to the Company, unless:

          (1)  in case the Company shall consolidate with or merge with or 
into another Person or sell, lease, transfer or otherwise dispose of its 
assets substantially as an entirety to any Person, the Person formed by such 
consolidation or into which the Company is merged or the Person which 
acquires by sale, lease, transfer or otherwise, the assets of the Company 
substantially as an entirety shall be a corporation, partnership or trust, 
shall be organized and validly existing under the laws of the United States 
of America, any State thereof or the District of Columbia and shall expressly 
assume, by an indenture supplemental hereto, executed and delivered to the 
Trustee, in form satisfactory to the Trustee, the due and punctual payment of 
the principal of and any premium and interest (including all additional 
amounts, if any, payable pursuant to Section 10.4) on all the Securities and 
the performance of every covenant of this Indenture on the part of the 
Company to be performed or observed;

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<PAGE>

          (2)  immediately after giving effect to such transaction and 
treating any indebtedness which becomes an obligation of the Company or a 
Subsidiary as a result of such transaction as having been incurred by the 
Company or such Subsidiary at the time of such transaction, no Event of 
Default, and no event which, after notice or lapse of time or both, would 
become an Event of Default, shall have happened and be continuing;

          (3)  if as a result of any such consolidation or merger or such 
sale, lease, transfer or other disposition of the assets of the Company would 
become subject to a mortgage, pledge, lien, security interest or other 
encumbrance which would not be permitted by this Indenture, the Company or 
such successor Person, as the case may be shall take such steps as shall be 
necessary effectively to secure the Securities equally and ratably with (or 
prior to) all indebtedness secured thereby; and

          (4)  the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Officers' 
Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that such consolidation, 
merger, conveyance, sale, lease, transfer or other disposition and, if a 
supplemental indenture is required in connection with such transaction, such 
supplemental indenture comply with this Article and that all conditions 
precedent herein provided for relating to such transaction have been complied 
with.

SECTION 8.2.   Successor Substituted.

     Upon any consolidation or merger of the Company with or into any other 
Person or any sale, lease, transfer or other disposition of the assets of the 
Company substantially as an entirety in accordance with Section 8.1, the 
successor Person formed by such consolidation or into which the Company is 
merged or to which sale, lease, transfer or other disposition is made shall 
assume the obligations of the Company on the Securities and under this 
Indenture with the same effect as if such successor Person had been named as 
the Company herein, and thereafter, except in the case of a lease, the 
predecessor Person shall be relieved of all obligations and covenants under 
this Indenture and the Securities and coupons.

                              ARTICLE IX

                       Supplemental Indentures

SECTION 9.1.   Supplemental Indentures Without Consent of Holders.

     Without the consent of any Holders of Securities or coupons, the 
Company, when authorized by a Board Resolution, and the Trustee, at any time 
and from time to time, may enter into one or more indentures supplemental 
hereto, in form satisfactory to the Trustee, for any of the following 
purposes:

          (1)  to evidence the succession of another Person to the Company 
and the assumption by any such successor of the covenants of the Company 
herein and in the Securities; or

                                54
<PAGE>

          (2)  to add to the covenants of the Company for the benefit of the 
Holders of all or any series of Securities (and if such covenants are to be 
for the benefit of less than all series of Securities, stating that such 
covenants are expressly being included solely for the benefit of such series) 
or to surrender any right or power herein conferred upon the Company; or

          (3)  to add any additional Events of Default (and if such Events of 
Default are to be for the benefit of less than all series of Securities, 
stating that such Events of Default are expressly being included solely for 
the benefit of such series); or

          (4)  to add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture to 
provide that Bearer Securities may be registerable as to principal, to change 
or eliminate any restrictions on the payment of principal of or any premium 
or interest on Bearer Securities, to permit Bearer Securities to be issued in 
exchange for Registered Securities, to permit Bearer Securities to be issued 
in exchange for Bearer Securities of other authorized denominations or to 
permit or facilitate the issuance of Securities in uncertificated form, 
provided that any such action shall not adversely affect the interests of the 
Holders of Securities of any series or any related coupons in any material 
respect; or

          (5)  to change or eliminate any of the provisions of this 
Indenture, provided that any such change or elimination shall become 
effective only when there is no Security Outstanding of any series created 
prior to the execution of such supplemental indenture which is entitled to 
the benefit of such provision; or

          (6)  to secure the Securities pursuant to the requirements of 
Section 10.7 or otherwise; or

          (7)  to establish the form or terms of Securities of any series and 
any related coupons as permitted by Sections 2.1 and 3.1; or

          (8)  to evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment 
thereunder by a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of one or 
more series and to add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture 
as shall be necessary to provide for or facilitate the administration of the 
trusts hereunder by more than one Trustee, pursuant to the requirements of 
Section 6.7(b); or

          (9)  to make provision with respect to the conversion rights of 
Holders pursuant to the requirements of Article XIV, including providing for 
the conversion of the Securities into any security or property (other than 
the Common Stock of the Company); or

          (10) to cure any ambiguity, to correct or supplement any provision 
herein which may be inconsistent with any other provision herein, or to make 
any other provisions with respect to matters or questions arising under this 
Indenture, provided that such action shall not adversely affect the interests 
of the Holders of Securities of any series or any related coupons in any 
material respect.

                                55
<PAGE>

SECTION 9.2.   Supplemental Indentures with Consent of Holders.

     With the consent of the Holders of not less than a majority in principal 
amount of the Outstanding Securities of each series affected by such 
supplemental indenture, by Act of said Holders delivered to the Company and 
the Trustee, the Company, when authorized by a Board Resolution, and the 
Trustee may enter into an indenture or indentures supplemental hereto for the 
purpose of adding any provisions to or changing in any manner or eliminating 
any of the provisions of this Indenture or of modifying in any manner the 
rights of the Holders of Securities of such series and any related coupons 
under this Indenture; provided, however, that no such supplemental indenture 
shall, without the consent of the Holder of each Outstanding Security 
affected thereby,

          (1)  change the Stated Maturity of the principal of, or any 
installment of principal of or interest on, any Security, or reduce the 
principal amount thereof or the rate of interest thereon or any premium 
payable upon the redemption thereof, or change any obligation of the Company 
to pay additional amounts pursuant to Section 10.4 (except as contemplated by 
Section 8.1(1) and permitted by Section 9.1(1)), or reduce the amount of the 
principal of an Original Issue Discount Security that would be due and 
payable upon a declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant 
to Section 5.2 or change the coin or currency in which any Security or any 
premium or interest thereon is payable, or impair the right to institute suit 
for the enforcement of any such payment on or after the Stated Maturity 
thereof (or, in the case of redemption, on or after the Redemption Date), or

          (2)  reduce the percentage in principal amount of the Outstanding 
Securities of any series, the consent of whose Holders is required for any 
such supplemental indenture, or the consent of whose Holders is required for 
any waiver of certain defaults hereunder and their consequences provided for 
in this Indenture, or reduce the requirements of Section 13.4 for quorum or 
voting, or

          (3)  change any obligation of the Company to maintain an office or 
agency for the purposes specified in Section 10.2, or

          (4)  modify any of the provisions of this Section or Section 5.13, 
except to increase any such percentage or to provide that certain other 
provisions of this Indenture cannot be modified or waived without the consent 
of the Holder of each Outstanding Security affected thereby; provided, 
however, that this clause shall not be deemed to require the consent of any 
Holder of a Security or coupon with respect to changes in the references to 
"the Trustee" and concomitant changes in this Section or the deletion of this 
proviso, in accordance with the requirements of Sections 6.7(b) and 9.1(8), or

          (5)  make any change that adversely affects the right to convert 
any Security as provided in Article XIV or pursuant to Section 3.1 (except as 
permitted by Section 9.1) or decrease the conversion rate or increase the 
conversion price of any such Security except as may otherwise be permitted by 
Article XIV.

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<PAGE>

     A supplemental indenture which changes or eliminates any covenant or 
other provision of this Indenture which has expressly been included solely 
for the benefit of one or more particular series of Securities, or which 
modifies the rights of the Holders of Securities of such series with respect 
to such covenant or other provision, shall be deemed not to affect the rights 
under this Indenture of the Holders of Securities of any other series.

     It shall not be necessary for any Act of Holders of Securities under 
this Section to approve the particular form of any proposed supplemental 
indenture, but it shall be sufficient if such Act shall approve the substance 
thereof.

SECTION 9.3.   Execution of Supplemental Indentures.

     In executing or accepting the additional trusts created by any 
supplemental indenture permitted by this Article or the modifications thereby 
of the trusts created by this Indenture, the Trustee shall be entitled to 
receive, and (subject to Section 6.1) shall be fully protected in relying 
upon, an Opinion of Counsel stating that the execution of such supplemental 
indenture is authorized or permitted by this Indenture. The Trustee may, but 
shall not be obligated to, enter into any such supplemental indenture which 
affects the Trustee's own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture 
or otherwise.

SECTION 9.4.   Effect of Supplemental Indentures.

     Upon the execution of any supplemental indenture under this Article, 
this Indenture shall be modified in accordance therewith, and such 
supplemental indenture shall form a part of this Indenture for all purposes; 
and every Holder of Securities theretofore or thereafter authenticated and 
delivered hereunder and of any coupons appertaining thereto shall be bound 
thereby.

SECTION 9.5.   Conformity with Trust Indenture Act.

     Every supplemental indenture executed pursuant to this Article shall 
conform to the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, 
in effect on such date.

SECTION 9.6.   Reference in Securities to Supplemental Indentures.

     Securities of any series authenticated and delivered after the execution 
of any supplemental indenture pursuant to this Article may, and shall if 
required by the Trustee, bear a notation in form approved by the Trustee as 
to any matter provided for in such supplemental indenture. If the Company 
shall so determine, new Securities of any series so modified as to conform, 
in the opinion of the Trustee and the Company, to any such supplemental 
indenture may be prepared and executed by the Company and authenticated and 
delivered by the Trustee in exchange for Outstanding Securities of such 
series.

                                      57

<PAGE>

                                      ARTICLE X   

                                      Covenants

SECTION 10.1.  Payment of Principal, Premium and Interest.

     The Company covenants and agrees for the benefit of each series of 
Securities that it will duly and punctually pay the principal of and any 
premium and interest on the Securities of that series in accordance with the 
terms of the Securities, any coupons appertaining thereto and this Indenture. 
Unless otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 3.1 with respect to any 
series of Securities, any interest due on Bearer Securities on or before 
Maturity shall be payable only upon presentation and surrender outside the 
United States of the several coupons for such interest installments as are 
evidenced thereby as they severally mature.

SECTION 10.2.  Maintenance of Office or Agency.

     If Securities of a series are issuable only as Registered Securities, 
the Company will maintain in each Place of Payment for such series an office 
or agency where Securities of that series may be presented or surrendered for 
payment, where Securities of that series may be surrendered for registration 
of transfer, exchange, or conversion and where notices and demands to or upon 
the Company in respect of the Securities of that series and this Indenture 
may be served. If Securities of a series are issuable as Bearer Securities, 
the Company will maintain (A) in The City of New York, an office or agency 
where any Registered Securities of that series may be presented or 
surrendered for payment, where any Registered Securities of that series may 
be surrendered for registration of transfer, where Securities of that series 
may be surrendered for conversion or exchange, where notices and demands to 
or upon the Company in respect of the Securities of that series and this 
Indenture may be served and where Bearer Securities of that series and 
related coupons may be presented or surrendered for payment in the 
circumstances described in the following paragraph (and not otherwise), (B) 
subject to any laws or regulations applicable thereto, in a Place of Payment 
for that series which is located outside the United States, an office or 
agency where Securities of that series and related coupons may be presented 
and surrendered for payment (including payment of any additional amounts 
payable on Securities of that series pursuant to Section 10.4); provided, 
however, that if the Securities of that series are listed on The Stock 
Exchange of the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland, the Luxembourg 
Stock Exchange or any other stock exchange located outside the United States 
and such stock exchange shall so require, the Company will maintain a Paying 
Agent for the Securities of that series in London, Luxembourg or any other 
required city located outside the United States, as the case may be, so long 
as the Securities of that series ae listed on such exchange, and (C) subject 
to any laws or regulations applicable thereto in a Place of Payment for that 
series located outside the United States an office or agency where any 
Registered Securities of that series may be surrendered for registration of 
transfer, where Securities of that series may be surrendered for conversion 
or exchange and where notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect 
of the Securities of that series and this Indenture may be served. The 
Company will give prompt notice to the Trustee and to the Holders as 

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<PAGE>

provided in Sections 1.5 and 1.6, respectively, of the location and any 
change in the location, of any such office or agency. If at any time the 
Company shall fail to maintain any such required office or agency in respect 
of any series of Securities or shall fail to furnish the Trustee with the 
address thereof, such presentations and surrenders of Securities of that 
series may be made and notices and demands may be made or served at the 
Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee, except that Bearer Securities of that 
series and the related coupons may be presented and surrendered for payment 
(including payment of any additional amounts payable on Bearer Securities of 
that series pursuant to Section 10.4) at the office of the Trustee for such 
series located outside the United States, and the Company hereby appoints the 
same as its agent to receive such respective presentations, surrenders, 
notices and demands.

     No payment of principal, premium or interest on Bearer Securities shall 
be made at any office or agency of the Company in the United States or by 
check mailed to any address in the United States or by transfer to any 
account maintained with a bank located in the United States; provided, 
however, that if the Securities of a series are denominated and payable in 
Dollars, payment of principal of and any premium and interest on any Bearer 
Security (including any additional amounts payable on Securities of such 
series pursuant to Section 10.4) shall be made at the office of the Company's 
Paying Agent in The City of New York, if (but only if) payment in Dollars of 
the full amount of such principal, premium, interest or additional amounts, 
as the case may be, at all offices or agencies outside the United States 
maintained for the purpose by the Company in accordance with this Indenture 
is illegal or effectively precluded by exchange controls or other similar 
restrictions.

     The Company may also from time to time designate one or more other 
offices or agencies where the Securities of one or more series may be 
presented or surrendered for any or all such purposes and may from time to 
time rescind such designations; provided, however, that no such designation 
or rescission shall in any manner relieve the Company of its obligation to 
maintain an office or agency in accordance with the requirements set forth 
above for Securities of any series for such purposes. The Company will give 
prompt written notice to the Trustee and the Holders of any such designation 
or rescission and of any change in the location of any such other office or 
agency.

SECTION 10.3.  Money for Securities Payments to Be Held in Trust.

     If the Company shall at any time act as its own Paying Agent with 
respect to any series of Securities, it will, on or before each due date of 
the principal of and any premium or interest on any of the Securities of that 
series, segregate and hold in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled 
thereto a sum sufficient to pay the principal and any premium or interest so 
becoming due until such sums shall be paid to such Persons or otherwise 
disposed of as herein provided and will promptly notify the Trustee of its 
action or failure to act.

     Whenever the Company shall have one or more Paying Agents for any series 
of Securities it will, prior to each due date of the principal of and any 
premium or interest on any Securities of that series, deposit with a Paying 
Agent a sum sufficient to pay the 

                                          59
<PAGE>

principal and any premium or interest so becoming due, such sum to be held in 
trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled to such principal, premium or 
interest, and (unless such Paying Agent is the Trustee) the Company will 
promptly notify the Trustee of its action or failure to act.

     The Company will cause each Paying Agent for any series of Securities 
other than the Trustee to execute and deliver to the Trustee an instrument in 
which such Paying Agent shall agree with the Trustee, subject to the 
provisions of this Section, that such Paying Agent will:

          (1)  hold all sums held by it for the payment of the principal of 
and any premium or interest on Securities of that series in trust for the 
benefit of the Persons entitled thereto until such sums shall be paid to such 
Persons or otherwise disposed of as herein provided;

          (2)  give the Trustee notice of any default by the Company (or any 
other obligor upon the Securities of that series) in the making of any 
payment of principal of and any premium or interest on the Securities of that 
series; and

          (3)  at any time during the continuance of any such default, upon 
the written request of the Trustee, forthwith pay to the Trustee all sums so 
held in trust by such Paying Agent. 

     The Company may at any time, for the purpose of obtaining the 
satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture or for any other purpose, pay, 
or by Company Order direct any Paying Agent to pay, to the Trustee all sums 
held in trust by the Company or such Paying Agent, such sums to be held by 
the Trustee upon the same trusts as those upon which such sums were held by 
the Company or such Paying Agent; and, upon such payment by any Paying Agent 
to the Trustee, such Paying Agent shall be released from all further 
liability with respect to such money.

     Any money deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent, or then held 
by the Company, in trust for the payment of the principal of and any premium 
or interest on any Security of any series and remaining unclaimed for two 
years after such principal and any premium or interest has become due and 
payable shall be paid to the Company on Company Request, or (if then held by 
the Company) shall be discharged from such trust; and the Holder of such 
Security or any coupon appertaining thereto shall thereafter, as an unsecured 
general creditor, look only to the Company for payment thereof, and all 
liability of the Trustee or such Paying Agent with respect to such trust 
money and all liability of the Company as trustee thereof shall thereupon 
cease; provided, however, that the Trustee or such Paying Agent, before being 
required to make any such repayment, may at the expense of the Company cause 
to be published once, in an Authorized Newspaper in each Place of Payment, 
notice that such money remains unclaimed and that after a date specified 
therein, which shall not be less than 30 days from the date of such 
publication, any unclaimed balance of such money then remaining will be 
repaid to the Company.

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<PAGE>

SECTION 10.4.  Additional Amounts.

     If the Securities of a series provide for the payment of additional 
amounts, the Company will pay to the Holder of any Security of such series or 
any coupon appertaining thereto additional amounts as provided therein. 
Whenever in this Indenture there is mentioned, in any context, the payment of 
the principal of or any premium or interest on, or in respect of any Security 
of any series or payment of any related coupon or the net proceeds received 
on the sale or exchange of any Security of any series, such mention shall be 
deemed to include mention of the payment of additional amounts provided for 
in this Section to the extent that, in such context additional amounts are, 
were or would be payable in respect thereof pursuant to the provisions of 
this Section and express mention of the payment of additional amounts (if 
applicable) in any provisions hereof shall not be construed as excluding 
additional amounts in those provisions hereof where such express mention is 
not made.

     If the Securities of a series provide for the payment of additional 
amounts, at least 10 days prior to the first Interest Payment Date with 
respect to that series of Securities (or if the Securities of that series 
will not bear interest prior to Maturity, the first day on which a payment of 
principal and any premium is made), and at least 10 days prior to each date 
of payment of principal and any premium or interest if there has been any 
change with respect to the matters set forth in the below-mentioned Officers' 
Certificate, the Company will furnish the Trustee and the Company's principal 
Paying Agent or Paying Agents, if other than the Trustee, with an Officers' 
Certificate instructing the Trustee and such Paying Agent or Paying Agents 
whether such payment of principal of and any premium or interest on the 
Securities of that series shall be made to Holders of Securities of that 
series or any related coupons who are United States Aliens without 
withholding for or on account of any tax assessment or other governmental 
charge described in the Securities of that series. If any such withholding 
shall be required, then such Officers' Certificate shall specify by country 
the amount, if any, required to be withheld on such payments to such Holders 
of Securities or coupons and the Company will pay to the Trustee or such 
Paying Agent the additional amounts required by this Section. The Company 
covenants to indemnify the Trustee and any Paying Agent for, and to hold them 
harmless against, any loss, liability or expense reasonably incurred without 
negligence or willful misconduct on their part arising out of or in 
connection with actions taken or omitted by any of them in reliance on any 
Officers' Certificate furnished pursuant to this Section.

SECTION 10.5.  Existence.

     Subject to Article VIII, the Company will do or cause to be done all 
things necessary to preserve and keep in full force and effect its existence, 
rights (charter and statutory) and franchises; provided, however, that the 
Company shall not be required to preserve any such right or franchise if the 
Board of Directors shall determine that the preservation thereof is no longer 
desirable in the conduct of the business of the Company and that the loss 
thereof is not disadvantageous in any material respect to the Holders.

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<PAGE>

SECTION 10.6.  Purchase of Securities by Company or Subsidiary.

     If and so long as the Securities of a series are listed on The Stock 
Exchange of the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland and such stock 
exchange shall so require, the Company will not, and will not permit any of 
its Subsidiaries to, purchase any Securities of that series by private treaty 
at a price (exclusive of expenses and accrued interest) which exceeds 120% of 
the mean of the nominal quotations of the Securities of that series as shown 
in The Stock Exchange Daily Official List for the last trading day preceding 
the date of purchase.

SECTION 10.7.  Limitation on Liens.

     The Company shall not create, assume or suffer to exist any Lien on any 
Restricted Property to secure any indebtedness for money borrowed of the 
Company, any Subsidiary or any other Person, or permit any Subsidiary so to 
do, without making effective provision whereby the Securities then 
outstanding and having the benefit of this Section shall be secured by such 
Lien equally and ratably with such indebtedness for so long as such 
indebtedness shall be so secured, except that the foregoing shall not prevent 
the Company or any Subsidiary from creating, assuming or suffering to exist 
Liens of the following character:

          (1)  with respect to any series of Securities, any Lien existing on 
the date of issuance of such series;

          (2)  any Lien existing on property owned or leased by a corporation 
at the time it becomes a Subsidiary;

          (3)  any Lien existing on property at the time of the acquisition 
thereof by the Company or any Subsidiary;

          (4)  any Lien to secure any indebtedness incurred prior to, at the 
time of, or within 12 months after the acquisition of Restricted Property for 
the purpose of financing all or any part of the purchase price thereof and 
any Lien to the extent that it secures indebtedness which is in excess of the 
purchase price and for the payment of which recourse may be had only against 
such Restricted Property;

          (5)  any Lien to secure any indebtedness incurred prior to, at the 
time of, or within 12 months after the completion of the construction, 
alteration, repair or improvement of Restricted Property for the purpose of 
financing all or any part of the cost thereof and any Lien to the extent that 
it secures indebtedness which is in excess of such cost and for the payment 
of which recourse may be had only against such Restricted Property;

          (6)  any Lien securing indebtedness of a Subsidiary owing to the 
Company or to another Subsidiary;

          (7)  any Liens securing industrial development, pollution control, 
or similar revenue bonds or indebtedness issued by or guaranteed by the 
United States of 

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<PAGE>

America, any State thereof or any other country or any department, agency or 
instrumentality thereof;

          (8)  Liens resulting from the deposit of funds or evidences of 
indebtedness in trust for the purpose of defeasing indebtedness of the 
Company or any of its Subsidiaries;

          (9)  Liens securing Hedging Obligations;

          (10) any extension, renewal or replacement (or successive 
extensions, renewals or replacements) in whole or in part of any Lien 
referred to in clauses (1) through (9) above, so long as the Lien as so 
extended, renewed or replaced is limited to the same property or properties 
subject to the Lien so extended, renewed or replaced (plus improvements and 
additions on such property or properties); and

          (11) any Lien not permitted by the foregoing clauses (1) through 
(10) securing indebtedness, if the outstanding principal amount of such 
indebtedness, together with the aggregate outstanding principal amount of all 
other indebtedness of the Company and its Subsidiaries owning Restricted 
Property which would otherwise be subject to the foregoing restrictions and 
the aggregate Value of existing Sale and Leaseback Transactions which would 
be subject to the restrictions of Section 10.8 but for this clause (11), does 
not exceed 15% of Consolidated Net Tangible Assets at the time such Lien is 
incurred. (Section 10.7)

SECTION 10.8.  Limitation on Sale and Leaseback Transactions.

     The Company shall not, and shall not permit any Subsidiary to, enter 
into any Sale and Leaseback Transaction covering any Restricted Property, 
unless:

          (1)  the Company or such Subsidiary would be entitled under the 
provision of Section 10.7 hereof to incur indebtedness, in a principal amount 
at least equal to the Value of such Sale and Leaseback Transaction, secured 
by Liens on the property to be leased (without equally and ratably securing 
the Debt Securities), or

          (2)  the Company, during the six months following the effective 
date of such Sale and Leaseback Transaction applies an amount equal to the 
Value of such Sale and Leaseback Transaction to the acquisition of Restricted 
Property or the voluntary retirement of Funded Debt (whether by redemption, 
defeasance, repurchase, or otherwise).

SECTION 10.9.  Statement by Officers as to Default.

     The Company will deliver to the Trustee, within 120 days after the end 
of each fiscal year of the Company ending after the date hereof, an Officers' 
Certificate signed by its principal executive officer, principal financial 
officer or principal accounting officer stating whether or not to the best 
knowledge of the signer thereof the Company is in default in the performance 
and observance of any of the terms, provisions and conditions 

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<PAGE>

of this Indenture, and if the Company shall be in default, specifying all 
such defaults and the nature and status thereof of which they may have 
knowledge.

                                      ARTICLE XI  

                               Redemption of Securities

SECTION 11.1.  Applicability of Article.

     Securities of any series which are redeemable before their Stated 
Maturity shall be redeemable in accordance with their terms and (except as 
otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 3.1 for Securities of any 
series) in accordance with this Article.

SECTION 11.2.  Election to Redeem; Notice to Trustee.

     The election of the Company to redeem any Securities shall be evidenced 
by an Officers' Certificate. In the case of any redemption, at the election 
of the Company of less than all the Securities of any series, the Company 
shall, at least 60 days prior to the Redemption Date fixed by the Company 
(unless a shorter notice shall be satisfactory to the Trustee), notify the 
Trustee of such Redemption Date and of the principal amount of Securities of 
such series to be redeemed. In the case of any redemption of Securities (i) 
prior to the expiration of any restriction on such redemption provided in the 
terms of such Securities or elsewhere in this Indenture, or (ii) pursuant to 
an election of the Company which is subject to a condition specified in the 
terms of such Securities, the Company shall furnish the Trustee with an 
Officers' Certificate evidencing compliance with such restriction or 
condition.

SECTION 11.3.  Selection by Trustee of Securities to Be Redeemed.

     If less than all the Securities of any series and of like tenor are to 
be redeemed, the particular Securities to be redeemed shall be selected not 
more than 60 days prior to the Redemption Date by the Trustee, from the 
Outstanding Securities of such series and of like tenor not previously called 
for redemption, by such method as the Trustee shall deem fair and appropriate 
and which may provide for the selection, for redemption of portions (equal to 
the minimum authorized denomination for Securities of that series or any 
integral multiple thereof) of the principal amount of Registered Securities 
of such series of a denomination larger than the minimum authorized 
denomination for Securities of that series. If so specified in the Securities 
of a series, partial redemptions must be in an amount not less than 
$1,000,000 principal amount of Securities.

     If any Security selected for partial redemption is converted in part 
before termination of the conversion right with respect to the portion of the 
Security so selected, the converted portion of such Security shall be deemed 
(so far as may be) to be the portion selected for redemption. Securities (or 
portions thereof) which have been converted during a selection of Securities 
to be redeemed shall be treated by the Trustee as Outstanding for the purpose 
of such selection. In any case where more than one Security is registered in 
the same name, the Trustee in its discretion may treat the aggregate 
principal amount so registered as if it were represented by one Security.

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     The Trustee shall promptly notify the Company in writing of the 
Securities selected for redemption and, in the case of any Securities 
selected for partial redemption, the principal amount thereof to be redeemed.

     For all purposes of this Indenture, unless the context otherwise 
requires, all provisions relating to the redemption of Securities shall 
relate, in the case of any Securities redeemed or to be redeemed only in 
part, to the portion of the principal amount of such Securities which has 
been or is to be redeemed.

SECTION 11.4.  Notice of Redemption.

     Notice of redemption shall be given in the manner provided in Section 
1.6 to the Holders of Securities to be redeemed not less than 30 nor more 
than 60 days prior to the Redemption Date.

     All notices of redemption shall state:

          (1)  the Redemption Date;

          (2)  the Redemption Price;

          (3)  if less than all the Outstanding Securities of any series are 
to be redeemed, the identification (and, in the case of partial redemption, 
the principal amounts) of the particular Securities to be redeemed, and a 
statement to the effect that on or after the Redemption Date upon surrender 
of such Security a new Security in the principal amount equal to the 
unredeemed portion will be issued;

          (4)  that on the Redemption Date the Redemption Price will become 
due and payable upon each such Security to be redeemed and, if applicable, 
that interest thereon will cease to accrue on and after said date;

          (5)  the place or places where such Securities, together in the 
case of Bearer Securities with all coupons appertaining thereto, if any 
maturing after the Redemption Date, are to be surrendered for payment of the 
Redemption Price;

          (6)  that the redemption is for a sinking fund, if such is the 
case; and

          (7)  if applicable, the conversion rate or price, the date on which 
the right to convert the Securities to be redeemed will terminate and the 
place or places where such Securities may be surrendered for conversion.

     A notice of redemption published as contemplated by Section 1.6 need not 
identify particular Registered Securities to be redeemed.

     Notice of redemption of Securities to be redeemed at the election of the 
Company shall be given by the Company or, at the Company's request, by the 
Trustee in the name and at the expense of the Company.

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SECTION 11.5.  Deposit of Redemption Price.

     Prior to any Redemption Date, the Company shall deposit with the Trustee 
or with a Paying Agent (or, if the Company is acting as its own Paying Agent, 
segregate and hold in trust as provided in Section 10.3) an amount of money 
sufficient to pay the Redemption Price of, and (except if the Redemption Date 
shall be an Interest Payment Date) accrued interest on, all the Securities 
which are to be redeemed on that date.

SECTION 11.6.  Securities Payable on Redemption Date.

     Notice of redemption having been given as aforesaid, the Securities so 
to be redeemed shall on the Redemption Date become due and payable at the 
Redemption Price therein specified, and from and after such date (unless the 
Company shall default in the payment of the Redemption Price and accrued 
interest) such Securities shall cease to bear interest and the coupons for 
such interest appertaining to any Bearer Securities so to be redeemed except 
to the extent provided below, shall be void. Upon surrender of any such 
Security for redemption in accordance with said notice together with all 
coupons, if any, appertaining thereto maturing after the Redemption Date, 
such Security shall be paid by the Company at the Redemption Price together 
with accrued interest to the Redemption Date; provided, however, that 
installments of interest on Bearer Securities whose Stated Maturity is on or 
prior to the Redemption Date shall be payable only at an office or agency 
located outside the United States (except as otherwise provided in Section 
10.2) and, unless otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 3.1, only 
upon presentation and surrender of coupons for such interest; and provided, 
further, that, unless otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 3.1, 
installments of interest on Registered Securities whose Stated Maturity is on 
or prior to the Redemption Date shall be payable to the Holders of such 
Securities or one or more Predecessor Securities, registered as such at the 
close of business on the relevant Record Dates according to their terms and 
the provisions of Section 3.7.

     If any Bearer Security surrendered for redemption shall not be 
accompanied by all appurtenant coupons maturing after the Redemption Date, 
such Security may be paid after deducting from the Redemption Price an amount 
equal to the face amount of all such missing coupons, or the surrender of 
such missing coupon or coupons may be waived by the Company and the Trustee 
if there be furnished to them such security or indemnity as they may require 
to save each of them and any Paying Agent harmless. If thereafter the Holder 
of such Security shall surrender to the Trustee or any Paying Agent any such 
missing coupon in respect of which a deduction shall have been made from the 
Redemption Price, such Holder shall be entitled to receive the amount so 
deducted; provided, however, that interest represented by coupons shall be 
payable only at an office or agency located outside the United States (except 
as otherwise provided in Section 10.2) and unless otherwise specified as 
contemplated by Section 3.1 only upon presentation and surrender of those 
coupons.

     If any Security called for redemption shall not be so paid upon 
surrender thereof for redemption, the principal and any premium shall, until 
paid, bear interest from the Redemption Date at the rate prescribed therefor 
in the Security.

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SECTION 11.7.  Securities Redeemed in Part.

     Any Registered Security which is to be redeemed only in part shall be 
surrendered at a Place of Payment therefor (with, if the Company or the 
Trustee so requires, due endorsement by, or a written instrument of transfer 
in form satisfactory to the Company and the Trustee duly executed by, the 
Holder thereof or his attorney duly authorized in writing), and the Company 
shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver to the Holder 
of such Security without service charge, a new Registered Security or 
Securities of the same series and of like tenor of any authorized 
denomination as requested by such Holder, in aggregate principal amount equal 
to and in exchange for the unredeemed portion of the principal of the 
Security so surrendered.

                                     ARTICLE XII  

                                    Sinking Funds

SECTION 12.1.  Applicability of Article.

     The provisions of this Article shall be applicable to any sinking fund 
for the retirement of Securities of a series except as otherwise specified as 
contemplated by Section 3.1 for Securities of such series.

     The minimum amount of any sinking fund payment provided for by the terms 
of Securities of any series is herein referred to as a "mandatory sinking 
fund payment", and any payment in excess of such minimum amount provided for 
by the terms of Securities of any series is herein referred to as an 
"optional sinking fund payment". If provided for by the terms of Securities 
of any series, the cash amount of any sinking fund payment may be subject to 
reduction as provided in Section 12.2. Each sinking fund payment shall be 
applied to the redemption of Securities of any series as provided for by the 
terms of Securities of such series.

SECTION 12.2.  Satisfaction of Sinking Fund Payments with Securities.

     The Company (1) may deliver Outstanding Securities of a series (other 
than any previously called for redemption), together in the case of any 
Bearer Securities of such series with all unmatured coupons appertaining 
thereto, and (2) may apply as a credit Securities of a series which have been 
redeemed either at the election of the Company pursuant to the terms of such 
Securities or through the application of permitted optional sinking fund 
payments pursuant to the terms of such Securities, in each case in 
satisfaction of all or any part of any sinking fund payment with respect to 
the Securities of such series required to be made pursuant to the terms of 
such Securities, as provided for by the terms of such series; provided that 
such Securities have not been previously so credited. Such Securities shall 
be received and credited for such purpose by the Trustee at the Redemption 
Price specified in such Securities for redemption through operation of the 
sinking fund and the amount of such sinking fund payment shall be reduced 
accordingly.

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SECTION 12.3.  Redemption of Securities for Sinking Fund.

     Not less than 60 days prior to each sinking fund payment date for any 
series of Securities, the Company will deliver to the Trustee an Officers' 
Certificate specifying the amount of the next ensuing sinking fund payment 
for that series pursuant to the terms of that series, the portion thereof, if 
any, which is to be satisfied by payment of cash and the portion thereof, if 
any, which is to be satisfied by delivering and crediting Securities of that 
series pursuant to Section 12.2 and will also deliver to the Trustee any 
Securities to be so delivered. Not less than 45 days before each such sinking 
fund payment date the Trustee shall select the Securities to be redeemed upon 
such sinking fund payment date in the manner specified in Section 11.3 and 
cause notice of the redemption thereof to be given in the name of and at the 
expense of the Company in the manner provided in Section 11.4. Such notice 
having been duly given, the redemption of such Securities shall be made upon 
the terms and in the manner stated in Sections 11.6 and 11.7.

                                     ARTICLE XIII 

                          Meetings of Holders of Securities

SECTION 13.1.  Purposes for Which Meetings May Be Called.

     If Securities of a series are issuable as Bearer Securities, a meeting 
of Holders of Securities of such series may be called at any time and from 
time to time pursuant to this Article to make, give or take any request, 
demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action 
provided by this Indenture to be made, given or taken by Holders of 
Securities of such series.

SECTION 13.2.  Call, Notice and Place of Meetings.

          (a)  The Trustee may at any time call a meeting of Holders of 
Securities of any series for any purpose specified in Section 13.1, to be 
held at such time and at such place in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of 
New York, or in London as the Trustee shall determine. Notice of every 
meeting of Holders of Securities of any series, setting forth the time and 
the place of such meeting and in general terms the action proposed to be 
taken at such meeting, shall be given, in the manner provided in Section 1.6, 
not less than 21 nor more than 180 days prior to the date fixed for the 
meeting (or, in the case of a meeting of Holders with respect to Securities 
of a series all or part of which are represented by a Book-Entry Security, 
not less than 20 nor more than 40 days).

          (b)  In case at any time the Company, pursuant to a Board 
Resolution, or the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the 
Outstanding Securities of any series shall have requested the Trustee to call 
a meeting of the Holders of Securities of such series for any purpose 
specified in Section 13.1, by written request setting forth in reasonable 
detail the action proposed to be taken at the meeting, and the Trustee shall 
not have made the first publication of the notice of such meeting within 21 
days after receipt of such request or shall not thereafter proceed to cause 
the meeting to be held as provided herein, then the Company or the Holders of 
Securities of such series in the amount above

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<PAGE>

specified, as the case may be, may determine the time and the place in the 
Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York or in London for such meeting and 
may call such meeting for such purposes by giving notice thereof as provided 
in subsection (a) of this Section.

SECTION 13.3.  Persons Entitled to Vote at Meetings.

     Upon the calling of a meeting of Holders with respect to the Securities 
of a series all or part of which are represented by a Book-Entry Security, a 
record date shall be established for determining Holders of Outstanding 
Securities of such series entitled to vote at such meeting, which record date 
shall be the close of business on the day the notice of the meeting of 
Holders is given in accordance with Section 13.2. The Holders on such record 
date, and their designated proxies, and only such Persons, shall be entitled 
to vote at any meeting of Holders. To be entitled to vote at any meeting of 
Holders a Person shall (a) be a Holder of one or more Securities or (b) be a 
Person appointed by an instrument in writing as proxy by a Holder of one or 
more Securities; provided, however, that in the case of any meeting of 
Holders with respect to the Securities of a series all or part of which are 
represented by a Book-Entry Security, only Holders, or their designated 
proxies, of record on the record date established pursuant to Section 13.3 
hereof shall be entitled to vote at such meeting. The only Persons who shall 
be entitled to be present or to speak at any meeting of Holders shall be the 
Persons entitled to vote at such meeting and their counsel and any 
representatives of the Trustee and its counsel and any representatives of the 
Company and its counsel.

SECTION 13.4.  Quorum; Action.

     The Persons entitled to vote a majority in principal amount of the 
Outstanding Securities of a series constitute a quorum for a meeting 
of Holders of Securities of such series; provided, however, that if any 
action is to be taken at such meeting with respect to a consent or waiver 
which this Indenture expressly provides may be given by the Holders of a 
specified percentage in aggregate principal amount of Outstanding Securities 
of a series that is less or greater than a majority in principal amount of 
the Outstanding Securities of a series, then, with respect to such action 
(and only such action) the Persons entitled to vote such lesser or greater 
percentage in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series 
shall constitute a quorum. In the absence of a quorum within 30 minutes of 
the time appointed for any such meeting, the meeting shall, if convened at 
the request of Holders of Securities of such series, be dissolved. In any 
other case the meeting may be adjourned for a period of not less than 10 days 
as determined by the chairman of the meeting prior to the adjournment of such 
meeting. In the absence of a quorum at any such adjourned meeting, such 
adjourned meeting may be further adjourned for a period of not less than 10 
days as determined by the chairman of the meeting prior to the adjournment of 
such adjourned meeting. Notice of the reconvening of any adjourned meeting 
shall be given as provided in Section 13.2(a), except that such notice need 
be given only once not less than five days prior to the date on which the 
meeting is scheduled to be reconvened. Notice of the reconvening of an 
adjourned meeting shall state expressly the percentage, as provided above, of 
the principal amount of the outstanding Securities of such series which shall 
constitute a 

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<PAGE>

quorum. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no meeting of Holders with respect to 
Securities of any Series which is represented in whole or in part by a 
Book-Entry Security, shall be adjourned to a date more than 90 days after the 
record date for such meeting unless the Trustee shall send out a new notice 
of meeting and establish, in accordance with Section 13.3, a new record date 
for Holders entitled to vote at such meeting.

     Except as limited by the proviso to Section 9.2, any resolution 
presented to a meeting or adjourned meeting duly reconvened at which a quorum 
is present as aforesaid may be adopted by the affirmative vote of the Holders 
of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that 
series; provided, however, that, except as limited by the proviso to Section 
9.2 any resolution with respect to any consent or waiver which this Indenture 
expressly provides may be given by the Holders of a specified percentage in 
aggregate principal amount of Outstanding Securities of a series that is less 
or greater than a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities 
of a series may be adopted at a meeting or an adjourned meeting duly convened 
and at which a quorum is present as aforesaid only by the affirmative vote of 
the Holders of such specified percentage in principal amount of the 
Outstanding Securities of that series.

     Any resolution passed or decision taken at any meeting of Holders of 
Securities of any series duly held in accordance with this Section shall be 
binding on all the Holders of Securities of such series and the related 
coupons, whether or not present or represented at the meeting.

SECTION 13.5.  Determination of Voting Rights; Conduct and Adjournment of
     Meetings.

          (a)  Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Indenture, the 
Trustee may make such reasonable regulations as it may deem advisable for any 
meeting of Holders of Securities of a series in regard to proof of the 
holding of Securities of such series and of the appointment of proxies and in 
regard to the appointment and duties of inspectors of votes, the submission 
and examination of proxies, certificates and other evidence of the right to 
vote, and such other matters concerning the conduct of the meeting as it 
shall deem appropriate. Except as otherwise permitted or required by any such 
regulations, the holding of Securities shall be proved in the manner 
specified in Section 1.4 and the appointment of any proxy shall be proved in 
the manner specified in Section 1.4 or by having the signature of the person 
executing the proxy witnessed or guaranteed by any trust company, bank or 
banker authorized by Section 1.4 to certify to the holding of Bearer 
Securities. Such regulations may provide that written instruments appointing 
proxies, regular on their face, may be presumed valid and genuine without the 
proof specified in Section 1.4 or other proof.

          (b)  The Trustee shall, by an instrument in writing, appoint a 
temporary chairman of the meeting, unless the meeting shall have been called 
by the Company or by Holders of Securities as provided in Section 13.2(b), in 
which case the Company or the Holders of Securities of the series calling the 
meeting, as the case may be, shall in like manner appoint a temporary 
chairman. A permanent chairman and a permanent secretary 

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of the meeting shall be elected by vote of the Persons entitled to vote a 
majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series 
represented at the meeting.

          (c)  At any meeting each Holder of a Security of such series or 
proxy shall be entitled to one vote for each $1,000 principal amount of the 
Outstanding Securities of such series held or represented by him; provided, 
however, that no vote shall be cast or counted at any meeting in respect of 
any Security challenged as not Outstanding and ruled by the chairman of the 
meeting to be not Outstanding. The chairman of the meeting shall have no 
right to vote, except as a Holder of a Security of such series or proxy.

          (d)  Any meeting of Holders of Securities of any series duly called 
pursuant to Section 13.2 at which a quorum is present may be adjourned from 
time to time by Persons entitled to vote a majority in principal amount of 
the Outstanding Securities of such series represented at the meeting; and the 
meeting may be held as so adjourned without further notice.

SECTION 13.6.  Counting Votes and Recording Action of Meetings.

     The vote upon any resolution submitted to any meeting of Holders of 
Securities of any series shall be by written ballots on which shall be 
subscribed the signatures of the Holders of Securities of such series or of 
their representatives by proxy and the principal amounts and serial numbers 
of the Outstanding Securities of such series held or represented by them. The 
permanent chairman of the meeting shall appoint two inspectors of votes who 
shall count all votes cast at the meeting for or against any resolution and 
who shall make and file with the secretary of the meeting their verified 
written reports in duplicate of all votes cast at the meeting. A record, at 
least in duplicate, of the proceedings of each meeting of Holders of 
Securities of any series shall be prepared by the secretary of the meeting 
and there shall be attached to said record the original reports of the 
inspectors of votes on any vote by ballot taken thereat and affidavits by one 
or more persons having knowledge of the facts setting forth a copy of the 
notice of the meeting and showing that said notice was given as provided in 
Section 13.2 and, if applicable, Section 13.4. Each copy shall be signed and 
verified by the affidavits of the permanent chairman and secretary of the 
meeting and one such copy shall be delivered to the Company, and another to 
the Trustee to be preserved by the Trustee, the latter to have attached 
thereto the ballots voted at the meeting. Any record so signed and verified 
shall be conclusive evidence of the matters therein stated.
     
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<PAGE>

                                     ARTICLE XIV  

                               Conversion of Securities
SECTION 14.1.  Applicability of Article.

     The provisions of this Article shall be applicable to the Securities of 
any series which are convertible into shares of Common Stock of the Company, 
and the issuance of such shares of Common Stock upon the conversion of such 
Securities, except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 3.1 for 
the Securities of such series. The terms and provisions applicable to the 
conversion of Securities of any series into securities of the Company (other 
than Common Stock) shall, if applicable, be set forth in an Officers' 
Certificate or established in one or more indentures supplemental hereto, 
prior to the issuance of Securities of such series in accordance with Section 
3.1.

SECTION 14.2.  Exercise of Conversion Privilege.

     In order to exercise a conversion privilege, the Holder of a Security of 
a series with such a privilege shall surrender such Security to the Company 
at the office or agency maintained for that purpose pursuant to Section 10.2, 
accompanied by written notice to the Company that the Holder elects to 
convert such Security or a specified portion thereof. Such notice shall also 
state, if different from the name and address of such Holder, the name or 
names (with address) in which the certificate or certificates for shares of 
Common Stock which shall be issuable on such conversion shall be issued. 
Securities surrendered for conversion shall (if so required by the Company or 
the Trustee) be duly endorsed by or accompanied by instruments of transfer in 
forms satisfactory to the Company and the Trustee duly executed by the 
registered Holder or its attorney duly authorized in writing; and Securities 
so surrendered for conversion during the period from the close of business on 
any Regular Record Date to the opening of business on the next succeeding 
Interest Payment Date (excluding Securities or portions thereof called for 
redemption during such period) shall also be accompanied by payment in funds 
acceptable to the Company of an amount equal to the interest payable on such 
Interest Payment Date on the principal amount of such Security then being 
converted, and such interest shall be payable to such registered Holder 
notwithstanding the conversion of such Security, subject to the provisions of 
Section 3.7 relating to the payment of Defaulted Interest by the Company. As 
promptly as practicable after the receipt of such notice and of any payment 
required pursuant to a Board Resolution and, subject to Section 3.1, set 
forth, or determined in the manner provided, in an Officers' Certificate, or 
established in one or more indentures supplemental hereto setting forth the 
terms of such series of Security, and the surrender of such Security in 
accordance with such reasonable regulations as the Company may prescribe, the 
Company shal issue and shall deliver, at the office or agency at which such 
Security is surrendered, to such Holder or on its written order, a 
certificate or certificates for the number of full shares of Common Stock 
issuable upon the conversion of such Security (or specified portion thereof), 
in accordance with the provisions of such Board Resolution, Officers' 
Certificate or supplemental indenture, and cash as provided therein in 
respect of any fractional share of such Common Stock otherwise issuable upon 
such conversion. Such conversion shall be deemed to have been effected 
immediately prior to the close of business on the date on which such notice 
and such payment, if required, shall have been received in proper order for 
conversion by the Company and such Security shall have been surrendered as 
aforesaid (unless such Holder shall have so surrendered such Security and 
shall have instructed the Company to effect the conversion on a particular 
date following such surrender and such Holder shall be entitled to convert 
such Security on such date, in which case such conversion shall be 

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<PAGE>


deemed to be effected immediately prior to the close of business on such 
date) and at such time the rights of the Holder of such Security as such 
Security Holder shall cease and the person or persons in whose name or names 
any certificate or certificates for shares of Common Stock of the Company 
shall be issuable upon such conversion shall be deemed to have become the 
holder or holders of record of the shares represented thereby. Except as set 
forth above and subject to the final paragraph of Section 3.7, no payment or 
adjustment shall be made upon any conversion on account of any interest 
accrued on the Securities surrendered for conversion or on account of any 
dividends on the Common Stock of the Company issued upon such conversion.     

   In the case of any Security which is converted in part only, upon such 
conversion the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and 
deliver to or on the order of the Holder thereof, at the expense of the 
Company, a new Security or Securities of the same series, of authorized 
denominations, in aggregate principal amount equal to the unconverted portion 
of such Security.

SECTION 14.3.  No Fractional Shares.

   No fractional share of Common Stock of the Company shall be issued upon 
conversions of Securities of any series. If more than one Security shall be 
surrendered for conversion at one time by the same Holder, the number of full 
shares which shall be issuable upon conversion shall be computed on the basis 
of the aggregate principal amount of the Securities (or specified portions 
thereof to the extent permitted hereby) so surrendered. If, except for the 
provisions of this Section 14.3, any Holder of a Security or Securities would 
be entitled to a fractional share of Common Stock of the Company upon the 
conversion of such Security or Securities, or specified portions thereof, the 
Company shall pay to such Holder an amount in cash equal to the current 
market value of such fractional share computed, (i) if such Common Stock is 
listed or admitted to unlisted trading privileges on a national securities 
exchange, on the basis of the last reported sale price regular way on such 
exchange on the last trading day prior to the date of conversion upon which 
such a sale shall have been effected, or (ii) if such Common Stock is not at 
the time so listed or admitted to unlisted trading privileges on a national 
securities exchange, on the basis of the average of the bid and asked prices 
of such Common Stock in the over-the-counter market, on the last trading day 
prior to the date of conversion, as reported by the National Quotation 
Bureau, Incorporated or similar organization if the National Quotation 
Bureau, Incorporated is no longer reporting such information, or if not so 
available, the fair market price as determined by the Board of Directors. For 
purposes of this Section, "trading day" shall mean each Monday, Tuesday, 
Wednesday, Thursday and Friday other than any day on which the Common Stock 
is not traded on the New York Stock Exchange, or if the Common Stock is not 
traded on the New York Stock

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<PAGE>

Exchange, on the principal exchange or market on which the Common Stock is 
traded or quoted.

SECTION 14.4.  Adjustment of Conversion Price.

     The conversion price of Securities of any series that is convertible 
into Common Stock of the Company shall be adjusted for any stock dividends, 
stock splits, reclassification, combinations or similar transactions in 
accordance with the terms of the supplemental indenture or Board Resolutions 
setting forth the terms of the Securities of such series.

     Whenever the conversion price is adjusted, the Company shall compute the 
adjusted conversion price in accordance with terms of the applicable Board 
Resolution or supplemental indenture and shall prepare an Officers' 
Certificate setting forth the adjusted conversion price and showing in 
reasonable detail the facts upon which such adjustment is based, and such 
certificate shall forthwith be filed at each office or agency maintained for 
the purpose of conversion of Securities pursuant to Section 10.2 and, if 
different, with the Trustee. The Company shall forthwith cause a notice 
setting forth the adjusted conversion price to be mailed, first class postage 
prepaid, to each Holder of Securities of such series at its address appearing 
on the Security Register and to any conversion agent other than the Trustee.

SECTION 14.5.  Notice of Certain Corporate Actions.

     In case:

          (a) the Company shall declare a dividend (or any other 
distribution) on its Common Stock payable otherwise than in cash out of its 
retained earnings (other than a dividend for which approval of any 
shareholders of the Company is required); or

          (b) the Company shall authorize the granting to the holders of its 
Common Stock of rights, options or warrants to subscribe for or purchase any 
shares of capital stock of any class or of any other rights (other than any 
such grant for which approval of any shareholders of the Company is 
required); or

          (c) of any reclassification of the Common Stock of the Company 
(other than a subdivision or combination of its outstanding shares of Common 
Stock) or of any consolidation, merger or share exchange to which the Company 
is a party and for which approval of any shareholders of the Company is 
required, or of the sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the 
Company; or

          (d) of the voluntary or involuntary dissolution, liquidation or 
winding up of the Company; then the Company shall cause to be filed with the 
Trustee, and shall cause to be mailed to all Holders at their last addresses 
as they shall appear in the Security Register, at least 20 days (or 10 days 
in any case specified in clause (a) or (b) above) prior to the applicable 
record date hereinafter specified, a notice stating (i) the date on which a 
record is to be taken for the purpose of such dividend, distribution, rights, 
options or warrants, or, if a record is not to be taken, the date as of which 
the 

                                          74
<PAGE>

holders of Common Stock of record to be entitled to such dividend, 
distribution, rights, options or warrants are to be determined, or (ii) the 
date on which such reclassification, consolidation, merger, share exchange, 
sale, dissolution, liquidation or winding up is expected to become effective, 
and the date as of which it is expected that holders of Common Stock of 
record shall be entitled to exchange their shares of Common Stock for 
securities, cash or other property deliverable upon such reclassification, 
consolidation, merger, share exchange, sale, dissolution, liquidation or 
winding up. If at any time the Trustee shall not be the conversion agent, a 
copy of such notice shall also forthwith be filed by the Company with the 
Trustee.

SECTION 14.6.  Reservation of Shares of Common Stock.

     The Company shall at all times reserve and keep available, free from 
preemptive rights, out of its authorized but unissued Common Stock or 
treasury shares, for the purpose of effecting the conversion of Securities, 
the full number of shares of Common Stock of the Company then issuable upon 
the conversion of all outstanding Securities of any series that has 
conversion rights.

SECTION 14.7.  Payment of Certain Taxes upon Conversion.

     The Company will pay any and all taxes that may be payable in respect of 
the issue or delivery of shares of its Common Stock on conversion of 
Securities pursuant hereto. The Company shall not, however, be required to 
pay any tax which may be payable in respect of any transfer involved in the 
issue and delivery of shares of its Common Stock in a name other than that of 
the Holder of the Security or Securities to be converted, and no such issue 
or delivery shall be made unless and until the person requesting such issue 
has paid to the Company the amount of any such tax, or has established, to 
the satisfaction of the Company, that such tax has been paid.

SECTION 14.8.  Nonassessability.

     The Company covenants that all shares of its Common Stock which may be 
issued upon conversion of Securities will upon issue in accordance with the 
terms hereof be duly and validly issued and fully paid and nonassessable. 

SECTION 14.9.  Effect of Consolidation or Merger on Conversion Privilege.

     In case of any consolidation of the Company with, or merger of the 
Company into or with any other Person, or in case of any sale of all or 
substantially all of the assets of the Company, the Company or the Person 
formed by such consolidation or the Person into which the Company shall have 
been merged or the Person which shall have acquired such assets, as the case 
may be, shall execute and deliver to the Trustee a supplemental indenture 
providing that the Holder of each Security then outstanding of any series 
that is convertible into Common Stock of the Company shall have the right, 
which right shall be the exclusive conversion right thereafter available to 
said Holder (until the expiration of the conversion right of such Security), 
to convert such Security into the kind and amount of shares of stock or other 
securities or property (including cash) receivable upon such consolidation, 
merger or sale by a holder of the number of shares of Common Stock of 

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<PAGE>

the Company into which such Security might have been converted immediately 
prior to such consolidation, merger or sale, subject to compliance with the 
other provisions of this Indenture, such Security and such supplemental 
indenture. Such supplemental indenture shall provide for adjustments which 
shall be as nearly equivalent as may be practicable to the adjustments 
provided for in such Security.

     The above provisions of this Section shall similarly apply to successive 
consolidations, mergers or sales. It is expressly agreed and understood that 
anything in this Indenture to the contrary notwithstanding, if, pursuant to 
such merger, consolidation or sale, holders of outstanding shares of Common 
Stock of the Company do not receive shares of common stock of the surviving 
corporation but receive other securities, cash or other property or any 
combination thereof, Holders of Securities shall not have the right to 
thereafter convert their Securities into common stock of the surviving 
corporation or the corporation which shall have acquired such assets, but 
rather, shall have the right upon such conversion to receive the other 
securities, cash or other property receivable by a holder of the number of 
shares of Common Stock of the Company into which the Securities held by such 
holder might have been converted immediately prior to such consolidation, 
merger or sale, all as more fully provided in the first sentence of this 
Section 14.9. Anything in this Section 14.9 to the contrary notwithstanding, 
the provisions of this Section 14.9 shall not apply to a merger or 
consolidation of another corporation with or into the Company pursuant to 
which both of the following conditions are applicable: (i) the Company is the 
surviving corporation and (ii) the outstanding shares of Common Stock of the 
Company are not changed or converted into any other securities or property 
(including cash) or changed in number or character or reclassified pursuant 
to the terms of such merger or consolidation.

     As evidence of the kind and amount of shares of stock or other 
securities or property (including cash) into which Securities may properly be 
convertible after any such consolidation, merger or sale, or as to the 
appropriate adjustments of the conversion prices applicable with respect 
thereto, the Trustee shall be furnished with and may accept the certificate 
or opinion of an independent certified public accountant with respect 
thereto; and, in the absence of bad faith on the part of the Trustee, the 
Trustee may conclusively rely thereon, and shall not be responsible or 
accountable to any Holder of Securities for any provision in conformity 
therewith or approved by such independent certified accountant which may be 
contained in said supplemental indenture.

SECTION 14.10. Duties of Trustee Regarding Conversion.

     Neither the Trustee nor any conversion agent shall at any time be under 
any duty or responsibility to any Holder of Securities of any series that is 
convertible into Common Stock of the Company to determine whether any facts 
exist which may require any adjustment of the conversion price, or with 
respect to the nature or extent of any such adjustment when made, or with 
respect to the method employed, whether herein or in any supplemental 
indenture, any resolutions of the Board of Directors or written instrument 
executed by one or more officers of the Company provided to be employed in 
making the same. Neither the Trustee nor any conversion agent shall be 
accountable with respect to the validity or value (or the kind or amount) of 
any shares of Common Stock of the 

                                          76

<PAGE>

Company, or of any securities or property, which may at any time be issued or 
delivered upon the conversion of any Securities and neither the Trustee nor 
any conversion agent makes any representation with respect thereto. Neither 
the Trustee nor any conversion agent shall be responsible for any failure of 
the Company to issue, transfer or deliver any shares of its Common Stock or 
stock certificates or other securities or property upon the surrender of any 
Security for the purpose of conversion or to comply with any of the covenants 
of the Company contained in this Article XIV or in the applicable 
supplemental indenture, resolutions of the Board of Directors or written 
instrument executed by one or more duly authorized officers of the Company.

SECTION 14.11. Repayment of Certain Funds upon Conversion.

     Any funds which at any time shall have been deposited by the Company or 
on its behalf with the Trustee or any other paying agent for the purpose of 
paying the principal of, and premium, if any, and interest, if any, on any of 
the Securities (including funds deposited for the sinking fund referred to in 
Article III hereof) and which shall not be required for such purposes because 
of the conversion of such Securities as provided in this Article XIV shall 
after such conversion be repaid to the Company by the Trustee upon the 
Company's written request.

     This instrument may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of 
which so executed shall be deemed to be an original, but all such 
counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same instrument. 

                                          77

<PAGE>


     In Witness Whereof, the parties hereto have caused this Indenture 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. 

                                UNITED STATES SURGICAL CORPORATION
     
     
                                 By
                                   -------------------------------
                                   Name:
                                   Title:


Attest:


     -------------------------------
     Name:
     Title:


                                  THE BANK OF NEW YORK
     
     
                                   By
                                     -------------------------------
                                     Name:
                                     Title:


Attest:


     -------------------------------
     Name:
     Title:





                                       78



<PAGE>
                                                                    Exhibit 4(b)

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------





     
                         UNITED STATES SURGICAL CORPORATION

                                         TO

                               THE BANK OF NEW YORK,
                                      Trustee


                                     INDENTURE


                            Dated as of __________




                            Subordinated Debt Securities


- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------


<PAGE>

                               TABLE OF CONTENTS (1)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                           Page
                                                                           ----
<S>                                                                        <C>
                              Recitals Of The Company

     ARTICLE I Definitions And Other Provisions Of General Application

SECTION 1.1.   Definitions.  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1
  "Act". . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1
  "Affiliate". . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2
  "Authenticating Agent".  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2
  "Authorized Newspaper" . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2
  "Bearer Security". . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2
  "Board of Directors" . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2
  "Board Resolution" . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2
  "Book-Entry Security". . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2
  "Business Day" . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3
  "CEDEL S.A." . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3
  "Commission" . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3
  "Common Stock" . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3
  "Company". . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3
  "Company Request". . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3
  "Corporate Trust Office" . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3
  "Corporation". . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3
  "Coupon" . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3
  "Defaulted Interest" . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
  "Depositary" . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
  "Dollar" . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
  "Euro-clear" . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
  "Event of Default" . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
  "Exchange Date". . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
  "Holder" . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
  "Indenture". . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
  "Interest" . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
  "Interest Payment Date". . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
  "Maturity" . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
  "Officers' Certificate". . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
  "Opinion of Counsel" . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
  "Original Issue Discount Security" . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
  "Outstanding". . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
  "Paying Agent" . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
  "Person" . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
  "Place of Payment" . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
  "Predecessor Security" . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
</TABLE>

- ------------------------------
(1) NOTE:  This table of contents shall not, for any purpose,  be deemed to be 
           a part of the Indenture.

                                          i

<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                           Page
                                                                           ----
<S>                                                                        <C>

  "Redemption Date". . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
  "Redemption Price" . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
  "Registered Security". . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
  "Regular Record Date". . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
  "Responsible Officer". . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
  "Securities" . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
  "Security Register". . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8
  "Senior Debt". . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8
  "Special Record Date". . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8
  "Stated Maturity". . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8
  "Subsidiary" . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9
  "Trustee". . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9
  "Trust Indenture Act". . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9
  "United States". . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9
  "United States Alien". . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9
  "U.S. Government Obligations". . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9
SECTION 1.2.   Compliance Certificates and Opinions. . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
SECTION 1.3.   Form of Documents Delivered to Trustee. . . . . . . . . . . . 10
SECTION 1.4.   Acts of Holders.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
SECTION 1.5.   Notices, Etc., to Trustee and Company.. . . . . . . . . . . . 13
SECTION 1.6.   Notice to Holders of Securities; Waiver.. . . . . . . . . . . 14
SECTION 1.7.   Language of Notices, Etc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
SECTION 1.8.   Conflict with Trust Indenture Act.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
SECTION 1.9.   Effect of Headings and Table of Contents. . . . . . . . . . . 15
SECTION 1.10.  Successors and Assigns. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
SECTION 1.11.  Separability Clause.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
SECTION 1.12.  Benefits of Indenture.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
SECTION 1.13.  Governing Law.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
SECTION 1.14.  Legal Holidays. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
SECTION 1.15.  Judgment Currency.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

               ARTICLE II  Security Forms

SECTION 2.1.   Forms Generally.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
SECTION 2.2.   Form of Trustee's Certificate of Authentication.. . . . . . . 17
SECTION 2.3.   Securities in Global Form.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
SECTION 2.4.   Form of Legend for Book-Entry Securities. . . . . . . . . . . 18
SECTION 2.5.   Form of Conversion Notice.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

               ARTICLE III  The Securities

SECTION 3.1.   Amount Unlimited; Issuable in Series. . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
SECTION 3.2.   Denominations.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
SECTION 3.3.   Execution, Authentication, Delivery and Dating. . . . . . . . 22
SECTION 3.4.   Temporary Securities. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
SECTION 3.5.   Registration, Registration of Transfer and Exchange.. . . . . 26
SECTION 3.6.   Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost and Stolen Securities and Coupons. 29
SECTION 3.7.   Payment of Interest; Interest Rights Preserved. . . . . . . . 30
SECTION 3.8.   Persons Deemed Owners.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
</TABLE>

                                          ii

<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
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SECTION 3.9.   Cancellation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
SECTION 3.10.  Computation of Interest.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
SECTION 3.11.  Electronic Security Issuance. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32

                         ARTICLE IV Satisfaction And Discharge

SECTION 4.1.   Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture.. . . . . . . . . . . 33
SECTION 4.2.   Application of Trust Money. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
SECTION 4.3.   Satisfaction, Discharge and Defeasance of Securities of any
               Series. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
SECTION 4.4    Discharge and Defeasance. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
SECTION 4.5    Covenant Defeasance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
                                  ARTICLE V Remedies

SECTION 5.1.   Events of Default. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .37
SECTION 5.2.   Acceleration of Maturity; Rescission and Annulment . . . . . .38
SECTION 5.3.   Collection of Indebtedness and Suits for Enforcement by 
               Trustee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
SECTION 5.4.   Trustee May File Proofs of Claim. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
SECTION 5.5.   Trustee May Enforce Claims Without Possession of Securities 
               or Coupons. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
SECTION 5.6.   Application of Money Collected. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
SECTION 5.7.   Limitation on Suits.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
SECTION 5.8.   Unconditional Right of Holders to Receive Principal, Premium
               and Interest. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42

SECTION 5.9.   Restoration of Rights and Remedies. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
SECTION 5.10.  Rights and Remedies Cumulative. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
SECTION 5.11.  Delay or Omission Not Waiver. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
SECTION 5.12.  Control by Holders of Securities. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
SECTION 5.13.  Waiver of Past Defaults.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
SECTION 5.14.  Undertaking for Costs.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
SECTION 5.15.  Waiver of Stay or Extension Laws. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44

               ARTICLE VI The Trustee

SECTION 6.1.   Certain Rights of Trustee.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44

SECTION 6.2.   Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of Securities. . . . 45

SECTION 6.3.   May Hold Securities.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45

SECTION 6.4.   Money Held in Trust.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
SECTION 6.5.   Compensation and Reimbursement. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
SECTION 6.6.   Resignation and Removal; Appointment of Successor.. . . . . . 46
SECTION 6.7.   Acceptance of Appointment by Successor. . . . . . . . . . . . 47
SECTION 6.8.   Disqualification; Conflicting Interests.. . . . . . . . . . . 48
SECTION 6.9.   Corporate Trustee Required; Eligibility.. . . . . . . . . . . 49
SECTION 6.10.  Preferential Collection of Claims Against Company.. . . . . . 49
SECTION 6.11.  Merger, Conversion Consolidation or Succession to Business. . 49
SECTION 6.12.  Appointment of Authenticating Agent.. . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
SECTION 6.13.  Notice of Defaults. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51

               ARTICLE VII Holders' Lists And Reports By Trustee And Company

SECTION 7.1.   Preservation of Information; Communications to Holders. . . . 51
SECTION 7.2.   Reports by Trustee. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
SECTION 7.3.   Reports by Company. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
</TABLE>

                                         iii
<PAGE>

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ARTICLE VIII Consolidation, Merger, Sale, Lease, Transfer Or Other Disposition

SECTION 8.1.   Company May Consolidate, Etc., Only on Certain Terms. . . . .  53
SECTION 8.2.   Successor Substituted.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  54


                          ARTICLE IX Supplemental Indentures

SECTION 9.1.   Supplemental Indentures Without Consent of Holders. . . . . .  54
SECTION 9.2.   Supplemental Indentures with Consent of Holders.. . . . . . .  56
SECTION 9.3.   Execution of Supplemental Indentures. . . . . . . . . . . . .  57
SECTION 9.4.   Effect of Supplemental Indentures.. . . . . . . . . . . . . .  57
SECTION 9.5.   Conformity with Trust Indenture Act.. . . . . . . . . . . . .  57
SECTION 9.6.   Reference in Securities to Supplemental Indentures. . . . . .  57
SECTION 9.7.   Effect on Senior Debt.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  57

                                  ARTICLE X Covenants

SECTION 10.1.  Payment of Principal, Premium and Interest. . . . . . . . . .  58
SECTION 10.2.  Maintenance of Office or Agency.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  58
SECTION 10.3.  Money for Securities Payments to Be Held in Trust.. . . . . .  59
SECTION 10.4.  Additional Amounts. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  61
SECTION 10.5.  Existence.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  62
SECTION 10.6.  Purchase of Securities by Company or Subsidiary.. . . . . . .  62
SECTION 10.7.  Statement by Officers as to Default.. . . . . . . . . . . . .  62


                       ARTICLE XI Redemption Of Securities

SECTION 11.1.  Applicability of Article. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  62
SECTION 11.2.  Election to Redeem; Notice to Trustee.. . . . . . . . . . . .  62
SECTION 11.3.  Selection by Trustee of Securities to Be Redeemed.. . . . . .  63
SECTION 11.4.  Notice of Redemption. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  63
SECTION 11.5.  Deposit of Redemption Price.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  64
SECTION 11.6.  Securities Payable on Redemption Date.. . . . . . . . . . . .  64
SECTION 11.7.  Securities Redeemed in Part.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  65


                              ARTICLE XII Sinking Funds

SECTION 12.1.  Applicability of Article. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  66
SECTION 12.2.  Satisfaction of Sinking Fund Payments with Securities.. . . .  66
SECTION 12.3.  Redemption of Securities for Sinking Fund.. . . . . . . . . .  66


                   ARTICLE XIII Meetings Of Holders Of Securities

SECTION 13.1.  Purposes for Which Meetings May be Called.. . . . . . . . . .  67
SECTION 13.2.  Call, Notice and Place of Meetings. . . . . . . . . . . . . .  67
SECTION 13.3.  Persons Entitled to Vote at Meetings. . . . . . . . . . . . .  67
SECTION 13.4.  Quorum; Action. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  68
SECTION 13.5.  Determination of Voting Rights; Conduct and Adjournment of 
               Meetings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  69
SECTION 13.6.  Counting Votes and Recording Action of Meetings.. . . . . . .  70
</TABLE>

                                          iv
<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
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               ARTICLE XIV Conversion Of Securities

SECTION 14.1.  Applicability of Article. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  70
SECTION 14.2.  Exercise of Conversion Privilege. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  70
SECTION 14.3.  No Fractional Shares. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  72
SECTION 14.4.  Adjustment of Conversion Price. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  72
SECTION 14.5.  Notice of Certain Corporate Actions.. . . . . . . . . . . . .  73
SECTION 14.6.  Reservation of Shares of Common Stock.. . . . . . . . . . . .  73
SECTION 14.7.  Payment of Certain Taxes upon Conversion. . . . . . . . . . .  74
SECTION 14.8.  Nonassessability. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  74
SECTION 14.9.  Effect of Consolidation or Merger on Conversion Privilege . .  74
SECTION 14.10. Duties of Trustee Regarding Conversion. . . . . . . . . . . .  75
SECTION 14.11. Repayment of Certain Funds upon Conversion. . . . . . . . . .  75

               ARTICLE XV Subordination Of Securities

SECTION 15.1.  Securities Subordinate to Senior Debt.. . . . . . . . . . . .  76
SECTION 15.2.  Payment Over of Proceeds upon Dissolution, Etc. . . . . . . .  76
SECTION 15.3.  Prior Payment to Senior Debt Upon Acceleration of                 
               Securities. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  77
SECTION 15.4.  No Payment When Senior Debt in Default. . . . . . . . . . . .  78
SECTION 15.5.  Payment Permitted in Certain Situations.. . . . . . . . . . .  78
SECTION 15.6.  Subrogation to Rights of Holders of Senior Debt.. . . . . . .  79
SECTION 15.7.  Provisions Solely to Define Relative Rights.. . . . . . . . .  79
SECTION 15.8.  Trustee to Effectuate Subordination.. . . . . . . . . . . . .  79
SECTION 15.9.  No Waiver of Subordination Provisions.. . . . . . . . . . . .  80
SECTION 15.10. Notice to Trustee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  80
SECTION 15.11. Reliance on Judicial Order or Certificate of Liquidating 
                Agent. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  81
SECTION 15.12. Trustee Not Fiduciary for Holders of Senior Debt. . . . . . .  81
SECTION 15.13. Rights of Trustee as Holder of Senior Debt, Preservation of      
               Trustee's Rights. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  81
SECTION 15.14. Article Applicable to Paying Agents . . . . . . . . . . . . .  81
SECTION 15.15. Certain Conversions Deemed Payment. . . . . . . . . . . . . .  82
</TABLE>

                                          v
<PAGE>

<TABLE>
                                          
<S>                                                       <C>
                          CROSS-REFERENCE TABLE*
Trust Indenture
    Act Section                                           Indenture Section

Section 310(a)(1).......................................         6.9
           (a)(2).......................................         6.9
           (a)(3).......................................    Not Applicable
           (a)(4).......................................    Not Applicable
           (b)..........................................         6.8
           .............................................         6.6
Section 311(a)..........................................        6.10
           (b)..........................................        6.10
Section 312(a)..........................................        7.1
           (b)..........................................        7.1
           (c)..........................................        7.1
Section 313(a)..........................................        7.2
           (b)..........................................        7.2
           (c)..........................................        7.2
           (d)..........................................        7.2
Section 314(a)..........................................        7.3
           (a)(4).......................................        1.1
           .............................................       10.9
           (b)..........................................    Not Applicable
           (c)(1).......................................        1.2
           (c)(2).......................................        1.2
           (c)(3).......................................    Not Applicable
           (d)..........................................    Not Applicable
           (e)..........................................        1.2
Section 315(a)..........................................        6.1
           (b)..........................................        6.13
           (c)..........................................        6.1
           (d)..........................................        6.1
           (e)..........................................        5.14
Section 316(a)..........................................        1.1
           (a)(1)(A)....................................        5.2
           .............................................        5.12
           (a)(1)(B)....................................        5.13
           (a)(2).......................................    Not Applicable
           (b)..........................................        5.8
           (c)..........................................        1.4
Section 317(a)(1).......................................        5.3
           (a)(2).......................................        5.4
           (b)..........................................       10.3
Section 318(a)..........................................        1.8
</TABLE>

__________________
*Note:  This Cross-Reference Table is not part of the Indenture.

                                          vi
<PAGE>

     INDENTURE, dated as of __________, between United States Surgical
Corporation, a corporation duly organized and existing under the laws of the
State of Delaware (herein called the "Company"), having its principal office at
150 Glover Avenue, Norwalk, Connecticut 06856, and The Bank of New York, as
Trustee (herein called the "Trustee") .

                         Recitals Of The Company

     The Company has duly authorized the execution and delivery of this
Indenture to provide for the issuance from time to time of its unsecured and
subordinated debentures, notes or other evidences of indebtedness (herein called
the "Securities"), to be issued in one or more series as in this Indenture
provided.

     All things necessary to make this Indenture a valid agreement of the
Company, in accordance with its terms, have been done.

     Now, Therefore, This Indenture Witnesseth:

     For and in consideration of the premises and the purchase of the Securities
by the Holders thereof, it is mutually agreed, for the equal and proportionate
benefit of all Holders of the Securities or of a series thereof, as follows:

                                   ARTICLE I

            Definitions And Other Provisions Of General Application

SECTION 1.1.   Definitions.

     For all purposes of this Indenture, except as otherwise expressly provided
or unless the context otherwise requires:

     (1)     the terms defined in this Article have the meanings assigned to 
them in this Article and include the plural as well as the singular;

     (2)     all other terms used herein which are defined in the Trust 
Indenture Act, either directly or by reference therein, have the meanings 
assigned to them therein; and

     (3)     all accounting terms not otherwise defined herein have the 
meanings assigned to them in accordance with generally accepted accounting 
principles in the United States of America, and, except as otherwise herein 
expressly provided, the term "generally accepted accounting principles" with 
respect to any computation required or permitted hereunder shall mean such 
accounting principles as are generally accepted in the United States of 
America at the date of such computation.

     "Act", when used with respect to any Holder of a Security, has the 
meaning specified in Section 1.4.

<PAGE>

     "Affiliate" of any specified Person means any other Person directly or 
indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common 
control with such specified Person. For the purposes of this definition, 
"control", when used with respect to any specified Person, means the power to 
direct the management and policies of such Person, directly or indirectly, 
whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise; 
and the terms "controlling" and "controlled" have meanings correlative to the 
foregoing.

     "Authenticating Agent" means any Person authorized by the Trustee 
pursuant to Section 6.12 to act on behalf of the Trustee to authenticate 
Securities of one or more series.

     "Authorized Newspaper" means a newspaper, in the English language or in 
an official language of the country of publication, customarily published on 
each Business Day, whether or not published on Saturdays, Sundays or 
holidays, and of general circulation in the place, in connection with which 
the term is used, or in the financial community of such place. Where 
successive publications are required to be made in Authorized Newspapers, the 
successive publications may be made in the same or in different newspapers in 
the same city meeting the foregoing requirements and in each case on any 
Business Day.

     "Bearer Security"  means any Security in the form established pursuant 
to Section 2.1 which is payable to bearer.

     "Board of Directors" means either the board of directors of the Company 
or any duly authorized committee of that board.

     "Board Resolution" means a copy of a resolution certified by the 
Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company to have been duly adopted 
by the Board of Directors and to be in full force and effect on the date of 
such certification, and delivered to the Trustee.

     "Book-Entry Security" means a Security bearing the legend specified in 
Section 2.4, evidencing all or part of a series of Securities, issued to the 
Depositary for such series or its nominee, and registered in the name of such 
Depositary or nominee. Book-Entry Securities shall not be deemed to be 
securities in global form for purposes of Sections 2.1 and 2.3 and Article 
III of the Indenture.

     "Business Day", when used with respect to any Place of Payment or any 
other particular location referred to in this Indenture or in the Securities, 
means each Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday which is not a day 
on which banking institutions in that Place of Payment or other location are 
authorized or obligated by law or executive order to close.

     "CEDEL S.A." means CEDEL BANK, SOCIETE ANONYME.

     "Commission" means the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.

                                          2
<PAGE>

     "Common Stock" includes any stock of any class of the Company which has no
preference in respect of dividends or of amounts payable in the event of any
voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company
and which is not subject to redemption by the Company.

     "Company" means the Person named as the "Company" in the first paragraph
of this instrument until a successor Person shall have become such pursuant to
the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter "Company" shall mean
such successor Person.

     "Company Request" or "Company Order" means a written request or order
signed in the name of the Company by its Chairman of the Board, its President,
its Chief Financial Officer, or its Treasurer, and delivered to the Trustee.

     "Corporate Trust Office" means the principal office of the Trustee in New
York, New York at which at any particular time its corporate trust business
shall be administered.

     "Corporation" means a corporation, association, company, joint-stock
company or business trust.

     "Coupon" means any interest coupon appertaining to a Bearer Security.

     "Defaulted Interest" has the meaning specified in Section 3.7.

     "Depositary" means, with respect to the Securities of any series
issuable or issued in whole or in part in the form of one or more Book-Entry
Securities, the clearing agency registered under the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, as amended specified for that purpose as contemplated by Section 3.1.

     "Dollar" or "$" means a dollar or other equivalent unit in such coin or
currency of the United States of America as at the time shall be legal tender
for the payment of public and private debts.

     "Euro-clear" means the operator of the Euro-clear System.

     "Event of Default" has the meaning specified in Section 5.1.

     "Exchange Date" has the meaning specified in Section 3.4.

     "Holder", when used with respect to any Security, means in the case of a
Registered Security, the Person in whose name the Security is registered in the
Security Register and in the case of a Bearer Security the bearer thereof and,
when used with respect to any coupon, means the bearer thereof.

     "Indenture" means this instrument as originally executed or as it may
from time to time be supplemented or amended by one or more indentures
supplemental hereto entered 

                                          3
<PAGE>

into pursuant to the applicable provisions hereof and shall include the terms of
particular series of Securities established as contemplated by Section 3.1.

     "Interest", when used with respect to an Original Issue Discount
Security which by its terms bears interest only after Maturity, means interest
payable after Maturity.

     "Interest Payment Date"  , when used with respect to any Security, means
the Stated Maturity of an installment of interest on such Security.

     "Maturity", when used with respect to any Security, means the date on
which the principal of such Security or an installment of principal becomes due
and payable as therein or herein provided, whether at the Stated Maturity or by
declaration of acceleration, call for redemption or otherwise.

     "Officers' Certificate" means a certificate signed by the Company's
Chairman of the Board, its President, its Chief Financial Officer, its Treasurer
or any Vice President, and delivered to the Trustee.

     "Opinion of Counsel" means a written opinion of counsel, who may be
counsel for the Company, and who shall be reasonably acceptable to the Trustee.

     "Original Issue Discount Security" means any Security which provides for
an amount less than the principal amount thereof to be due and payable upon a
declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 5.2.

     "Outstanding", when used with respect to Securities, means, as of the
date of determination, all Securities theretofore authenticated and delivered
under this Indenture, except:

          (i) Securities theretofore cancelled by the Trustee or delivered to
     the Trustee for cancellation;

          (ii) Securities for whose payment or redemption money in the necessary
     amount has been theretofore deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent
     (other than the Company) in trust or set aside and segregated in trust by
     the Company (if the Company shall act as its own Paying Agent) for the
     Holders of such Securities and any coupons appertaining thereto; provided
     that, if such Securities are to be redeemed, notice of such redemption has
     been duly given pursuant to this Indenture or provision therefor
     satisfactory to the Trustee has been made;

          (iii) Securities which have been paid pursuant to Section 3.6 or in
     exchange for or in lieu of which other Securities have been authenticated
     and delivered pursuant to this Indenture, other than any such Securities in
     respect of which there shall have been presented to the Trustee proof
     satisfactory to it that such Securities are held by a bona fide purchaser
     in whose hands such Securities are valid obligations of the Company;
     provided, however, that in determining whether the Holders of the requisite
     principal amount of the Outstanding Securities have 

                                          4
<PAGE>

     given any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or
     waiver hereunder or whether a quorum is present at a meeting of Holders of
     Securities (i) the principal amount of an Original Issue Discount Security
     that shall be deemed to be Outstanding shall be the amount of the principal
     thereof that would be due and payable as of the date of such determination
     upon acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 5.2, (ii) the
     principal amount of a Security denominated in a foreign currency or
     currencies shall be the U.S. dollar equivalent, determined on the date of
     original issuance of such Security, of the principal amount (or, in the
     case of an Original Issue Discount Security, the U.S. dollar equivalent on
     the date of original issuance of such Security of the amount determined as
     provided in (i) above) of such Security, and (iii) Securities owned by the
     Company or any other obligor upon the Securities or any Affiliate of the
     Company or of such other obligor shall be disregarded and deemed not to be
     Outstanding, except that, in determining whether the Trustee shall be
     protected in relying upon any such request, demand, authorization,
     direction, notice, consent or waiver, or upon any such determination as to
     the presence of a quorum, only Securities which the Trustee knows to be so
     owned shall be so disregarded. Securities so owned which have been pledged
     in good faith may be regarded as Outstanding if the pledgee establishes to
     the satisfaction of the Trustee the pledgee's right so to act with respect
     to such Securities and that the pledgee is not the Company or any other
     obligor upon the Securities or any Affiliate of the Company or of such
     other obligor; and

          (iv) Securities as to which Defeasance has been effected pursuant to
     Section 4.3.

     "Paying Agent" means any Person authorized by the Company to pay the
principal of and any premium and interest on any Securities or any Coupons
appertaining thereto on behalf of the Company.

     "Person" means any individual, corporation, limited liability company,
partnership, joint venture, trust, unincorporated organization or government or
any agency or political subdivision thereof.

     "Place of Payment", when used with respect to the Securities of any
series, means the place or places where, subject to the provisions of Section
10.2, the principal of and any premium and interest on the Securities of that
series are payable as specified as contemplated by Section 3.1.

     "Predecessor Security" of any particular Security means every previous
Security evidencing all or a portion of the same debt as that evidenced by such
particular Security; and, for the purposes of this definition, any Security
authenticated and delivered under Section 3.6 in exchange for or in lieu of a
mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security or a Security to which a
mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen coupon appertains shall be deemed to
evidence the same debt as the mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security or
the Security to which the mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen coupon
appertains, as the case may be.

                                          5
<PAGE>

     "Redemption Date", when used with respect to any Security to be
redeemed, means the date fixed for such redemption by or pursuant to this
Indenture.

     "Redemption Price", when used with respect to any Security to be
redeemed, means the price at which it is to be redeemed pursuant to this
Indenture.

     "Registered Security" means any Security in the form established
pursuant to Section 2.1 which is registered in the Security Register.

     "Regular Record Date" for the interest payable on any Interest Payment
Date on the Registered Securities of any series means the date specified for
that purpose as contemplated by Section 3.1., whether or not such day is a
Business Day.

     "Responsible Officer", when used with respect to the Trustee, means the
Chairman of the board of directors, the executive committee of the board of
directors, the chairman of the trust committee, the president, any vice
president, the secretary, any assistant secretary, the treasurer, any assistant
treasurer, the cashier, any assistant cashier, any trust officer or assistant
trust officer, the controller or any assistant controller or any other officer
of the Trustee customarily performing functions similar to those performed by
any of the above designated officers and also means, with respect to a
particular corporate trust matter, any other officer to whom such matter is
referred because of his knowledge of and familiarity with the particular
subject.

     "Securities" has the meaning stated in the first recital of this
Indenture and more particularly means any Securities authenticated and delivered
under this Indenture.

     "Security Register" and "Security Registrar" have the respective meanings
specified in Section 3.5.

     "Senior Debt" means the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest
(including interest accruing on or after the filing of any petition in
bankruptcy or for reorganization relating to the Company whether or not such
claim for post-petition interest is allowed in such proceeding) on all
indebtedness of the Company (including, without limitation, indebtedness
incurred pursuant to any long-term credit arrangement or facility (or any
refinancing thereof) to which the Company is a party and indebtedness of others
guaranteed by the Company), other than the Securities, whether outstanding on
the date of this Indenture or thereafter created, incurred or assumed, which is
(i) for money borrowed, (ii) evidenced by a note or similar instrument given in
connection with the acquisition of any businesses, properties or assets of any
kind, (iii) obligations of the Company for rent and other amounts payable in
respect of the Company's leased facilities located at North Haven, Connecticut
(the "North Haven Facilities"), under a lease agreement and participation
agreement, each dated January 14, 1993 as amended from time to time, to the
extent such obligations equal principal and interest payable to holders of notes
from time to time issued by the lessor of the North Haven Facilities pursuant to
a trust indenture dated as of January 14, 1993, as amended from time to time or
(iv) obligations of the Company as lessee under leases required to be
capitalized on the balance sheet of the lessee under generally accepted
accounting principles or leases of
                                          6
<PAGE>

property or assets made as part of any sale and leaseback transaction to which
the Company is a party, including amendments, renewals, extensions,
modifications and refundings of any such indebtedness or obligation, unless in
any case in the instrument creating or evidencing any such indebtedness or
obligation or pursuant to which the same is outstanding it is provided that such
indebtedness or obligation is not superior in right of payment to the
Securities; provided however, Senior Debt will not include (1) any obligation of
the Company to any Subsidiary, (2) any liability for Federal, state, local or
other taxes owed or owing by the Company, (3) any accounts payable or other
liability to trade creditors arising in the ordinary course of business
(including guarantees thereof or instruments evidencing such liabilities), (4)
any obligations with respect to any capital stock of the Company or (5) any
indebtedness incurred in violation of the applicable Indenture.

     "Special Record Date" for the payment of any Defaulted Interest on the
Registered Securities of any series means a date fixed by the Trustee pursuant
to Section 3.7.

     "Stated Maturity", when used with respect to any Security or any
installment of principal thereof or interest thereon, means the date specified
in such Security or a Coupon representing such installment of interest as the
fixed date on which the principal of such Security or such installment of
principal or interest is due and payable.

     "Subsidiary" of any Person means (i) any Person of which more than 50%
of the total voting power of shares of capital stock entitled (without regard to
the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the election of directors,
managers or trustees thereof is at the same time owned or controlled, directly
or indirectly, by any Person or one or more of the Subsidiaries of that Person
or a combination thereof, and (ii) any partnership, joint venture or other
Person in which such Person or one or more of the Subsidiaries of that Person or
a combination thereof has the power to control by contract or otherwise the
board of directors or equivalent governing body or otherwise controls such
entity.

     "Trustee" means the Person named as the "Trustee" in the first paragraph
of this instrument until a successor Trustee shall have become such pursuant to
the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter "Trustee" shall mean
or include each Person who is then a Trustee hereunder, and if at any time there
is more than one such Person, "Trustee" as used with respect to the Securities
of any series shall mean the Trustee with respect to Securities of that series.

     "Trust Indenture Act" means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 as in force
at the date as of which this instrument was executed, provided, however, that in
the event the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 is amended after such date, "Trust
Indenture Act" means, to the extent required by any such amendment, the Trust
Indenture Act of 1939 as so amended.

     "United States" means the United States of America (including the
States and the District of Columbia), its territories, its possessions and other
areas subject to its jurisdiction.

                                          7

<PAGE>

     "United States Alien" means any Person who, for United States Federal
income tax purposes, is a foreign corporation, a non-resident alien individual,
a non-resident alien fiduciary of a foreign estate or trust, or a foreign
partnership one or more of the members of which is, for United States Federal
income tax purposes, a foreign corporation, a non-resident alien individual or a
nonresident alien fiduciary of a foreign estate or trust.

     "U.S. Government Obligations" means direct obligations of the United
States for the payment of which its full faith and credit is pledged, or
obligations of a person controlled or supervised by and acting as an agency or
instrumentality of the United States and the payment of which is unconditionally
guaranteed as a full faith and credit obligation by the United States which, in
either case, are not callable or redeemable at the option of the issuer thereof,
and shall also include a depository receipt issued by a bank (as defined in
Section 3(a)(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended) as custodian with
respect to any such U.S. Government Obligations or a specific payment of
principal of or interest on any such U.S. Government Obligations held by such
custodian for the account of the holder of such depository receipt, provided
that (except as required by law) such custodian is not authorized to make any
deduction from the amount payable to the holder of such depository receipt from
any amount received by the custodian in respect of the U.S. Government
Obligations or the specific payment of principal of or interest on the U.S.
Government Obligations evidenced by such depository receipt.

SECTION 1.2.   Compliance Certificates and Opinions.

     Except as otherwise expressly provided by this Indenture, upon any
application or request by the Company to the Trustee to take any action under
any provision of this Indenture, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee an
Officers' Certificate stating that all conditions precedent, if any, provided
for in this Indenture relating to the proposed action have been complied with
and an Opinion of Counsel stating that in the opinion of such counsel all such
conditions precedent, if any, have been complied with, except that in the case
of any such application or request as to which the furnishing of such documents
is specifically required by any provision of this Indenture relating to such
particular application or request, no additional certificate or opinion need be
furnished.

     Every certificate or opinion by or on behalf of the Company with respect to
compliance with a condition or covenant provided for in this Indenture, except
for certificates provided for in Section 10.7, shall include:

     (1)   a statement that each individual signing such certificate or 
opinion has read such covenant or condition and the definitions herein 
relating thereto;

     (2)   a brief statement as to the nature and scope of the examination or 
investigation upon which the statements or opinions contained in such 
certificate or opinion are based;

     (3)   a statement that, in the opinion of each such individual, he has 
made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable him to 
express an informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant or condition 
has been complied with; and                                           

                                          8 

<PAGE>

     (4)   a statement as to whether, in the opinion of each such
individual, such condition or covenant has been complied with.

SECTION 1.3.   Form of Documents Delivered to Trustee.

     In any case where several matters are required to be certified by, or
covered by an opinion of, any specified Person, it is not necessary that all
such matters be certified by, or covered by the opinion of, only one such
Person, or that they be so certified or covered by only one document, but one
such Person may certify or give an opinion with respect to some matters and one
or more other such Persons as to other matters, and any such Person may certify
or give an opinion as to such matters in one or several documents.

     Any certificate or opinion of an officer of the Company may be based,
insofar as it relates to legal matters, upon a certificate or opinion of, or
representations by, counsel, unless such officer knows, or in the exercise of
reasonable care should know, that the certificate or opinion or representations
with respect to the matters upon which his certificate or opinion is based are
erroneous. Any such certificate or Opinion of Counsel may be based, insofar as
it relates to factual matters, upon a certificate or opinion of, or
representations by, an officer or officers of the Company stating that the
information with respect to such factual matters is in the possession of the
Company, unless such counsel knows, or in the exercise of reasonable care should
know, that the certificate or opinion or representations with respect to such
matters are erroneous.

     Where any Person is required to make, give or execute two or more
applications, requests, consents, certificates, statements, opinions or other
instruments under this Indenture, they may, but need not, be consolidated and
form one instrument.

SECTION 1.4.   Acts of Holders.

     (a)    Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent,
waiver or other action provided or permitted by this Indenture to be given or
taken by Holders may be embodied in and evidenced by one or more instruments of
substantially similar tenor signed by such Holders in person or by agent duly
appointed in writing. If Securities of a series are issuable as Bearer
Securities, any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent,
waiver or other action provided or permitted by this Indenture to be given or
taken by Holders of such series may, alternatively, be embodied in and evidenced
by the record of Holders of Securities of such series voting in favor thereof,
either in person or by proxies duly appointed in writing, at any meeting of
Holders of Securities of such series duly called and held in accordance with the
provisions of Article XIII, or a combination of such instruments and any such
record. Except as herein otherwise expressly provided, such action shall become
effective when such instrument or instruments or record or both are delivered to
the Trustee and, where it is hereby expressly required, to the Company. Such
instrument or instruments and any such record (and the action embodied therein
and evidenced thereby) are herein sometimes referred to as the "Act" of the
Holders signing such instrument or instruments and so voting at any such
meeting. Proof of execution of any such instrument or of a writing appointing
any such agent or proxy, or of the holding by any Person of a Security, shall be
sufficient for 
                                          9
<PAGE>

any purpose of this Indenture and (subject to Section 6.1) conclusive in favor
of the Trustee and the Company, if made in the manner provided in this Section.
The record of any meeting of Holders of Securities shall be proved in the manner
provided in Section 13.6.

     (b)    The fact and date of the execution by any Person of any such
instrument or writing may be proved by the affidavit of a witness of such
execution or by a certificate of a notary public or other officer authorized by
law to take acknowledgments of deeds, certifying that the individual signing
such instrument or writing acknowledged to him the execution thereof. Where such
execution is by a signer acting in a capacity other than his individual
capacity, such certificate or affidavit shall also constitute sufficient proof
of his authority. The fact and date of the execution of any such instrument or
writing, or the authority of the Person executing the same, may also be proved
in any other manner which the Trustee deems sufficient.

     (c)    The principal amount and serial numbers of Registered Securities
held by any Person, and the date of holding the same, shall be proved by the
Security Register.

     (d)    The principal amount and serial numbers of Bearer Securities held
by any Person, and the date of holding the same, may be proved by the production
of such Bearer Securities or by a certificate executed, as depositary, by any
trust company, bank, banker or other depositary, wherever situated, if such
certificate shall be deemed by the Trustee to be satisfactory, showing that at
the date therein mentioned such Person had on deposit with such depositary, or
exhibited to it, the Bearer Securities therein described; or such facts may be
proved by the certificate or affidavit of the Person holding such Bearer
Securities, if such certificate or affidavit is deemed by the Trustee to be
satisfactory. The Trustee and the Company may assume that such ownership of any
Bearer Security continues until (1) another certificate or affidavit bearing a
later date issued in respect of the same Bearer Security is produced, or (2)
such Bearer Security is produced to the Trustee by some other Person, or (3)
such Bearer Security is surrendered in exchange for a Registered Security, or
(4) such Bearer Security is no longer Outstanding. The principal amount and
serial numbers of Bearer Securities held by any Person, and the date of holding
the same, may also be proved in any other manner which the Trustee deems
sufficient.

     (e)    Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent,
waiver or other Act of the Holder of any Security shall bind every future Holder
of the same Security and the Holder of every Security issued upon the
registration of transfer thereof or in exchange therefor or in lieu thereof in
respect of anything done, omitted or suffered to be done by the Trustee or the
Company in reliance thereon, whether or not notation of such action is made upon
such Security.

     (f)    With respect to the Securities of any Series, upon receipt by the
Trustee of (i) any written notice directing the time, method or place of
conducting any proceeding or exercising any trust or power pursuant to Section
5.12 with respect to Securities of such series or (ii) any written demand,
request or notice with respect to any matter on which the Holders of Securities
of such series are entitled to act under this Indenture, in each 

                                          10

<PAGE>

case from Holders of less than, or proxies representing less than, the requisite
principal amount of Outstanding Securities of such series entitled to give such
demand, request or notice, the Trustee shall establish a record date for
determining Holders of Outstanding Securities of such series entitled to join in
such demand, request or notice, which record date shall be the close of business
on the day the Trustee received such demand, request or notice. The Holders on
such record date, or their duly designated proxies, and only such Persons, shall
be entitled to join in such demand, request or notice whether or not such
Holders remain Holders after such record date; provided, however, that unless
the Holders of the requisite principal amount of Outstanding Securities of such
series shall have joined in such demand, request or notice prior to the day
which is the ninetieth day after such record date, such demand, request or
notice shall automatically and without further action by any Holder be canceled
and of no further effect. Nothing in this paragraph shall prevent a Holder, or a
proxy of a Holder, from giving, (i) after the expiration of such 90-day period,
a new demand, request or notice identical to a demand, request or notice which
has been canceled pursuant to the proviso to the preceding sentence or (ii)
during any such 90-day period, a new demand, request or notice which has been
canceled pursuant to the proviso to the preceding sentence or (iii) during any
such 90-day period, a new demand, request or notice contrary to or different
from such demand, request or notice, in either of which events a new record date
shall be established pursuant to the provisions of this clause.

     (g)    The Company may set any day as the record date for the purpose of
determining the Holders of Outstanding Securities of any series entitled to give
or take any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver
or other action provided or permitted by this Indenture to be given or taken by
Holders of Securities of such series. With regard to any record date set
pursuant to this paragraph, the Holders of Outstanding Securities of the
relevant series on such record date (or their duly appointed agents), and only
such Persons, shall be entitled to give or take the relevant action, whether or
not such Holders remain Holders after such record date. With regard to any
action that may be given or taken hereunder only by Holders of a requisite
principal amount of Outstanding Securities of any series (or their duly
appointed agents) and for which a record date is set pursuant to this paragraph,
the Company may, at its option, set an expiration date after which no such
action purported to be given or taken by any Holder shall be effective hereunder
unless given or taken on or prior to such expiration date by Holders of the
requisite principal amount of Outstanding Securities of such series on such
record date (or their duly appointed agents). On or prior to any expiration date
set pursuant to this paragraph, the Company may, on one or more occasions at its
option, extend such date to any later date. Nothing in this paragraph shall
prevent any Holder (or any duly appointed agent thereof) from giving or taking,
after any expiration date, any action identical to, or, at any time, contrary to
or different from, any action given or taken, or purported to have been given or
taken, hereunder by a Holder on or prior to such date, in which event the
Company may set a record date in respect thereof pursuant to this paragraph.
Notwithstanding the foregoing or the Trust Indenture Act, the Company shall not
set a record date for, and the provisions of this paragraph shall not apply with
respect to, any action to be given or taken by Holders pursuant to Section 5.1,
5.2 or 5.12.

                                          11

<PAGE>

SECTION 1.5.   Notices, Etc., to Trustee and Company.

     Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or
Act of Holders or other document provided or permitted by this Indenture to be
made upon, given or furnished to, or filed with,

     (1)    the Trustee by any Holder or by the Company shall be sufficient
for every purpose hereunder if made, given, furnished or filed in writing to or
with the Trustee at its Corporate Trust Office, Attention: ____________, or

     (2)    the Company by the Trustee or by any Holder shall be sufficient
for every purpose hereunder (unless otherwise herein expressly provided) if in
writing and mailed, first-class postage prepaid, to the Company addressed to it
at the address of its principal office specified in the first paragraph of this
instrument, to the attention of its Treasurer, or at any other address
previously furnished in writing to the Trustee by the Company.

SECTION 1.6.   Notice to Holders of Securities; Waiver.

     Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, where this Indenture
provides for notice to Holders of Securities of any event:

     (1)    such notice shall be sufficiently given to Holders of Registered
Securities if in writing and mailed, first-class postage prepaid, to each Holder
of a Registered Security affected by such event, at the address of such Holder
as it appears in the Security Register, not earlier than the earliest date, and
not later than the latest date, prescribed for the giving of such notice; and

     (2)    such notice shall be sufficiently given to Holders of Bearer 
Securities if published in an Authorized Newspaper in The City of New York 
and in such other city or cities as may be specified in such Securities on a 
Business Day at least twice, the first such publication to be not earlier 
than the earliest date, and not later than the latest date, prescribed for 
the giving of such notice.

     In case by reason of the suspension of regular mail service or by reason of
any other cause it shall be impracticable to give such notice to Holders of
Registered Securities by mail, then such notification as shall be made with the
approval of the Trustee shall constitute sufficient notice to such Holders for
every purpose hereunder. In any case where notice to Holders of Registered
Securities is given by mail, neither the failure to mail such notice, nor any
defect in any notice mailed to any particular Holder of a Registered Security
shall affect the sufficiency of such notice with respect to other Holders of
Registered Securities or the sufficiency of any notice to Holders of Bearer
Securities given as provided herein.

     In case by reason of the suspension of publication of any Authorized
Newspaper or Authorized Newspapers or by reason of any other cause it shall be
impracticable to publish any notice to Holders of Bearer Securities as provided
above, then such notification as shall be given with the approval of the Trustee
shall constitute sufficient notice to such Holders for every purpose hereunder.
Neither the failure to give notice by 

                                          12
<PAGE>

publication to Holders of Bearer Securities as provided above, nor any defect in
any notice so published, shall affect the sufficiency of any notice to Holders
of Registered Securities given as provided herein.

     Where this Indenture provides for notice in any manner, such notice may be
waived in writing by the Person entitled to receive such notice, either before
or after the event, and such waiver shall be the equivalent of such notice.
Waivers of notice by Holders of Securities shall be filed with the Trustee, but
such filing shall not be a condition precedent to the validity of any action
taken in reliance upon such waiver.

SECTION 1.7.   Language of Notices, Etc.

     Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver
required or permitted under this Indenture shall be in the English language,
except that any published notice may be in an official language of the country
of publication.

SECTION 1.8.   Conflict with Trust Indenture Act.

     If and to the extent that any provision of this Indenture limits, qualifies
or conflicts with the duties imposed by, or with another provision (an
"incorporated provision") included in this Indenture by operation of Sections
310 to 318, inclusive, of the Trust Indenture Act, such imposed duties or
incorporated provision shall control.

SECTION 1.9.   Effect of Headings and Table of Contents.

     The Article and Section headings herein and the Table of Contents are for
convenience only and shall not affect the construction hereof.

SECTION 1.10.   Successors and Assigns.

     All covenants and agreements in this Indenture by the Company shall bind
its successors and assigns, whether so expressed or not.

SECTION 1.11.   Separability Clause.

     In case any provision in this Indenture or the Securities or coupons shall
be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability
of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired
thereby.

SECTION 1.12.   Benefits of Indenture.

     Nothing in this Indenture or the Securities or coupons, express or implied,
shall give to any Person, other than the parties hereto, their successors
hereunder, the holders of Senior Debt, and the Holders of Securities and
coupons, any benefit or any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under this
Indenture.

                                          13

<PAGE>

SECTION 1.13.   Governing Law.

     This Indenture and the Securities and coupons shall be governed by and
construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York without regard to
conflicts of laws.

SECTION 1.14.   Legal Holidays.

     In any case where any Interest Payment Date, Redemption Date or Stated
Maturity of any Security shall not be a Business Day at any Place of Payment,
then (notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture or of the Securities
or coupons other than a provision in the Securities of any series which
specifically states that such provision shall apply in lieu of this Section)
payment of interest or principal (and premium, if any) need not be made at such
Place of Payment on such date, but may be made on the next succeeding Business
Day at such Place of Payment with the same force and effect as if made on the
Interest Payment Date or Redemption Date, or at the Stated Maturity, provided
that no interest shall accrue on the amount so payable for the period from and
after such Interest Payment Date, Redemption Date or Stated Maturity, as the
case may be, to such succeeding Business Day.

SECTION 1.15.   Judgment Currency.

     The Company agrees, to the fullest extent that it may effectively do so
under applicable law, that (a) if for the purpose of obtaining judgment in any
court it is necessary to convert the sum due on the Securities of any series
from the currency in which such sum is payable in accordance with the terms of
such Securities (the "Required Currency") into a currency in which a judgment
will be rendered (the "Judgment Currency"), the rate of exchange used shall be
the rate at which in accordance with normal banking procedures the Trustee could
purchase in The City of New York the Required Currency with the Judgment
Currency on the New York Banking Day preceding that on which a final
unappealable judgment is rendered and (b) its obligations under this Indenture
to make payments in the Required Currency (i) shall not be discharged or
satisfied by any tender, or any recovery pursuant to any judgment (whether or
not entered in accordance with subsection (a)), in any currency other than the
Required Currency, except to the extent that such tender or recovery shall
result in the actual receipt, by the payee, of the full amount of the Required
Currency expressed to be payable in respect of such payments, (ii) shall be
enforceable as an alternative or additional cause of action for the purpose of
recovering in the Required Currency the amount, if any, by which such actual
receipt shall fall short of the full amount of the Required Currency so
expressed to be payable and (iii) shall not be affected by judgment being
obtained for any other sum due under this Indenture. For purposes of the
foregoing, "New York Banking Day" means any day except a Saturday, Sunday or a
legal holiday in The City of New York or a day on which banking institutions in
The City of New York are authorized or required by law or executive order to
close.

                                          14


<PAGE>

                                ARTICLE II
          
                              Security Forms

SECTION 2.1.   Forms Generally.

     The Registered Securities, if any, of each series and the Bearer
Securities, if any, of each series and related coupons shall be in such form
(including temporary or permanent global form) as shall be established by or
pursuant to a Board Resolution or in one or more indentures supplemental hereto,
in each case with such appropriate insertions, omissions, substitutions and
other variations as are required or permitted by this Indenture, and may have
such letters, numbers or other marks of identification and such legends or
endorsements placed thereon as may be required to comply with the rules of any
securities exchange or as may, consistently herewith, be determined by the
officers executing such Securities or coupons, as evidenced by their execution
of the Securities or coupons. If temporary Securities of any series are issued
in global form as permitted by Section 3.4, the form thereof shall be
established as provided in the preceding sentence. If the forms of Securities or
coupons of any series (or any such temporary global Security) are established by
action taken pursuant to a Board Resolution, a copy of an appropriate record of
such action shall be certified by the Secretary of the Company and delivered to
the Trustee at or prior to the delivery of the Company Order contemplated by
Section 3.3 for the authentication and delivery of such Securities (or any such
temporary global Security) or coupons.

     Unless otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 3.1, Securities in
bearer form shall have interest coupons attached.

     The definitive Securities and coupons, if any, shall be printed,
lithographed or engraved on steel engraved borders or may be produced in any
other manner, all as determined by the officers executing such Securities or
coupons, as evidenced by their execution of such Securities or coupons.

SECTION 2.2.   Form of Trustee's Certificate of Authentication.

     The Trustee's certificates of authentication shall be in substantially the
following form:

     This is one of the Securities of the series designated therein referred to
in the within-mentioned Indenture.

     The Bank of New York, As Trustee

     By Authorized Signatory

SECTION 2.3.   Securities in Global Form.

     If Securities of a series are issuable in global form, as contemplated by
Section 3.1, then, notwithstanding clause (12) of Section 3.1 and the provisions
of Section 3.2, 

                                          15
<PAGE>

any such Security shall represent such of the Outstanding Securities of such
series as shall be specified therein and may provide that it shall represent the
aggregate amount of Outstanding Securities from time to time endorsed thereon
and that the aggregate amount of Outstanding Securities represented thereby may
from time to time be reduced to reflect exchanges. Any endorsement of a Security
in global form to reflect the amount, or any increase or decrease in the amount,
of Outstanding Securities represented thereby shall be made by the Trustee in
such manner and upon instructions given by such Person or Persons as shall be
specified therein or in the Company Order to be delivered to the Trustee
pursuant to Section 3.3 or Section 3.4. Subject to the provisions of Section 3.3
and, if applicable, Section 3.4, the Trustee shall deliver and redeliver any
Security in permanent global form in the manner and upon instructions given by
the Person or Persons specified therein or in the applicable Company Order. If a
Company Order pursuant to Section 3.3 or 3.4 has been, or simultaneously is,
delivered, any instructions by the Company with respect to endorsement or
delivery or redelivery of a Security in global form shall be in writing but need
not comply with Section 1.2 and need not be accompanied by an Opinion of
Counsel.

     The provisions of the last sentence of Section 3.3 shall apply to any
Security represented by a Security in global form if such Security was never
issued and sold by the Company and the Company delivers to the Trustee the
Security in global form together with written instructions (which need not
comply with Section 1.2 and need not be accompanied by an Opinion of Counsel)
with regard to the reduction in the principal amount of Securities represented
thereby, together with the written statement contemplated by the last sentence
of Section 3.3.

     Notwithstanding the provisions of Sections 2.1 and 3.7, unless otherwise
specified as contemplated by Section 3.1, payment of principal of and any
premium and interest on any Security in permanent global form shall be made to
the Person or Persons specified therein.

     Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 3.8 and except as provided in the
preceding paragraph, the Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company and
the Trustee shall treat a Person as the Holder of such principal amount of
Outstanding Securities represented by a permanent global Security as shall be
specified in a written statement of the Holder of such permanent global Security
or, in the case of a permanent global Security in bearer form, of Euro-clear or
CEDEL S.A. which is provided to the Trustee by such Person.

SECTION 2.4.   Form of Legend for Book-Entry Securities.

     Any Book-Entry Security authenticated and delivered hereunder shall bear a
legend in substantially the following form:

     "This Security is a Book-Entry Security within the meaning of the Indenture
hereinafter referred to and is registered in the name of a Depositary or a
nominee of a Depositary. This Security is exchangeable for Securities registered
in the name of a Person other than the Depositary or its nominee only in the
limited circumstances 

                                          16
<PAGE>

described in the Indenture, and no transfer of this Security (other than a
transfer of this Security as a whole by the Depositary to a nominee of the
Depositary or by a nominee of the Depositary to the Depositary or another
nominee of the Depositary) may be registered except in such limited
circumstances."

SECTION 2.5.   Form of Conversion Notice.

     The Form of conversion notice for the conversion of Securities into shares
of Common Stock or other securities of the Company shall be in substantially the
form included with the applicable form of Securities as shall be established
pursuant to Section 2.1 hereinabove.

                                   ARTICLE III

                                  The Securities

SECTION 3.1.   Amount Unlimited; Issuable in Series.

     The aggregate principal amount of Securities which may be authenticated and
delivered under this Indenture is unlimited.

     The Securities may be issued in one or more series. There shall be
established in or pursuant to a Board Resolution and, subject to Section 3.3,
set forth, or determined in the manner provided, in an Officers' Certificate, or
established in one or more indentures supplemental hereto, prior to the issuance
of Securities of any series:

     (1)       the title of the Securities of the series (which shall
distinguish the Securities of the series from all other Securities);

     (2)       any limit upon the aggregate principal amount of the Securities
of the series which may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture
(except for Securities authenticated and delivered upon registration of transfer
of, or in exchange for, or in lieu of, other Securities of the series pursuant
to Section 3.4, 3.5, 3.6, 9.6 or 11.7 and except for any Securities which,
pursuant to Section 3.3, are deemed never to have been authenticated and
delivered hereunder);

     (3)       whether Securities of the series are to be issuable as Registered
Securities, Bearer Securities or both, whether any Securities of the series are
to be issuable initially in temporary global form and whether any Securities of
the series are to be issuable in permanent global form with or without coupons
and, if so, whether beneficial owners of interests in any such permanent global
Security may exchange such interests for Securities of such series and of like
tenor of any authorized form and denomination and the circumstances under which
any such exchanges may occur, if other than in the manner provided in Section
3.5;

     (4)       the Person to whom any interest on any Registered Security of the
series shall be payable, if other than the Person in whose name that Security
(or one or more 

                                          17
<PAGE>

Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business on the Regular
Record Date for such interest, the manner in which, or the Person to whom, any
interest on any Bearer Security of the series shall be payable, if otherwise
than upon presentation and surrender of the coupons appertaining thereto as they
severally mature, and the extent to which, or the manner in which, any interest
payable on a temporary global Security on an Interest Payment Date will be paid
if other than in the manner provided in Section 3.4;

     (5)       the date or dates on which the principal of the Securities of the
series is payable;

     (6)       the rate or rates at which the Securities of the series shall
bear interest, if any, or the formula pursuant to which such rate or rates shall
be determined, the date or dates from which any such interest shall accrue, the
Interest Payment Dates on which any such interest shall be payable, and the
Regular Record Date for any interest payable on any Registered Securities on any
Interest Payment Date and the basis upon which interest shall be calculated if
other than that of a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months;

     (7)       the place or places where, subject to the provisions of Sections
11.4 and 10.2, the principal of and any premium and interest on Securities of
the series shall be payable, any Registered Securities of the series may be
surrendered for registration of transfer, Securities of the series may be
surrendered for conversion or exchange, notices and demands to or upon the
Company in respect of the Securities of the series and this Indenture may be
served and where notices to Holders of Bearer Securities pursuant to Section 1.6
will be published;

     (8)       the period or periods within which, the price or prices at which
and the terms and conditions upon which Securities of the series may be
redeemed, in whole or in part, at the option of the Company;

     (9)       the period or periods within which, the price or prices at which
and the terms and conditions upon which Securities of the series may be
redeemed, in whole or in part, at the option of the Holders on such terms and
conditions as may be set forth in an Officers' Certificate or supplemental
indenture;

     (10)      the obligation, if any, of the Company to redeem or purchase
Securities of the series, or particular Securities within the Series, pursuant
to any sinking fund or analogous provisions or at the option of a Holder
thereof, and the period or periods within which, the price or prices at which
and the terms and conditions upon such Securities shall be redeemed or
purchased, in whole or in part, pursuant to such obligation;

     (11)      the terms of any right to convert or exchange Securities of the
series, either at the option of the Holder thereof or the Company, into or for
shares of Common Stock of the Company or other securities or property,
including, without limitation, the period or periods within which and the price
or prices (including adjustments thereto) at which any Securities of the series
shall be converted or exchanged, in whole or in part;

                                          18
<PAGE>

     (12)      the denominations in which any Registered Securities of the
series shall be issuable, if other than denominations of $1,000 and any integral
multiple thereof, and the denomination or denominations in which any Bearer
Securities of the series shall be issuable, if other than the denomination of
$5,000;

     (13)      the currency or currencies, including composite currencies, in
which payment of the principal of and any premium and interest on the Securities
of the series shall be payable if other than the currency of the United States
of America;

     (14)      if the principal of and any premium or interest on the Securities
of the series are to be payable, at the election of the Company or a Holder
thereof, in a currency or currencies, including composite currencies, other than
that or those in which the Securities are stated to be payable, the currency or
currencies in which payment of the principal of and any premium and interest on
Securities of such series as to which such election is made shall be payable,
and the periods within which and the terms and conditions upon which such
election is to be made;

     (15)      if the amount of payments of principal of and any premium or
interest on the Securities of the series may be determined with reference to an
index, the manner in which such amounts shall be determined:

     (16)      if other than the principal amount thereof, the portion of the
principal amount of any Securities of the series which shall be payable upon
declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 5.2;

     (17)      the Person who shall be the Security Registrar, if other than the
Trustee;

     (18)      whether the Securities of the series shall be issued upon
original issuance in whole or in part in the form of one or more Book-Entry
Securities and, in such case, (a) the Depositary with respect to such Book-Entry
Security or Securities; and (b) the circumstances under which any such
Book-Entry Security may be exchanged for Securities registered in the name of,
and any transfer of such Book-Entry Security may be registered to, a Person
other than such Depositary or its nominee, if other than as set forth in Section
3.5;

     (19)      if the provisions of Section 4.3 are applicable to the Securities
of such series;

     (20)      whether and under what conditions additional amounts will be
payable to Holders of Securities of the series pursuant to Section 10.4; and

     (21)      any other terms of the series (which terms shall not be
inconsistent with the provisions of this Indenture).

     All Securities of any one series and the coupons appertaining to any Bearer
Securities of such series shall be substantially identical except, in the case
of Registered Securities, as to denomination and except as may otherwise be
provided in or pursuant to the Board Resolution referred to above and (subject
to Section 3.3) set forth in, or 

                                          19
<PAGE>

determined in the manner provided in, the Officers' Certificate referred to
above or in any such indenture supplemental hereto.

     If any of the terms of the series are established by action taken pursuant
to a Board Resolution, a copy of an appropriate record of such action shall be
certified by the Secretary of the Company and delivered to the Trustee at or
prior to the delivery of the Officers' Certificate setting forth the terms, or
the manner of determining the terms, of the series.

SECTION 3.2.   Denominations.

     Unless otherwise provided as contemplated by Section 3.1 with respect to
any series of Securities, any Registered Securities of a series shall be
issuable in denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof and any
Bearer Securities of a series shall be issuable in the denomination of $5,000.

SECTION 3.3.   Execution, Authentication, Delivery and Dating.

     The Securities shall be executed on behalf of the Company by its Chairman
of the Board, its President, its Chief Financial Officer, its Treasurer, any
Assistant Treasurer or any Vice President under its corporate seal reproduced
thereon attested by its Secretary. The signature of any of these officers on the
Securities may be manual or facsimile. Coupons shall bear the facsimile
signature of the Chief Financial Officer, the Treasurer or any Assistant
Treasurer of the Company.

     Securities and Coupons bearing the manual or facsimile signatures of
individuals who were at any time the proper officers of the Company shall bind
the Company, notwithstanding that such individuals or any of them have ceased to
hold such offices prior to the authentication and delivery of such Securities or
did not hold such offices at the date of such Securities.

     At any time and from time to time after the execution and delivery of this
Indenture, the Company may deliver Securities of any series, together with any
Coupons appertaining thereto executed by the Company to the Trustee for
authentication, together with a Company Order for the authentication and
delivery of such Securities, and the Trustee in accordance with the Company
Order shall authenticate and deliver such Securities; provided, however, that,
in connection with its original issuance, no Bearer Security shall be mailed or
otherwise delivered to any location in the United States; and provided, further,
that a Bearer Security may be delivered in connection with its original issuance
only if the Person entitled to receive such Bearer Security shall have furnished
a certificate in the form specified in such Security as to certain tax matters
in respect of United States citizens, dated no earlier than 15 days prior to the
earlier of the date on which such Bearer Security is delivered and the date on
which any temporary global Security first becomes exchangeable for such Bearer
Security in accordance with the terms of such temporary global Security and this
Indenture. If any Security shall be represented by a permanent global Bearer
Security, then, for purposes of this Section and Section 3.4, the notation of a
beneficial owner's interest therein upon original issuance of 

                                          20
<PAGE>

such Security or upon exchange of a portion of a temporary global Security shall
be deemed to be delivery in connection with its original issuance of such
beneficial owner's interest in such permanent global Security. Except as
permitted by Section 3.6, the Trustee shall not authenticate and deliver any
Bearer Security unless all appurtenant Coupons for interest then matured have
been detached and cancelled.

     If all the Securities of any series are not to be issued at one time and if
the Board Resolution and indenture supplement establishing such series shall so
permit, such Company Order may set forth procedures acceptable to the Trustee
for the issuance of such Securities and determining the terms of particular
Securities of such series, such as interest rate, maturity date, date of
issuance and date from which interest shall accrue.

     If the forms or terms of the Securities of the series and any related
Coupons have been established in or pursuant to one or more Board Resolutions as
permitted by Sections 2.1 and 3.1, in authenticating such Securities, and
accepting the additional responsibilities under this Indenture in relation to
such Securities, the Trustee shall be entitled to receive, and (subject to
Section 6.1) shall be fully protected in relying upon, an Opinion of Counsel
stating:

     (a)  that such forms have been established in conformity with the
provisions of this Indenture;

     (b)  that such terms, or the manner of determining such terms, have been
established in conformity with the provisions of this Indenture; and

     (c)  that such Securities, together with any Coupons appertaining thereto,
when authenticated and delivered by the Trustee and issued by the Company in the
manner and subject to any conditions specified in such Opinion of Counsel, will
constitute valid and legally binding obligations of the Company, enforceable in
accordance with their terms, subject, as to enforcement, to bankruptcy,
insolvency, reorganization and other laws of general applicability relating to
or affecting the enforcement of creditors' rights and to general equity
principles.

     If such forms or terms have been so established, the Trustee shall not be
required to authenticate such Securities if the issue of such Securities
pursuant to this Indenture will affect the Trustee's own rights, duties or
immunities under the Securities and this Indenture or otherwise in a manner
which is not reasonably acceptable to the Trustee.

     Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 3.1 and of the two preceding
paragraphs, if all Securities of a series are not to be originally issued at one
time, it shall not be necessary to deliver the Officers' Certificate otherwise
required pursuant to Section 3.1 or the Company Order and Opinion of Counsel
otherwise required pursuant to such preceding paragraphs at or prior to the time
of authentication of each Security of such series if such documents are
delivered at or prior to the authentication upon original issuance of the first
Security of such series to be issued.

                                          21
<PAGE>

     Each Registered Security shall be dated the date of its authentication; and
each Bearer Security shall be dated as of the date of original issuance of the
first Security of such series to be issued.

     No Security or coupon shall be entitled to any benefit under this Indenture
or be valid or obligatory for any purpose unless there appears on such Security,
or the Security to which such coupon appertains, a certificate of authentication
substantially in the form provided for herein executed by the Trustee by manual
signature, and such certificate upon any Security shall be conclusive evidence,
and the only evidence, that such Security has been duly authenticated and
delivered hereunder. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if any Security shall have
been authenticated and delivered hereunder but never issued and sold by the
Company, and the Company shall deliver such Security to the Trustee for
cancellation as provided in Section 3.9 together with a written statement (which
need not comply with Section 1.2 and need not be accompanied by an Opinion of
Counsel) stating that such Security has never been issued and sold by the
Company, for all purposes of this Indenture such Security shall be deemed never
to have been authenticated and delivered hereunder and shall never be entitled
to the benefits of this Indenture.

SECTION 3.4.   Temporary Securities.

     Pending the preparation of definitive Securities of any series, the Company
may execute, and upon Company Order the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver,
temporary Securities which are printed, lithographed, typewritten, mimeographed
or otherwise produced, in any authorized denomination, substantially of the
tenor of the definitive Securities in lieu of which they are issued, in
registered form or, if authorized, in bearer form with one or more coupons or
without coupons, and with such appropriate insertions, omissions, substitutions
and other variations as the officers executing such Securities or coupons may
determine, as evidenced by their execution of such Securities or coupons. In the
case of any series issuable as Bearer Securities, such temporary Securities may
be in global form. A temporary Bearer Security shall be delivered only in
compliance with the conditions set forth in Section 3.3.

     Except in the case of temporary Securities in global form (which shall be
exchanged in accordance with the provisions of the following paragraphs), if
temporary Securities of any series are issued, the Company will cause definitive
Securities of that series to be prepared without unreasonable delay. After the
preparation of definitive Securities of such series, the temporary Securities of
such series shall be exchangeable for definitive Securities of such series upon
surrender of the temporary Securities of such series at the office or agency of
the Company maintained pursuant to Section 10.2 in a Place of Payment for such
series for the purpose of exchanges of Securities of such series, without charge
to the Holder. Upon surrender for cancellation of any one or more temporary
Securities of any series (accompanied by any unmatured coupons appertaining
thereto) the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and
deliver in exchange therefor a like aggregate principal amount of definitive
Securities of the same series and of like tenor of authorized denominations;
provided, however, that no definitive Bearer Security shall be delivered in
exchange for a temporary Registered Security.

                                          22
<PAGE>

     If temporary Securities of any series are issued in global form, any such
temporary global Security shall, unless otherwise provided therein, be delivered
to the London office of a depositary or common depositary (the "Common
Depositary"), for the benefit of Euro-clear and CEDEL S.A., for credit to the
respective accounts of the beneficial owners of such Securities (or to such
other accounts as they may direct).

     Without unnecessary delay but in any event not later than the date
specified in, or determined pursuant to the terms of, any such temporary global
Security (the "Exchange Date"), the Company shall deliver to the Trustee
definitive Securities of that series, in aggregate principal amount equal to the
principal amount of such temporary global Security, executed by the Company. On
or after the Exchange Date such temporary global Security shall be surrendered
by the Common Depositary to the Trustee, as the Company's agent for such
purpose, to be exchanged, in whole or from time to time in part, for definitive
Securities of such series without charge and the Trustee shall authenticate and
deliver, in exchange for each portion of such temporary global Security, a like
aggregate principal amount of definitive Securities of the same series of
authorized denominations and of like tenor as the portion of such temporary
global Security to be exchanged; provided, however, that, unless otherwise
specified in such temporary global Security, upon such presentation by the
Common Depositary, such temporary global Security is accompanied by a
certificate dated the Exchange Date or a subsequent date and signed by
Euro-clear as to the portion of such temporary global Security held for its
account then to be exchanged and a certificate dated the Exchange Date or a
subsequent date and signed by CEDEL S.A. as to the portion of such temporary
global Security held for its account then to be exchanged, each in such form as
shall be specified in such Security. The definitive Securities to be delivered
in exchange for any such temporary global Security shall be in bearer form,
registered form, permanent global bearer form or permanent global registered
form, or any combination thereof, as specified as contemplated by Section 3.1,
and, if any combination thereof is so specified, as requested by the beneficial
owner thereof; provided, however, that definitive Bearer Securities shall be
delivered in exchange for a portion of a temporary global Security only in
compliance with the requirements of Section 3.3.

     Unless otherwise specified in such temporary global Security, the interest
of a beneficial owner of Securities of a series in a temporary global Security
shall be exchanged for definitive Securities of the same series and of like
tenor following the Exchange Date when the account holder instructs Euro-clear
or CEDEL S.A., as the case may be, to request such exchange on his behalf and
delivers to Euro-clear or CEDEL S.A., as the case may be, a certificate in such
form as shall be specified in such Security, dated no earlier than 15 days prior
to the Exchange Date, copies of which certificate shall be available from the
offices of Euro-clear and CEDEL S.A., the Trustee, any Authenticating Agent
appointed for such series of Securities and each Paying Agent. Unless otherwise
specified in such temporary global Security, any such exchange shall be made
free of charge to the beneficial owners of such temporary global Security,
except that a Person receiving definitive Securities must bear the cost of
insurance, postage, transportation and the like in the event that such Person
does not take delivery of such definitive Securities in person at the offices of
Euro-clear or CEDEL S.A. Definitive

                                          23
<PAGE>

Securities in bearer form to be delivered in exchange for any portion of a
temporary global Security shall be delivered only outside the United States.

     Until exchanged in full as hereinabove provided, the temporary Securities
of any series shall in all respects be entitled to the same benefits under this
Indenture as definitive Securities of the same series and of like tenor
authenticated and delivered hereunder, except that, unless otherwise specified
as contemplated by section 3.1, interest payable on a temporary global Security
on an Interest Payment Date for Securities of such series occurring prior to the
applicable Exchange Date shall be payable to Euro-clear and CEDEL S.A. on such
Interest Payment Date upon delivery by Euro-clear and CEDEL S.A. to the Trustee
of a certificate or certificates in such form as shall be specified in such
Security, for credit without further interest on or after such Interest Payment
Date to the respective accounts of the Persons who are the beneficial owners of
such temporary global Security on such Interest Payment Date and who have each
delivered to Euro-clear or CEDEL S.A., as the case may be, a certificate in such
form as shall be specified in such Security. Any interest so received by
Euro-clear and CEDEL S.A. and not paid as herein provided shall be returned to
the Trustee immediately prior to the expiration of two years after such Interest
Payment Date in order to be repaid to the Company in accordance with Section
10.3.

SECTION 3.5.   Registration, Registration of Transfer and Exchange.

     The Company shall cause to be kept at an office or agency to be maintained
by the Company in accordance with Section 10.2 a register (the "Security
Register") in which, subject to such reasonable regulations as it may prescribe,
the Company shall provide for the registration of Registered Securities and the
registration of transfers of Registered Securities. The Trustee is hereby
appointed "Security Registrar" for the purpose of registering Registered
Securities and transfers of Registered Securities as herein provided.

     Upon due surrender for registration of transfer of any Registered Security
of any series at the office or agency of the Company maintained pursuant to
Section 10.2 for such purpose in a Place of Payment for such series, the Company
shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, in the name of
the designated transferee or transferees, one or more new Registered Securities
of the same series of any authorized denominations and of a like aggregate
principal amount and tenor.

     At the option of the Holder, Registered Securities of any series may be
exchanged for other Registered Securities of the same series of any authorized
denominations and of a like aggregate principal amount and tenor, upon surrender
of the Securities to be exchanged at any such office or agency. Whenever any
Securities are so surrendered for exchange, the Company shall execute, and the
Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, the Securities which the Holder making
the exchange is entitled to receive. Registered Securities may not be exchanged
for Bearer Securities.

     At the option of the Holder, Bearer Securities of any series may be
exchanged for Registered Securities of the same series of any authorized
denominations and of a like 

                                          24
<PAGE>

aggregate principal amount and tenor, upon surrender of the Bearer Securities to
be exchanged at any such office or agency, with all unmatured coupons, and all
matured coupons in default appertaining thereto. If the Holder of a Bearer
Security is unable to produce any such unmatured coupon or coupons or matured
coupon or coupons in default, such exchange may be effected if the Bearer
Securities are accompanied by payment in funds acceptable to the Company in an
amount equal to the face amount of such missing coupon or coupons, or the
surrender of such missing coupon or coupons may be waived by the Company and the
Trustee if there is furnished to them such security or indemnity as they may
require to save each of them and any Paying Agent harmless. If thereafter the
Holder of such Securities shall surrender to any Paying Agent any such missing
coupon in respect of which such a payment shall have been made, such Holder
shall be entitled to receive the amount of such payment; provided, however,
that, except as otherwise provided in Section 10.2, interest represented by
coupons shall be payable only upon presentation and surrender of those coupons
at an office or agency located outside the United States. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, in case a Bearer Security of any series is surrendered at any such
office or agency in exchange for a Registered Security of the same series and
like tenor after the close of business at such office or agency on (i) any
Regular Record Date and before the opening of business at such office or agency
on the relevant Interest Payment Date, or (ii) any Special Record Date and
before the opening of business at such office or agency on the related proposed
date for payment of Defaulted Interest, such Bearer Security shall be
surrendered without the coupon relating to such Interest Payment Date or
proposed date for payment, as the case may be, and interest or Defaulted
Interest, as the case may be, will not be payable on such Interest Payment Date
or proposed date for payment, as the case may be, in respect of the Registered
Security issued in exchange for such Bearer Security, but will be payable only
to the Holder of such coupon when due in accordance with the provisions of this
Indenture.

     Whenever any Securities are so surrendered for exchange, the Company shall
execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, the Securities which
the Holder making the exchange is entitled to receive.

     Notwithstanding the foregoing, except as otherwise specified as 
contemplated by Section 3.1, any permanent global Security shall be 
exchangeable only as provided in this paragraph. If the beneficial owners of 
interests in a permanent global Security are entitled to exchange such 
interests for Securities of such series and of like tenor and principal 
amount of another authorized form and denomination, as specified as 
contemplated by Section 3.1, then without unnecessary delay but in any event 
not later than the earliest date on which such interests may be so exchanged, 
the Company shall deliver to the Trustee definitive Securities of that series 
in aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of such permanent 
global Security, executed by the Company. On or after the earliest date on 
which such interests may be so exchanged, such permanent global Security 
shall be surrendered by the Common Depositary or such other depositary or 
Common Depositary as shall be specified in the Company Order with respect 
thereto to the Trustee, as the Company's agent for such purpose, to be 
exchanged, in whole or from time to time in part, for definitive Securities 
of such series without charge and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, 
in exchange for each portion of such permanent 

                                          25
<PAGE>

global Security, a like aggregate principal amount of definitive Securities 
of the same series of authorized denominations and of like tenor as the 
portion of such permanent global Security to be exchanged which, unless the 
Securities of the series are not issuable both as Bearer Securities and as 
Registered Securities, as specified as contemplated by Section 3.1, shall be 
in the form of Bearer Securities or Registered Securities, or any combination 
thereof, as shall be specified by the beneficial owner thereof; provided, 
however, that no Bearer Security delivered in exchange for a portion of a 
permanent global Security shall be mailed or otherwise delivered to any 
location in the United States. If a Registered Security is issued in exchange 
for any portion of a permanent global Security after the close of business at 
the office or agency where such exchange occurs on (i) any Regular Record 
Date and before the opening of business at such office or agency on the 
relevant Interest Payment Date, or (ii) any Special Record Date and before 
the opening of business at such office or agency on the related proposed date 
for payment of Defaulted Interest, interest or Defaulted Interest, as the 
case may be, will not be payable on such Interest Payment Date or proposed 
date for payment, as the case may be, in respect of such Registered Security, 
but will be payable on such Interest Payment Date or proposed date for 
payment, as the case may be, only to the Person to whom interest in respect 
of such portion of such permanent global Security is payable in accordance 
with the provisions of this Indenture.

     All Securities issued upon any registration of transfer or exchange of
Securities shall be the valid obligations of the Company, evidencing the same
debt, and entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture, as the Securities
surrendered upon such registration of transfer or exchange.

     Every Registered Security presented or surrendered for registration of
transfer or for exchange shall (if so required by the Company or the Trustee or
any transfer agent) be duly endorsed, or be accompanied by a written instrument
of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company and the Security Registrar or
any transfer agent duly executed, by the Holder thereof or his attorney duly
authorized in writing.

     No service charge shall be made for any registration of transfer or
exchange of Securities, but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient
to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in connection
with any registration of transfer or exchange of Securities, other than
exchanges pursuant to Section 3.4, 9.6 or 11.7 not involving any transfer.

     The Company shall not be required (i) to issue, register the transfer of or
exchange Securities of any series during a period beginning at the opening of
business 15 days before any selection of Securities of that series to be
redeemed and ending at the close of business on (A) if Securities of the series
are issuable only as Registered Securities, the day of the mailing of the
relevant notice of redemption and (B) if Securities of the series are issuable
as Bearer Securities, the day of the first publication of the relevant notice of
redemption or, if Securities of the series are also issuable as Registered
Securities and there is no publication, the mailing of the relevant notice of
redemption, (ii) to register the transfer of or exchange any Registered Security
so selected for redemption, in whole or in part, except the unredeemed portion
of any Security being 

                                          26
<PAGE>

redeemed in part, or (iii) to exchange any Bearer Security so selected for
redemption except that such a Bearer Security may be exchanged for a Registered
Security of that series and like tenor, provided that such Registered Security
shall be simultaneously surrendered for redemption.

     Notwithstanding the foregoing and except as otherwise specified or
contemplated by Section 3.1, any Book-Entry Security shall be exchangeable
pursuant to this Section 3.5 or Sections 3.4, 9.6 and 11.7 for Securities
registered in the name of, and a transfer of a Book-Entry Security or any series
may be registered to, any Person other than the Depositary for such Security or
its nominee only if (i) such Depositary notifies the Company that it is
unwilling or unable to continue as Depositary for such Book-Entry Security or if
at any time such Depositary ceases to be a clearing agency registered under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, (ii) the Company executes and
delivers to the Trustee a Company Order that such Book-Entry Security shall be
so exchangeable and the transfer thereof so registrable or (iii) there shall
have occurred and be continuing an Event of Default, or an event which after
notice or lapse of time would be an Event of Default, with respect to the
Securities of such series. Upon the occurrence in respect of any Book-Entry
Security of any series of any one or more of the conditions specified in clauses
(i), (ii) or (iii) or the preceding sentence or such other conditions as may be
specified as contemplated by Section 3.1 for such series, such Book-Entry
Security may be exchanged for Securities registered in the names of, and the
transfer of such Book-Entry Security may be registered to, such Persons
(including Persons other than the Depositary with respect to such series and its
nominees) as such Depositary shall direct. Notwithstanding any other provision
of this Indenture, any Security authenticated and delivered upon registration of
transfer of, or in exchange for, or in lieu of, any Book-Entry Security shall
also be a Book-Entry Security and shall bear the legend specified in Section 2.4
except for any Security authenticated and delivered in exchange for, or upon
registration of transfer of, Book-Entry Security pursuant to the preceding
sentence.

SECTION 3.6.   Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost and Stolen Securities and Coupons.

     If any mutilated Security or a Security with a mutilated coupon
appertaining thereto is surrendered to the Trustee, the Company shall execute
and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver in exchange therefor a new
Security of the same series and of like tenor and principal amount and bearing a
number not contemporaneously outstanding, with coupons corresponding to the
coupons, if any, appertaining to the surrendered Security and such mutilated
Security or a Security with a mutilated coupon, if any, shall be cancelled by
the Trustee in accordance with the Indenture.

     If there shall be delivered to the Company and the Trustee (i) evidence to
their satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of any Security or coupon
and (ii) such security or indemnity as may be required by them, then, in the
absence of notice to the Company or the Trustee that such Security or coupon has
been acquired by a bona fide purchaser, the Company shall, subject to the
following paragraph, execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, in
lieu of any such destroyed, lost or stolen Security or in exchange for the
Security to which a destroyed, lost or stolen coupon appertains (with all
appurtenant coupons not destroyed, lost or stolen), a new Security of 

                                          27
<PAGE>

the same series and of like tenor and principal amount and bearing a number not
contemporaneously outstanding, with coupons corresponding to the coupons, if
any, appertaining to such destroyed, lost or stolen Security or to the Security
to which such destroyed, lost or stolen coupon appertains.

     In case any such mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security or coupon
has become or is about to become due and payable, the Company in its discretion
may, instead of issuing a new Security, pay such Security or coupon; provided,
however, that principal of and any premium and interest on Bearer Securities
shall, except as otherwise provided in Section 10.2, be payable only at an
office or agency located outside the United States.

     Upon the issuance of any new Security under this Section, the Company may
require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental
charge that may be imposed in relation thereto and any other expenses (including
the fees and expenses of the Trustee) connected therewith.

     Every new Security of any series, with any coupons appertaining thereto,
issued pursuant to this Section in lieu of any destroyed, lost or stolen
Security or in exchange for a Security to which a destroyed, lost or stolen
coupon appertains, shall constitute an original additional contractual
obligation of the Company, whether or not the destroyed, lost or stolen Security
and any coupons appertaining thereto, or the destroyed, lost or stolen coupon
shall be at any time enforceable by anyone, and any such new Security and
coupons, if any, shall be entitled to all the benefits of this Indenture equally
and proportionately with any and all other Securities of that series and their
coupons, if any, duly issued hereunder.

     The provisions of this Section are exclusive and shall preclude (to the
extent lawful) all other rights and remedies with respect to the replacement or
payment of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Securities or coupons.

SECTION 3.7.   Payment of Interest; Interest Rights Preserved.

     Unless otherwise provided as contemplated by Section 3.1 with respect to
any series of Securities, interest on any Registered Security which is payable,
and is punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date shall
be paid to the Person in whose name that Security (or one or more Predecessor
Securities) is registered at the close of business on the Regular Record Date
for such interest.

     Any interest on any Registered Security of any series which is payable, but
is not punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date
(herein called "Defaulted Interest") shall forthwith cease to be payable to the
Holder on the relevant Regular Record Date by virtue of having been such Holder,
and such Defaulted Interest may be paid by the Company, at its election in each
case, as provided in Clauses (1) and (2) below:

     (1)       The Company may elect to make payment of any Defaulted Interest
to the Persons in whose names the Registered Securities of such series (or their
respective 

                                          28
<PAGE>

Predecessor Securities) are registered at the close of business on a Special
Record Date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest, which shall be fixed in
the following manner. The Company shall notify the Trustee in writing of the
amount of Defaulted Interest proposed to be paid on each Registered Security of
such series and the date of the proposed payment, and at the same time the
Company shall deposit with the Trustee an amount of money equal to the aggregate
amount proposed to be paid in respect of such Defaulted Interest or shall make
arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for such deposit prior to the date of
the proposed payment, such money when deposited to be held in trust for the
benefit of the Persons entitled to such Defaulted Interest as in this Clause
provided. Thereupon the Trustee shall fix a Special Record Date for the payment
of such Defaulted Interest which shall be not more than 15 days and not less
than 10 days prior to the date of the proposed payment and not less than 10 days
after the receipt by the Trustee of the notice of the proposed payment. The
Trustee shall promptly notify the Company of such Special Record Date and, in
the name and at the expense of the Company, shall cause notice of the proposed
payment of such Defaulted Interest and the Special Record Date therefor to be
mailed, first-class postage prepaid, to each Holder of Registered Securities of
such series at the address of such Holder as it appears in the Security
Register, not less than 10 days prior to such Special Record Date. Notice of the
proposed payment of such Defaulted Interest and the Special Record Date therefor
having been so mailed, such Defaulted Interest shall be paid to the Persons in
whose names the Registered Securities of such series (or their respective
Predecessor Securities) are registered at the close of business on such Special
Record Date and shall no longer be payable pursuant to the following Clause (2);
and

     (2)       The Company may make payment of any Defaulted Interest on the
Registered Securities of any series in any other lawful manner not inconsistent
with the requirements of any securities exchange on which such Securities may be
listed, and upon such notice as may be required by such exchange, if, after
notice given by the Company to the Trustee of the proposed payment pursuant to
this Clause, such manner of payment shall be deemed practicable by the Trustee.

     Subject to the foregoing provisions of this Section and Section 3.5, each
Security delivered under this Indenture upon registration of, transfer of or in
exchange for or in lieu of any other Security shall carry the rights to interest
accrued and unpaid, and to accrue, which were carried by such other Security.

SECTION 3.8.   Persons Deemed Owners.

     Prior to due presentment of a Registered Security for registration of
transfer, the Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee
may treat the Person in whose name such Registered Security is registered as the
owner of such Registered Security for the purpose of receiving payment of
principal of (and premium, if any) and (subject to Sections 3.5 and 3.7) any
interest on such Security and for all other purposes whatsoever, whether or not
such Security shall be overdue, and neither the Company, the Trustee nor any
agent of the Company or the Trustee shall be affected by notice to the contrary.

                                          29
<PAGE>

     Title to any Bearer Security and any coupons appertaining thereto shall
pass by delivery. The Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company or the
Trustee may treat the bearer of any Bearer Security and the Bearer of any coupon
as the absolute owner of such Security or coupon for the purpose of receiving
payment thereof or on account thereof and for all other purposes whatsoever,
whether or not such Security or coupon shall be overdue, and neither the
Company, the Trustee nor any agent of the Company or the Trustee shall be
affected by notice to the contrary.

SECTION 3.9.   Cancellation.

     All Securities and coupons surrendered for payment, redemption,
registration of transfer or exchange or for credit against any sinking fund
payment shall, if surrendered to any Person other than the Trustee, be delivered
to the Trustee. All Registered Securities and matured coupons so delivered shall
be promptly cancelled by the Trustee. All Bearer Securities and unmatured
coupons so delivered shall be cancelled. All Bearer Securities and unmatured
coupons held by the Trustee pending such cancellation or reissuance shall be
deemed to be delivered for cancellation for all purposes of this Indenture and
the Securities. The Company may at any time deliver to the Trustee for
cancellation any Securities previously authenticated and delivered hereunder
which the Company may have acquired in any manner whatsoever, and may deliver to
the Trustee (or to any other Person for delivery to the Trustee) for
cancellation any Securities previously authenticated hereunder which the Company
has not issued and sold, and all Securities so delivered shall be promptly
cancelled by the Trustee. No Securities shall be authenticated in lieu of or in
exchange for any Securities cancelled as provided in this Section, except as
expressly permitted by this Indenture. All cancelled Securities and coupons held
by the Trustee shall be disposed of as directed by a Company Order, or in the
absence of a Company Order, may be destroyed by the Trustee.

     Notwithstanding the foregoing, with respect to any Book-Entry Security,
nothing herein shall prevent the Company, the Trustee or any agent of the
Company or the Trustee, from giving effect to any written certification, proxy
or other authorization furnished by a Depositary or impair, as between a
Depositary and holders of beneficial interests in any Book-Entry Security, the
operation of customary practices governing the exercise of the rights of the
Depositary (or its nominee) as Holder of such Book-Entry Security.

SECTION 3.10.       Computation of Interest.

     Except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 3.1 for Securities
of any series, interest on the Securities of each series shall be computed on
the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months.

SECTION 3.11.       Electronic Security Issuance.

     The Securities may, pursuant to a Board Resolution and Officers'
Certificate complying with Section 3.1 hereof, be issued by means of an
electronic issuance system. Any such Security issuance instructions may specify
the name, address and taxpayer

                                          30
<PAGE>



identification number of the Holder, the principal amount and Maturity of the 
Security, the interest rate to be borne by the Security and any other terms 
not inconsistent with such Board Resolution and Officers' Certificate. 
Nothing in this Section 3.11 shall be construed as prohibiting the Company 
from issuing Securities by any means not inconsistent with the provisions of 
this Indenture.

                                      ARTICLE IV

                              Satisfaction And Discharge

SECTION 4.1.   Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture.

     This Indenture shall upon Company Request cease to be of further effect 
(except as to any surviving rights of registration of transfer or exchange of 
Securities herein expressly provided for, and any right to receive additional 
amounts, as provided in Section 10.4), and the Trustee, at the expense of the 
Company, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging satisfaction and 
discharge of this Indenture, when:

     (1)  either

     (A)  all Securities theretofore authenticated and delivered and all 
coupons, if any, appertaining thereto (other than (i) coupons appertaining to 
Bearer Securities surrendered for exchange for Registered Securities and 
maturing after such exchange, whose surrender is not required or has been 
waived as provided in Section 3.5, (ii) Securities and coupons which have 
been destroyed, lost or stolen and which have been replaced or paid as 
provided in Section 3.6, (iii) coupons appertaining to Securities called for 
redemption and maturing after the relevant Redemption Date, whose surrender 
has been waived as provided in Section 11.6, and (iv) Securities and coupons 
for whose payment money has theretofore been deposited in trust or segregated 
and held in trust by the Company and thereafter repaid to the Company or 
discharged from such trust, as provided in Section 10.3) have been delivered 
to the Trustee for cancellation; or

     (B)  all such Securities and, in the case of (i) or (ii) below, any 
coupons appertaining thereto not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for 
cancellation,

                         (i) have become due and payable, or

                         (ii) will become due and payable at their Stated 
                    Maturity within one year, or

                         (iii) are to be called for redemption within one year 
                    under arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for the 
                    giving of notice of redemption by the Trustee in the name, 
                    and at the expense, of the Company, and the Company, in the 
                    case of (i), (ii) or (iii) above, has deposited or caused 
                    to be deposited with the Trustee as trust funds in trust 
                    for the purpose, an amount sufficient to pay and discharge 
                    the entire indebtedness on such Securities and coupons not 
                    theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation, for 
                    principal (and premium, if any) and any interest to the 
                    date of such deposit (in the case of Securities which have 
                    become due and payable) or to the Stated Maturity or 
                    Redemption Date, as the case may be;

                                       31

<PAGE>

     (2)       the Company has paid or caused to be paid all other sums payable 
hereunder by the Company; and

     (3)       the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Officers' 
Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions 
precedent herein provided for relating to the satisfaction and discharge of 
this Indenture have been complied with.

               Notwithstanding the satisfaction and discharge of this 
Indenture, the obligations of the Company to the Trustee under Section 6.5, 
the obligations of the Trustee to any Authenticating Agent under Section 6.12 
and, if money shall have been deposited with the Trustee pursuant to clause 
(1)(B) of this Section, the obligations of the Trustee under Section 4.2 and 
the last paragraph of Section 10.3 shall survive.

SECTION 4.2.   Application of Trust Money.

               Subject to the provisions of the last paragraph of Section 
10.3, all money and U.S. Government Obligations deposited with the Trustee 
pursuant to Section 4.1 or 4.3 and all money received by the Trustee in 
respect of such U.S. Government Obligations shall be held in trust and 
applied by it, in accordance with the provisions of the Securities, the 
coupons and this Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any 
Paying Agent (including the Company acting as its own Paying Agent) as the 
Trustee may determine, to the Persons entitled thereto, of the principal (and 
premium, if any) and any interest for whose payment such money and U.S. 
Government Obligations has been deposited with or received by the Trustee. 
Funds held pursuant to this Section shall not be subject to the claims of 
holders of Senior Debt under Article XV.

SECTION 4.3. Company's Option to Effect Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance.

   If applicable to a particular series of Securities, the Company may elect, 
at its option at any time, to have Section 4.4 or Section 4.5 applied to any 
such series of Securities or any Securities of such series, as the case may 
be, designated pursuant to Section 3.1 as being defeasible pursuant to such 
Section 4.4 or 4.5, in accordance with any applicable requirements provided 
pursuant to Section 3.1 and upon compliance with the conditions set forth 
below in this Article. Any such election shall be evidenced by a Board 
Resolution or in another manner specified as contemplated by Section 3.1 for 
such Securities.

SECTION 4.4. Discharge and Defeasance.

   If this Section 4.4 is specified, as contemplated by Section 3.1, to be 
applicable to Securities of any series, then notwithstanding Section 4.1 and 
upon compliance with the applicable conditions set forth in Section 4.6 (i) 
the Company shall be deemed to have paid and discharged the entire 
indebtedness on all the Outstanding Securities of any such series 
("Defeasance"); and (ii) the provisions of this Indenture as it relates to 
such Outstanding Securities shall no longer be in effect (except as to the 
rights of Holders of Securities to receive, solely from the trust fund 
described in Section 4.6, payment of (x) the principal of (and premium, if 
any) and any installment of principal of (and premium, if any) or interest on 
such Securities on the Stated Maturity of such principal (and premium, if 
any) or installment of principal (and premium, if any) or interest or upon 
optional redemption and/or (y) any mandatory sinking fund payments or 
analogous payments applicable to the Securities of that series on that day on 
which such payments 

                                       32

<PAGE>

are due and payable in accordance with the terms of the Indenture and of such 
Securities, the Company's obligations with respect to such Securities under 
Sections 3.4, 3.5, 3.6, 10.2, 10.3 and 10.4 and the rights, powers, trusts, 
duties and immunities of the Trustee hereunder, including those under Section 
6.5 hereof).

SECTION 4.5. Covenant Defeasance.

   If this Section 4.5 is specified, as contemplated by Section 3.1, to be 
applicable to any series of Securities or any Securities of such series, as 
the case may be, (1) the Company shall be released from its obligations under 
any covenants provided pursuant to Section 3.1(21), 9.1(2) or 9.1(7) for the 
benefit of the Holders of such Securities that pursuant to the terms of such 
Securities are defeasible pursuant to this Section 4.5 and (2) the occurrence 
of any event specified in Sections 5.1(4) (with respect to and such covenants 
provided pursuant to Section 3.1(21), 9.1(2), or 9.1(7) and 5.1(7) (if 
pursuant to the terms of such Securities this Section 4.5 is applicable to 
any such event specified in Section 5.1(7)) shall be deemed not to be or 
result in an Event of Default, in each case with respect to such Securities 
as provided in this Section on and after the date the conditions set forth in 
Section 4.6 are satisfied (hereinafter called "Covenant Defeasance"). For 
this purpose, such Covenant Defeasance means that, with respect to such 
Securities, the Company may omit to comply with and shall have no liability 
in respect of any term, condition or limitation set forth in any such 
specified Section (to the extent so specified in the case of Sections 5.1(4) 
and 5.1(7)), whether directly or indirectly by reason of any reference 
elsewhere herein to any such Section or by reason of any reference in any 
such Section to any other provision herein or in any other document, but the 
remainder of this Indenture and such Securities shall be unaffected thereby.

SECTION 4.6. Conditions to Defeasance or Covenant
Defeasance.

The following shall be the conditions to the application of
Section 4.4 or Section 4.5 to any applicable series of
Securities or any Securities of such series, as the case may
be:

          (1)     either

      (A)  with respect to all Outstanding Securities of such series or such 
Securities of such Series, as the case may be, with reference to this Section 
4.6, the Company has deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee 
irrevocably (but subject to the provisions of Section 4.2 and the last 
paragraph of Section 10.3), as trust funds in trust, specifically pledged as 
security for, and dedicated solely to, the benefit of the Holders of such 
Securities, (X) lawful money of the United States in an amount, or (Y) U.S. 
Government Obligations which through the payment of interest and principal in 
respect thereof in accordance with their terms will provide not later than 
the opening of business on the due dates of any payment referred to in clause 
(i) or (ii) of this subparagraph (1)(A) lawful money of the United States in 
an amount, or (z) a combination thereof, sufficient, in the opinion of a 
nationally recognized firm of 

                                       33

<PAGE>

independent public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof 
delivered to the Trustee, to pay and discharge (i) the principal of (and 
premium, if any) and each installment of principal (and premium, if any) and 
interest on such Securities the Stated Maturity of such principal or 
installment of principal or interest or upon optional redemption and (ii) any 
mandatory sinking fund payments or analogous payments applicable to such 
Securities on the day on which such payments are due and payable in 
accordance with the terms of this Indenture and of such Securities; or

      (B)  the Company has properly fulfilled such other means of 
satisfaction and discharge as is specified, as contemplated by Section 3.1, 
to be applicable to the Securities of such series;

      (2)  the Company has paid or caused to be paid all other sums payable 
with respect to such Securities;

      (3)  such deposit will not result in a breach or violation of, or 
constitute a default under, this Indenture or any other agreement or 
instrument to which the Company is a party or by which it is bound;

      (4)  no Event of Default or event which with the giving of notice or 
lapse of time, or both, would become an Event of Default with respect to such 
Securities shall have occurred and be continuing on the date of such deposit 
and no Event of Default under Section 5.1(5) or Section 5.1(6) or event which 
with the giving of notice or lapse of time, or both, would become an Event of 
Default under Section 5.1(5) or Section 5.1(6) shall have occurred and be 
continuing on the 91st day after such date;

      (5)  in the event of an election to have Section 4.4 apply to any 
series of Securities, the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of 
Counsel to the effect that (a) the Company has received from, or there has 
been published by, the Internal Revenue Service a ruling, or (b) since the 
date of this Indenture there has been a change in applicable federal income 
tax law, in either case to the effect that, and based thereon such Opinion of 
Counsel shall confirm that, the Holders of Securities of such series will not 
recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of 
such deposit, defeasance and discharge and will be subject to federal income 
tax on the same amount and in the same manner and at the same times as would 
have been the case if such deposit, defeasance and discharge had not occurred;

    (6)  in the event of an election to have Section 4.5 apply to any series 
of Securities, the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of 
Counsel, to the effect that the Holders of such Securities will not recognize 
gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of the deposit and 
Covenant Defeasance to be effected with respect to such Securities and will 
be subject to federal income tax on the same amount, in the same manner and 
at the same times as would be the case if such deposit and Covenant 
Defeasance were not to occur.

      (7)  if the Securities of that series are then listed on any domestic 
or foreign securities exchange, the Company shall have delivered to the 
Trustee an Opinion 

                                          34

<PAGE>

of Counsel to the effect that such deposit, defeasance and discharge will not 
cause such Securities to be delisted; and

      (8)  the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Officers' Certificate 
and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent herein 
provided for relating to the Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance with respect 
to such Securities of any such series have been complied with and an Opinion 
of Counsel to the effect that either (i) as a result of such deposit and the 
related exercise of the Company's option under this Article, registration is 
not required under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, by the 
Company, the trust funds representing such deposit or the Trustee or (ii) all 
necessary registrations under said Act have been effected.

   Any deposits with the Trustee referred to in Section 4.6(1)(A) above shall 
be irrevocable and shall be made under the terms of an escrow/trust agreement 
in form and substance satisfactory to the Trustee. If any Outstanding 
Securities of such series are to be redeemed prior to their Stated Maturity, 
whether pursuant to any optional redemption provisions or in accordance with 
any mandatory sinking fund requirement, the applicable escrow trust agreement 
shall provide therefor and the Company shall make such arrangements as are 
satisfactory to the Trustee for the giving of notice of redemption by the 
Trustee in the name, and at the expense, of the Company.

   Upon Defeasance with respect to all the Securities of a series, the terms 
and conditions of such securities, including the terms and conditions with 
respect thereto set forth in this Indenture, shall no longer be binding upon, 
or applicable to, the Company; provided that the Company shall not be 
discharged from any payment obligations in respect of Securities which are 
deemed not to be Outstanding under clause (iii) of the definition thereof if 
such obligations continue to be valid obligations of the Company under 
applicable law.

   Notwithstanding the cessation, termination and discharge of all 
obligations, covenants and agreements (except as provided above in this 
Section 4.6) of the Company under this Indenture with respect to any series 
of Securities, the obligations of the Company to the Trustee under Section 
6.5, and the obligations of the Trustee under Section 4.2 and the last 
paragraph of Section 10.3 shall survive with respect to such series of 
Securities.

   Anything in this Article to the contrary notwithstanding, the Trustee 
shall deliver or pay to the Company from time to time upon Company Request 
any money or U.S. Government Obligations held by it as provided in this 
Section 4.6 with respect to any Securities which, in the opinion of a 
nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants expressed in a 
written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee, are in excess of the 
amount thereof which would then be required to be deposited to effect the 
Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance, as the case may be, with respect to such 
Securities.

                                    35

<PAGE>

                                      ARTICLE V

                                       Remedies

SECTION 5.1.   Events of Default.

               "Event of Default", wherever used herein with respect to 
Securities of any series, means any one of the following events (whatever the 
reason for such Event of Default and whether it shall be occasioned by the 
provisions of Article XV or be voluntary or involuntary or be effected by 
operation of law or pursuant to any judgment, decree or order of any court or 
any order, rule or regulation of any administrative or governmental body):

     (1)  default in the payment of any interest upon any Security of that 
series when it becomes due and payable, and continuance of such default for a 
period of 30 days; or

     (2)  default in the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any, on) 
any Security of that series at its Maturity; or

     (3)  default in the deposit of any sinking fund payment, when and as due 
by the terms of a Security of that series; or

     (4)  default in the performance, or breach, of any covenant or warranty 
of the Company in this Indenture (other than a covenant or warranty a default 
in whose performance or whose breach is elsewhere in this Section 
specifically dealt with or which has expressly been included in this 
Indenture solely for the benefit of series of Securities other than that 
series), and continuance of such default or breach for a period of 60 days 
after there has been given, by registered or certified mail, to the Company 
by the Trustee or to the Company and the Trustee by the Holders of at least 
25% in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series, a 
written notice specifying such default or breach and requiring it to be 
remedied and stating that such notice is a "Notice of Default", hereunder; or

     (5)  the entry by a court having jurisdiction in the premises of (A) a 
decree or order for relief in respect of the Company in an involuntary case 
or proceeding under any applicable Federal or State bankruptcy, insolvency, 
reorganization or other similar law or (B) a decree or order adjudging the 
Company a bankrupt or insolvent, or approving as properly filed a petition 
seeking reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition of or in 
respect of the Company under any applicable Federal or State law, or 
appointing a custodian, receiver, liquidation, assignee, trustee, 
sequestrator or other similar official 

                                          36

<PAGE>

of the Company or of any substantial part of its property, or ordering the 
winding up or liquidation of its affairs, and the continuance of any such 
decree or order for relief or any such other decree or order unstayed and in 
effect for a period of 60 consecutive days; or

     (6)  the commencement by the Company of a voluntary case or proceeding 
under any applicable Federal or State bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization 
or other similar law or of any other case or proceeding to be adjudicated a 
bankrupt or insolvent, or the consent by it to the entry of a decree or order 
for relief in respect of the Company in an involuntary case or proceeding 
under any applicable Federal or State bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization 
or other similar law or to the commencement of any bankruptcy or insolvency 
case or proceeding against it, or the filing by it of a petition or answer or 
consent seeking reorganization or relief under any applicable Federal or 
State law, or the consent by it to the filing of such petition or to the 
appointment of or taking possession by a custodian, receiver, liquidation, 
assignee, trustee, sequestrator or similar official of the Company or of any 
substantial part of its property, or the making by it of an assignment for 
the benefit of creditors, or the admission by it in writing of its inability 
to pay its debts generally as they become due, or the taking of corporate 
action by the Company in furtherance of any such action; or

     (7)  any other Event of Default provided with respect to Securities of 
that series.

SECTION 5.2.   Acceleration of Maturity; Rescission and Annulment.

               If an Event of Default with respect to Securities of any 
series at the time Outstanding occurs and is continuing, then in every such 
case the Trustee or the Holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of 
the Outstanding Securities of that series may declare the principal amount 
(or, if any of the Securities of that series are Original Issue Discount 
Securities, such portion of the principal amount of such Securities as may be 
specified in the terms thereof) of all of the Securities of that series to be 
due and payable immediately, by a notice in writing to the Company (and to 
the Trustee if given by Holders), and upon any such declaration such 
principal amount (or specified amount) shall become immediately due and 
payable.

               At any time after such a declaration of acceleration with 
respect to Securities of any series has been made and before a judgment or 
decree for payment of the money due has been obtained by the Trustee as 
hereinafter in this Article provided, the Holders of a majority in principal 
amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series, by written notice to the 
Company and the Trustee, may rescind and annul such declaration and its 
consequences if:

     (1)  the Company has paid or deposited with the Trustee a sum sufficient 
to pay,

                                          37

<PAGE>

     (A)       all overdue interest on all Securities of that series,

     (B)       the principal of (and premium, if any, on) any Securities of 
that series which have become due otherwise than by such declaration of 
acceleration and any interest thereon at the rate or rates prescribed 
therefor in such Securities,

     (C)       to the extent that payment of such interest is lawful, 
interest upon overdue interest at the rate or rates prescribed therefor in 
such Securities, and

     (D)       all sums paid or advanced by the Trustee hereunder and the 
reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, 
its agents and counsel; 

     and

     (2)       all Events of Default with respect to Securities of that 
series, other than the non-payment of the principal of Securities of that 
series which have become due solely by such declaration of acceleration, have 
been cured or waived as provided in Section 5.13.

               No such rescission shall affect any subsequent default or 
impair any right consequent thereon.

SECTION 5.3.   Collection of Indebtedness and Suits for Enforcement by Trustee.
                                                                              

     The Company covenants that if,

     (1)       default is made in the payment of any interest on any Security 
of any series when such interest becomes due and payable and such default 
continues for a period of 30 days, or

     (2)       default is made in the payment of the principal of (or 
premium, if any, on) any Security of any series at the Maturity thereof,

     (3)       the Company will, upon demand of the Trustee, pay to it, for 
the benefit of the Holders of such Securities of that series and any coupons 
appertaining thereto, to margin the whole amount then due and payable on such 
Securities of that series and coupons for principal and any premium and 
interest and, to the extent that payment of such interest shall be legally 
enforceable, interest on any overdue principal and on the premium, if any, 
and overdue interest, at the rate or rates prescribed therefor in such 
Securities of that series and, in addition thereto, such further amount as 
shall be sufficient to cover the costs and expenses of collection, including 
the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the 
Trustee, its agents and counsel.

               If the Company fails to pay such amounts forthwith upon such 
demand, the Trustee, in its own name and as trustee of an express trust, may 
institute a judicial proceeding for the collection of the sums so due and 
unpaid, may prosecute such proceeding to judgment or final decree and may 
enforce the same against the Company or

                                        38

<PAGE>

any other obligor upon such Securities and collect the moneys adjudged or 
decreed to be payable in the manner provided by law out of the property of 
the Company or any other obligor upon such Securities, wherever situated.

               If an Event of Default with respect to Securities of any 
series occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may in its discretion proceed to 
protect and enforce its rights and the rights of the Holders of Securities of 
such series and any coupons appertaining thereto by such appropriate judicial 
proceedings as the Trustee shall deem most effectual to protect and enforce 
any such rights, whether for the specific enforcement of any covenant or 
agreement in this Indenture or in aid of the exercise of any power granted 
herein, or to enforce any other proper remedy.

SECTION 5.4.   Trustee May File Proofs of Claim.

               In case of the pendency of any receivership, insolvency, 
liquidation, bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement, adjustment, composition 
or other judicial proceeding relative to the Company or any other obligor 
upon the Securities or the property of the Company or of such other obligor 
or their creditors, the Trustee (irrespective of whether the principal of the 
Securities shall then be due and payable as therein expressed or by 
declaration or otherwise and irrespective of whether the Trustee shall have 
made any demand on the Company for the payment of overdue principal or 
interest) shall be entitled and empowered, by intervention in such proceeding 
or otherwise,

                    (i)  to file and prove a claim for the whole amount of 
               principal and any premium and interest owing and unpaid in 
               respect of the Securities and to file such other papers or 
               documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have
               the claims of the Trustee (including any claim for the 
               reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances 
               of the Trustee, its agents and counsel) and of the Holders of 
               Securities and coupons allowed in such judicial proceeding,
               and

                    (ii) to collect and receive any moneys or other property 
               payable or deliverable on any such claims and to distribute the 
               same, and any custodian, receiver, assignee, trustee, liquidation
               sequestrator or other similar official in any such judicial 
               proceeding is hereby authorized by each Holder of Securities 
               and coupons to make such payments to the Trustee and, in the 
               event that the Trustee shall consent to the making of such 
               payments directly to the Holders of Securities and coupons, to 
               pay to the Trustee any amount due it for the reasonable 
               compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the
               Trustee, its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due 
               the Trustee under Section 6.7.

               Nothing herein contained shall be deemed to authorize the 
Trustee to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Holder 
of a Security or coupon any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment 
or composition affecting the Securities or coupons or the rights of any 
Holder thereof or to authorize the Trustee to vote in respect of the claim of 
any Holder of a Security or coupon in any such proceeding.

                                          39

<PAGE>

SECTION 5.5.   Trustee May Enforce Claims Without Possession of Securities or
Coupons.

               All rights of action and claims under this Indenture or the 
Securities or coupons may be prosecuted and enforced by the Trustee without 
the possession of any of the Securities or coupons or the production thereof 
in any proceeding relating thereto, and any such proceeding instituted by the 
Trustee shall be brought in its own name as trustee of an express trust, and 
any recovery of judgment after provision for the payment of the reasonable 
compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents 
and counsel, shall, subject to the provisions of Article XV, be for the 
ratable benefit of the Holders of the Securities and coupons in respect of 
which such judgment has been recovered.

SECTION 5.6.   Application of Money Collected.

               Any money collected by the Trustee pursuant to this Article 
shall be applied in the following order, at the date or dates fixed by the 
Trustee and, in case of the distribution of such money on account of 
principal or any premium or interest, upon presentation of the Securities or 
coupons, or both, as the case may be, and the notation thereon of the payment 
if only partially paid and upon surrender thereof if fully paid:

               First: To the payment of all amounts due the Trustee under 
Section 6.7; and

               Second: Subject to the provisions of Article XV, to the 
payment of the amounts then due and unpaid for principal of and any premium 
and interest on the Securities and coupons in respect of which or for the 
benefit of which such money has been collected, ratably, without preference 
or priority of any kind, according to the amounts due and payable on such 
Securities and coupons for principal and any premium and interest, 
respectively.

SECTION 5.7.   Limitation on Suits.

               No Holder of any Security of any series or any related coupons 
shall have any right to institute any proceeding, judicial or otherwise, with 
respect to this Indenture, or for the appointment of a receiver or trustee, 
or for any other remedy hereunder, unless;

     (1)       such Holder has previously given written notice to the Trustee 
of a continuing Event of Default with respect to the Securities of that 
series;

     (2)       the Holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the 
Outstanding Securities of that series shall have made written request to the 
Trustee to institute proceedings in respect of such Event of Default in its 
own name as Trustee hereunder;

     (3)       such Holder or Holders have offered to the Trustee reasonable 
indemnity against the costs, expenses and liabilities to be incurred in 
compliance with such request;

     (4)       the Trustee for 60 days after its receipt of such notice, 
request and offer of indemnity has failed to institute any such proceeding; 
and

                                          40

<PAGE>

     (5)       no direction inconsistent with such written request has been 
given to the Trustee during such 60-day period by the Holders of a majority 
in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series; it being 
understood and intended that no one or more of such Holders shall have any 
right in any manner whatever by virtue of, or by availing of, any provision 
of this Indenture to affect, disturb or prejudice the rights of any other of 
such Holders, or to obtain or to seek to obtain priority or preference over 
any other of such Holders or to enforce any right under this Indenture, 
except in the manner herein provided and for the equal and ratable benefit of 
all of such Holders.

SECTION 5.8.   Unconditional Right of Holders to Receive Principal, Premium and
Interest.

               Notwithstanding any other provision in this Indenture, the 
Holder of any Security or coupon shall have the right, which is absolute and 
unconditional, to receive payment of the principal of and any premium and 
(subject to Section 3.7) interest on such Security, and any additional 
amounts contemplated by Section 10.4 in respect of such Security or payment 
of such coupon on the Stated Maturity or Maturities expressed in such 
Security or coupon (or, in the case of redemption, on the Redemption Date) 
and to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment, and such 
rights shall not be impaired without the consent of such Holder.

SECTION 5.9.   Restoration of Rights and Remedies.

               If the Trustee or any Holder of a Security or coupon has 
instituted any proceeding to enforce any right or remedy under this Indenture 
and such proceeding has been discontinued or abandoned for any reason, or has 
been determined adversely to the Trustee or to such Holder, then and in every 
such case, subject to any determination in such proceeding, the Company, the 
Trustee and the Holders of Securities and coupons shall be restored severally 
and respectively to their former positions hereunder and thereafter all 
rights and remedies of the Trustee and the Holders shall continue as though 
no such proceeding had been instituted.

SECTION 5.10.       Rights and Remedies Cumulative.

               Except as otherwise provided with respect to the replacement 
or payment of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Securities or coupons in 
the last paragraph of Section 3.6, no right or remedy herein conferred upon 
or reserved to the Trustee or to the Holders of Securities or coupons is 
intended to be exclusive of any other right or remedy, and every right and 
remedy shall, to the extent permitted by law, be cumulative and in addition 
to every other right and remedy given hereunder or now or hereafter existing 
at law or in equity or otherwise. The assertion or employment of any right or 
remedy hereunder, or otherwise, shall not prevent the concurrent assertion or 
employment of any other appropriate right or remedy.

SECTION 5.11.       Delay or Omission Not Waiver.

               No delay or omission of the Trustee or of any Holder of any 
Security or coupon to exercise any right or remedy accruing upon any Event of 
Default shall impair any such 

                                          41

<PAGE>

right or remedy or constitute a waiver of any such Event of Default or an 
acquiescence therein. Every right and remedy given by this Article or by law 
to the Trustee or to the Holders of Securities or coupons may be exercised 
from time to time, and as often as may be deemed expedient, by the Trustee or 
by the Holders of Securities or coupons, as the case may be.

SECTION 5.12.       Control by Holders of Securities.

               The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the 
Outstanding Securities of any series shall have the right to direct the time, 
method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the 
Trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred on the Trustee, with 
respect to the Securities of such series; provided that,

     (1)       such direction shall not be in conflict with any rule of law 
or with this Indenture, and

     (2)       the Trustee may take any other action deemed proper by the 
Trustee which is not inconsistent with such direction.

SECTION 5.13.       Waiver of Past Defaults.

               The Holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of 
the Outstanding Securities of any series may on behalf of the Holders of all 
the Securities of such series and any coupons appertaining thereto waive any 
past default hereunder with respect to the Securities of such series and its 
consequences, except a default

     (1)       in the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any) or any 
interest on any Security of such series, or

     (2)       in respect of a covenant or provision hereof which under 
Article IX cannot be modified or amended without the consent of the Holder of 
each Outstanding Security of such series affected.

               Upon any such waiver, such default shall cease to exist, and 
any Event of Default arising therefrom shall be deemed to have been cured, 
for every purpose of this Indenture; but no such waiver shall extend to any 
subsequent or other default or impair any right consequent thereon.

SECTION 5.14.  Undertaking for Costs.

               All parties to this Indenture agree, and each Holder of any 
Security or coupon by his acceptance thereof shall be deemed to have agreed, 
that any court may in its discretion require, in any suit for the enforcement 
of any right or remedy under this Indenture, or in any suit against the 
Trustee for any action taken, suffered or omitted by it as Trustee, the 
filing by any party litigant in such suit of an undertaking to pay the costs 
of such suit, and that such court may in its discretion assess reasonable 
costs, including reasonable attorneys' fees, against any party litigant in 
such suit, having due regard to the merits and good faith of the claims or 
defenses made by such party litigant; but the 

                                          42

<PAGE>

provisions of this Section shall not apply to any suit instituted by the 
Company, to any suit instituted by the Trustee, to any suit instituted by any 
Holder, or group of Holders, holding in the aggregate more than 10% in 
principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of any series, or to any suit 
instituted by any Holder of any Security or coupon for the enforcement of the 
payment of the principal of or any premium or interest on any Security or the 
payment of any coupon on or after the Stated Maturity or Maturities expressed 
in such Security or coupon (or, in the case of redemption, on or after the 
Redemption Date).

SECTION 5.15.  Waiver of Stay or Extension Laws.

               The Company covenants (to the extent that it may lawfully do 
so) that it will not at any time insist upon, or plead, or in any manner 
whatsoever claim or take the benefit or advantage of, any stay or extension 
law wherever enacted, now or at any time hereafter in force, which may affect 
the covenants or the performance of this Indenture; and the Company (to the 
extent that it may lawfully do so) hereby expressly waives all benefit or 
advantage of any such law and covenants that it will not hinder, delay or 
impede the execution of any power herein granted to the Trustee, but will 
suffer and permit the execution of every such power as though no such law had 
been enacted.

                                      ARTICLE VI

                                     The Trustee

SECTION 6.1.   Certain Rights of Trustee.

               Subject to the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act:

     (a)       the Trustee may rely and shall be protected in acting or 
refraining from acting upon any resolution, certificate, statement, 
instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, 
bond, debenture, note, coupon, other evidence of indebtedness or other paper 
or document believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented 
by the proper party or parties;

     (b)       any request or direction of the Company mentioned herein shall 
be sufficiently evidenced by a Company Request or Company Order or as 
otherwise expressly provided herein and any resolution of the Board of 
Directors may be sufficiently evidenced by a Board Resolution;

     (c)       whenever in the administration of this Indenture the Trustee 
shall deem it desirable that a matter be proved or established prior to 
taking, suffering or omitting any action hereunder, the Trustee (unless other 
evidence be herein specifically prescribed) may, in the absence of bad faith 
on its part, rely upon an Officers' Certificate;

     (d)       the Trustee may consult with counsel and the advice of such 
counsel or any Opinion of Counsel shall be full and complete authorization 
and protection in respect 

                                          43

<PAGE>

of any action taken, suffered or omitted by it hereunder in good faith and in 
reliance thereon;

     (e)       the Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of 
the rights or powers vested in it by this Indenture at the request or 
direction of any of the Holders of Securities of any series or any related 
coupons pursuant to this Indenture, unless such Holders shall have offered to 
the Trustee reasonable security or indemnity against the costs, expenses and 
liabilities which might be incurred by it in compliance with such request or 
direction;

     (f)  the Trustee shall not be bound to make any investigation into the 
facts or matters stated in any resolution, certificate, statement, 
instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, 
bond, debenture, note, coupon, other evidence of indebtedness or other paper 
or document, but the Trustee, in its discretion, may make such further 
inquiry or investigation into such facts or matters as it may see fit, and, 
if the Trustee shall determine to make such further inquiry or investigation, 
it shall be entitled to examine the books, records and premises of the 
Company, personally or by agent or attorney; and

     (g)       the Trustee may execute any of the trusts or powers hereunder 
or perform any duties hereunder either directly or by or through agents or 
attorneys and the Trustee shall not be responsible for any misconduct or 
negligence on the part of any agent or attorney appointed with due care by it 
hereunder.

SECTION 6.2.   Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of Securities.

               The recitals contained herein and in the Securities (except 
the Trustee's certificates of authentication) and in any coupons shall be 
taken as the statements of the Company, and the Trustee or any Authenticating 
Agent assumes no responsibility for their correctness. The Trustee makes no 
representations as to the validity or sufficiency of this Indenture or of the 
Securities or coupons. The Trustee or any Authenticating Agent shall not be 
accountable for the use or application by the Company of Securities or the 
proceeds thereof.

SECTION 6.3.   May Hold Securities.

               The Trustee, any Authenticating Agent, any Paying Agent, any 
Security Registrar or any other agent of the Company, in its individual or 
any other capacity, may become the owner or pledgee of Securities and coupons 
and, subject to Section 6.8 and 6.10, may otherwise deal with the Company 
with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee, Authenticating 
Agent, Paying Agent, Security Registrar or such other agent.

SECTION 6.4.   Money Held in Trust.

               Money held by the Trustee in trust hereunder need not be 
segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law. The Trustee 
shall be under no liability for interest on any money received by it 
hereunder except as otherwise agreed with the Company.

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<PAGE>

SECTION 6.5.   Compensation and Reimbursement.

               The Company agrees:

     (1)       to pay to the Trustee or any predecessor Trustee from time to 
time reasonable compensation for all services rendered by it hereunder (which 
compensation shall not be limited by any provision of law in regard to the 
compensation of a trustee of an express trust);

     (2)       except as otherwise expressly provided herein, to reimburse 
the Trustee or any predecessor Trustee upon its request for all reasonable 
expenses, disbursements and advances incurred or made by the Trustee in 
accordance with any provision of this Indenture (including the compensation 
and the expenses and disbursements of its agents and counsel), except any 
such expense, disbursement or advance as may be attributable to its 
negligence or bad faith; and

     (3)       to indemnify the Trustee and any predecessor Trustee for, and 
to hold it harmless against, any loss, liability or expense incurred without 
negligence or bad faith on its part, arising out of or in connection with the 
acceptance or administration of the trust or trusts hereunder, including the 
costs and expenses of defending itself against any claim or liability in 
connection with the exercise or performance of any of its powers or duties 
hereunder.

SECTION 6.6.   Resignation and Removal; Appointment of Successor.

     (a)       The Trustee may resign at any time with respect to the 
Securities of one or more series by giving written notice thereof to the 
Company. If the instrument of acceptance by a successor Trustee required by 
Section 6.7 shall not have been delivered to the Trustee within 30 days after 
the giving of such notice of resignation, the resigning Trustee may petition 
any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor 
Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series.

     (b)       The Trustee may be removed at any time with respect to the 
Securities of any series by Act of the Holders of a majority in principal 
amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series delivered to the Trustee 
and to the Company.

     (c)       If at any time:

               (1)  the Trustee shall fail to comply with Section 310(b) of 
the Trust Indenture Act after written request therefor by the Company or by 
any Holder of a Security who has been a bona fide Holder of a Security for at 
least six months, or

               (2)  the Trustee shall cease to be eligible under Section 6.9 
and Section 310(a) of the Trust Indenture Act and shall fail to resign after 
written request therefor by the Company or by any such Holder, or

               (3)  the Trustee shall become incapable of acting or shall be 
adjudged a bankrupt or insolvent or a receiver of the Trustee or of its 
property shall be appointed or any public officer shall take charge or 
control of the Trustee or of its property or affairs for the purpose of 
rehabilitation, conservation or liquidation, 

                                          45

<PAGE>

then, in any such case, (i) the Company by a Board Resolution may remove the 
Trustee with respect to all Securities, or (ii) subject to Section 5.14 any 
Holder of a Security who has been a bona fide Holder of a Security for at 
least six months may, on behalf of himself and all others similarly situated, 
petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee 
with respect to all Securities and the appointment of a successor Trustee or 
Trustees.

     (d)       If the Trustee shall resign, be removed or become incapable of 
acting, or if a vacancy shall occur in the office of Trustee for any cause, 
with respect to the Securities of one or more series, the Company, by a Board 
Resolution, shall promptly appoint a successor Trustee or Trustees with 
respect to the Securities of that or those series (it being understood that 
any such successor Trustee may be appointed with respect to the Securities of 
one or more or all of such series and that at any time there shall be only 
one Trustee with respect to the Securities of any particular series) and 
shall comply with the applicable requirements of Section 6.7. If, within one 
year after such resignation, removal or incapability, or the occurrence of 
such vacancy, a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of any 
series shall be appointed by Act of the Holders of a majority in principal 
amount of Outstanding Securities of such series delivered to the Company and 
the retiring Trustee, the successor Trustee so appointed shall, forthwith 
upon its acceptance of such appointment in accordance with the applicable 
requirements of Section 6.7, become the successor Trustee with respect to the 
Securities of such series and to that extent supersede the successor Trustee 
appointed by the Company. If no successor Trustee with respect to the 
Securities of any series shall have been so appointed by the Company or the 
Holders of Securities of that series and accepted appointment in the manner 
required by Section 6.7, any Holder of a Security who has been a bona fide 
Holder of a Security of such series for at least six months may, on behalf of 
himself and all others similarly situated, petition any court of competent 
jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee with respect to the 
Securities of such series.

     (e)       The Company shall give notice of each resignation and each 
removal of the Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series and each 
appointment of a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of any 
series in the manner provided in Section 1.6. Each notice shall include the 
name of the successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series 
and the address of its Corporate Trust Office.

SECTION 6.7.   Acceptance of Appointment by Successor.

     (a)       In case of the appointment hereunder of a successor Trustee 
with respect to all Securities, every such successor Trustee so appointed 
shall execute, acknowledge and deliver to the Company and to the retiring 
Trustee an instrument accepting such appointment, and thereupon the 
resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective and 
such successor Trustee, without any further act, deed or conveyance, shall 
become vested with all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring 
Trustee; but on the request of the Company or the successor Trustee, such 
retiring Trustee shall, upon payment of its charges, execute and deliver an 
instrument transferring to such successor Trustee all the rights, powers and 
trusts of the retiring Trustee and shall duly assign, transfer and deliver to 
such successor Trustee all property and money held by such retiring Trustee 
hereunder.

                                          46

<PAGE>

     (b)       In case of the appointment hereunder of a successor Trustee 
with respect to the Securities of one or more (but not all) series, the 
Company, the retiring Trustee and each successor Trustee with respect to the 
Securities of one or more series shall execute and deliver an indenture 
supplemental hereto wherein each successor Trustee shall accept such 
appointment and which (l) shall contain such provisions as shall be necessary 
or desirable to transfer and confirm to, and to vest in, each successor 
Trustee all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee 
with respect to the Securities of that or those series to which the 
appointment of such successor Trustee relates, (2) if the retiring Trustee is 
not retiring with respect to all Securities, shall contain such provisions as 
shall be deemed necessary or desirable to confirm that all the rights, 
powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee with respect to the 
Securities of that or those series as to which the retiring Trustee is not 
retiring shall continue to be vested in the retiring Trustee, and (3) shall 
add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture as shall be 
necessary to provide for or facilitate the administration of the trusts 
hereunder by more than one Trustee, it being understood that nothing herein 
or in such supplemental indenture shall constitute such Trustees as 
co-trustees of the same trust and that each such Trustee shall be trustee of 
a trust or trusts hereunder separate and apart from any trust or trusts 
hereunder administered by any other such Trustee; and upon the execution and 
delivery of such supplemental indenture the resignation or removal of the 
retiring Trustee shall become effective to the extent provided therein and 
each such successor Trustee, without any further act, deed or conveyance, 
shall become vested with all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the 
retiring Trustee with respect to the Securities of that or those series to 
which the appointment of such successor Trustee relates; but, on request of 
the Company or any successor Trustee, such retiring Trustee shall duly 
assign, transfer and deliver to such successor Trustee all property and money 
held by such retiring Trustee hereunder with respect to the Securities of 
that or those series to which the appointment of such successor Trustee 
relates.

     (c)       Upon request of any such successor Trustee, the Company shall 
execute any and all instruments for more fully and certainly vesting in and 
confirming to such successor Trustee all such rights, powers and trusts 
referred to in paragraph (a) or (b) of this Section, as the case may be.

     (d)       No successor Trustee shall accept its appointment unless at 
the time of such acceptance such successor Trustee shall be qualified and 
eligible under this Article.

SECTION 6.8.   Disqualification; Conflicting Interests.

               If the Trustee has or shall acquire a conflicting interest 
within the meaning of the Trust Indenture Act, the Trustee shall either 
eliminate such interest or resign, to the extent and in the manner provided 
by, and subject to the provisions of, the Trust Indenture Act and this 
Indenture.

                                          47

<PAGE>

SECTION 6.9.   Corporate Trustee Required; Eligibility.

               There shall be at all times a Trustee hereunder which shall be 
a Person that is eligible pursuant to the Trust Indenture Act to act as such 
and has a combined capital and surplus of at least $50,000,000. If such 
Person publishes reports of condition at least annually, pursuant to law or 
to the requirements of said supervising or examining authority, then for the 
purposes of this Section, the combined capital and surplus of such Person 
shall be deemed to be its combined capital and surplus as set forth in its 
most recent report of condition so published. If at any time the Trustee 
shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section, 
it shall resign immediately in the manner and with the effect hereunder 
specified in this Article.

SECTION 6.10.  Preferential Collection of Claims Against Company.

               If and when the Trustee shall be or become a creditor of the 
Company (or any other obligor upon the Securities), the Trustee shall be 
subject to the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act regarding the collection 
of claims against the Company (or any such other obligor).

SECTION 6.11.  Merger, Conversion Consolidation or Succession to Business.

               Any corporation into which the Trustee may be merged or 
converted or with which it may be consolidated, or any corporation resulting 
from any merger, conversion or consolidation to which the Trustee shall be a 
party, or any corporation succeeding to all or substantially all the 
corporate trust business of the Trustee shall be the successor of the Trustee 
hereunder, provided such corporation shall be otherwise qualified and 
eligible under this Article, without the execution or filing of any paper or 
any further act on the part of any of the parties hereto. In case any 
Securities shall have been authenticated, but not delivered, by the Trustee 
then in office, any successor by merger, conversion or consolidation to such 
authenticating Trustee may adopt such authentication and deliver the 
Securities so authenticated with the same effect as if such successor Trustee 
had itself authenticated such Securities.

SECTION 6.12.  Appointment of Authenticating Agent.

               The Trustee may appoint an Authenticating Agent or Agents with 
respect to one or more series of Securities which shall be authorized to act 
on behalf of the Trustee to authenticate Securities of such series issued 
upon original issue or upon exchange, registration of transfer or partial 
redemption thereof or pursuant to Section 3.6, and Securities so 
authenticated shall be entitled to the benefits of this Indenture and shall 
be valid and obligatory for all purposes as if authenticated by the Trustee 
hereunder. Wherever reference is made in this Indenture to the authentication 
and delivery of Securities by the Trustee or the Trustee's certificate of 
authentication such reference shall be deemed to include authentication and 
delivery on behalf of the Trustee by an Authenticating Agent and a 
certificate of authentication executed on behalf of the Trustee by an 
Authenticating Agent. Each Authenticating Agent shall be acceptable to the 
Company. If such Authenticating Agent publishes reports of condition at least 
annually, 

                                          48

<PAGE>

pursuant to law or to the requirements of said supervising or examining 
authority, then for the purposes of this Section, the combined capital and 
surplus of such Authenticating Agent shall be deemed to be its combined 
capital and surplus as set forth in its most recent report of condition so 
published. If at any time an Authenticating Agent shall cease to be eligible 
in accordance with the provisions of this Section, such Authenticating Agent 
shall resign immediately in the manner and with the effect specified in this 
Section.

               Any corporation into which an Authenticating Agent may be 
merged or converted or with which it may be consolidated, or any corporation 
resulting from any merger, conversion or consolidation to which such 
Authenticating Agent shall be a party, or any corporation succeeding to the 
corporate agency or corporate trust business of such Authenticating Agent, 
shall continue to be an Authenticating Agent provided such corporation shall 
be otherwise eligible under this Section, without the execution or filing of 
any paper or any further act on the part of the Trustee or such 
Authenticating Agent.

               An Authenticating Agent may resign at any time by giving 
written notice thereof to the Trustee and to the Company. The Trustee may at 
any time terminate the agency of an Authenticating Agent by giving written 
notice thereof to such Authenticating Agent and to the Company. Upon 
receiving such a notice of resignation or upon such a termination, or in case 
at any time such Authenticating Agent shall cease to be eligible in 
accordance with the provisions of this Section, the Trustee may appoint a 
successor Authenticating Agent which shall be acceptable to the Company and 
shall promptly give notice of such appointment to all Holders of Securities 
pursuant to Section 1.6. Any successor Authenticating Agent upon acceptance 
of its appointment hereunder shall become vested with all the rights, powers 
and duties of its predecessor hereunder with like effect as if originally 
named as an Authenticating Agent. No successor Authenticating Agent shall be 
appointed unless eligible under the provisions of this Section.

               The Trustee agrees to pay to each Authenticating Agent from 
time to time reasonable compensation for its services under this Section, and 
the Trustee shall be entitled to be reimbursed for such payments, subject to 
the provisions of Section 6.5.

               If an appointment with respect to one or more series is made 
pursuant to this Section, the Securities of such series may have endorsed 
thereon, in addition to the Trustee's certificate of authentication, an 
alternative certificate of authentication in the following form:

               This is one of the Securities of the series designated therein 
referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture.

               The Bank of New York,  As Trustee

               By Authenticating Agent

               By Authorized Signatory

                                          49

<PAGE>

               If all of the Securities of a series may not be originally 
issued at one time, and if the Company has an Affiliate eligible to be 
appointed as an Authenticating Agent hereunder or the Trustee does not have 
an office capable of authenticating Securities upon original issuance located 
in a Place of Payment where the Company wishes to have Securities of such 
series authenticated upon original issuance, the Trustee, if so requested by 
the Company in writing (which writing need not comply with Section 1.2 and 
need not be accompanied by an Opinion of Counsel), shall appoint in 
accordance with this Section an Authenticating Agent (which if so requested 
by the Company, shall be such Affiliate of the Company) having an office in a 
Place of Payment designated by the Company with respect to such series of 
Securities.

SECTION 6.13.  Notice of Defaults.

               If a default occurs hereunder with respect to Securities of 
any series, the Trustee shall give the Holders of Securities of such series 
notice of such default as and to the extent provided by the Trust Indenture 
Act; provided, however, that in the case of any default of the character 
specified in Section 5.1(4) with respect to Securities of such series, no 
such notice to Holders shall be given until at least 30 days after the 
occurrence thereof. For the purpose of the Section, the term "default" means 
any event which is, or after notice of lapse of time or both would become, an 
Event of Default with respect to Securities of such series.

                                     ARTICLE VII

                  Holders' Lists And Reports By Trustee And Company

SECTION 7.1.   Preservation of Information; Communications to Holders.

     (a)   The Trustee shall preserve, in as current a form as is reasonably 
practicable, the names and addresses of Holders of Securities (i) contained 
in the most recent list furnished to the Trustee as provided in Section 
312(a) of the Trust Indenture Act, (ii) received by the Trustee in its 
capacity as Security Registrar and (iii) filed with it within the two 
preceding years pursuant to Section 313(c)(2) of the Trust Indenture Act. The 
Trustee may (i) destroy any list furnished to it as provided in Section 
312(a) of the Trust Indenture Act upon receipt of a new list so furnished, 
(ii) destroy any information received by it as Paying Agent (if so acting) 
hereunder upon delivering to itself as Trustee, not earlier than           
or              of each year, a list containing the names and addresses of 
the Holders of Securities obtained from such information since the delivery 
of the next previous list, if any, (iii) destroy any list delivered to itself 
as Trustee which was compiled from information received by it as Paying Agent 
(if so acting) hereunder upon the receipt of a new list so delivered and (iv) 
destroy not earlier than two years after filing, any information filed with 
it pursuant to Section 313(c)(2) of the Trust Indenture Act. For purposes of 
Section 312(a) of the Trust Indenture Act, the term "stated intervals" shall 
mean           and       .

     (b)   If three or more Holders of Securities (herein referred to as 
"applicants") apply in writing to the Trustee, and furnish to the Trustee 
reasonable proof that each such 

                                          50

<PAGE>

applicant has owned a Security for a period of at least six months preceding 
the date of such application, and such application states that the applicants 
desire to communicate with other Holders of Securities with respect to their 
rights under this Indenture or under the Securities and is accompanied by a 
copy of the form of proxy or other communication which such applicants 
propose to transmit, then the Trustee shall, within five business days after 
the receipt of such application, at its election, either

                    (i)  afford such applicants access to the information 
               preserved at the time by the Trustee in accordance with Section 
               7.1(a), or

                    (ii) inform such applicants as to the approximate number 
               of Holders of Securities whose names and addresses appear in the 
               information preserved at the time by the Trustee in accordance 
               with Section 7.1(a), and as to the approximate cost of mailing 
               to such Holders the form of proxy or other communication, if 
               any, specified in such application.

               If the Trustee shall elect not to afford such applicants 
access to such information, the Trustee shall, upon the written request of 
such applicants, mail to each Holder of Securities whose name and address 
appears in the information preserved at the time by the Trustee in accordance 
with Section 7.1(a) a copy of the form of proxy or other communication which 
is specified in such request, with reasonable promptness after a tender to 
the Trustee of the material to be mailed and of payment, or provision for the 
payment of the reasonable expenses of mailing, unless within five days after 
such tender the Trustee shall mail to such applicants and file with the 
Commission, together with a copy of the material to be mailed, a written 
statement to the effect that, in the opinion of the Trustee, such mailing 
would be contrary to the best interest of the Holders of Securities or would 
be in violation of applicable law. Such written statement shall specify the 
basis of such opinion. If the Commission, after opportunity for a hearing 
upon the objections specified in the written statement so filed, shall enter 
an order refusing to sustain any of such objections or if after the entry of 
an order sustaining one or more of such objections, the Commission shall 
find, after notice and opportunity for hearing that all the objections so 
sustained have been met and shall enter an order so declaring, the Trustee 
shall mail copies of such material to all such Holders of Securities with 
reasonable promptness after the entry of such order and the renewal of such 
tender; otherwise the Trustee shall be relieved of any obligation or duty to 
such applicants respecting their application.

     (c)       Every Holder of Securities or coupons, by receiving and 
holding the same, agrees with the Company and the Trustee that neither the 
Company nor the Trustee nor any agent of either of them shall be held 
accountable by reason of the disclosure of any such information as to the 
names and addresses of the Holders of Securities in accordance with Section 
7.1(b), regardless of the source from which such information was derived and 
that the Trustee shall not be held accountable by reason of mailing any 
material pursuant to a request made under Section 7.1(b).

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<PAGE>

SECTION 7.2.   Reports by Trustee.

               The Trustee shall in each year transmit to Holders such 
reports concerning the Trustee and its actions under this Indenture as may be 
required pursuant to the Trust Indenture Act in the manner provided pursuant 
thereto and as of a date at least one year after the date of original 
issuance of the Securities hereunder, and each anniversary thereafter, such 
report, if so required, to be transmitted within 60 days of each such 
anniversary date.

               A copy of each such report shall, at the time of such 
transmission to Holders, be filed by the Trustee with each stock exchange 
upon which any Securities are listed, with the Commission and with the 
Company. The Company will notify the Trustee when any Securities are listed 
on any stock exchange or market center.

SECTION 7.3.   Reports by Company.

               The Company shall file with the Trustee and the Commission, 
and transmit to Holders, such information, documents and other reports, and 
such summaries thereof, as may be required pursuant to the Trust Indenture 
Act at the times and in the manner provided pursuant to such Act; provided 
that any such information, documents or reports required to be filed with the 
Commission pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act shall be filed 
with the Trustee within 15 days after the same is so required to be filed 
with the Commission.

                                     ARTICLE VIII

                         Consolidation, Merger, Sale, Lease,
                            Transfer Or Other Disposition

SECTION 8.1.   Company May Consolidate, Etc., Only on Certain Terms.

               The Company shall not consolidate with or merge with or into 
any other Person or sell, lease, transfer or otherwise dispose of its assets 
substantially as an entirety to any Person, and the Company shall not permit 
any Person to consolidate with or merge with or into the Company or to sell, 
lease, transfer or otherwise dispose of its assets substantially as an 
entirety to the Company, unless:

     (1)       in case the Company shall consolidate with or merge with or 
into another Person or sell, lease, transfer or otherwise dispose of its 
assets substantially as an entirety to any Person, the Person formed by such 
consolidation or into which the Company is merged or the Person which 
acquires by sale, lease, transfer or otherwise, the assets of the Company 
substantially as an entirety shall be a corporation, partnership or trust, 
shall be organized and validly existing under the laws of the United States 
of America, any State thereof or the District of Columbia and shall expressly 
assume, by an indenture supplemental hereto, executed and delivered to the 
Trustee, in form satisfactory to the Trustee, the due and punctual payment of 
the principal of and any premium and interest (including all additional 
amounts, if any, payable pursuant to Section 10.4) on all the 

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<PAGE>

Securities and the performance of every covenant of this Indenture on the 
part of the Company to be performed or observed;

     (2)       immediately after giving effect to such transaction and 
treating any indebtedness which becomes an obligation of the Company or a 
Subsidiary as a result of such transaction as having been incurred by the 
Company or such Subsidiary at the time of such transaction, no Event of 
Default, and no event which, after notice or lapse of time or both, would 
become an Event of Default, shall have happened and be continuing; and

     (3)       the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Officers' 
Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that such consolidation, 
merger, conveyance, sale, lease, transfer or other disposition and, if a 
supplemental indenture is required in connection with such transaction, such 
supplemental indenture comply with this Article and that all conditions 
precedent herein provided for relating to such transaction have been complied 
with.

SECTION 8.2.   Successor Substituted.

               Upon any consolidation or merger of the Company with or into 
any other Person or any sale, lease, transfer or other disposition of the 
assets of the Company substantially as an entirety in accordance with Section 
8.1, the successor Person formed by such consolidation or into which the 
Company is merged or to which sale, lease, transfer or other disposition is 
made shall assume the obligations of the Company on the Securities and under 
this Indenture with the same effect as if such successor Person had been 
named as the Company herein, and thereafter, except in the case of a lease, 
the predecessor Person shall be relieved of all obligations and covenants 
under this Indenture and the Securities and coupons.

                                      ARTICLE IX

                               Supplemental Indentures

SECTION 9.1.   Supplemental Indentures Without Consent of Holders.

               Without the consent of any Holders of Securities or coupons, 
the Company, when authorized by a Board Resolution, and the Trustee, at any 
time and from time to time, may enter into one or more indentures 
supplemental hereto, in form satisfactory to the Trustee, for any of the 
following purposes:

     (1)  to evidence the succession of another Person to the Company and the 
assumption by any such successor of the covenants of the Company herein and 
in the Securities; or

     (2)  to add to the covenants of the Company for the benefit of the 
Holders of all or any series of Securities (and if such covenants are to be 
for the benefit of less than all series of Securities, stating that such 
covenants are expressly being included solely for 

                                          53

<PAGE>

the benefit of such series) or to surrender any right or power herein 
conferred upon the Company; or

     (3)       to add any additional Events of Default (and if such Events of 
Default are to be for the benefit of less than all series of Securities, 
stating that such Events of Default are expressly being included solely for 
the benefit of such series); or

     (4)       to add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture to 
provide that Bearer Securities may be registrable as to principal, to change 
or eliminate any restrictions on the payment of principal of or any premium 
or interest on Bearer Securities, to permit Bearer Securities to be issued in 
exchange for Registered Securities, to permit Bearer Securities to be issued 
in exchange for Bearer Securities of other authorized denominations or to 
permit or facilitate the issuance of Securities in uncertificated form, 
provided that any such action shall not adversely affect the interests of the 
Holders of Securities of any series or any related coupons in any material 
respect; or

     (5)       to change or eliminate any of the provisions of this 
Indenture, provided that any such change or elimination shall become 
effective only when there is no Security Outstanding of any series created 
prior to the execution of such supplemental indenture which is entitled to 
the benefit of such provision; or

     (6)       to secure the Securities; or

     (7)       to establish the form or terms of Securities of any series and 
any related coupons as permitted by Sections 2.1 and 3.1; or

     (8)       to evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment 
thereunder by a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of one or 
more series and to add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture 
as shall be necessary to provide for or facilitate the administration of the 
trusts hereunder by more than one Trustee, pursuant to the requirements of 
Section 6.7(b); or

     (9)       to make provision with respect to the conversion rights of 
Holders pursuant to the requirements of Article XIV, including providing for 
the conversion of the Securities into any security or property (other than 
the Common Stock of the Company); or

     (10)      to cure any ambiguity, to correct or supplement any provision 
herein which may be inconsistent with any other provision herein, or to make 
any other provisions with respect to matters or questions arising under this 
Indenture, provided that such action shall not adversely affect the interests 
of the Holders of Securities of any series or any related coupons in any 
material respect; or

     (11)      subject to Section 9.2(5) and Section 9.7, to make any change 
to Article XV that would limit or terminate the benefits available to any 
holder of Senior Debt under such Article.

                                          54

<PAGE>

SECTION 9.2.   Supplemental Indentures with Consent of Holders.

               With the consent of the Holders of not less than a majority in 
principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of each series affected by 
such supplemental indenture, by Act of said Holders delivered to the Company 
and the Trustee, the Company, when authorized by a Board Resolution, and the 
Trustee may enter into an indenture or indentures supplemental hereto for the 
purpose of adding any provisions to or changing in any manner or eliminating 
any of the provisions of this Indenture or of modifying in any manner the 
rights of the Holders of Securities of such series and any related coupons 
under this Indenture; provided, however, that no such supplemental indenture 
shall, without the consent of the Holder of each Outstanding Security 
affected thereby,

     (1)       change the Stated Maturity of the principal of, or any 
installment of principal of or interest on, any Security, or reduce the 
principal amount thereof or the rate of interest thereon or any premium 
payable upon the redemption thereof, or change any obligation of the Company 
to pay additional amounts pursuant to Section 10.4 (except as contemplated by 
Section 8.1(1) and permitted by Section 9.1(1)), or reduce the amount of the 
principal of an Original Issue Discount Security that would be due and 
payable upon a declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant 
to Section 5.2 or change the coin or currency in which any Security or any 
premium or interest thereon is payable, or impair the right to institute suit 
for the enforcement of any such payment on or after the Stated Maturity 
thereof (or, in the case of redemption, on or after the Redemption Date), or

     (2)       reduce the percentage in principal amount of the Outstanding 
Securities of any series, the consent of whose Holders is required for any 
such supplemental indenture, or the consent of whose Holders is required for 
any waiver of certain defaults hereunder and their consequences provided for 
in this Indenture, or reduce the requirements of Section 13.4 for quorum or 
voting, or

     (3)       change any obligation of the Company to maintain an office or 
agency for the purposes specified in Section 10.2, or

     (4)       modify any of the provisions of this Section or Section 5.13, 
except to increase any such percentage or to provide that certain other 
provisions of this Indenture cannot be modified or waived without the consent 
of the Holder of each Outstanding Security affected thereby; provided, 
however, that this clause shall not be deemed to require the consent of any 
Holder of a Security or coupon with respect to changes in the references to 
"the Trustee" and concomitant changes in this Section or the deletion of this 
proviso, in accordance with the requirements of Sections 6.7(b) and 9.1(8), or

     (5)       make any change that adversely affects the right to convert 
any Security as provided in Article XIV or pursuant to Section 3.1 (except as 
permitted by Section 9.1) or decrease the conversion rate or increase the 
conversion price of any such Security except as may otherwise be permitted by 
Article XIV or modify any provisions of this Indenture relating to the 
subordination of the Securities in a manner adverse to such Holder.

                                          55

<PAGE>

               A supplemental indenture which changes or eliminates any 
covenant or other provision of this Indenture which has expressly been 
included solely for the benefit of one or more particular series of 
Securities, or which modifies the rights of the Holders of Securities of such 
series with respect to such covenant or other provision, shall be deemed not 
to affect the rights under this Indenture of the Holders of Securities of any 
other series.

               It shall not be necessary for any Act of Holders of Securities 
under this Section to approve the particular form of any proposed 
supplemental indenture, but it shall be sufficient if such Act shall approve 
the substance thereof. 

SECTION 9.3.   Execution of Supplemental Indentures.

               In executing or accepting the additional trusts created by any 
supplemental indenture permitted by this Article or the modifications thereby 
of the trusts created by this Indenture, the Trustee shall be entitled to 
receive, and (subject to Section 6.1) shall be fully protected in relying 
upon, an Opinion of Counsel stating that the execution of such supplemental 
indenture is authorized or permitted by this Indenture. The Trustee may, but 
shall not be obligated to, enter into any such supplemental indenture which 
affects the Trustee's own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture 
or otherwise.

SECTION 9.4.   Effect of Supplemental Indentures.

               Upon the execution of any supplemental indenture under this 
Article, this Indenture shall be modified in accordance therewith, and such 
supplemental indenture shall form a part of this Indenture for all purposes; 
and every Holder of Securities theretofore or thereafter authenticated and 
delivered hereunder and of any coupons appertaining thereto shall be bound 
thereby.

SECTION 9.5.   Conformity with Trust Indenture Act.

               Every supplemental indenture executed pursuant to this Article 
shall conform to the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as 
amended, in effect on such date.

SECTION 9.6.   Reference in Securities to Supplemental Indentures.

               Securities of any series authenticated and delivered after the 
execution of any supplemental indenture pursuant to this Article may, and 
shall if required by the Trustee, bear a notation in form approved by the 
Trustee as to any matter provided for in such supplemental indenture. If the 
Company shall so determine, new Securities of any series so modified as to 
conform, in the opinion of the Trustee and the Company, to any such 
supplemental indenture may be prepared and executed by the Company and 
authenticated and delivered by the Trustee in exchange for Outstanding 
Securities of such series.

SECTION 9.7.   Effect on Senior Debt.

               No supplemental indenture shall adversely affect the rights of 
any holder of Senior Debt under Article XV without the consent of such holder.

                                          56
<PAGE>
                                      ARTICLE X

                                      Covenants
SECTION 10.1.       Payment of Principal, Premium and Interest.

   The Company covenants and agrees for the benefit of each series of 
Securities that it will duly and punctually pay the principal of and any 
premium and interest on the Securities of that series in accordance with the 
terms of the Securities, any coupons appertaining thereto and this Indenture. 
Unless otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 3.1 with respect to any 
series of Securities, any interest due on Bearer Securities on or before 
Maturity shall be payable only upon presentation and surrender outside the 
United States of the several coupons for such interest installments as are 
evidenced thereby as they severally mature.

SECTION 10.2.       Maintenance of Office or Agency.

   If Securities of a series are issuable only as Registered Securities, the 
Company will maintain in each Place of Payment for such series an office or 
agency where Securities of that series may be presented or surrendered for 
payment, where Securities of that series may be surrendered for registration 
of transfer, exchange or conversion and where notices and demands to or upon 
the Company in respect of the Securities of that series and this Indenture 
may be served. If Securities of a series are issuable as Bearer Securities, 
the Company will maintain (A) in The City of New York, an office or agency 
where any Registered Securities of that series may be presented or 
surrendered for payment, where any Registered Securities of that series may 
be surrendered for registration of transfer, where Securities of that series 
may be surrendered for conversion or exchange, where notices and demands to 
or upon the Company in respect of the Securities of that series and this 
Indenture may be served and where Bearer Securities of that series and 
related coupons may be presented or surrendered for payment in the 
circumstances described in the following paragraph (and not otherwise), (B) 
subject to any laws or regulations applicable thereto, in a Place of Payment 
for that series which is located outside the United States, an office or 
agency where Securities of that series and related coupons may be presented 
and surrendered for payment (including payment of any additional amounts 
payable on Securities of that series pursuant to Section 10.4); provided, 
however, that if the Securities of that series are listed on The Stock 
Exchange of the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland, the Luxembourg 
Stock Exchange or any other stock exchange located outside the United States 
and such stock exchange shall so require, the Company will maintain a Paying 
Agent for the Securities of that series in London, Luxembourg or any other 
required city located outside the United States, as the case may be, so long 
as the Securities of that series are listed on such exchange, and (C) subject 
to any laws or regulations applicable thereto in a Place of Payment for that 
series located outside the United States an office or agency where any 
Registered Securities of that series may be surrendered for registration of 
transfer, where Securities of that series may be surrendered for conversion 
or exchange and where notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect 
of the Securities of that series and this Indenture may be served. The 
Company will give prompt notice to the Trustee and to the Holders as 

                                          57
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provided in Sections 1.5 and 1.6, respectively, of the location and any 
change in the location, of any such office or agency. If at any time the 
Company shall fail to maintain any such required office or agency in respect 
of any series of Securities or shall fail to furnish the Trustee with the 
address thereof, such presentations and surrenders of Securities of that 
series may be made and notices and demands may be made or served at the 
Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee, except that Bearer Securities of that 
series and the related coupons may be presented and surrendered for payment 
(including payment of any additional amounts payable on Bearer Securities of 
that series pursuant to Section 10.4) at the office of the Trustee for such 
series located outside the United States, and the Company hereby appoints the 
same as its agent to receive such respective presentations, surrenders, 
notices and demands.

   No payment of principal, premium or interest on Bearer Securities shall be 
made at any office or agency of the Company in the United States or by check 
mailed to any address in the United States or by transfer to any account 
maintained with a bank located in the United States; provided, however, that 
if the Securities of a series are denominated and payable in Dollars, payment 
of principal of and any premium and interest on any Bearer Security 
(including any additional amounts payable on Securities of such series 
pursuant to Section 10.4) shall be made at the office of the Company's Paying 
Agent in The City of New York, if (but only if) payment in Dollars of the 
full amount of such principal, premium, interest or additional amounts, as 
the case may be, at all offices or agencies outside the United States 
maintained for the purpose by the Company in accordance with this Indenture 
is illegal or effectively precluded by exchange controls or other similar 
restrictions.

   The Company may also from time to time designate one or more other offices 
or agencies where the Securities of one or more series may be presented or 
surrendered for any or all such purposes and may from time to time rescind 
such designations; provided, however, that no such designation or rescission 
shall in any manner relieve the Company of its obligation to maintain an 
office or agency in accordance with the requirements set forth above for 
Securities of any series for such purposes. The Company will give prompt 
written notice to the Trustee and the Holders of any such designation or 
rescission and of any change in the location of any such other office or 
agency.

SECTION 10.3.       Money for Securities Payments to Be Held in Trust.

   If the Company shall at any time act as its own Paying Agent with respect 
to any series of Securities, it will, on or before each due date of the 
principal of and any premium or interest on any of the Securities of that 
series, segregate and hold in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled 
thereto a sum sufficient to pay the principal and any premium or interest so 
becoming due until such sums shall be paid to such Persons or otherwise 
disposed of as herein provided and will promptly notify the Trustee of its 
action or failure to act.

   Whenever the Company shall have one or more Paying Agents for any series 
of Securities it will, prior to each due date of the principal of and any 
premium or interest on any Securities of that series, deposit with a Paying 
Agent a sum sufficient to pay the 

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<PAGE>

principal and any premium or interest so becoming due, such sum to be held in 
trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled to such principal, premium or 
interest, and (unless such Paying Agent is the Trustee) the Company will 
promptly notify the Trustee of its action or failure to act.

   The Company will cause each Paying Agent for any series of Securities 
other than the Trustee to execute and deliver to the Trustee an instrument in 
which such Paying Agent shall agree with the Trustee, subject to the 
provisions of this Section, that such Paying Agent will:

   (1) hold all sums held by it for the payment of the principal of and any 
premium or interest on Securities of that series in trust for the benefit of 
the Persons entitled thereto until such sums shall be paid to such Persons or 
otherwise disposed of as herein provided;

   (2) give the Trustee notice of any default by the Company (or any other 
obligor upon the Securities of that series) in the making of any payment of 
principal of and any premium or interest on the Securities of that series; and

   (3) at any time during the continuance of any such default, upon the 
written request of the Trustee, forthwith pay to the Trustee all sums so held 
in trust by such Paying Agent.

   The Company may at any time, for the purpose of obtaining the satisfaction 
and discharge of this Indenture or for any other purpose, pay, or by Company 
Order direct any Paying Agent to pay, to the Trustee all sums held in trust 
by the Company or such Paying Agent, such sums to be held by the Trustee upon 
the same trusts as those upon which such sums were held by the Company or 
such Paying Agent; and, upon such payment by any Paying Agent to the Trustee, 
such Paying Agent shall be released from all further liability with respect 
to such money.

   Any money deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent, or then held by 
the Company, in trust for the payment of the principal of and any premium or 
interest on any Security of any series and remaining unclaimed for two years 
after such principal and any premium or interest has become due and payable 
shall be paid to the Company on Company Request, or (if then held by the 
Company) shall be discharged from such trust; and the Holder of such Security 
or any coupon appertaining thereto shall thereafter, as an unsecured general 
creditor, look only to the Company for payment thereof, and all liability of 
the Trustee or such Paying Agent with respect to such trust money and all 
liability of the Company as trustee thereof shall thereupon cease; provided, 
however, that the Trustee or such Paying Agent, before being required to make 
any such repayment, may at the expense of the Company cause to be published 
once, in an Authorized Newspaper in each Place of Payment, notice that such 
money remains unclaimed and that after a date specified therein, which shall 
not be less than 30 days from the date of such publication, any unclaimed 
balance of such money then remaining will be repaid to the Company.

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<PAGE>

SECTION 10.4.  Additional Amounts.

   If the Securities of a series provide for the payment of additional 
amounts, the Company will pay to the Holder of any Security of such series or 
any coupon appertaining thereto additional amounts as provided therein. 
Whenever in this Indenture there is mentioned, in any context, the payment of 
the principal of or any premium or interest on, or in respect of any Security 
of any series or payment of any related coupon or the net proceeds received 
on the sale or exchange of any Security of any series, such mention shall be 
deemed to include mention of the payment of additional amounts provided for 
in this Section to the extent that, in such context additional amounts are, 
were or would be payable in respect thereof pursuant to the provisions of 
this Section and express mention of the payment of additional amounts (if 
applicable) in any provisions hereof shall not be construed as excluding 
additional amounts in those provisions hereof where such express mention is 
not made.

   If the Securities of a series provide for the payment of additional 
amounts, at least 10 days prior to the first Interest Payment Date with 
respect to that series of Securities (or if the Securities of that series 
will not bear interest prior to Maturity, the first day on which a payment of 
principal and any premium is made), and at least 10 days prior to each date 
of payment of principal and any premium or interest if there has been any 
change with respect to the matters set forth in the below-mentioned Officers' 
Certificate, the Company will furnish the Trustee and the Company's principal 
Paying Agent or Paying Agents, if other than the Trustee, with an Officers' 
Certificate instructing the Trustee and such Paying Agent or Paying Agents 
whether such payment of principal of and any premium or interest on the 
Securities of that series shall be made to Holders of Securities of that 
series or any related coupons who are United States Aliens without 
withholding for or on account of any tax assessment or other governmental 
charge described in the Securities of that series. If any such withholding 
shall be required, then such Officers' Certificate shall specify by country 
the amount, if any, required to be withheld on such payments to such Holders 
of Securities or coupons and the Company will pay to the Trustee or such 
Paying Agent the additional amounts required by this Section. The Company 
covenants to indemnify the Trustee and any Paying Agent for, and to hold them 
harmless against, any loss, liability or expense reasonably incurred without 
negligence or willful misconduct on their part arising out of or in 
connection with actions taken or omitted by any of them in reliance on any 
Officers' Certificate furnished pursuant to this Section.

SECTION 10.5.  Existence.

   Subject to Article VIII, the Company will do or cause to be done all 
things necessary to preserve and keep in full force and effect its existence, 
rights (charter and statutory) and franchises; provided, however, that the 
Company shall not be required to preserve any such right or franchise if the 
Board of Directors shall determine that the preservation thereof is no longer 
desirable in the conduct of the business of the Company and that the loss 
thereof is not disadvantageous in any material respect to the Holders.

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<PAGE>

SECTION 10.6.  Purchase of Securities by Company or Subsidiary.

   If and so long as the Securities of a series are listed on The Stock 
Exchange of the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland and such stock 
exchange shall so require, the Company will not, and will not permit any of 
its Subsidiaries to, purchase any Securities of that series by private treaty 
at a price (exclusive of expenses and accrued interest) which exceeds 120% of 
the mean of the nominal quotations of the Securities of that series as shown 
in The Stock Exchange Daily Official List for the last trading day preceding 
the date of purchase.

SECTION 10.7.  Statement by Officers as to Default.

   The Company will deliver to the Trustee, within 120 days after the end of 
each fiscal year of the Company ending after the date hereof, an Officers' 
Certificate signed by its principal executive officer, principal financial 
officer or principal accounting officer stating whether or not to the best 
knowledge of the signer thereof the Company is in default in the performance 
and observance of any of the terms, provisions and conditions of this 
Indenture, and if the Company shall be in default, specifying all such 
defaults and the nature and status thereof of which they may have knowledge.

                                      ARTICLE XI

                               Redemption Of Securities

SECTION 11.1.  Applicability of Article.

   Securities of any series which are redeemable before their Stated Maturity 
shall be redeemable in accordance with their terms and (except as otherwise 
specified as contemplated by Section 3.1 for Securities of any series) in 
accordance with this Article.

SECTION 11.2.  Election to Redeem; Notice to Trustee.

   The election of the Company to redeem any Securities shall be evidenced by 
an Officers' Certificate. In the case of any redemption, at the election of 
the Company of less than all the Securities of any series, the Company shall, 
at least 60 days prior to the Redemption Date fixed by the Company (unless a 
shorter notice shall be satisfactory to the Trustee), notify the Trustee of 
such Redemption Date and of the principal amount of Securities of such series 
to be redeemed. In the case of any redemption of Securities (i) prior to the 
expiration of any restriction on such redemption provided in the terms of 
such Securities or elsewhere in this Indenture, or (ii) pursuant to an 
election of the Company which is subject to a condition specified in the 
terms of such Securities, the Company shall furnish the Trustee with an 
Officers' Certificate evidencing compliance with such restriction or 
condition.

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<PAGE>

SECTION 11.3.  Selection by Trustee of Securities to Be Redeemed.

   If less than all the Securities of any series and of like tenor are to be 
redeemed, the particular Securities to be redeemed shall be selected not more 
than 60 days prior to the Redemption Date by the Trustee, from the 
Outstanding Securities of such series and of like tenor not previously called 
for redemption, by such method as the Trustee shall deem fair and appropriate 
and which may provide for the selection, for redemption of portions (equal to 
the minimum authorized denomination for Securities of that series or any 
integral multiple thereof) of the principal amount of Registered Securities 
of such series of a denomination larger than the minimum authorized 
denomination for Securities of that series. If so specified in the Securities 
of a series, partial redemptions must be in an amount not less than 
$1,000,000 principal amount of Securities.

   If any Security selected for partial redemption is converted in part 
before termination of the conversion right with respect to the portion of the 
Security so selected, the converted portion of such Security shall be deemed 
(so far as may be) to be the portion selected for redemption. Securities (or 
portions thereof) which have been converted during a selection of Securities 
to be redeemed shall be treated by the Trustee as Outstanding for the purpose 
of such selection. In any case where more than one Security is registered in 
the same name, the Trustee in its discretion may treat the aggregate 
principal amount so registered as if it were represented by one Security.

   The Trustee shall promptly notify the Company in writing of the Securities 
selected for redemption and, in the case of any Securities selected for 
partial redemption, the principal amount thereof to be redeemed.

   For all purposes of this Indenture, unless the context otherwise requires, 
all provisions relating to the redemption of Securities shall relate, in the 
case of any Securities redeemed or to be redeemed only in part, to the 
portion of the principal amount of such Securities which has been or is to be 
redeemed.

SECTION 11.4.  Notice of Redemption.

   Notice of redemption shall be given in the manner provided in Section 1.6 
to the Holders of Securities to be redeemed not less than 30 nor more than 60 
days prior to the Redemption Date.

   All notices of redemption shall state:

   (1) the Redemption Date;

   (2) the Redemption Price;

   (3) if less than all the Outstanding Securities of any series are to be 
redeemed, the identification (and, in the case of partial redemption, the 
principal amounts) of the particular Securities to be redeemed, and a 
statement to the effect that on or after the Redemption Date upon surrender 
of such Security a new Security in the principal amount equal to the 
unredeemed portion will be issued;

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<PAGE>

   (4) that on the Redemption Date the Redemption Price will become due and 
payable upon each such Security to be redeemed and, if applicable, that 
interest thereon will cease to accrue on and after said date;

   (5) the place or places where such Securities, together in the case of 
Bearer Securities with all coupons appertaining thereto, if any maturing 
after the Redemption Date, are to be surrendered for payment of the 
Redemption Price;

   (6) that the redemption is for a sinking fund, if such is the case; and

   (7) if applicable, the conversion rate or price, the date on which the 
right to convert the Securities to be redeemed will terminate and the place 
or places where such Securities may be surrendered for conversion.

   A notice of redemption published as contemplated by Section 1.6 need not 
identify particular Registered Securities to be redeemed.

   Notice of redemption of Securities to be redeemed at the election of the 
Company shall be given by the Company or, at the Company's request, by the 
Trustee in the name and at the expense of the Company.

SECTION 11.5.  Deposit of Redemption Price.

   Prior to any Redemption Date, the Company shall deposit with the Trustee 
or with a Paying Agent (or, if the Company is acting as its own Paying Agent, 
segregate and hold in trust as provided in Section 10.3) an amount of money 
sufficient to pay the Redemption Price of, and (except if the Redemption Date 
shall be an Interest Payment Date) accrued interest on, all the Securities 
which are to be redeemed on that date.

SECTION 11.6.  Securities Payable on Redemption Date.

   Notice of redemption having been given as aforesaid, the Securities so to 
be redeemed shall on the Redemption Date become due and payable at the 
Redemption Price therein specified, and from and after such date (unless the 
Company shall default in the payment of the Redemption Price and accrued 
interest) such Securities shall cease to bear interest and the coupons for 
such interest appertaining to any Bearer Securities so to be redeemed except 
to the extent provided below, shall be void. Upon surrender of any such 
Security for redemption in accordance with said notice together with all 
coupons, if any, appertaining thereto maturing after the Redemption Date, 
such Security shall be paid by the Company at the Redemption Price together 
with accrued interest to the Redemption Date; provided, however, that 
installments of interest on Bearer Securities whose Stated Maturity is on or 
prior to the Redemption Date shall be payable only at an office or agency 
located outside the United States (except as otherwise provided in Section 
10.2) and, unless otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 3.1, only 
upon presentation and surrender of coupons for such interest; and provided, 
further, that, unless otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 3.1, 
installments of interest on Registered Securities whose Stated Maturity is on 
or prior to the Redemption Date shall be payable to the Holders of such 
Securities or one or more Predecessor Securities, registered as such at the 
close of business on the relevant Record Dates according to their terms and 
the provisions of Section 3.7.

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<PAGE>

   If any Bearer Security surrendered for redemption shall not be accompanied 
by all appurtenant coupons maturing after the Redemption Date, such Security 
may be paid after deducting from the Redemption Price an amount equal to the 
face amount of all such missing coupons, or the surrender of such missing 
coupon or coupons may be waived by the Company and the Trustee if there be 
furnished to them such security or indemnity as they may require to save each 
of them and any Paying Agent harmless. If thereafter the Holder of such 
Security shall surrender to the Trustee or any Paying Agent any such missing 
coupon in respect of which a deduction shall have been made from the 
Redemption Price, such Holder shall be entitled to receive the amount so 
deducted; provided, however, that interest represented by coupons shall be 
payable only at an office or agency located outside the United States (except 
as otherwise provided in Section 10.2) and unless otherwise specified as 
contemplated by Section 3.1 only upon presentation and surrender of those 
coupons.

   If any Security called for redemption shall not be so paid upon surrender 
thereof for redemption, the principal and any premium shall, until paid, bear 
interest from the Redemption Date at the rate prescribed therefor in the 
Security.

SECTION 11.7.  Securities Redeemed in Part.

   Any Registered Security which is to be redeemed only in part shall be 
surrendered at a Place of Payment therefor (with, if the Company or the 
Trustee so requires, due endorsement by, or a written instrument of transfer 
in form satisfactory to the Company and the Trustee duly executed by, the 
Holder thereof or his attorney duly authorized in writing), and the Company 
shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver to the Holder 
of such Security without service charge, a new Registered Security or 
Securities of the same series and of like tenor of any authorized 
denomination as requested by such Holder, in aggregate principal amount equal 
to and in exchange for the unredeemed portion of the principal of the 
Security so surrendered.

                                     ARTICLE XII

                                    Sinking Funds

SECTION 12.1.  Applicability of Article.

   The provisions of this Article shall be applicable to any sinking fund for 
the retirement of Securities of a series except as otherwise specified as 
contemplated by Section 3.1 for Securities of such series.

   The minimum amount of any sinking fund payment provided for by the terms 
of Securities of any series is herein referred to as a "mandatory sinking 
fund payment", and any payment in excess of such minimum amount provided for 
by the terms of Securities of any series is herein referred to as an 
"optional sinking fund payment". If provided for by the terms of Securities 
of any series, the cash amount of any sinking fund payment may be subject to 
reduction as provided in Section 12.2. Each sinking fund payment shall be 
applied to the redemption of Securities of any series as provided for by the 
terms of Securities of such series.

                                          64
<PAGE>

SECTION 12.2.  Satisfaction of Sinking Fund Payments with Securities.

   The Company (1) may deliver Outstanding Securities of a series (other than 
any previously called for redemption), together in the case of any Bearer 
Securities of such series with all unmatured coupons appertaining thereto, 
and (2) may apply as a credit Securities of a series which have been redeemed 
either at the election of the Company pursuant to the terms of such 
Securities or through the application of permitted optional sinking fund 
payments pursuant to the terms of such Securities, in each case in 
satisfaction of all or any part of any sinking fund payment with respect to 
the Securities of such series required to be made pursuant to the terms of 
such Securities, as provided for by the terms of such series; provided that 
such Securities have not been previously so credited. Such Securities shall 
be received and credited for such purpose by the Trustee at the Redemption 
Price specified in such Securities for redemption through operation of the 
sinking fund and the amount of such sinking fund payment shall be reduced 
accordingly.

SECTION 12.3.  Redemption of Securities for Sinking Fund.

   Not less than 60 days prior to each sinking fund payment date for any 
series of Securities, the Company will deliver to the Trustee an Officers' 
Certificate specifying the amount of the next ensuing sinking fund payment 
for that series pursuant to the terms of that series, the portion thereof, if 
any, which is to be satisfied by payment of cash and the portion thereof, if 
any, which is to be satisfied by delivering and crediting Securities of that 
series pursuant to Section 12.2 and will also deliver to the Trustee any 
Securities to be so delivered. Not less than 45 days before each such sinking 
fund payment date the Trustee shall select the Securities to be redeemed upon 
such sinking fund payment date in the manner specified in Section 11.3 and 
cause notice of the redemption thereof to be given in the name of and at the 
expense of the Company in the manner provided in Section 11.4. Such notice 
having been duly given, the redemption of such Securities shall be made upon 
the terms and in the manner stated in Sections 11.6 and 11.7.

                                     ARTICLE XIII


                          Meetings Of Holders Of Securities

SECTION 13.1.  Purposes for Which Meetings May be Called.

   If Securities of a series are issuable as Bearer Securities, a meeting of 
Holders of Securities of such series may be called at any time and from time 
to time pursuant to this Article to make, give or take any request, demand, 
authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action provided by 
this Indenture to be made, given or taken by Holders of Securities of such 
series.

                                          65

<PAGE>

SECTION 13.2.  Call, Notice and Place of Meetings.

   (a) The Trustee may at any time call a meeting of Holders of Securities of 
any series for any purpose specified in Section 13.1, to be held at such time 
and at such place in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, or in 
London as the Trustee shall determine. Notice of every meeting of Holders of 
Securities of any series, setting forth the time and the place of such 
meeting and in general terms the action proposed to be taken at such meeting, 
shall be given, in the manner provided in Section 1.6, not less than 21 nor 
more than 180 days prior to the date fixed for the meeting (or, in the case 
of a meeting of Holders with respect to Securities of a series all or part of 
which are represented by a Book-Entry Security, not less than 20 nor more 
than 40 days).

   (b) In case at any time the Company, pursuant to a Board Resolution, or 
the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities 
of any series shall have requested the Trustee to call a meeting of the 
Holders of Securities of such series for any purpose specified in Section 
13.1, by written request setting forth in reasonable detail the action 
proposed to be taken at the meeting, and the Trustee shall not have made the 
first publication of the notice of such meeting within 21 days after receipt 
of such request or shall not thereafter proceed to cause the meeting to be 
held as provided herein, then the Company or the Holders of Securities of 
such series in the amount above specified, as the case may be, may determine 
the time and the place in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York or 
in London for such meeting and may call such meeting for such purposes by 
giving notice thereof as provided in subsection (a) of this Section.

SECTION 13.3.  Persons Entitled to Vote at Meetings.

   Upon the calling of a meeting of Holders with respect to the Securities of 
a series all or part of which are represented by a Book-Entry Security, a 
record date shall be established for determining Holders of Outstanding 
Securities of such series entitled to vote at such meeting, which record date 
shall be the close of business on the day the notice of the meeting of 
Holders is given in accordance with Section 13.2. The Holders on such record 
date, and their designated proxies, and only such Persons, shall be entitled 
to vote at any meeting of Holders. To be entitled to vote at any meeting of 
Holders a Person shall (a) be a Holder of one or more Securities or (b) be a 
Person appointed by an instrument in writing as proxy by a Holder of one or 
more Securities; provided, however, that in the case of any meeting of 
Holders with respect to the Securities of a series all or part of which are 
represented by a Book-Entry Security, only Holders, or their designated 
proxies, of record on the record date established pursuant to Section 13.3 
hereof shall be entitled to vote at such meeting. The only Persons who shall 
be entitled to be present or to speak at any meeting of Holders shall be the 
Persons entitled to vote at such meeting and their counsel and any 
representatives of the Trustee and its counsel and any representatives of the 
Company and its counsel.

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SECTION 13.4.  Quorum; Action.

   The Persons entitled to vote a majority in principal amount of the 
Outstanding Securities of a series constitute a quorum for a meeting 
of Holders of Securities of such series; provided, however, that if any 
action is to be taken at such meeting with respect to a consent or waiver 
which this Indenture expressly provides may be given by the Holders of a 
specified percentage in aggregate principal amount of Outstanding Securities 
of a series that is less or greater than a majority in principal amount of 
the Outstanding Securities of a series, then, with respect to such action 
(and only such action), the Persons entitled to vote such lesser or greater 
percentage in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series 
shall constitute a quorum. In the absence of a quorum within 30 minutes of 
the time appointed for any such meeting, the meeting shall, if convened at 
the request of Holders of Securities of such series, be dissolved. In any 
other case the meeting may be adjourned for a period of not less than 10 days 
as determined by the chairman of the meeting prior to the adjournment of such 
meeting. In the absence of a quorum at any such adjourned meeting, such 
adjourned meeting may be further adjourned for a period of not less than 10 
days as determined by the chairman of the meeting prior to the adjournment of 
such adjourned meeting. Notice of the reconvening of any adjourned meeting 
shall be given as provided in Section 13.2 (a), except that such notice need 
be given only once not less than five days prior to the date on which the 
meeting is scheduled to be reconvened. Notice of the reconvening of an 
adjourned meeting shall state expressly the percentage, as provided above, of 
the principal amount of the outstanding Securities of such series which shall 
constitute a quorum. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no meeting of Holders 
with respect to Securities of any Series which is represented in whole or in 
part by a Book-Entry Security, shall be adjourned to a date more than 90 days 
after the record date for such meeting unless the Trustee shall send out a 
new notice of meeting and establish, in accordance with Section 13.3, a new 
record date for Holders entitled to vote at such meeting.

   Except as limited by the proviso to Section 9.2, any resolution presented 
to a meeting or adjourned meeting duly reconvened at which a quorum is 
present as aforesaid may be adopted by the affirmative vote of the Holders of 
a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series; 
provided, however, that, except as limited by the proviso to Section 9.2 any 
resolution with respect to any consent or waiver which this Indenture 
expressly provides may be given by the Holders of a specified percentage in 
aggregate principal amount of Outstanding Securities of a series that is less 
or greater than a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities 
of a series may be adopted at a meeting or an adjourned meeting duly convened 
and at which a quorum is present as aforesaid only by the affirmative vote of 
the Holders of such specified percentage in principal amount of the 
Outstanding Securities of that series.

   Any resolution passed or decision taken at any meeting of Holders of 
Securities of any series duly held in accordance with this Section shall be 
binding on all the Holders of Securities of such series and the related 
coupons, whether or not present or represented at the meeting.

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SECTION 13.5.  Determination of Voting Rights; Conduct and Adjournment 
               of Meetings.

   (a) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Indenture, the Trustee 
may make such reasonable regulations as it may deem advisable for any meeting 
of Holders of Securities of a series in regard to proof of the holding of 
Securities of such series and of the appointment of proxies and in regard to 
the appointment and duties of inspectors of votes, the submission and 
examination of proxies, certificates and other evidence of the right to vote, 
and such other matters concerning the conduct of the meeting as it shall deem 
appropriate. Except as otherwise permitted or required by any such 
regulations, the holding of Securities shall be proved in the manner 
specified in Section 1.4 and the appointment of any proxy shall be proved in 
the manner specified in Section 1.4 or by having the signature of the person 
executing the proxy witnessed or guaranteed by any trust company, bank or 
banker authorized by Section 1.4 to certify to the holding of Bearer 
Securities. Such regulations may provide that written instruments appointing 
proxies, regular on their face, may be presumed valid and genuine without the 
proof specified in Section 1.4 or other proof.

   (b) The Trustee shall, by an instrument in writing, appoint a temporary 
chairman of the meeting, unless the meeting shall have been called by the 
Company or by Holders of Securities as provided in Section 13.2(b), in which 
case the Company or the Holders of Securities of the series calling the 
meeting, as the case may be, shall in like manner appoint a temporary 
chairman. A permanent chairman and a permanent secretary of the meeting shall 
be elected by vote of the Persons entitled to vote a majority in principal 
amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series represented at the 
meeting.

   (c) At any meeting each Holder of a Security of such series or proxy shall 
be entitled to one vote for each $ 1,000 principal amount of the Outstanding 
Securities of such series held or represented by him; provided, however, that 
no vote shall be cast or counted at any meeting in respect of any Security 
challenged as not Outstanding and ruled by the chairman of the meeting to be 
not Outstanding. The chairman of the meeting shall have no right to vote, 
except as a Holder of a Security of such series or proxy.

   (d) Any meeting of Holders of Securities of any series duly called 
pursuant to Section 13.2 at which a quorum is present may be adjourned from 
time to time by Persons entitled to vote a majority in principal amount of 
the Outstanding Securities of such series represented at the meeting; and the 
meeting may be held as so adjourned without further notice.

SECTION 13.6.  Counting Votes and Recording Action of Meetings.

   The vote upon any resolution submitted to any meeting of Holders of 
Securities of any series shall be by written ballots on which shall be 
subscribed the signatures of the Holders of Securities of such series or of 
their representatives by proxy and the principal amounts and serial numbers 
of the Outstanding Securities of such series held or represented by them. The 
permanent chairman of the meeting shall appoint two inspectors of votes who 
shall count all votes cast at the meeting for or against any 

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resolution and who shall make and file with the secretary of the meeting 
their verified written reports in duplicate of all votes cast at the meeting. 
A record, at least in duplicate, of the proceedings of each meeting of 
Holders of Securities of any series shall be prepared by the secretary of the 
meeting and there shall be attached to said record the original reports of 
the inspectors of votes on any vote by ballot taken thereat and affidavits by 
one or more persons having knowledge of the facts setting forth a copy of the 
notice of the meeting and showing that said notice was given as provided in 
Section 13.2 and, if applicable, Section 13.4. Each copy shall be signed and 
verified by the affidavits of the permanent chairman and secretary of the 
meeting and one such copy shall be delivered to the Company, and another to 
the Trustee to be preserved by the Trustee, the latter to have attached 
thereto the ballots voted at the meeting. Any record so signed and verified 
shall be conclusive evidence of the matters therein stated.

                                     ARTICLE XIV

                               Conversion Of Securities

SECTION 14.1.  Applicability of Article.

   The provisions of this Article shall be applicable to the Securities of 
any series which are convertible into shares of Common Stock of the Company, 
and the issuance of such shares of Common Stock upon the conversion of such 
Securities, except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 3.1 for 
the Securities of such series. The terms and provisions applicable to the 
conversion of Securities of any series into securities of the Company (other 
than Common Stock) shall, if applicable, be set forth in an Officers' 
Certificate or established in one or more indentures supplemental hereto, 
prior to the issuance of Securities of such series in accordance with 
Section 3.1.

SECTION 14.2.  Exercise of Conversion Privilege.

   In order to exercise a conversion privilege, the Holder of a Security of a 
series with such a privilege shall surrender such Security to the Company at 
the office or agency maintained for that purpose pursuant to Section 10.2, 
accompanied by written notice to the Company that the Holder elects to 
convert such Security or a specified portion thereof. Such notice shall also 
state, if different from the name and address of such Holder, the name or 
names (with address) in which the certificate or certificates for shares of 
Common Stock which shall be issuable on such conversion shall be issued. 
Securities surrendered for conversion shall (if so required by the Company or 
the Trustee) be duly endorsed by or accompanied by instruments of transfer in 
forms satisfactory to the Company and the Trustee duly executed by the 
registered Holder or its attorney duly authorized in writing; and Securities 
so surrendered for conversion during the period from the close of business on 
any Regular Record Date to the opening of business on the next succeeding 
Interest Payment Date (excluding Securities or portions thereof called for 
redemption during such period) shall also be accompanied by payment in funds 
acceptable to the Company of an amount equal to the interest payable on such 
Interest Payment Date on the principal amount of such Security then being 
converted, and such interest shall be payable to such registered Holder 
notwithstanding the conversion of 

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such Security, subject to the provisions of Section 3.7 relating to the 
payment of Defaulted Interest by the Company. As promptly as practicable 
after the receipt of such notice and of any payment required pursuant to a 
Board Resolution and, subject to Section 3.1, set forth, or determined in the 
manner provided, in an Officers' Certificate, or established in one or more 
indentures supplemental hereto setting forth the terms of such series of 
Security, and the surrender of such Security in accordance with such 
reasonable regulations as the Company may prescribe, the Company shall issue 
and shall deliver, at the office or agency at which such Security is 
surrendered, to such Holder or on its written order, a certificate or 
certificates for the number of full shares of Common Stock issuable upon the 
conversion of such Security (or specified portion thereof), in accordance 
with the provisions of such Board Resolution, Officers' Certificate or 
supplemental indenture, and cash as provided therein in respect of any 
fractional share of such Common Stock otherwise issuable upon such 
conversion. Such conversion shall be deemed to have been effected immediately 
prior to the close of business on the date on which such notice and such 
payment, if required, shall have been received in proper order for conversion 
by the Company and such Security shall have been surrendered as aforesaid 
(unless such Holder shall have so surrendered such Security and shall have 
instructed the Company to effect the conversion on a particular date 
following such surrender and such Holder shall be entitled to convert such 
Security on such date, in which case such conversion shall be deemed to be 
effected immediately prior to the close of business on such date) and at such 
time the rights of the Holder of such Security as such Security Holder shall 
cease and the person or persons in whose name or names any certificate or 
certificates for shares of Common Stock of the Company shall be issuable upon 
such conversion shall be deemed to have become the holder or holders of 
record of the shares represented thereby. Except as set forth above and 
subject to the final paragraph of Section 3.7, no payment or adjustment shall 
be made upon any conversion on account of any interest accrued on the 
Securities surrendered for conversion or on account of any dividends on the 
Common Stock of the Company issued upon such conversion.

   In the case of any Security which is converted in part only, upon such 
conversion the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and 
deliver to or on the order of the Holder thereof, at the expense of the 
Company, a new Security or Securities of the same series, of authorized 
denominations, in aggregate principal amount equal to the unconverted portion 
of such Security.

SECTION 14.3.  No Fractional Shares.

   No fractional share of Common Stock of the Company shall be issued upon 
conversions of Securities of any series. If more than one Security shall be 
surrendered for conversion at one time by the same Holder, the number of full 
shares which shall be issuable upon conversion shall be computed on the basis 
of the aggregate principal amount of the Securities (or specified portions 
thereof to the extent permitted hereby) so surrendered. If, except for the 
provisions of this Section 14.3, any Holder of a Security or Securities would 
be entitled to a fractional share of Common Stock of the Company upon the 
conversion of such Security or Securities, or specified portions thereof, the 
Company shall pay to such Holder an amount in cash equal to the current 
market value of such 

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fractional share computed, (i) if such Common Stock is listed or admitted to 
unlisted trading privileges on a national securities exchange, on the basis 
of the last reported sale price regular way on such exchange on the last 
trading day prior to the date of conversion upon which such a sale shall have 
been effected, or (ii) if such Common Stock is not at the time so listed or 
admitted to unlisted trading privileges on a national securities exchange, on 
the basis of the average of the bid and asked prices of such Common Stock in 
the over-the-counter market, on the last trading day prior to the date of 
conversion, as reported by the National Quotation Bureau, Incorporated or 
similar organization if the National Quotation Bureau, Incorporated is no 
longer reporting such information, or if not so available, the fair market 
price as determined by the Board of Directors. For purposes of this Section, 
"trading day" shall mean each Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday 
other than any day on which the Common Stock is not traded on the New York 
Stock Exchange, or if the Common Stock is not traded on the New York Stock 
Exchange, on the principal exchange or market on which the Common Stock is 
traded or quoted.

SECTION 14.4.  Adjustment of Conversion Price.

   The conversion price of Securities of any series that is convertible into 
Common Stock of the Company shall be adjusted for any stock dividends, stock 
splits, reclassification, combinations or similar transactions in accordance 
with the terms of the supplemental indenture or Board Resolutions setting 
forth the terms of the Securities of such series.

   Whenever the conversion price is adjusted, the Company shall compute the 
adjusted conversion price in accordance with terms of the applicable Board 
Resolution or supplemental indenture and shall prepare an Officers' 
Certificate setting forth the adjusted conversion price and showing in 
reasonable detail the facts upon which such adjustment is based, and such 
certificate shall forthwith be filed at each office or agency maintained for 
the purpose of conversion of Securities pursuant to Section 10.2 and, if 
different, with the Trustee. The Company shall forthwith cause a notice 
setting forth the adjusted conversion price to be mailed, first class postage 
prepaid, to each Holder of Securities of such series at its address appearing 
on the Security Register and to any conversion agent other than the Trustee.

SECTION 14.5.  Notice of Certain Corporate Actions.

      In case:

   (a) the Company shall declare a dividend (or any other distribution) on 
its Common Stock payable otherwise than in cash out of its retained earnings 
(other than a dividend for which approval of any shareholders of the Company 
is required); or

   (b) the Company shall authorize the granting to the holders of its Common 
Stock of rights, options or warrants to subscribe for or purchase any shares 
of capital stock of any class or of any other rights (other than any such 
grant for which approval of any shareholders of the Company is required); or

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   (c) of any reclassification of the Common Stock of the Company (other than 
a subdivision or combination of its outstanding shares of Common Stock) or of 
any consolidation, merger or share exchange to which the Company is a party 
and for which approval of any shareholders of the Company is required, or of 
the sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company; or

   (d) of the voluntary or involuntary dissolution, liquidation or winding up 
of the Company; then the Company shall cause to be filed with the Trustee, 
and shall cause to be mailed to all Holders at their last addresses as they 
shall appear in the Security Register, at least 20 days (or 10 days in any 
case specified in clause (a) or (b) above) prior to the applicable record 
date hereinafter specified, a notice stating (i) the date on which a record 
is to be taken for the purpose of such dividend, distribution, rights, 
options or warrants, or, if a record is not to be taken, the date as of which 
the holders of Common Stock of record to be entitled to such dividend, 
distribution, rights, options or warrants are to be determined, or (ii) the 
date on which such reclassification, consolidation, merger, share exchange, 
sale, dissolution, liquidation or winding up is expected to become effective, 
and the date as of which it is expected that holders of Common Stock of 
record shall be entitled to exchange their shares of Common Stock for 
securities, cash or other property deliverable upon such reclassification, 
consolidation, merger, share exchange; or

   (e) sale, dissolution, liquidation or winding up. If at any time the 
Trustee shall not be the conversion agent, a copy of such notice shall also 
forthwith be filed by the Company with the Trustee.

SECTION 14.6.  Reservation of Shares of Common Stock.

   The Company shall at all times reserve and keep available, free from 
preemptive rights, out of its authorized but unissued Common Stock or 
treasury shares, for the purpose of effecting the conversion of Securities, 
the full number of shares of Common Stock of the Company then issuable upon 
the conversion of all outstanding Securities of any series that has 
conversion rights.

SECTION 14.7.  Payment of Certain Taxes upon Conversion.

   The Company will pay any and all taxes that may be payable in respect of 
the issue or delivery of shares of its Common Stock on conversion of 
Securities pursuant hereto. The Company shall not, however, be required to 
pay any tax which may be payable in respect of any transfer involved in the 
issue and delivery of shares of its Common Stock in a name other than that of 
the Holder of the Security or Securities to be converted, and no such issue 
or delivery shall be made unless and until the person requesting such issue 
has paid to the Company the amount of any such tax, or has established, to 
the satisfaction of the Company, that such tax has been paid.

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SECTION 14.8.  Nonassessability.

   The Company covenants that all shares of its Common Stock which may be 
issued upon conversion of Securities will upon issue in accordance with the 
terms hereof be duly and validly issued and fully paid and nonassessable.

SECTION 14.9.  Effect of Consolidation or Merger on Conversion Privilege.

   In case of any consolidation of the Company with, or merger of the Company 
into or with any other Person, or in case of any sale of all or substantially 
all of the assets of the Company, the Company or the Person formed by such 
consolidation or the Person into which the Company shall have been merged or 
the Person which shall have acquired such assets, as the case may be, shall 
execute and deliver to the Trustee a supplemental indenture providing that 
the Holder of each Security then outstanding of any series that is 
convertible into Common Stock of the Company shall have the right, which 
right shall be the exclusive conversion right thereafter available to said 
Holder (until the expiration of the conversion right of such Security), to 
convert such Security into the kind and amount of shares of stock or other 
securities or property (including cash) receivable upon such consolidation, 
merger or sale by a holder of the number of shares of Common Stock of the 
Company into which such Security might have been converted immediately prior 
to such consolidation, merger or sale, subject to compliance with the other 
provisions of this Indenture, such Security and such supplemental indenture. 
Such supplemental indenture shall provide for adjustments which shall be as 
nearly equivalent as may be practicable to the adjustments provided for in 
such Security. The above provisions of this Section shall similarly apply to 
successive consolidations, mergers or sales. It is expressly agreed and 
understood that anything in this Indenture to the contrary notwithstanding, 
if, pursuant to such merger, consolidation or sale, holders of outstanding 
shares of Common Stock of the Company do not receive shares of common stock 
of the surviving corporation but receive other securities, cash or other 
property or any combination thereof, Holders of Securities shall not have the 
right to thereafter convert their Securities into common stock of the 
surviving corporation or the corporation which shall have acquired such 
assets, but rather, shall have the right upon such conversion to receive the 
other securities, cash or other property receivable by a holder of the number 
of shares of Common Stock of the Company into which the Securities held by 
such holder might have been converted immediately prior to such 
consolidation, merger or sale, all as more fully provided in the first 
sentence of this Section 14.9. Anything in this Section 14.9 to the contrary 
notwithstanding, the provisions of this Section 14.9 shall not apply to a 
merger or consolidation of another corporation with or into the Company 
pursuant to which both of the following conditions are applicable: (i) the 
Company is the surviving corporation and (ii) the outstanding shares of 
Common Stock of the Company are not changed or converted into any other 
securities or property (including cash) or changed in number or character or 
reclassified pursuant to the terms of such merger or consolidation.

   As evidence of the kind and amount of shares of stock or other securities 
or property (including cash) into which Securities may properly be 
convertible after any such consolidation, merger or sale, or as to the 
appropriate adjustments of the conversion prices applicable with respect 
thereto, the Trustee shall be furnished with and may accept 

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the certificate or opinion of an independent certified public accountant with 
respect thereto; and, in the absence of bad faith on the part of the Trustee, 
the Trustee may conclusively rely thereon, and shall not be responsible or 
accountable to any Holder of Securities for any provision in conformity 
therewith or approved by such independent certified accountant which may be 
contained in said supplemental indenture.

SECTION 14.10. Duties of Trustee Regarding Conversion.

   Neither the Trustee nor any conversion agent shall at any time be under 
any duty or responsibility to any Holder of Securities of any series that is 
convertible into Common Stock of the Company to determine whether any facts 
exist which may require any adjustment of the conversion price, or with 
respect to the nature or extent of any such adjustment when made, or with 
respect to the method employed, whether herein or in any supplemental 
indenture, any resolutions of the Board of Directors or written instrument 
executed by one or more officers of the Company provided to be employed in 
making the same. Neither the Trustee nor any conversion agent shall be 
accountable with respect to the validity or value (or the kind or amount) of 
any shares of Common Stock of the Company, or of any securities or property, 
which may at any time be issued or delivered upon the conversion of any 
Securities and neither the Trustee nor any conversion agent makes any 
representation with respect thereto. Neither the Trustee nor any conversion 
agent shall be responsible for any failure of the Company to issue, transfer 
or deliver any shares of its Common Stock or stock certificates or other 
securities or property upon the surrender of any Security for the purpose of 
conversion or to comply with any of the covenants of the Company contained in 
this Article XIV or in the applicable supplemental indenture, resolutions of 
the Board of Directors or written instrument executed by one or more duly 
authorized officers of the Company.

SECTION 14.11. Repayment of Certain Funds upon Conversion.

   Any funds which at any time shall have been deposited by the Company or on 
its behalf with the Trustee or any other paying agent for the purpose of 
paying the principal of, and premium, if any, and interest, if any, on any of 
the Securities (including funds deposited for the sinking fund referred to in 
Article III hereof) and which shall not be required for such purposes because 
of the conversion of such Securities as provided in this Article XIV shall 
after such conversion be repaid to the Company by the Trustee upon the 
Company's written request.

   This instrument may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of 
which so executed shall be deemed to be an original, but all such 
counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same instrument.

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                                      ARTICLE XV

                             Subordination Of Securities

SECTION 15.1.  Securities Subordinate to Senior Debt.

   The Company covenants and agrees, and each Holder of a Security, by his 
acceptance thereof, likewise covenants and agrees, that, to the extent and in 
the manner hereinafter set forth in this Article, the indebtedness 
represented by the Securities and the payment of the principal of (and 
premium, if any) and interest on each and all of the Securities are hereby 
expressly made subordinate and subject in right of payment to the prior 
payment in full of all Senior Debt.

SECTION 15.2.  Payment Over of Proceeds upon Dissolution, Etc.

   In the event of (a) any insolvency or bankruptcy case or proceeding, or 
any receivership, liquidation, reorganization or other similar case or 
proceeding in connection therewith, relative to the Company or to its 
creditors, as such, or to its assets, or (b) any liquidation, dissolution or 
other winding up of the Company, whether voluntary or involuntary and whether 
or not involving insolvency or bankruptcy, or (c) any assignment for the 
benefit of creditors or any other marshaling of assets and liabilities of the 
Company, then and in any such event the holders of Senior Debt shall be 
entitled to receive payment in full of all amounts due or to become due on or 
in respect of all Senior Debt, or provision shall be made for such payment in 
cash, before the Holders of the Securities are entitled to receive any 
payment on account of principal of (or premium, if any) or interest on the 
Securities, and to that end the holders of Senior Debt shall be entitled to 
receive, for application to the payment thereof, any payment or distribution 
of any kind or character, whether in cash, property or securities, including 
any such payment or distribution which may be payable or deliverable by 
reason of the payment of any other indebtedness of the Company being 
subordinated to the payment of the Securities, which may be payable or 
deliverable in respect of the Securities in any such case, proceeding, 
dissolution, liquidation or other winding up event.

   In the event that, notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this 
Section, the Trustee or the Holder of any Security shall have received any 
payment or distribution of assets of the Company of any kind or character, 
whether in cash, property or securities, including any such payment or 
distribution which may be payable or deliverable by reason of the payment of 
any other indebtedness of the Company being subordinated to the payment of 
the Securities, before all Senior Debt is paid in full or payment thereof 
provided for, and if such fact shall, at or prior to the time of such payment 
or distribution, have been made known to the Trustee or, as the case may be, 
such Holder, then and in such event such payment or distribution shall be 
paid over or delivered forthwith to the trustee in bankruptcy, receiver, 
liquidating trustee, custodian, assignee, agent or other Person making 
payment or distribution of assets of the Company for application to the 
payment of all Senior Debt remaining unpaid, to the extent necessary to pay 
all Senior Debt in full, after giving effect to any concurrent payment or 
distribution to or for the holders of Senior Debt. Any taxes that have been 
withheld or deducted from any payment 

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or distribution in respect of the Securities, or any taxes that ought to have 
been withheld or deducted from any such payment or distribution that have 
been remitted to the relevant taxing authority, shall not be considered to be 
an amount that the Trustee or the Holder of any Security receives for 
purposes of this Section.

   For purposes of this Article only, the words "cash, property or 
securities" shall not be deemed to include shares of stock of the Company as 
reorganized or readjusted, or securities of the Company or any other 
corporation provided for by a plan of reorganization or readjustment which 
are subordinated in right of payment to all Senior Debt which may at the time 
be outstanding to substantially the same extent as, or to a greater extent 
than, the Securities are so subordinated as provided in this Article. The 
consolidation of the Company with, or the merger of the Company into, another 
Person or the liquidation or dissolution of the Company following the 
conveyance or transfer of its properties and assets substantially as an 
entirety to another Person upon the terms and conditions set forth in Article 
VIII shall not be deemed a dissolution, winding up, liquidation, 
reorganization, assignment for the benefit of creditors or marshaling of 
assets and liabilities of the Company for the purposes of this Section if the 
Person formed by such consolidation or into which the Company is merged or 
the Person which acquires by conveyance or transfer such properties and 
assets substantially as an entirety, as the case may be, shall, as a part of 
such consolidation, merger, conveyance or transfer, comply with the 
conditions set forth in Article VIII.

SECTION 15.3.    Prior Payment to Senior Debt Upon Acceleration of Securities.

   In the event that any Securities are declared due and payable before their 
Stated Maturity, then and in such event the holders of Senior Debt shall be 
entitled to receive payment in full of all amounts due or to become due on or 
in respect of all Senior Debt or provision shall be made for such payment in 
cash, before the Holders of the Securities are entitled to receive any 
payment (including any payment which may be payable by reason of the payment 
of any other indebtedness of the Company being subordinated to the payment of 
the Securities) by the Company on account of the principal of (or premium, if 
any) or interest on the Securities or on account of the purchase or other 
acquisition of Securities; provided, however, that nothing in this Section 
shall prevent the satisfaction of any sinking fund payment in accordance with 
Article XII by delivering and crediting pursuant to Section 12.2 Securities 
which have been acquired (upon redemption or otherwise) prior to such 
declaration of acceleration or which have been converted pursuant to 
Article XIV.

   In the event that, notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company shall make 
any payment to the Trustee or the Holder of any Security prohibited by the 
foregoing provisions of this Section, and if such fact shall, at or prior to 
the time of such payment, have been made known to the Trustee or, as the case 
may be, such Holder, then and in such event such payment shall be paid over 
and delivered forthwith to the Company.

   The provisions of this Section shall not apply to any payment with respect 
to which Section 14.2 would be applicable.

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SECTION 15.4.  No Payment When Senior Debt in Default.

   In the event and during the continuation of any default in the payment of 
principal of (or premium, if any) or interest on any Senior Debt beyond any 
applicable grace period with respect thereto, or in the event that any event 
of default with respect to any Senior Debt shall have occurred and be 
continuing permitting the holders of such Senior Debt (or a trustee on behalf 
of the holders thereof) to declare such Senior Debt due and payable prior to 
the date on which it would otherwise have become due and payable, unless and 
until such event of default shall have been cured or waived or shall have 
ceased to exist and such acceleration shall have been rescinded or annulled, 
or (b) in the event any judicial proceeding shall be pending with respect to 
any such default in payment or event of default, then no payment (including 
any payment which may be payable by reason of the payment of any other 
indebtedness of the Company being subordinated to the payment of the 
Securities) shall be made by the Company on account of principal of (or 
premium, if any) or interest on the Securities or on account of the purchase 
or other acquisition of Securities; provided, however, that nothing in this 
Section shall prevent the satisfaction of any sinking fund payment in 
accordance with Article XII by delivering and crediting pursuant to Section 
12.2 Securities which have been acquired (upon redemption or otherwise) prior 
to such default in payment or event of default or which have been converted 
pursuant to Article XIV.

   In the event that, notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company shall make 
any payment to the Trustee or the Holder of any Security prohibited by the 
foregoing provisions of this Section, and if such fact shall, at or prior to 
the time of such payment, have been made known to the Trustee or, as the case 
may be, such Holder, then and in such event such payment shall be paid over 
and delivered forthwith to the Company.

   The provisions of this Section shall not apply to any payment with respect 
to which Section 15.2 would be applicable.

SECTION 15.5.  Payment Permitted in Certain Situations.

   Nothing contained in this Article or elsewhere in this Indenture or in any 
of the Securities shall prevent (a) the Company, at any time except during 
the pendency of any case, proceeding, dissolution, liquidation or other 
winding up, assignment for the benefit of creditors or other marshaling of 
assets and liabilities of the Company referred to in Section 15.2 or under 
the conditions described in Section 15.3 or 15.4, from making payments at any 
time of principal of (and premium, if any) or interest on the Securities, or 
(b) the application by the Trustee of any money deposited with it hereunder 
to the payment of or on account of the principal of (and premium, if any) or 
interest on the Securities or the retention of such payment by the holders, 
if, at the time of such application by the Trustee, it did not have knowledge 
that such payment would have been prohibited by the provisions of this 
Article.

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SECTION 15.6.  Subrogation to Rights of Holders of Senior Debt.

   Subject to the payment in full of all Senior Debt or the provision for 
such payment in cash or cash equivalents or otherwise in a manner 
satisfactory to the holders of Senior Debt, the Holders of the Securities 
shall be subrogated to the extent of the payments or distributions made to 
the holders of such Senior Debt pursuant to the provisions of this Article 
(equally and ratably with the holders of indebtedness of the Company which by 
its express terms is subordinated to indebtedness of the Company to 
substantially the same extent as the Securities are subordinated to the 
Senior Debt and is entitled to like rights of subrogation) to the rights of 
the holders of such Senior Debt to receive payments and distributions of 
cash, property and securities applicable to the Senior Debt until the 
principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on the Securities shall be 
paid in full. For purposes of such subrogation, no payments or distributions 
to the holders of the Senior Debt of any cash, property or securities to 
which the Holders of the Securities or the Trustee would be entitled except 
for the provisions of this Article, and no payments over pursuant to the 
provisions of this Article to the holders of Senior Debt by Holders of the 
Securities or the Trustee, shall, as among the Company, its creditors other 
than holders of Senior Debt and the Holders of the Securities, be deemed to 
be a payment or distribution by the Company to or on account of the Senior 
Debt.

SECTION 15.7.  Provisions Solely to Define Relative Rights.

   The provisions of this Article are and are intended solely for the purpose 
of defining the relative rights of the Holders of the Securities on the one 
hand and the holders of Senior Debt on the other hand. Nothing contained in 
this Article or elsewhere in this Indenture or in the Securities is intended 
to or shall (a) impair, as among the Company, its creditors other than 
holders of Senior Debt and the Holders of the Securities, the obligation of 
the Company, which is absolute and unconditional (and which, subject to the 
rights under this Article of the holders of Senior Debt, is intended to rank 
equally with all other general obligations of the Company), to pay to the 
Holders of the Securities the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest 
on the Securities as and when the same shall become due and payable in 
accordance with their terms; or (b) affect the relative rights against the 
Company of the Holders of the Securities and creditors of the Company other 
than the holders of Senior Debt; or (c) prevent the Trustee or the Holder of 
any Security from exercising all remedies otherwise permitted by applicable 
law upon default under this Indenture, subject to the rights, if any, under 
this Article of the holders of Senior Debt to receive cash, property and 
securities otherwise payable or deliverable to the Trustee or such Holder.

SECTION 15.8.  Trustee to Effectuate Subordination.

   Each Holder of a Security by his acceptance thereof authorizes and directs 
the Trustee on his behalf to take such action as may be necessary or 
appropriate to effectuate the subordination provided in this Article and 
appoints the Trustee his attorney-in-fact for any and all such purposes.

                                          78

<PAGE>

SECTION 15.9.  No Waiver of Subordination Provisions.

   No right of any present or future holder of any Senior Debt to enforce 
subordination as herein provided shall at any time in any way be prejudiced 
or impaired by any act or failure to act on the part of the Company or by any 
act or failure to act, in good faith, by any such holder, or by any 
non-compliance by the Company with the terms, provisions and covenants of 
this Indenture, regardless of any knowledge thereof any such holder may have 
or be otherwise charged with.

   Without in any way limiting the generality of the foregoing paragraph, the 
holders of Senior Debt may, at any time and from time to time, without the 
consent of or notice to the Trustee or the Holders of the Securities, without 
incurring responsibility to the Holders of the Securities and without 
impairing or releasing the subordination provided in this Article or the 
obligations hereunder of the Holders of the Securities to the holders of 
Senior Debt do any one or more of the following: (i) change the manner, place 
or terms of payment or extend the time of payment of, or renew or alter, 
Senior Debt or otherwise amend or supplement in any manner Senior Debt or any 
instrument evidencing the same or any agreement under which Senior Debt is 
outstanding; (ii) sell, exchange, release or otherwise deal with any property 
pledged, mortgaged or otherwise securing Senior Debt; (iii) release any 
Person liable in any manner for the collection of Senior Debt; and (iv) 
exercise or refrain from exercising any rights against the Company and any 
other Person.

SECTION 15.10. Notice to Trustee.

   The Company shall give prompt written notice to the Trustee of any fact 
known to the Company which would prohibit the making of any payment to or by 
the Trustee in respect of the Securities. Notwithstanding the provisions of 
this Article or any other provision of this Indenture, the Trustee shall not 
be charged with knowledge of the existence of any facts which would prohibit 
the making of any payment to or by the Trustee in respect of the Securities, 
unless and until the Trustee shall have received written notice thereof from 
the Company or a holder of Senior Debt or from any trustee therefor; and, 
prior to the receipt of any such written notice, the Trustee, subject to the 
provisions of Section 6.1, shall be entitled in all respects to assume that 
no such facts exist.

   Subject to the provisions of Section 6.1, the Trustee shall be entitled to 
rely on the delivery to it of a written notice by a Person representing 
himself to be a holder of Senior Debt (or a trustee therefor) to establish 
that such notice has been given by a holder of Senior Debt (or a trustee 
therefor). In the event that the Trustee determines in good faith that 
further evidence is required with respect to the right of any Person as a 
holder of Senior Debt to participate in any payment or distribution pursuant 
to this Article, the Trustee may request such Person to furnish evidence to 
the reasonable satisfaction of the Trustee as to the amount of Senior Debt 
held by such Person, the extent to which such Person is entitled to 
participate in such payment or distribution and any other facts pertinent to 
the rights of such Person under this Article, and if such evidence is not 

                                          79

<PAGE>

furnished, the Trustee may defer any payment to such Person pending judicial 
determination as to the right of such Person to receive such payment.

SECTION 15.11. Reliance on Judicial Order or Certificate of Liquidating Agent.

   Upon any payment or distribution of assets of the Company referred to in 
this Article, the Trustee, subject to the provisions of Section 6.1, and the 
Holders of the Securities shall be entitled to rely upon any order or decree 
entered by any court of competent jurisdiction in which such insolvency, 
bankruptcy, receivership, liquidation, reorganization, dissolution, winding 
up or similar case or proceeding is pending, or a certificate of the trustee 
in bankruptcy, receiver, liquidating trustee, custodian, assignee for the 
benefit of creditors, agent or other Person making such payment or 
distribution, delivered to the Trustee or to the Holders of Securities, for 
the purpose of ascertaining the Persons entitled to participate in such 
payment or distribution, the holders of Senior Debt and other indebtedness of 
the Company, the amount thereof or payable thereon, the amount or amounts 
paid or distributed thereon and all other facts pertinent thereto or to this 
Article. SECTION 15.12. Trustee Not Fiduciary for Holders of Senior Debt.

   The Trustee shall not be deemed to owe any fiduciary duty to the holders 
of Senior Debt and shall not be liable to any such holders or creditors if it 
shall in good faith pay over or distribute to Holders of Securities or to the 
Company or to any other Person cash, property or securities to which any 
holders of Senior Debt shall be entitled by virtue of this Article or 
otherwise. 

SECTION 15.13. Rights of Trustee as Holder of Senior Debt, 
               Preservation of Trustee's Rights.

   The Trustee in its individual capacity shall be entitled to all the rights 
set forth in this Article with respect to any Senior Debt which may at any 
time be held by it, to the same extent as any other holder of Senior Debt and 
nothing in this Indenture shall deprive the Trustee of any of its rights as 
such holder.

   Nothing in this Article shall apply to claims of, or payments to, the 
Trustee under or pursuant to Section 6.5.

SECTION 15.14. Article Applicable to Paying Agents.

   In case at any time any Paying Agent other than the Trustee shall have 
been appointed by the Company and be then acting hereunder, the term 
"Trustee" as used in this Article shall in such case (unless the context 
otherwise requires) be construed as extending to and including such Paying 
Agent within its meaning as fully for all intents and purposes as if such 
Paying Agent were named in this Article in addition to or in place of the 
Trustee; provided, however, that Section 15.13 shall not apply to the Company 
or any Affiliate of the Company if it or such Affiliate acts as Paying Agent.

                                          80

<PAGE>

SECTION 15.15. Certain Conversions Deemed Payment.

   For the purposes of this Article only, (1) the issuance and delivery of 
junior securities upon conversion of Securities in accordance with Article 
XIV shall not be deemed to constitute a payment or distribution on account of 
the principal of or premium or interest on Securities or on account of the 
purchase or other acquisition of Securities, and (2) the payment, issuance or 
delivery of cash, other than cash in lieu of fractional shares in connection 
with payment, issuance or delivery of junior securities, property or 
securities (other than junior securities) upon conversion of a Security shall 
be deemed to constitute payment on account of the principal of such Security. 
For the purposes of this Section, the term "junior securities" means (a) 
shares of any stock of any class of the Company and (b) securities of the 
Company which are subordinated in right of payment to all Senior Debt which 
may be outstanding at the time of issuance or delivery of such securities to 
substantially the same extent as, or to a greater extent than, the Securities 
are so subordinated as provided in this Article. Nothing contained in this 
Article or elsewhere in this Indenture or in the Securities is intended to or 
shall impair, as among the Company, its creditors other than holders of 
Senior Debt and the Holders of the Securities, the right, which is absolute 
and unconditional, of the Holder of any Security to convert such Security in 
accordance with Article XIV.

                                          81

<PAGE>

   IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Indenture 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.

                          UNITED STATES SURGICAL CORPORATION
                                        
                                        
                          By:
                             ------------------------------
                             Name:
                             Title:

Attest:

- --------------------------
Name:
Title:

                                    THE BANK OF NEW YORK
                                        
                                        
                          By:
                             ------------------------------- 
                             Name:
                             Title:
Attest:

- ---------------------------
Name:
Title:



                                          82


<PAGE>
                                                                       Exhibit 5




                                     March  4, 1998


Securities and Exchange Commission
Judiciary Plaza
450 Fifth Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20549

                 Re:  United States Surgical Corporation
                      Registration Statement on Form S-3
                      ----------------------------------
Gentlemen:

                 This opinion is furnished by me as counsel for United States 
Surgical Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), in connection 
with the Registration Statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-46239) (the 
"Registration Statement") filed by the Company with the Securities and 
Exchange Commission (the "Commission") via EDGAR on February 13, 1998. The 
Registration Statement relates to the issuance and sale from time to time, 
pursuant to Rule 415 of the General Rules and Regulations promulgated under 
the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), of the 
following securities of the Company with an aggregate initial public offering 
price of up to $500,000,000 or the equivalent thereof, based on the 
applicable exchange rate at the time of sale, in one or more foreign 
currencies, currency units or composite currencies as shall be designated by 
the Company: (i) senior or subordinated debt securities, in one or more 
series (the "Debt Securities"), which may be issued under Indentures (the 
"Indenture" or "Indentures") proposed to be entered into between the Company 
and trustees to be named (the "Trustee" or "Trustees"); (ii) shares of 
preferred stock, par value $5.00 per share (the "Preferred Stock"), in one or 
more series, which may also be issued in the form of depositary shares (the 
"Depositary Shares") evidenced by depositary receipts (the "Receipts") 
pursuant to a deposit agreement (the "Deposit Agreement") proposed to be 
entered into between the Company and a depositary to be named (the 
"Depositary"); (iii) shares of common stock, $.10 par value per share, of the 
Company ("Common Stock"); (iv) warrants ("Warrants") to purchase Debt 
Securities, Preferred Stock, the Depositary Shares, Common Stock or other 
securities of the Company as shall be designated by the Company at the time 
of offering issued pursuant to a warrant agreement (the "Warrant Agreement") 
proposed to be entered into between the Company and a warrant agent to be 
named (the "Warrant Agent"); and (v) such indeterminate amount of Debt 
Securities and number of shares of Preferred Stock or Common Stock, as may be 
issued upon conversion, exchange or exercise of any Debt Securities, 
Preferred Stock or Warrants, including such shares of Preferred Stock or 
Common Stock as may be issued pursuant to anti-dilution adjustments in 
amounts, at prices and on terms to be determined at the time of offering (the 
"Indeterminate Stock"). The Debt Securities, the Preferred Stock, the 
Depositary Shares, the Common Stock, the Warrants, and the Indeterminate 
Stock are collectively referred to herein as the "Offered Securities." 
                                           
<PAGE>

                 This opinion is delivered in accordance with the 
requirements of Items 601(b)(5) of Regulation S-K under the Securities Act.

                 I have examined and am familiar with originals or copies of 
such documents, corporate records and other instruments as I have deemed 
necessary or appropriate in connection with this opinion, including (i) the 
form of Registration Statement relating to the Offered Securities; (ii) the 
form of underwriting agreement that may be entered into between the Company 
and one or more underwriters to be named therein in connection with any 
offering of Offered Securities (the "Underwriting Agreement"); (iii) the form 
of Indentures; (iv) the Certificate of Incorporation of the Company, as 
amended; (v) the By-laws of the Company as currently in effect; and (vi) 
resolutions adopted to date by the Board of Directors of the Company (the 
"Board of Directors") relating to the registration of the Offered Securities.

                 In my examination, I have assumed the legal capacity of all 
natural persons, the genuineness of all signatures, the authenticity of all 
documents submitted to me as originals, the conformity to original documents 
of all documents submitted to me as certified, conformed or photostatic 
copies and the authenticity of the originals of such latter documents. As to 
any facts material to the opinions expressed herein which were not 
independently established or verified, I have relied upon oral or written 
statements and representations of officers and other representatives of the 
Company and others. I have assumed that the Indentures, the Deposit Agreement 
and the Warrant Agreement will be duly authorized, executed and delivered by 
the Trustees, the Depositary and the Warrant Agent, respectively, and that 
any Debt Securities or Receipts that may be issued will be manually signed or 
countersigned as the case may be, by duly authorized officers of the 
Trustees, the Depositary or the Warrant Agent, respectively.

                 I am a member of the Bar in the State of New York and I do 
not express any opinion as to the laws of any other jurisdiction other than 
the laws of the United States of America to the extent referred to 
specifically herein. The Offered Securities may be issued from time to time 
on a delayed or continuous basis, and this opinion is limited to the laws, 
including the rules and regulations, as in effect on the date hereof.

                 Based upon and subject to the foregoing, I am of the opinion 
                 that:

                 1.  The Company has been duly incorporated and is validly 
                     existing as a corporation in good standing under the 
                     laws of the State of Delaware.

                 2.  With respect to any series of Debt Securities (the 
                     "Offered Debt Securities"), when (i) the Registration 
                     Statement, as finally amended (including all necessary 
                     post-effective amendments), has become effective and the 
                     applicable Indenture has been qualified under the Trust 
                     Indenture Act of 1939, as amended; (ii) an appropriate 
                     prospectus supplement or term sheet with respect to the 
                     Offered Debt Securities has been prepared, delivered and 
                     filed in compliance with the Securities Act and the 
                     applicable rules and regulations thereunder; (iii) if 
                     the Offered Debt Securities are to be sold pursuant to a 
                     firm commitment underwritten offering, the Underwriting 
                     Agreement with respect to the Offered Debt Securities 
                     has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the 
                     Company and the other parties thereto; (iv) the Board of 
                     Directors, including any appropriate committee appointed 
                     thereby, and appropriate officers of the Company have 
                     taken all necessary corporate action to approve the 
                     issuance and terms of the Offered Debt Securities and 
                     related matters; (v) the terms of the Offered Debt

                                          2
<PAGE>


                     Securities and of their issuance and sale have been duly 
                     established in conformity with the applicable Indenture 
                     so as not to violate any applicable law, the Certificate 
                     of Incorporation or By-laws of the Company or result in 
                     a default under or breach of any agreement or instrument 
                     binding upon the Company and so as to comply with any 
                     requirement or restriction imposed by any court or 
                     governmental body having jurisdiction over the Company; 
                     (vi) the applicable Indenture has been duly authorized, 
                     executed and delivered by the Company to the applicable 
                     Trustee; and (vii) the Offered Debt Securities have been 
                     duly executed and authenticated in accordance with the 
                     provisions of the applicable Indenture and duly 
                     delivered to the purchasers thereof upon payment of the 
                     agreed-upon consideration therefor, (1) the Offered Debt 
                     Securities (including any Debt Securities duly issued 
                     upon exercise of any Warrants), when issued and sold in 
                     accordance with the applicable Indenture and the 
                     Underwriting Agreement, if any, or any other duly 
                     authorized, executed and delivered applicable valid and 
                     binding purchase or agency agreement, will be valid and 
                     binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against 
                     the Company in accordance with their respective terms, 
                     except to the extent that enforcement thereof may be 
                     limited by (a) bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, 
                     fraudulent conveyance, moratorium or other similar laws 
                     now or hereafter in effect relating to creditors' rights 
                     generally, (b) general principles of equity (regardless 
                     of whether enforceability is considered in a proceeding 
                     at law or in equity), (c) public policy considerations 
                     which may limit the rights of parties to obtain further 
                     remedies, (d) requirements that a claim with respect to 
                     any Offered Debt Securities denominated other than in 
                     United States dollars (or a judgment denominated other 
                     than in United States dollars in respect of such claim) 
                     be converted into United States dollars at a rate of 
                     exchange prevailing on a date determined pursuant to 
                     applicable law, and (e) governmental authority to limit, 
                     delay or prohibit the making of payments outside the 
                     United States or in foreign currencies, currency units 
                     or composite currencies; and (2) if Preferred Stock or 
                     Common Stock is issuable upon conversion or exchange of 
                     any convertible Offered Debt Securities, the Preferred 
                     Stock or Common Stock issuable upon conversion or 
                     exchange of such Offered Debt Securities will be validly 
                     issued, fully paid and nonassessable, assuming the 
                     execution, authentication, issuance and delivery of the 
                     Offered Debt Securities and conversion or exchange of 
                     the Offered Debt Securities in accordance with the terms 
                     of the applicable Indenture.

                 3.  With respect to the shares of any series of Preferred 
                     Stock, including, if applicable, Depositary Shares 
                     representing fractional interests in any Preferred Stock 
                     (together, the "Offered Preferred Stock"), when (i) the 
                     Registration Statement, as finally amended (including 
                     all necessary post-effective amendments), has become 
                     effective; (ii) an appropriate prospectus supplement or 
                     term sheet with respect to the shares of the Offered 
                     Preferred Stock has been prepared, delivered and filed 
                     in compliance with the Securities Act and the applicable 
                     rules and regulations thereunder; (iii) if the Offered 
                     Preferred Stock is to be sold pursuant to a firm 
                     commitment underwritten offering, the Underwriting 
                     Agreement with respect to the shares of the Offered 
                     Preferred Stock has been duly authorized, executed and 
                     delivered by the Company and the other parties thereto; 
                     (iv) the Board of 

                                          3
<PAGE>

                     Directors, including any appropriate committee appointed 
                     thereby, and appropriate officers of the Company have 
                     taken all necessary corporate action to approve the 
                     issuance and terms of the shares of the Offered 
                     Preferred Stock and related matters, including the 
                     adoption of a Certificate of Designation for the Offered 
                     Preferred Stock in accordance with the applicable 
                     provisions of Delaware law (the "Certificate of 
                     Designation") in the form to be filed as an exhibit to 
                     the Registration Statement, any amendment thereto or any 
                     document incorporated by reference therein has been duly 
                     authorized, executed and delivered; (v) the filing of 
                     the Certificate of Designation with the Secretary of 
                     State of the State of Delaware has duly occurred; (vi) 
                     the terms of the Offered Preferred Stock and of their 
                     issuance and sale have been duly established in 
                     conformity with the Company's Certificate of 
                     Incorporation including the Certificate of Designation 
                     relating to the Offered Preferred Stock and the By-laws 
                     of the Company so as not to violate any applicable law, 
                     the Certificate of Incorporation or By-laws of the 
                     Company or result in a default under or breach of any 
                     agreement or instrument binding upon the Company and so 
                     as to comply with any requirement or restriction imposed 
                     by any court or governmental body having jurisdiction 
                     over the Company; (vii) in the case of Depositary 
                     Shares, the Deposit Agreement in the form to be filed as 
                     an exhibit to the Registration Statement, any amendment 
                     thereto or any document incorporated by reference 
                     therein has been duly authorized, executed and 
                     delivered; and (viii) certificates representing the 
                     shares of the Offered Preferred Stock are duly executed, 
                     countersigned, registered and delivered upon payment of 
                     the agreed upon consideration therefor (and, in the case 
                     of Depositary Shares, such Preferred Stock certificates 
                     are delivered to the Depositary for deposit in 
                     accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware 
                     against issuance of the Receipts in accordance with the 
                     terms of the Deposit Agreement), (1) the shares of the 
                     Offered Preferred Stock (including any Preferred Stock 
                     duly issued upon exercise of any Warrants), when issued 
                     and sold in accordance with the Underwriting Agreement 
                     or any other duly authorized, executed and delivered 
                     applicable valid and binding purchase or agency 
                     agreement, will be duly authorized, validly issued, 
                     fully paid and nonassessable, provided that the 
                     consideration therefor is not less than the par value 
                     thereof; and (2) if the Offered Preferred Stock is 
                     convertible or exchangeable into Common Stock, the 
                     Common Stock issuable upon conversion or exchange of the 
                     Offered Preferred Stock will be duly authorized, validly 
                     issued, fully paid and nonassessable, assuming the 
                     execution, authentication, issuance and delivery of the 
                     Offered Preferred Stock and the conversion or exchange 
                     of the Offered Preferred Stock in accordance with the 
                     terms of the Certificate of Designation.

                 4.  With respect to any offering of Common Stock when (i) 
                     the Registration Statement, as finally amended 
                     (including all necessary post-effective amendments), has 
                     become effective; (ii) an appropriate prospectus 
                     supplement or term sheet with respect to the Common 
                     Stock has been prepared, delivered and filed in 
                     compliance with the Securities Act and the applicable 
                     rules and regulations thereunder; (iii) if the Common 
                     Stock is to be sold pursuant to a firm commitment 
                     underwritten offering, the Underwriting Agreement with 
                     respect to the Common Stock has been duly authorized, 
                     executed and delivered by the Company and the other 
                     parties 

                                          4
<PAGE>

                     thereto; (iv) the Board of Directors, including any 
                     appropriate committee appointed thereby, and appropriate 
                     officers of the Company have taken all necessary 
                     corporate action to approve the issuance of the Common 
                     Stock and related matters; (v) the terms of the issuance 
                     and sale of the Common Stock have been duly established 
                     in conformity with the Certificate of Incorporation and 
                     By-laws of the Company so as not to violate any 
                     applicable law, the Certificate of Incorporation or 
                     By-laws of the Company or result in a default under or 
                     breach of any agreement or instrument binding upon the 
                     Company and so as to comply with any requirement or 
                     restriction imposed by any court or governmental body 
                     having jurisdiction over the Company; and (vi) 
                     certificates representing the shares of Common Stock are 
                     duly executed, countersigned, registered and delivered 
                     upon payment of the agreed upon consideration therefor, 
                     the shares of Common Stock (including any duly issued 
                     upon exercise of any Warrants), when issued and sold in 
                     accordance with the Underwriting Agreement with respect 
                     to the Common Stock or any other duly authorized, 
                     executed and delivered applicable valid and binding 
                     purchase or agency agreement, will be duly authorized, 
                     validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable, provided 
                     that the consideration therefore is not less than the 
                     par value thereof.

                 5.  With respect to any series of Warrants (the "Offered 
                     Warrants"), when (i) the Registration Statement, as 
                     finally amended (including all necessary post-effective 
                     amendments), has become effective; (ii) an appropriate 
                     prospectus supplement or term sheet with respect to the 
                     Offered Warrants has been prepared, delivered and filed 
                     in compliance with the Securities Act and the applicable 
                     rules and regulations thereunder; (iii) the Warrant 
                     Agreement relating to the Offered Warrants in the form 
                     to be filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement, 
                     any amendment thereto or any document incorporated by 
                     reference therein has been duly authorized, executed and 
                     delivered; (iv) the Board of Directors, including any 
                     appropriate committee appointed thereby, and appropriate 
                     officers of the Company have taken all necessary 
                     corporate action to approve the issuance and terms of 
                     the Offered Warrants and related matters; (v) the terms 
                     of the Offered Warrants and of their issuance and sale 
                     have been duly established in conformity with the 
                     Warrant Agreement so as not to violate any applicable 
                     law, the Certificate of Incorporation or By-laws of the 
                     Company or result in a default under or breach of any 
                     agreement or instrument binding upon the Company and so 
                     as to comply with any requirement or restriction imposed 
                     by any court or governmental body having jurisdiction 
                     over the Company; and (vi) the Offered Warrants have 
                     been duly executed, delivered and countersigned in 
                     accordance with the provisions of the Warrant Agreement 
                     and duly issued and sold in the applicable form to be 
                     filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement or any 
                     amendment thereto and in the manner contemplated in the 
                     Registration Statement or any prospectus supplement or 
                     term sheet relating thereto, such Offered Warrants will 
                     be valid and binding obligations of the Company, 
                     enforceable against the Company in accordance with their 
                     respective terms, except to the extent that enforcement 
                     thereof may be limited by (a) bankruptcy, insolvency, 
                     reorganization, fraudulent conveyance, moratorium or 
                     other similar laws now or hereafter in effect relating 
                     to creditors' rights generally, (b) general principles 
                     of equity (regardless of whether enforceability is 
                     considered in a proceeding at law or 

                                          5
<PAGE>

                     in equity); and (c) public policy considerations which 
                     may limit the rights of parties to obtain further 
                     remedies.

            I hereby consent to the filing of this opinion with the 
Commission as Exhibit 5 to the Registration Statement. I also consent to the 
reference to me under the heading "Legal Opinions" in the Registration 
Statement. In giving this consent, I do not thereby admit that I am in the 
category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the 
Securities Act or the Rules and Regulations of the Commission.

                                     Very truly yours,

                                     /s/ Thomas R. Bremer

                                     Thomas R. Bremer
                                     Senior Vice President and General Counsel









                                          6


<PAGE>
                                                                      EXHIBIT 12
 
                       UNITED STATES SURGICAL CORPORATION
 
    STATEMENT OF COMPUTATION OF RATIO OF EARNINGS TO COMBINED FIXED CHARGES
                         AND PREFERRED STOCK DIVIDENDS
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                         -----------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         PRO FORMA
                                          1997 (3)      1997        1996        1995        1994        1993
                                         ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  -----------
<S>                                      <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>
                                                        IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT RATIOS
Determination of earnings:
  Income (loss) before provision for
    income taxes.......................  $   94,500  $  121,000  $  141,700  $   89,800  $   32,700  $  (137,400)
Fixed charges..........................      48,800      22,300      27,100      33,600      31,200       30,800
                                         ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  -----------
      Total earnings as defined........     143,300     143,300     168,800     123,400      63,900     (106,600)
 
Fixed charges and other:
  Interest expense.....................      35,400       8,900      13,700      22,600      21,000       19,400
  Interest portion of rent expense.....      13,400      13,400      13,400      11,000      10,200       11,400
                                         ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  -----------
      Fixed charges....................      48,800      22,300      27,100      33,600      31,200       30,800
 
  Capitalized interest.................           0           0         100         200         300        9,500
 
  Total fixed charges and capitalized
    interest...........................  $   48,800  $   22,300      27,200      33,800      31,500  $    40,300
 
  Preferred stock dividends(1).........       7,200       7,200      30,000      30,000      22,900
                                         ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
 
Combined fixed charges, capitalized
  interest and preferred stock
  dividends............................  $   56,000  $   29,500  $   57,200  $   63,800  $   54,400
                                         ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
                                         ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
 
Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges and
  Capitalized Interest.................         2.9         6.4         6.2         3.7         2.0       N.M.(2)
                                         ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  -----------
                                         ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  -----------
 
Ratio of Earnings to Combined Fixed
  Charges, Capitalized Interest and
  Preferred Stock Dividends............         2.6         4.9         3.0         1.9         1.2
                                         ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
                                         ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
</TABLE>
    
 
- ------------------------
 
    The ratios of earnings to fixed charges and capitalized interest and to
combined fixed charges, capitalized interest and preferred stock dividends are
computed by dividing the sum of earnings before provision for income taxes and
fixed charges (excluding capitalized interest) by total fixed charges and
capitalized interest, or by the sum of total fixed charges and capitalized
interest and preferred stock dividends. Total fixed charges and capitalized
interest includes all interest (including capitalized interest) and the interest
factor of all rentals, assumed to be one-third of consolidated rent expense.
 
(1) Preferred stock dividends have been increased to an amount representing the
    pretax earnings which would be required to cover such dividend requirements,
    assuming a statutory tax rate of 35%.
 
   
(2) Earnings were inadequate to cover fixed charges. The dollar amount of the
    deficiency for the year ended December 31, 1993 was $147 million. If the
    restructuring charges of $138 million were excluded from the calculation,
    the dollar amount of the deficiency would have been $9 million.
    
 
   
(3) The pro forma 1997 calculation gives effect to the amount of debt required
    to fund the acquisition of Valleylab ($425 million) assuming such debt was
    outstanding January 1, 1997. No other pro forma adjustments are included in
    the pro forma calculation.
    

<PAGE>
                                                                      EXHIBIT 23
 
                         INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' CONSENT
 
    We consent to the incorporation by reference in this Amendment No. 1 to
Registration Statement
 
No. 333-46239 of United States Surgical Corporation on Form S-3 of our report
dated January 20, 1998, appearing in the Annual Report on Form 10-K of United
States Surgical Corporation and subsidiaries for the year ended December 31,
1997, and to the reference to us under the heading "Experts" in the Prospectus,
which is part of this Registration Statement.
 
Deloitte & Touche LLP
 
Stamford, Connecticut
March 4, 1998

<PAGE>
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                       FORM T-1

                          SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                               Washington, D.C.  20549

                               STATEMENT OF ELIGIBILITY
                      UNDER THE TRUST INDENTURE ACT OF 1939 OF A
                       CORPORATION DESIGNATED TO ACT AS TRUSTEE

                         CHECK IF AN APPLICATION TO DETERMINE
                         ELIGIBILITY OF A TRUSTEE PURSUANT TO
                           SECTION 305(b)(2)           |__|

- -----------------------------------------

                                 THE BANK OF NEW YORK
                 (Exact name of trustee as specified in its charter)


      New York                                     13-5160382
(State of incorporation                        (I.R.S. employer
if not a U.S. national bank)                   identification no.)

   48 Wall Street, New York, N.Y.                10286
(Address of principal executive offices)       (Zip code)


- --------------------------------------------


                          UNITED STATES SURGICAL CORPORATION
                 (Exact name of obligor as specified in its charter)

          Delaware                                13-2518270
(State or other jurisdiction of               (I.R.S. employer
incorporation or organization)                identification no.)

         150 Glover Avenue
        Norwalk, Connecticut                      06856
(Address of principal executive offices)        (Zip code)

                               -----------------------

                                Senior Debt Securities
                         (Title of the indenture securities)

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------

<PAGE>

1.   General information.  Furnish the following information as to the Trustee:

     (a)  Name and address of each examining or supervising authority to which
          it is subject.

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                Name                                        Address
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Superintendent of Banks of the State of           2 Rector Street, New York,
New York                                     N.Y.  10006, and Albany, N.Y. 12203

Federal Reserve Bank of New York                   33 Liberty Plaza, New York,
                                                          N.Y.  10045

Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation              Washington, D.C.  20429

New York Clearing House Association                New York, New York   10005

     (b)  Whether it is authorized to exercise corporate trust powers.

     Yes.

2.   Affiliations with Obligor.

     If the obligor is an affiliate of the trustee, describe each 
     such affiliation.

     None.

16.  List of Exhibits. 

     Exhibits identified in parentheses below, on file with the Commission, are
     incorporated herein by reference as an exhibit hereto, pursuant to Rule
     7a-29 under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 (the "Act") and 17 C.F.R.
     229.10(d).

     1.   A copy of the Organization Certificate of The Bank of New York
          (formerly Irving Trust Company) as now in effect, which contains the
          authority to commence business and a grant of powers to exercise
          corporate trust powers.  (Exhibit 1 to Amendment No. 1 to Form T-1
          filed with Registration Statement No. 33-6215, Exhibits 1a and 1b to
          Form T-1 filed with Registration Statement No. 33-21672 and Exhibit 1
          to Form T-1 filed with Registration Statement No. 33-29637.)

     4.   A copy of the existing By-laws of the Trustee.  (Exhibit 4 to Form T-1
          filed with Registration Statement No. 33-31019.)

     6.   The consent of the Trustee required by Section 321(b) of the Act. 
          (Exhibit 6 to Form T-1 filed with Registration Statement No.
          33-44051.)

     7.   A copy of the latest report of condition of the Trustee published
          pursuant to law or to the requirements of its supervising or examining
          authority.


                                      2

<PAGE>


                                      SIGNATURE

     Pursuant to the requirements of the Act, the Trustee, The Bank of New 
York, a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of New 
York, has duly caused this statement of eligibility to be signed on its 
behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, all in The City of New 
York, and State of New York, on the 2nd day of March, 1998.

                                       THE BANK OF NEW YORK

                                       By: /s/ James W.P. Hall
                                           --------------------------
                                           Name:  James W.P. Hall
                                           Title: Vice President

<PAGE>

                      CONSOLIDATED REPORT OF CONDITION OF

                              THE BANK OF NEW YORK

                    of 48 Wall Street, New York, N.Y. 10286 
                     And Foreign and Domestic Subsidiaries, 
a member of the Federal Reserve System, at the close of business September 
30, 1997, published in accordance with a call made by the Federal Reserve 
Bank of this District pursuant to the provisions of the Federal Reserve Act.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                   DOLLAR AMOUNTS
ASSETS                                                                                              IN THOUSANDS
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------                  --------------
<S>                                                                                <C>             <C>
Cash and balances due from depository institutions:
  Noninterest-bearing balances and currency and coin.............................                   $  5,004,638
  Interest-bearing balances......................................................                      1,271,514
Securities:
  Held-to-maturity securities....................................................                      1,105,782
  Available-for-sale securities..................................................                      3,164,271
Federal funds sold and Securities purchased under agreements to resell...........                      5,723,829
Loans and lease financing receivables:
  Loans and leases, net of unearned income.......................................                     34,916,196
  LESS: Allowance for loan and lease losses......................................                        581,177
  LESS: Allocated transfer risk reserve..........................................                            429
    Loans and leases, net of unearned income, allowance, and reserve.............                     34,334,590
Assets held in trading accounts..................................................                      2,035,284
Premises and fixed assets (including capitalized leases).........................                        671,664
Other real estate owned..........................................................                         13,306
Investments in unconsolidated subsidiaries and associated companies..............                        210,685
Customers' liability to this bank on acceptances outstanding.....................                      1,463,446
Intangible assets................................................................                        753,190
Other assets.....................................................................                      1,784,796
                                                                                   --------------
Total assets.....................................................................                   $ 57,536,995
                                                                                                   --------------
                                                                                                   --------------
LIABILITIES
Deposits:
  In domestic offices............................................................                   $ 27,270,824
  Noninterest-bearing............................................................     12,160,977
  Interest-bearing...............................................................     15,109,847
</TABLE>
 
<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<S>                                                                                <C>             <C>

  In foreign offices, Edge and Agreement subsidiaries, and
    IBFs.........................................................                 14,687,806
  Noninterest-bearing............................................      657,479
  Interest-bearing...............................................   14,030,327
Federal funds purchased and Securities sold under agreements to
  repurchase.....................................................                  1,946,099
Demand notes issued to the U.S. Treasury.........................                    283,793
Trading liabilities..............................................                  1,553,539
Other borrowed money:
  With remaining maturity of one year or less....................                  2,245,014
  With remaining maturity of more than one year through three
    years........................................................                          0
  With remaining maturity of more than three years...............                     45,664
Bank's liability on acceptances executed and outstanding.........                  1,473,588
Subordinated notes and debentures................................                  1,018,940
Other liabilities................................................                  2,193,031
                                                                                ------------
Total liabilities................................................                 52,718,298


EQUITY CAPITAL
Common stock.....................................................                  1,135,284
Surplus..........................................................                    731,319
Undivided profits and capital reserves...........................                  2,943,008
Net unrealized holding gains (losses) on available-for-sale 
  securities.....................................................                     25,428
Cumulative foreign currency translation adjustments..............                    (16,342)
                                                                               --------------
Total equity capital.............................................                  4,818,697
                                                                               --------------
Total liabilities and equity capital.............................               $ 57,536,995
                                                                                ------------
                                                                                ------------

</TABLE>

    I, Robert E. Keilman, Senior Vice President and Comptroller of the 
above-named bank do hereby declare that this Report of Condition has been 
prepared in conformance with the instructions issued by the Board of 
Governors of the Federal Reserve System and is true to the best of my 
knowledge and belief.

                                       Robert E. Keilman

    We, the undersigned directors, attest to the correctness of this Report 
of Condition and declare that it has been examined by us and to the best of 
our knowledge and belief has been prepared in conformance with the 
instructions issued by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System 
and is true and correct.

J. Carter Bacot 
Thomas A. Renyi         Directors
Alan R. Griffith

<PAGE>

                                                                Exhibit 7

<PAGE>

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

                                      FORM T-1

                         SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                              Washington, D.C.  20549

                              STATEMENT OF ELIGIBILITY
                      UNDER THE TRUST INDENTURE ACT OF 1939 OF A
                       CORPORATION DESIGNATED TO ACT AS TRUSTEE

                         CHECK IF AN APPLICATION TO DETERMINE
                         ELIGIBILITY OF A TRUSTEE PURSUANT TO
                           SECTION 305(b)(2)           |__|



                                 THE BANK OF NEW YORK
                    (Exact name of trustee as specified in its charter)


                     New York                          13-5160382
             (State of incorporation               (I.R.S. employer
           if not a U.S. national bank)            identification no.)

          48 Wall Street, New York, N.Y.                 10286
      (Address of principal executive offices)         (Zip code)



                      UNITED STATES SURGICAL CORPORATION
               (Exact name of obligor as specified in its charter)


                     Delaware                         13-2518270
           (State or other jurisdiction of         (I.R.S. employer
            incorporation or organization)         identification no.)

                             
                150 Glover Avenue                            
              Norwalk, Connecticut                        06856  
      (Address of principal executive offices)         (Zip code)



                         Subordinated Debt Securities
                      (Title of the indenture securities)


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

<PAGE>

1.   General information.  Furnish the following information as to the Trustee:

     (a)  Name and address of each examining or supervising authority to which
          it is subject.
          
          ---------------------------------------------------------------------
                  Name                                   Address
          ---------------------------------------------------------------------

          Superintendent of Banks       Rector Street, New York, N.Y. 10006,
          of the State of New York                   and Albany, N.Y. 12203

          Federal Reserve Bank          33 Liberty Plaza, New York, N.Y. 10045
          of New York                                   

          Federal Deposit Insurance           Washington, D.C.  20429
          Corporation

          New York Clearing House             New York, New York   10005
          Association

     (b)  Whether it is authorized to exercise corporate trust powers.

          Yes.

2.   Affiliations with Obligor.
     
     If the obligor is an affiliate of the trustee, describe each such
     affiliation. 

     None.

16.  List of Exhibits. 

     Exhibits identified in parentheses below, on file with the Commission, are
     incorporated herein by reference as an exhibit hereto, pursuant to Rule
     7a-29 under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 (the "Act") and 17 C.F.R.
     229.10(d).

     1.   A copy of the Organization Certificate of The Bank of New York
          (formerly Irving Trust Company) as now in effect, which contains the
          authority to commence business and a grant of powers to exercise
          corporate trust powers.  (Exhibit 1 to Amendment No. 1 to Form T-1
          filed with Registration Statement No. 33-6215, Exhibits 1a and 1b to
          Form T-1 filed with Registration Statement No. 33-21672 and Exhibit 1
          to Form T-1 filed with Registration Statement No. 33-29637.)

     4.   A copy of the existing By-laws of the Trustee.  (Exhibit 4 to Form T-1
          filed with Registration Statement No. 33-31019.)

     6.   The consent of the Trustee required by Section 321(b) of the Act. 
          (Exhibit 6 to Form T-1 filed with Registration Statement No.
          33-44051.)

     7.   A copy of the latest report of condition of the Trustee published
          pursuant to law or to the requirements of its supervising or examining
          authority.

                                       2


<PAGE>

                                   SIGNATURE



     Pursuant to the requirements of the Act, the Trustee, The Bank of New York,
a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of New York,
has duly caused this statement of eligibility to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, all in The City of New York, and State
of New York, on the 2nd day of March, 1998.


                                       THE BANK OF NEW YORK



                                       By: /s/ James W.P. Hall 
                                          --------------------------------
                                          Name:  James W.P. Hall
                                          Title: Vice President



<PAGE>

                      CONSOLIDATED REPORT OF CONDITION OF

                              THE BANK OF NEW YORK

                    of 48 Wall Street, New York, N.Y. 10286 
                     And Foreign and Domestic Subsidiaries, 
a member of the Federal Reserve System, at the close of business September 
30, 1997, published in accordance with a call made by the Federal Reserve 
Bank of this District pursuant to the provisions of the Federal Reserve Act.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                   DOLLAR AMOUNTS
ASSETS                                                                                              IN THOUSANDS
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------                  --------------
<S>                                                                                <C>             <C>
Cash and balances due from depository institutions:
  Noninterest-bearing balances and currency and coin.............................                   $  5,004,638
  Interest-bearing balances......................................................                      1,271,514
Securities:
  Held-to-maturity securities....................................................                      1,105,782
  Available-for-sale securities..................................................                      3,164,271
Federal funds sold and Securities purchased under agreements to resell...........                      5,723,829
Loans and lease financing receivables:
  Loans and leases, net of unearned income.......................................                     34,916,196
  LESS: Allowance for loan and lease losses......................................                        581,177
  LESS: Allocated transfer risk reserve..........................................                            429
    Loans and leases, net of unearned income, allowance, and reserve.............                     34,334,590
Assets held in trading accounts..................................................                      2,035,284
Premises and fixed assets (including capitalized leases).........................                        671,664
Other real estate owned..........................................................                         13,306
Investments in unconsolidated subsidiaries and associated companies..............                        210,685
Customers' liability to this bank on acceptances outstanding.....................                      1,463,446
Intangible assets................................................................                        753,190
Other assets.....................................................................                      1,784,796
                                                                                   --------------
Total assets.....................................................................                   $ 57,536,995
                                                                                                   --------------
                                                                                                   --------------
LIABILITIES
Deposits:
  In domestic offices............................................................                   $ 27,270,824
  Noninterest-bearing............................................................     12,160,977
  Interest-bearing...............................................................     15,109,847
</TABLE>
 
<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<S>                                                                                <C>             <C>

  In foreign offices, Edge and Agreement subsidiaries, and
    IBFs.........................................................                 14,687,806
  Noninterest-bearing............................................      657,479
  Interest-bearing...............................................   14,030,327
Federal funds purchased and Securities sold under agreements to
  repurchase.....................................................                  1,946,099
Demand notes issued to the U.S. Treasury.........................                    283,793
Trading liabilities..............................................                  1,553,539
Other borrowed money:
  With remaining maturity of one year or less....................                  2,245,014
  With remaining maturity of more than one year through three
    years........................................................                          0
  With remaining maturity of more than three years...............                     45,664
Bank's liability on acceptances executed and outstanding.........                  1,473,588
Subordinated notes and debentures................................                  1,018,940
Other liabilities................................................                  2,193,031
                                                                                ------------
Total liabilities................................................                 52,718,298


EQUITY CAPITAL
Common stock.....................................................                  1,135,284
Surplus..........................................................                    731,319
Undivided profits and capital reserves...........................                  2,943,008
Net unrealized holding gains (losses) on available-for-sale 
  securities.....................................................                     25,428
Cumulative foreign currency translation adjustments..............                    (16,342)
                                                                               --------------
Total equity capital.............................................                  4,818,697
                                                                               --------------
Total liabilities and equity capital.............................               $ 57,536,995
                                                                                ------------
                                                                                ------------

</TABLE>

    I, Robert E. Keilman, Senior Vice President and Comptroller of the 
above-named bank do hereby declare that this Report of Condition has been 
prepared in conformance with the instructions issued by the Board of 
Governors of the Federal Reserve System and is true to the best of my 
knowledge and belief.

                                       Robert E. Keilman

    We, the undersigned directors, attest to the correctness of this Report 
of Condition and declare that it has been examined by us and to the best of 
our knowledge and belief has been prepared in conformance with the 
instructions issued by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System 
and is true and correct.

J. Carter Bacot 
Thomas A. Renyi         Directors
Alan R. Griffith

<PAGE>

                                                                Exhibit 7


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