COGNIZANT CORP
10-Q, 1997-11-14
COMPUTER PROCESSING & DATA PREPARATION
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                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D. C. 20549


                                    FORM 10-Q

(Mark one)

(X)    QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES
        EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 1997

                                       OR

( )        TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES
           EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from                         to
                               ----------------------       ------------------

                        Commission file number 001-12275


                                COGNIZANT CORPORATION
- - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

             Delaware                                   06-1450569
- - ---------------------------------------     ----------------------------------
- - ---------------------------------------     ----------------------------------
    (State of Incorporation)                (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

    200 Nyala Farms, Westport, CT                          06880
- - ---------------------------------------    ---------------------------------
- - ---------------------------------------    ---------------------------------
(Address of principal executive offices)                (Zip Code)

Registrant's telephone number, including area code      (203) 222-4200
                                                        --------------

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required
to be filed by  Sections  13 or 15(d)  of the  Securities  Exchange  Act of 1934
during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter  period that the  registrant
was  required  to file such  reports),  and (2) has been  subject to such filing
requirements for the past 90 days. Yes X No

Indicate the number of shares  outstanding  of each of the  issuer's  classes of
common stock, as of the latest practicable date:

   Title of Class                                         Shares Outstanding
   Common Stock,                                         at September 30, 1997
par value $.01 per share                                        162,162,940


<PAGE>


                              COGNIZANT CORPORATION

                               INDEX TO FORM 10-Q



PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION                                          PAGE(S)

Item 1. Financial Statements

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income (Unaudited)
      Three Months Ended September 30, 1997 and 1996                      3
      Nine Months Ended September 30, 1997 and 1996                       4

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Position (Unaudited)
      September 30, 1997 and December 31, 1996                            5

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited)
      Nine Months Ended September 30, 1997 and 1996                       6


Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)         7-11

Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
            Condition and Results of Operations                         12-15




PART II.  OTHER INFORMATION


Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K                                 16

SIGNATURES                                                               17














                                                       -2-

<PAGE>

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item I. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

COGNIZANT CORPORATION
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (Unaudited)
(Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data)
<TABLE>

                                                                                        Three Months Ended
                                                                                          September 30,
                                                                            -------------------------------------------
<CAPTION>
<S>                                                                                  <C>                      <C>
                                                                                   1997                      1996

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

Operating Revenue                                                             $      341,041            $    424,188

Operating Costs                                                                      147,159                 208,687

Selling and Administrative Expenses                                                   79,228                 121,289

Depreciation and  Amortization                                                        27,491                  34,017
                                                                            ------------------         ----------------

Operating Income                                                                      87,163                  60,195

Interest Income                                                                        3,151                   1,781
Interest Expense                                                                         (89)                   (246)
Gartner Equity Income                                                                 14,464                       0
Gains from                                                                             3,955                       0
Dispositions, Net
Other (Expense)/ Income - Net                                                           (211)                  9,444
                                                                           ------------------         ----------------
Non-Operating Income - Net                                                            21,270                  10,979

Income Before Provision for Taxes                                                    108,433                  71,174

Provision for Income Taxes                                                           (31,367)                (31,316)
                                                                            ------------------         ----------------

Net Income                                                                    $       77,066             $    39,858
                                                                            ==================         ================



Earnings Per Share of Common Stock                                                      $.47                    $.23
                                                                            ==================         ================



Average Number of Shares Outstanding                                             163,146,000              170,140,000
                                                                            ==================         ================











<FN>
See accompanying notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements
 (unaudited)
</FN>
</TABLE>

                                                       -3-


<PAGE>
COGNIZANT CORPORATION
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (Unaudited)
(Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data)

<TABLE>
                                                                                        Nine Months Ended
                                                                                          September 30,
                                                                            -------------------------------------------
<CAPTION>
<S>                                                                               <C>                         <C>
                                                                                 1997                       1996
                                                                            ----------------           ----------------

Operating Revenue                                                                $994,877                $ 1,209,910

Operating Costs                                                                   442,046                    543,369

Selling and Administrative Expenses                                               260,954                    365,623

Depreciation and  Amortization                                                     90,126                     99,833
                                                                            ----------------           ----------------

Operating Income                                                                  201,751                    201,085

Interest Income                                                                     8,443                      5,483
Interest Expense                                                                     (670)                      (657)
Gartner Equity Income                                                              45,135                          0
Gains from                                                                          9,391                          0
Dispositions, Net
Other (Expense)/ Income - Net                                                      (2,306)                     1,250
                                                                            ----------------           ----------------
Non-Operating Income - Net                                                         59,993                      6,076

Income Before Provision for Taxes                                                 261,744                    207,161

Provision for Income Taxes                                                        (71,718)                   (91,151)
                                                                            ----------------           ----------------

Net Income                                                                  $     190,026               $    116,010
                                                                            ================           ================



Earnings Per Share of Common Stock                                                  $1.14                       $.68
                                                                            ================           ================



Average Number of Shares Outstanding                                          166,148,000                169,916,000
                                                                            ================           ================










<FN>
See  accompanying  notes to the  condensed  consolidated  financial
statements (unaudited).
</FN>
</TABLE>

                                                       -4-

<PAGE>
COGNIZANT CORPORATION
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL POSITION (Unaudited)
(Dollar amounts in thousands)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S>                                                                             <C>                      <C>       
                                                                          September 30,               December 31,
                                                                               1997                      1996

                                                                        -------------------       --------------------
Assets

Current Assets             
   Cash and Cash Equivalents                                               $       283,162         $          428,520
   Accounts Receivable-Net                                                         280,800                    453,791
   Other Current Assets                                                             56,882                    112,151
                                                                        -------------------
                                                                                                  --------------------
       Total Current Assets                                                        620,844                    994,462
                                                                        -------------------       --------------------

Investment in Gartner Group                                                        170,195                          0
Marketable Securities and Other Investments                                         96,464                    117,706
Property, Plant and Equipment-Net                                                  226,230                    268,888
Other Assets-Net
   Computer Software                                                               127,932                    139,040
   Goodwill                                                                         88,295                    251,483
   Other Assets                                                                    107,135                    103,403
                                                                        -------------------       --------------------
       Total Other Assets-Net                                                      323,362                    493,926
                                                                        -------------------       --------------------

Total Assets                                                            $        1,437,095                $ 1,874,982
                                                                        ===================       ====================

Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity

Current Liabilities
 Accounts and Notes Payable                                                         51,282                     46,923
 Accrued and Other Current Liabilities                                             180,329                    266,932
 
  Accrued Income Taxes                                                              68,205                     63,416
   Deferred Revenues                                                               133,925                    292,970
                                                                        -------------------       --------------------
       Total Current Liabilities                                                   433,741                    670,241
Postretirement and Postemployment Benefits                                          50,449                     60,269
Deferred Income Taxes                                                               73,579                    105,074
Minority Interests                                                                 101,730                     90,635
Other Liabilities                                                                   71,937                     76,150
                                                                        -------------------       --------------------

Total Liabilities                                                                  731,436                  1,002,369
                                                                        -------------------       --------------------

Shareholders' Equity                                                               705,659                    872,613
                                                                        -------------------       --------------------

Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity                              $        1,437,095        $         1,874,982
                                                                        ===================       ====================


<FN>
See  accompanying  notes to the  condensed  consolidated  financial
statements (unaudited).
</FN>

</TABLE>
                                                       -5-


<PAGE>
COGNIZANT CORPORATION


CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited)
(Dollar amounts in thousands)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S>                                                                                        <C>                <C>    
                                                                                             Nine Months Ended
                                                                                               September 30,
                                                                                     ----------------------------------
                                                                                          1997              1996
                                                                                     ----------------  ----------------
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
Net Income                                                                             $   190,026       $   116,010
Reconciliation of Net Income to Net Cash
  Provided by Operating Activities:
    Depreciation and Amortization                                                           90,126            99,833
    Gains from Sale of Investments and Businesses, Net                                      (9,391)                0
    Write-off of Purchased In-process Research and Development                                   0            33,233
    Restructuring Payments                                                                       0            (6,845)
    Postemployment Benefits Expense                                                              0               666
    Postemployment Benefits Payments                                                        (7,186)           (7,325)
    Payments Related to 1995 Non-recurring Charge                                           (4,332)          (10,675)
    Net Decrease in Accounts Receivable                                                     21,764            21,239
    Net Increase in Deferred Revenues                                                       31,447            57,970
    Gartner Group Equity Income, Net of Taxes                                              (26,662)                0
    Minority Interest Expense                                                                2,690             2,357
    Deferred Income Taxes                                                                    7,073            48,523
    Net (Decrease) Increase in Accrued Income Taxes                                         (9,756)           15,110
    Net Increase in Other Working Capital Items                                            (24,546)          (25,327)
- - -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities                                                  261,253           344,769
- - -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
Proceeds from Maturities of Marketable Securities                                                0            81,970
Payments for Marketable Securities                                                               0          (113,287)
Payments for Acquisitions of Businesses                                                          0           (24,386)

Proceeds from Sale of  Investments                                                          43,601                 0
Capital Expenditures                                                                       (52,650)          (51,469)
Additions to Computer Software                                                             (37,332)          (34,668)
Additions to Deferred Charges                                                              (22,261)          (16,156)
Increase in Investments                                                                     (3,086)          (20,845)
Deconsolidation of Gartner Group cash                                                     (123,697)                0
Payments for Purchase of Gartner Group Stock                                                     0           (42,998)

Other                                                                                         4,593           14,406
- - -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net Cash Used in Investing Activities                                                     (190,832)         (207,433)
- - -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
Payments for Purchase of Treasury Shares                                                  (302,011)                0
Proceeds from Exercise of  Stock Options                                                    11,365                 0
Payments of Dividends                                                                      (15,008)                0
Other Stock Transactions with Employees                                                          0             9,203

Employee Stock Purchase Plan                                                                   782                 0

Third-Parties Investment in Partnerships                                                   100,000                 0

Net Transfers to The Dun & Bradstreet Corporation                                                0          (122,886)

Other                                                                                         (725)           (7,093)
- - -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net Cash Used in Financing Activities                                                     (205,597)         (120,776)
- - -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Effect of Exchange Rate Changes on Cash and Cash Equivalents                               (10,182)           (1,450)
- - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Decrease) Increase in Cash and Cash Equivalents                                          (145,358)           15,110
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Beginning of Year                                               428,520           157,105
- - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                    
Cash and Cash Equivalents, End of Period                                                 $ 283,162        $  172,215
=======================================================================================================================
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
Cash paid during the period for interest                                                 $     228        $      782

Cash paid during the period for income taxes                                             $  65,385        $   39,066
<FN>
See  accompanying  notes  to the  condensed  consolidated  financial  statements
(unaudited).
</FN>
</TABLE>
                                                       -6-
<PAGE>
COGNIZANT CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Dollar amounts in thousands - (Unaudited)

Note 1 - Interim Consolidated Financial Statements

These interim consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance
with the  instructions  to Form 10-Q and should be read in conjunction  with the
consolidated  financial  statements  and related notes of Cognizant  Corporation
(the  "Company")  in the 1996  Annual  Report on Form  10-K.  In the  opinion of
management,  all  adjustments  considered  necessary for a fair  presentation of
financial  position,  results  of  operations  and cash  flows  for the  periods
presented  have  been   included.   Certain   prior-period   amounts  have  been
reclassified to conform with the 1997 presentation.

Note 2 - Investments

In the third quarter 1997, the Company's voting interest in Gartner Group,  Inc.
("Gartner")  fell below 50% to 49.5% based upon the exercise of Gartner employee
stock options and employee  stock  purchases.  Accordingly,  as of September 30,
1997 and for the three- and  nine-month  periods  ended  September  30, 1997 the
Company has deconsolidated  Gartner and is accounting for its ownership interest
on the equity basis.

The Company has restated the first and second  quarter  Statements  of Income to
reflect the change to equity  accounting.  While net income is unchanged,  other
income statement line items will change.  Selected financial  information,  on a
previously reported and restated basis, for the quarters ended March 31 and June
30, 1997 is as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S>                                          <C>                 <C>                 <C>                      <C>
                                                         For the three months ended

                                            Previously                          Previously
                                             Reported             Restated      Reported                  Restated
                                        March 31, 1997       March 31, 1997     June 30,1997              June 30, 1997
                                        --------------       --------------     ------------              -------------

Operating Revenue                        $ 434,701              $ 315,576       $  464,609               $  338,260

Operating Income                         $  77,247              $  47,887       $   95,159               $   66,701

Non-Operating Inc./(Exp.)-Net            $     555              $  23,373       $   (6,841)              $   15,350

Income Before Provision for Taxes        $  77,802              $  71,260       $   88,318               $   82,051

Net Income                               $  52,905              $  52,905       $    60,055              $   60,055

</TABLE>
Generally accepted accounting  principles do not permit the restatement of prior
year financial statements.  However,  selected financial information  reflecting
the  accounting  change on a  proforma  and  reported  basis for the  three- and
nine-month  periods  ended  September  30,  1996 and  1997,  respectively, is as
follows:


                                                          -7-

<PAGE>
COGNIZANT CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Dollar amounts in thousands - (Unaudited)

Note 2 - Investments (continued)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S>                                       <C>               <C>                <C>              <C>    
                                       Reported           Proforma          Reported          Proforma
                                     Three Months       Three Months       Nine Months       Nine Months
                                        Ended              Ended             Ended             Ended
                                    Sept. 30, 1997      Sept. 30, 1996    Sept. 30, 1997     Sept. 30, 1996

Operating Revenue                    $   341,041        $ 314,230          $  994,877        $  910,895

Operating Income                     $    87,163        $  71,864          $  201,751        $  172,088

Non-Operating Inc./(Exp.)- Net       $    21,270        $  (5,425)         $   59,993         $  21,024

Income Before Provision for Taxes    $   108,433       $   66,439         $   261,744        $  193,112

Net Income                           $      77,066      $   39,858         $  190,026        $  116,010

</TABLE>
The  Company  recognizes  as income  any gains or losses  related to the sale or
issuance of stock by a consolidated  subsidiary or a company accounted for under
the equity basis.

     The proceeds from the issuance of  approximately  981,000 shares to Gartner
employees,  including  associated tax benefits,  increased  Gartner's  equity by
$16,800 and reduced the Company's  ownership  interest by less than 1%. This was
offset, in part, by an increase in treasury stock of $12,000.  Accordingly,  the
Company  recognized  within Gartner equity income, a pre-tax  unrealized gain on
Gartner  stock of $706  corresponding  to the net  increase  in the value of its
investment in Gartner.

Note 3 - Dispositions

During the third  quarter,  the Company  recorded a $33,855  pre-tax gain on the
sale of its investment in Aspect Development,  Inc. and TSI International,  Inc.
stock. These investments,  which were part of Cognizant Enterprises'  portfolio,
generated cash proceeds of $36,597. For the nine months ended September 30,
1997, the Company  recorded a $39,291  pre-tax  gain and  generated  cash 
proceeds of $43,601 related to Cognizant Enterprise portfolio sales.

Additionally,  in the third  quarter,  the  Company  sold Pilot  Software,  Inc.
("Pilot"), a wholly-owned subsidiary, to Platinum Equity Holdings and recorded a
non-cash pre-tax loss of $29,900.






                                                          -8-

<PAGE>
COGNIZANT CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Dollar amounts in thousands - (Unaudited)

Note 4 - Investment Partnership

Three of the Company's subsidiaries participate in a limited partnership, one of
which serves as general  partner.  In the second quarter,  third party investors
contributed  $100,000 to the  partnership,  in exchange for limited  partnership
interests. The partnership, which is a separate and distinct legal entity, is in
the business of licensing database assets and computer  software.  For financial
reporting  purposes,  the assets,  liabilities,  results of operations  and cash
flows of the  partnership are included in the Company's  consolidated  financial
statements.

Note 5 - Litigation

The  Company  and  its  subsidiaries  are  involved  in  legal  proceedings  and
litigation  arising  in the  ordinary  course of  business.  In the  opinion  of
management,   the  outcome  of  such  current  legal  proceedings,   claims  and
litigation,  if decided adversely,  could have a material effect on quarterly or
annual  operating  results  or cash  flows  when  resolved  in a future  period.
However, in the opinion of management,  these matters will not materially affect
the Company's consolidated financial position.

     In addition, on July 29, 1996, Information Resources,  Inc. ("IRI") filed a
complaint in the United States  District Court for the Southern  District of New
York,   naming  as  defendants  The  Dun  &  Bradstreet   Corporation   ("Dun  &
Bradstreet"),  A.C. Nielsen Company ("A.C.  Nielsen") and I.M.S.  International,
Inc. ("IMS"), a subsidiary of the Company (the "IRI Action").

The complaint  alleges various  violations of the United States  antitrust laws,
including  alleged  violations  of  Sections  1 and 2 of the  Sherman  Act.  The
complaint  also  alleges a claim of tortious  interference  with  contract and a
claim of tortious interference with a prospective business  relationship.  These
latter claims relate to the  acquisition by defendants of Survey  Research Group
Limited  ("SRG").  IRI alleges that SRG violated an alleged  agreement  with IRI
when it agreed to be acquired by the defendants and that the defendants  induced
SRG to breach  that  agreement.  IRI's  complaint  alleges  damages in excess of
$350,000, which amount IRI has asked to be trebled under the antitrust laws. IRI
also seeks punitive damages in an unspecified amount.

On October 15, 1996,  defendants moved for an order dismissing all claims in the
complaint.  On May 6, 1997 the United  States  District  Court for the  Southern
District  of New York  issued a decision  dismissing  IRI's  claim of  attempted
monopolization  in the United  States,  with leave to replead within sixty days.
The Court denied  defendants' motion with respect to the remaining claims in the
complaint.  On June 3, 1997,  defendants  filed an answer  denying the  material
allegations in IRI's complaint,  and A.C. Nielsen filed a counterclaim  alleging
that IRI has made  false  and  misleading  statements  about  its  services  and
commercial  activities.  On  July  7,  1997,  IRI  filed  an  amended  complaint
repleading  its claim of  attempted  monopolization  in the  United  States  and
realleging its other claims.  On August 18, 1997,  defendants moved for an order
dismissing IRI's claim of attempted  monopolization  in the United States.  This
motion is under consideration by the Court.


                                                          -9-
<PAGE>
COGNIZANT CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Dollar amounts in thousands - (Unaudited)

Note 5 - Litigation (continued)

In  connection  with the IRI Action,  Dun &  Bradstreet,  ACNielsen  Corporation
("ACNielsen")  (the parent company of A.C. Nielsen) and the Company have entered
into an Indemnity and Joint Defense  Agreement (the "Indemnity and Joint Defense
Agreement")  pursuant  to which they have  agreed  (i) to  certain  arrangements
allocating potential liabilities ("IRI Liabilities") that may arise out of or in
connection  with the IRI  Action  and (ii) to  conduct a joint  defense  of such
action. In particular,  the Indemnity and Joint Defense Agreement  provides that
ACNielsen will assume  exclusive  liability for IRI  Liabilities up to a maximum
amount to be calculated at the time such  liabilities,  if any,  become  payable
(the "ACN Maximum Amount"), and that the Company and Dun & Bradstreet will share
liability equally for any amounts in excess of the ACN Maximum Amount.

The ACN Maximum  Amount will be determined by an investment  banking firm as the
maximum  amount which  ACNielsen  is able to pay after giving  effect to (i) any
plan  submitted  by such  investment  bank which is  designed  to  maximize  the
claims-paying  ability of ACNielsen  without  impairing the  investment  banking
firm's  ability to deliver a viability  opinion  (but which will not require any
action  requiring  stockholder  approval),  and (ii) payment of related fees and
expenses.  For  these  purposes,   financial  viability  means  the  ability  of
ACNielsen,  after  giving  effect to such plan,  the payment of related fees and
expenses  and the  payment of the ACN Maximum  Amount,  to pay its debts as they
become due and to finance  the  current and  anticipated  operating  and capital
requirements of its business,  as reconstituted by such plan, for two years from
the date any such plan is expected to be implemented.

Management of the Company is unable to predict at this time the final outcome of
this matter or whether the resolution of the matter could materially  affect the
Company's results of operations, cash flows or financial position.

Note 6 - Financial Instruments with Off-Balance-Sheet Risk

IMS used  foreign  exchange  forward  contracts  which  provide  for the sale of
foreign  currencies  to hedge a portion of its committed  revenues.  While these
hedging  instruments are subject to fluctuations in value, such fluctuations are
offset by changes in the value of the  underlying  exposures  being hedged.  The
principal  currencies hedged were the Japanese Yen, German Mark, Swiss Franc and
Italian Lira. At August 31, 1997,  the notional  amount hedged was $0. Gains and
losses on forward  contracts of committed foreign currency revenues are included
in deferred revenues and are deferred until such revenues are recognized.

In addition,  foreign exchange forward  contracts are entered into in the normal
course of business to hedge against foreign exchange movements on certain assets
and  liabilities of subsidiaries  that are denominated in currencies  other than
the subsidiary's  functional currency. At August 31, 1997, IMS had approximately
$58,000  in  foreign  exchange  forward   contracts   outstanding  with  various
expiration dates through September 1997.

                                                      -10-
<PAGE>
COGNIZANT CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Dollar amounts in thousands - (Unaudited)

Note 7 - Adoption of Statements of Financial Accounting Standards

In February  1997, the Financial  Accounting  Standards  Board  ("FASB")  issued
Statement of Financial  Accounting  Standards  ("SFAS") No. 128,  "Earnings  per
Share", which simplifies existing computational  guidelines,  revises disclosure
requirements and increases the  comparability of  earnings-per-share  data on an
international  basis.  The Company is currently  evaluating  the new  statement;
however,  the  impact of  adoption  of SFAS No. 128 on the  Company's  financial
statements is not expected to be  significant.  This  statement is effective for
financial  statements  for periods  ending after  December 15, 1997 and requires
restatement of all prior period earnings-per-share data presented.

In June 1997, the FASB issued SFAS No. 130,  "Reporting  Comprehensive  Income",
which  requires  that  changes in  comprehensive  income be shown in a financial
statement  that is  displayed  with  the  same  prominence  as  other  financial
statements.  This  statement is effective for periods  ending after December 15,
1997.  Management  has not yet  evaluated  the  effects  of this  change  on the
Company's financial statements.

In June 1997,  the FASB issued SFAS No. 131,  "Disclosures  About Segments of an
Enterprise  and Related  Information",  which  changes the way public  companies
report  information  about  segments.  SFAS  No.  131,  which  is  based  on the
management  approach  to  segment  reporting,  includes  requirements  to report
selected  segment  information  quarterly  and  entity-wide   disclosures  about
products and services,  major customers, and the material countries in which the
entity  holds assets and reports  revenues.  This  statement  is  effective  for
financial statements for periods ending after December 15, 1997.  Management has
not  yet  evaluated  the  effects  of this  change  on the  Company's  financial
statements.




















                                                         -11-

<PAGE>
Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and 
        Results of Operations
       (Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data)

In September  1997, the Company's  voting  interest in Gartner fell below 50% to
49.5% based upon the  exercise of Gartner  employee  stock  options and employee
stock  purchases.  Accordingly,  as of September 30, 1997 and for the three- and
nine-month  periods  ended  September  30, 1997 the  Company has  deconsolidated
Gartner (the  "Gartner  Deconsolidation")  and is  accounting  for its ownership
interest on the equity basis.

Revenue  for the third  quarter  of 1997  decreased  by 19.6% to  $341,041  from
$424,188 for the third  quarter of the prior year.  This  decrease is related to
the  impact  of the  Gartner  Deconsolidation.  Adjusting  for this item and the
impact  of a  stronger  U.S.  dollar,  revenue  for the  third  quarter  of 1997
increased by 10.3%.  The impact of a stronger  U.S.  dollar  decreased  reported
revenue  by less than 2% in the third  quarter,  including  the  impact of gains
related to the Company's hedging strategy.

Year-to-date  revenue  decreased by 17.8% to $994,877  from  $1,209,910  for the
comparable  period of the prior year.  The  decrease is related to the impact of
the  Gartner  Deconsolidation.  Adjusting  for  this  item and the  impact  of a
stronger U.S. dollar,  year-to-date  revenue  increased by 11.0%.  This increase
reflected  double-digit  constant dollar revenue growth at IMS and Nielsen Media
Research, Inc. ("Nielsen Media Research").  The impact of a stronger U.S. dollar
decreased reported revenue by less than 2% year-to-date, including the impact of
gains related to the Company's hedging strategy.

Operating  income  for the third  quarter  increased  by 44.8% to  $87,163  from
$60,195  for the third  quarter  of the  prior  year.  Operating  income in 1996
includes  an  acquisition-related  pre-tax  charge  of  $33,233,  primarily  for
in-process  research and  development  costs  associated  with  Gartner  Group's
acquisition of J3 Learning  Corporation (the "J3  Acquisition-Related  Charge").
Excluding the impact of the J3 Acquisition-Related Charge; discontinued business
units in 1996; and the Gartner  Deconsolidation,  operating income for the third
quarter increased by 16.5%. As a result of our program to hedge a portion of IMS
committed non-U.S. revenue the stronger U.S. dollar had no significant impact on
operating  income  in the  third  quarter.  The sale of Pilot  during  the third
quarter  of  1997  enabled  the  Company  to  redeploy  resources  to  strategic
technology  investments,   including  an  initiative  to  accelerate  Year  2000
compliance.  The Company  estimates that the impact on operating  income of Year
2000 compliance was  approximately  $5,000 in the third quarter.  Management has
not yet completed its assessment of the total Year 2000  compliance  expense and
related potential effects on the Company's operating income and earnings.

Year-to-date  operating income  increased by 0.3% to $201,751 from $201,085 for
the  comparable  period of the  prior  year.  Excluding  the  impact  of the J3
Acquisition-Related Charge;discontinued business units in 1996; and the Gartner
Deconsolidation,  year-to-date operating  income for 1997  increased  by 16.2%.
Operating  income growth outpaced revenue growth primarily due to IMS's ability
to  leverage  its  resources. The impact of a stronger  U.S.  dollar  decreased
operating income by approximately 1% year-to-date, including the impact of
gains related to the Company's hedging strategy.

     Non-operating  income-net  for the third quarter was $21,270  compared with
$10,979  for the third  quarter of the prior  year.  Year-to-date  non-operating
income-net was $59,993, $6,076 for the comparable period of the

                                                         -12-
<PAGE>
Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results
of Operations (continued) (Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data)

prior  year.  The  increase in  the  quarter  and  year-to-date   non-operating
income-net is primarily related to recording Gartner Equity Income in 1997 as a
result of the Gartner  Deconsolidation.  The Company  recognized within Gartner
Equity   Income  a  pre-tax  unrealized gain  on  Gartner  stock  of  $706
corresponding to the net increase in the value of its investment in Gartner.

In addition, non-operating  income-net  for the third  quarter  includes  gains
related  to  the disposition  of  Cognizant  Enterprises'  investments  in  TSI
International, Inc., and Aspect Development, Inc. ($33,855 in total) and a loss
on the sale of Pilot ($29,900).

The Company's  effective  tax rate was 28.9% for the  third  quarter  and 27.4%
year-to-date in  1997,  compared  with an  effective  tax  rate of 44.0% in the
comparable periods of the prior year. The Company's lower effective tax rate is
due to the benefits of global tax planning strategies  as well as the impact of
the Gartner Deconsolidation.

The Company's net income for the third quarter increased  93.4% to $77,066 from
$39,858 in the  third  quarter  of the  prior  year.  Year-to-date  net  income
increased 63.8% to $190,026,  from  $116,010 for the  comparable  period of the
prior year. Excluding the after-tax impact of the J3 Acquisition-Related
Charge; discontinued business units in 1996; gains associated with the sale of 
Cognizant Enterprises'  investments and the loss on the sale of Pilot,
net income for the quarter and year-to-date increased 16.6% and 18.1%,
respectively.

Earnings per share for the third quarter increased 104.3% to $.47 from $.23 for
the third quarter of the prior year.  Year-to-date earnings per share increased
67.6% to $1.14 from $.68 for the comparable period in the prior year. Excluding
the after-tax impact of the items in the preceding paragraph, earnings per
share for the quarter and year-to-date increased 21.6% and 20.9%, respectively.

     On October 21, 1997, the Company  announced that its Board of Directors had
authorized  a  systematic  stock  repurchase  program to buy up to 10.0  million
shares of the Company's  outstanding  common  stock.  This is in addition to the
previously approved program to repurchase 8.5 million shares, a portion of which
was intended to cover option  exercises.  The  previously  approved  program was
completed on September 5, 1997.

Results by Business Segment

    As discussed in Note 2, the Company's voting interest in Gartner fell below
50% in September 1997. Accordingly, for the three- and nine-month periods ended
September 30, 1997 the Company has deconsolidated Gartner and is accounting for
its ownership interest on the equity basis. The Information Technology segment,
which consisted solely of Gartner, is therefore no longer being reported.





                                                         -13-

<PAGE>
     Item 2.  Management's  Discussion  and Analysis of Financial  Condition and
Results of Operations (continued) (Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share
data)

Results by Business Segment- (continued)

     The Marketing  Information  Services segment consists of IMS, Nielsen Media
Research, Pilot (divested during the third quarter), Erisco, Inc., and Cognizant
Technology Solutions Corporation. Marketing Information Services revenue for the
third  quarter of 1997  increased  8.5% to $341,041  from  $314,230 in the third
quarter of the prior year.  Adjusting for the impact of a stronger U.S.  dollar,
revenue for the third  quarter 1997  increased by 10.3%.  IMS had third  quarter
revenue in 1997 of $233,196,up  8.0% from $215,907 in the third quarter of 1996.
Excluding the impact of a stronger  U.S.  dollar and the impact of gains related
to the Company's hedging  strategy,  IMS revenue increased by 10.5%. IMS revenue
growth  benefited  from strong  performance  of its sales  management  products,
geographic expansion and excellent growth of its electronic territory management
product.

     Nielsen Media Research  revenue for the third quarter 1997 increased  12.6%
to $89,911 from $79,823 in the third  quarter of the prior year.  Nielsen  Media
Research achieved  continuing growth from new metered markets,  additional cable
networks, and its local Hispanic and Monitor Plus measurement services.

Marketing  Information Services year-to-date revenue increased 9.2% to $994,877
from  $910,895 for the  comparable period of the prior year.  Adjusting for the
impact of a stronger U.S. dollar, year-to-date revenue increased by 11.0%.

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows
Nine Months Ended September 30, 1997 and 1996
(Dollar amounts in thousands)

Net cash provided by operating activities totaled $261,253 for the nine months
ended  September 30, 1997 compared with $344,769 for the  comparable  period in
1996.  The decrease of $83,516  principally reflects a net decrease in deferred
and accrued income taxes ($66,316), primarily  payment of taxes and the Gartner
Deconsolidation; the 1996 J3  Acquisition-Related  Charge at Gartner ($33,233);
lower   increase in   deferred   revenues   ($26,523),   due  to  the  Gartner
Deconsolidation; and the impact of non-cash  equity  income  ($26,662) in 1997.
These  decreases were  partially  offset by an increase  in business  operating
results ($64,309) (including net income and depreciation and amortization),
reduced  restructuring,  postemployment  benefit and 1995  non-recurring charge
payments ($13,327).

     Net cash used in investing  activities  totaled $190,832 for 1997 compared
with $207,433 for the  comparable period in 1996. The decrease in cash used for
investing  activities  of  $16,601 is  principally due to the  absence  of net
payments for marketable securities ($31,317)and payments for the acquisition of
businesses ($24,386) due to the Gartner Deconsolidation; the absence of Gartner
stock  purchases  ($42,998);  and the  proceeds  from  sale of  investments 
in 1997  ($43,601).  These  increases  were  partially offset by the
impact of the deconsolidation of Gartner cash ($123,697).


                                                       -14-

<PAGE>
Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows
Nine Months Ended September 30, 1997 and 1996 - (continued)
(Dollar amounts in thousands)

Net cash used in financing activities totaled $205,597 for the nine months ended
in 1997 compared with $120,776 for the  comparable period in 1996. The increase
in cash  usage of $84,821 is  primarily  due to  payments  for the purchase  of
treasury  shares  ($302,011)  and dividends  paid  ($15,008) in 1997, partially
offset  by  third  party  investments  in  partnerships  ($100,000) in 1997 and
transfers to The Dun & Bradstreet Corporation in 1996 ($122,886).

Changes in Financial Position at September 30, 1997 Compared to 
December 31, 1996
(Dollar amounts in thousands)

Cash decreased to $283,162 at September 30, 1997, from $428,520 at December 31,
1996,  primarily  reflecting the  Gartner  Deconsolidation ($123,697),   share
repurchases  ($302,011); offset by third-parties investment in partnerships
($100,000).

Accounts  Receivable decreased to $280,800 at September 30, 1997, from $453,791
at  December  31,  1996,  primarily  reflecting  the  Gartner   Deconsolidation
($145,905),  the sale of Pilot ($13,766) and  seasonality  within the Company's
business units.

Other Current Assets decreased to $56,882 at September 30, 1997,  from $112,151
at December 31, 1996, primarily reflecting the Gartner Deconsolidation.

Gartner Group  Investment  represents  the accounting  for Gartner on an equity
basis at September 30, 1997 ($170,195).

Property, Plant and Equipment decreased to $226,230 at September 30, 1997, from
$268,888 at December 31, 1996, primarily reflecting the Gartner Deconsolidation
($32,813) and the sale of the Company's Wilton, CT building ($14,997).

Goodwill  decreased to $88,295 at September 30, 1997, from $251,483 at December
31, 1996,  primarily reflecting the Gartner  Deconsolidation and the
sale of Pilot ($20,590).

Accrued and Other  Current  Liabilities  decreased to $180,329 at September  30,
1997, from $266,932 at December 31, 1996, primarily reflecting the Gartner
Deconsolidation .

Deferred Revenues  decreased to $133,925 at September 30,1997, from $292,970 at
December 31, 1996, primarily reflecting the Gartner  Deconsolidation 
offset by an increase in subscription sales at IMS.

Minority Interests increased to $101,730 at September 30, 1997, from $90,635 at
December  31, 1996,   primarily   reflecting  the  third-parties investment  in
partnerships ($100,000) and a decrease  in  minority  interest  related to the
Gartner Deconsolidation.

Shareholders' Equity decreased to $705,659 at September 30, 1997, from $872,613
at December 31, 1996,  primarily  reflecting  the  purchase of treasury  shares
($302,011), payments  of  dividends  ($15,008)  and the  change  in  cumulative
translation adjustment ($45,449), partially offset by net income ($190,026).

                                                         -15-

<PAGE>
PART II.  OTHER INFORMATION

Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K.

(a)     Exhibits:

        10  Material Contracts

           .24 Severance Agreement and Release between Cognizant Corporation
           and Dennis G. Sisco dated as of February 28, 1997 (executed in the
           third quarter  1997)  (management  contract  and  or  compensatory 
           plan or arrangement).

        27  Financial Data Schedule
            (Filed Electronically)

(b)     Reports on Form 8-K:

        There  were no  reports  on Form 8-K  filed  during  the  quarter ended
September 30, 1997.






























                                                       -16-


<PAGE>

                                   SIGNATURES



Pursuant  to the  requirements  of the  Securities  Exchange  Act of  1934, the
Registrant  has duly  caused  this  report  to be  signed on its  behalf by the
undersigned thereunto duly authorized.


                                                       COGNIZANT CORPORATION






Date: November 14, 1997      By:/S/Victoria R. Fash
                             ==================================================
                             Victoria R. Fash
                             Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer



Date: November 14, 1997      By:/S/James C. Malone
                             ===============================================
                             James C. Malone
                             Senior Vice President - Finance & Controller






           


<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 5
<MULTIPLIER> 1000
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1997
<CASH>                                         283,162
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  280,800
<ALLOWANCES>                                     7,456
<INVENTORY>                                     27,745
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               620,844
<PP&E>                                         499,095
<DEPRECIATION>                                 272,865
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,437,095
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          433,741
<BONDS>                                              0
                                0
                                          0
<COMMON>                                         1,703
<OTHER-SE>                                     703,956
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,437,095
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               994,877
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  793,126
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 2,306
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 670
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                261,744
<INCOME-TAX>                                    71,718
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            190,026
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   190,026
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.14
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.14
        

</TABLE>

EXHIBIT 10.24


                  THIS SEVERANCE AGREEMENT AND RELEASE,  made as of February 28,
1997 by and between DENNIS G. SISCO(hereinafter referred to as "Employee"),  and
COGNIZANT CORPORATION  (hereinafter deemed to include its worldwide subsidiaries
and affiliates and referred to as "the Company").

                  WITNESSETH THAT:

                  WHEREAS, Employee has been employed by the Company since the
                     date specified in Appendix I; and

                  WHEREAS, the parties to this Agreement desire to enter into an
agreement  in order to  provide  certain  benefits  and salary  continuation  to
Employee;

                  NOW,  THEREFORE,  in consideration of the mutual covenants and
promises  hereinafter  provided and of the actions taken pursuant  thereto,  the
parties agree as follows:


         1.  Employee  shall assume  inactive  employee  status with the Company
effective  on the date  specified  in  Appendix  I.  From and after  that  date,
Employee shall have no further responsibilities as an officer or employee of the
Company.  Effective on the "Effective Date of Resignation" specified in Appendix
I, Employee's employment with the Company shall terminate. In furtherance of the
foregoing, Employee agrees, upon request of the Company, to execute such written
resignations as the Company may require in order that Employee's  positions with
the Company,  its  subsidiaries  and  affiliates,  may be  terminated  as of the
Effective Date of Resignation.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, Employee shall be
entitled to remain on the Boards of Directors  of the  companies  identified  in
Appendix I unless and until removed by their respective  shareholders.  Employee
shall not be acting as a  representative  of the Company on any of the Boards of
Directors identified on Appendix I.

         2.  Effective on the date set forth in Appendix I,  Employee  will have
the status of an  inactive  employee  within the  meaning of Section  2.4 of the
Cognizant  Corporation  Executive  Transition Plan (the "Plan"),  a summary plan
description of which Employee hereby acknowledges receipt. On the Effective Date
of Resignation,  Employee shall incur an "Eligible  Termination"  under the Plan
and will, accordingly,  be entitled to the benefits set forth therein subject to
the terms and  conditions of such Plan.  In  accordance  with Section 2.4 of the
Plan,  amounts paid to Employee during his period of inactive status will offset
any benefits payable under the Plan. A summary of the benefits to which Employee
is entitled under the Plan is set forth in Appendix I.

         3. Through the Termination  Date specified in Appendix I, Employee will
be reasonably  available to consult on matters,  and will  cooperate  fully with
respect to any claims, litigation or investigations, relating to the Company. No
reimbursement  for  expenses  incurred  after  the  commencement  of a period of
inactive  employee status,  or if there is no such period,  after termination of
employment,  shall be made to  Employee  unless  authorized  in  advance  by the
Company.

         4. Employee  agrees that until the  Termination  Date Employee will not
become a  stockholder  (unless  such  stock is listed on a  national  securities
exchange  or  traded on a daily  basis in the  over-the-counter  market  and the
Employee's ownership interest is not in excess of 5% of the company whose shares
are being purchased), member, employee, officer, director or consultant of or to
a Competing Business (as defined below); nor if Employee becomes associated with
a company,  partnership or individual  which company,  partnership or individual
acts as a consultant to a Competing  Business will Employee  provide services to
such Competing  Business.  The  restrictions  contained in this paragraph  shall
apply  whether  or not  Employee  accepts  any form of  compensation  from  such
competing  entity or  consultant.  The foregoing  provisions  shall not prohibit
Employee from becoming a stockholder,  employee, officer, director or consultant
of or to a  corporation,  or a member or an  employee  of or a  consultant  to a
partnership or other  business or firm,  primarily  engaged in venture  capital,
equity  or  debt-based  investing  so long as the  Employee  does  not act as an
executive officer (or member of senior  management) of any Competing Business in
which such  corporation,  partnership,  business or firm invests.  Employee also
agrees that,  until the Termination  Date,  Employee will not recruit or solicit
any customers of the Company to become customers of any Competing  Business.  In
addition,  Employee agrees that until the Termination  Date neither Employee nor
any company or entity Employee controls or manages, shall recruit or solicit any
employee of the Company to become an employee of any business entity. As used in
this  paragraph 4, the term  "Competing  Business"  shall mean any  corporation,
partnership,  business or entity which  competes  with any business in which the
Company owns, directly or indirectly, a controlling interest as of the Effective
Date of Resignation.

         5. If Employee  performs  services for an entity other than the Company
at any time prior to the  Termination  Date  (whether  or not such  entity is in
competition with the Company),  Employee shall notify the Company on or prior to
the  commencement  thereof.  To  "perform  services"  shall mean  employment  or
services as a full-time employee,  consultant,  owner, partner, associate, agent
or  otherwise  on  behalf  of  any  person,  principal,   partnership,  firm  or
corporation.  For  purposes  of this  paragraph  5 only,  "Company"  shall  mean
Cognizant  Corporation and any other affiliated entity which has been designated
to participate in The Cognizant Corporation Career Transition Plan.

         6.  Employee  agrees that  Employee  will not  directly  or  indirectly
disclose any proprietary or confidential  information,  records, data, formulae,
specifications  and other trade  secrets  owned by the Company,  whether oral or
written,  to any person or use any such  information,  except  pursuant to court
order (in which case Employee will first provide the Company with written notice
of such). All records, files, drawings,  documents, models, disks, equipment and
the like  relating  to the  businesses  of the  Company  shall  remain  the sole
property  of the  Company  and shall not be  removed  from the  premises  of the
Company.  Employee  further  agrees to return to the Company any property of the
Company which  Employee may have, no matter where  located,  and not to keep any
copies or portions thereof.  However,  Employee may retain his  Company-provided
Macintosh personal computer system and related software,  cellular telephone and
pager.

         7.  Neither   Employee  nor  the  Company  shall  make  any  derogatory
statements  about  the  other.  Employee  shall  not  make any  written  or oral
statement,  news release or other announcement relating to Employee's employment
by the  Company or relating  to the  Company,  its  subsidiaries,  customers  or
personnel, which is designed to embarrass or criticize any of the foregoing. The
Company  shall not make any  written or oral  statement,  news  release or other
announcement  relating to Employee or Employee's employment by the Company which
is designed to embarrass or criticize Employee.

         8. (a) (i) The  stock  options  granted  to  Employee  pursuant  to the
Company's  Replacement Plan For Certain  Employees  Holding The Dun & Bradstreet
Corporation  Equity  Based Awards (the  "Replacement  Plan") which are listed on
Appendix II shall be cancelled and replaced with options ("Substitute  Options")
to purchase an equivalent  number of shares of the Company's  Common Stock under
the Company's Key Employees Stock Incentive Plan (the "Stock  Incentive  Plan").
Such Substitute  Options shall be granted at the prices set forth in Appendix II
(which  prices are not less than the fair market  value on April 15,  1997,  the
date of the  approval  of  such  reissuance  by the  Compensation  and  Benefits
Committee  of the  Company's  Board  of  Directors)  but  shall  otherwise  have
substantially the same terms as the options they replace.

                    (ii)  Employees'  termination  under this Agreement shall be
deemed to be a "Retirement"  under the Stock  Incentive Plan and that portion of
Employee's stock options granted pursuant to the Stock Incentive Plan that would
otherwise  vest on November 6, 2002,  shall be accelerated so as to vest ratably
on each of the five preceding November 6ths. The foregoing  provisions shall not
apply to any other health, welfare or other benefit plan of the Company.

                  (iii)  Notwithstanding  the provisions of clauses (i) and (ii)
of this paragraph,  the Employee hereby elects to forfeit options to purchase an
aggregate of 54,615 shares of the Company's Common Stock at an exercise price of
$33.375 per share which were  purchased by the Employee on or about November 15,
1996. By virtue of such  forfeiture,  the Employee shall be entitled to a refund
by the Company of $182,278  representing the purchase price of the options being
forfeited.

                  (iv) For  purposes  of the  Company's  Supplemental  Executive
Retirement  Plan,  the  Employee  shall be deemed to have  completed 10 years of
service as of the date of his termination of employment. Amounts paid or payable
to the Employee pursuant to this Agreement or the Plan shall not be included for
purposes of computing any benefits  under any benefit plan of the Company or any
of its predecessors  (including the Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan). The
amount of the  Employee's  benefits  payable at age 55 are set forth in Appendix
IV.

         (b) For purposes of the  acceleration  provisions of  Employee's  stock
options granted pursuant to the Stock Incentive Plan,  "Change in Control" shall
mean:

                  (i) any  "Person," as such term is defined in Section  3(a)(9)
of the Securities  Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange  Act") (other
than the Company,  any trustee or other fiduciary  holding  securities  under an
employee  benefit  plan  of the  Company,  or any  company  owned,  directly  or
indirectly,  by the  stockholders  of the  Company  in  substantially  the  same
proportions as their ownership of stock of the Company), becomes the "Beneficial
Owner"  (as  defined  in  Rule  13d-3  under  the  Exchange  Act),  directly  or
indirectly,  of  securities  of the  Company  representing  20% or  more  of the
combined voting power of the Company's then outstanding securities;

                  (ii) during any period of  twenty-four  months (not  including
any period prior to the  execution of this  Agreement),  individuals  who at the
beginning of such period  constitute the Board, and any new director (other than
(A) a director  nominated by a Person who has entered into an agreement with the
Company to effect a transaction  described in Section  (8)(b)(i),  (iii) or (iv)
hereof,  (B) a director  nominated  by any Person  (including  the  Company) who
publicly   announces  an  intention  to  take  or  to  consider  taking  actions
(including,  but not limited to, an actual or threatened proxy contest) which if
consummated would constitute a Change in Control or (C) a director  nominated by
any Person who is the Beneficial Owner, directly or indirectly, of securities of
the  Company  representing  10% or  more of the  combined  voting  power  of the
Company's  securities) whose election by the Board or nomination for election by
the  Company's  stockholders  was  approved  in  advance  by a vote of at  least
two-thirds (2/3) of the directors then still in office who either were directors
at the beginning of the period or whose  election or nomination for election was
previously  so approved,  cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority
thereof;

                  (iii) the  stockholders of the Company approve any transaction
or series of transactions under which the Company is merged or consolidated with
any other company,  other than a merger or consolidation  (A) which would result
in the voting  securities of the Company  outstanding  immediately prior thereto
continuing to represent  (either by remaining  outstanding or by being converted
into  voting  securities  of the  surviving  entity)  more  than  66 2/3% of the
combined voting power of the voting  securities of the Company or such surviving
entity outstanding  immediately after such merger or consolidation and (B) after
which  no  Person  holds  20%  or  more  of the  combined  voting  power  of the
then-outstanding securities of the Company or such surviving entity; or

                  (iv)  the  stockholders  of the  Company  approve  a  plan  of
complete  liquidation of the Company or an agreement for the sale or disposition
by the Company of all or substantially all of the Company's assets.

         (c)  Employee has served at the request of the Company as a director of
certain companies in which the Company has an investment. While Employee will no
longer serve as the Company's  representative  with respect to those  Companies,
Employee agrees that any stock options or other  remuneration  received prior to
the  date  he  assumed  inactive   employment  status  in  the  course  of  such
representation  will continue to be held by Employee on behalf of the Company in
accordance  with the Company's  policies.  Specifically,  in the case of options
granted to Employee by Aspect  Development,  Inc. and Oacis Healthcare  Systems,
Inc.,  Employee  will  exercise  such options only upon the  instruction  of the
Company and the advance by the Company of the exercise  price  therefor and will
surrender to the Company any shares so acquired on exercise.  Employee also will
not to take any action which would cause such  options to terminate  without the
prior  consent  of the  Company.  To the  extent  Employee  is treated as having
received  taxable  income with respect to any cash or property he is required to
surrender to the Company,  the Company will indemnify and hold Employee harmless
for any taxes due as a result thereof.

         9. The Company shall also reimburse  Employee for the reasonable  costs
of seeking and securing new employment. Such costs may include telephone, travel
and lodging not  reimbursed by others,  mail and courier  services,  secretarial
services,  legal services,  and career counselling  (collectively,  and together
with office space "Outplacement Services").  The aggregate value of Outplacement
Services shall not exceed $60,000.

         10.  Employee  agrees that in the event of any  material  breach of the
covenants  contained in  paragraphs 3, 4, 5, 6 or 7, in addition to any remedies
that may be  available  to the  Company,  the  Company  may cease  all  payments
required  to be made to  Employee  under the  Plan,  recover  all such  payments
previously  made to  Employee  pursuant  to the Plan and treat  options  granted
pursuant  to the  Stock  Incentive  Plan and the  Replacement  Plan as  expiring
pursuant to Sections 7(f) and 6(g) thereof, respectively. The parties agree that
any such breach would cause injury to the Company  which  cannot  reasonably  or
adequately be quantified  and that such relief does not  constitute in any way a
penalty or a forfeiture.

         11.  Employee,  for  Employee,   Employee's  family,   representatives,
successors  and  assigns  releases  and forever  discharges  the Company and its
successors, assigns, subsidiaries,  affiliates,  directors, officers, employees,
attorneys,  agents and trustees or  administrators  of any Company plan from any
and all claims, demands, debts, damages,  injuries,  actions or rights of action
of any nature whatsoever,  whether known or unknown, which Employee had, now has
or  may  have  against  the  Company,  its  successors,  assigns,  subsidiaries,
affiliates,  directors,  officers, employees,  attorneys, agents and trustees or
administrators of any Company plan, from the beginning of Employee's  employment
to and  including  the date of this  Agreement  relating  to or  arising  out of
Employee's  employment  with the Company or the  termination of such  employment
other than a claim with respect to a vested  right  Employee may have to receive
benefits under any plan maintained by the Company or any of Employee's rights or
the  Company's  obligations  under  this  Agreement.  Employee  represents  that
Employee has not filed any action,  complaint,  charge, grievance or arbitration
against the Company or any of its successors, assigns, subsidiaries, affiliates,
directors, officers, employees, attorneys, agents and trustees or administrators
of any Company plan.

         12.  Employee  covenants that neither  Employee,  nor any of Employee's
respective  heirs,  representatives,   successors  or  assigns,  will  commence,
prosecute or cause to be commenced or  prosecuted  against the Company or any of
its  successors,   assigns,  subsidiaries,   affiliates,   directors,  officers,
employees,  attorneys, agents and trustees or administrators of any Company plan
any action or other proceeding based upon any claims, demands, causes of action,
obligations,  damages or liabilities which are being released by this Agreement,
nor will Employee seek to challenge the validity of this Agreement,  except that
this  covenant  not to sue does not affect  Employee's  future  right to enforce
appropriately the terms of this Agreement in a court of competent jurisdiction.

         13. Employee acknowledges that (a) Employee has been advised to consult
with an attorney at Employee's own expense  before  executing this Agreement and
that Employee has been advised by an attorney or has knowingly waived Employee's
right to do so, (b) Employee has had a period of at least  twenty-one  (21) days
within which to consider this Agreement,  (c) Employee has a period of seven (7)
days from the date that Employee signs this Agreement  within which to revoke it
and that this  Agreement  will not become  effective  or  enforceable  until the
expiration  of  this  seven  (7)  day  revocation  period,  (d)  Employee  fully
understands  the terms and contents of this  Agreement and freely,  voluntarily,
knowingly  and without  coercion  enters into this  Agreement,  (e)  Employee is
receiving  greater  consideration  hereunder  than  Employee  would  receive had
Employee not signed this Agreement and that the consideration hereunder is given
in exchange  for all of the  provisions  hereof and (f) the waiver or release by
Employee  of rights or claims  Employee  may have  under  Title VII of the Civil
Rights Act of 1964, The Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, the Age
Discrimination  in Employment Act of 1967, the Older Workers Benefit  Protection
Act, the Fair Labor  Standards  Act, the Americans  with  Disabilities  Act, the
Rehabilitation  Act, the Worker Adjustment and Retraining  Notification Act (all
as amended) and/or any other local, state or federal law dealing with employment
or the termination  thereof is knowing and voluntary and,  accordingly,  that it
shall be a breach of this  Agreement to  institute  any action or to recover any
damages that would be in conflict with or contrary to this acknowledgment or the
releases Employee has granted  hereunder.  Employee  understands and agrees that
the  Company's  payment of money and other  benefits to Employee and  Employee's
signing of this  Agreement  does not in any way indicate  that  Employee has any
viable  claims  against  the Company or that the  Company  admits any  liability
whatsoever.

         14. This Agreement  constitutes the entire agreement of the parties and
all prior negotiations or representations are merged herein. It shall be binding
upon and shall inure to the benefit of the parties  hereto and their  respective
successors,  assigns, heirs and legal representatives but neither this Agreement
nor any rights  hereunder shall be assignable by Employee  without the Company's
written consent. In addition,  this Agreement supersedes any prior employment or
compensation  agreement,  whether written,  oral or implied in law or implied in
fact between Employee and the Company, other than those contracts and agreements
excepted from the  application  of section 5.7 of the Plan pursuant to the terms
of such section, which prior agreements are hereby terminated.

         15.  If for  any  reason  any one or  more  of the  provisions  of this
Agreement shall be held or deemed to be inoperative, unenforceable or invalid by
a court of competent jurisdiction,  such circumstances shall not have the effect
of rendering  such  provision  invalid in any other case or rendering  any other
provisions of this Agreement inoperative, unenforceable or invalid.

         16. This  Agreement  shall be construed in accordance  with the laws of
the State of Connecticut,  except to the extent superseded by applicable federal
law.

         17.  This  Agreement  shall  terminate  in its  entirety  the Change in
Control Severance Agreement between the Company and Employee.

                  IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Employee and Cognizant Corporation, by its
duly authorized agent, have hereunder executed this Agreement.




                                 --------------------------------
                                    Employee


                                 COGNIZANT CORPORATION


                                 --------------------------------
                                     Title:


<PAGE>


Appendix I

Summary of Benefit Entitlements
Under The Cognizant Corporation
Executive Transition Plan


Employment with                                  December 19, 1989
Company Since:

Effective Date of                                February 28, 1997
Inactive Status:

Effective Date                                   April 18, 1997
of Resignation:

Positions Resigned:                              See Appendix III

Retained Board Seats                             Gartner Group, Inc.
                                                 Aspect Development, Inc.
                                                 Oacis Healthcare Systems, Inc.
                                                 Paragren Technologies
                                                 TSI International

Effective Date of                                April 18, 1997
Eligible Termination:

Termination Date:                               February 28, 1999


Salary Continuation:                          $12,538.46 per week for 104 weeks

Welfare Benefit Continuation:                  Medical Plan (safety net)
                                               Dental Plan
                                               Life    Insurance
                                               (coverage      in
                                                effect    as   of
                                                effective date of
                                                inactive  status)
                                                Health       Care
                                                Spending Account

Annual Bonus Payment:    2/12 of the annual bonus  otherwise payable to you at
                         time of normal payment.

Executive Outplacement:     As provided by the Company.

Financial Planning/         As provided by the Company.
Counseling:

         The  description  of  benefits  contained  in this  Appendix  is only a
summary and is subject to the terms and  conditions  of the Plan.  Refer to your
summary plan description for more detail.



<PAGE>


Appendix III

Directorships and Officerships

Corporation/Title

Cognizant Corporation
         Executive Vice President

Cognizant Enterprises Corporation
         Director
         President

Cognizant Enterprises, Inc.
         Director
         President

Dataquest (Korea), Inc.
         Director
         Chairman

Dun & Bradstreet HealthCare Information, Inc.
         Director

Dun & Bradstreet-Satyam Software Private Limited
         Director


LexHealth, Inc.
         Director

Pilot Software, Inc.
         Director
         Chairman




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