EMCOR GROUP INC
424B2, 1998-03-16
ELECTRICAL WORK
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<PAGE>
                                                      Rule 424(b)(2)
                                                      Registration No. 333-44369

PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
(TO PROSPECTUS DATED FEBRUARY 6, 1998)
MARCH 12, 1998

 
                               1,100,000 SHARES
 
                               EMCOR GROUP, INC.
                                 COMMON STOCK

 
     All of the shares of Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share, offered
hereby are being sold by EMCOR Group, Inc., a Delaware corporation. The Common
Stock is quoted on The Nasdaq National Market under the symbol 'EMCG.' On March
12, 1998 the reported last sale price of a share of Common Stock was $22 per
share. See 'Price Range of Common Stock and Dividend Policy.'
 
     Concurrently with the Common Stock Offering, the Company is offering
pursuant to a separate Prospectus Supplement, $100,000,000 principal amount
(excluding the underwriter's over-allotment option) of 5 3/4% Convertible
Subordinated Notes due 2005. Consummation of the Common Stock Offering is not a
condition to consummation of the Notes Offering, and consummation of the Notes
Offering is not a condition to consummation of the Common Stock Offering.
 
     SEE 'RISK FACTORS' BEGINNING ON PAGE 4 IN THE ACCOMPANYING PROSPECTUS FOR A
DISCUSSION OF CERTAIN FACTORS THAT SHOULD BE CONSIDERED IN EVALUATING AN
INVESTMENT IN THE COMMON STOCK.
 
 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 THE ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS
        SUPPLEMENT OR THE ACCOMPANYING PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION
                    TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                   PRICE              UNDERWRITING            PROCEEDS
                                                   TO THE            DISCOUNTS AND             TO THE
                                                   PUBLIC            COMMISSIONS(1)          COMPANY(2)
<S>                                         <C>                   <C>                   <C>
Per Share.................................        $21.875                $1.32                $20.555
Total(3)..................................      $24,062,500            $1,452,000           $22,610,500
</TABLE>
 
(1) The Company has agreed to indemnify the Underwriters against certain
    liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
 
(2) Before deducting estimated expenses of $100,000 payable by the Company.
 

(3) The Company has granted the Underwriters a 30-day option to purchase up to
    165,000 additional shares of Common Stock, solely to cover over-allotments,
    if any. To the extent that the option is exercised, the Underwriters will
    offer the additional shares at the Price to the Public shown above. If the
    option is exercised in full, the total Price to the Public, Underwriting
    Discounts and Commissions and Proceeds to the Company will be $27,671,875,
    $1,669,800 and $26,002,075, respectively. See 'Underwriting.'
 
     The shares of Common Stock are offered by the several Underwriters, subject
to prior sale, when, as and if delivered to and accepted by them, and subject to
the right of the Underwriters to reject any order in whole or in part. It is
expected that delivery of the shares of Common Stock will be made through the
facilities of the Depository Trust Company against payment thereafter in
immediately available funds in New York, New York, on or about March 18, 1998.
 
                      DONALDSON, LUFKIN & JENRETTE
                         SECURITIES CORPORATION
<PAGE>

CERTAIN PERSONS PARTICIPATING IN THIS OFFERING MAY ENGAGE IN TRANSACTIONS THAT
STABILIZE, MAINTAIN OR OTHERWISE AFFECT THE PRICE OF THE COMMON STOCK.   
SPECIFICALLY, THE UNDERWRITERS MAY OVER-ALLOT IN CONNECTION WITH THE OFFERING
AND MAY BID FOR AND PURCHASE SHARES OF THE COMMON  STOCK IN THE OPEN MARKET. FOR
A DESCRIPTION OF THESE  ACTIVITIES, SEE 'UNDERWRITING.' 

IN CONNECTION  WITH THIS OFFERING, CERTAIN UNDERWRITERS AND SELLING GROUP
MEMBERS MAY ENGAGE IN PASSIVE MARKET MAKING TRANSACTIONS IN THE COMMON STOCK ON
NASDAQ IN ACCORDANCE WITH RULE 103  UNDER REGULATION M. SEE 'UNDERWRITING.'

<PAGE>
                               PROSPECTUS SUMMARY
 
     The following summary is qualified in its entirety by reference to the more
detailed information and financial statements (including the notes thereto)
appearing elsewhere, or incorporated by reference, in this Prospectus Supplement
and the accompanying Prospectus. As used in this Prospectus Supplement and the
accompanying Prospectus, except as the context otherwise requires, the 'Company'
or 'EMCOR' means EMCOR Group, Inc., a Delaware corporation, the Common Stock,
par value $0.01 per share ('Common Stock'), of which is traded on the Nasdaq
National Market under the symbol 'EMCG.'
 
     Unless otherwise indicated, the information in this Prospectus Supplement
assumes no exercise of the Underwriters' option to purchase up to 165,000
additional shares, to cover over-allotments, if any.
 
                                  THE COMPANY
 
     EMCOR is the largest mechanical and electrical construction and facilities
services firm in the United States and Canada and one of the largest in the
United Kingdom and the world with 1997 revenues totaling more than $1.95
billion. EMCOR provides services to a broad range of commercial, industrial and
institutional customers through approximately 45 principal operating units
throughout the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom and through joint
ventures in the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Hong Kong and

Macau.
 
     The Company specializes in the design, integration, installation, start-up,
testing, operation and maintenance of:
 
     o distribution systems for electrical power;
 
     o lighting systems;
 
     o low-voltage systems (e.g. fire alarm and communications systems);
 
     o heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration systems; and
 
     o plumbing, process and high-purity piping systems.
 
     The Company also provides services required to maintain the physical
environments and supporting systems of customer facilities ('facilities
services'). Facilities services include the installation and upgrading of
equipment, the operation and maintenance of mechanical and electrical systems,
as well as building maintenance and related support services. EMCOR's mechanical
and electrical construction services business often leads to opportunities for
the Company to provide facilities services.
 
     The Company provides mechanical and electrical construction services and
facilities services directly to corporations, municipalities and other
governmental entities, owners/developers and tenants of buildings and,
indirectly, by acting as a subcontractor to construction managers, general
contractors, systems suppliers and other subcontractors. Worldwide, the Company
employs approximately 14,000 people.
 
     The Company's revenues are diversified both geographically and by customer
industry. Of EMCOR's 1997 revenues, approximately 67% was generated in the
United States and approximately 33% was generated internationally, while
approximately 85% of revenues was derived from mechanical and electrical
construction services and approximately 15% from facilities services. For the
period 1995 through 1997, revenue and EBITDA grew at compound annual growth
rates of 11% and 55%, respectively.
 
     EMCOR, a Delaware corporation, was formed in 1987 to continue the business
of its predecessor, a New York corporation with the name JWP INC. EMCOR's
executive offices are located at 101 Merritt Seven Corporate Park, Norwalk,
Connecticut 06851, and its telephone number at those offices is (203) 849-7800.
 
INDUSTRY OVERVIEW
 
     MECHANICAL AND ELECTRICAL CONSTRUCTION
 
     The Company believes that the mechanical and electrical construction
services business is highly fragmented, consisting of hundreds of small
companies across the United States and around the world. This
 
                                      S-3
<PAGE>
industry characteristic provides EMCOR with a significant competitive advantage

due to the Company's financial strength. The mechanical and electrical
construction services industry has realized a higher growth rate than the
overall construction industry due in large part to the increased content and
complexity of mechanical and electrical systems in all types of projects. This
increased content and complexity is, in part, a result of the expanded use of
computers and more technologically advanced voice and data communications,
lighting and environmental control systems in all types of facilities.
Consequently, these facilities consume more electricity per square foot than in
the past and thus need more complex electrical distribution systems and power
and low voltage cabling. Moreover, the need for greater environmental controls
within a building, such as the heightened need for climate control to maintain
extensive computer systems at optimal temperatures, and the growing demand for
environmental control in individual spaces, have expanded opportunities for the
mechanical and electrical construction services business.
 
     Mechanical and electrical construction services generally fall into one of
three categories: (i) large installation projects with contracts often in the
multi-million dollar range which are performed in connection with construction
of industrial and commercial buildings and institutional and public works
facilities or with the fit-out of large blocks of space within commercial
buildings; (ii) smaller installation projects typically involving fit-out,
renovation and retrofit work; and (iii) testing and service of completed
facilities.
 
  FACILITIES SERVICES
 
     The Company's facilities services business principally involves analysis,
testing, operation, maintenance and service of mechanical and electrical
systems, as well as building maintenance and related support services. Demand
for facilities services has expanded as a result of the increasing technical
complexity of mechanical and electrical systems, systems upgrades and the
increasing dependence of customers' operations on the reliability of such
systems. In addition, trends toward outsourcing and privatization in the private
and public sectors, respectively, have increased demand for facilities services.
 
COMPETITIVE STRENGTHS
 
     The Company's overall size and breadth of operations are unique in the
industry. As a result there is no single entity which competes with the Company
in all or even a majority of its markets. The Company believes it has the
following competitive strengths which differentiate it from its competitors in
its various markets:
 
     o Leading Position in Target Markets.  The Company's leading position in
       many of its markets establishes it as a preferred provider for mechanical
       and electrical construction services, particularly on larger and more
       complex projects.
 
     o Wide Network of Subsidiaries.  The Company's wide network of subsidiaries
       allows it to leverage technical expertise and client relationships to
       offer its services to a broad range of customers in many major markets.
 
     o Financial Strength and Stability.  Its financial strength and stability
       permit the Company to undertake larger and more complex projects,

       especially those requiring commitments of large amounts of working
       capital and bonding capacity.
 
     o Technical Expertise and Depth of Resources.  The Company's size,
       geographic diversity, work in specialized markets and experience with
       complex projects have allowed it to develop personnel with a wide breadth
       of experience and critical technical skills.
 
     o Diverse Revenue Base.  The Company's geographic scope, complementary
       business lines, and the broad range of its customers' industries provide
       a hedge to construction cycles.
 
     o Consistent Service and Single Point of Contact.  The Company provides
       national and international customers a single point of contact and
       reliable service from many locations.
 
     o Operating Flexibility and Enduring Regional Presence.  The Company's
       operating flexibility and lasting regional presence allow it to seize
       opportunities as they arise in local markets and to reduce operations in
       markets experiencing economic downturns.
 
                                      S-4
<PAGE>
     o Operations Reporting System.  The Company has developed and implemented
       an operations reporting system in order to monitor the performance of
       each major project to compare actual performance with expectations,
       trends and company-wide performance on similar projects.
 
     o Broad Range of Services.  Its broad range of services allows the Company
       to hedge against economic fluctuations in the construction market and to
       leverage its mechanical and electrical construction services operations
       to generate facilities services contracts.
 
BUSINESS STRATEGY
 
     The Company's business strategy is to enhance its position as a leading
mechanical and electrical construction services firm and to expand its
facilities services operations in order to increase revenues and profitability.
It expects to achieve these goals by continuing to improve operations, to expand
its business and markets through internal growth, acquisitions and strategic
alliances, and to capitalize on long-term global trends in outsourcing and
privatization.
 
     The following are the key elements of the Company's operating strategy:
 
     o Exploit industry trends such as globalization, privatization, outsourcing
       and deregulation.
 
     o Operate on a decentralized basis to take advantage of local opportunities
       and maintain good relations with employees and organized labor.
 
     o Optimize operating efficiencies through the centralized provision of
       financial resources and administration of company-wide services.
 

     o Maintain strong local presence by committing to local markets and
       maintaining appropriately-sized operations during cyclical downturns.
 
     o Maintain excellent labor relations through employee recruitment and
       training, open dialogue with unions and a long-term commitment to remain
       in its markets and provide a consistent source of employment to union
       members.
 
     o Promote awareness of the EMCOR name as a national and international
       enterprise providing integrated operations and consistent, high-quality
       services while maintaining local identities to capitalize on name
       recognition at the local level.
 
GROWTH STRATEGY
 
     The key elements of the Company's growth strategy are to expand
geographically and into new customer markets through selective acquisitions,
joint ventures and strategic alliances and to enhance existing operations
through internal growth and staff additions. Such expansion should further
reduce the Company's exposure to periodic downturns in individual construction
markets.
 
                              RECENT DEVELOPMENTS
 
     The Company, through its subsidiary EMCOR Facilities Services, Inc.
('EFS'), entered into an alliance on April 28, 1997 with DukeSolutions, Inc.
('DukeSolutions'), a subsidiary of Duke Energy Corp., the largest utility in the
United States, in connection with a United States government contract valued by
DukeSolutions at up to $150.0 million. The objective of this alliance is to
improve the energy efficiency of federal facilities, such as military bases,
courthouses and office complexes located in 46 states, the District of Columbia
and Puerto Rico. EMCOR, through its established network of operations, will act
as a preferred subcontractor to DukeSolutions to implement energy savings
projects across the country.
 
     Through EFS, the Company also formed a strategic alliance on December 1,
1997 with PECO Energy Company ('PECO'), one of the largest utilities in the
United States. The goal of this alliance is to provide energy management
services to the more than 460 non-profit members of a consortium of the
Massachusetts Health and Educational Facilities Authority ('HEFA'). Under the
alliance, PECO plans to deliver competitively-priced electricity and related
services to HEFA members, which spend more than $115.0 million
 
                                      S-5
<PAGE>
on electricity annually. EMCOR, as a preferred provider for PECO, expects to
provide energy audits, engineering analysis and construction, operations and
maintenance services.
 
     In addition to these projects, EMCOR expects to be involved with the
analysis, design, installation, operation and maintenance of energy conservation
savings measures to be provided by these and other energy providers.
 
     In addition, on December 4, 1997, EMCOR acquired Newcomb Anderson

Associates ('Newcomb'), a San Francisco-based energy consulting business, to
expand its capacity to perform energy audits and to develop energy conservation
measures at various facilities. This expanded ability will allow the Company to
capitalize on opportunities arising from deregulation of the electric utility
industry and from federal, state and local government initiatives aimed at
reducing energy consumption. Newcomb has approximately 30 employees, is 14 years
old and has operated principally on the West Coast. Its customers include
electric utilities and government agencies.
 
                                      S-6
<PAGE>
                                  THE OFFERING
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                         <C>
Common Stock offered by the Company.......  1,100,000 shares
 
Common Stock to be outstanding after the
  offering(1).............................  10,694,827 shares
 
Nasdaq Symbol.............................  EMCG
 
Notes Offering............................  The Company is offering concurrently, pursuant to a separate
                                            Prospectus Supplement, $100,000,000 aggregate principal amount of
                                            5 3/4% Convertible Subordinated Notes due 2005 ($115,000,000 if the
                                            underwriter's over-allotment option is exercised in full) (the 'Notes
                                            Offering'). The Notes are convertible into Common Stock at a
                                            conversion price of $27.34 per share. Consummation of the Common
                                            Stock offering made hereby (the 'Common Stock Offering') is not a
                                            condition to consummation of the Notes Offering, and consummation of
                                            the Notes Offering is not a condition to consummation of the Common
                                            Stock Offering.
 
Use of Proceeds...........................  The proceeds of the offering made hereby, together with the proceeds
                                            of the Notes Offering, will be used for general corporate purposes,
                                            including without limitation, repayment of the Company's Series C
                                            Notes, repayment of the Company's Supplemental SellCo Note, repayment
                                            of the Company's working capital credit facility and possible
                                            acquisitions. See 'Use of Proceeds.'
</TABLE>
 
- -----------------------------
(1) Assumes no exercise of the Underwriters' option to purchase up to 165,000
additional shares, to cover over-allotments, if any. Includes 140,618 shares
reserved for issuance upon resolution of certain disputed claims against the
Company in its Chapter 11 proceeding which concluded on December 14, 1994.
Excludes 1,861,379 shares of Common Stock reserved for issuance pursuant to the
exercise of options granted or to be granted under the Company's 1994 Management
Stock Option Plan, 168,500 shares reserved for issuance pursuant to the exercise
of options granted or to be granted under the Company's 1995 Non-Employee
Directors' Non-Qualified Stock Option Plan, 300,000 shares reserved for issuance
pursuant to the exercise of options granted or to be granted under the Company's
1997 Non-Employee Directors' Non-Qualified Stock Option Plan, 100,000 shares
reserved for issuance pursuant to the Company's Stock Plan for Directors,

605,012 shares reserved for issuance upon exercise of the Company's Series X
Warrants, 605,012 shares reserved for issuance upon exercise of the Company's
Series Y Warrants. As of the date of this offering, options to purchase
1,216,998 shares have been granted, of which 381,877 are currently exercisable.
See 'Ownership of Common Stock--Security Ownership of Management.'
 
                                      S-7
<PAGE>
                             SUMMARY FINANCIAL DATA
 
     The following table sets forth summary consolidated financial data for the
Company for the fiscal years ended December 31, 1995, 1996 and 1997 and should
be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and related
notes appearing elsewhere in this Prospectus Supplement. The summary
consolidated financial data for the fiscal years ended December 31, 1995, 1996
and 1997 have been derived from the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements
which were audited by Arthur Andersen LLP, the Company's independent public
accountants.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                            FISCAL YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                                      --------------------------------------------
                                                                         1995             1996             1997
                                                                      (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE DATA, PER SHARE
                                                                                    DATA AND RATIOS)
<S>                                                                   <C>              <C>              <C>
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS DATA:
  Revenues......................................................      $1,588,744       $1,669,274       $1,950,868
  Cost of sales.................................................       1,445,597        1,508,486        1,768,685
                                                                      ----------       ----------       ----------
    Gross profit................................................         143,147          160,788          182,183
  Selling, general & administrative costs and expenses..........         137,254          143,674          154,769
                                                                      ----------       ----------       ----------
  Operating income..............................................           5,893           17,114           27,414
  Interest (expense) and other income, net......................         (14,820)            (146)(1)      (11,952)
  Net loss on business sold.....................................            (926)              --               --
                                                                      ----------       ----------       ----------
  Income (loss) before income taxes and extraordinary item......          (9,853)          16,968(1)        15,462
  Income tax provision..........................................           1,000            7,531            6,881
                                                                      ----------       ----------       ----------
  Income (loss) before extraordinary item.......................         (10,853)           9,437(1)         8,581
  Extraordinary item--loss on early extinguishment of debt, net
    of income taxes.............................................              --               --           (1,004)(2)
                                                                      ----------       ----------       ----------
  Net income (loss).............................................      $  (10,853)      $    9,437(1)    $    7,577
                                                                      ----------       ----------       ----------
                                                                      ----------       ----------       ----------
  Per share data:
    Income (loss) before extraordinary item (basic).............      $    (1.13)      $     1.00       $     0.90
    Income (loss) before extraordinary item (diluted)...........           (1.13)            0.96             0.84
    Net income (loss) (basic)...................................           (1.13)            1.00             0.79
    Net income (loss) (diluted).................................           (1.13)            0.96             0.74
  Weighted average shares outstanding (basic)...................       9,580,418        9,479,817        9,547,869

  Weighted average shares outstanding (diluted).................       9,580,418        9,811,003       10,174,895
OTHER DATA:
  EBITDA(3).....................................................      $   14,805       $   24,978(4)    $   35,606
  Capital expenditures..........................................           4,512            7,428            9,753
PRO FORMA DATA:(5)
  Interest expense, net.........................................                                        $   (5,550)
  Income before extraordinary item..............................                                            11,951
  Extraordinary item--loss on early extinguishment of debt, net
    of income taxes.............................................                                            (7,324)(6)
  Net income....................................................                                             4,627
  Per share data:
    Income before extraordinary item (basic)....................                                              1.12
    Income before extraordinary item (diluted)..................                                              1.05
    Net income (basic)..........................................                                              0.43
    Net income (diluted)........................................                                        $     0.56
  Weighted average shares outstanding (basic)...................                                        10,647,869
  Weighted average shares outstanding (diluted).................                                        14,932,038
 
  Ratio of long-term debt to EBITDA.............................                                              2.9x
  Ratio of EBITDA to net interest expense.......................                                              6.4x
</TABLE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                              AT DECEMBER 31, 1997
                                                                                          ----------------------------
                                                                                            ACTUAL      AS ADJUSTED(5)
<S>                                                                     <C>               <C>           <C>
BALANCE SHEET DATA:
  Cash and cash equivalents..........................................                     $   49,376       $ 87,251
  Working capital....................................................                        166,066        216,485
  Total assets.......................................................                        660,654        701,936
  Long-term debt, net of current maturities..........................                         63,212        102,189
  Stockholders' equity...............................................                         95,323        109,686
</TABLE>
 
                                      S-8
<PAGE>
(1) Includes a pre-tax gain of $12.5 million ($8.1 million after-tax) related to
    the sale of certain assets held for sale.
 
(2) The extraordinary item is a result of the early extinguishment of
    approximately $11.9 million of the Company's Series C Notes.
 
(3) Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization ('EBITDA')
    represents the sum of operating income before depreciation and amortization.
    EBITDA is not a measure of financial performance under generally accepted
    accounting principles, may not be comparable to other similarly titled
    measures of other companies and should not be considered as an alternative
    either to net income as an indicator of the Company's operating performance,
    or to cash flows as a measure of the Company's liquidity. See the Company's
    Consolidated Financial Statements and the related notes thereto appearing
    elsewhere in this Prospectus Supplement.
 

(4) Excludes a pre-tax gain of $12.5 million related to the sale of certain
    assets held for sale.
 
(5) The unaudited pro forma statement of operations data for the year ended
    December 31, 1997 gives effect to the Common Stock Offering and the Notes
    Offering, as if they occurred on January 1, 1997. The unaudited as adjusted
    balance sheet data as of December 31, 1997 give effect to the Common Stock
    Offering and the Notes Offering as if they had occurred on such date. The
    pro forma financial data is not intended to be indicative of either future
    results of operations or results that might have been achieved had the
    Common Stock Offering and the Notes Offering actually occurred on the dates
    specified. As adjusted data give effect to the sale of 1.1 million shares of
    Common Stock by the Company at an offering price of $21.875 per share and
    the issuance of $100.0 million of Notes and the receipt of the estimated net
    proceeds therefrom.
 
(6) Amount represents extraordinary item net of income taxes, resulting from the
    early retirement of the Company's Series C Notes and Supplemental SellCo
    Note with the proceeds noted in (5) above.
 
                                      S-9
<PAGE>
                                USE OF PROCEEDS
 
     The net proceeds to the Company from the sale of the 1,100,000 shares of
Common Stock offered hereby are estimated to be $22,510,500 ($25,902,075 if the
Underwriters exercise their over-allotment option in full), at an offering price
per share of $21.875 and after deducting estimated underwriting discounts and
commissions and offering expenses payable by the Company. The net proceeds of
the Common Stock Offering and the Notes Offering will be used for general
corporate purposes, including without limitation, repayment of the Company's
Series C Notes (which mature in 2001 and accrue interest at a coupon rate of 11%
per annum) in the aggregate amount of $64.8 million (including prepayment fees
and accrued and unpaid interest to December 31, 1997), repayment of the
Company's Supplemental SellCo Note (which matures in 2004 and accrues interest
at a coupon rate of 8% per annum) in the aggregate amount of $6.9 million
(including accrued and unpaid interest to December 31, 1997), repayment of the
Company's working capital credit facility (which accrues interest at a variable
rate which on December 31, 1997 was 9.5%) in the aggregate amount of $9.5
million as of December 31, 1997, and possible acquisitions. The Company will
continue to have the ability to borrow under its working capital credit facility
from time to time. See 'Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations--Liquidity and Capital Resources.' The
Company anticipates that the net proceeds remaining after repayment of
indebtedness, including interest thereon, will be used for expansion of existing
operations and possible acquisitions of related businesses. The Company is
continually involved in the evaluation of, and discussions with, potential
acquisition candidates.
 
                       RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
 
     For purposes of computing the ratio of earnings to fixed charges, earnings
consist of earnings (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes,
minority interest, extraordinary items and cumulative effect of accounting

changes, plus fixed charges (interest charges and preferred share dividend
requirements of subsidiaries, adjusted to a pre-tax basis), less interest
capitalized, less preferred share dividend requirements of subsidiaries adjusted
to a pre-tax basis and less undistributed earnings of affiliates whose debt is
not guaranteed by the Company, as applicable.
 
     The following table sets forth the ratio of earnings to fixed charges for
the Company for the periods indicated:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                               YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                               AS ADJUSTED
                                                                 1997(A)      1997     1996     1995  | 1994(B)    1993
<S>                                                            <C>            <C>      <C>      <C>   | <C>        <C>
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges..........................      2.60x       1.81x    1.89x     (c)  |   (d)       (e)
</TABLE>
 
- -----------------------------
 
(a) Represents pro forma ratio as if the Common Stock Offering and the Notes
    Offering occurred on January 1, 1997.
 
(b) As of December 31, 1994, in accordance with the American Institute of
    Certified Public Accountants Statement of Position 90-7, 'Financial
    Reporting by Entities in Reorganization under the Bankruptcy Code' ('SOP
    90-7'), the Company adopted Fresh-Start Accounting. As a result of the
    implementation of Fresh-Start Accounting, the consolidated financial
    statements of the Company for periods subsequent to consummation of the
    Company's reorganization pursuant to its Third Amended Joint Plan of
    Reorganization (the 'Plan of Reorganization'), which became effective in
    December 1994, are not comparable to the Company's consolidated financial
    statements for prior periods. Accordingly, a black line has been used to
    separate the Ratios of Earnings to Fixed Charges of the Company after the
    consummation of the Plan of Reorganization from those of the Company prior
    to the consummation of the Plan of Reorganization.
 
(c) No ratio is presented for 1995 as the earnings for that year were $9.5
    million less than the fixed charges.
 
(d) No ratio is presented for 1994 as the earnings for that year were $119.1
    million less than the fixed charges.
 
(e) No ratio is presented for 1993 as the earnings for that year were $114.7
    million less than the fixed charges.
 
                                      S-10
<PAGE>
                PRICE RANGE OF COMMON STOCK AND DIVIDEND POLICY
 
     The Company's Common Stock trades on the Nasdaq National Market tier of the
Nasdaq Stock Market under the symbol 'EMCG.' The following table sets forth the
high and low sales prices for the Common Stock for the periods indicated as

reported by the Nasdaq National Market. The reported last sale price of the
Common Stock on the Nasdaq National Market on March 12, 1998 was $22 per share.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                      PRICE RANGE
                                                                                                       OF COMMON
                                                                                                         STOCK
                                                                                                     -------------
                                                                                                     HIGH      LOW
<S>                                                                                                  <C>       <C>
Year ended December 31, 1996:
  1st Quarter.....................................................................................   $12 3/8   $9 3/8
  2nd Quarter.....................................................................................    17 3/8   11 3/4
  3rd Quarter.....................................................................................    17 3/8   14 1/8
  4th Quarter.....................................................................................    15 5/8   13
 
Year ended December 31, 1997:
  1st Quarter.....................................................................................   $17 3/16  $123/4
  2nd Quarter.....................................................................................    16 5/8   13
  3rd Quarter.....................................................................................    20 1/4   15
  4th Quarter.....................................................................................    22 1/4   16 1/2
 
Year ended December 31, 1998:
  1st Quarter (through March 12, 1998)............................................................   $23 1/8   $191/4
</TABLE>
 
     As of February 4, 1998 there were 63 shareholders of record, and, as of
that date, the Company estimates there were approximately 900 beneficial owners
holding stock in nominee or 'street' name.
 
     The Company did not pay dividends on its Common Stock during 1995, 1996 or
1997, and it does not anticipate that it will pay dividends on its Common Stock
in the foreseeable future. In addition, the Company's working capital credit
facility limits the payment of dividends on its Common Stock.
 
                                      S-11
<PAGE>
                                 CAPITALIZATION
 
     The following table sets forth the cash position, short-term debt and total
capitalization of the Company as of December 31, 1997, and as adjusted to give
effect to the Common Stock Offering, the Notes Offering and the repayment of
indebtedness as described under 'Use of Proceeds.' This table should be read in
conjunction with the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements and the related
notes thereto and the other financial information included elsewhere in this
Prospectus Supplement.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                AS OF DECEMBER 31, 1997
                                                                               --------------------------
                                                                                ACTUAL     AS ADJUSTED(1)
                                                                                  (IN THOUSANDS EXCEPT

                                                                                      SHARE DATA)
<S>                                                                            <C>         <C>
Cash and short-term investments.............................................   $ 49,376       $ 87,251
                                                                               --------    --------------
                                                                               --------    --------------
Short-term debt.............................................................   $    927       $    927
Long-term debt:
  Working capital credit facility...........................................      9,497             --
  11% Series C Notes due 2001(2)............................................     56,290             --
  8% Supplemental SellCo Note due 2004(3)...................................      4,733             --
  5 3/4% Convertible Subordinated Notes due 2005............................         --        100,000
  Other debt................................................................      2,189          2,189
                                                                               --------    --------------
     Total debt.............................................................     73,636        103,116
Stockholders' equity:
  Common Stock, $0.01 par value; 13,700,000 shares authorized(4)(5);
     9,590,827 shares (actual)(6), 10,690,827 shares (as adjusted)(6) issued
     and outstanding........................................................         96            107
  Preferred Stock, $0.10 par value; 1,000,000 shares authorized;
     zero shares (actual and as adjusted) issued and outstanding............         --             --
  Warrants..................................................................      2,154          2,154
  Capital surplus...........................................................     87,107        106,633
  Retained earnings.........................................................      6,161            987
  Cumulative translation adjustment.........................................       (195)          (195)
                                                                               --------    --------------
     Total stockholders' equity.............................................     95,323        109,686
                                                                               --------    --------------
Total capitalization........................................................   $168,959       $212,802
                                                                               --------    --------------
                                                                               --------    --------------
</TABLE>
 
- -----------------------------
 
(1) As adjusted to give effect to the sale of 1.1 million shares of Common Stock
    by the Company at an offering price of $21.875 per share and the issuance of
    $100.0 million of Notes and the receipt of the estimated proceeds therefrom.
    Assumes no exercise of the underwriters' over-allotment options.
 
(2) The Series C Notes have been recorded at a discount to their face amount to
    yield an estimated effective interest rate of 14%. Face value at December
    31, 1997 wasapproximately $61.9 million. The Series C Notes are currently
    redeemable at a redemption price equal to 104% of the principal amount.
 
(3) The Supplemental SellCo Note has been recorded at a discount to its face
    amount to yield an estimated effective interest rate of 14%. Face value at
    December 31, 1997 was approximately $5.5 million.
 
(4) The authorized Common Stock was increased to 30,000,000 shares on February
    12, 1998.
 
(5) Includes 3,639,903 total shares of Common Stock reserved for issuance
    pursuant to certain option and benefit plans and pursuant to the Company's
    Plan of Reorganization. See 'Prospectus Summary--The Offering.'

 
(6) Includes 140,618 shares reserved for issuance upon resolution of certain
    disputed claims against the Company to be issued to holders of pre-petition
    unsecured allowed claims against the Company in its Chapter 11 proceeding
    which concluded on December 14, 1994.
 
                                      S-12
<PAGE>
                             SUMMARY FINANCIAL DATA
 
     The following table sets forth summary consolidated financial data for the
Company for the fiscal years ended December 31, 1995, 1996 and 1997 and should
be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and related
notes appearing elsewhere in this Prospectus Supplement. The summary
consolidated financial data for the fiscal years ended December 31, 1995, 1996
and 1997 have been derived from the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements
which were audited by Arthur Andersen LLP, the Company's independent public
accountants.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                           FISCAL YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                                  -------------------------------------------------
                                                                     1995               1996               1997
                                                                  (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE DATA, PER SHARE DATA
                                                                                     AND RATIOS)
<S>                                                               <C>               <C>                 <C>
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS DATA:
  Revenues.................................................       $1,588,744        $  1,669,274        $ 1,950,868
  Cost of sales............................................        1,445,597           1,508,486          1,768,685
                                                                  ----------        ------------        -----------
    Gross profit...........................................          143,147             160,788            182,183
  Selling, general & administrative costs and expenses.....          137,254             143,674            154,769
                                                                  ----------        ------------        -----------
  Operating income.........................................            5,893              17,114             27,414
  Interest (expense) and other income, net.................          (14,820)               (146)(1)        (11,952)
  Net loss on business sold................................             (926)                 --                 --
                                                                  ----------        ------------        -----------
  Income (loss) before income taxes and extraordinary
    item...................................................           (9,853)             16,968(1)          15,462
  Income tax provision.....................................            1,000               7,531              6,881
                                                                  ----------        ------------        -----------
  Income (loss) before extraordinary item..................          (10,853)              9,437(1)           8,581
  Extraordinary item--loss on early extinguishment of debt,
    net of income taxes....................................               --                  --             (1,004)(2)
                                                                  ----------        ------------        -----------
  Net income (loss)........................................       $  (10,853)       $      9,437(1)     $     7,577
                                                                  ----------        ------------        -----------
                                                                  ----------        ------------        -----------
  Per share data:
    Income (loss) before extraordinary item (basic)........       $    (1.13)       $       1.00        $      0.90
    Income (loss) before extraordinary item (diluted)......            (1.13)               0.96               0.84
    Net income (loss) (basic)..............................            (1.13)               1.00               0.79
    Net income (loss) (diluted)............................            (1.13)               0.96               0.74

  Weighted average shares outstanding (basic)..............        9,580,418           9,479,817          9,547,869
  Weighted average shares outstanding (diluted)............        9,580,418           9,811,003         10,174,895
OTHER DATA:
  EBITDA (3)...............................................       $   14,805        $     24,978(4)     $    35,606
  Capital expenditures.....................................            4,512               7,428              9,753
PRO FORMA DATA:(5)
  Interest expense, net....................................                                             $    (5,550)
  Income before extraordinary item.........................                                                  11,951
  Extraordinary item--loss on early extinguishment of debt,
    net of income taxes....................................                                                  (7,324)(6)
  Net income...............................................                                                   4,627
  Per share data:
    Income before extraordinary item (basic)...............                                                    1.12
    Income before extraordinary item (diluted).............                                                    1.05
    Net income (basic).....................................                                                    0.43
    Net income (diluted)...................................                                             $      0.56
  Weighted average shares outstanding (basic)..............                                              10,647,869
  Weighted average shares outstanding (diluted)............                                              14,932,038
  Ratio of long-term debt to EBITDA........................                                                    2.9x
  Ratio of EBITDA to net interest expense..................                                                    6.4x
</TABLE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                          AT DECEMBER 31, 1997
                                                                                   ----------------------------------
                                                                                      ACTUAL          AS ADJUSTED (5)
<S>                                                              <C>               <C>                <C>
BALANCE SHEET DATA:
  Cash and cash equivalents...............................                         $     49,376         $    87,251
  Working capital.........................................                              166,066             216,485
  Total assets............................................                              660,654             701,936
  Long-term debt, net of current maturities...............                               63,212             102,189
  Stockholders' equity....................................                               95,323             109,686
</TABLE>
 
                                                        (Footnotes on next page)
 
                                      S-13
<PAGE>
(Footnotes from previous page)
- -----------------------------
 
(1) Includes a pre-tax gain of $12.5 million ($8.1 million after-tax) related to
    the sale of certain assets held for sale.
 
(2) The extraordinary item is a result of the early extinguishment of
    approximately $11.9 million of the Company's Series C Notes.
 
(3) Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization ('EBITDA')
    represents the sum of operating income before depreciation and amortization.
    EBITDA is not a measure of financial performance under generally accepted
    accounting principles, and may not be comparable to other similarly titled
    measures of other companies and should not be considered as an alternative

    either to net income as an indicator of the Company's operating performance,
    or to cash flows as a measure of the Company's liquidity. See the Company's
    Consolidated Financial Statements and the related notes thereto appearing
    elsewhere in this Prospectus Supplement.
 
(4) Excludes a pre-tax gain of $12.5 million related to the sale of certain
    assets held for sale.
 
(5) The unaudited pro forma statement of operations data for the year ended
    December 31, 1997 gives effect to the Common Stock Offering and the Notes
    Offering, as if they occurred on January 1, 1997. The unaudited as adjusted
    balance sheet data as of December 31, 1997 give effect to the Common Stock
    Offering and the Notes Offering as if they had occurred on such date. The
    pro forma financial data is not intended to be indicative of either future
    results of operations or results that might have been achieved had the
    Common Stock Offering and the Notes Offering actually occurred on the dates
    specified. As adjusted data give effect to the sale of 1.1 million shares of
    Common Stock by the Company at an offering price of $21.875 per share and
    the issuance of $100.0 million of Notes and the receipt of the estimated net
    proceeds therefrom.
 
(6) Amount represents extraordinary item net of income taxes, resulting from the
    early retirement of the Company's Series C Notes and Supplemental SellCo
    Note with the proceeds noted in (5) above.
 
                                      S-14
<PAGE>
                      MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
                OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS: YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997 COMPARED TO YEAR ENDED
DECEMBER 31, 1996
 
     The Company's revenues for the years ended December 31, 1997 and 1996 were
$1,950.9 million and $1,669.3 million, respectively. Net income for the year
ended December 31, 1997 was $7.6 million compared to net income of $9.4 million
for the year ended December 31, 1996. Basic Earnings Per Share ('Basic EPS') as
defined by Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 128, 'Earnings Per
Share,' was $0.79 per share for the year ended December 31, 1997 compared to
Basic EPS of $1.00 per share in the year earlier period. Net income for the year
ended December 31, 1997 includes an after-tax charge of approximately $1.0
million ($1.7 million pre-tax) associated with the early retirement of
approximately $11.9 million of the Company's Series C Notes. Net income for the
year ended December 31, 1996 reflects a net after-tax gain of $8.1 million
($12.5 million pre-tax) on the sale of certain assets held for sale, including
the sale of substantially all of the assets of Jamaica Water Supply Company
('JWS'). JWS and the Company's other water supply subsidiary, Sea Cliff Water
Company, are referred to hereafter as the 'Water Companies.' Net income for 1996
also reflects an after-tax charge of $2.8 million ($4.3 million pre-tax)
included in selling, general and administrative expenses ('SG&A') related to an
adverse arbitration award.
 
     The 16.9% increase in revenues for the year ended December 31, 1997 when
compared to 1996 was primarily attributable to the continued increase in

commercial construction activity in the western United States, the acquisition
of the businesses of two mechanical construction companies in late 1996 and
early 1997 in Connecticut and New Jersey, respectively, a general increase in
industrial construction activity in Canada, and continued progress on several
large jobs in the United Kingdom.
 
     SG&A for the year ended December 31, 1997 was $154.8 million, or 7.9% of
revenues, compared to $143.7 million, or 8.6% of revenues, for the year ended
December 31, 1996. SG&A expenses for the year ended December 31, 1996, exclusive
of the adverse arbitration award noted above, were $139.4 million, or 8.3% of
revenues. The dollar increase in SG&A for the year ended December 31, 1997
compared to the prior year is attributable to the increase in operating volume.
The reduction in SG&A as a percentage of revenues is due to the maintenance of
the fixed cost portion of SG&A.
 
     The Company generated operating income of $27.4 million for the year ended
December 31, 1997 compared with operating income of $17.1 million for the year
ended December 31, 1996. Operating income for the year ended December 31, 1997
as compared to 1996 increased by $10.3 million due to increases in operating
volume during 1997 as well as reductions in SG&A as a percentage of revenues. In
addition, operating income for 1996 reflected the negative impact during 1996 of
the adverse arbitration award referred to above, in addition to favorable
closeouts of certain contracts in the first quarter of 1996.
 
     The Company's backlog was $996.4 million at December 31, 1997 and $1,043.7
million at December 31, 1996. Between December 31, 1996 and December 31, 1997,
the Company's backlog in Canada increased by $0.5 million, its backlog in the
United Kingdom decreased by $43.8 million and its backlog in the United States
decreased by $4.0 million. The increase in the Company's Canadian backlog was
primarily attributable to improved economic conditions in western Canada. The
decrease in the United Kingdom backlog was due to the continued progress towards
completion of several large projects and exchange rate fluctuations. The decline
in the domestic backlog was due to the continued progress towards completion of
several large projects, primarily in the western United States.
 
     The Company's interest expense decreased by $1.9 million to $13.0 million
in 1997 due to the Company's lower cost of capital, lower average outstanding
borrowings during 1997 and the repurchase and partial redemption of the
Company's Series C Notes discussed above. Beginning with the second quarter of
1997, the Company was relieved of obligations under the terms of its then
domestic bonding and revolving credit agreements restricting the use of cash
generated by certain subsidiaries, and the Company used this cash to reduce
borrowings under its New Credit Facility referred to below. As a consequence,
the Company maintained less cash on deposit in banks in 1997 than in 1996, and
interest income decreased from $2.2 million in 1996 to $1.1 million in 1997.
 
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS: YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996 COMPARED TO YEAR ENDED
DECEMBER 31, 1995
 
     Revenues for the years ended December 31, 1996 and 1995 were $1,669.3
million and $1,588.7 million, respectively. Net income for the year ended
December 31, 1996 was $9.4 million compared to a net loss of $10.9 million for
the year ended December 31, 1995. Basic EPS was $1.00 per share for the year
ended December 31, 1996 compared to Basic EPS of $(1.13) per share for the year

ended December 31, 1995. Net
 
                                      S-15
<PAGE>
income for the year ended December 31, 1996 includes a gain of $12.5 million
($8.1 million after-tax) on the sale of JWS. Net income for 1996 also reflects
an after-tax charge of $2.8 million ($4.3 million pre-tax) included in SG&A
related to an adverse arbitration award. The 1995 loss includes a loss of
approximately $0.9 million associated with the disposition of a subsidiary
engaged principally in the installation of industrial boilers.
 
     Revenues for the year ended December 31, 1996 increased by approximately
5.1% when compared with the year earlier period. While revenues of business
units operating in the western United States increased due to improved economic
conditions, these increases were substantially offset by decreased revenues (a)
in the northeastern United States resulting from, among other things, adverse
weather conditions in the first quarter of 1996 and increased competition, (b)
in the midwestern United States due to reduced construction activity as compared
with 1995 and the Company's earlier downsizing of its midwestern operations and
(c) in the United Kingdom due to reduced activity in the commercial construction
market.
 
     SG&A for the years ended December 31, 1996 and 1995 was $143.7 million and
$137.3 million, respectively. The increase was primarily attributable to
increased operating volume and the $4.3 million adverse arbitration result noted
above.
 
     The Company generated operating income of $17.1 million for the year ended
December 31, 1996 compared with operating income of $5.9 million for the year
ended December 31, 1995. The improvement in operating income for 1996 was
principally attributable to continued improvement in gross profit due to cost
control efforts and improved job performance offset partially by an increase in
SG&A related to the adverse arbitration award noted above.
 
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
 
     Proceeds from the Notes Offering and the Common Stock Offering will be used
for general corporate purposes, including without limitation the repayment of
indebtedness including the Company's Series C Notes, Supplemental SellCo Note
and borrowings under its working capital credit facility and possible
acquisitions. The Company anticipates it will incur an after-tax extraordinary
loss of approximately $4.9 million, or $0.46 per basic share and $0.33 per
diluted share, resulting from the early redemption of its Series C Notes and the
repayment of its Supplemental SellCo Note during April, 1998.
 
     The Company's consolidated cash balance decreased by $1.3 million from
$50.7 million at December 31, 1996 to $49.4 million at December 31, 1997. The
Company generated positive operating cash flow of $25.6 million for the year
ended December 31, 1997 which was primarily used to purchase or redeem
approximately $11.9 million of Series C Notes, to pay down a portion of the
Company's borrowings under its working capital credit facility and to fund
capital expenditures. The December 31, 1997 cash balance includes approximately
$7.3 million in a foreign subsidiary's bank accounts which is available only to
support its operations.
 

     On June 19, 1996, the Company and its subsidiary, Dyn Specialty Contracting
Inc. ('Dyn'), entered into a credit agreement with Harris Trust and Savings Bank
('Harris') providing the Company with a working capital credit facility for
borrowings up to $100.0 million for a three-year period (the 'New Credit
Facility'). The New Credit Facility, as amended, which is guaranteed by certain
direct and indirect subsidiaries of the Company and is secured by substantially
all of the assets of the Company and those subsidiaries, provides for borrowing
capacity available in the form of revolving loans ('Revolving Loans') and/or
letters of credit ('LCs'). The Revolving Loans bear interest at a variable rate,
which is the prime commercial lending rate announced by Harris from time to time
(8.5% at December 31, 1997) plus 1.0% to 2.0% based on certain financial tests.
The interest rate on the Revolving Loans was 9.5% at December 31, 1997. LC fees
ranging from 1.50% to 3.25% are charged based on the type of LC issued. The New
Credit Facility expires on June 19, 1999. As of December 31, 1997, the Company
had approximately $25.7 million of LCs and approximately $9.5 million of
Revolving Loans outstanding under the New Credit Facility.
 
     On December 15, 1994, the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiary, SellCo
Corporation ('SellCo'), issued, or reserved for issuance, four series of notes
(the 'New Notes') and 9,424,083 shares of the Company's Common Stock
(constituting 100% of the issued or issuable shares as of December 15, 1994) to
pre-petition creditors of the Company, other than holders of the Company's
pre-petition subordinated debt, in settlement of their pre-petition claims, and
to Belmont Capital Partners II, L.P., which provided a debtor-in-possession
credit facility ('DIP Loan'), in payment of additional interest under the terms
of the DIP Loan. The entire $11.9 million principal amount of Series B Notes and
approximately $4.1 million principal amount of Series A Notes, two of the four
series of the New Notes, were redeemed on December 15, 1994 with the net cash
proceeds derived from the sale of certain of the Company's subsidiaries, the
stock of which would have been pledged as part of the collateral securing the
Series B Notes had such subsidiaries not been sold (and an additional $600,000
of such proceeds were reserved for prepayment of certain of the Series A Notes
which have been reserved for
 
                                      S-16
<PAGE>
issuance in respect of disputed and unliquidated claims). The Series A Notes
were paid in full with proceeds received by the Company from the sale of the
Water Companies. Holders of SellCo Notes, also a series of the New Notes, will
only be paid from and to the extent of any remaining net cash proceeds (as
defined) from the sale of SellCo's subsidiaries and the proceeds of the $5.5
million Supplemental SellCo Note issued by the Company to SellCo. The SellCo
Notes are not obligations of the Company, and holders of the SellCo Notes may
only look to EMCOR to the extent of EMCOR's obligation to pay the Supplemental
SellCo Note plus accrued interest thereon. Approximately $6.6 million and $1.7
million of SellCo Notes were redeemed during 1997 and 1996, respectively, with
net cash proceeds from the sales of the Water Companies. Interest on the
Supplemental SellCo Note is payable at maturity.
 
     In October 1997, the Company's Canadian subsidiary, Comstock Canada Ltd.,
renewed a credit agreement with a bank providing for an overdraft facility of up
to Cdn. $0.5 million. The facility is secured by a standby letter of credit and
provides for interest at the bank's prime rate (6.0% at December 31, 1997).
There were no borrowings outstanding under this credit agreement at December 31,

1997. The Canadian subsidiary may utilize the Company's working capital credit
facility for any future working capital requirements.
 
     In September 1995, a number of the Company's United Kingdom subsidiaries
renegotiated and renewed a demand credit facility with a United Kingdom bank for
a credit line of pounds 17.1 million (approximately U.S. $26.8 million). The
facility was secured by substantially all of the assets of the Company's
principal United Kingdom subsidiaries. The overdraft facility provided for
interest at the bank's base rate, as defined (6.5% as of December 31, 1995),
plus 3.0% on the first pounds 5.0 million of borrowings and at the bank's base
rate plus 4.0% for borrowings over pounds 5.0 million. During 1996, the
Company's United Kingdom subsidiaries replaced the United Kingdom facility with
Revolving Loans and LCs under the New Credit Facility.
 
     As reported in the Company's Report on Form 8-K, dated February 29, 1996,
holders of a majority of principal amount of the outstanding Series A Notes and
holders of a majority of principal amount of the outstanding Series C Notes
consented to amendments to the Series A Indenture and Series C Indenture under
which the Series A Notes and the Series C Notes, respectively, were issued. The
amendments (i) reduced the Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio (the
'Ratio'), as defined, required to be maintained by the Company and certain of
its subsidiaries, pursuant to each of the Indentures and (ii) excluded from the
calculation of the Ratio certain non-cash interest payments payable by the
issuance of additional Series A Notes and Series C Notes. The Series A Notes
have been paid in their entirety.
 
CERTAIN INSURANCE MATTERS
 
     During the second quarter of 1996, the Company entered into an agreement
with one of its insurers to reinsure the Company's obligations to bear certain
losses incurred for insurance plan years from October 1, 1992 to September 30,
1995. Under this agreement, amounts previously deposited by the Company with one
of the Company's insurers as collateral to fund certain losses under the
deductible portion of the Company's insurance program were returned to the
Company and used to fund the cost of that agreement and to pay down, in July
1996, approximately $10.1 million of indebtedness under the New Credit Facility.
As of December 31, 1997, the Company was utilizing approximately $25.4 million
of letters of credit obtained under the New Credit Facility as collateral for
its current insurance obligations, and therefore presently is not required to
deposit cash for such obligations.
 
YEAR 2000
 
     The Company has performed a comprehensive review of its computer systems to
identify systems that could be affected by the Year 2000 issue and is developing
a plan to resolve the issue. The Company is utilizing both internal and external
resources to identify, correct or reprogram, and test the systems to ensure Year
2000 compliance. Preliminary cost estimates of testing and converting system
applications range from $1.0 million to $2.0 million. Maintenance and
modification costs will be expensed as incurred, while costs of new software
will be capitalized and amortized over the expected useful life of the related
software.
 
     The Company expects its Year 2000 conversion project to be completed on a

timely basis. However, there can be no assurance that the systems of other
companies on which the Company's systems rely also will be converted on a timely
basis. A failure to convert successfully by another company could have an
adverse effect on the Company's systems.
 
                                      S-17
<PAGE>
                                    BUSINESS
 
INTRODUCTION
 
     EMCOR is the largest mechanical and electrical construction and facilities
services firm in the United States and Canada and one of the largest in the
United Kingdom and the world with 1997 revenues totaling more than $1.95
billion. EMCOR provides services to a broad range of commercial, industrial and
institutional customers through approximately 45 principal operating units
throughout the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom and through joint
ventures in the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Hong Kong and
Macau.
 
     The Company specializes in the design, integration, installation, start-up,
testing, operation and maintenance of:
 
     o distribution systems for electrical power;
 
     o lighting systems;
 
     o low-voltage systems, such as fire alarm, security, communications and
process control systems;
 
     o heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration systems; and
 
     o plumbing, process and high-purity piping systems.
 
     The Company also provides services required to maintain the physical
environments and supporting systems of customer facilities ('facilities
services'). Facilities services include the installation and upgrading of
equipment, the operation and maintenance of mechanical and electrical systems,
as well as building maintenance and related support services. EMCOR's mechanical
and electrical construction services business often leads to opportunities for
the Company to provide facilities services.
 
     The Company provides mechanical and electrical construction services and
facilities services directly to corporations, municipalities and other
governmental entities, owners/developers and tenants of buildings and,
indirectly, by acting as a subcontractor to construction managers, general
contractors, systems suppliers and other subcontractors. Worldwide, the Company
employs approximately 14,000 people.
 
     The Company's revenues are diversified both geographically and by customer
industry. Of EMCOR's 1997 revenues, approximately 67% was generated in the
United States and approximately 33% was generated internationally while
approximately 85% of revenues was derived from mechanical and electrical
construction services and approximately 15% from facilities services. For the

period 1995 through 1997, revenue and EBITDA grew at compound annual growth
rates of 11% and 55%, respectively.
 
     Previously known as JWP INC., the Company filed for protection from its
creditors under Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code in February
1994. None of the Company's subsidiaries were involved in the Chapter 11
proceedings. The Company's filing was precipitated, in large part, by a highly
leveraged, aggressive acquisition strategy, that included acquisitions in
unrelated fields, implemented by its former management team. The Company emerged
from bankruptcy in December 1994 under its current management, at which time it
changed its name to EMCOR Group, Inc. Since the restructuring, the Company has
sold or otherwise disposed of its non-core businesses, repaid substantial
amounts of debt and returned to profitability.
 
INDUSTRY OVERVIEW
 
  MECHANICAL AND ELECTRICAL CONSTRUCTION
 
     The Company believes that the mechanical and electrical construction
services business is highly fragmented, consisting of hundreds of small
companies across the United States and around the world. This characteristic
provides EMCOR with a significant competitive advantage due to the Company's
financial strength. The mechanical and electrical construction services industry
has realized a higher growth rate than the overall construction industry due, in
large part, to the increased content and complexity of mechanical and electrical
systems in all types of projects. This increased content and complexity is, in
part, a result of the expanded use of computers and more technologically
advanced voice and data communications, lighting and environmental control
systems in all types of facilities. Consequently, these facilities consume more
electricity
 
                                      S-18
<PAGE>
per square foot than in the past and thus need more complex electrical
distribution systems and power and low voltage cabling. Moreover, the need for
greater environmental controls within a building, such as the heightened need
for climate control to maintain extensive computer systems at optimal
temperatures, and the growing demand for environmental control in individual
spaces, have expanded opportunities for the mechanical and electrical
construction services business.
 
     Mechanical and electrical construction services primarily involve the
design, integration, installation, start-up, testing, operation and maintenance
of (i) distribution systems for electrical power (including power cables,
conduits, distribution panels, transformers, generators, uninterruptible power
supply systems and related switch gear and controls); (ii) lighting systems,
including fixtures and controls; (iii) low-voltage systems, including fire
alarm, security, communications and process control systems; (iv) heating,
ventilation, air conditioning (collectively, 'HVAC') refrigeration and
clean-room process ventilation systems; and (v) plumbing, process and
high-purity piping systems.
 
     Mechanical and electrical construction services generally fall into one of
three categories: (i) large installation projects with contracts often in the

multi-million dollar range which are performed in connection with construction
of industrial and commercial buildings and institutional and public works
facilities or with the fit-out of large blocks of space within commercial
buildings; (ii) smaller installation projects typically involving fit-out,
renovation and retrofit work; and (iii) testing and service of completed
facilities.
 
  FACILITIES SERVICES
 
     The Company's facilities services business principally involves analysis,
testing, operation, maintenance and service of mechanical and electrical
systems, as well as building maintenance and related support services. These
facilities services are often associated with outsourcing and privatization
programs whereby customers in both the private and public sectors seek to
contract out their non-core activities, i.e. those activities performed by the
customer which support but are not directly involved in the customer's business.
EMCOR provides facilities services under short- and long-term contracts on an
individual service basis and in combinations on a task-order or on-call basis.
Demand for facilities services has expanded as a result of the increasing
technical complexity of mechanical and electrical systems, systems upgrades and
the increasing dependence of customers' operations on the reliability of such
systems. In addition, trends toward outsourcing and privatization in the private
and public sectors, respectively, have increased demand for facilities services.
 
     In the early 1990's the market for facilities services grew rapidly in the
United Kingdom as a result of Thatcher government initiatives. More recently,
the United Kingdom has implemented private finance initiatives ('PFIs') which
have led to a further increase in demand for businesses offering facilities
services. PFIs seek to transfer ownership and management of government
facilities, such as office buildings and hospitals, to teams of financial
institutions, consulting service groups, construction groups and facilities
services providers, which competitively bid for PFI contracts.
 
     The Company expects that the North American facilities services market,
which is not as developed as the United Kingdom market, will show significant
growth over the near term. The Company's North American facilities services
business is focused principally on opportunities arising from the deregulation
of the electric utility industry, deregulation and expansion of the
telecommunications industry, and the Real Estate Investment Trust ('REIT')
industry's consolidation of commercial real estate. The deregulation of, and
increased competition in, the utility industry (along with government mandates
calling for reduced energy consumption by government entities) have led to a
renewed focus on energy costs and conservation measures. These measures
typically include energy assessments and engineering studies, modifications to
electrical and mechanical systems to implement energy conservation savings
measures, and the long-term operation and maintenance of these measures to
ensure continued performance. The deregulation and growth of the
telecommunications industry also has led to rapid expansion of that industry's
installed infrastructure, much of which has been built by companies that do not
have existing maintenance operations and which frequently seek to outsource such
services. In addition, the REIT-driven consolidation of the real estate industry
is creating large portfolios of properties that require the types of facilities
services offered by the Company.
 

                                      S-19
<PAGE>
COMPETITIVE STRENGTHS
 
     The Company's overall size and breadth of operations are unique in the
industry. As a result there is no single entity which competes with the Company
in all or even a majority of its markets. The Company believes it has the
following competitive strengths which differentiate it from its competitors in
its various markets:
 
     o Leading Position in Target Markets.  The Company believes that it has a
       leading position in many of the markets in which it operates as a result
       of its longstanding customer relationships, financial resources and
       reliable, technically-skilled workforce. Market leadership often
       establishes the Company as a preferred provider for mechanical and
       electrical construction services, which is especially vital during
       economic downturns when there is limited work available.
 
     o Wide Network of Subsidiaries.  The Company was first organized in 1966
       and many of its subsidiaries have been in business for over 50 years in
       their local markets, which accounts for strong industry relationships and
       expertise in specialized markets. The Company's wide network of
       subsidiaries allows it to leverage the experience of its many operating
       units and effectively allocate and share resources in offering its
       services to a broad range of customers in different markets. For example,
       Wasatch Electric, the Company's Salt Lake City business unit, developed
       expertise in building cellular phone transmission towers and shared this
       knowledge with other EMCOR subsidiaries which now provide those services
       to customers in other regions. In addition, Wasatch Electric, which is
       involved in installing data communications systems for military bases,
       subcontracts some of this work to other EMCOR subsidiaries to be
       performed at military bases in other parts of the country. The wide
       subsidiary network also offers opportunities to pursue growth in existing
       markets and to serve customers as they expand from one market to another.
       For example, one of the Company's United States subsidiaries and one of
       its United Kingdom subsidiaries successfully joined efforts to provide
       mechanical and electrical construction services for a semi-conductor
       facility for Intel Corp. in Costa Rica. The Company plans to continue to
       capitalize on this strategy of combining the strengths of its
       subsidiaries to offer greater services to its customers.
 
     o Financial Strength and Stability.  The Company believes it has greater
       net worth, better access to capital and more surety bonding capacity than
       most of its competitors which permit it to compete for large projects
       that require surety bonds and significant amounts of working capital.
       When a general contractor decides to solicit bids from only a few
       companies, usually based upon a company's experience, bonding capacity,
       past performance on similar projects, working capital and knowledge of
       the field, frequently an EMCOR subsidiary will be on the 'short list.'
       The Company's financial strength also allows it to make strategic
       acquisitions and alliances. In addition, the Company's approximately
       $170.0 million United States net operating loss carryforwards ('NOLs')
       provides it with additional financial flexibility by reducing its future
       cash taxes paid, thereby enhancing its cash flow and providing additional

       capital for acquisitions and internal expansion. The Company's use of its
       NOLs may, however, be limited in certain circumstances. See 'Risk
       Factors--Net Operating Loss Carryforwards.'
 
     o Technical Expertise and Depth of Resources.  The Company's size,
       geographical diversity, work in specialized markets, experience with
       complex projects, and well-established subsidiaries have allowed it to
       develop personnel at the subsidiary and parent corporation levels with a
       wide breadth of experience and critical technical skills. This broad
       experience enables the Company to identify its business units' most
       effective practices and to share those practices among the Company's
       network of subsidiaries.
 
     o Diverse Revenue Base.  The Company believes that it is less susceptible
       than its competitors to cyclical economic downturns in any one region or
       industry because its national and international scope provides diversity
       of operations. In addition its expanding facilities services business is
       not tied to construction industry cycles. Finally, the Company provides
       services for both new construction projects and renovations and operates
       in both the private and public sectors.
 
     o Consistent Service and Single Point of Contact.  The Company believes
       there is an increasing opportunity to provide services from several
       different locations to a single customer with national or global
       operations by offering consistent service delivery and a single point of
       contact. For example, when a global brokerage firm initiated a program to
       upgrade computer systems at its offices throughout the United States, the
       Company was retained to survey, recommend changes and install any
       required new electrical systems at 700 locations. This ongoing project
       has been managed by one EMCOR subsidiary and performed by several EMCOR
       subsidiaries
 
                                      S-20
<PAGE>
       saving the customer the expense of locating, managing and training a
       reliable electrical construction services provider in each region in
       which it has offices.
 
     o Operating Flexibility and Enduring Regional Presence.  As a result of its
       financial resources, the Company is able to increase or decrease the size
       and scope of its operations in a given market in order to take advantage
       of opportunities as they arise in local markets or to reduce exposure in
       markets experiencing economic downturns. The Company believes that its
       broad base of operations not only offers national and international
       customers consistent service and a single point of contact, but also the
       confidence that the Company is a stable service provider that will remain
       in a market during cyclical downturns.
 
     o Operations Reporting System.  The Company has developed and implemented
       an operations reporting system in a database format which complements its
       financial reporting system and provides the basis for its operations
       management programs. The system utilizes a common format work-in-progress
       schedule for all business units that compares performance of major
       projects over time and among customers to monitor performance against

       expectations, trends and company-wide performance on similar projects.
 
     o Broad Range of Services.  The Company believes that its mechanical and
       electrical construction services and related maintenance services offer
       opportunities in the facilities services field which emerge from
       completion of construction projects, outsourcing and privatization
       programs, deregulation of the energy and telecommunications markets and
       the growing REIT market. For example, after providing mechanical and
       electrical construction services for the Jubilee Line Extension of
       London's underground transit system, EMCOR's United Kingdom facilities
       services unit was recently awarded a five-year operations and maintenance
       contract for that line. In addition, the Company is able to provide
       complex facilities services under multi-year contracts including
       mantaining British Airways' five million square feet of space at Heathrow
       and Gatwick Airports in the United Kingdom and the new one million square
       foot British Library in London.
 
     o Diversity of Services and Industries.  The following table illustrates
       the wide range of mechanical and electrical construction and facilities
       services EMCOR provides customers engaged in diverse industries.
 

                                EMCOR Services

Customer Industries

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                              Sheet
                                              Metal &                             Voice                  
                        HVAC     Electrical    & Air                Process       & Data        Security    Traffic   Facilities
                       Systems     Systems    Systems    Plumbing    Piping    Communications    Systems    Control    Services

<S>                     <C>         <C>        <C>         <C>       <C>           <C>            <C>        <C>         <C>
Hotels & Casinos         X           X          X           X                       X              X                      X

Commercial Buildings     X           X          X           X                       X              X                      X 

Health Care              X           X          X           X         X             X              X                      X

Transmission &                       
 Distribution                        X          X                                   X              X          X           X    

Airports                 X           X          X           X         X             X              X          X           X  

Transportations          X           X          X           X         X             X              X          X           X  

Water & Waste            
 Treatment               X           X          X           X         X                                                   X

Manufacturing            X           X          X           X         X             X              X                      X

Institutional 
 Facilities              X           X          X           X         X             X              X                      X


Schools &
 Universities            X           X          X         X                         X              X          X           X

Government Facilities    X           X          X         X                         X              X          X           X

Sports & Entertainment   
 Facilities              X           X          X         X                         X              X                      X


                                      S-21
<PAGE>
BUSINESS STRATEGY
 
     The Company's business strategy is to enhance its position as a leading
mechanical and electrical construction services firm and to expand its
facilities services operations in order to increase revenue and profitability.
It expects to achieve these goals by continuing to improve operations, expand
its business and markets through internal growth, acquisitions and strategic
alliances, and capitalize on long-term global trends in outsourcing and
privatization.
 
     The following are the key elements of the Company's operating strategy:
 
     o Exploit Industry Trends.  Current trends in the mechanical and electrical
       construction services and facilities services industry include
       globalization, privatization, deregulation, and outsourcing. The Company
       is poised to benefit from each of these trends:
 
            --globalization of the Company's customers has created the
            opportunity for companies like EMCOR with domestic and international
            operations to provide services to international companies that seek
            to deal with only a few international providers;
 
            --privatization, such as in the United Kingdom, serves to open new
            markets to private companies; this trend has already provided
            opportunities for EMCOR such as multi-year facilities services
            agreements for British Airways' facilities at Heathrow and Gatwick
            Airports, the new British Library and the new Jubilee Line Extension
            of the London Underground;
 
            --deregulation of utilities and new government initiatives have led
            to a renewed focus on energy costs and conservation measures
            resulting in major energy management programs, including energy
            assessments and renovation projects creating subcontracting and
            joint venture opportunities for EMCOR such as with PECO Energy
            Company and DukeSolutions, Inc. See 'Prospectus Summary-- Recent
            Developments;' and,
 
            --outsourcing initiatives resulting from two major corporate

            trends--the focus on core competencies and the increasing complexity
            of mechanical and electrical systems--have increased the demand for
            both facilities services and integrated service providers. EMCOR
            customers who have retained EMCOR when outsourcing operations
            include Credit Suisse First Boston and the New York Mercantile
            Exchange.
 
     o Operate on a Decentralized Basis.  With strong local management, the
       Company's decentralized operations permit it to take advantage of local
       business opportunities, to adapt rapidly to changing local market
       conditions, to be identified as a local employer, and to develop strong
       relationships with local organized labor. In addition, its decentralized
       structure of operating through subsidiaries, many of which are managed by
       former owners, permits the Company to retain entrepreneurial
       characteristics, capitalize on local and regional market knowledge and
       respond quickly to customer demand.
 
     o Optimize Operating Efficiencies.  The parent corporation maintains strong
       operating and financial controls, which lead to consistent operations and
       financial reporting. It develops and maintains centralized safety and
       human resources programs, including employee benefits. It also provides
       for insurance coverage, working capital facilities and bonding capacity.
       The Company realizes operating efficiencies by centralizing many
       accounting, treasury, marketing, legal, tax and other administrative
       functions. At the same time, the Company facilitates the sharing of best
       business practices among its business units.
 
     o Maintain Strong Local Presence and Continue Operations in Temporarily
       Weak Markets.  Because of the Company's size and financial strength, it
       is able to withstand downturns in a local economy. As a result, the
       Company is able to create and develop long-term employee and customer
       relationships and quickly seize opportunities in an improving market. The
       Company's systems and procedures enable it to assess local operations
       continuously, to evaluate long-term opportunities and to determine
       whether a planned and orderly reduction in local market presence is
       advisable. The Company is able to operate businesses in weak markets at
       lower levels of operating expenses in order to withstand temporary market
       downturns without abandoning markets which are difficult to reclaim.
 
                                      S-22
<PAGE>
     o Maintain Excellent Labor Relations.  Management at the local level often
       is actively involved in the recruitment and training of labor to insure
       an available and capable labor supply. To this end, such management is
       involved in local industry associations and participates with organized
       labor in training programs. In addition, each of the Company's
       subsidiaries has its own recruiting and training programs and offers
       expanded career paths with the assurance of a stable income that comes
       from being part of a national enterprise. Although substantially all the
       Company's employees are unionized, EMCOR is not a party to any national
       or industry-wide collective bargaining agreement and none of its
       subsidiaries has experienced a strike or any significant labor stoppage
       in over ten years.
 

     o Promote Awareness of the EMCOR Name.  The Company has implemented a
       marketing strategy to enhance industry awareness of EMCOR and promote
       widespread identification of the EMCOR name as a national and
       international enterprise providing integrated operations and consistent,
       high-quality services. At the same time, the Company maintains local
       identities to capitalize on name recognition at the local level.
 
GROWTH STRATEGY
 
     The key elements of the Company's growth strategy are to expand
geographically and into new customer markets through selective acquisitions,
joint ventures and strategic alliances, to develop facilities services
opportunities from leveraging its core mechanical and electrical construction
and maintenance services and to enhance existing operations through internal
growth and staff additions. Such expansion should further reduce the Company's
exposure to periodic downturns in individual markets. This expansion will be
accomplished through the following:
 
     o Acquisitions.  Acquisitions are planned in existing and new markets. The
       Company continually evaluates numerous acquisition candidates. It has
       acquired and expects to continue to acquire well established mechanical
       and electrical construction services firms operating within its existing
       markets to expand its presence in such markets so as to build additional
       customer relationships and provide additional expertise in related
       activities. In addition, the Company has made acquisitions and will
       continue to seek acquisitions in geographic markets in which the Company
       is not presently located to take advantage of growth opportunities and to
       follow customers as they expand into new markets. The Company expects to
       strengthen its facilities services business through acquisitions in order
       to obtain a strong base of business, to gain expertise (particularly in
       the energy consulting and engineering area) and to expand geographically.
       The Company has implemented a disciplined approach to acquisitions and
       seeks to enter into acquisitions which are accretive to earnings and fit
       within its long-term strategic goals. Recently, the Company acquired an
       Atlantic City mechanical contracting firm to gain access to the expanding
       casino market there and to leverage the customer relationships and
       expertise of its Nevada operations. It has also expanded into a new
       market in Connecticut by acquiring a mechanical contracting company. In
       addition, it has acquired an energy consulting company which has allowed
       it to expand its capabilities in the energy consulting and engineering
       services markets.
 
     o Strategic Alliances.  The Company will also engage in strategic alliances
       as part of its facilities services business, principally with energy
       providers, such as those announced with DukeSolutions, Inc., a subsidiary
       of Duke Energy Corp., and PECO Energy Company, to capitalize further on
       its core competencies. Currently, the Company has formed alliances with
       these two companies that have undertaken to provide retrofits or new
       installations designed to conserve energy consumption. EMCOR expects to
       be involved with the design, installation, operation and maintenance of
       energy conservation savings measures to be provided by these and other
       energy providers. See 'Prospectus Summary--Recent Developments.'
 
     o Internal Growth.  The Company intends to expand its existing mechanical

       and electrical construction services business to respond to growth in
       existing markets and to add capabilities to enhance opportunities for
       growth. In addition, the Company is building its North American
       facilities services business through its own nationwide sales and
       administrative staff by using resources of existing and newly acquired
       subsidiaries. The Company also will seek to build on its existing
       capabilities and customer relationships to offer facilities services to
       more customers in more locations.
 
                                      S-23
<PAGE>
BACKLOG
 
     The Company had backlog as of December 31, 1997 of approximately $996.4
million, compared with backlog of approximately $1,043.7 million as of December
31, 1996. Backlog includes facilities services revenues to be derived during the
immediately succeeding 12 months pursuant to then-existing contracts. For the
year ended December 31, 1997, the Company had more than $1.95 billion in
revenues compared to more than $1.67 billion in revenues for the year ended
December 31, 1996. This increase in revenues despite a slight drop in backlog
reflects shorter periods in which jobs are performed and an increase in the rate
of acquiring new work.
 
COMPANY OPERATIONS
 
     The Company operates in one business segment: the provision of mechanical
and electrical construction and facilities services. It offers a broad range of
these services, which are performed through approximately 45 principal operating
units with offices in 19 states and the District of Columbia, seven provinces of
Canada, and four primary locations in the United Kingdom and through joint
ventures in the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Hong Kong and
Macau.
 
     The parent corporation, located in Norwalk, Connecticut, is responsible for
overall direction of subsidiary operations to foster consistent operating
practices and to provide financial, accounting, treasury, marketing, human
resources, legal, tax and insurance services to the consolidated enterprise. The
parent corporation, which employs approximately 45 people, has skilled senior
management with extensive experience in the construction industry. See
'Management.'
 
     In addition to offering administrative services and general direction, the
parent corporation provides long-term planning, contacts to support local
operations and working capital. The parent corporation also identifies market
opportunities, maintains national relationships with customers with broad based
operations, establishes strategic alliances to foster business opportunities and
promotes nationwide name recognition through marketing and communications
programs aimed at enhancing industry awareness of EMCOR. In addition, the parent
corporation develops safety programs, negotiates claims, reviews contracts,
handles bonding requirements and assists local companies in asserting leadership
positions in local marketplaces among owners, customers, suppliers and general
business communities. It also seeks to help its business units secure and
perform work based not only on their own capabilities but also on those
available from other operations within the enterprise.

 
                                      S-24
<PAGE>
     The following tables illustrate EMCOR's wide geographic network of
mechanical and electrical construction and facilities services operations.
 
                                UNITED STATES

</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

OPERATING UNIT                  PRINCIPAL LOCATIONS     PRINCIPAL OPERATIONS
 
<S>                             <C>                     <C>
Contra Costa Electric           Martinez, CA            Electrical; Security Systems; Voice and Data Communications
                                                        Systems; Facilities Services
 
Dynalectric                     Atlanta, GA             Electrical; Security Systems; Voice and Data Communications
                                Denver, CO              Systems; Facilities Services
                                Las Vegas, NV
                                McLean, VA
                                Miami, FL
                                Owensboro, KY
                                Portland, OR
                                San Diego, CA
                                Washington, D.C.
 
EMCOR Facilities Services       Norwalk, CT             Facilities Services
Forest Electric                 New York, NY            Electrical; Security Systems; Voice and Data Communications
                                                        Systems; Facilities Services
Gibson Electric                 Chicago, IL             Electrical; Security Systems; Voice and Data Communications
                                                        Systems
Gowan                           Houston, TX             HVAC; Plumbing; Process Piping; Sheet Metal; Facilities Services
Hansen Mechanical               Las Vegas, NV           HVAC; Plumbing; Process Piping; Sheet Metal
Heritage Air Systems            New York, NY            HVAC; Sheet Metal
Hyre Electric                   Highland, IN            Electrical; Security Systems; Facilities Services
J.C. Higgins                    Boston, MA              HVAC; Plumbing; Process Piping; Facilities Services
KDC                             Los Angeles, CA         Electrical; Security Systems; Voice and Data Communications
                                                        Systems; Process Controls
Labov Mechanical                Atlantic City, NJ       HVAC; Plumbing; Process Piping; Facilities Services
Lera Electric                   San Francisco, CA       Electrical; Security Systems; Voice and Data Communications
                                                        Systems
Newcomb Anderson                San Francisco, CA       Facilities Services
Pace Mechanical                 Detroit, MI             HVAC; Plumbing; Process Piping
Penguin Air Conditioning        New York, NY            HVAC; Facilities Services
Trautman & Shreve               Denver, CO              HVAC; Plumbing; Process Piping
Tucker Mechanical               Hartford, CT            HVAC; Plumbing; Process Piping
University Mechanical           Los Angeles, CA         HVAC; Plumbing; Process Piping; Sheet Metal; Facilities Services
                                San Diego, CA
                                Phoenix, AZ
Wasatch Electric                Salt Lake City, UT      Electrical; Security Systems; Voice and Data Communications
Welsbach Electric               New York, NY            Outdoor Electrical; Facilities Services; Traffic Control
</TABLE>
                                INTERNATIONAL
<TABLE>

<CAPTION>
OPERATING UNIT                  PRINCIPAL LOCATIONS     PRINCIPAL OPERATIONS
 
<S>                             <C>                     <C>
Comstock Canada                 Ontario                 Electrical; Security Systems; HVAC; Plumbing; Process Piping;
                                Alberta                 Voice and Data Communications; Facilities Services
                                Nova Scotia
                                Saskatchewan
                                Newfoundland
                                British Columbia
                                Manitoba
Drake & Scull Engineering       London, U.K.            Electrical; Security Systems; HVAC; Plumbing; Process Piping;
                                Birmingham, U.K.        Voice and Data Communications; Facilities Services
                                Eastleigh, U.K.
                                Manchester, U.K.
                                Hong Kong
                                Macau
                                United Arab Emirates
                                Saudi Arabia
                                South Africa
</TABLE>
 
                                      S-25
<PAGE>
  MECHANICAL AND ELECTRICAL CONSTRUCTION SERVICES
 
     EMCOR's mechanical and electrical construction services operations
generated approximately 85% of 1997 revenues. The Company provides mechanical
and electrical construction services for both large and small installation and
renovation projects and for testing and service of completed facilities. The
Company's largest projects include those (i) for institutional use (such as
water and wastewater treatment facilities, hospitals, correctional facilities,
schools and research laboratories); (ii) for industrial use (such as
pharmaceutical factories, steel, pulp and paper mills, chemical, automotive and
semiconductor plants, and oil refineries); (iii) for transportation systems
(such as airports and transit systems); and (iv) for commercial use (such as
office buildings, hotels, casinos, convention centers, sports stadiums, shopping
malls and resorts). Its largest projects, typically in excess of $10.0 million,
are usually multi-year projects and range in size up to, and occasionally in
excess of, $50.0 million and accounted for approximately 22% of construction
services revenues in 1997.
 
     The Company's projects of less than $10.0 million accounted for
approximately 78% of 1997 construction services revenues and are typically
completed in less than a year. These projects usually involve mechanical and
electrical construction services in connection with the fit-out of space when an
end-user or owner undertakes construction or modification of a facility to
accommodate a specific use. These projects frequently require mechanical and
electrical systems to meet special needs such as redundant power supply systems,
special environmental controls, high purity air systems, sophisticated
electrical and mechanical systems for trading floors in financial services
businesses, new production lines in manufacturing plants and office arrangements
in existing office buildings. These projects are not typically dependent upon
the new construction market; their demand is often prompted by the expiration of
leases, changes in technology or changes in the customer's plant or office
layout in the normal course of business.
 
     Projects are performed pursuant to contracts with owners, such as
corporations, municipalities and other governmental entities, general
contractors, systems suppliers, construction managers, developers, other
subcontractors and tenants of commercial properties. Institutional and public
works projects are frequently long-term, complex projects requiring significant
technical and management skills and financial strength to, among other things,
obtain bid and performance bonds, which are often a condition to bidding for,
and award of, contracts for such projects.
 
     The Company also installs and maintains street, highway, bridge and tunnel
lighting, traffic signals, computerized traffic control systems and signal and
communication systems for mass transit systems in several metropolitan areas. In
addition, in the United States, the Company conducts sheet metal fabrication
operations, manufacturing and installing sheet metal air handling systems for
both its own mechanical construction operations and for unrelated mechanical
contractors. The Company also maintains welding and pipe fabrication shops for
some of its own mechanical operations.
 
  FACILITIES SERVICES

 
     In conjunction with mechanical and electrical construction services, the
Company provides services required to maintain the physical environment and
supporting systems in customer facilities frequently referred to as facilities
services, which generated approximately 15% of 1997 revenues. The Company has
historically provided technical support services to its customers following
completion of construction projects which typically include maintenance and
service of mechanical and electrical systems and small modification projects to
support the day-to-day needs of customers. As a result of its ability to provide
maintenance services as part of its construction services and an expanded demand
over the past 10 years for these services, the Company has sought to build on
these relationships and expand its business to meet new needs and to exploit
these emerging opportunities.
 
     In the early 1990's the market for facilities services grew rapidly in the
United Kingdom as a result of Thatcher government initiatives. The Company's
United Kingdom subsidiary expanded its traditional technical service business in
response to these opportunities and established a dedicated unit to focus on the
facilities services business. This unit currently provides a full range of
facilities services to public and private sector customers under multi-year
agreements, including maintaining British Airways' facilities at Heathrow and
Gatwick Airports, the new British Library, the Department of Trade and Industry
offices in London, and the new Jubilee Line Extension of the London Underground.
The Company also provides facilities services at several automotive
manufacturing plants for the Rover Group and various British Aerospace
facilities. In addition, the United
 
                                      S-26
<PAGE>
Kingdom operations provide on-call and mobile service support on a task-order or
contract basis, small renovation project work, data communications, security
system installation and maintenance services.
 
     The Company, by virtue of its construction and facilities services
expertise, is involved with teams for several private finance initiatives
('PFIs'), a new group of government programs in the United Kingdom. The PFIs,
which involve governmental bodies responsible for the national healthcare
system, social security, and air traffic control, among others, seek to transfer
ownership and management of government facilities, such as office buildings and
hospitals, to teams of financial institutions, consulting service groups,
construction groups and facilities services providers, which competitively bid
for PFI contracts. While there is no way to predict the timing or the recipients
of the PFI awards, the Company expects to be a member of one or more teams
awarded such projects and has already agreed to provide mechanical and
electrical services, ground maintenance and other ancillary services for the
next five to seven years to approximately 300 buildings which were formerly
owned and managed by the British Department of Social Services. The Company has
built on its United Kingdom experience to market its facilities services
business to international markets and currently provides facilities services
through joint ventures to, among others, the new Macau Airport and several
companies in South Africa.
 
     In 1997, the Company established a new subsidiary to expand its facilities
service operations in North America patterned on its United Kingdom business.

This operating unit seeks to build on existing capabilities, facilities services
operations at existing subsidiaries and client relationships to expand the scope
of services currently offered and to develop packages of services for customers
on a regional, national and global basis. For example, through its Penguin Air
Conditioning subsidiary ('Penguin'), based in New York City, the Company
provides mechanical and electrical facilities services to maintain Credit Suisse
First Boston's headquarters in New York City, where Penguin and other EMCOR
subsidiaries were involved with the construction of its space. Through its
Texas-based subsidiary, Gowan, the Company has performed facilities services
work for the Shell Research Center in Houston. The North American facilities
services business principally is focused on opportunities arising from private
and public sectors' outsourcing and privatization programs as these sectors
focus on their core functions. In the United States, management has targeted
opportunities arising from the deregulation of the electric utility industry,
deregulation and expansion of the telecommunications industry and the
REIT-driven consolidation of the commercial real estate industry as a basis for
growth in facilities services.
 
     The deregulation of the utility industry, in general, has led to renewed
focus on energy costs and conservation measures as energy providers compete for
market share. In addition, United States federal legislation and executive
orders, and similar directives at the state and local levels, have mandated
reductions in energy consumption at government facilities which may be
accomplished through private programs financed by the resulting energy cost
savings. These programs typically include energy assessments and engineering
studies, retrofit construction to implement the energy savings measures, and the
long-term operation and maintenance of these measures to ensure continued
performance. Various subsidiaries of the Company have participated in such
programs in the past and have the requisite expertise to perform them. The
Company's facilities services subsidiary recently established a strategic
alliance with DukeSolutions, Inc., a subsidiary of Duke Energy Corp., to provide
energy assessment, design, installation, and operations and maintenance services
for various Department of Defense facilities located in 46 states, the District
of Columbia and Puerto Rico, and a similar alliance with PECO Energy Company to
provide similar services to certain not-for-profit institutions in
Massachusetts. See 'Prospectus Summary--Recent Developments.'
 
     The Company expects similar additional programs to be undertaken as the
deregulation of electric utilities continues in the United States, and believes
that its ability to be a single source provider of construction and facilities
services will place it at a significant competitive advantage. The Company
recently announced the acquisition of Newcomb, an energy consulting and
engineering services firm, to expand its capabilities in this market. See
'Prospectus Summary--Recent Developments.'
 
     The deregulation and expansion of the telecommunications industry has led
to a rapid expansion of installed infrastructure, including wireless
communication systems and long distance networks. Much of the new infrastructure
has been built by companies that do not have existing maintenance operations and
which seek to focus on providing telecommunication services and not on
maintaining their infrastructure. The Company, through several subsidiaries, has
provided installation services for the infrastructure of telecommunication
companies and facilities services to support their operations. In this industry,
the Company has worked on facilities owned by such service providers as Sprint,

AT&T, and MCI, has installed and maintained equipment
 
                                      S-27
<PAGE>
for suppliers such as Lucent, Nortel, and Siemens, and has provided construction
and maintenance services to competitive local service providers, such as
Teleport Communications Group, and to users who maintain their own systems.
 
     The REIT-driven consolidation of the real estate industry is creating large
portfolios of property that require the types of facilities services offered by
the Company. Large REITs and their property managers represent a target market
for the facilities services business whereby the Company can offer a
comprehensive package of services in addition to its traditional technical
services to maintain and service mechanical and electrical systems. While the
Company has not yet entered into any agreements with such customers in the North
American market, the Company believes that there is significant customer
interest in obtaining a provider such as the Company which can offer single
point responsibility for multiple property locations.
 
     The Company offers its facilities services to customers on single-task and
multi-task bases depending on a customer's needs, under short-term and
multi-year agreements. Such services frequently involve the permanent assignment
of employees to customer premises for the duration of the contract, often around
the clock.
 
     The Company believes its mechanical and electrical construction services
and facilities services businesses are complementary, permitting it to offer
customers a comprehensive package of services. The ability to offer both
construction and facilities services should enhance the Company's competitive
position with customers. Furthermore, the facilities services business tends to
be less cyclical than the construction business as such operations are more
responsive to the needs of an industry's operations rather than its construction
requirements.
 
  REPRESENTATIVE OPERATING SUBSIDIARIES
 
     The following summary provides a representative sample of the Company's
principal operating subsidiaries and a description of the work each performs:
 
     Dynalectric Company
 
     Dynalectric is one of the country's largest commercial and industrial
electrical contractors with 16 locations throughout the United States. Its major
projects include:
 
     o World Bank--provided all electrical construction services for a 1.0
       million square foot rehabilitation project of this headquarters building,
       which included installation of lighting, power, telecommunications and
       low voltage lighting control systems.
 
     o Oriole Park at Camden Yards--provided complete electrical construction
       services, including main switchgear, multiple substations and electrical
       distribution systems, to private boxes, scoreboard and vendor spaces.
 

     o Sprint, AT&T, Western Wireless--installed over 700 cellular transmission
       sites, and performed related electrical services, including wiring and
       cabling at the sites, tower construction at land sites, purchasing of
       equipment and communications equipment testing for all such sites.
 
     Forest Electric Corp.
 
     Forest Electric is the largest New York City-based electrical contractor.
It specializes in complex office interior and fast-track construction projects
and voice and data communications system installations. Its major projects
include:
 
     o New York Mercantile Exchange--performed electrical construction services
       at a new 450,000 square foot, 17 story building, including installation
       of data communications cabling for more than 1,000 trading stations and
       900 non-trading work stations.
 
     o Teleport Communications--providing 24-hour maintenance services on
       communications equipment.
 
     o New York Times Printing Facility--provided electrical construction
       services for 500,000 square foot building, including power units for five
       printing presses, conveyor systems, paper roll and retrieval systems, and
       data systems.
 
     o Smith Barney--installed electrical, voice and data communication systems
       on 41 floors, aggregating 1.6 million square feet.
 
                                      S-28
<PAGE>
     Hansen Mechanical Contractors, Inc.
 
     Hansen Mechanical is a mechanical contracting firm based in Las Vegas
providing HVAC, plumbing, process piping and sheet metal to commercial and
institutional customers. Hansen Mechanical has specialized expertise in the
construction of hotels and casinos. Its major projects include:
 
     o New York, New York Casino--provided mechanical construction services for
       this Las Vegas hotel and casino, including 2,800 rooms and 700,000 square
       feet of public space.
 
     o The Mirage--performed all mechanical construction services for this Las
       Vegas hotel and casino, which comprises 3,300 rooms and 1.3 million
       square feet of public space; mechanical construction services included
       construction of the central HVAC plant and a working volcano.
 
     o Luxor Hotel--provided mechanical construction services to this hotel and
       casino project with 2,650 rooms and 650,000 square feet of public space;
       with a 30-story atrium, the plumbing, smoke removal and HVAC systems were
       different from any such systems previously constructed in the United
       States.
 
     o Bellagio--performing complete mechanical services for this hotel and
       casino with 3,200 rooms and 2.0 million square feet of public space,

       including a 10 acre lake requiring specialized piping for water features.
 
     o Caesar's Palace--provided a complete HVAC central plant for a new hotel
       tower containing 1,100 suites.
 
     Trautman & Shreve, Inc.
 
     Trautman & Shreve is the largest mechanical contractor in the Rocky
Mountain region serving Colorado, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming. It has expertise
in HVAC, plumbing and process piping for the unique requirements of the
technology, healthcare and airline industries. Its major projects include:
 
     o Denver International Airport--as the principal mechanical contractor,
       performed mechanical construction services for almost every aspect of
       this new facility, including the de-icing systems and the largest airport
       fueling system in the world.
 
     o Sun MicroSystems--performing all HVAC, plumbing and controls work for a
       563,000 square foot, four-building complex.
 
     o Rockwell International--installed high-purity piping, HVAC and plumbing
       units in a 245,000 square foot state of the art computer chip
       manufacturing facility.
 
     University Mechanical & Engineering Contractors, Inc.
 
     University Mechanical is a full-service mechanical contractor servicing the
Western United States. The company designs and builds HVAC systems, plumbing and
process piping systems for commercial, institutional, industrial and military
clients; it also fabricates and installs sheet metal. Its major projects
include:
 
     o Intel--providing mechanical and electrical construction services for the
       installation of three production lines at a semiconductor facility in
       Costa Rica.
 
     o Motorola--installed HVAC systems, plumbing and process piping in a
       275,000 square foot research, development and manufacturing facility.
 
     o Arizona Diamondback Bank One Ballpark--provided mechanical construction,
       including HVAC and plumbing, for the first fully air-conditioned stadium
       with a retractable roof.
 
     Drake & Scull Engineering Ltd.
 
     Headquartered in London, Drake & Scull is one of the largest mechanical and
electrical contracting and facilities service providers in the United Kingdom.
Its major projects for industrial, commercial and institutional customers
include:
 
     o Jubilee Line Extension--installing electrical and mechanical support
       systems for 11 stations and a 9.3 mile section of the London Underground,
       and providing maintenance services for all such systems under a five-year
       contract.

 
     o British Airways--managing facilities at Heathrow and Gatwick Airports,
       including maintenance of utilities, data centers, uninterruptible power
       supply systems, de-icing plants, catering facilities, and cargo handling
       and workshop specialty equipment.
 
                                      S-29
<PAGE>
     o Fujitsu Microelectronics--designed and installed mechanical and
       electrical systems for a microelectronics plant.
 
     o British Library--providing facilities services under a three-year
       contract for a new 1.0 million square foot library.
 
     Comstock Canada Ltd.
 
     Comstock Canada is the largest mechanical and electrical contractor in
Canada. It provides electrical and mechanical construction services to public
and private buildings, refineries, steel mills, mines, pulp and paper mills,
power, chemical and automotive plants and public utilities, and installs
overhead and underground high voltage lines; it is also a provider of facilities
services. Comstock Canada's major projects include:
 
     o Vancouver International Airport--installed and integrated all mechanical
       and electrical systems in 1.1 million square foot international terminal
       and installed instrumentation and mechanical systems for its air traffic
       control center.
 
     o TransCanada Pipelines--performed mechanical and electrical construction
       of high pressure natural gas compressor stations at numerous locations,
       including construction of compressor and control buildings, equipment
       installation and large diameter pipe fabrication and installation.
 
     o Algoma Steel/Danielli Canada--installed mechanical and electrical
       equipment for various phases of a new steel rolling mill including
       offloading, transporting and installing 12,000 tons of equipment.
 
COMPETITION
 
     The Company believes that the mechanical and electrical construction
services business is highly fragmented and competitive. A majority of the
Company's revenues are derived from jobs requiring competitive bids; however, an
invitation to bid is often conditioned upon prior experience, technical
capability and financial strength. The Company competes with national, regional
and local companies, most of which are small, owner-operated companies that
operate in a limited geographic area. There are few public companies focused on
providing mechanical and electrical construction services, although in the last
three years more public national and regional firms have been established. The
Company is the largest provider of mechanical and electrical construction
services in the United States and Canada and one of the largest in the United
Kingdom and the world. As such, the Company has a substantial operating history
and proven track record which more recent market entrants lack. In the future,
competition may be encountered from new entrants, such as public utilities and
other companies attempting to consolidate mechanical and electrical construction

services companies. Competitive factors in the mechanical and electrical
construction services business include: (i) the availability of qualified and/or
licensed personnel; (ii) reputation for integrity and quality; (iii) safety
record; (iv) cost structure; (v) relationships with customers; (vi) geographic
diversity; (vii) ability to control project costs; (viii) experience in
specialized markets; (ix) ability to obtain bonding and (x) adequate working
capital.
 
     While the facilities services business is also highly fragmented, a number
of large corporations such as Johnson Controls, Inc., Fluor Corp., and
ServiceMaster Limited Partnership are engaged in this field, and there are other
companies seeking to consolidate facilities services businesses. In addition,
the Company's facilities services operations are well established in the United
Kingdom but are in a development stage in the United States.
 
EMPLOYEES
 
     The Company presently employs approximately 14,000 people, about 75% of
whom are represented by various unions. The Company believes that its employee
relations are generally good.
 
                                      S-30
<PAGE>
                                   MANAGEMENT
 
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS
 
     The executive officers and directors of the Company are as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NAME                                         AGE                              POSITION
<S>                                          <C>   <C>
Frank T. MacInnis.........................   51    Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer
Jeffrey M. Levy...........................   45    President and Chief Operating Officer
Sheldon I. Cammaker.......................   58    Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary
Leicle E. Chesser.........................   51    Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
Thomas D. Cunningham......................   48    Executive Vice President
R. Kevin Matz.............................   39    Vice President and Treasurer
Mark A. Pompa.............................   33    Vice President and Controller
Stephen W. Bershad........................   56    Director
David A.B. Brown..........................   54    Director
Albert Fried, Jr..........................   67    Director
Malcolm T. Hopkins........................   69    Director
Kevin C. Toner............................   33    Director
</TABLE>
 
     Frank T. MacInnis.  Mr. MacInnis has been Chairman of the Board and Chief
Executive Officer of the Company since April 1994 and was President of the
Company from April 1994 to April 1997. From April 1990 to April 1994 Mr.
MacInnis served as President and Chief Executive Officer, and from August 1990
to April 1994 as Chairman of the Board, of Comstock Group, Inc., a nationwide
electrical contracting company. From 1986 to April 1990, Mr. MacInnis was Senior
Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Comstock Group, Inc. In addition,

from 1986 to April 1994 Mr. MacInnis was also President of Spie Group Inc.,
which owns or owned Comstock Group, Inc., Spie Construction Inc., a Canadian
pipeline construction company, and Spie Horizontal Drilling Inc., a United
States company engaged in underground drilling for the installation of pipelines
and communications cable.
 
     Jeffrey M. Levy.  Mr. Levy has been President of the Company since April
1997 and Chief Operating Officer of the Company since February 1994. He was
Executive Vice President of the Company from November 1994 to April 1997 and
Senior Vice President of the Company from December 1993 to November 1994. From
May 1992 to December 1993, Mr. Levy was President and Chief Executive Officer of
the Company's subsidiary EMCOR Mechanical/Electrical Services (East) Inc. From
January 1991 to May 1992 Mr. Levy served as Executive Vice President and Chief
Operating Officer of Lehrer McGovern Bovis, Inc., a construction management and
construction company.
 
     Sheldon I. Cammaker.  Mr. Cammaker has been Executive Vice President and
General Counsel of the Company since September 1987 and Secretary of the Company
since May 1997. Prior to September 1987, he was a senior partner of the New York
City law firm of Botein, Hays & Sklar.
 
     Leicle E. Chesser.  Mr. Chesser has been Executive Vice President and Chief
Financial Officer of the Company since May 1994. From April 1990 to May 1994 Mr.
Chesser served as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of
Comstock Group, Inc. and from 1986 to May 1994 he was also Executive Vice
President and Chief Financial Officer of Spie Group Inc.
 
     Thomas D. Cunningham.  Mr. Cunningham has been Executive Vice President of
the Company since July 15, 1997 and was a director of the Company from January
1995 to July 1997. In addition, Mr. Cunningham was Executive Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer and a director of Swiss Army Brands, Inc., importer and
distributor of Swiss Army knives and watches and Sabatier and Forschner cutlery,
from March 1994 to May 1997. Prior to that, Mr. Cunningham was a Managing
Director of J.P. Morgan & Co. Incorporated, an international bank, where he
worked for 21 years.
 
     R. Kevin Matz.  Mr. Matz has been Vice President and Treasurer of the
Company since April 1996 and Staff Vice President--Financial Services of the
Company from March 1993 to April 1996. From March 1991 to March 1993, Mr. Matz
was Treasurer of Sprague Technologies Inc., a manufacturer of electronic
components.
 
                                      S-31
<PAGE>
     Mark A. Pompa.  Mr. Pompa has been Vice President and Controller of the
Company since September 1994. From June 1992 to September 1994, Mr. Pompa was an
Audit and Business Advisory Manager of Arthur Andersen LLP, an accounting firm.
 
     Stephen W. Bershad.  Mr. Bershad has been Chairman and Chief Executive
Officer for more than the past five years of Axsys Technologies, Inc. (formerly
named Vernitron Corporation), a manufacturer of electronic components and
controls; Director of the Company since December 15, 1994.
 
     David A.B. Brown.  Mr. Brown has been President of the Windsor Group, a

management consulting firm of which he is a co-founder, for more than the past
five years. Mr. Brown is also a director of BTU International, Inc. and Marine
Drilling Companies, Inc.; Director of the Company since December 15, 1994.
 
     Albert Fried, Jr.  Mr. Fried has been Managing Partner of Albert Fried &
Company, LLC, a broker/dealer and member of the New York Stock Exchange since
1955, and Managing Partner of Buttonwood Specialists, LLC, a New York Stock
Exchange specialist firm, since 1992. Mr. Fried is also Chairman of the Board of
Directors of Portec, Inc., a manufacturer of engineered products for the
construction equipment, material handling and railroad industries; Director of
the Company since December 15, 1994.
 
     Malcolm T. Hopkins.  Mr. Hopkins has been a private investor since 1984;
Retired Vice Chairman and Chief Financial Officer of the former St. Regis
Corporation, a forest products, oil, gas and insurance company. Mr. Hopkins is
also a director of the Columbia Energy Group, MAPCO, Inc., Metropolitan Series
Fund, Inc., United States Home Corporation and various mutual funds of State
Street Research and Management Company; Director of the Company since December
15, 1994.
 
     Kevin C. Toner.  Mr. Toner has been Principal of Aristeia Capital LLC, an
investment manager, since June, 1997; President of the Isdell 86 Foundation, a
not-for-profit organization, since December 1994; private investor from March
1995 to June 1997; Managing Director from December 1991 to March 1995 of UBS
Securities Inc., a broker/dealer and member of the New York Stock Exchange,
engaged in corporate finance, underwriting and distribution of high grade United
States corporate issues and Eurobonds. From March 1991 to December 1991, Mr.
Toner was a Vice President of UBS Securities, Inc.; Director of the Company
since December 15, 1994.
 
                                      S-32
<PAGE>
                           OWNERSHIP OF COMMON STOCK
 
     The following table sets forth as of December 31, 1997 certain information
regarding beneficial ownership of the Company's Common Stock by each person or
group known by the Company to be a beneficial owner of more than five percent of
the outstanding shares of Common Stock. Except as otherwise noted, to the
Company's knowledge, each person or group listed below has sole voting and
investment power with respect to the shares listed next to its name.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                       NUMBER OF SHARES       PERCENT
NAME AND ADDRESS OF BENEFICIAL OWNER                                  BENEFICIALLY OWNED       OWNED
 
<S>                                                                   <C>                     <C>
OCM Principal Opportunities Fund, LLP ...........................          943,645(1)            9.9%
550 South Hope Street
Los Angeles, California 90071
 
Cumberland Associates ...........................................          830,003(2)            8.8%
114 Avenue of the Americas
New York, New York 10036

 
Steven A. Van Dyke ..............................................          814,200(3)            8.6%
777 South Harbour Island Boulevard
Tampa, Florida 33602
 
Jeffrey L. Gendell ..............................................          767,600(4)            8.1%
200 Park Avenue, Suite 3900
New York, New York 10016
</TABLE>
 
- -----------------------------
(1) As reported in Amendment No. 2 dated December 9, 1997 to Schedule 13D filed
    with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the 'SEC') by OCM Principal
    Opportunities Fund, L.P. (the 'Fund') and Oaktree Capital Management, LLC,
    General Partner of the Fund.
 
(2) As stated in Amendment No. 4 dated September 25, 1997 to its Schedule 13D
    filed with the SEC, Cumberland Associates has sole voting power and sole
    power to dispose or to direct the disposition of 695,903 of these shares and
    shared voting power and shared power to dispose or to direct the disposition
    of 134,100 of these shares.
 
(3) As reported in Schedule 13G dated February 6, 1998, filed with the SEC by
    Steven A. Van Dyke, Bay Harbour Management, L.C. ('Bay Harbour') and Tower
    Investment Group, Inc. ('Tower'). Bay Harbour is an investment adviser, of
    which Tower is a majority stockholder, and Mr. Van Dyke is the sole
    shareholder and President of Tower. Accordingly, such Schedule 13G states
    that Bay Harbour may be deemed to be the beneficial owner of 807,000 shares
    of the Company's Common Stock, Tower may be deemed to be the beneficial
    owner of the 807,000 shares deemed to be beneficially owned by Bay Harbour
    and Mr. Van Dyke may be deemed to be the beneficial owner of 814,200 shares
    of the Company's Common Stock consisting of the 807,000 shares of Common
    Stock deemed to be beneficially owned by Bay Harbour and 7,200 shares of the
    Company's Common Stock beneficially owned by Mr. Van Dyke. According to such
    Schedule 13G, Bay Harbour and Tower each has sole power to vote and dispose
    of 807,000 of these shares, and Mr. Van Dyke has sole power to vote and
    dispose of 814,200 of such shares.
 
(4) As reported in Amendment No. 1, dated December 18, 1997, to Schedule 13D
    filed with the SEC by Jeffrey L. Gendell, Tontine Partners, L.P., Tontine
    Management, L.L.C. and Tontine Overseas Associates, L.L.C. (as investment
    manager to Tontine Overseas Fund, Ltd.) includes: 188,050 shares
    beneficially owned by Tontine Partners, L.P. and Tontine Management, L.L.C.
    (which have shared voting power and dispositive power with respect to such
    188,050 shares) and 575,550 shares beneficially owned by Tontine Overseas
    Associates, L.L.C. (which has shared voting power and dispositive power with
    respect to such 575,550 shares). Of these shares, 21,000 shares may be
    acquired upon exercise of Series X Warrants of the Company. In addition, Mr.
    Gendell has sole power to vote and sole power to dispose of 4,000 shares and
    shared voting and dispositive power with respect to 763,600 shares.
 
                                      S-33
<PAGE>
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF MANAGEMENT

 
     The following table sets forth as of December 31, 1997 certain information
regarding the beneficial ownership of Common Stock by each of the Company's
directors, its chief executive officer, each of the five most highly compensated
executive officers of the Company for its fiscal year ended December 31, 1997,
and all its directors and executive officers as a group. Except as otherwise
noted, to the Company's knowledge, each of the persons listed below has sole
voting power and investment power with respect to the shares listed next to his
name.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                             AMOUNT AND NATURE OF
NAME OF BENEFICIAL OWNER                                                    BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP(1)    PERCENT
<S>                                                                         <C>                        <C>
Frank T. MacInnis........................................................           136,333(2)           1.4%
Stephen W. Bershad.......................................................            26,500(3)             *
David A.B. Brown.........................................................            10,000(3)             *
Albert Fried, Jr.........................................................            13,007(3)(4)          *
Malcolm T. Hopkins.......................................................            26,500(3)             *
Kevin C. Toner...........................................................            11,000(3)             *
Sheldon I. Cammaker......................................................            33,333(2)             *
Leicle E. Chesser........................................................            33,333(2)             *
Jeffrey M. Levy..........................................................            34,333(2)             *
R. Kevin Matz............................................................             2,000(2)             *
Mark A. Pompa............................................................               166(2)             *
All directors and executive officers as a group..........................           343,005(5)           3.5%
</TABLE>
 
- -----------------------------
* Represents less than 1%.
 
(1) The information contained in this table reflects 'beneficial ownership' as
    defined in Rule 13d-3 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. All
    percentages set forth in this table have been rounded.
 
(2) Includes in the case of Mr. MacInnis, 133,333 shares of Common Stock, in the
    case of each of Messrs. Cammaker, Chesser and Levy, 33,333 shares of Common
    Stock, in the case of Mr. Matz, 2,000 shares of Common Stock, and in the
    case of Mr. Pompa, 166 shares of Common Stock, that may be acquired upon the
    exercise of presently exercisable options or options exercisable within 60
    days granted pursuant to the Company's 1994 Management Stock Option Plan.
 
(3) Includes in the case of Mr. Bershad 16,500 shares, in the case of Mr. Brown,
    9,000 shares, in the case of Mr. Fried, 3,000 shares, in the case of Mr.
    Hopkins 16,500 shares, and in the case of Mr. Toner 6,000 shares, that may
    be acquired upon exercise of presently exercisable options granted to each
    non-employee Director pursuant to the Company's 1995 Non-Employee Directors'
    Non-Qualified Stock Option Plan.
 
(4) Amount includes beneficial ownership of 10,007 shares of Common Stock by
    Albert Fried & Company, LLC ('AF&C'), of which Mr. Fried is the Managing
    Member. AF&C was a holder of pre-petition unsecured claims against the
    Company in its Chapter 11 proceeding concluded in December 1994. There is a

    reserve of 140,618 shares of Common Stock for disputed claims against the
    Company to be issued to the holders of pre-petition unsecured allowed
    claims, including AF&C. To the extent such disputed claims are disallowed,
    the number of shares beneficially owned by AF&C will increase in a presently
    undeterminable amount.
 
(5) Includes 302,999 shares of Common Stock that may be acquired upon the
    exercise of presently exercisable options or options exercisable within 60
    days granted pursuant to the Company's 1994 Management Stock Option Plan and
    1995 Non-Employee Directors' Non-Qualified Stock Option Plan.
 
                                      S-34
<PAGE>
                          DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK
 
     The authorized capital stock of the Company is 31,000,000 shares consisting
of 30,000,000 shares of Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share (the 'Common
Stock') and 1,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock, par value $0.10 per share, in
such series and with such voting powers, designations, preferences and relative,
participating, optional or other special rights, and qualifications, limitations
or restrictions thereof, as may be fixed from time to time by the Board of
Directors for each series (the 'Preferred Stock'). The following summary
description of certain provisions of the Company's Amended and Restated
Certificate of Incorporation (the 'Certificate of Incorporation') and the
Stockholder Rights Plan does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its
entirety by reference to said provisions.
 
COMMON STOCK
 
     As of December 31, 1997, 9,590,827 shares of Common Stock were issued and
outstanding including 140,618 shares reserved for issuance pursuant to the
Company's Plan of Reorganization. The outstanding Common Stock is, and the
Common Stock offered hereby when issued and paid for will be, fully paid and
non-assessable.
 
     Dividends.  Dividends on the Common Stock will be paid if, when and as
determined by the Board of Directors of the Company out of funds legally
available for this purpose. The Company did not pay dividends on its Common
Stock during 1995, 1996 or 1997 and it does not anticipate that it will pay
dividends on its Common Stock in the foreseeable future. The Company's working
capital credit facility limits the payment of dividends on its Common Stock.
 
     Voting Rights.  Holders of Common Stock are entitled to one vote for each
share held by them on all matters presented to shareholders.
 
     Liquidation Rights.  After satisfaction of the preferential liquidation
rights of any Preferred Stock, the holders of the Common Stock are entitled to
share, ratably, in the distribution of all remaining net assets.
 
     Preemptive and Other Rights.  The holders of Common Stock do not have
preemptive rights as to additional issues of Common Stock or conversion rights.
The shares of Common Stock are not subject to redemption or to any further calls
or assessments and are not entitled to the benefit of any sinking fund
provisions. The rights, preferences and privileges of holders of Common Stock

are subject to, and may be adversely affected by, the rights of the holder of
shares of any series of Preferred Stock which the Company may designate and
issue in the future.
 
PREFERRED STOCK
 
     The Certificate of Incorporation authorizes the Board of Directors to issue
from time to time, up to 1,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock, in one or more
series, and with such voting powers, designations, preferences and relative,
participating, optional or other special rights, and qualifications, limitations
or restrictions thereof, as may be fixed from time to time by the Board of
Directors for each series. As of the date of this Prospectus Supplement, no
shares of Preferred Stock have been issued.
 
STOCKHOLDER RIGHTS PLAN
 
     The Company's Board of Directors enacted a stockholder rights plan (the
'Rights Plan') designed to protect the interests of the Company's stockholders
in the event of a potential takeover the terms of which have not been approved
by the Board of Directors as being in the best interests of the Company and its
stockholders. Pursuant to the Rights Plan, on March 3, 1997 the Board declared a
dividend of one preferred share purchase right (a 'Right') for each outstanding
share of Common Stock. The dividend was paid on March 14, 1997 to the
stockholders of record on that date. Each Right entitles the registered holder
to purchase from the Company one one-thousandth of a share of Series A Junior
Participating Preferred Stock, par value $0.10 per share (the 'Preferred Stock')
of the Company at a price of $70 per one one-thousandth of a share of Preferred
Stock, subject to adjustment. The description and terms of the Rights are set
forth in a Rights Agreement dated as of March 3, 1997, as the same may be
amended from time to time, between the Company and The Bank of New York, as
Rights Agent.
 
                                      S-35
<PAGE>
     Shares of Preferred Stock purchasable upon exercise of the Rights will not
be redeemable. Each share of Preferred Stock will be entitled, when, as and if
declared, to a minimum preferential quarterly dividend payment of $1 per share
but will be entitled to an aggregate dividend of 1,000 times the dividend
declared per share of Common Stock. In the event of liquidation, the holders of
the Preferred Stock will be entitled to a minimum preferential liquidation
payment of $100 per share (plus any accrued but unpaid dividends) but will be
entitled to an aggregate payment of 1,000 times the payment made per share of
Common Stock. Each share of Preferred Stock will have 1,000 votes, voting
together with the Common Stock. Finally, in the event of any merger,
consolidation or other transaction in which shares of Common Stock are converted
or exchanged, each share of Preferred Stock will be entitled to received 1,000
times the amount received per share of Common Stock. These rights are protected
by customary antidilution provisions.
 
     In the event that any person or group of affiliated persons acquires
beneficial ownership of 15% or more of the Company's outstanding Common Stock
(an 'Acquiring Person'), each holder of a Right, other than Rights beneficially
owned by the Acquiring Person (which will thereupon become void), will
thereafter have the right to receive upon exercise of a Right at the then

current exercise price of the Right, that number of shares of Common Stock
having a market value of two times the exercise price of the Right.
 
     In the event that, after a person or group has become an Acquiring Person,
the Company is acquired in a merger or other business combination transaction or
50% or more of its consolidated assets or earning power are sold, proper
provision will be made so that each holder of a Right (other than Rights
beneficially owned by an Acquiring Person which will have become void) will
thereafter have the right to receive, upon the exercise thereof at the then
current exercise price of the Right, that number of shares of common stock of
the person with whom the Company has engaged in the foregoing transaction (or
its parent), which number of shares at the time of such transaction will have a
market value of two times the exercise price of the Right.
 
     At any time after any person or group becomes an Acquiring Person and prior
to the acquisition by such person or group of 50% or more of the outstanding
shares of Common Stock or the occurrence of an event described in the prior
paragraph, the Board of Directors of the Company may exchange the Rights (other
than Rights owned by such person or group which will have become void), in whole
or in part, at an exchange ratio of one share of Common Stock, or one
one-thousandth of a share of Preferred Stock (or of a share of a class or series
of the Company's Preferred Stock having equivalent rights, preferences and
privileges), per Right (subject to adjustment).
 
     At any time prior to the time an Acquiring Person becomes such, the Board
of Directors of the Company may redeem the Rights in whole, but not in part, at
a price of $0.01 per Right (the 'Redemption Price'). The redemption of the
Rights may be made effective at such time, on such basis and with such
conditions as the Board of Directors in its sole discretion may establish.
Immediately upon any redemption of the Rights, the right to exercise the Rights
will terminate and the only right of the holders of Rights will be to receive
the Redemption Price.
 
     For so long as the Rights are then redeemable, the Company may, except with
respect to the Redemption Price, amend the Rights in any manner. After the
Rights are no longer redeemable, the Company may, except with respect to the
Redemption Price, amend the Rights in any manner that does not adversely affect
the interests of holders of the Rights.
 
     Until a Right is exercised, the holder thereof, as such, will have no
rights as a stockholder of the Company, including, without limitation, the right
to vote or to receive dividends.
 
                                      S-36
<PAGE>
      CERTAIN UNITED STATES TAX CONSEQUENCES TO NON-UNITED STATES HOLDERS
 
     The following is a general discussion of certain United States federal
income and estate tax consequences of the ownership and disposition of Common
Stock by a Non-United States Holder. For this purpose, a 'Non-United States
Holder' is any person who is, for United States federal income tax purposes, a
foreign corporation, a non-resident alien individual, a foreign partnership or a
foreign estate or trust. This discussion does not address all aspects of United
States federal income and estate taxes and does not deal with foreign, state and

local consequences that may be relevant to such Non-United States Holders in
light of their personal circumstances. Furthermore, this discussion is based on
provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the 'Code'),
existing and proposed regulations promulgated thereunder and administrative and
judicial interpretations thereof, as of the date hereof, all of which are
subject to change. EACH PROSPECTIVE PURCHASER OF COMMON STOCK IS ADVISED TO
CONSULT A TAX ADVISOR WITH RESPECT TO CURRENT AND POSSIBLE FUTURE TAX
CONSEQUENCES OF ACQUIRING, HOLDING AND DISPOSING OF COMMON STOCK AS WELL AS ANY
TAX CONSEQUENCES THAT MAY ARISE UNDER THE LAWS OF ANY STATE, MUNICIPALITY OR
OTHER TAXING JURISDICTION.
 
DIVIDENDS
 
     Dividends paid to a Non-United States Holder of Common Stock generally will
be subject to withholding of United States federal income tax at a 30% rate or
such lower rate as may be specified by an applicable income tax treaty. However,
dividends that are effectively connected with the conduct of a trade or business
by the Non-United States Holder within the United States and, where a tax treaty
applies, are attributable to a United States permanent establishment of the
Non-United States Holder, are not subject to the withholding tax, but instead
are subject to United States federal income tax on a net income basis at
applicable graduated individual or corporate rates. Certain certification and
disclosure requirements must be complied with in order to be exempt from
withholding under such effectively connected income exemption. Any such
effectively connected dividends received by a foreign corporation may, under
certain circumstances, be subject to an additional 'branch profits tax' at a 30%
rate or such lower rate as may be specified by an applicable income tax treaty.
 
     Dividends paid on or prior to December 31, 1992 to an address outside the
United States are presumed to be paid to a resident of such country (unless the
payer has knowledge to the contrary) for purposes of the withholding tax
discussed above and, under the current interpretation of United States Treasury
regulations, for purposes of determining the applicability of a tax treaty rate.
Under recently finalized United States Treasury regulations (the 'Final
Regulations'), a Non-United States Holder of Common Stock who wishes to claim
the benefit of an applicable treaty rate (and avoid back-up withholding as
discussed below) for dividends paid after December 31, 1998, will be required to
satisfy applicable certification and other requirements.
 
     A Non-United States Holder of Common Stock eligible for a reduced rate of
United States withholding tax pursuant to an income tax treaty may obtain a
refund of any excess amounts withheld by filing an appropriate claim for refund
with the Internal Revenue Service (the 'IRS').
 
GAIN ON DISPOSITION OF COMMON STOCK
 
     A Non-United States Holder generally will not be subject to United States
federal income tax with respect to gain recognized on a sale or other
disposition of Common Stock unless (i) the gain is effectively connected with a
trade or business of the Non-United States Holder in the United States, and,
where a tax treaty applies, is attributable to a United States permanent
establishment of the Non-United States Holder (ii) in the case of a Non-United
States Holder who is an individual and holds the Common Stock as a capital
asset, such holder is present in the United States for 183 or more days in the

taxable year of the sale or other disposition and certain other conditions are
met, or (iii) the Company is or has been a 'U.S. real property holding
corporation' for United States federal income tax purposes.
 
     An individual Non-United States Holder described in clause (i) above will
be subject to tax on the net gain derived from the sale under regular graduated
United States federal income tax rates. An individual Non-United States Holder
described in clause (ii) above will be subject to a flat 30% tax on the gain
derived from the sale, which may be offset by United States source capital
losses (even though the individual is not considered a resident of the United
States). If a Non-United States Holder that is a foreign corporation falls under
clause (i) above, it will be subject to tax on its gain under regular graduated
United States federal income tax rates and, in
 
                                      S-37
<PAGE>
addition, may be subject to the branch profits tax equal to 30% of its
effectively connected earnings and profits within the meaning of the Code for
the taxable year, as adjusted for certain items, unless it qualifies for a lower
rate under an applicable income tax treaty.
 
     The Company is not and does not anticipate becoming a 'U.S. real property
holding corporation' for United States federal income tax purposes. If the
Company is or becomes a U.S. real property holding corporation, so long as the
Common Stock continues to be regularly traded on an established securities
market, only a Non-United States Holder who holds or held (at any time during
the shorter of the five year period preceding the date of disposition or the
holder's holding period) more than five percent of the Common Stock will be
subject to U.S. federal income tax on the disposition of the Common Stock.
 
FEDERAL ESTATE TAX
 
     Common Stock held by an individual Non-United States Holder at the time of
death will be included in such holder's gross estate for United States federal
estate tax purposes, unless an applicable estate treaty provides otherwise.
 
INFORMATION REPORTING AND BACKUP WITHHOLDING
 
     The Company must report annually to the IRS and to each Non-United States
Holder the amount of dividends paid to such holder and the tax withheld with
respect to such dividends, regardless of whether withholding was required.
Copies of the information returns reporting such dividends and withholding may
also be made available to the tax authorities in the country in which the
Non-United States Holder resides under the provisions of an applicable income
tax treaty.
 
     Backup withholding at the rate of 31% generally will not apply to dividends
paid on or prior to December 31, 1998 to a Non-United States Holder at an
address outside the United States (unless the payer has knowledge that the payee
is a United States person). Under the Final Regulations, however, a Non-United
States Holder will be subject to back-up withholding unless applicable
certification requirements are met.
 
     Payment of the proceeds of a sale of Common Stock by or through a United

States office of a broker is subject to both backup withholding and information
reporting unless the beneficial owner certifies under penalties of perjury that
it is a Non-United States Holder or otherwise establishes an exemption. In
general, backup withholding and information reporting will not apply to a
payment of the proceeds of a sale of Common Stock by or through a foreign office
of a broker. If, however, such broker is, for United States federal income tax
purposes a United States person, a controlled foreign corporation, or a foreign
person that derives 50% or more of its gross income for a certain period from
the conduct of a trade or business in the United States, or, for taxable years
beginning after December 31, 1998, a foreign partnership, in which one or more
United States persons, in the aggregate, own more than 50% of the income or
capital interests in the partnership or if the partnership is engaged in a trade
or business in the United States, such payments will be subject to information
reporting, but not backup withholding, unless (1) such broker has documentary
evidence in its records that the beneficial owner is a Non-United States Holder
and certain other conditions are met, or (2) the beneficial owner otherwise
establishes an exemption.
 
     Any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules may be allowed as a
refund or a credit against such holder's United States federal income tax
liability provided the required information is furnished to the IRS.
 
                                      S-38
<PAGE>
                                  UNDERWRITING
 
     Subject to the terms and conditions of the Underwriting Agreement (the
'Underwriting Agreement'), the Underwriters named below (the 'Underwriters'),
through their Representative, Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette Securities
Corporation ('DLJ'), have severally agreed to purchase from the Company the
following respective number of shares of Common Stock at the public offering
price less the underwriting discounts and commissions set forth on the cover
page of this Prospectus Supplement:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                           NUMBER
UNDERWRITERS                                                              OF SHARES
<S>                                                                       <C>
Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette Securities Corporation....................     900,000
Cleary, Gull, Reiland & McDevitt Inc...................................      40,000
Suntrust Equitable Securities..........................................      40,000
L.H. Friend, Weinress, Frankson & Presson, Inc.........................      40,000
Morgan Keegan & Company, Inc...........................................      40,000
Sanders Morris Mundy Inc...............................................      40,000
                                                                          ---------
Total..................................................................   1,100,000
                                                                          ---------
                                                                          ---------
</TABLE>
 
     The Underwriting Agreement provides that the obligations of the several
Underwriters to purchase and accept delivery of the shares of Common Stock
offered hereby are subject to approval by their counsel of certain legal matters

and to certain other conditions. The Underwriters are obligated to purchase and
accept delivery of all shares of Common Stock offered hereby (other than those
covered by the over-allotment option described below) if any are purchased.
 
     The Underwriters propose initially to offer the shares of Common Stock in
part directly to the public at the price to the public set forth on the cover
page of this Prospectus Supplement and in part to certain dealers (including the
Underwriters) at such price less a concession not in excess of $0.79 per share.
The Underwriters may allow, and such dealers may re-allow to certain other
dealers, a concession not in excess of $0.10 per share. After this offering, the
offering price and other selling terms may be changed by the Underwriters at any
time without notice.
 
     The Company has granted to the Underwriters an option, exercisable not
later than 30 calendar days after the date of the Underwriting Agreement, to
purchase from time to time, in whole or in part, up to an aggregate of 165,000
additional shares of Common Stock at the price to the public set forth on the
cover page of this Prospectus Supplement, less the underwriting discounts and
commissions. The Underwriters may exercise such option solely to cover
over-allotments, if any, made in connection with this offering. To the extent
that the Underwriters exercise such option, each Underwriter will become
obligated, subject to certain conditions, to purchase its pro rata portion of
such additional shares based on such Underwriter's percentage underwriting
commitment as indicated in the preceding table.
 
     The Company has agreed to indemnify the Underwriters against certain civil
liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, or to contribute to
payments that the Underwriters may be required to make in respect thereof.
 
     The Company and its executive officers and directors have agreed, subject
to certain exceptions, with the Underwriters not to, directly or indirectly,
offer, pledge, sell, contract to sell, grant any option to purchase or otherwise
dispose of any shares of Common Stock or any securities convertible into or
exercisable or exchangeable for Common Stock, or warrants, options or rights to
purchase or acquire Common Stock, transfer all or a portion of the economic
consequences associated with the ownership of any Common Stock, or enter into
any arrangement to do any of the foregoing, for a period of 90 days after the
date of this Prospectus Supplement without the prior written consent of DLJ.
 
     Other than in the United States, no action has been taken by the Company or
the Underwriters that would permit a public offering of the shares of Common
Stock offered hereby in any jurisdiction where action for that purpose is
required. The shares of Common Stock offered hereby may not be offered or sold,
directly or indirectly, nor may this Prospectus Supplement, the accompanying
Prospectus or any other offering material or advertisements in connection with
the offer and sale of any such shares of Common Stock be distributed or
 
                                      S-39
<PAGE>
published in any jurisdiction, except under circumstances that will result in
compliance with the applicable rules and regulations of such jurisdiction.
Persons into whose possession this Prospectus Supplement and the accompanying
Prospectus come are advised to inform themselves about and to observe any
restrictions relating to the offering of the Common Stock and the distribution

of this Prospectus Supplement and the accompanying Prospectus. This Prospectus
Supplement and the accompanying Prospectus do not constitute an offer to sell or
a solicitation of an offer to buy any shares of Common Stock offered hereby in
any jurisdiction in which such an offer or a solicitation is unlawful.
 
     The Underwriters and dealers may engage in passive market making
transactions in the Common Stock in accordance with Rule 103 of Regulation M
promulgated by the Commission. In general, a passive market maker may not bid
for or purchase shares of Common Stock at a price that exceeds the highest
independent bid. In addition, the net daily purchases made by any passive market
maker generally may not exceed 30% of its average daily trading volume in the
Common Stock during a specified two-month prior period, or 200 shares, whichever
is greater. A passive market maker must identify passive market making bids as
such on the Nasdaq electronic inter-dealer reporting system. Passive market
making may stabilize or maintain the market price of the Common Stock above
independent market levels. Underwriters and dealers are not required to engage
in passive market making and may end passive market making activities at any
time.
 
     In connection with this offering, certain Underwriters may engage in
transactions that stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the price of the
Common Stock. Specifically, the Underwriters may over-allot this offering,
creating a syndicate short position. In addition, the Underwriters may bid for
and purchase shares of Common Stock in the open market to cover syndicate short
positions or to stabilize the price of the Common Stock. These activities may
stabilize or maintain the market price of the Common Stock above independent
market levels. The Underwriters are not required to engage in these activities
and may end any of these activities at any time.
 
                                 LEGAL MATTERS
 
     Certain legal matters related to the Common Stock being offered hereby are
being passed upon for the Company by Simpson Thacher & Bartlett New York, New
York, and for the Underwriters by Milbank, Tweed, Hadley & McCloy, New York, New
York.
 
                                    EXPERTS
 
     The consolidated financial statements and schedules included in this
Prospectus Supplement, and elsewhere in the accompanying Prospectus, have been
audited by Arthur Andersen LLP, independent public accountants, and are included
herein in reliance upon the authority of said firm as experts in giving said
reports.
 
                                      S-40
<PAGE>
                       EMCOR GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                  INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SCHEDULES
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                              PAGE
<S>                                                                                                           <C>
EMCOR GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES:

  Consolidated Balance Sheets--December 31, 1997 and 1996..................................................    F-2
  Consolidated Statements of Operations--Years ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995......................    F-3
  Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows--Years ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995......................    F-4
  Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity--Years ended
     December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995......................................................................    F-5
  Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements...............................................................    F-6
  Report of Independent Public Accountants.................................................................   F-23
</TABLE>
 
                                      F-1


<PAGE>
                       EMCOR GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
                          CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                       (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE DATA)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                               DECEMBER 31,
                                                                                        --------------------------
                                                                                          1997            1996
<S>                                                                                     <C>           <C>
ASSETS
 
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents...........................................................    $  49,376       $ 50,705
Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $20,456 and $18,812,
  respectively......................................................................      480,997        442,930
Costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings on uncompleted contracts.........       73,974         67,765
Inventories.........................................................................        7,363          9,108
Prepaid expenses and other..........................................................       10,951          8,143
                                                                                        ---------     ------------
Total current assets................................................................      622,661        578,651
 
Investments, notes and other long-term receivables..................................        5,901          5,737
Property, plant and equipment, net..................................................       27,164         26,952
Other assets........................................................................        4,928          3,407
                                                                                        ---------     ------------
Total assets........................................................................    $ 660,654       $614,747
                                                                                        ---------     ------------
                                                                                        ---------     ------------
 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
 
Current liabilities:
Borrowings under working capital credit lines.......................................    $   9,497       $ 14,200
Current maturities of long-term debt and capital lease obligations..................          927            361
Accounts payable....................................................................      239,117        218,099
Billings in excess of costs and estimated earnings on uncompleted contracts.........      112,833        105,653
Accrued payroll and benefits........................................................       49,058         43,789
Other accrued expenses and liabilities..............................................       45,163         39,596
                                                                                        ---------     ------------
Total current liabilities...........................................................      456,595        421,698
Long-term debt......................................................................       63,212         73,051
Other long-term obligations.........................................................       45,524         36,115
Stockholders' equity:
Preferred Stock, $.10 par value, 1,000,000 shares authorized, zero issued and
  outstanding.......................................................................           --             --
Common Stock, $.01 par value, 13,700,000 shares authorized, 9,590,827 and 9,514,636
  shares issued and outstanding or issuable, respectively...........................           96             95
Warrants............................................................................        2,154          2,154
Capital surplus.....................................................................       87,107         81,672
Cumulative translation adjustment...................................................         (195)         1,378
Retained earnings (accumulated deficit).............................................        6,161         (1,416)

                                                                                        ---------     ------------
Total stockholders' equity..........................................................       95,323         83,883
                                                                                        ---------     ------------
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity..........................................    $ 660,654       $614,747
                                                                                        ---------     ------------
                                                                                        ---------     ------------
</TABLE>
 
The accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements are an integral
                           part of these statements.
                                      F-2

<PAGE>
                       EMCOR GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                     CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
                        FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                     (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                        DECEMBER 31,
                                                                           --------------------------------------
                                                                              1997          1996          1995
<S>                                                                        <C>           <C>           <C>
Revenues................................................................   $1,950,868    $1,669,274    $1,588,744
Costs and expenses:
  Cost of sales.........................................................    1,768,685     1,508,486     1,445,597
  Selling, general and administrative...................................      154,769       143,674       137,254
                                                                           ----------    ----------    ----------
                                                                            1,923,454     1,652,160     1,582,851
                                                                           ----------    ----------    ----------
Operating income........................................................       27,414        17,114         5,893
Interest expense........................................................      (13,029)      (14,890)      (17,453)
Interest income.........................................................        1,077         2,244         2,633
Other income............................................................           --        12,500            --
Net loss on business sold...............................................           --            --          (926)
                                                                           ----------    ----------    ----------
Income (loss) before income taxes and extraordinary item................       15,462        16,968        (9,853)
Income tax provision....................................................        6,881         7,531         1,000
                                                                           ----------    ----------    ----------
Income (loss) before extraordinary item.................................        8,581         9,437       (10,853)
Extraordinary item--loss on early extinguishment of debt, net of income
  taxes.................................................................       (1,004)           --            --
                                                                           ----------    ----------    ----------
Net income (loss).......................................................   $    7,577    $    9,437    $  (10,853)
                                                                           ----------    ----------    ----------
                                                                           ----------    ----------    ----------
Basic earnings (loss) per share:
Income (loss) before extraordinary item.................................   $     0.90    $     1.00    $    (1.13)
Extraordinary item--loss on early extinguishment of debt, net of income
  taxes.................................................................        (0.11)           --            --
                                                                           ----------    ----------    ----------
Basic earnings (loss) per share.........................................   $     0.79    $     1.00    $    (1.13)
                                                                           ----------    ----------    ----------
                                                                           ----------    ----------    ----------
Diluted earnings (loss) per share:
Income (loss) before extraordinary item.................................   $     0.84    $     0.96    $    (1.13)
Extraordinary item--loss on early extinguishment of debt, net
  of income taxes.......................................................        (0.10)           --            --
                                                                           ----------    ----------    ----------
Diluted earnings (loss) per share.......................................   $     0.74    $     0.96    $    (1.13)
                                                                           ----------    ----------    ----------
                                                                           ----------    ----------    ----------
</TABLE>
 
The accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements are an integral

                           part of these statements.
                                      F-3

<PAGE>
                       EMCOR GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                     CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
                        FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                 (IN THOUSANDS)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                        DECEMBER 31,
                                                                              ---------------------------------
                                                                                1997        1996         1995
<S>                                                                           <C>          <C>         <C>
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net income (loss).........................................................    $  7,577     $ 9,437     $(10,853)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to
  net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization.............................................       8,192       7,864        8,912
Net loss from business sold...............................................          --          --          926
Stock compensation........................................................          --          --            6
Non-cash interest expense.................................................       1,319       4,748        7,690
Non-cash income tax provision.............................................       5,587       6,771           --
Non-cash portion of extraordinary item....................................         533          --           --
Other, net................................................................         612         252          465
                                                                              --------     -------     --------
                                                                                23,820      29,072        7,146
Change in Operating Assets and Liabilities Excluding Effect of Businesses
  Disposed of and Acquired:
(Increase) decrease in accounts receivable, net...........................     (37,585)     (6,956)       2,635
(Increase) decrease in inventories and contracts in progress..............       3,029     (11,228)     (16,320)
Increase (decrease) in accounts payable and other accrued expenses and
  liabilities.............................................................      31,740      (6,891)       5,312
Decrease in insurance cash collateral.....................................          --      30,812        6,765
Decrease in funds held in escrow..........................................          --       8,271          378
Changes in other assets and liabilities, net..............................       4,613      (9,997)       4,785
                                                                              --------     -------     --------
Net Cash Provided by Operations...........................................      25,617      33,083       10,701
                                                                              --------     -------     --------
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Proceeds from working capital credit lines................................     136,862      45,625           --
Payments of working capital credit lines..................................    (141,565)    (56,425)     (15,000)
Proceeds from long-term debt and capital lease obligations................         906         226          180
Payments of long-term debt and capital lease obligations..................        (685)       (873)      (1,379)
Repayment of Series A Notes...............................................          --     (66,424)          --
Partial repayment and redemption of Series C Notes........................     (11,920)         --           --
Exercise of stock options.................................................         427         487           --
Proceeds from notes payable...............................................          --       9,596       21,266
Payments of notes payable.................................................          --     (24,363)     (11,404)
Debt issuance costs.......................................................        (304)     (1,600)          --
                                                                              --------     -------     --------
Net Cash Used In Financing Activities.....................................     (16,279)    (93,751)      (6,337)
                                                                              --------     -------     --------
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Proceeds from sale of businesses and other assets.........................         750         353          650
Proceeds from sales of net assets held for sale...........................          --      66,424           --

Purchase of property, plant and equipment.................................      (9,753)     (7,428)      (4,512)
Acquisition of business...................................................      (1,500)         --           --
Net disbursements for other investments...................................        (164)       (983)          --
                                                                              --------     -------     --------
Net Cash (Used In) Provided By Investing Activities.......................     (10,667)     58,366       (3,862)
                                                                              --------     -------     --------
(Decrease) increase in Cash and Cash Equivalents..........................      (1,329)     (2,302)         502
Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Year............................      50,705      53,007       52,505
                                                                              --------     -------     --------
Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Year..................................    $ 49,376     $50,705     $ 53,007
                                                                              --------     -------     --------
                                                                              --------     -------     --------
</TABLE>
 
The accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements are an integral
                           part of these statements.
                                      F-4

<PAGE>
                       EMCOR GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

                CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
                                 (IN THOUSANDS)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                           RETAINED
                                                                          CUMULATIVE       EARNINGS          TOTAL
                                         COMMON                CAPITAL    TRANSLATION    (ACCUMULATED    STOCKHOLDERS'
                                         STOCK     WARRANTS    SURPLUS    ADJUSTMENT       DEFICIT)         EQUITY
<S>                                      <C>       <C>         <C>        <C>            <C>             <C>
January 1, 1995.......................    $ 94      $2,179     $78,857      $    --        $     --         $81,130
Foreign currency translation
  adjustment..........................      --          --          --          327              --             327
Other.................................      --          --           6           --              --               6
Net loss..............................      --          --          --           --         (10,853)        (10,853)
                                         ------    --------    -------    -----------    ------------    -------------
Balance, December 31, 1995............      94       2,179      78,863          327         (10,853)         70,610
Foreign currency translation
  adjustment..........................      --          --          --        1,051              --           1,051
Common Stock issued under stock option
  plans...............................       1          --         486           --              --             487
NOL utilization.......................      --          --       2,298           --              --           2,298
Net income............................      --          --          --           --           9,437           9,437
Other.................................      --         (25)         25           --              --              --
                                         ------    --------    -------    -----------    ------------    -------------
Balance, December 31, 1996............      95       2,154      81,672        1,378          (1,416)         83,883
Foreign currency translation
  adjustment..........................      --          --          --       (1,573)             --          (1,573)
Common Stock issued under stock option
  plans...............................       1          --         426           --              --             427
NOL utilization.......................      --          --       5,009           --              --           5,009
Net income............................      --          --          --           --           7,577           7,577
                                         ------    --------    -------    -----------    ------------    -------------
Balance, December 31, 1997............    $ 96      $2,154     $87,107      $  (195)       $  6,161         $95,323
                                         ------    --------    -------    -----------    ------------    -------------
                                         ------    --------    -------    -----------    ------------    -------------
</TABLE>
 
The accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements are an integral
                           part of these statements.
                                      F-5

<PAGE>
                       EMCOR GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
NOTE A--NATURE OF OPERATIONS
 
     EMCOR Group, Inc. ('EMCOR' or the 'Company') is a multinational corporation
involved in mechanical and electrical construction services and facilities
services. EMCOR's subsidiaries specialize in the design, integration,
installation, start-up, testing, operation and maintenance of (i) distribution
systems for electrical power (including power cables, conduits, distribution
panels, transformers, generators, uninterruptible power supply systems and
related switch gear and control); (ii) lighting systems, including fixtures and
controls; (iii) low-voltage systems, including fire alarm, security,
communications and process control systems; (iv) heating, ventilation, air
conditioning, refrigeration and clean-room process ventilation systems; and (v)
plumbing, process and high-purity piping systems. EMCOR's subsidiaries provide
mechanical and electrical construction and facilities services directly to
end-users (including corporations, municipalities and other governmental
entities, owners/developers, and tenants of buildings) and, indirectly, by
acting as a subcontractor for construction managers, general contractors,
systems suppliers and other subcontractors. Mechanical and electrical
construction services are principally either large installation projects with
contracts generally in the multi-million dollar range; smaller system
installations involving renovation and retrofit work; and maintenance and
service. In addition, certain of its subsidiaries operate and maintain
mechanical and/or electrical systems for customers under contracts and provide
other services commonly referred to as facilities services including the
management of facilities and the provision of support services to customers at
the customer's facilities. Mechanical and electrical construction and facilities
services are provided to a broad range of commercial, industrial and
institutional customers through offices located in major markets throughout the
United States, Canada and the United Kingdom and through its joint ventures in
the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Hong Kong and Macau.
 
NOTE B--SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
 
  Principles of Consolidation
 
     The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company
and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. Significant intercompany accounts and
transactions have been eliminated.
 
  Principles of Preparation
 
     The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally
accepted accounting principles requires the Company to make estimates and
assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the
date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and
expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those
estimates.
 
     Reclassifications of prior years data have been made in the accompanying
consolidated financial statements where appropriate to conform to the current

presentation.
 
  Revenue Recognition
 
     Revenues from long-term contracts are recognized on the
percentage-of-completion method. Percentage-of-completion for the mechanical and
electrical construction services business is measured principally by the
percentage of costs incurred and accrued to date for each contract to the
estimated total costs for each contract at completion. Certain of the Company's
electrical contracting business units measure percentage-of-completion by the
percentage of labor costs incurred to date for each contract to the estimated
total labor costs for such contract, while others are on the cost to total cost
method. Revenues from facilities services are recognized as services are
provided.
 
     Provisions for estimated losses on uncompleted contracts are made in the
period in which such losses are determined. In forecasting ultimate
profitability on certain contracts, estimated recoveries are included for work
performed under customer change orders to contracts for which firm prices have
not yet been negotiated. Due to
 
                                      F-6

<PAGE>
                       EMCOR GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
 
NOTE B--SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES--(CONTINUED)
uncertainties inherent in the estimation process, it is reasonably possible that
completion costs, including those arising from contract penalty provisions and
final contract settlements, will be revised in the near-term. Such revisions to
costs and income are recognized in the period in which the revisions are
determined.
 
  Costs and Estimated Earnings on Uncompleted Contracts
 
     Costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings on uncompleted contracts
arise when revenues have been recorded but the amounts cannot be billed under
the terms of the contracts. Such amounts are recoverable from customers upon
various measures of performance, including achievement of certain milestones,
completion of specified units or completion of the contract.
 
     Also included in costs and estimated earnings on uncompleted contracts are
amounts the Company seeks or will seek to collect from customers or others for
errors or changes in contract specifications or design, contract change orders
in dispute or unapproved as to both scope and price, or other customer-related
causes of unanticipated additional contract costs (claims and pending change
orders). These amounts are recorded at their estimated net realizable value when
realization is probable and can be reasonably estimated. No profit is recognized
on the construction costs incurred in connection with these amounts. Pending
change orders involve the use of estimates and it is reasonably possible that
revisions to the estimated recoverable amounts of recorded pending change orders
may be made in the near-term. Claims made by the Company involve negotiation
and, in certain cases, litigation. The Company expenses such costs as incurred,
although it may seek to recover these costs as part of the claim. The Company
believes that it has established legal bases for pursuing recovery of recorded
claims and it is management's intention to pursue and litigate these claims, if
necessary, until a decision or settlement is reached. Claims and pending change
orders also involve the use of estimates and it is reasonably possible that
revisions to the estimated recoverable amounts of recorded claims may be made in
the near-term. Claims against the Company are recognized when a loss is
considered probable and amounts are reasonably determinable.
 
     Costs and estimated earnings on uncompleted contracts and related amounts
billed as of December 31, 1997 and 1996 are as follows (in thousands):
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                        1997          1996
<S>                                                                  <C>           <C>
Costs incurred on uncompleted contracts...........................   $2,282,127    $2,442,197
Estimated earnings................................................      158,832       175,094
                                                                     ----------    ----------
                                                                      2,440,959     2,617,291
Less billings to date.............................................    2,479,998     2,655,179
                                                                     ----------    ----------
                                                                     $  (39,039)   $  (37,888)

                                                                     ----------    ----------
                                                                     ----------    ----------
</TABLE>
 
     Such amounts are included in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets
at December 31, 1997 and 1996 under the following captions (in thousands):
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                         1997         1996
<S>                                                                    <C>          <C>
Costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings on uncompleted
  contracts.........................................................   $  73,794    $  67,765
Billings in excess of costs and estimated earnings on uncompleted
  contracts.........................................................    (112,833)    (105,653)
                                                                       ---------    ---------
                                                                       $ (39,039)   $ (37,888)
                                                                       ---------    ---------
                                                                       ---------    ---------
</TABLE>
 
     As of December 31, 1997 costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings
on uncompleted contracts include unbilled revenues for pending change orders of
approximately $14.5 million and claims of approximately $12.5 million. In
addition, accounts receivable as of December 31, 1997 included claims and
contractually billed amounts related to such contracts of approximately $44.5
million. Claims and related amounts, included in
 
                                      F-7

<PAGE>
                       EMCOR GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
 
NOTE B--SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES--(CONTINUED)
accounts receivable, aggregated approximately $49.2 million as of December 31,
1996. Generally, contractually billed amounts will not be paid by the customer
to the Company until final resolution of related claims.
 
  Classification of Contract Amounts
 
     In accordance with industry practice, the Company classifies as current all
assets and liabilities related to the performance of long-term contracts. The
contracting cycle for certain long-term contracts may extend beyond one year
and, accordingly, collection or payment of amounts related to these contracts
may extend beyond one year. Accounts receivable at December 31, 1997 and 1996
included $88.2 million and $70.9 million, respectively, of retainage billed
under terms of the contracts. The Company estimates that approximately 85% of
retainage recorded at December 31, 1997 will be collected during 1998.
 
  Cash and Cash Equivalents
 
     For purposes of the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, the Company
considers all highly liquid instruments with original maturities of three months
or less to be cash equivalents. The Company maintains a centralized cash
management program whereby its excess cash balances are invested in
high-quality, short-term money market instruments which are considered cash
equivalents. At times, cash balances in the Company's bank accounts may exceed
federally insured limits.
 
  Inventories
 
     Inventories, which consist primarily of construction materials, are stated
at the lower of cost or market. Cost is determined principally using average
cost.
 
  Property, Plant and Equipment
 
     Property, plant and equipment is stated at cost. Depreciation is recorded
principally using the straight-line method over estimated useful lives ranging
from 3 to 40 years.
 
     Property, plant and equipment in the accompanying Consolidated Balance
Sheets consisted of the following amounts as of December 31, 1997 and 1996 (in
thousands):
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                            1997        1996
<S>                                                                       <C>         <C>
Machinery and equipment................................................   $ 24,824    $ 22,615
Furniture and fixtures.................................................      5,728       4,507
Land, buildings and leasehold improvements.............................     13,758      13,554
                                                                          --------    --------

                                                                            44,310      40,676
Accumulated depreciation and amortization..............................    (17,146)    (13,724)
                                                                          --------    --------
                                                                          $ 27,164    $ 26,952
                                                                          --------    --------
                                                                          --------    --------
</TABLE>
 
  Fair Value of Financial Instruments
 
     The Company's financial instruments include accounts receivable,
investments, notes and other long-term receivables, other assets, long-term debt
(excluding the Company's Series C Notes), foreign currency contracts and other
financing commitments whose carrying values approximate their fair values.
 
     At December 31, 1997, the fair value of the Company's Series C Notes was
$64.3 million compared to the carrying value of $56.3 million. The fair value
was estimated based on quoted market prices and market interest rates as of
December 31, 1997.
 
                                      F-8

<PAGE>
                       EMCOR GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
 
NOTE B--SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES--(CONTINUED)
  Foreign Operations
 
     The financial statements and transactions of the Company's foreign
subsidiaries are maintained in their functional currency and translated into
U.S. dollars in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No.
52, 'Foreign Currency Translation'. Translation adjustments have been
accumulated as a separate component of stockholders' equity.
 
  Other Income
 
     Other income in the accompanying Consolidated Statement of Operations for
the year ended December 31, 1996 includes a pre-tax gain of $12.5 million ($8.1
million after-tax) on the sale of certain assets held for sale, including the
sale of substantially all of the assets of the Company's principal water supply
subsidiary Jamaica Water Supply Company ('JWS'). JWS and the Company's other
water supply subsidiary, Sea Cliff Water Company ('Sea Cliff'), are referred to
hereafter as the 'Water Companies.'
 
  Income Taxes
 
     The Company accounts for income taxes in accordance with the provisions of
Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 109, 'Accounting for Income
Taxes' ('SFAS 109'). SFAS 109 requires an asset and liability approach which
requires the recognition of deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities for
the expected future tax consequences of temporary differences between the
carrying amounts and the tax bases of assets and liabilities. Valuation
allowances are established when necessary to reduce deferred tax assets to the
amount expected to be realized.
 
  Foreign Exchange Contracts
 
     Gains and losses on contracts designated as hedges of net investments in
foreign subsidiaries are recognized in the Consolidated Statements of
Stockholders' Equity as exchange rates change as Cumulative Translation
Adjustment.
 
     As of December 31, 1997, the Company had one forward contract that is
designated as, and is effective as, an economic hedge of a net investment in a
foreign entity. The amount of this forward contract is not material to the
consolidated financial statements.
 
  Valuation of Stock Option Grants
 
     The Company continues to account for its stock option plans under
Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25, 'Accounting for Stock Issued to
Employees' ('APB 25'). See Note G for pro forma information relating to
treatment of the Company's stock option plans under Statement of Financial
Accounting Standards No. 123, 'Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation' ('SFAS
123').

 
NOTE C--EARNINGS PER SHARE
 
     Effective December 31, 1997 the Company adopted Statement of Financial
Accounting Standards No. 128 ('SFAS No. 128' or the 'Statement'), 'Earnings Per
Share' ('EPS'), which established standards for computing and presenting EPS.
The Statement replaced the presentation of Primary EPS with a presentation of
Basic EPS, as defined, and Fully Diluted EPS with Diluted EPS, as defined.
 
                                      F-9

<PAGE>
                       EMCOR GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
 
NOTE C--EARNINGS PER SHARE--(CONTINUED)
     The following tables summarize the Company's calculation of Basic EPS and
Diluted EPS for the years ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                             1997
                                                                          ------------------------------------------
                                                                             INCOME          SHARES        PER SHARE
                                                                          (NUMERATOR)     (DENOMINATOR)     AMOUNT
<S>                                                                       <C>             <C>              <C>
Basic EPS
Income before extraordinary item available to common stockholders......   $  8,581,000       9,547,869      $  0.90
                                                                                                           ---------
                                                                                                           ---------
Effect of Dilutive securities:
  Options..............................................................             --         305,336
  Warrants.............................................................             --         321,690
                                                                          ------------    -------------
Diluted EPS............................................................   $  8,581,000      10,174,895      $  0.84
                                                                          ------------    -------------    ---------
                                                                          ------------    -------------    ---------
 
<CAPTION>
 
                                                                                             1996
                                                                          ------------------------------------------
                                                                             INCOME          SHARES        PER SHARE
                                                                          (NUMERATOR)     (DENOMINATOR)     AMOUNT
<S>                                                                       <C>             <C>              <C>
Basic EPS
Income before extraordinary item available to common stockholders......   $  9,437,000       9,479,817      $  1.00
                                                                                                           ---------
                                                                                                           ---------
Effect of Dilutive Securities:
  Options..............................................................             --         276,960
  Warrants.............................................................             --          54,226
                                                                          ------------    -------------
Diluted EPS............................................................   $  9,437,000       9,811,003      $  0.96
                                                                          ------------    -------------    ---------
                                                                          ------------    -------------    ---------
<CAPTION>
 
                                                                                             1995
                                                                          ------------------------------------------
                                                                             INCOME          SHARES        PER SHARE
                                                                          (NUMERATOR)     (DENOMINATOR)     AMOUNT
<S>                                                                       <C>             <C>              <C>
Basic EPS
Loss before extraordinary item available to common stockholders........   $(10,853,000)      9,580,418      $ (1.13)
                                                                                                           ---------

                                                                                                           ---------
Effect of Dilutive Securities:
  Options..............................................................             --              --
  Warrants.............................................................             --              --
                                                                          ------------    -------------
Diluted EPS............................................................   $(10,853,000)      9,580,418      $ (1.13)
                                                                          ------------    -------------    ---------
                                                                          ------------    -------------    ---------
</TABLE>
 
     The number of the Company's warrants and options granted which were
excluded from the computation of Diluted EPS for the years ended December 31,
1997, 1996 and 1995 because they would be antidilutive is as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                         1997       1996        1995
<S>                                                                     <C>        <C>        <C>
Series X.............................................................        --         --      605,000
Series Y.............................................................        --    605,000      605,000
Series Z(a)..........................................................        --         --      170,000
Options..............................................................        --     33,000           --
                                                                        -------    -------    ---------
  Total..............................................................        --    638,000    1,380,000
                                                                        -------    -------    ---------
                                                                        -------    -------    ---------
</TABLE>
 
- ------------------
 
(a) The Series Z Warrants expired on December 15, 1996.
 
                                      F-10

<PAGE>
                       EMCOR GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
 
NOTE C--EARNINGS PER SHARE--(CONTINUED)
     As a result of adopting SFAS No. 128, the Company's reported earnings per
share for the years ended December 31, 1996 and 1995 were restated. The effect
of this accounting change on previously reported earnings per share data is as
follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PER SHARE AMOUNTS                                                              1996      1995
<S>                                                                            <C>      <C>
Primary EPS as reported.....................................................   $0.95    $(1.13)
Effect of SFAS No. 128......................................................    0.05        --
                                                                               -----    ------
Basic EPS as restated.......................................................   $1.00    $(1.13)
                                                                               -----    ------
                                                                               -----    ------
Fully diluted EPS as reported...............................................   $0.95    $(1.13)
Effect of SFAS No. 128......................................................    0.01        --
                                                                               -----    ------
Diluted EPS as restated.....................................................   $0.96    $(1.13)
                                                                               -----    ------
                                                                               -----    ------
</TABLE>
 
NOTE D--CURRENT DEBT
 
  New Credit Facility
 
     On June 19, 1996, the Company and its subsidiary Dyn Specialty Contracting
Inc. ('Dyn') entered into a credit agreement with Harris Trust and Savings Bank
('Harris') providing the Company a working capital credit facility for
borrowings up to $100.0 million (the 'New Credit Facility') for a three-year
period. The New Credit Facility, as amended, which is guaranteed by certain
direct and indirect subsidiaries of the Company and is secured by substantially
all of the assets of the Company and those subsidiaries, provides for borrowing
capacity available in the form of revolving loans ('Revolving Loans') and/or
letters of credit ('LCs'). The Revolving Loans bear interest at a variable rate,
which is the prime commercial lending rate announced by Harris from time to time
(8.5% at December 31, 1997) plus 1.0%--2.0% based on certain financial tests.
The interest rate on the Revolving Loans was 9.5% at December 31, 1997. LC fees
ranging from 1.50% to 3.25% are charged based on the type of LC issued. The New
Credit Facility expires on June 19, 1999. As of December 31, 1997, the Company
had approximately $25.7 million of LCs and approximately $9.5 million of
Revolving Loans outstanding under the New Credit Facility which are classified
as Current Liabilities under the caption 'Borrowings under working capital
credit lines' in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets.
 
  MES and DYN Credit Agreements
 
     On December 14, 1994, the Company and certain of its subsidiaries entered

into two credit agreements (the 'Old Credit Agreements') with Belmont Capital
Partners II, L.P. ('Belmont'), certain directors of the Company and/or their
affiliates and other lenders (the 'Lenders') providing the Company and MES and
certain of its subsidiaries with working capital facilities of up to an
aggregate amount of $45.0 million which became available December 15, 1994. The
MES Credit Agreement, one of the Old Credit Agreements, was among the Company,
its subsidiary MES Holdings Corporation ('MES'), substantially all of the U.S.
subsidiaries of MES, as guarantors, and the Lenders and provided the Company and
MES with loans in an aggregate amount of up to $35.0 million. The Dyn Credit
Agreement, the other Old Credit Agreement, was among the Company, Dyn, Dyn's
subsidiaries, as guarantors, and the Lenders and provided Dyn with loans in
aggregate amount of up to $10.0 million. The loans bore interest on the
principle amount thereof at the rate of 15% per annum.
 
     The proceeds from the Old Credit Agreements were used to repay amounts
outstanding under the Company's previous working capital loan, pay fees and
expenses in connection with the Old Credit Agreements and the balance was used
for general working capital purposes.
 
     Borrowings outstanding under the Old Credit Agreements were repaid in June
1996 from proceeds received by the Company from the sale of the Water Companies
and from borrowings under the New Credit Facility at which time the Old Credit
Agreements were terminated.
 
                                      F-11

<PAGE>
                       EMCOR GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
 
NOTE D--CURRENT DEBT--(CONTINUED)
  Series A Notes
 
     On December 15, 1994 the Company issued or reserved for issuance
approximately $62.2 million principal amount of Series A Notes and reserved for
issuance up to a maximum of $8.8 million additional principal amount of Series A
Notes upon resolution of disputed and unliquidated pre-petition general
unsecured claims. Approximately $4.7 million of the outstanding Series A Notes
were redeemed in 1995 and the balance of the Series A Notes were paid in full
during the second quarter of 1996 (approximately $66.5 million in principal and
accrued interest thereon) with proceeds received by the Company from the sale of
the Water Companies.
 
  Foreign Borrowings
 
     In October 1997, the Company's Canadian subsidiary, Comstock Canada Ltd.,
renewed a credit agreement with a bank providing for an overdraft facility of up
to Cdn. $0.5 million. The facility is secured by a standby letter of credit and
provides for interest at the bank's prime rate (6.0% at December 31, 1997).
There were no borrowings outstanding under this facility at December 31, 1997
and 1996. The Canadian subsidiary may utilize the Company's working capital
credit facility for any future working capital requirements.
 
     In September 1995, a number of the Company's United Kingdom subsidiaries
renegotiated and renewed a demand credit facility with a United Kingdom bank for
a credit line of pounds 17.1 million (approximately U.S. $26.8 million). The
facility was secured by substantially all of the assets of the Company's
principal United Kingdom subsidiaries. The overdraft facility provided for
interest at the bank's base rate, as defined (6.5% as of December 31, 1995),
plus 3.0% on the first pounds 5.0 million of borrowings and at the bank's base
rate plus 4.0% for borrowings over pounds 5.0 million. During 1996, the
Company's United Kingdom subsidiaries replaced the overdraft line with Revolving
Loans and LCs under the New Credit Facility.
 
NOTE E--LONG-TERM DEBT
 
     Long-Term Debt in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets consist of
the following amounts as of December 31, 1997 and 1996 (in thousands):
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                            1997       1996
<S>                                                                        <C>        <C>
Series C Notes, outstanding face value of approximately $61.9 million
  and $73.8 million, respectively, at 11.0% discounted to a 14.0%
  effective rate, due 2001..............................................   $56,290    $66,039
Supplemental SellCo Note, outstanding face value of approximately $5.5
  million at 8.0%, discounted to a 14.0% effective rate, due 2004.......     4,733      4,474
Capitalized Lease Obligations at weighted average interest rates from
  7.25% to 11.0%, payable in varying amounts through 2004...............     1,482      1,007

Other, at weighted average interest rates of approximately 9.6%, payable
  in varying amounts through 2012.......................................     1,634      1,892
                                                                           -------    -------
                                                                            64,139     73,412
Less current maturities.................................................      (927)      (361)
                                                                           -------    -------
                                                                           $63,212    $73,051
                                                                           -------    -------
                                                                           -------    -------
</TABLE>
 
  Series C Notes
 
     On December 15, 1994 the Company issued approximately $62.8 million
principal amount of Series C Notes. Interest on the Series C Notes was payable
semiannually through June 15, 1996 by the issuance of additional Series C Notes
and is currently payable quarterly in cash. The Series C Notes are unsecured
indebtedness of the Company and are subordinate to indebtedness under the
Company's New Credit Facility. The
 
                                      F-12

<PAGE>
                       EMCOR GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
 
NOTE E--LONG-TERM DEBT--(CONTINUED)
Series C Notes have been recorded at a discount to their face amount to yield an
estimated effective interest rate of 14.0%. The Series C Notes mature on
December 15, 2001 and are currently redeemable at a redemption price equal to
104% of the principal amount. The redemption price decreases ratably to face
value at maturity.
 
     On June 3, 1997, the Company purchased $1.0 million of Series C Notes and
retired such notes. On June 27, 1997, the Company called for the partial
redemption of approximately $10.9 million principal amount of Series C Notes. In
accordance with the Indenture governing the Series C Notes, the redemption price
of the Series C Notes was 105% of the principal amount redeemed. Accordingly,
the Company recorded an extraordinary loss of approximately $1.0 million related
to the early retirement of debt. The extraordinary loss consisted primarily of
the write-off of the associated debt discount plus premiums and costs associated
with the redemption, net of income tax benefits of approximately $0.7 million.
 
     On February 29, 1996, an aggregate majority of principal amount of the
outstanding Series C Notes consented to amendments to the Series C Indenture
under which the Series C Notes were issued. The amendments (i) reduced the
Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio (the 'Ratio'), as defined, required to
be maintained by the Company and certain of its subsidiaries under the Series C
Indenture and (ii) excluded from the calculation of the Ratio certain non-cash
interest payments payable by the issuance of additional Series C Notes.
 
  Supplemental Sellco Note
 
     On December 15, 1994, EMCOR issued to its wholly-owned subsidiary SellCo
Corporation ('SellCo') its 8.0% promissory note in the principal amount of
approximately $5.5 million (the 'Supplemental SellCo Note'). The note matures on
the earlier of (i) December 15, 2004 or (ii) one day prior to the date on which
the SellCo Notes (hereafter defined) are deemed canceled. If at any time after
December 15, 1999, prior to the maturity date of the SellCo Notes (December 15,
2004) the value of the consolidated assets of SellCo and its subsidiaries
(excluding the Supplemental SellCo Note) is determined by independent appraisal
to be less than $250,000, the balance of the SellCo Notes (not theretofore paid
from net sales proceeds from the sale of the stock or assets of SellCo
subsidiaries and the proceeds of the Supplemental SellCo Note which will have
become due and payable) will be deemed canceled. Interest on the Supplemental
SellCo Note is payable upon maturity. The Supplemental SellCo Note has been
recorded at a discount to its face amount to yield an estimated effective
interest rate of 14.0%.
 
  SellCo Notes
 
     On December 15, 1994, SellCo issued approximately $48.1 million principal
amount of 12.0% Subordinated Contingent Payments Notes, due 2004, (the 'SellCo
Notes'). Interest is payable semiannually in additional SellCo Notes. Net Cash
Proceeds (as defined in the Indenture pursuant to which the SellCo Notes were
issued) from the sales of stock or assets of SellCo subsidiaries are to be used

to redeem SellCo Notes. The SellCo Notes are not obligations of EMCOR and
accordingly are not included in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets as
of December 31, 1997 and 1996. The holders of the SellCo Notes may only look to
EMCOR to the extent of EMCOR's obligation to pay the Supplemental SellCo Note
plus accrued interest thereon. In May 1996, the Company completed the sale of
substantially all of the assets of its subsidiary JWS to The City of New York
and the Water Authority of Western Nassau County. In May 1996, the Company also
completed the sale of the stock of Sea Cliff to a subsidiary of Aquarion
Company. Approximately $2.1 and $0.7 million of the proceeds from the sale of
the stock of Sea Cliff and the sale of assets of JWS, respectively, were used to
redeem, in part, the SellCo Notes during August 1996. On February 28, 1997, the
Company redeemed approximately $6.6 million of SellCo Notes with proceeds from
the sale of assets of JWS which monies had been retained pending disposition of
the lawsuit brought by certain holders of Warrants of Participation ('Warrants')
that had been issued by the Company prior to its Chapter 11 proceedings. As the
liabilities of JWS are finally determined, JWS' various contingent liabilities
are resolved, funds held in escrow under the sales agreements (the 'Sales
 
                                      F-13

<PAGE>
                       EMCOR GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
 
NOTE E--LONG-TERM DEBT--(CONTINUED)
Agreements') for the sale of assets of JWS and the stock of Sea Cliff are
released, and post closing adjustments under the Sales Agreements are agreed
upon, additional amounts of the sales proceeds may become available, from time
to time, for additional redemptions of the SellCo Notes. The SellCo Notes mature
on December 15, 2004 if not deemed canceled at an earlier date as discussed
above under Supplemental SellCo Note.
 
  Other Long-Term Debt
 
     Other long-term debt consists primarily of loans for real estate, office
equipment, automobiles and building improvements. As of December 31, 1997 and
1996, respectively, other long-term debt, excluding current maturities, totaling
$1.5 million and $1.8 million was owed by certain of the Company's subsidiaries.
The aggregate amount of other long-term debt maturing during the next five years
is approximately: $0.1 million in each of 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002; and $1.1
million thereafter.
 
NOTE F--INCOME TAXES
 
     The Company files a consolidated federal income tax return including all
its U.S. subsidiaries. At December 31, 1997, the Company had net operating loss
carryforwards ('NOLs') for U.S. income tax purposes of approximately $170.0
million, which expire in the years 2007 through 2010. The NOLs are subject to
review by the Internal Revenue Service. Future changes in ownership of the
Company, as defined by Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code, could limit the
amount of NOLs available for use in any one year.
 
     The Company adopted Fresh-Start Accounting in connection with the Company's
reorganization in December, 1994. As a result, the tax benefit of any net
operating loss carryforwards or net deductible temporary differences which
existed as of December 15, 1994 will result in a charge to the tax provision
(provision in lieu of income taxes) and be allocated to reorganization value in
excess of amounts allocable to identifiable assets established in connection
with the Company's emergence from bankruptcy and to capital surplus. For the
year ended December 31, 1996 the Company allocated approximately $4.5 million of
its tax provision to reorganization value in excess of amounts allocable to
identifiable assets thereby reducing this balance to zero. The remaining
utilization of NOLs and other deferred tax assets, approximately $5.0 million
and $2.3 million for the years ended December 31, 1997 and 1996, respectively,
have been applied to capital surplus for the years then ended.
 
     The income tax provision in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of
Operations for the years ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995 consists of (in
thousands):
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                              1997       1996      1995
<S>                                                                          <C>        <C>       <C>

Current:
  Federal.................................................................   $ 5,508    $6,068    $   --
  State and local.........................................................     1,055       760       925
  Foreign.................................................................     1,418       703        75
                                                                             -------    ------    ------
                                                                               7,981     7,531     1,000
                                                                             -------    ------    ------
Deferred:
  Foreign.................................................................    (1,100)       --        --
                                                                             -------    ------    ------
                                                                             $ 6,881    $7,531    $1,000
                                                                             -------    ------    ------
                                                                             -------    ------    ------
</TABLE>
 
                                      F-14

<PAGE>
                       EMCOR GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
 
NOTE F--INCOME TAXES--(CONTINUED)
     Factors accounting for the variation from U.S. statutory income tax rates
relating to continuing operations for the years ended December 31, 1997, 1996
and 1995 are as follows (in thousands):
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                              1997      1996      1995
<S>                                                                          <C>       <C>       <C>
Federal income taxes at the statutory rate................................   $5,412    $5,939    $(3,449)
State and local income taxes, net of federal tax benefits.................      686       494        650
Foreign income taxes......................................................    1,630     1,094         --
Valuation allowance against deferred tax asset............................       --        --      3,799
Other.....................................................................     (847)        4         --
                                                                             ------    ------    -------
                                                                             $6,881    $7,531    $ 1,000
                                                                             ------    ------    -------
                                                                             ------    ------    -------
</TABLE>
 
     The components of the net deferred income tax asset included in 'Other
Assets' in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets for the years ended
December 31, 1997 and 1996 are as follows (in thousands):
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                     1997        1996
<S>                                                                                 <C>        <C>
Deferred tax assets:
Net operating loss carryforward..................................................   $63,241    $ 78,878
Excess of amounts expensed for financial statement purposes over amounts deducted
  for income tax purposes........................................................    29,975      28,527
Other............................................................................     2,899       2,899
                                                                                    -------    --------
Total deferred tax asset.........................................................    96,115     110,304
                                                                                    -------    --------
Deferred tax liabilities:
Costs capitalized for financial statement purposes and deducted to income tax
  purposes.......................................................................    17,799      19,175
                                                                                    -------    --------
Total deferred tax liability.....................................................    17,799      19,175
                                                                                    -------    --------
Net deferred tax asset before valuation allowance................................    78,316      91,129
Valuation allowance for net deferred tax asset...................................   (77,216)    (91,129)
                                                                                    -------    --------
Net deferred income tax asset....................................................   $ 1,100    $     --
                                                                                    -------    --------
                                                                                    -------    --------
</TABLE>
 

     Income (loss) before income taxes for the years ended December 31, 1997,
1996 and 1995 consists of the following (in thousands):
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                          1997       1996        1995
<S>                                                                      <C>        <C>        <C>
United States.........................................................   $19,207    $18,086    $(10,063)
Foreign...............................................................    (3,745)    (1,118)        210
                                                                         -------    -------    --------
                                                                         $15,462    $16,968    $ (9,853)
                                                                         -------    -------    --------
                                                                         -------    -------    --------
</TABLE>
 
NOTE G--STOCK OPTIONS AND WARRANTS
 
  1994 Management Stock Option Plan
 
     On December 15, 1994, the Company adopted a Management Stock Option Plan
(the '1994 Plan'), which was approved by the stockholders of the Company.
 
     The aggregate number of shares of Common Stock that may be issued pursuant
to options under the 1994 Plan may not exceed 1,000,000 shares. The maximum
number of shares which may be the subject of options granted to any individual
in any calendar year may not exceed 500,000 shares. Options may be granted by
the Compensation Committee (the 'Committee') of the Board of Directors to
eligible employees as incentive stock
 
                                      F-15

<PAGE>
                       EMCOR GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
 
NOTE G--STOCK OPTIONS AND WARRANTS--(CONTINUED)
options or as non-qualified stock options. The exercise price of an incentive
stock option and a non-qualified stock option must be at least equal to the fair
market value of the Common Stock on the date of grant.
 
     Such Options may not be exercised more than ten years after the date of
grant. Options may be exercisable at such rate and times as may be fixed by the
Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors on the date of grant; however,
the rate at which the Option first becomes exercisable may not be more rapid
than 33 1/3% on each of the first, second and third anniversaries, unless the
Committee otherwise determines at the time of grant of such Option.
 
  1995 Non-Employee Directors' Non-Qualified Stock Option Plan
 
     On March 20, 1995, the Company adopted the 1995 Non-Employee Directors'
Non-Qualified Stock Option Plan (the '1995 Plan'), which was approved by the
stockholders of the Company.
 
     The 1995 Plan provides for automatic grants of non-qualified stock options
to directors of the Company who are not also employees of the Company or a
subsidiary of the Company. Pursuant to the 1995 Plan, each non-employee director
on March 20, 1995 was granted an option to purchase 7,500 shares of Common Stock
at an exercise price of $5.125 per share. Under the 1995 Plan, each person who
is elected to serve as a non-employee director after March 20, 1995 (including
those persons who were non-employee directors on March 20, 1995) is to be
granted an option during each calendar year (beginning with 1995) to purchase
3,000 shares of Common Stock. Accordingly on November 17, 1995, June 14, 1996
and June 20, 1997, each non-employee director was granted an option to purchase
3,000 shares of Common Stock at an exercise price of $9.375, $17.125 and
$16.3125 per share, respectively.
 
     The aggregate number of shares of Common Stock that may be issued pursuant
to options under the 1995 Plan may not exceed 200,000 shares and no options may
be granted after March 20, 2005.
 
     The exercise price of an option granted under the 1995 Plan is equal to the
fair market value of the Common Stock on the date of grant. Such options are
fully exercisable as of the date of grant. However, no option may be exercised
more than ten years after the date of grant.
 
     The Board of Directors may at any time withdraw or amend the 1995 Plan and
may, with the consent of the affected holder of an outstanding option, at any
time withdraw or amend the terms and conditions of outstanding options.
Amendments which would increase the number of shares issuable pursuant to
options, change the class of persons who are eligible to be granted options or
materially increase the benefits to participants in the 1995 Plan are subject to
the approval of the stockholders of the Company.
 
                                      F-16

<PAGE>
                       EMCOR GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
 
NOTE G--STOCK OPTIONS AND WARRANTS--(CONTINUED)
     The following table summarizes the Company's stock option activity since
December 31, 1994.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                              1994 PLAN              1995 PLAN
                                                                         -------------------    -------------------
                                                                                    WEIGHTED               WEIGHTED
                                                                                    AVERAGE                AVERAGE
                                                                         SHARES      PRICE      SHARES      PRICE
<S>                                                                      <C>        <C>         <C>        <C>
Balance December 31, 1994.............................................        --         --          --         --
Granted...............................................................   715,000     $ 5.10      63,000    $  6.34
                                                                         -------                -------
Balance December 31, 1995.............................................   715,000       5.10      63,000       6.34
                                                                         -------    --------    -------    --------
Granted...............................................................    15,000      14.90      18,000      17.13
Forfeited.............................................................   (40,334)      5.13          --         --
Exercised.............................................................   (61,430)      5.13     (28,500)      6.02
                                                                         -------                -------
Balance December 31, 1996.............................................   628,236       5.33      52,500      10.21
                                                                         -------    --------    -------    --------
Granted...............................................................   366,000      19.82      18,000      16.31
Forfeited.............................................................    (2,668)      5.13          --         --
Exercised.............................................................   (73,191)      5.13      (3,000)     17.13
                                                                         -------                -------
Balance December 31, 1997.............................................   918,377     $11.12      67,500    $ 11.53
                                                                         -------    --------    -------    --------
                                                                         -------                -------
</TABLE>
 
     At December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995, approximately 386,000 options, 208,000
options and 63,000 options were exercisable, respectively. The weighted average
exercise price of exercisable options at December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995 was
approximately $6.46, $6.33 and $6.34, respectively.
 
     The following table summarizes information about the Company's stock
options at December 31, 1997:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                    OPTIONS OUTSTANDING                      OPTIONS EXERCISABLE
                                      -----------------------------------------------    ---------------------------
             RANGE OF                            WEIGHTED-AVERAGE    WEIGHTED-AVERAGE               WEIGHTED-AVERAGE
          EXERCISE PRICES             NUMBER      REMAINING LIFE      EXERCISE PRICE     NUMBER      EXERCISE PRICE
<S>                                   <C>        <C>                 <C>                 <C>        <C>
             1994 PLAN
$ 4.75--$ 5.13.....................   525,377       7.3 Years             $ 4.99         300,377         $ 4.96
     9.63..........................    12,000       7.9 Years               9.63           8,000           9.63

$14.13--$19.875....................   381,000       9.8 Years             $19.62          10,000         $14.90
                                      -------                                            -------
                                      918,377                                            318,377
                                      -------                                            -------
                                      -------                                            -------
             1995 PLAN
   $ 5.13..........................    22,500       7.2 Years             $ 5.13          22,500         $ 5.13
     9.38..........................    12,000       7.9 Years               9.38          12,000           9.38
$16.31--$17.13.....................    33,000       9.0 Years             $16.68          33,000         $16.68
                                      -------                                            -------
                                       67,500                                             67,500
                                      -------                                            -------
                                      -------                                            -------
</TABLE>
 
     The weighted average fair value of options granted during 1997, 1996 and
1995 were $14.67, $10.10 and $3.28, respectively.
 
     The fair value of each option grant is estimated on the date of grant using
the Black-Scholes option pricing model with the following weighted-average
assumptions used for grants in 1997, 1996 and 1995: risk-free interest rates of
5.9% to 7.1% representing the risk-free interest rate at the date of grant;
expected dividend yields of zero percent; expected lives of 6.5 years; and
expected volatility of 57% for options granted prior to December 31, 1996 and
expected volatility of 80% for options granted during 1997.
 
     The Company applies APB 25 and related interpretations in accounting for
its stock option plans. Accordingly, no compensation cost has been recognized in
the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended
December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995 for options granted during those years. Had
 
                                      F-17

<PAGE>
                       EMCOR GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
 
NOTE G--STOCK OPTIONS AND WARRANTS--(CONTINUED)
compensation cost for these plans been determined consistent with SFAS No. 123,
the Company's net income, Basic EPS and Diluted EPS would have been reduced from
the following as reported amounts to the following pro forma amounts:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                             1997      1996       1995
<S>                                                                         <C>       <C>       <C>
Net Income (Loss):
  As Reported............................................................   $7,577    $9,437    $(10,853)
  Pro Forma..............................................................   $6,842    $8,840    $(11,354)
Basic EPS:
  As Reported............................................................   $ 0.79    $ 1.00    $  (1.13)
  Pro Forma..............................................................   $ 0.72    $ 0.93    $  (1.19)
Diluted EPS:
  As Reported............................................................   $ 0.74    $ 0.96    $  (1.13)
  Pro Forma..............................................................   $ 0.67    $ 0.90    $  (1.19)
</TABLE>
 
  Warrants
 
     On December 15, 1994, the Company issued to the holders of $7,040,000
principal amount of its pre-petition 7 3/4% Convertible Subordinated Debentures,
due 2012, and $9,600,000 principal amount of its pre-petition 12% Subordinated
Notes due 1996, their pro rata share of each of two series of five-year Warrants
to purchase shares of Common Stock, namely, 600,000 Series X Warrants and
600,000 Series Y Warrants, with an exercise price of $12.55 per share and $17.55
per share, respectively. In addition, the Company issued to pre-petition holders
of other contingent and statutory subordinate claims and to holders of EMCOR's
pre-petition common stock, preferred stock and Warrants of Participation, as
well as to the plaintiffs in a stockholder class action lawsuit, their pro rata
share of 250,000 Series Z Warrants to purchase shares of Common Stock, which
Series Z Warrants had an exercise price of $50.00 per share. The Series X and Y
Warrants expire on December 15, 1999. The Series Z Warrants expired on December
15, 1996.
 
     In addition to the warrants issued above, approximately 28,000 Series X
Warrants, 28,000 Series Y Warrants and 12,000 Series Z Warrants were issued to
Belmont as a portion of additional interest under the DIP Loan.
 
     If the Company's Common Stock trades at $30.46 per share for ten of the
preceding fifteen trading days at any time prior to December 15, 1999, the
Company may accelerate the expiration date of the Warrants to a date 15 days
after notice to such Warrant holders.
 
     As of December 31, 1997, the number of Series X Warrants and Series Y
Warrants issued and outstanding were approximately 605,000 and 605,000,
respectively.
 

NOTE H--RETIREMENT PLANS
 
     A foreign subsidiary has a defined benefit pension plan covering
substantially all eligible employees. The benefits under the plan are based on
wages and years of service with the subsidiary. The Company's policy is to fund
the minimum amount required by law.
 
                                      F-18

<PAGE>
                       EMCOR GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
 
NOTE H--RETIREMENT PLANS--(CONTINUED)
     Net pension expense for the foreign defined benefit plan included in the
accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended December
31, 1997, 1996 and 1995 consists of the following components (in thousands):
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                            1997       1996       1995
<S>                                                                        <C>        <C>        <C>
Service costs--benefits earned..........................................   $ 4,224    $ 4,222    $ 2,659
Interest on projected benefit obligations...............................     4,828      4,295      3,337
Actual return on plan assets............................................    (9,750)    (6,264)    (6,493)
Net amortization and deferral...........................................     3,988      1,254      2,875
                                                                           -------    -------    -------
Net pension expense.....................................................   $ 3,290    $ 3,507    $ 2,378
                                                                           -------    -------    -------
                                                                           -------    -------    -------
</TABLE>
 
     The benefit obligations and funded status of the plan at December 31, 1997
and 1996 are as follows (in thousands):
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                      1997       1996
<S>                                                                                  <C>        <C>
Accumulated benefit obligations:
  Vested..........................................................................   $53,986    $49,663
  Impact of future salary increases...............................................     8,611      7,936
                                                                                     -------    -------
Projected benefit obligations.....................................................    62,597     57,599
Plan assets at market value.......................................................    69,078     58,991
                                                                                     -------    -------
Excess of plan assets over projected benefit obligations..........................     6,481      1,392
Unrecognized prior service cost...................................................       687        791
Unrecognized net gain from past experience different from that assumed and effect
  of changes in assumptions.......................................................    (8,378)    (3,004)
Unrecognized net asset from initial application of SFAS No. 87....................      (558)      (663)
                                                                                     -------    -------
Accrued pension liability.........................................................   $(1,768)   $(1,484)
                                                                                     -------    -------
                                                                                     -------    -------
</TABLE>
 
     The assumptions used as of December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995 in determining
the pension cost and liability shown above were as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                     1997    1996    1995

<S>                                                                                  <C>     <C>     <C>
Discount rate.....................................................................    8.5%    8.5%    8.5%
Rate of salary progressions.......................................................    6.5%    6.5%    6.5%
Rate of return on assets..........................................................   10.0%   10.0%   10.0%
</TABLE>
 
     The unrecognized net asset of the foreign plan is being amortized over 15
years. The plan assets are invested approximately 80% in equity securities and
20% in fixed income securities.
 
     The Company contributes to various union pension funds based upon wages
paid to union employees of the Company. Such contributions approximated $50.8
million, $41.1 million and $35.1 million for the years ended December 31, 1997,
1996 and 1995, respectively.
 
     The Company has a defined contribution retirement plan that covers its U.S.
non-union eligible employees. Contributions to this plan are based on a
percentage of the employee's base compensation. The expense recognized for the
years ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995, for the defined contribution plan
was $2.6 million, $2.1 million and $2.1 million, respectively.
 
NOTE I--COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
 
     The Company and its subsidiaries lease land, buildings and equipment under
various leases. The leases frequently include renewal options and require the
Company to pay for utilities, taxes, insurance and maintenance expenses.
 
                                      F-19

<PAGE>
                       EMCOR GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
 
NOTE I--COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES--(CONTINUED)
     Future minimum payments, by year and in the aggregate, under capital
leases, non-cancelable operating leases and related sub-leases with initial or
remaining terms of one or more years at December 31, 1997 are as follows (in
thousands):
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                         CAPITAL    OPERATING
                                                                         LEASES      LEASES      SUB-LEASES
 
<S>                                                                      <C>        <C>          <C>
Year 1................................................................   $   444     $14,286      $  3,580
Year 2................................................................       403      11,576         2,474
Year 3................................................................       354       8,246         2,425
Year 4................................................................       130       4,658         2,217
Year 5................................................................       394       3,966         2,048
Thereafter............................................................        --       8,711        11,833
                                                                         -------    ---------    ----------
Total minimum lease payments..........................................     1,725     $51,443      $ 24,577
                                                                                    ---------    ----------
                                                                                    ---------    ----------
Amounts representing interest.........................................       243
                                                                         -------
Present value of net minimum lease payments...........................   $ 1,482
                                                                         -------
                                                                         -------
</TABLE>
 
     Rent expense for the years ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995 was $20.5
million, $17.5 million and $17.5 million, respectively. Rent expense for the
years ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995 includes sub-lease rentals of $2.3
million, $2.4 million and $1.7 million, respectively.
 
     The Company has employment agreements with certain of its executive
officers and management personnel. These agreements generally continue until
terminated by the executive or the Company and provide for salary continuation
for a specified number of months under certain circumstances. Certain of the
agreements provide the employees with certain additional rights if a change of
control (as defined) of the Company occurs.
 
     The Company is contingently liable to sureties in respect of performance
and payment bonds issued by the sureties in connection with certain contracts
entered into by the Company in the normal course of business. The Company has
agreed to indemnify the sureties for any payments made by them in respect of
such bonds.
 
NOTE J--INSURANCE RESERVES
 
     The Company's insurance liability is determined actuarially based on claims

filed and an estimate of claims incurred but not yet reported. The present value
of such claims was determined at December 31, 1997 and 1996 using a 4.0%
discount rate. The estimated current portion of the insurance liability was
approximately $5.1 million and $3.2 million at December 31, 1997 and 1996,
respectively. Such amounts are included in 'Other accrued expenses and
liabilities' in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets. The non-current
portion of the insurance liability was approximately $24.8 million and $18.5
million at December 31, 1997 and 1996, respectively. Such amounts are included
in 'Other Long-Term Obligations'. The undiscounted liability was approximately
$33.7 million and $24.9 million at December 31, 1997 and 1996, respectively.
 
     The Company is subject to regulation with respect to the handling of
certain materials used in construction which are classified as hazardous or
toxic by Federal, State and local agencies. The Company's practice is to avoid
participation in projects principally involving the remediation or removal of
such materials. However, where remediation is a required part of contract
performance, the Company believes it complies with all applicable regulations
governing the discharge of material into the environment or otherwise relating
to the protection of the environment.
 
                                      F-20

<PAGE>
                       EMCOR GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
 
NOTE K--ADDITIONAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION
 
     The following presents information about cash paid for interest and income
taxes for the years ended December 31, 1997, 1996, and 1995 (in thousands):
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                               1997      1996      1995
<S>                                                                           <C>       <C>       <C>
Cash paid during the year for:
  Interest.................................................................   $9,116    $7,624    $6,797
  Income taxes.............................................................   $  521    $  168    $  886
</TABLE>
 
NOTE L--SEGMENT INFORMATION
 
     The following presents information about continuing operations by
geographic areas for the years ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995 (in
thousands):
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                    NET LOSS
                                                                      OPERATING        ON                       NET ASSETS
                                                                        INCOME      BUSINESS    IDENTIFIABLE     HELD FOR
                                                         REVENUES       (LOSS)        SOLD         ASSETS          SALE
<S>                                                     <C>           <C>           <C>         <C>             <C>
1997
United States........................................   $1,325,605     $ 29,228      $   --       $438,283       $     --
United Kingdom.......................................      407,449       (4,859)         --        137,585             --
Canada...............................................      179,046        4,174          --         43,546             --
Other................................................       38,768       (1,129)         --         40,313             --
                                                        ----------    ----------    --------    ------------    ----------
                                                        $1,950,868     $ 27,414      $   --       $659,727       $     --
                                                        ----------    ----------    --------    ------------    ----------
                                                        ----------    ----------    --------    ------------    ----------
1996
United States........................................   $1,131,882     $ 16,509      $   --       $405,954       $     --
United Kingdom.......................................      358,334          902          --        139,620             --
Canada...............................................      139,554        1,517          --         39,499             --
Other................................................       39,504       (1,814)         --         29,674             --
                                                        ----------    ----------    --------    ------------    ----------
                                                        $1,669,274     $ 17,114      $   --       $614,747       $     --
                                                        ----------    ----------    --------    ------------    ----------
                                                        ----------    ----------    --------    ------------    ----------
1995
United States........................................   $1,035,975     $  4,847      $ (926)      $447,790       $ 61,969
United Kingdom.......................................      379,691        2,383          --        139,000             --
Canada...............................................      135,031        1,307          --         41,376             --
Other................................................       38,047       (2,644)         --         20,810             --

                                                        ----------    ----------    --------    ------------    ----------
                                                        $1,588,744     $  5,893      $ (926)      $648,976       $ 61,969
                                                        ----------    ----------    --------    ------------    ----------
                                                        ----------    ----------    --------    ------------    ----------
</TABLE>
 
     Other includes the Far East and Middle East.
 
                                      F-21

<PAGE>
                       EMCOR GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
 
NOTE M--SELECTED UNAUDITED QUARTERLY INFORMATION (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE
DATA)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1997 QUARTERLY RESULTS                                              MARCH 31    JUNE 30     SEPT. 30    DEC. 31
<S>                                                                 <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>
Revenues.........................................................   $433,770    $475,617    $521,975    $519,506
Gross profit.....................................................     39,065      43,499      48,530      51,089
Income before extraordinary item.................................        256       1,897       3,236       3,192
Net Income.......................................................        256         893       3,236       3,192
Basic EPS before extraordinary item..............................       0.03        0.20        0.34        0.33
Basic EPS........................................................       0.03        0.09        0.34        0.33
 
<CAPTION>
 
1996 QUARTERLY RESULTS                                              MARCH 31    JUNE 30     SEPT. 30    DEC. 31
<S>                                                                 <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>
Revenues.........................................................    382,744     387,657     432,452     466,421
Gross profit.....................................................     37,172      37,814      41,549      44,253
Net (loss) income................................................     (3,653)      9,207       1,931       1,952
Basic EPS........................................................      (0.39)       0.97        0.21        0.21
</TABLE>
 
NOTE N--LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
 
     The Company is currently defending a lawsuit that was commenced against the
Dynalectric Company ('Dynalectric'), a subsidiary of the Company, in Superior
Court of New Jersey, Bergen County, arising out of Dynalectric's participation
in a joint venture with the plaintiff, Computran. In the action, which was
instituted in 1988, Computran, a participant in, and a subcontractor to, the
joint venture alleges that Dynalectric wrongfully terminated its subcontract,
fraudulently diverted funds due to it, misappropriated its trade secrets and
proprietary information, fraudulently induced it to enter into the joint venture
and conspired with other defendants to commit certain acts in violation of the
New Jersey Racketeering Influence and Corrupt Organization Act. Dynalectric
believes that Computran's claims are without merit and intends to defend this
matter vigorously. Dynalectric has filed counterclaims against Computran. As a
result of a motion made by Dynalectric, the Superior Court of New Jersey has
recently ordered that the matters in dispute between Dynalectric and Computran
be resolved by binding arbitration in accordance with an original agreement
between the parties.
 
     In February 1995 as part of an investigation by the New York County
District Attorney's office into the business affairs of Herbert Construction
Company ('Herbert'), a general contractor that did business with the Company's
subsidiary, Forest Electric Corporation ('Forest'), a search warrant was
executed at Forest's executive offices. At that time, the Company was informed
that Forest and certain of its officers are targets of the continuing
investigation. Neither the Company nor Forest has been advised of the precise
nature of any suspected violation of law by Forest or its officers. On April 7,

1997, Ted Kohl, a principal of Herbert, pled guilty to one count of money
laundering, one count of offering a false instrument for filing and one count of
filing a false New York State Resident Income Tax Return. DPL Interiors, Inc., a
Company allegedly owned by Mr. Kohl, also pled guilty to one count of failing to
file New York City General Income Tax Returns. Mr. Kohl and DPL Interiors, Inc.
have not yet been sentenced.
 
     Substantial settlements or damage judgements against a subsidiary of the
Company arising out of either of these matters could have a material adverse
effect on the Company's business, operating results and financial condition.
 
     In addition to the above, the Company is involved in other legal
proceedings and claims, asserted by and against the Company, which have arisen
in the ordinary course of business.
 
     The Company believes it has a number of valid defenses to these actions and
the Company intends to vigorously defend or assert these claims and does not
believe that a significant liability will result. However, the Company cannot
predict the outcome thereof or the impact that an adverse result of the matters
discussed above will have upon the Company's financial position or results of
operations.
 
                                      F-22
<PAGE>
                    REPORT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
 
To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of EMCOR Group, Inc.:
 
We have audited the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets of EMCOR Group,
Inc. and subsidiaries (a Delaware corporation) (the 'Company') as of December
31, 1997 and 1996, and the related Consolidated Statements of Operations, Cash
Flows and Stockholders' Equity for each of the years in the three-year period
ended December 31, 1997. These financial statements and the schedule referred to
below are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is
to express an opinion on these financial statements and schedule based on our
audits.
 
We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material
misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting
the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes
assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by
management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.
We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
 
In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in
all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31,
1997 and 1996, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of
the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 1997 in conformity with
generally accepted accounting principles.
 
Our audits were made for the purpose of forming an opinion on the basic
financial statements taken as a whole. The schedule of Valuation and Qualifying

Accounts is presented for purposes of complying with the Securities and Exchange
Commission rules and is not part of the basic financial statements. This
schedule has been subjected to the auditing procedures applied in the audits of
the basic financial statements and, in our opinion, fairly states in all
material respects the financial data required to be set forth therein in
relation to the basic financial statements taken as a whole.
 
ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP
 
Stamford, Connecticut
February 11, 1998
 
                                      F-23
<PAGE>
PROSPECTUS
                               EMCOR GROUP, INC.
 
                                PREFERRED STOCK
                                  COMMON STOCK
                      WARRANTS TO PURCHASE PREFERRED STOCK
                       WARRANTS TO PURCHASE COMMON STOCK
                                DEBT SECURITIES
                      WARRANTS TO PURCHASE DEBT SECURITIES
                            ------------------------
 
     EMCOR Group, Inc. ('EMCOR' or the 'Company') may offer and sell from time
to time, in one or more series, (i) its preferred stock, par value $.10 per
share (the 'Preferred Stock'), (ii) its common stock, par value $.01 per share
(the 'Common Stock'), (iii) unsecured debt securities consisting of notes,
debentures or other evidences of indebtedness (the 'Debt Securities') which may
be senior ('Senior Debt Securities'), senior subordinated ('Senior Subordinated
Debt Securities') or subordinated ('Subordinated Debt Securities') and (iv)
warrants to purchase Preferred Stock, Common Stock or Debt Securities (the
'Warrants'), or any combination of the foregoing.
 
     The Preferred Stock, Common Stock, Debt Securities and Warrants are
collectively referred to as the 'Securities.' The Securities may be offered at
an aggregate initial offering price not to exceed $200,000,000 at prices and on
terms to be determined at or prior to the time of sale.
 
     Specific terms of the Securities in respect of which this Prospectus is
being delivered will be set forth in an accompanying Prospectus Supplement
('Prospectus Supplement'), together with the terms of the offering of the
Securities and the initial price and the net proceeds to the Company from the
sale thereof. The Prospectus Supplement will set forth with regard to the
particular Securities, without limitation, the following: (i) in the case of
Debt Securities, the specific designation, aggregate principal amount, ranking
as senior debt, senior subordinated debt or subordinated debt, maturity, rate or
rates (or method of determining the same) and time or times for the payment of
interest, if any, any terms for optional or mandatory redemption or repurchase
or sinking fund provisions, and any conversion or exchange rights, (ii) in the
case of Preferred Stock, the designation, number of shares, liquidation
preference per share, initial public offering price, dividend rate (or method of
calculation thereof), dates on which dividends shall be payable and dates from

which dividends shall accrue, any redemption or sinking fund provisions, and any
conversion or exchange rights, (iii) in the case of Common Stock, the number of
shares of Common Stock and the terms of the offering and sale thereof and (iv)
in the case of Warrants, the number and terms thereof, the designation and the
number of securities issuable upon their exercise, the exercise price, the terms
of the offering and sale thereof and, where applicable, the duration and
detachability thereof.
 
     The Securities may be sold directly by EMCOR to investors, through agents
designated from time to time or to or through underwriters or dealers. See 'Plan
of Distribution.' If any agents of EMCOR or any underwriters are involved in the
sale of any Securities in respect of which this Prospectus is being delivered,
the names of such agents or underwriters and any applicable commissions or
discounts will be set forth in the Prospectus Supplement.
 
     FOR A DISCUSSION OF CERTAIN RISK FACTORS THAT SHOULD BE CONSIDERED BY
PROSPECTIVE INVESTORS, SEE 'RISK FACTORS' BEGINNING ON PAGE 4.
 
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 FEBRUARY 6, 1998.
<PAGE>
                             AVAILABLE INFORMATION
 
     As permitted by the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange
Commission (the 'Commission'), this Prospectus does not contain all the
information set forth in the Registration Statement on Form S-3, as amended (the
'Registration Statement'), of which this Prospectus is a part. Statements
contained in this Prospectus as to the contents of any contract or other
document referred to herein are not necessarily complete, and in each instance
reference is made to the copy of such contract or other document filed as an
exhibit to the Registration Statement, or as previously filed with the
Commission and incorporated by reference, each such statement being qualified in
all respects by such reference. A copy of the Registration Statement may be
inspected by anyone without charge at the Commission's principal office at 450
Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549, and copies of all or any part
thereof may be obtained from the Commission upon payment of certain fees
prescribed by the Commission.
 
     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, proxy statements and other information with the
Commission. Such reports, proxy statements and other information 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 its regional offices located at 500 West Madison Street, 14th Floor, Chicago,
Illinois 60661 and 7 World Trade Center, Suite 1300, New York, New York 10048.
Copies of such material also can be obtained by mail from the Public Reference

Section of the Commission, at Room 1024, Judiciary Plaza, 450 Fifth Street,
N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549, at the prescribed rates. The Commission also
maintains a website that contains reports, proxy and information statements and
other information. The website address is: http://www.sec.gov. The Company's
Common Stock is listed on The Nasdaq National Market, and such reports, proxy
statements and other information also can be inspected at the offices of Nasdaq
Operations, 1735 K Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20006.
                            ------------------------
 
                INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE
 
     The following documents filed by the Company with the Commission are
incorporated herein by reference:
 
     (a) Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1996;
 
     (b) Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarterly periods ended March
         31, June 30 and September 30, 1997;
 
     (c) Current report on Form 8-K filed March 5, 1997;
 
     (d) The description of the Common Stock contained in the Company's
         Registration Statement on Form 10/A filed on August 11, 1995; and
 
     (e) The description of the Preferred Stock contained in the Company's
         Registration Statement on Form 8-A filed on March 5, 1997.
 
     All reports and other documents filed by the Company 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 made by this Prospectus
shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference herein. Any statement contained
in a document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference herein
shall be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this Prospectus to
the extent that a statement contained herein or in any other subsequently filed
document which also is incorporated or 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 undertakes to provide without charge to each person to whom a
Prospectus is delivered, on the written or oral request of such person, a copy
of any or all of the information incorporated by reference in this Prospectus,
other than exhibits to such information (unless such exhibits are specifically
incorporated by reference into the information that this Prospectus
incorporates). Requests for such copies should be directed to the General
Counsel, EMCOR Group, Inc., 101 Merritt Seven Corporate Park, Norwalk,
Connecticut 06851 (telephone: (203) 849-7800).
 
                                       2
<PAGE>
                                  THE COMPANY
 
     The Company is a multinational corporation engaged, through its
subsidiaries, in mechanical and electrical construction and facilities services.

EMCOR specializes in the design, integration, installation, start-up, testing,
operation and maintenance of (i) distribution systems for electrical power
(including power cables, conduits, distribution panels, transformers,
generators, uninterruptible power supply systems and related switch gear and
control); (ii) lighting systems, including fixtures and controls; (iii)
low-voltage systems, including fire alarm, security, communications and process
control systems; (iv) heating, ventilation, air conditioning, refrigeration and
clean-room process ventilation systems; and (v) plumbing, process and high
purity piping systems. The Company provides mechanical and electrical
construction services directly to end-users (including corporations,
municipalities and other governmental entities, owners/developers, and tenants
of buildings) and, indirectly, by acting as a subcontractor to construction
managers, general contractors and other subcontractors. Mechanical and
electrical construction services principally fall into three categories: large
installation projects, with contracts generally in the multi-million dollar
range; smaller system installation projects involving fit-out, renovation and
retrofit work; and facilities services. In addition, certain EMCOR subsidiaries
provide services required to maintain the physical environment and supporting
systems of customer facilities necessary to conduct their business. These
services are frequently referred to as facilities services and range from
operation and maintenance of mechanical and electrical systems installed by the
Company and others to operation and maintenance of building systems, cleaning
and housekeeping, reprographics, catering and security, as well as related
facility planning and consulting services. These facilities services are often
associated with outsourcing and privatization programs whereby customers in both
the private and public sectors seek to contract out their non-core activities,
i.e. those supporting but not directly involved in the customer's business that
the customer has previously performed itself. The facilities services are
provided on an individual basis and in combinations on a task-order or on-call
basis and under multi-year contracts. Mechanical and electrical construction and
facilities services are provided to a broad range of commercial, industrial and
institutional customers through offices located in major markets throughout the
U.S., Canada, the U.K., the Middle East and Hong Kong.
 
                                       3
<PAGE>
                                  RISK FACTORS
 
     In addition to the other information set forth in or incorporated by
reference in this Prospectus and any Prospectus Supplement, the following
factors should be considered carefully in evaluating an investment in the
Securities.
 
     This Prospectus includes certain statements that may be deemed to be
'forward-looking statements' within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities
Act of 1933, as amended (the 'Securities Act'), and Section 21E of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the 'Exchange Act'). All
statements, other than statements of historical facts, included in this
Prospectus that address activities, events or developments that the Company
expects, believes or anticipates will or may occur in the future, including such
matters as future capital expenditures, dividends and acquisitions, the use of
proceeds from any offering of Securities pursuant to this Prospectus, expansion
and other development trends of the Company's industry, business strategies,
expansion and growth of the Company's operations and other such matters, are

forward-looking statements. These statements are based on certain assumptions
and analyses made by the Company in light of its experience and its perception
of historical trends, current conditions, expected future developments and other
factors it believes are appropriate. Such statements are subject to a number of
assumptions, risks and uncertainties, including the risk factors discussed
below, general economic and business conditions, the business opportunities that
may be presented to and pursued by the Company, changes in laws or regulations
and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of the Company.
Prospective investors are cautioned that any such statements are not guarantees
of future performance and that actual results or developments may differ
materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements.
 
COMPETITION
 
     The business in which the Company engages is competitive. Most of the
Company's revenues are derived from jobs which are awarded on the basis of
various forms of competitive bids; however, an invitation to bid is often
conditioned upon prior experience, technical capability and financial strength.
The Company competes with national, regional and local companies. The Company
believes that, at present, it is the largest provider of mechanical and
electrical construction services in the U.S. and Canada and one of the largest
in the U.K. There can be no assurance, however, that the Company will compete
successfully with its existing competitors or with any new competitors. The
highly competitive nature of the mechanical and electrical construction business
forces the Company to charge competitive market rates for its services which
results in narrow operating margins. Any degradation in operating margins could
have a material impact on the financial condition of the Company.
 
RISKS OF FIXED PRICE CONTRACTS; BID AND PERFORMANCE BONDS
 
     Approximately 75% of the Company's U.S. mechanical and electrical
construction contracts are fixed price contracts. The terms of these contracts
require the Company to guarantee the price of its services and assume the risk
that the costs associated with its performance will be greater than the Company
anticipated. The Company's profitability in this market is therefore dependent
on its ability accurately to predict the costs associated with its services.
These costs may be affected by a variety of factors, some of which may be beyond
the Company's control. If the Company is unable accurately to predict the costs
of fixed price contracts, certain projects could have lower margins than
anticipated, which could have a material adverse effect on the Company's results
of operations or financial condition.
 
     Institutional and public works projects are frequently long-term, complex
projects requiring significant technical and management skills and financial
strength to, among other things, obtain bid and performance bonds, which are
often a condition to bidding for, and awarding of, contracts for such projects.
There can be no assurance that the Company will be able to obtain bid and
performance bonds in the future and the inability to procure such bonds could
have a material adverse effect on the Company's business, operating results and
financial condition.
 
NET OPERATING LOSS CARRYFORWARDS
 
     The Company and its subsidiaries have federal net operating loss ('NOL')

carryforwards of approximately $180 million which are available to reduce future
federal income taxes. It is possible that certain changes in the Company's
ownership, including prior ownership changes, certain offerings that may be made
pursuant to this
 
                                       4
<PAGE>
Prospectus and future issuances of securities of the Company, could result in
the Company's having a change of ownership under Section 382 of the Internal
Revenue Code. Generally, Section 382 limits the amount of NOL carryforwards that
can be utilized in any year to offset taxable income following a change in
control of a corporation. Were such a change of control to occur, the Company
would be limited in how much of its NOLs it could utilize annually to an amount
equal to the value of the Company immediately prior to the change multiplied by
the long-term tax exempt rate in effect for the month during which such change
of control occurs. This limitation could delay use of the NOLs and might
preclude their full utilization. The NOLs expire, if unused, between 2007 and
2010. In addition, the NOL carryforwards are subject to adjustment upon review
by the Internal Revenue Service. See Note H of Notes to Consolidated Financial
Statements included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K incorporated by
reference herein.
 
CYCLICALITY AND SEASONALITY
 
     The provision of mechanical and electrical construction services is
cyclical and influenced by various economic factors including interest rates and
general fluctuations of the business cycle. Although the Company provides these
services to a broad range of commercial, industrial and institutional customers
around the world, cyclicality of the construction industry and instability of
general economic conditions could have an adverse effect on the Company's
revenues and profitability. The Company is seeking to expand its facilities
services business in North America which would be less susceptible to downswings
in the economy than the more cyclical construction market. In addition, the
mechanical and electrical construction business is subject to seasonal
variations. Specifically, the demand for construction services is lower during
winter months as a result of inclement weather conditions. Accordingly, the
Company's revenues and operating results are generally lower in the first and
second quarters.
 
VARIABILITY OF QUARTERLY OPERATING RESULTS
 
     Variations in the Company's revenues and operating results occur from
quarter to quarter as a result of a number of factors, including installation
projects commenced and completed during a quarter, the number of business days
in a quarter and the size and scope of projects. Because a significant portion
of the Company's expenses are fixed, a variation in the number of projects,
progress on projects, or the timing of the initiation or completion of projects
can cause significant variations in operating results from quarter to quarter.
 
EXPANSION OF FACILITIES SERVICES BUSINESS
 
     Part of the Company's strategy is to expand its facilities services
business. There can be no assurance that the Company will be able to identify
attractive opportunities in this market, or obtain additional significant

contracts for its services. If the North American market for facilities services
fails to develop or develops more slowly than the Company anticipates, the
Company's facilities services operations could become financially burdensome to
maintain, which could adversely affect the Company's business, financial
condition and results of operations.
 
     The Company also intends to pursue the acquisition of additional facilities
services businesses as part of its growth strategy. However, competition for
acquisition candidates is increasing and, therefore, fewer acquisition
opportunities may be available. In addition, prices paid for acquisitions are
increasing in certain markets. There can be no assurance that the Company will
be able to identify and acquire additional facilities services businesses at
attractive prices, profitably manage additional businesses or successfully
integrate any acquired businesses into the Company without substantial costs,
delays, or other operational or financial problems.
 
ABSENCE OF DIVIDENDS
 
     The Company does not anticipate paying cash dividends on its Common Stock
in the foreseeable future. The Company's working capital credit facility limits
the payment of dividends on its Common Stock.
 
CERTAIN LITIGATION PROCEEDINGS
 
     The Company is currently defending a lawsuit that was commenced against the
Dynalectric Company ('Dynalectric'), a subsidiary of the Company, in Superior
Court of New Jersey, Bergen County, arising out of Dynalectric's participation
in a joint venture with the plaintiff, Computran. In the action, which was
instituted in
 
                                       5
<PAGE>
1988, Computran, a participant in, and a subcontractor to, the joint venture,
alleges that Dynalectric wrongfully terminated its subcontract, fraudulently
diverted funds due to it, misappropriated its trade secrets and proprietary
information, fraudulently induced it to enter into the joint venture and
conspired with other defendants to commit certain acts in violation of the New
Jersey Racketeering Influence and Corrupt Organization Act. Dynalectric believes
that Computran's claims are without merit and intends to defend this matter
vigorously. Dynalectric has filed counterclaims against Computran. The Superior
Court of New Jersey has recently ordered that the matters in dispute with
Computran be resolved by binding arbitration in accordance with an original
agreement between the parties.
 
     In February 1995, as part of an investigation by the New York County
District Attorney's office into the business affairs of Herbert Construction
Company ('Herbert'), a general contractor that does business with the Company's
subsidiary, Forest Electric Corporation ('Forest'), a search warrant was
executed at Forest's executive offices. At that time, the Company was informed
that Forest and certain of its officers are targets of the continuing
investigation. Forest performs electrical contracting services primarily in the
New York City commercial market and is one of the Company's largest
subsidiaries. Neither the Company nor Forest has been advised of the precise
nature of any suspected violation of law by Forest or its officers. On April 7,

1997, Ted Kohl, a principal of Herbert, pled guilty to one count of money
laundering, one count of offering a false instrument for filing and one count of
filing a false New York State Resident Income Tax Return. DPL Interiors, Inc., a
Company allegedly owned by Mr. Kohl, also pled guilty to one count of failing to
file New York City General Income Tax Returns. Mr. Kohl and DPL Interiors, Inc.
have not yet been sentenced.
 
     Substantial settlements or damage judgments against a subsidiary of the
Company arising out of either of these matters could have a material adverse
effect on the Company's business, operating results and financial condition.
 
CERTAIN ANTITAKEOVER EFFECTS
 
     The Company's Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, Amended
and Restated By-Laws and the Delaware General Corporation Law include provisions
that may be deemed to have antitakeover effects and may delay, defer or prevent
a takeover attempt that stockholders might consider to be in their best
interests. The Company's Restated Certificate of Incorporation provides that
stockholders may not act by written consent. The Company's Amended and Restated
By-Laws provide that annual and special stockholders meetings may be called only
by an officer of the Company instructed by the Board of Directors to call such
meetings. In addition, the Company's Board of Directors is authorized to issue
'blank-check' preferred stock which could render more difficult or discourage an
attempt to obtain control of the Company by means of a tender offer, merger,
proxy contest or otherwise and could have an adverse effect on the market price
of the Common Stock. The Company has no present plan to issue any shares of
Preferred Stock. In addition, the Company has adopted a stockholder rights plan
which is designed to discourage hostile takeover offers for the Company by
threatening significant dilution of the bidder's interest in the Company upon
the occurrence of certain triggering events. See 'Description of Capital Stock.'
 
DEPENDENCE ON SENIOR MANAGEMENT
 
     The Company's business is managed, and its business strategies formulated,
by a relatively small number of key executive officers and other personnel. The
loss of these key management persons could have a material adverse effect on the
Company.
 
YEAR 2000 ISSUE; COMPUTER SYSTEM UPGRADE
 
     The Company is exploring whether and to what extent its computer operating
systems will be disrupted upon the turn of the century as a result of the
widely-known dating system flaw inherent in most operating systems (the 'Year
2000 Issue'). While the Company believes that new MIS software being installed
both alongside and as part of upgrades to its existing computer systems will
address the Year 2000 Issue, there can be no assurance that the new MIS software
will be installed in sufficient time to remedy the Year 2000 Issue, that the
Company's computer operating systems will not be disrupted upon the turn of the
century or that any such disruption, whether caused by the Company's systems or
those of any of its suppliers or customers, will not have a material adverse
effect on the Company's financial condition or results of operations. In
addition, there can be
 
                                       6

<PAGE>
no assurance that the Company will not experience significant cost overruns or
delays in connection with the upgrade of its existing computer system.
 
PRICE VOLATILITY OF COMMON STOCK
 
     The trading price of the Common Stock could be subject to wide fluctuations
in response to quarter-to-quarter variations in operating results, changes in
earnings estimates by analysts, announcements of acquisitions or new strategies
by the Company or its competitors, general conditions in the economy or in the
markets in which the Company operates or other developments affecting the
Company, its clients or its competitors, some of which may be unrelated to the
Company's performance. These conditions could materially adversely affect the
market price of the Common Stock.
 
                                USE OF PROCEEDS
 
     Unless otherwise provided in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, the net
proceeds from the sale of the particular Securities offered by this Prospectus
and each Prospectus Supplement (the 'Offered Securities') will be used to repay
certain indebtedness, for general corporate purposes and for possible
acquisitions.
 
                    RATIOS OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES AND
           EARNINGS TO COMBINED FIXED CHARGES AND PREFERRED DIVIDENDS
 
     For purposes of computing the ratios of earnings to fixed charges and
earnings to combined fixed charges and preferred dividends, earnings consist of
earnings (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes, minority
interest, extraordinary items and cumulative effect of accounting changes, plus
fixed charges (interest charges and preferred share dividend requirements of
subsidiaries, adjusted to a pretax basis), less interest capitalized, less
preferred share dividend requirements of subsidiaries adjusted to a pretax basis
and less undistributed earnings of affiliates whose debt is not guaranteed by
the Company.
 
     The following table sets forth the ratios of earnings to fixed charges and
earnings to combined fixed charges and preferred dividends for the Company for
the periods indicated:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                       NINE MONTHS
                                                          ENDED
                                                      SEPTEMBER 30,                 YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                      --------------    -------------------------------------------------
                                                      1997     1996     1996      1995   |  1994(A)     1993       1992
                                                      -----    -----    -----    ------- |  -------    -------    -------
<S>                                                   <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>     |  <C>        <C>        <C>
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges.................   1.63x    1.84x    1.89x      (b)   |    (c)        (d)        (e)
Ratio of earnings to combined fixed charges and                                          |
  preferred dividends..............................   1.63x    1.84x    1.89x      (b)   |    (c)        (d)        (e)
</TABLE>
 
- ------------------

 
(a) As of December 31, 1994, in accordance with the American Institute of
    Certified Public Accountants Statement of Position 90-7, 'Financial
    Reporting by Entities in Reorganization under the Bankruptcy Code' ('SOP
    90-7'), the Company adopted Fresh-Start Accounting. As a result of the
    implementation of Fresh-Start Accounting, the consolidated financial
    statements of the Company for periods subsequent to consummation of the
    Company's reorganization pursuant to its Third Amended Joint Plan of
    Reorganization (the 'Plan of Reorganization'), which became effective in
    December 1994, are not comparable to the Company's consolidated financial
    statements for prior periods. Accordingly, a black line has been used to
    separate the Computation of Earnings to Fixed Charges of the Company after
    the consummation of the Plan of Reorganization from those of the Company
    prior to the consummation of the Plan of Reorganization.
 
(b) No ratio is presented for 1995 as the earnings for that year were $9.5
    million less than the fixed charges.
 
(c) No ratio is presented for 1994 as the earnings for that year were $119.1
    million less than the fixed charges.
 
(d) No ratio is presented for 1993 as the earnings for that year were $114.7
    million less than the fixed charges.
 
(e) No ratio is presented for 1992 as the earnings for that year were $355.9
    million less than the fixed charges.
 
                                       7
<PAGE>
                         DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES
 
     The Debt Securities will be unsecured senior, senior subordinated or
subordinated debt of EMCOR and will be issued, in the case of Senior Debt
Securities, under a Senior Indenture (the 'Senior Debt Indenture') between EMCOR
and State Street Bank and Trust Company ('State Street'), as Trustee, in the
case of Senior Subordinated Debt Securities, under a Senior Subordinated
Indenture (the 'Senior Subordinated Debt Indenture') between EMCOR and State
Street, as Trustee, and in the case of Subordinated Debt Securities, under a
Subordinated Indenture (the 'Subordinated Debt Indenture') between EMCOR and
State Street, as Trustee. The Senior Debt Indenture, the Senior Subordinated
Debt Indenture and the Subordinated Debt Indenture are sometimes hereinafter
referred to individually as an 'Indenture' and collectively as the 'Indentures.'
None of the Indentures limits the amount of Debt Securities that may be issued
thereunder, and the Indentures provide that the Debt Securities may be issued
from time to time in one or more series. The Indentures permit the appointment
of a different trustee for each series of Debt Securities. As used herein, the
term 'Trustee' means State Street. If there is at any time more than one trustee
under any Indenture, the term 'Trustee' as used in this Prospectus will mean
each such trustee and will apply to each such trustee only with respect to those
series of Debt Securities with respect to which it is serving as trustee. The
Indentures are filed as exhibits to the Registration Statement of which this
Prospectus is a part. The following summaries of certain provisions of the
Indentures and the Debt Securities do not purport to be complete and, while
EMCOR believes the descriptions of the material provisions of the Indentures and

Debt Securities contained in this Prospectus are accurate summaries of such
material provisions, such summaries are subject to the detailed provisions of
the applicable Indenture to which reference is hereby made for a full
description of such provisions, including the definition of certain terms used
herein. Section references in parentheses below are to sections in each
Indenture unless otherwise indicated. Wherever particular sections or defined
terms of the applicable Indenture are referred to, such sections or defined
terms are incorporated herein by reference as part of the statement made, and
the statement is qualified in its entirety by such reference. The Indentures are
substantially identical, except for provisions relating to subordination.
 
PROVISIONS APPLICABLE TO SENIOR, SENIOR SUBORDINATED AND SUBORDINATED DEBT
SECURITIES
 
     General. Debt Securities will be unsecured senior, senior subordinated or
subordinated obligations of EMCOR. Except to the extent set forth in the
applicable Prospectus Supplement, none of the Indentures limits the payment of
dividends by or the acquisition of stock of EMCOR. Except to the extent set
forth in any Prospectus Supplement, the Indentures do not, and the Debt
Securities will not, contain any covenants or other provisions that are intended
to afford holders of the Debt Securities special protection in the event of
either a change of control of EMCOR or a highly leveraged transaction by EMCOR.
 
     Reference is made to the Prospectus Supplement for the following terms of
and information relating to the Debt Securities being offered (the 'Offered Debt
Securities') (to the extent such terms are applicable to such Offered Debt
Securities): (i) the title of the Offered Debt Securities; (ii) classification
as Senior Debt Securities, Senior Subordinated Debt Securities or Subordinated
Debt Securities, aggregate principal amount, purchase price and denomination;
(iii) the date or dates on which the Offered Debt Securities will mature; (iv)
the method by which amounts payable in respect of principal, premium, if any, or
interest, if any, on or upon the redemption of such Offered Debt Securities may
be calculated; (v) the interest rate or rates (or the method by which such will
be determined), and the date or dates from which such interest, if any, will
accrue; (vi) the date or dates on which such interest, if any, will be payable;
(vii) the place or places where and the manner in which the principal of,
premium, if any, and interest, if any, on the Offered Debt Securities will be
payable and the place or places where the Offered Debt Securities may be
presented for transfer; (viii) the right, if any, or obligation, if any, of the
Company to redeem, repay or purchase the Offered Debt Securities 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 (or the method by which
such price or prices will be determined, or both) at which, the form or method
of payment therefor if other than in cash and the terms and conditions upon
which the Offered Debt Securities will be redeemed, repaid or purchased pursuant
to any such obligation; (ix) the terms for conversion or exchange, if any, of
the Offered Debt Securities; (x) any provision relating to the issuance of the
Offered Debt Securities at an original issue discount; (xi) if the amounts of
payments of principal of, premium, if any, and interest, if any, on the Offered
Debt Securities are to be determined with reference to an index, the manner in
which such amounts shall be determined; (xii) any applicable United States
federal income tax consequences; (xiii) the currency or
 
                                       8

<PAGE>
currencies for which the Offered Debt Securities may be purchased and the
currency or currencies in which principal, premium, if any, and interest, if
any, may be payable; (xiv) if a trustee other than State Street with respect to
any series of Senior Debt Securities, State Street with respect to any series of
Subordinated Debt Securities or State Street with respect to any series of
Senior Subordinated Debt Securities is named for such series of Offered Debt
Securities, the name of such Trustee; and (xv) any other specific terms of the
Offered Debt Securities, including any deleted, modified or additional events of
default or remedies or additional covenants provided with respect to such
Offered Debt Securities, and any terms that may be required by or advisable
under applicable laws or regulations.
 
     Unless otherwise specified in any Prospectus Supplement, the Debt
Securities will be issuable in registered form and in denominations of $1,000
and any integral multiple thereof (Section 2.7). No service charge will be made
for any transfer or exchange of any Debt Securities but the Company may require
payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge
payable in connection therewith (Section 2.8).
 
     Debt Securities may bear interest at a fixed rate or a floating rate. Debt
Securities bearing no interest or interest at a rate that at the time of
issuance is below the prevailing market rate may be sold at a discount below
their stated principal amount. Special United States federal income tax
considerations applicable to any such discounted Debt Securities or to certain
Debt Securities issued at par that are treated as having been issued at a
discount for United States federal income tax purposes will be described in the
applicable Prospectus Supplement.
 
     In determining whether the holders of the requisite aggregate principal
amount of outstanding Debt Securities of any series have given any request,
demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver under the
Indentures, the principal amount of any series of Debt Securities originally
issued at a discount from their stated principal amount that will be deemed to
be outstanding for such purposes will be the amount of the principal thereof
that would be due and payable as of the date of such determination upon a
declaration of acceleration of the maturity thereof.
 
     Global Securities. The Debt Securities of a series may be issued in whole
or in part in the form of one or more global securities ('Global Securities')
that will be deposited with, or on behalf of, a depositary (the 'Depositary')
identified in the Prospectus Supplement relating to such series. Global
Securities may be issued only in fully registered form and in either temporary
or permanent form. Unless and until it is exchanged in whole or in part for the
individual Debt Securities represented thereby, a Global Security (i) may not be
transferred except as a whole and (ii) may only be transferred (A) by the
Depositary for such Global Security to its nominee, (B) by a nominee of such
Depositary to such Depositary or another nominee of such Depositary or (C) by
such Depositary or any such nominee to a successor Depositary or nominee of such
successor Depositary (Section 2.8).
 
     The specific terms of the depositary arrangement with respect to a series
of Debt Securities will be described in the Prospectus Supplement relating to
such series. The Company anticipates that the following provisions generally

will apply to all depositary arrangements.
 
     Upon the issuance of a Global Security, the Depositary for such Global
Security or its nominee will credit, on its book-entry registration and transfer
system, the respective principal amounts of the individual Debt Securities
represented by such Global Security to the accounts of persons that have
accounts with such Depositary. Such accounts shall be designated by the dealers,
underwriters or agents with respect to such Debt Securities or by the Company if
such Debt Securities are offered and sold directly by the Company. Ownership of
beneficial interests in a Global Security will be limited to persons that have
accounts with the applicable Depositary ('participants') or persons that may
hold interests through participants. Ownership of beneficial interests in such
Global Security will be shown on, and the transfer of that ownership will be
effected only through, records maintained by the applicable Depositary or its
nominee (with respect to interests of participants) and the records of
participants (with respect to interests of persons other than participants). The
laws of some states require that certain purchasers of securities take physical
delivery of such securities in definitive form. Such limits and such laws may
impair the ability to transfer beneficial interests in a Global Security.
 
     As long as the Depositary for a Global Security or its nominee is the
registered owner of such Global Security, such Depositary or its nominee, as the
case may be, will be considered the sole owner or holder of the
 
                                       9
<PAGE>
Debt Securities of the series represented by such Global Security for all
purposes under the Indenture governing such Debt Securities. Except as provided
below, owners of beneficial interests in a Global Security will not be entitled
to have any of the individual Debt Securities of the series represented by such
Global Security registered in their names, will not receive or be entitled to
receive physical delivery of any such Debt Securities in definitive form and
will not be considered the owners or holders thereof under the Indenture
governing such Debt Securities.
 
     Payment of principal of, premium, if any, and interest, if any, on
individual Debt Securities represented by a Global Security registered in the
name of a 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 Debt Securities. The Company expects that the Depositary for a
series of Debt Securities or its nominee, upon receipt of any payment of
principal of, premium, if any, and interest, if any, in respect of a Global
Security representing any such Debt Securities, will immediately credit
participants' accounts with payments in amounts proportionate to their
respective beneficial interests in the principal amount of such Global Security
for such Securities as shown on the records of such Depositary or its nominee.
The Company also expects that payments by participants to owners of beneficial
interests in such Global Security held through such participants will be
governed by standing instructions and customary practices, as is now the case
with securities held for the accounts of customers in bearer form or registered
in 'street name.' Such payments will be the responsibility of such participants.
Neither the Company, the Trustee for such Debt Securities, any paying agent nor
the registrar for such Debt Securities will have any responsibility or liability
for any aspect of the records relating to or payments made on account of

beneficial ownership interests of the Global Security for such Debt Securities
or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to such
beneficial ownership interests.
 
     If the Depositary for a series of Debt Securities is at any time unwilling,
unable or ineligible to continue as depositary and a successor depositary is not
appointed by the Company within 90 days, the Company will issue individual Debt
Securities of such series in exchange for the Global Security representing such
series of Debt Securities. In addition, the Company may at any time and in its
sole discretion, subject to any limitations described in the Prospectus
Supplement relating to such Debt Securities, determine not to have any Debt
Securities of a series represented by a Global Security and, in such event, will
issue individual Debt Securities of such series in exchange for the Global
Security representing such series of Debt Securities. Further, if the Company so
specifies with respect to the Debt Securities of a series, an owner of a
beneficial interest in a Global Security representing Debt Securities of such
series may, on terms acceptable to the Company, the Trustee and the Depositary
for such Global Security, receive individual Debt Securities of such series in
exchange for such beneficial interests, subject to any limitations described in
the Prospectus Supplement relating to such Debt Securities. In any such
instance, an owner of a beneficial interest in a Global Security will be
entitled to physical delivery of individual Debt Securities of the series
represented by such Global Security equal in principal amount to such beneficial
interest and to have such Debt Securities registered in its name. Individual
Debt Securities of such series so issued will be issued in registered form and
in denominations, unless otherwise specified in the applicable Prospectus
Supplement relating to such series of Debt Securities, of $1,000 and integral
multiples thereof.
 
     Events of Default. Unless otherwise specified in the applicable Prospectus
Supplement, an Event of Default is defined under each Indenture with respect to
the Debt Securities of any series issued under such Indenture as being: (a)
default in the payment of principal of or premium, if any, with respect to Debt
Securities of such series when due; (b) default in the payment of any
installment of interest upon any of the Debt Securities of such series when due,
continued for 30 days; (c) default in the payment or satisfaction of any sinking
fund or other purchase obligation with respect to Debt Securities of such series
when due; (d) default in the performance of any other covenant of the Company
applicable to Debt Securities of such series, continued for 60 days after
written notice to the Company by the Trustee or to the Company and the Trustee,
by the holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Debt
Securities of such series then outstanding requiring the same to be remedied;
(e) certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization of the Company;
and (f) default under any bond, debenture, note or other evidence of
indebtedness for money borrowed by the Company or any Significant Subsidiary or
under any mortgage, indenture or instrument under which there may be issued or
by which there may be secured or evidenced any indebtedness for money borrowed
of the Company or any Significant Subsidiary resulting in the acceleration of
such indebtedness, or any default in payment of such indebtedness
 
                                       10
<PAGE>
(after expiration of any applicable grace periods and presentation of any debt
instruments, if required), if the aggregate amount of all such indebtedness that

has been so accelerated and with respect to which there has been such a default
in payment shall exceed $25,000,000 and there has been a failure to obtain
rescission or annulment of all such accelerations or to discharge all such
defaulted indebtedness within 20 days after written notice of the type specified
in the foregoing clause (d) (Section 5.1).
 
     If any Event of Default shall occur and be continuing, the Trustee or the
holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Debt
Securities of such series then outstanding, by notice in writing to the Company
(and to the Trustee, if given by the holders), may declare the principal (or, in
the case of any series of Debt Securities originally issued at a discount from
their stated principal amount, such portion of the principal amount as may be
specified in the terms of such series) of all of the Debt Securities of such
series and the interest, if any, accrued thereon to be due and payable
immediately; provided, however, that the holders of a majority in aggregate
principal amount of the Debt Securities of such series then outstanding, by
notice in writing to the Company and the Trustee, may rescind and annul such
declaration and its consequences if all defaults under such Indenture are cured
or waived (Section 5.1).
 
     Each Indenture provides that no holder of any series of Debt Securities
then outstanding may institute any suit, action or proceeding with respect to,
or otherwise attempt to enforce, such Indenture, unless (i) such holder
previously shall have given to the Trustee written notice of default and of the
continuance thereof, (ii) the holders of not less than 25% in aggregate
principal amount of such series of Debt Securities then outstanding shall have
made written request to the Trustee to institute such suit, action or proceeding
and shall have offered to the Trustee such reasonable indemnity as it may
require with respect thereto and (iii) the Trustee for 60 days after its receipt
of such notice, request and offer of indemnity, shall have neglected or refused
to institute any such action, suit or proceeding; provided that, subject to the
subordination provisions applicable to the Senior Subordinated Debt Securities
and the Subordinated Debt Securities, the right of any holder of any Debt
Security to receive payment of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest,
if any, on such Debt Security, on or after the respective due dates, or to
institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment shall not be impaired or
affected without the consent of such holder (Section 5.4). The holders of a
majority in aggregate principal amount of the Debt Securities of such series
then outstanding may 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 such
series, provided that the Trustee may decline to follow such direction if the
Trustee determines that such action or proceeding is unlawful or would involve
the Trustee in personal liability (Section 5.7).
 
     The Company is required to furnish to the Trustee annually a certificate as
to compliance by the Company with all conditions and covenants under each
Indenture (Section 4.3).
 
     Discharge and Defeasance. Unless otherwise specified in the applicable
Prospectus Supplement, the Company can discharge or defease its obligations with
respect to any series of Debt Securities as set forth below (Article Ten).
 
     The Company may discharge all of its obligations (except those set forth

below) to holders of any series of Debt Securities issued under any Indenture
that have not already been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation and that
have either become due and payable, or are by their terms due and payable within
one year (or scheduled for redemption within one year), by irrevocably
depositing with the Trustee cash or U.S. Government Obligations (as defined in
such Indenture), or a combination thereof, as trust funds in an amount certified
to be sufficient to pay when due the principal of, premium, if any, and
interest, if any, on all outstanding Debt Securities of such series and to make
any mandatory sinking fund payments, if any, thereon when due.
 
     Unless otherwise provided in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, the
Company may also elect at any time to (a) defease and be discharged from all of
its obligations (except those set forth below) to holders of any series of Debt
Securities issued under each Indenture ('defeasance') or (b) be released from
all of their obligations with respect to certain covenants applicable to any
series of Debt Securities issued under each Indenture ('covenant defeasance'),
if, among other things: (i) the Company irrevocably deposits with the Trustee
cash or U.S. Government Obligations, or a combination thereof, as trust funds in
an amount certified to be sufficient to pay when due the principal of, premium,
if any, and interest, if any, on all outstanding Debt Securities of such series
and to make any mandatory sinking fund payments, if any, thereon when due and
such
 
                                       11
<PAGE>
funds have been so deposited for 91 days; (ii) such deposit will not result in a
breach or violation of, or cause a default under, any agreement or instrument to
which the Company is a party or by which it is bound; and (iii) the Company
delivers to the Trustee an opinion of counsel to the effect that the holders of
such series of Debt Securities will not recognize income, gain or loss for
United States federal income tax purposes as a result of such defeasance or
covenant defeasance and that defeasance or covenant defeasance will not
otherwise alter the United States federal income tax treatment of such holders?
principal and interest payments, if any, on such series of Debt Securities. Such
opinion in the case of defeasance under clause (a) above must be based on a
ruling of the Internal Revenue Service or a change in United States federal
income tax law occurring after the date of the Indenture relating to the Debt
Securities of such series, since such a result would not occur under current tax
law (Section 10.1).
 
     Notwithstanding the foregoing, no discharge, defeasance or covenant
defeasance described above shall affect the following obligations to or rights
of the holders of any series of Debt Securities: (i) rights of registration of
transfer and exchange of Debt Securities of such series, (ii) rights of
substitution of mutilated, defaced, destroyed, lost or stolen Debt Securities of
such series, (iii) rights of holders of Debt Securities of such series to
receive payments of principal thereof and premium, if any, and interest, if any,
thereon, upon the original due dates therefor (but not upon acceleration), and
to receive mandatory sinking fund payments thereon when due, if any, (iv)
rights, obligations, duties and immunities of the Trustee, (v) rights of holders
of Debt Securities of such series as beneficiaries with respect to property so
deposited with the Trustee payable to all or any of them and (vi) obligations of
the Company to maintain an office or agency in respect of Debt Securities of
such series (Section 10.1).

 
     The Company may exercise the defeasance option with respect to any series
of Debt Securities notwithstanding the prior exercise of the covenant defeasance
option with respect to any series of Debt Securities. If the Company exercises
the defeasance option with respect to any series of Debt Securities, payment of
such series of Debt Securities may not be accelerated because of an Event of
Default with respect to such series of Debt Securities. If the Company exercises
the covenant defeasance option with respect to any series of Debt Securities,
payment of such series of Debt Securities may not be accelerated by reason of an
Event of Default with respect to the covenants to which such covenant defeasance
is applicable. However, if such acceleration were to occur by reason of another
Event of Default, the realizable value at the acceleration date of the cash and
U.S. Government Obligations in the defeasance trust could be less than the
principal of, premium, if any, and interest, if any, and any mandatory sinking
fund payments, if any, then due on such series of Debt Securities, in that the
required deposit in the defeasance trust is based upon scheduled cash flow
rather than market value, which will vary depending upon interest rates and
other factors.
 
     Modification of the Indenture. Each Indenture provides that the Company and
the Trustee may enter into supplemental indentures without the consent of the
holders of the Debt Securities to (a) evidence the assumption by a successor
entity of the obligations of the Company under such Indenture, (b) add covenants
or new events of default for the protection of the holders of such Debt
Securities, (c) cure any ambiguity or correct any inconsistency in the
Indenture, (d) establish the form and terms of Debt Securities of any series,
(e) evidence the acceptance of appointment by a successor Trustee, (f) secure
such Debt Securities, (g) designate a bank or trust company other than State
Street to act as Trustee for a series of Senior Debt Securities, State Street to
act as Trustee for a series of Subordinated Debt Securities and State Street to
act as Trustee for a series of Senior Subordinated Debt Securities, (h) modify
the existing covenants and events of default solely in respect of, or add new
covenants and events of default that apply solely to, Debt Securities not yet
issued and outstanding on the date of such supplemental indenture, (i) provide
for the issuance of Debt Securities of any series in coupon form and
exchangeability of such Debt Securities for fully registered Debt Securities,
(j) modify, eliminate or add to the provisions of such Indenture as necessary to
effect the qualification of such Indenture under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939
and to add certain provisions expressly permitted by such Act, and (k) modify
the provisions to provide for the denomination of Debt Securities in foreign
currencies which shall not adversely affect the interests of the holders of such
Debt Securities in any material respect. (Section 8.1).
 
     Each Indenture also contains provisions permitting the Company and the
Trustee, with the consent of the holders of not less than a majority in
aggregate principal amount of Debt Securities of each series then outstanding
and affected, to add any provisions to, or change in any manner or eliminate any
of the provisions of, such Indenture or any supplemental indenture or modify in
any manner the rights of the holders of the Debt
 
                                       12
<PAGE>
Securities of such series; provided that the Company and the Trustee may not,
without the consent of the holder of each outstanding Debt Security affected

thereby, (a) extend the stated final maturity of any Debt Security, reduce the
principal amount thereof, reduce the rate or extend the time of payment of
interest, if any, thereon, reduce or alter the method of computation of any
amount payable on redemption, repayment or purchase by the Company, change the
coin or currency in which principal, premium, if any, and interest, if any, are
payable, reduce the amount of the principal of any original issue discount
security payable upon acceleration or provable in bankruptcy, impair or affect
the right to institute suit for the enforcement of any payment or repayment
thereof or, if applicable, adversely affect any right of prepayment at the
option of the holder or (b) reduce the aforesaid percentage in aggregate
principal amount of Debt Securities of any series issued under such Indenture
(Section 8.2).
 
     Consolidation, Merger, Sale or Conveyance. Except as otherwise provided in
the applicable Prospectus Supplement, the Indentures provide that EMCOR may,
without the consent of the holders of Debt Securities, consolidate with, merge
into or transfer, exchange or dispose of all of its properties to, any other
corporation or partnership organized under the laws of the United States,
provided that (i) the successor corporation assumes all obligations of EMCOR by
supplemental indenture satisfactory in form to the applicable Trustee executed
and delivered to such Trustee, under the Indentures and the Debt Securities,
(ii) immediately after giving effect to such consolidation, merger, exchange or
other disposition, no Event of Default, and no event which, after notice or
lapse of time or both, would become an Event of Default, shall have occurred and
be continuing and (iii) certain other conditions are met. (Section 9.1).
 
     Certain Definitions. Except as otherwise provided in the applicable
Prospectus Supplement, the following definitions are applicable to the
discussions of the Indentures (Article One).
 
     'Consolidated Net Tangible Assets' means the aggregate amount of assets
included on the most recent consolidated balance sheet of EMCOR and its
Restricted Subsidiaries, less applicable reserves and other properly deductible
items and after deducting therefrom (a) all current liabilities and (b) all
goodwill, trade names, trademarks, patents, unamortized debt discount and
expense and other like intangibles, all in accordance with generally accepted
accounting principles consistently applied.
 
     'Indebtedness,' with respect to any person, means, without duplication:
 
          (a)(i) the principal of, premium, if any, and interest, if any, on
     indebtedness for money borrowed of such person, indebtedness of such person
     evidenced by bonds, notes, debentures or similar obligations, and any
     guaranty by such person of any indebtedness for money borrowed or
     indebtedness evidenced by bonds, notes, debentures or similar obligations
     of any other person, whether any such indebtedness or guaranty is
     outstanding on the date of the Indenture or is thereafter created, assumed
     or incurred, (ii) obligations of such person for the reimbursement of any
     obligor on any letter of credit, banker's acceptance or similar credit
     transaction, (iii) the principal of and premium, if any, and interest, if
     any, on indebtedness incurred, assumed or guaranteed by such person in
     connection with the acquisition by it or any of its subsidiaries of any
     other businesses, properties or other assets, (iv) lease obligations that
     such person capitalized in accordance with Statement of Financial

     Accounting Standards No. 13 promulgated by the Financial Accounting
     Standards Board or such other generally accepted accounting principles as
     may be from time to time in effect, (v) any indebtedness of such person
     representing the balance deferred and unpaid of the purchase price of any
     property or interest therein (except any such balance that constitutes an
     accrued expense or trade payable) and any guaranty, endorsement or other
     contingent obligation of such person in respect of any indebtedness of
     another that is outstanding on the date of the Indenture or is thereafter
     created, assumed or incurred by such person and (vi) obligations of such
     person under interest rate, commodity or currency swaps, caps, collars,
     options and similar arrangements if and to the extent that any of the
     foregoing indebtedness in (i) through (vi) would appear as a liability on
     the balance sheet of such person in accordance with generally accepted
     accounting principles; and
 
          (b) any amendments, modifications, refundings, renewals or extensions
     of any indebtedness or obligation described as Indebtedness in clause (a)
     above.
 
     'Restricted Subsidiary' means (a) any Subsidiary of EMCOR other than an
Unrestricted Subsidiary, and (b) any Subsidiary of EMCOR which was an
Unrestricted Subsidiary but which, subsequent to the date of the
 
                                       13
<PAGE>
Indentures, is designated by the Board of Directors of EMCOR to be a Restricted
Subsidiary; provided, however, that EMCOR may not designate any such Subsidiary
to be a Restricted Subsidiary if EMCOR would thereby breach any covenant or
agreement contained in the Indentures (on the assumptions that any outstanding
Indebtedness of such Subsidiary was incurred at the time of such designation).
 
     'Significant Subsidiary' means any Subsidiary which is a 'significant
subsidiary' of EMCOR within the meaning of Rule 1.02(w) of Regulation S-X
promulgated by the Commission as in effect on the date of each respective
Indenture.
 
     'Subsidiary' of any specified Person means any corporation of which such
Person, or such Person and one or more Subsidiaries of such Person, or any one
or more Subsidiaries of such Person, directly or indirectly own voting
securities entitling any one or more of such Person and its Subsidiaries to
elect a majority of the directors, either at all times, or so long as there is
no default or contingency which permits the holders of any other class or
classes of securities to vote for the election of one or more directors.
 
     'Unrestricted Subsidiary' means (a) any Subsidiary of EMCOR acquired or
organized after the date of the Indentures, provided, however, that such
Subsidiary shall not be a successor, directly or indirectly, to any Restricted
Subsidiary and (b) any Subsidiary of EMCOR substantially all the assets of which
consist of stock or other securities of a Subsidiary or Subsidiaries of the
character described in clause (a) above, unless and until such Subsidiary shall
have been designated to be a Restricted Subsidiary.
 
PROVISIONS APPLICABLE SOLELY TO SENIOR SUBORDINATED DEBT SECURITIES AND
SUBORDINATED DEBT SECURITIES

 
     Subordination. The Subordinated Debt Securities will be subordinate and
junior in right of payment, to the extent set forth in the Subordinated Debt
Indenture, to all Senior Indebtedness. The Senior Subordinated Debt Securities
will be subordinate and junior in right of payment, to the extent set forth in
the Senior Subordinated Debt Indenture, to all Senior Indebtedness of the
Company. The Senior Subordinated Debt Securities will rank senior to all
existing and future Indebtedness of the Company that is neither Senior
Indebtedness nor Senior Subordinated Indebtedness, and only Indebtedness of the
Company that is Senior Indebtedness will rank senior to the Senior Subordinated
Debt Securities in accordance with the subordination provisions of the Senior
Subordinated Debt Indenture.
 
     'Senior Indebtedness' is defined in the Subordinated Debt Indenture and the
Senior Subordinated Debt Indenture with respect to the Company as Indebtedness
of the Company outstanding at any time (other than the Indebtedness evidenced by
the Debt Securities of any series) except (a) any Indebtedness as to which, by
the terms of the instrument creating or evidencing the same, it is provided that
such Indebtedness is not senior or prior in right of payment to the Debt
Securities or is pari passu or subordinate by its terms in right of payment to
the Debt Securities, (b) renewals, extensions and modifications of any such
Indebtedness, (c) any Indebtedness of the Company to a wholly-owned Subsidiary
of the Company, (d) interest accruing after the filing of a petition initiating
certain events of bankruptcy or insolvency unless such interest is an allowed
claim enforceable against the Company in a proceeding under federal or state
bankruptcy laws and (e) trade payables.
 
     'Senior Subordinated Indebtedness' of the Company means the Senior
Subordinated Debt Securities and any other Indebtedness of the Company that
ranks pari passu with the Senior Subordinated Debt Securities. Any Indebtedness
of the Company that is subordinate or junior by its terms in right of payment to
any other Indebtedness of the Company shall be subordinate to Senior
Subordinated Indebtedness of the Company unless the instrument creating or
evidencing the same or pursuant to which the same is outstanding specifically
provides that such Indebtedness (i) is to rank pari passu with other Senior
Subordinated Indebtedness of the Company and (ii) is not subordinated by its
terms to any Indebtedness of the Company which is not Senior Indebtedness of the
Company.
 
     'Subordinated Indebtedness' of the Company means the Senior Subordinated
Debt Securities, any other Senior Subordinated Indebtedness of the Company and
any other Indebtedness that is subordinate or junior in right of payment to
Senior Indebtedness of the Company.
 
     If (i) the Company should default in the payment of any principal of,
premium, if any, or interest, if any, on any Senior Indebtedness of the Company
when the same becomes due and payable, whether at maturity or at a date fixed
for prepayment or by declaration of acceleration or otherwise or (ii) any other
default with respect to
 
                                       14
<PAGE>
Senior Indebtedness of the Company shall occur and the maturity of the Senior
Indebtedness has been accelerated in accordance with its terms, then, upon

written notice of such default to the Company by the holders of such Senior
Indebtedness or any trustee therefor, unless and until such default shall have
been cured or waived or shall have ceased to exist or such acceleration shall
have been rescinded, no direct or indirect payment (in cash, property,
securities, by set-off or otherwise) will be made or agreed to be made for
principal of, premium, if any, or interest, if any, on any of the Senior
Subordinated Debt Securities or the Subordinated Debt Securities, or in respect
of any redemption, retirement, purchase or other acquisition of the Senior
Subordinated Debt Securities or the Subordinated Debt Securities other than
those made in capital stock of EMCOR (or cash in lieu of fractional shares
thereof) (Sections 13.1 and 13.4 of the Senior Subordinated Debt Indenture and
Sections 13.1 and 13.4 of the Subordinated Debt Indenture).
 
     If any default (other than a default described in the preceding paragraph)
occurs under the Senior Indebtedness of the Company, pursuant to which the
maturity thereof may be accelerated immediately or the expiration of any
applicable grace periods occurs (a 'Senior Nonmonetary Default'), then, upon the
receipt by the Company and the Trustee of written notice thereof (a 'Payment
Notice') from or on behalf of holders of 25% or more of the aggregate principal
amount of Senior Indebtedness specifying an election to prohibit such payment
and other action by the Company in accordance with the following provisions of
this paragraph, the Company may not make any payment or take any other action
that would be prohibited by the immediately preceding paragraph during the
period (the 'Payment Blockage Period') commencing on the date of receipt of such
Payment Notice and ending on the earlier of (i) the date, if any, on which the
holders of such Senior Indebtedness or their representative notify the Trustee
that such Senior Nonmonetary Default is cured or waived or ceases to exist or
the Senior Indebtedness to which such Senior Nonmonetary Default relates is
discharged or (ii) the 179th day after the date of receipt of such Payment
Notice. Notwithstanding the provisions described in the immediately preceding
sentence, the Company may resume payments on the Senior Subordinated Debt
Securities and the Subordinated Debt Securities after such Payment Blockage
Period.
 
     If (i) (A) without the consent of the Company, a receiver, conservator,
liquidator or trustee of the Company or of any of its property is appointed by
the order or decree of any court or agency or supervisory authority having
jurisdiction, and such decree or order remains in effect for more than 60 days
or (B) the Company is adjudicated bankrupt or insolvent or (C) any of its
property is sequestered by court order and such order remains in effect for more
than 60 days or (D) a petition is filed against the Company under any state or
federal bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement, insolvency, readjustment of
debt, dissolution, liquidation or receivership law of any jurisdiction whether
now or hereafter in effect, and is not dismissed within 60 days after such
filing; (ii) the Company (A) commences a voluntary case or other proceeding
seeking liquidation, reorganization, arrangement, insolvency, readjustment of
debt, dissolution, liquidation or other relief with respect to itself or its
debt or other liabilities under any bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law
now or hereafter in effect or seeking the appointment of a trustee, receiver,
liquidator, custodian or other similar official of it or any substantial part of
its property, or (B) consents to any such relief or to the appointment of or
taking possession by any such official in an involuntary case or other
proceeding commenced against it, or (C) fails generally to, or cannot, pay its
debts generally as they become due or (D) takes any corporate action to

authorize or effect any of the foregoing; or (iii) any Subsidiary of the Company
takes, suffers or permits to exist any of the events or conditions referred to
in the foregoing clause (i) or (ii), then all Senior Indebtedness of the Company
(including any interest thereon accruing after the commencement of any such
proceedings) will first be paid in full before any payment or distribution,
whether in cash, securities or other property, is made by the Company to any
holder of Senior Subordinated Debt Securities or Subordinated Debt Securities on
account of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest, if any, on such
Senior Subordinated Debt Securities or Subordinated Debt Securities, as the case
may be. Any payment or distribution, whether in cash, securities or other
property (other than securities of the Company or any other corporation provided
for by a plan of reorganization or readjustment the payment of which is
subordinate, at least to the extent provided in the subordination provisions
with respect to the indebtedness evidenced by the Senior Subordinated Debt
Securities or the Subordinated Debt Securities, to the payment of all Senior
Indebtedness of the Company then outstanding and to any securities issued in
respect thereof under any such plan of reorganization or readjustment) that
would otherwise (but for the subordination provisions) be payable or deliverable
in respect of the Senior Subordinated Debt Securities or the Subordinated Debt
Securities of any series will be paid or delivered directly to the holders of
Senior Indebtedness of the Company in accordance with the priorities then
existing among such holders until all Senior Indebtedness of the
 
                                       15
<PAGE>
Company (including any interest thereon accruing after the commencement of any
such proceedings) has been paid in full. In the event of any such proceeding,
after payment in full of all sums owing with respect to Senior Indebtedness of
the Company, the holders of Senior Subordinated Debt Securities, together with
the holders of any obligations of the Company ranking on a parity with the
Senior Subordinated Debt Securities, will be entitled to be repaid from the
remaining assets of the Company the amounts at that time due and owing on
account of unpaid principal of, premium, if any, or interest, if any, on the
Senior Subordinated Debt Securities and such other obligations before any
payment or other distribution, whether in cash, property or otherwise, shall be
made on account of any capital stock or obligations of the Company ranking
junior to the Senior Subordinated Debt Securities (including the Subordinated
Debt Securities) and such other obligations (Section 13.1 of the Senior
Subordinated Debt Indenture and Section 13.1 of the Subordinated Debt
Indenture).
 
     If any payment or distribution of any character, whether in cash,
securities or other property (other than securities of the Company or any other
corporation provided for by a plan of reorganization or readjustment the payment
of which is subordinate, at least to the extent provided in the subordination
provisions with respect to the Senior Subordinated Debt Securities or the
Subordinated Debt Securities, to the payment of all Senior Indebtedness of the
Company then outstanding and to any securities issued in respect thereof under
any such plan of reorganization or readjustment), shall be received by the
Trustee, or any holder of any Senior Subordinated Debt Securities or
Subordinated Debt Securities in contravention of any of the terms of the Senior
Subordinated Debt Indenture or the Subordinated Debt Indenture, as the case may
be, such payment or distribution of securities will be received in trust for the
benefit of, and will be paid over or delivered and transferred to, the holders

of the Senior Indebtedness of the Company then outstanding in accordance with
the priorities then existing among such holders for application to the payment
of all Senior Indebtedness of the Company remaining unpaid to the extent
necessary to pay all such Senior Indebtedness in full (Section 13.1 of the
Senior Subordinated Debt Indenture and Section 13.1 of the Subordinated Debt
Indenture).
 
     By reason of such subordination, in the event of the insolvency of the
Company, holders of Senior Indebtedness of the Company may receive more,
ratably, than holders of the Senior Subordinated Debt Securities or Subordinated
Debt Securities. Such subordination will not prevent the occurrence of any Event
of Default (as defined in the Indentures) or limit the right of acceleration in
respect of the Senior Subordinated Debt Securities or Subordinated Debt
Securities.
 
CONCERNING THE TRUSTEE
 
     Any of the Trustees under the Indentures may make loans to EMCOR in the
normal course of business. If a bank or trust company other than State Street is
to act as Trustee for a series of Debt Securities, information concerning such
other Trustee will be set forth in the Prospectus Supplement relating to such
series of Debt Securities.
 
                          DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK
 
     The authorized capital stock of the Company is 14,700,000 shares consisting
of 13,700,000 shares of Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share (the 'Common
Stock') and 1,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock, par value $.10 per share (the
'Preferred Stock') in such series and with such voting powers, designations,
preferences and relative, participating, optional or other special rights, and
qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof, as may be fixed from time
to time by the Board of Directors for each series. The Board of Directors has
approved an amendment to the Company's Restated Certificate of Incorporation,
which if approved by shareholders, will increase the Company's authorized
capital stock to 31,000,000 shares consisting of 30,000,000 shares of Common
Stock and 1,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock. The following summary description
of certain provisions of the Company's Restated Certificate of Incorporation
(the 'Certificate of Incorporation') and the By-laws does not purport to be
complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to said provisions.
 
                                       16
<PAGE>
COMMON STOCK
 
     As of December 31, 1997, 9,476,044 shares of Common Stock were issued and
outstanding. The outstanding Common Stock is, and any Common Stock offered
pursuant to this Prospectus and any Prospectus Supplement when issued and paid
for will be, fully paid and non-assessable.
 
     Dividends. Dividends on the Common Stock will be paid if, when and as
determined by the Board of Directors of the Company out of funds legally
available for this purpose. The Company's working capital credit facility limits
the payment of dividends on its Common Stock.
 

     Voting Rights. Holders of Common Stock are entitled to one vote for each
share held by them on all matters presented to shareholders.
 
     Liquidation Rights. After satisfaction of the preferential liquidation
rights of any Preferred Stock, the holders of the Common Stock are entitled to
share, ratably, in the distribution of all remaining net assets.
 
     Preemptive and Other Rights. The holders of Common Stock do not have
preemptive rights as to additional issues of Common Stock or conversion rights.
The shares of Common Stock are not subject to redemption or to any further calls
or assessments and are not entitled to the benefit of any sinking fund
provisions. The rights, preferences and privileges of holders of Common Stock
are subject to, and may be adversely affected by, the rights of the holder of
shares of any series of Preferred Stock which the Company may designate and
issue in the future.
 
PREFERRED STOCK
 
     The Certificate of Incorporation authorizes the Board of Directors to issue
from time to time up to 1,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock, in one or more
series, and with such voting powers, designations, preferences and relative,
participating, optional or other special rights, and qualifications, limitations
or restrictions thereof, as may be fixed from time to time by the Board of
Directors for each series. No shares of Preferred Stock have been issued.
 
STOCKHOLDERS RIGHTS PLAN
 
     The Company's Board of Directors enacted a stockholder rights plan (the
'Rights Plan') designed to protect the interests of the Company's stockholders
in the event of a potential takeover the terms of which are not approved by the
Board of Directors as being in the best interests of the Company and its
stockholders. Pursuant to the Rights Plan, on March 3, 1997 the Board declared a
dividend of one preferred share purchase right (a 'Right') for each outstanding
share of Common Stock. The dividend was paid on March 14, 1997 to the
stockholders of record on that date. Each Right entitles the registered holder
to purchase from the Company one one-thousandth of a share of Series A Junior
Participating Preferred Stock, par value $.10 per share (the 'Preferred Stock')
of the Company at a price of $70 per one one-thousandth of a share of Preferred
Stock, subject to adjustment. The description and terms of the Rights are set
forth in a Rights Agreement dated as of March 3, 1997, as the same may be
amended from time to time, between the Company and The Bank of New York, as
Rights Agent.
 
     Shares of Preferred Stock purchasable upon exercise of the Rights will not
be redeemable. Each share of Preferred Stock will be entitled, when, as and if
declared, to a minimum preferential quarterly dividend payment of $1 per share
but will be entitled to an aggregate dividend of 1000 times the dividend
declared per share of Common Stock. In the event of liquidation, the holders of
the Preferred Stock will be entitled to a minimum preferential liquidation
payment of $100 per share (plus any accrued but unpaid dividends) but will be
entitled to an aggregate payment of 1000 times the payment made per share of
Common Stock. Each share of Preferred Stock will have 1000 votes, voting
together with the Common Stock. Finally, in the event of any merger,
consolidation or other transaction in which shares of Common Stock are converted

or exchanged, each share of Preferred Stock will be entitled to received 1000
times the amount received per share of Common Stock. These rights are protected
by customary antidilution provisions.
 
     In the event that any person or group of affiliated persons acquires
beneficial ownership of 15% or more of the Company's outstanding Common Stock
(an 'Acquiring Person'), each holder of a Right, other than Rights
 
                                       17
<PAGE>
beneficially owned by the Acquiring Person (which will thereupon become void),
will thereafter have the right to receive upon exercise of a Right at the then
current exercise price of the Right, that number of shares of Common Stock
having a market value of two times the exercise price of the Right.
 
     In the event that, after a person or group has become an Acquiring Person,
the Company is acquired in a merger or other business combination transaction or
50% or more of its consolidated assets or earning power are sold, proper
provision will be made so that each holder of a Right (other than Rights
beneficially owned by an Acquiring Person which will have become void) will
thereafter have the right to receive, upon the exercise thereof at the then
current exercise price of the Right, that number of shares of common stock of
the person with whom the Company has engaged in the foregoing transaction (or
its parent), which number of shares at the time of such transaction will have a
market value of two times the exercise price of the Right.
 
     At any time after any person or group becomes an Acquiring Person and prior
to the acquisition by such person or group of 50% or more of the outstanding
shares of Common Stock or the occurrence of an event described in the prior
paragraph, the Board of Directors of the Company may exchange the Rights (other
than Rights owned by such person or group which will have become void), in whole
or in part, at an exchange ratio of one share of Common Stock, or one
one-thousandth of a share of Preferred Stock (or of a share of a class or series
of the Company's preferred stock having equivalent rights, preferences and
privileges), per Right (subject to adjustment).
 
     At any time prior to the time an Acquiring Person becomes such, the Board
of Directors of the Company may redeem the Rights in whole, but not in part, at
a price of $.01 per Right (the 'Redemption Price'). The redemption of the Rights
may be made effective at such time, on such basis and with such conditions as
the Board of Directors in its sole discretion may establish. Immediately upon
any redemption of the Rights, the right to exercise the Rights will terminate
and the only right of the holders of Rights will be to receive the Redemption
Price.
 
     For so long as the Rights are then redeemable, the Company may, except with
respect to the Redemption Price, amend the Rights in any manner. After the
Rights are no longer redeemable, the Company may, except with respect to the
Redemption Price, amend the Rights in any manner that does not adversely affect
the interests of holders of the Rights.
 
     Until a Right is exercised, the holder thereof, as such, will have no
rights as a stockholder of the Company, including, without limitation, the right
to vote or to receive dividends.

 
                            DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS
 
     EMCOR may issue Warrants, including Warrants to purchase Common Stock or
Preferred Stock and Warrants to purchase Debt Securities. Warrants may be issued
independently of or together with any other Securities and may be attached to or
separate from such Securities. Each series of Warrants will be issued under a
separate Warrant Agreement (each a 'Warrant Agreement') to be entered into
between EMCOR and a Warrant Agent ('Warrant Agent'). The Warrant Agent will act
solely as an agent of EMCOR in connection with the Warrants of such series and
will not assume any obligation or relationship of agency or trust for or with
holders or beneficial owners of Warrants. The following sets forth certain
general terms and provisions of the Warrants offered hereby. Further terms of
the Warrants and the applicable Warrant Agreement will be set forth in the
applicable Prospectus Supplement.
 
     The applicable Prospectus Supplement will describe the following terms,
where applicable, of the Warrants in respect of which this Prospectus is being
delivered: (i) the title of such Warrants; (ii) the aggregate number of such
Warrants; (iii) the price or prices at which such Warrants will be issued; (iv)
the designation, aggregate principal amount and terms of the securities
purchasable upon exercise of such Warrants; (v) the designation and terms of the
Securities with which such Warrants are issued and the number of such Warrants
issued with each such security; (vi) if applicable, the date on and after which
such Warrants and the related securities will be separately transferable; (vii)
the price at which the securities purchasable upon exercise of such Warrants may
be purchased; (viii) the date on which the right to exercise such Warrants shall
commence and the date on which such right shall expire; (ix) the minimum or
maximum amount of such Warrants which may be exercised at any one time; (x)
information with respect to book-entry procedures, if any; (xi) a discussion of
certain Federal
 
                                       18
<PAGE>
income tax considerations; and (xii) any other terms of such Warrants, including
terms, procedures and limitations relating to the exchange and exercise of such
Warrants.
 
                              PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
 
     EMCOR may sell the Securities to or through underwriters or dealers, and
also may sell the Securities directly to one or more other purchasers or through
agents. The applicable Prospectus Supplement will set forth the names of any
underwriters or agents involved in the sale of the Offered Securities and any
applicable commissions or discounts.
 
     Underwriters, dealers or agents may offer and sell the Offered Securities
at a fixed price or prices, which may be changed, or from time to time at market
prices prevailing at the time of sale, at prices related to such prevailing
market prices or at negotiated prices. In connection with the sale of the
Securities, underwriters or agents may be deemed to have received compensation
from EMCOR in the form of underwriting discounts or commissions and may also
receive commissions from purchasers of the Securities for whom they may act as
agent. Underwriters or agents may sell the Securities to or through dealers, and

such dealers may receive compensation in the form of discounts, concessions or
commissions from the underwriters or commissions from the purchasers for whom
they may act as agent.
 
     The Securities (other than the Common Stock), when first issued, will have
no established trading market. Any underwriters or agents to or through whom
Securities are sold by EMCOR for public offering and sale may make a market in
such Securities, but such underwriters or agents 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.
 
     Any underwriters, dealers or agents participating in the distribution of
the Securities may be deemed to be underwriters, and any discounts and
commissions received by them and any profit realized by them on resale of the
Securities may be deemed to be underwriting discounts and commissions under the
Securities Act. Underwriters, dealers or agents may be entitled, under
agreements entered into with EMCOR, to indemnification against or contribution
toward certain civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities
Act.
 
     If so indicated in the Prospectus Supplement, EMCOR will authorize
underwriters or other persons acting as its agents to solicit offers by certain
institutions to purchase Securities from it pursuant to contracts providing for
payment and delivery on a future date. Institutions with which such contracts
may be made include commercial and savings banks, insurance companies, pension
funds, investment companies, educational and charitable institutions and others,
but in all cases will be subject to the condition that the purchase of the
Securities shall not at the time of delivery be prohibited under the laws of the
jurisdiction to which such purchaser is subject. The underwriters and such
agents will not have any responsibility in respect of the validity or
performance of such contracts.
 
                                 LEGAL MATTERS
 
     Certain legal matters with respect to the validity of the Securities will
be passed upon for EMCOR by Simpson Thacher & Bartlett (a partnership which
includes professional corporations), New York, New York.
 
                                    EXPERTS
 
     The consolidated financial statements and schedules incorporated by
reference in this prospectus and elsewhere in the registration statement, to the
extent and for the periods indicated in their reports, have been audited by
Arthur Andersen LLP and Deloitte & Touche LLP, independent public accountants,
and are included herein in reliance upon the authority of said firms as experts
in giving said reports.
 
                                       19
<PAGE>
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     NO DEALER, SALESPERSON OR OTHER PERSON HAS BEEN AUTHORIZED TO GIVE ANY
INFORMATION OR TO MAKE ANY REPRESENTATIONS NOT CONTAINED IN THIS PROSPECTUS
SUPPLEMENT OR THE ACCOMPANYING PROSPECTUS AND, IF GIVEN OR MADE, SUCH
INFORMATION OR REPRESENTATIONS MUST NOT BE RELIED UPON AS HAVING BEEN AUTHORIZED
BY THE COMPANY OR ANY OF THE UNDERWRITERS. THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT AND THE
ACCOMPANYING PROSPECTUS DO NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL, OR SOLICITATION OF
AN OFFER TO BUY, TO ANY PERSON IN ANY JURISDICTION WHERE SUCH AN OFFER OR
SOLICITATION WOULD BE UNLAWFUL. NEITHER THE DELIVERY OF THIS PROSPECTUS
SUPPLEMENT AND THE ACCOMPANYING PROSPECTUS NOR ANY SALE MADE HEREUNDER SHALL,
UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, CREATE ANY IMPLICATION THAT THE INFORMATION CONTAINED
HEREIN IS CORRECT AS OF ANY TIME SUBSEQUENT TO THE DATE HEREOF.
 
                               ------------------
 
                   TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
                                                 PAGE

PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
Prospectus Summary............................    S-3
Use of Proceeds...............................   S-10
Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges ...........   S-10
Price Range of Common Stock and Dividend
  Policy......................................   S-11
Capitalization................................   S-12
Summary Financial Data........................   S-13
Management's Discussion and Analysis of
  Financial Condition and Results of
  Operations..................................   S-15
Business......................................   S-18
Management....................................   S-31
Ownership of Common Stock.....................   S-33
Description of Capital Stock..................   S-35
Certain United States Tax Consequences to
  Non-United States Holders...................   S-37
Underwriting..................................   S-39
Legal Matters.................................   S-40
Experts.......................................   S-40
Index to Financial Statements and Schedules...    F-1
PROSPECTUS
Available Information.........................      2
Incorporation of Certain Documents by
  Reference...................................      2
The Company...................................      3
Risk Factors..................................      4
Use of Proceeds...............................      7
Ratios of Earnings to Fixed Charges and
  Earnings to Combined Fixed Charges and
  Preferred Dividends ........................      7
Description of Debt Securities................      8
Description of Capital Stock..................     16
Description of Warrants.......................     18
Plan of Distribution..........................     19
Legal Matters.................................     19

Experts.......................................     19
 
                               1,100,000 SHARES

                                    [Logo]

                               EMCOR GROUP, INC.
 
                                  COMMON STOCK
                            ------------------------ 
                             PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
                                 AND PROSPECTUS
                            ------------------------
                          DONALDSON, LUFKIN & JENRETTE
                            SECURITIES CORPORATION

                                 MARCH 12, 1998
 
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