ZAPATA CORP
SC 13E4, 1997-01-14
FATS & OILS
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<PAGE>   1
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

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

                                 SCHEDULE 13-E4

                         ISSUER TENDER OFFER STATEMENT
     (Pursuant to Section 13(e)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934)

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

                               ZAPATA CORPORATION
                                (Name of Issuer)

                               ZAPATA CORPORATION
                      (Name of Person(s) Filing Statement)

                    Common Stock, par value $0.25 per share
                         (Title of Class of Securities)

                                   989070 503
                     (CUSIP Number of Class of Securities)

                          Joseph L. von Rosenberg III
       Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary
                               ZAPATA CORPORATION
                        1717 St. James Place, Suite 550
                              Houston, Texas 77056
                                 (713) 940-6100
      (Name, Address and Telephone Number of Person Authorized to Receive
    Notices and Communications on Behalf of the Person(s) Filing Statement)

                                January 14, 1997
     (Date Tender Offer First Published, Sent or Given to Security Holders)

                           CALCULATION OF FILING FEE
================================================================================
Transaction Valuation*                                     Amount of Filing Fee
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         $67,500,000                                              $13,500
================================================================================
   *     Assumes the purchase of 15,000,000 shares of Common Stock at a price 
         of $4.50 per share.

 [ ]     Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Rule
         0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing with which the offsetting fee was
         previously paid. Identify the previous filing by registration
         statement number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing.

             Amount Previously Paid:    NA         Filing Party:    NA
             Form or Registration No:   NA         Date Filed:      NA

<PAGE>   2



ITEM 1.           SECURITY AND ISSUER.

         (a)      The Issuer of the securities to which this Schedule relates
                  is Zapata Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the
                  "Company"), and the address of its principal executive office
                  is 1717 St. James Place, Suite 1500, Houston, Texas 77056.

         (b)      This Schedule relates to an offer (the "Offer") by the
                  Company to purchase up to 15,000,000 shares of its Common
                  Stock, par value $0.25 per share (the "Shares"), at a price of
                  $4.50 per Share, net to the seller in cash, without interest
                  thereon for up to an aggregate price of $67,500,000 (assuming
                  the Offer is fully subscribed). As of January 13, 1997, the
                  Company had issued and outstanding 29,549,707 Shares. The
                  Company has been advised that the Malcolm I. Glazer Family
                  Limited Partnership intends to tender 3,000,000 of the
                  approximately 10,395,384 Shares held by such partnership.
                  Malcolm I. Glazer is the Chairman of the Company's Board of
                  Directors. Avram A. Glazer, President and Chief Executive
                  Officer and a director of the Company, is the son of Malcolm
                  I. Glazer. The Company has been further advised that certain
                  of its executive officers and directors other than Malcolm I.
                  Glazer (who together own less than 1% of the outstanding
                  Shares) intend to tender some or all of their Shares, but they
                  are not obligated to do so. Purchases of any Shares held by
                  officers, directors and affiliates will be on the same terms
                  and subject to the same conditions and limitations as set
                  forth in the Offer to Purchase referred to in Item 9(a)(1)
                  hereof (the "Offer to Purchase"). Also, the information
                  contained in the Offer to Purchase on the cover page, in the
                  "Introduction" and under the section entitled "Purpose of the
                  Offer; Certain Effects of the Offer" is incorporated herein by
                  reference.

         (c)      The information contained in the Offer to Purchase under the
                  section entitled "Price Range of Shares; Dividends" is
                  incorporated herein by reference.

         (d)      This statement is being filed by the Company.

ITEM 2.           SOURCE AND AMOUNT OF FUNDS OR OTHER CONSIDERATION.

         (a)      The information contained in the Offer to Purchase under the
                  section entitled "Source and Amount of Funds" is incorporated
                  herein by reference.

         (b)      Not applicable.

ITEM 3.           PURPOSE OF THE TENDER OFFER AND PLANS OR PROPOSALS OF THE 
                  ISSUER OR AFFILIATE.

                  The information contained in the Offer to Purchase under the
                  section entitled "Purpose of the Offer; Certain Effects of
                  the Offer" is incorporated herein by reference.

         (a)      The information relating to the disposition of Shares pursuant
                  to the Offer by the Malcolm I. Glazer Family Limited 
                  Partnership and the possible disposition of Shares pursuant 
                  to this Offer by other executive officers and directors of
                  the Company contained in the Offer to Purchase under the 
                  section entitled "Purpose of the Offer; Certain Effects of 
                  the Offer" is incorporated herein by reference.
  
         (b)-(c)  Not applicable.

         (d)      The information relating to plans to add additional directors 
                  contained in the Offer to Purchase under the section 
                  entitled "Purpose of the Offer; Certain Effects of the Offer"
                  is incorporated herein by reference.

         (e)      The information regarding the change in the Company's 
                  capitalization resulting from the purchase of Shares pursuant 
                  to the Offer contained in the Offer to Purchase under the 
                  section entitled "Purpose of the Offer; Certain Effects of 
                  the Offer" is incorporated herein by reference.

         (f)      The information contained in the Offer to Purchase under the
                  sections entitled "Purpose of the Offer; Certain Effects of 
                  the Offer" and "Certain Information Concerning the Company" 
                  is incorporated herein by reference.

         (g)-(j)  Not applicable.    
<PAGE>   3



ITEM 4.           INTEREST IN SECURITIES OF THE ISSUER.

                  The information contained in the Offer to Purchase under the
                  section entitled "Transactions and Arrangements Concerning
                  the Shares" is incorporated herein by reference.

ITEM 5.           CONTRACTS, ARRANGEMENTS, UNDERSTANDINGS OR RELATIONSHIPS WITH 
                  RESPECT TO THE ISSUER'S SECURITIES.

                  The information relating to the disposition of Shares pursuant
                  to the Offer by the Malcolm I. Glazer Family Limited 
                  Partnership and the possible disposition of Shares pursuant 
                  to the Offer by other executive officers and directors of
                  the Company contained in the Offer to Purchase under the 
                  section entitled "Purpose of the Offer; Certain Effects of 
                  the Offer" is incorporated herein by reference.

ITEM 6.           PERSONS RETAINED, EMPLOYED OR TO BE COMPENSATED.

                  The information contained in the Offer to Purchase under the
                  section entitled "Fees and Expenses" is incorporated herein
                  by reference.

ITEM 7.           FINANCIAL INFORMATION.

         (a)-(b)  The historical and unaudited pro forma financial information
                  contained in the Offer to Purchase under the section entitled
                  "Certain Information Concerning the Company" is incorporated
                  herein by reference. In addition, the audited financial 
                  statements of the Company contained in the Company's Annual 
                  Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 1996 are 
                  incorporated herein by reference.

ITEM 8.           ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.

         (a)      Not applicable.

         (b)      The information contained in the Offer to Purchase under the
                  section entitled "Certain Legal Matters; Regulatory and
                  Foreign Approvals" is incorporated herein by reference.

         (c)      The information contained in the Offer to Purchase under the
                  section entitled "Purpose of the Offer; Certain Effects of
                  the Offer" is incorporated herein by reference.

         (d)      Not applicable.

         (e)      Reference is made to the Offer to Purchase and the related
                  Letter of Transmittal which are Exhibits (a)(1) and (a)(2)
                  hereto, respectively, and incorporated herein by reference.


<PAGE>   4
ITEM 9.           MATERIAL TO BE FILED AS EXHIBITS.

         (a)(1)   Offer to Purchase, dated January 14, 1997.
         (a)(2)   Form of Letter of Transmittal, dated January 14, 1997.
         (a)(3)   Form of Notice of Guaranteed Delivery of Shares of Common 
                  Stock.
         (a)(4)   Form of Letter to Brokers, Dealers, Commercial Banks, 
                  Trust Companies and Other Nominees, dated January 14,
                  1997.
         (a)(5)   Form of Letter to Clients for use by Brokers, Dealers,
                  Commercial Banks, Trust Companies and Other Nominees, dated
                  January 14, 1997.
         (a)(6)   Form of Letter to Stockholders, dated January 14, 1997.
         (a)(7)   Press Release, dated December 30, 1996.
         (a)(8)   Guidelines of the Internal Revenue Service for Certification 
                  of Taxpayer Identification Number on Substitute Form W-9.
         (a)(9)   Press release, dated January 14, 1997.

         (b)      Not applicable.

         (c)      Not applicable.

         (d)      Not applicable.

         (e)      Not applicable.

         (f)      Not applicable.


<PAGE>   5


                                   SIGNATURE

                  After due inquiry and to the best of my knowledge and belief,
I certify that the information set forth in this statement is true, complete
and correct.


Dated: January 14, 1997                     By:  /s/ JOSEPH L. VON ROSENBERG III
                                                 -------------------------------
                                                 Executive Vice President, 
                                                 General Counsel and Corporate 
                                                 Secretary
<PAGE>   6
                              INDEX TO EXHIBITS


   99.(a)(1)   Offer to Purchase, dated January 14, 1997.
   99.(a)(2)   Form of Letter of Transmittal, dated January 14, 1997.
   99.(a)(3)   Form of Notice of Guaranteed Delivery of Shares of Common 
               Stock.
   99.(a)(4)   Form of Letter to Brokers, Dealers, Commercial Banks, 
               Trust Companies and Other Nominees, dated January 14,
               1997.
   99.(a)(5)   Form of Letter to Clients for use by Brokers, Dealers,
               Commercial Banks, Trust Companies and Other Nominees, dated
               January 14, 1997.
   99.(a)(6)   Form of Letter to Stockholders, dated January 14, 1997.
   99.(a)(7)   Press Release, dated December 30, 1996.
   99.(a)(8)   Guidelines of the Internal Revenue Service for Certification
               of Taxpayer Identification Number on Substitute Form W-9.
   99.(a)(9)   Press release, dated January 14, 1997.




<PAGE>   1
 
                           OFFER TO PURCHASE FOR CASH

                                       BY
 
                               ZAPATA CORPORATION

                  UP TO 15,000,000 SHARES OF ITS COMMON STOCK

                                       AT

                              $4.50 NET PER SHARE
 
THE OFFER, PRORATION PERIOD AND WITHDRAWAL RIGHTS WILL EXPIRE AT 5:00 P.M., NEW
YORK CITY TIME, ON THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 1997, UNLESS THE OFFER IS EXTENDED.
 
     ZAPATA CORPORATION, a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), is offering to
purchase up to 15,000,000 shares of its Common Stock, par value $0.25 per share
(the "Shares"), at $4.50 per Share, net to the seller in cash, upon the terms
and subject to the conditions set forth in this Offer to Purchase and in the
related Letter of Transmittal (which together constitute the "Offer").
 
     THE OFFER IS CONDITIONED UPON A MINIMUM OF 10,000,000 SHARES BEING VALIDLY
TENDERED AND NOT WITHDRAWN PRIOR TO THE EXPIRATION OF THE OFFER (THE "MINIMUM
CONDITION"). THE OFFER IS ALSO SUBJECT TO CERTAIN OTHER CONDITIONS. SEE 
SECTION 5.
 
     The Shares are listed and principally traded on the New York Stock Exchange
(the "NYSE"). On January 13, 1997, the last trading day before the Company
commenced the Offer, the closing sales price of the Shares as reported on the
NYSE Composite Tape was 4.25 per Share. On December 30, 1996, the day on which
the Company announced, after the close of trading, its intention to commence the
Offer, the closing sales price of the Common Stock as reported on the NYSE
Composite Tape was $3.50 per Share. STOCKHOLDERS ARE URGED TO OBTAIN CURRENT
MARKET QUOTATIONS FOR THE SHARES.
 
     Questions and requests for assistance or for additional copies of this
Offer may be directed to the Information Agent at the address and telephone
numbers set forth on the back cover of this Offer to Purchase.
 
     NEITHER THE COMPANY NOR ITS BOARD OF DIRECTORS MAKES ANY RECOMMENDATION AS
TO WHETHER ANY STOCKHOLDER SHOULD TENDER ANY OR ALL OF SUCH STOCKHOLDER'S SHARES
PURSUANT TO THE OFFER. EACH STOCKHOLDER MUST MAKE ITS OWN DECISION WHETHER TO
TENDER SHARES AND, IF SO, HOW MANY SHARES TO TENDER.
 
     THE COMPANY HAS BEEN ADVISED THAT THE MALCOLM I. GLAZER FAMILY LIMITED
PARTNERSHIP INTENDS TO TENDER 3,000,000 OF THE APPROXIMATELY 10,395,384 SHARES
HELD BY SUCH PARTNERSHIP. MALCOLM I. GLAZER, BENEFICIAL OWNER OF THE SHARES HELD
BY THE MALCOLM I. GLAZER FAMILY LIMITED PARTNERSHIP, IS THE CHAIRMAN OF THE
COMPANY'S BOARD OF DIRECTORS. AVRAM A. GLAZER, PRESIDENT AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE
OFFICER AND A DIRECTOR OF THE COMPANY, IS THE SON OF MALCOLM I. GLAZER. BASED ON
THE SHARES OUTSTANDING ON JANUARY 13, 1997, THE PURCHASE OF SHARES PURSUANT TO
THE OFFER WILL RESULT IN AN INCREASE IN THE PERCENTAGE OF THE COMPANY'S
OUTSTANDING SHARES HELD BY THE MALCOLM I. GLAZER FAMILY LIMITED PARTNERSHIP FROM
35.18% TO (I) AT LEAST 37.83%, IF ONLY THE 10,000,000 SHARES NECESSARY TO
SATISFY THE MINIMUM CONDITION (INCLUDING 3,000,000 OF THE SHARES HELD BY SUCH
PARTNERSHIP) ARE VALIDLY TENDERED, NOT WITHDRAWN AND PURCHASED, AND (II) AS MUCH
AS 57.49%, IF ALL SHARES HELD BY OTHERS THAN THE MALCOLM I. GLAZER FAMILY
LIMITED PARTNERSHIP (AND 3,000,000 OF THE SHARES HELD BY SUCH PARTNERSHIP) ARE
VALIDLY TENDERED AND NOT WITHDRAWN AND 15,000,000 SHARES ARE PURCHASED. SEE
SECTION 7.
 
January 14, 1997
<PAGE>   2
 
                               TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SECTION                                                                                   PAGE
- -------                                                                                   ----
<S>     <C>                                                                               <C>
INTRODUCTION............................................................................    1
THE OFFER...............................................................................    2
  1.    Number of Shares; Proration; Extension of the Offer.............................    2
  2.    Procedure for Tendering Shares..................................................    3
        Proper Tender of Shares.........................................................    3
        Signature Guarantees and Method of Delivery.....................................    3
        Federal Income Tax Withholding..................................................    4
        Book-Entry Delivery.............................................................    4
        Guaranteed Delivery.............................................................    4
        Determinations of Validity; Rejection of Shares; Waiver of Defects; No
        Obligation to Give Notice of Defects............................................    5
  3.    Withdrawal Rights...............................................................    5
  4.    Acceptance for Payment of Shares and Payment of Purchase Price..................    6
  5.    Certain Conditions of the Offer.................................................    6
  6.    Price Range of the Shares; Dividends............................................    8
  7.    Purpose of the Offer; Certain Effects of the Offer..............................    9
  8.    Certain Information Concerning the Company......................................   12
  9.    Source and Amount of Funds......................................................   17
  10.   Transactions and Arrangements Concerning the Shares.............................   17
  11.   Certain Legal Matters; Regulatory and Foreign Approvals.........................   17
  12.   Certain Federal Income Tax Consequences.........................................   18
  13.   Extension of the Tender Period; Termination; Amendments.........................   20
  14.   Fees and Expenses...............................................................   21
  15.   Miscellaneous...................................................................   21
</TABLE>
 
                                       ii
<PAGE>   3
 
To the Holders of Common Stock of ZAPATA CORPORATION:
 
                                  INTRODUCTION
 
     ZAPATA CORPORATION, a Delaware corporation (the "Company" or "Zapata"), is
offering to purchase up to 15,000,000 shares of its Common Stock, par value
$0.25 per share (the "Shares"), at a price of $4.50 per Share (the "Purchase
Price"), net to the seller in cash, upon the terms and subject to the conditions
set forth in this Offer to Purchase and in the related Letter of Transmittal
(which together constitute the "Offer").
 
     THE OFFER IS CONDITIONED UPON A MINIMUM OF 10,000,000 SHARES BEING VALIDLY
TENDERED AND NOT WITHDRAWN PRIOR TO THE EXPIRATION OF THE OFFER. THE OFFER IS
SUBJECT TO CERTAIN OTHER CONDITIONS. SEE SECTION 5.
 
     As of January 13, 1997, the Company had issued and outstanding 29,549,707
Shares. As of such date, approximately 5,527 Shares were reserved for issuance
upon conversion of the Company's $2 Noncumulative Convertible Preference Stock,
$1 par value (the "Convertible Securities"), and approximately 256,332 Shares
were reserved for issuance pursuant to the exercise of employee stock options
(the "Options"). The Company is not offering to purchase any of the Convertible
Securities or Options. Holders of Convertible Securities or Options who wish to
participate in the Offer must first convert such Convertible Securities or
exercise such Options, in either case in accordance with the terms and
provisions thereof. To the extent the Convertible Securities are converted into
Shares, but the resulting Shares are not purchased pursuant to the Offer
(whether because the Offer is terminated or withdrawn, or by reason of proration
or otherwise), holders of Convertible Securities so converted will have lost all
preferential rights as holders of Convertible Securities as compared to Shares.
The maximum number of Shares that the Company is offering to purchase represent
approximately 50.8% of the Shares outstanding as of January 13, 1997.
 
     If, before the Expiration Date (as defined in Section 1), more than
15,000,000 Shares are properly tendered and not withdrawn, the Company will buy
Shares on a pro rata basis from all stockholders who properly tender Shares. See
Section 1. The Company will return all Shares not purchased under the Offer,
including Shares not purchased because of proration. Tendering stockholders will
not be obligated to pay brokerage commissions, solicitation fees or, subject to
the Instructions to the Letter of Transmittal, stock transfer taxes on the
purchase of Shares by the Company. The Company will pay all charges and expenses
of the Depositary and Information Agent incurred in connection with the Offer.
 
     The Shares are listed and principally traded on the New York Stock Exchange
(the "NYSE"). On January 13, 1997, the last trading day before the Company
commenced the Offer, the closing sales price of the Shares as reported on the
NYSE Composite Tape was $4.25 per Share. On December 30, 1996, the day on which
the Company announced, after the close of trading, its intention to commence the
Offer, the closing sales price of the Shares as reported on the NYSE Composite
Tape was $3.50 per Share. See Section 6. STOCKHOLDERS ARE URGED TO OBTAIN
CURRENT MARKET QUOTATIONS FOR THE SHARES.
 
     NEITHER THE COMPANY NOR ITS BOARD OF DIRECTORS MAKES ANY RECOMMENDATION AS
TO WHETHER ANY STOCKHOLDER SHOULD TENDER ANY OR ALL OF SUCH STOCKHOLDER'S SHARES
PURSUANT TO THE OFFER. EACH STOCKHOLDER MUST MAKE ITS OWN DECISION WHETHER TO
TENDER SHARES AND, IF SO, HOW MANY SHARES TO TENDER.
 
     THE COMPANY HAS BEEN ADVISED THAT THE MALCOLM I. GLAZER FAMILY LIMITED
PARTNERSHIP INTENDS TO TENDER 3,000,000 OF THE APPROXIMATELY 10,395,384 SHARES
HELD BY SUCH PARTNERSHIP. MALCOLM I. GLAZER, BENEFICIAL OWNER OF THE SHARES
OWNED BY THE MALCOLM I. GLAZER FAMILY LIMITED PARTNERSHIP, IS CHAIRMAN OF THE
COMPANY'S BOARD OF DIRECTORS. AVRAM A. GLAZER, PRESIDENT AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE
OFFICER AND DIRECTOR OF THE COMPANY, IS THE SON OF MALCOLM I. GLAZER. BASED ON
THE SHARES OUTSTANDING ON JANUARY 13, 1997, THE PURCHASE OF SHARES PURSUANT TO
THE OFFER WILL RESULT IN AN INCREASE IN THE
 
                                        1
<PAGE>   4
 
PERCENTAGE OF THE COMPANY'S OUTSTANDING SHARES HELD BY THE MALCOLM I. GLAZER
FAMILY LIMITED PARTNERSHIP FROM 35.18% TO (I) AT LEAST 37.83%, IF ONLY THE
10,000,000 SHARES NECESSARY TO SATISFY THE MINIMUM CONDITION (INCLUDING
3,000,000 OF THE SHARES HELD BY SUCH PARTNERSHIP) ARE VALIDLY TENDERED, NOT
WITHDRAWN AND PURCHASED, AND (II) AS MUCH AS 57.49%, IF ALL SHARES HELD BY
OTHERS THAN THE MALCOLM I. GLAZER FAMILY LIMITED PARTNERSHIP (AND 3,000,000 OF
THE SHARES HELD BY SUCH PARTNERSHIP) ARE VALIDLY TENDERED AND NOT WITHDRAWN AND
15,000,000 SHARES ARE PURCHASED. SEE SECTION 7.
 
                                   THE OFFER
 
1. NUMBER OF SHARES; PRORATION; EXTENSION OF THE OFFER
 
     Upon the terms and subject to the conditions of the Offer, the Company will
accept for payment (and thereby purchase) 15,000,000 Shares or such lesser
number of Shares as are properly tendered on or before the Expiration Date (and
not withdrawn in accordance with Section 3) at the Purchase Price. The term
"Expiration Date" means 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on February 20, 1997,
unless and until the Company shall have extended the period of time during which
the Offer is open, in which event the term "Expiration Date" shall refer to the
latest time and date at which the Offer, as so extended by the Company, shall
expire. See Section 13 for a description of the Company's right to extend the
time during which the Offer is open and to delay, terminate or amend the Offer.
If the Offer is oversubscribed, Shares tendered before the Expiration Date will
be subject to proration. The proration period also expires on the Expiration
Date.
 
     The Company expressly reserves the right, in its sole discretion, at any
time or from time to time, to extend the period of time during which the Offer
is open by giving oral or written notice of such extension to the Depositary and
making a public announcement thereof. See Section 13. There can be no assurance,
however, that the Company will exercise its right to extend the Offer.
 
     The offer is conditioned upon a minimum of 10,000,000 Shares being validly
tendered and not withdrawn prior to the Expiration Date (the "Minimum
Condition"). The Offer is also subject to certain other conditions. See Section
5.
 
     If (a) the Company (i) increases or decreases the price to be paid for
Shares, (ii) increases the number of Shares being sought and any such increase
in the number of Shares being sought exceeds 2% of the outstanding Shares, (iii)
decreases the number of Shares being sought, or (iv) waives the Minimum
Condition and (b) the Offer is scheduled to expire at any time earlier than the
tenth business day from and including the date that notice of such increase,
decrease or waiver is first published, sent or given in the manner specified in
Section 13, the Offer will be extended until the expiration of such period of
ten business days. For purposes of the Offer, "business day" means any day other
than a Saturday, Sunday or federal holiday and consists of the time period from
12:01 A.M. through 12:00 Midnight, New York City time.
 
     All Shares purchased pursuant to the Offer will be purchased at the
Purchase Price, net to the seller in cash. The Company expressly reserves the
right, in its sole discretion, to amend the Offer and purchase more than
15,000,000 Shares pursuant to the Offer, but does not currently expect to do so.
 
     All Shares not purchased pursuant to the Offer, including Shares not
purchased because of proration and Shares tendered and withdrawn, will be
returned to the tendering stockholders at the Company's expense as promptly as
practicable (which, in the event of proration, is expected to be up to
approximately ten NYSE trading days) following the Expiration Date or as
promptly as practicable following withdrawal, as the case may be.
 
     If the number of Shares properly tendered and not withdrawn prior to the
Expiration Date is less than or equal to 15,000,000 Shares (or such greater
number of Shares as the Company may elect to purchase pursuant to the Offer),
the Company, upon the terms and subject to the conditions of the Offer, will
purchase at the Purchase Price all Shares so tendered and not withdrawn.
 
                                        2
<PAGE>   5
 
     If the number of Shares properly tendered and not withdrawn prior to the
Expiration Date is greater than 15,000,000 Shares (or such greater number of
Shares as the Company may elect to purchase pursuant to the Offer), the Company,
upon the terms and subject to the conditions of the Offer, will accept Shares
for purchase on a pro rata basis (with adjustments to avoid purchases of
fractional Shares).
 
     In the event that proration of tendered Shares is required, the Company
will determine the final proration factor as promptly as practicable after the
Expiration Date. Although the Company does not expect to be able to announce the
final results of such proration until at least approximately eight NYSE trading
days after the Expiration Date, it will announce preliminary results of
proration by press release as promptly as practicable after the Expiration Date.
Stockholders may obtain such preliminary information from the Information Agent
and may be able to obtain such information from their brokers or financial
advisors.
 
     As described in Section 12, the Company may not purchase from a stockholder
all of the shares tendered pursuant to the Offer, thus affecting the United
States Federal income tax consequences to the stockholder. The Letter of
Transmittal affords each tendering stockholder the opportunity to designate the
order of priority in which Shares tendered are to be purchased in the event of
proration.
 
2. PROCEDURE FOR TENDERING SHARES
 
     PROPER TENDER OF SHARES. For Shares to be properly tendered pursuant to the
Offer:
 
          i. the certificates for such Shares (or confirmation of receipt of
     such Shares pursuant to the procedures for book-entry transfer set forth
     below), together with a properly completed and duly executed Letter of
     Transmittal (or a facsimile thereof) with any required signature
     guarantees, and any other documents required by the Letter of Transmittal,
     must be received before the Expiration Date by the Depositary at one of its
     addresses set forth on the back cover of this Offer to Purchase; or
 
          ii. the tendering stockholder must comply with the guaranteed delivery
     procedure set forth below.
 
     A tender of Shares made pursuant to any method of delivery set forth herein
will constitute a binding agreement between the tendering stockholder and the
Company upon the terms and subject to the conditions of the Offer, including the
tendering stockholder's representation that (i) such stockholder has a "net long
position" in the Shares being tendered within the meaning of Rule 14e-4
promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange
Act"), and (ii) the tender of such Shares complies with Rule 14e-4.
 
     It is a violation of Section 14(e) of the Exchange Act and Rule 14e-4
promulgated thereunder for a person to tender Shares for such person's own
account unless the person so tendering at the time of tender and as of the
Expiration Date has a net long position at least equal to the number of Shares
tendered and:
 
        (a) owns the number of Shares tendered; or
 
        (b) owns other securities convertible into or exchangeable for such
     Shares or owns an option, warrant or right to purchase such Shares and will
     acquire Shares for tender by conversion, exchange or exercise of such
     option, warrant or right.
 
     Section 14(e) and Rule 14e-4 provide a similar restriction applicable to
the tender or guarantee of a tender on behalf of another person.
 
     SIGNATURE GUARANTEES AND METHOD OF DELIVERY. No signature guarantee is
required on the Letter of Transmittal if the Letter of Transmittal is signed by
the registered owner of the Shares (which term, for purposes of this Section,
includes any participant in The Depository Trust Company or the Philadelphia
Depository Trust Company (collectively, the "Book-Entry Transfer Facilities")
whose name appears on a security position listing as the owner of the Shares)
tendered therewith, and payment and delivery are to be made directly to such
registered owner at such owner's address shown on the records of the Company, or
if Shares are tendered for the account of a bank, broker, dealer, credit union,
savings association or other entity that is a member in good standing of a
recognized Medallion Program approved by The Securities Transfer Association
Inc. (each such entity being hereinafter referred to as an "Eligible
Institution"). In all other cases, all signatures on the Letter of Transmittal
must be guaranteed by an Eligible Institution. See Instruction 1 of the Letter
of Transmittal. If a certificate representing Shares is registered in the name
of a
 
                                        3
<PAGE>   6
 
person other than the signer of a Letter of Transmittal, or if payment is to be
made, or Shares not purchased or tendered are to be issued, to a person other
than the registered owner, the certificate must be endorsed or accompanied by an
appropriate stock power, in either case signed exactly as the name of the
registered owner appears on the certificate, with the signature on the
certificate or stock power guaranteed by an Eligible Institution. In all cases,
payment for Shares tendered and accepted for payment pursuant to the Offer will
be made only after timely receipt by the Depositary of certificates for such
Shares (or a timely confirmation of a book-entry transfer of such Shares into
the Depositary's account at one of the Book-Entry Transfer Facilities), a
properly completed and duly executed Letter of Transmittal (or facsimile
thereof) and any other documents required by the Letter of Transmittal.
 
     THE METHOD OF DELIVERY OF ALL DOCUMENTS, INCLUDING STOCK CERTIFICATES, THE
LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL AND ANY OTHER REQUIRED DOCUMENTS, IS AT THE ELECTION AND
RISK OF THE TENDERING STOCKHOLDER. IF DELIVERY IS BY MAIL, REGISTERED MAIL WITH
RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED, PROPERLY INSURED, IS RECOMMENDED.
 
     FEDERAL INCOME TAX WITHHOLDING. Unless an exemption applies under the
applicable law and regulations concerning "backup withholding" of Federal income
tax, the Depositary will be required to withhold, and will withhold, 31% of the
gross proceeds otherwise payable to a stockholder or other payee pursuant to the
Offer unless the stockholder or other payee provides such person's tax
identification number (social security number or employer identification number)
and certifies that such number is correct. Each tendering stockholder, other
than a noncorporate foreign stockholder, should complete and sign the main
signature form and the Substitute Form W-9 included as part of the Letter of
Transmittal, so as to provide the information and certification necessary to
avoid backup withholding, unless an applicable exemption exists and is proved in
a manner satisfactory to the Company and the Depositary. Noncorporate foreign
stockholders should generally complete and sign a Form W-8, Certificate of
Foreign Status, a copy of which may be obtained from the Depositary, in order to
avoid backup withholding. In the case of any foreign stockholder, the Depositary
will withhold 30% of the Purchase Price of Shares purchased from such
stockholder in order to satisfy certain withholding requirements, unless such
foreign stockholder proves in a manner satisfactory to the Company and the
Depositary that either (i) the sale of its Shares pursuant to the Offer will
qualify as a sale or exchange, rather than a dividend, for Federal income tax
purposes (see Section 12), in which case no withholding will be required, or
(ii) the foreign stockholder is eligible for a reduced tax treaty rate with
respect to dividend income, in which case the Depositary will withhold at the
reduced treaty rate.
 
     BOOK-ENTRY DELIVERY. The Depositary will establish an account with respect
to the Shares at each of the Book-Entry Transfer Facilities for purposes of the
Offer within two business days after the date of this Offer to Purchase. Any
financial institution that is a participant in a Book-Entry Transfer Facility's
system may make book-entry delivery of the Shares by causing such facility to
transfer such Shares into the Depositary's account in accordance with such
facility's procedure for such transfer. Even though delivery of Shares may be
effected through book-entry transfer into the Depositary's account at one of the
Book-Entry Transfer Facilities, a properly completed and duly executed Letter of
Transmittal (or a facsimile thereof), with any required signature guarantees and
other required documents, must, in any case, be transmitted to and received by
the Depositary at one of its addresses set forth on the back cover of this Offer
to Purchase prior to the Expiration Date, or the guaranteed delivery procedure
set forth below must be followed. DELIVERY OF THE LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL AND ANY
OTHER REQUIRED DOCUMENTS TO ONE OF THE BOOK-ENTRY TRANSFER FACILITIES DOES NOT
CONSTITUTE DELIVERY TO THE DEPOSITARY.
 
     GUARANTEED DELIVERY. If a stockholder desires to tender Shares pursuant to
the Offer and such stockholder's certificates are not immediately available (or
the procedures for book-entry transfer cannot be completed on a timely basis) or
time will not permit all required documents to reach the Depositary before the
Expiration Date, such Shares may nevertheless be tendered provided that all of
the following conditions are satisfied:
 
          (a) such tender is made by or through an Eligible Institution;
 
          (b) the Depositary receives (by hand, mail, overnight courier,
     telegram or facsimile transmission), on or prior to the Expiration Date, a
     properly completed and duly executed Notice of Guaranteed
 
                                        4
<PAGE>   7
 
     Delivery substantially in the form the Company has provided with this Offer
     to Purchase, including (where required) a signature guarantee by an
     Eligible Institution in the form set forth in such Notice of Guaranteed
     Delivery; and
 
          (c) the certificates for all tendered Shares in proper form for
     transfer (or confirmation of book-entry transfer of such Shares into the
     Depositary's account at one of the Book-Entry Transfer Facilities),
     together with a properly completed and duly executed Letter of Transmittal
     (or manually signed facsimile thereof) and any other documents required by
     the Letter of Transmittal, are received by the Depositary within three NYSE
     trading days after the date the Depositary receives such Notice of
     Guaranteed Delivery.
 
     DETERMINATIONS OF VALIDITY; REJECTION OF SHARES; WAIVER OF DEFECTS; NO
OBLIGATION TO GIVE NOTICE OF DEFECTS. All questions as to the number of Shares
to be accepted and the validity, form, eligibility (including time of receipt)
and acceptance for payment of any tender of Shares will be determined by the
Company, in its sole discretion, which determination shall be final and binding
on all parties. The Company reserves the absolute right to reject any or all
tenders it determines not to be in proper form or the acceptance for payment of
which may, in the opinion of the Company's counsel, be unlawful. The Company
also reserves the absolute right to waive any of the conditions of the Offer and
any defect or irregularity in the tender of any particular Shares. No tender of
Shares will be deemed to be properly made until all defects or irregularities
have been cured or waived. None of the Company, the Depositary, the Information
Agent or any other person is or will be obligated to give notice of any defects
or irregularities in tenders, and none of them will incur any liability for
failure to give any such notice.
 
3. WITHDRAWAL RIGHTS
 
     Except as otherwise provided in this Section 3, a tender of Shares pursuant
to the Offer is irrevocable. Shares tendered pursuant to the Offer may be
withdrawn at any time before the Expiration Date and, unless theretofore
accepted for payment by the Company, may also be withdrawn after 12:00 Midnight,
New York City time, on March 12, 1997.
 
     If the Company extends the period of time during which the Offer is open,
is delayed in accepting for payment or paying for Shares or is unable to accept
for payment or pay for Shares pursuant to the Offer for any reason, then,
without prejudice to the Company's rights under the Offer, the Depositary may,
on behalf of the Company, retain all Shares tendered, and such Shares may not be
withdrawn except as otherwise provided in this Section 3, subject to Rule
13-4(f)(5) under the Exchange Act, which provides that the issuer making the
tender offer shall either pay the consideration offered, or return the tendered
securities promptly after the termination or withdrawal of the tender offer.
 
     For a withdrawal to be effective, the Depositary must receive (at one of
its addresses set forth on the back cover of this Offer to Purchase) a written,
telegraphic or facsimile transmission notice of withdrawal on a timely basis.
Such notice of withdrawal must specify the name of the person who tendered the
Shares to be withdrawn, the number of Shares to be withdrawn and the name of the
registered owner, if different from that of the person who tendered such Shares.
If the certificates have been delivered or otherwise identified to the
Depositary, then, prior to the release of such certificates, the tendering
stockholder must also submit the serial numbers shown on the particular
certificates evidencing the Shares and the signature on the notice of withdrawal
must be guaranteed by an Eligible Institution (except in the case of Shares
tendered by an Eligible Institution). If Shares have been delivered pursuant to
the procedure for book-entry transfer set forth in Section 2, the notice of
withdrawal must specify the name and the number of the account at the applicable
Book-Entry Transfer Facility to be credited with the withdrawn Shares and
otherwise comply with the procedures of such facility.
 
     All questions as to the form and validity (including time of receipt) of
notices of withdrawal will be determined by the Company, in its sole discretion,
which determination shall be final and binding on all parties. None of the
Company, the Depositary, the Information Agent or any other person is or will be
obligated to give any notice of any defects or irregularities in any notice of
withdrawal, and none of them will
 
                                        5
<PAGE>   8
 
incur any liability for failure to give any such notice. A withdrawal of a
tender of Shares may not be rescinded, and Shares properly withdrawn will
thereafter be deemed not validly tendered for purposes of the Offer. Withdrawn
Shares may, however, be retendered before the Expiration Date by again following
any of the procedures described in Section 2.
 
4. ACCEPTANCE FOR PAYMENT OF SHARES AND PAYMENT OF PURCHASE PRICE
 
     Upon the terms and subject to the conditions of the Offer, promptly after
the Expiration Date, the Company will purchase and pay the Purchase Price for
15,000,000 Shares (subject to increase or decrease as provided in Section 1 and
Section 13) or such lesser number of Shares as are properly tendered and not
withdrawn as permitted in Section 3. For purposes of the Offer, the Company will
be deemed to have accepted for payment (and thereby purchased), subject to
proration, Shares which are validly tendered and not withdrawn when, as and if
it gives oral or written notice to the Depositary of its acceptance of such
Shares for payment pursuant to the Offer.
 
     In the event of proration, the Company will determine the proration factor
and pay for those tendered Shares accepted for payment as soon as practicable
after the Expiration Date; however, the Company does not expect to be able to
announce the final results of any such proration until at least approximately
eight NYSE trading days after the Expiration Date. Certificates for all Shares
not purchased will be returned (or, in the case of Shares delivered by
book-entry transfer, such Shares will be credited to the account maintained with
one of the Book-Entry Transfer Facilities by the participant therein who so
delivered such Shares) as soon as practicable after the Expiration Date without
expense to the tendering stockholder.
 
     Payment for Shares purchased pursuant to the Offer will be made by
depositing the aggregate Purchase Price therefor with the Depositary, which will
act as agent for tendering stockholders for the purpose of receiving payment
from the Company and transmitting payment to the tendering stockholders.
Notwithstanding any other provision hereof, payment for Shares accepted for
payment pursuant to the Offer will in all cases be made only after timely
receipt by the Depositary of certificates for such Shares (or a timely
confirmation by a Book-Entry Transfer Facility of book-entry transfer of such
Shares to the Depositary), a properly completed and duly executed Letter of
Transmittal (or facsimile thereof) with any required signature guarantees and
any other required documents. UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES WILL INTEREST BE PAID ON
THE PURCHASE PRICE OF THE SHARES TO BE PAID BY THE COMPANY, REGARDLESS OF ANY
DELAY IN MAKING SUCH PAYMENT.
 
     The Company will pay any stock transfer taxes with respect to the transfer
and sale of Shares to it or its order pursuant to the Offer. If, however,
payment of the Purchase Price is to be made to, or if certificates for Shares
not tendered or accepted for purchase are to be registered in the name of, any
person other than the registered holder, or if tendered certificates are
registered in the name of any person other than the person(s) signing the Letter
of Transmittal, the amount of any stock transfer taxes (whether imposed on the
registered holder or such person) payable on account of the transfer to such
person will be deducted from the Purchase Price unless satisfactory evidence of
the payment of such taxes or exemption therefrom is submitted. See Instruction 6
of the Letter of Transmittal.
 
     ANY TENDERING STOCKHOLDER OR OTHER PAYEE WHO FAILS TO COMPLETE FULLY AND
SIGN THE SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9 INCLUDED IN THE LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL (OR, IN THE
CASE OF A FOREIGN INDIVIDUAL, FORM W-8 OBTAINABLE FROM THE DEPOSITARY) MAY BE
SUBJECT TO REQUIRED FEDERAL INCOME TAX WITHHOLDING OF 31% OF THE GROSS PROCEEDS
PAID TO SUCH STOCKHOLDER OR OTHER PAYEE PURSUANT TO THE OFFER. SEE SECTION 2.
 
5. CERTAIN CONDITIONS OF THE OFFER
 
     Notwithstanding any other provision of the Offer, the Company will not be
required to accept for payment or, subject to any applicable rules and
regulations under the Exchange Act, including Rule 13e-4(f), to pay for any
Shares tendered unless (i) the Minimum Condition shall have been satisfied and
(ii) if Malcolm I. Glazer shall have filed a Notification and Report Form under
the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act with respect to the Offer, the
applicable waiting period under such Act with respect thereto
 
                                        6
<PAGE>   9
 
shall have expired or been terminated. Furthermore, notwithstanding any other
provision of the Offer, the Company shall not be required to accept for payment
or, subject as aforesaid, to pay for, and, subject as aforesaid, may delay the
acceptance for payment of or payment for, any Shares tendered, and may terminate
or amend the Offer, if at any time after January 13, 1997 and prior to the time
of payment for any such Shares (whether any Shares have theretofore been
accepted for payment, purchased or paid for pursuant to the Offer) any of the
following shall have occurred (or shall have been determined by the Company to
have occurred):
 
          (a) there shall have been threatened, instituted or pending any action
     or proceeding by any government or governmental, regulatory or
     administrative agency or authority or tribunal or any other person,
     domestic or foreign, before any court or governmental, regulatory or
     administrative authority, agency or tribunal, domestic or foreign, which
     (i) challenges the making of the Offer, the acquisition of Shares pursuant
     to the Offer or otherwise relates in any manner to the Offer; or (ii) in
     the sole judgment of the Company, could materially affect the business,
     condition (financial or other), income, operations or prospects of the
     Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole, or otherwise materially
     impair in any way the contemplated future conduct of the business of the
     Company or any of its subsidiaries or materially impair the Offer's
     contemplated benefits to the Company;
 
          (b) there shall have been any action threatened, pending or taken, or
     approval withheld, or any statute, rule, regulation, judgment, order or
     injunction threatened, proposed, sought, promulgated, enacted, entered,
     amended, enforced or deemed to be applicable to the Offer or the Company or
     any of its subsidiaries, by any court or any government or governmental,
     regulatory or administrative authority, agency or tribunal, domestic or
     foreign, which, in the Company's sole judgment, would or might directly or
     indirectly (i) make the acceptance for payment of, or payment for, Shares
     illegal or otherwise restrict or prohibit consummation of the Offer; (ii)
     delay or restrict the ability of the Company, or render the Company unable,
     to accept for payment, or pay for, Shares; (iii) materially impair the
     contemplated benefits of the Offer to the Company; or (iv) materially
     affect the business, condition (financial or other), income, operations or
     prospects of the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole, or
     otherwise materially impair in any way the contemplated future conduct of
     the business of the Company or any of its subsidiaries;
 
          (c) there shall have occurred (i) any general suspension of trading
     in, or limitation on prices for, securities on any United States national
     securities exchange or in the over-the-counter market (excluding any
     coordinated trading halt triggered solely as a result of a specified
     decrease in a market index), (ii) the declaration of a banking moratorium
     or any suspension of payments in respect of banks in the United States,
     (iii) the commencement of a war, armed hostilities or other international
     or national crisis directly or indirectly involving the United States, (iv)
     any limitation (whether or not mandatory) by any governmental, regulatory
     or administrative agency or authority on, or any event which, in the sole
     judgment of the Company, might affect, the extension of credit by banks or
     other lending institutions in the United States, (v) any significant
     decrease in the market price of the Shares, (vi) any change in the general
     political, market, economic or financial conditions in the United States or
     abroad that could, in the sole judgment of the Company, have a material
     adverse effect on the Company's business, operations, prospects or the
     trading in the Shares, (vii) in the case of any of the foregoing existing
     at the time of the commencement of the Offer, a material acceleration or
     worsening thereof or (viii) any decline in either the Dow Jones Industrial
     Average or the Standard and Poor's Index of 500 Industrial Companies by an
     amount in excess of 15% measured from the close of business on January 13,
     1997;
 
          (d) any tender or exchange offer with respect to the Shares (other
     than the Offer), or any merger, acquisition, business combination or other
     similar transaction with or involving the Company or any subsidiary, shall
     have been proposed, announced or made by any person or entity;
 
          (e) any change shall occur or be threatened in the business, condition
     (financial or other), income, operations or prospects of the Company and
     its subsidiaries, taken as a whole, which, in the sole judgment of the
     Company, is or may be material to the Company;
 
                                        7
<PAGE>   10
 
          (f) (i) any person, entity or "group" (as that term is used in Section
     13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act) shall have acquired, or proposed to acquire,
     beneficial ownership of more than 5% of the outstanding Shares (other than
     a person, entity or group which had publicly disclosed such ownership in a
     Schedule 13D or 13G (or an amendment thereto) on file with the Securities
     and Exchange Commission prior to January 13, 1997), (ii) any new group
     shall have been formed which beneficially owns more than 5% of the
     outstanding Shares or (iii) any person, entity or group, other than Malcolm
     I. Glazer, shall have filed a Notification and Report Form under the
     Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvement Act of 1976, or made a public
     announcement reflecting an intent to acquire the Company or any of its
     subsidiaries or any of their respective assets or securities; or
 
          (g) the Malcolm I. Glazer Family Limited Partnership shall fail to
     tender (and not withdraw) 3,000,000 Shares pursuant to the Offer;
 
and, in the sole judgment of the Company, in any such case and regardless of the
circumstances (including any action or inaction by the Company) giving rise to
such condition, such event makes it inadvisable to proceed with the Offer or
with such acceptance for payment or payment.
 
     The foregoing conditions are for the sole benefit of the Company and may be
asserted by the Company regardless of the circumstances (including any action or
inaction by the Company) giving rise to any such condition, and any such
condition may be waived by the Company, in whole or in part, at any time and
from time to time in its sole discretion; provided, however, that the Exchange
Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder require that all
conditions to the Offer, other than those relating to the receipt of certain
necessary governmental approvals, must be satisfied or waived prior to the
Expiration Date. The Company's failure at any time to exercise any of the
foregoing rights shall not be deemed a waiver of any such right; the waiver of
any such right with respect to particular facts and circumstances shall not be
deemed a waiver with respect to any other facts or circumstances; and each such
right shall be deemed an ongoing right which may be asserted at any time and
from time to time. Any determination by the Company concerning the events
described above and any related judgment by the Company regarding the
inadvisability of proceeding with the acceptance for payment or payment for any
tendered Shares will be final and binding on all parties.
 
6. PRICE RANGE OF THE SHARES; DIVIDENDS
 
     The Shares are listed and principally traded on the NYSE. The following
table sets forth, for each period shown, the high and low closing prices of the
Shares as reported on the NYSE Composite Tape:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                            COMMON STOCK
                                                                             PRICE RANGE
                                                                           ---------------
                                                                           HIGH       LOW
                                                                           -----     -----
    <S>                                                                    <C>       <C>
    FISCAL 1995
    Quarter ended December 31, 1994......................................  $4.50     $3.25
    Quarter ended March 31, 1995.........................................  $4.13     $3.25
    Quarter ended June 30, 1995..........................................  $4.38     $2.50
    Quarter ended September 30, 1995.....................................  $4.63     $2.88
    FISCAL 1996
    Quarter ended December 31, 1995......................................  $4.50     $3.00
    Quarter ended March 31, 1996.........................................  $3.75     $3.00
    Quarter ended June 30, 1996..........................................  $3.88     $3.13
    Quarter ended September 30, 1996.....................................  $3.88     $3.38
    FISCAL 1997
    Quarter ended December 31, 1996......................................  $4.25     $3.50
    Quarter ending March 31, 1997 (through January 13, 1997).............  $4.38     $4.25
</TABLE>
 
                                        8
<PAGE>   11
 
     The Company has not declared or paid a cash dividend on the Shares in the
last two years. On January 13, 1997, the last trading day before the Company
commenced the Offer, the closing sales price of the Shares as reported on the
NYSE Composite Tape was $4.25 per Share. On December 30, 1996, the day on which
the Company announced, after the close of trading, its intention to commence the
Offer, the closing sales price of the Shares as reported on the NYSE Composite
Tape was $3.50 per share. STOCKHOLDERS ARE URGED TO OBTAIN CURRENT MARKET
QUOTATIONS FOR THE SHARES.
 
7. PURPOSE OF THE OFFER; CERTAIN EFFECTS OF THE OFFER
 
     The Company believes that the purchase of its Shares at this time
represents a good use of a substantial portion of the cash and cash equivalents
it has available and is an attractive investment opportunity for the Company.
The Offer will afford to stockholders the opportunity to dispose of Shares
without the usual transaction costs associated with a market sale. Stockholders
whose Shares are not purchased in the Offer will obtain an increase in their
ownership interest in the Company and thus in the Company's assets and future
earnings, subject to the Company's right to sell or issue additional shares and
other equity securities.
 
     Shares the Company acquires pursuant to the Offer initially will be held in
the Company's treasury or retired (or a combination thereof) and will be
available for the Company to issue without further stockholder action (except as
required by applicable law or the rules of the NYSE) for such purposes as, among
others, the acquisition of other businesses, the raising of additional capital
for use in the Company's business, the distribution of stock dividends and the
implementation of, or the satisfaction of obligations under, employee benefit
plans. The Company has no present plans for the use of the Shares acquired
pursuant to the Offer.
 
     The Company has been advised that the Malcolm I. Glazer Family Limited
Partnership intends to tender 3,000,000 of the approximately 10,395,384 Shares
beneficially owned by such partnership. Malcolm I. Glazer is the Chairman of the
Company's Board of Directors. Avram A. Glazer, President and Chief Executive
Officer and a director of the Company, is the son of Malcolm I. Glazer. Based on
the Shares outstanding on January 13, 1997, the purchase of Shares pursuant to
the Offer will result in an increase in the percentage of the Company's
outstanding Shares owned by the Malcolm I. Glazer Family Limited Partnership
from 35.18% to (i) at least 37.83%, if only the 10,000,000 Shares necessary to
satisfy the Minimum Condition (including 3,000,000 of the Shares held by such
partnership) are validly tendered, not withdrawn and purchased, and (ii) as much
as 57.49%, if all Shares held by others than the Malcolm I. Glazer Family
Limited Partnership (and 3,000,000 of the Shares held by such partnership) are
validly tendered and not withdrawn and 15,000,000 Shares are purchased. An
effect of the Minimum Condition in conjunction with the intention of the Malcolm
I. Glazer Family Limited Partnership to tender 3,000,000 Shares is that the
percentage of the outstanding Shares owned by the Malcolm I. Glazer Family
Limited Partnership will increase as a result of the Offer. The increase in the
percentage ownership of outstanding Shares by the Malcolm I. Glazer Family
Limited Partnership that will result from the Company's purchase of Shares in
the Offer will increase the degree to which Malcolm I. Glazer may be deemed to
control the Company. If such ownership exceeds 50%, Malcolm I. Glazer will be
the beneficial owner of Shares having sufficient votes to determine the outcome
of any action taken by the stockholders of the Company (including action by
written consent without a meeting), except matters subject to a 80%
supermajority voting requirement contained in the Company's Restated Certificate
of Incorporation.
 
     Malcolm I. Glazer and Avram A. Glazer have advised the Company that the
Offer is not a "Rule 13e-3 transaction" or a step in any series of transactions
constituting a Rule 13e-3 transaction. A Rule 13e-3 transaction (also known as a
"going private" transaction) is defined in Rule 13e-3 under the Exchange Act to
include a transaction such as the Offer if it has either a reasonable likelihood
or a purpose of producing, either directly or indirectly, the effect of causing
the Common Stock no longer to be either listed on the NYSE or another national
securities exchange or authorized to be quoted on an inter-dealer quotation
system of a registered national securities association.
 
     The Company has been further advised that some, but not all, of its
executive officers and directors other than Malcolm I. Glazer (which other
executive officers and directors together own less than 1% of the outstanding
Shares) intend to tender some or all of their Shares pursuant to the Offer, but
such other executive officers and directors are not obligated to do so.
 
                                        9
<PAGE>   12
 
     The Company's purchase of Shares pursuant to the Offer will reduce the
number of Shares that might otherwise trade publicly and is likely to reduce the
number of stockholders, which could adversely affect the liquidity and market
value of the remaining Shares. Nonetheless, the Company anticipates that there
still will be a sufficient number of Shares outstanding and publicly traded
following the consummation of the Offer to ensure a continued trading market in
the Shares. Based on the published guidelines of the NYSE, the Company does not
believe the purchase by the Company of Shares pursuant to the Offer will cause
its remaining Shares to be delisted from such exchange. According to the NYSE's
published guidelines, the NYSE would consider delisting the Shares if, among
other things, the number of holders of 100 Shares or more should fall below
1,200, the number of publicly held Shares (exclusive of holdings of officers,
directors, their immediate families and other concentrated holdings of 10% or
more ("NYSE Excluded Holdings") should drop below 600,000 or the aggregate
market price of publicly held shares of Common Stock (exclusive of NYSE Excluded
Holdings) should fall below $5,000,000. The published guidelines of the NYSE
also state that unwarranted use of company funds for the repurchase of equity
securities may be a factor leading to delisting, but the Board of Directors does
not believe that the repurchase of Shares pursuant to the Offer would be
considered unwarranted. Following the death of W. George Loar in September 1996,
the composition of the Board of Directors may be deemed not to meet the
requirements of the NYSE. The Board of Directors is in the process of attempting
to identify suitable independent candidates for membership on the Board of
Directors and expects that additional independent directors will be included as
nominees by the Board of Directors for the Company's 1997 Annual Meeting and in
any event intends to take appropriate action so that the Shares will continue to
be listed on the NYSE.
 
     The market value of the Shares remaining after the Company's purchase of
Shares pursuant to the Offer also may be adversely affected because the Purchase
Price is substantially in excess of recent market prices at which the Common
Stock has traded prior to announcement of the Company's intention to commence
the Offer. The Company has not undertaken any studies or made any analysis of
the market prices at which the remaining Shares are likely to trade following
consummation of the Offer, and can provide no assurance as to the market value
of the Shares following the Company's purchase pursuant to the Offer.
 
     The reduction in cash assets resulting from purchase of Shares pursuant to
the Offer will reduce the assets of the Company available to make acquisitions.
The Company currently is reviewing its business strategy and evaluating various
options (including but not limited to the previously announced strategy of
expansion into the food services industry) to determine those which are in the
best interests of the Company and its stockholders.
 
     It is possible that the purchase of Shares pursuant to the Offer may cause
an "ownership change" with respect to the Company within the meaning of Section
382 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"). Generally, an
ownership change would be deemed to occur if, immediately following the
Company's purchase of Shares pursuant to the Offer, the percentage of Shares
owned by one or more stockholders who then own five percent or more of the
outstanding Shares has increased by more than 50 percentage points over the
lowest percentage owned by such stockholders during the three-year period ending
on the day that the Shares tendered pursuant to the Offer are purchased by the
Company. If the Company experiences an ownership change, its ability to offset
taxable income generated in taxable periods ending after the ownership change
with its existing general business and minimum tax credit carryforwards will be
subject to an annual limitation. The amount of the annual limitation is equal to
the product of the value of the Company's outstanding stock determined after the
completion of the Company's purchase of Shares pursuant to the Offer (reduced by
certain capital contributions made in the two-year period prior to the ownership
change) and the "long-term tax-exempt rate" (determined monthly and, for
ownership changes occurring in the month of January 1997, 5.6%). The Company
will be required to pay Federal income taxes in any year in which its taxable
income exceeds the annual limitation, notwithstanding the existence of the
general business and minimum tax credit carryforwards. The amount of Federal
income tax against which the Company is able to utilize its existing general
business and minimum tax credit carryforwards is now restricted to approximately
$1.5 million per year as the result of a previous ownership change. The Company
cannot predict whether an ownership change will occur as a result of the
purchase of Shares pursuant to the Offer. If an ownership change does occur,
although the effect would depend upon the number and value of Shares
 
                                       10
<PAGE>   13
 
remaining outstanding after such purchase and thus cannot be predicted with
certainty, the Company does not believe that the effect of such an ownership
change on the amount of general business and minimum tax credit carryforwards
utilizable by the Company will result in a material adverse change in the
Company's financial condition or results of operations.
 
     Based on the Shares outstanding on January 13, 1997, the percentage of the
outstanding Common Stock beneficially owned by Malcolm I. Glazer will increase
as a result of the Offer to at least 37.83% and as much as 57.49%. An increase
in such percentage to a level above 50% will, and a smaller increase may, cause
the Company to meet the stock ownership requirement for being subject to the
personal holding company tax under Sections 541-47 of the Code. That requirement
is met if, at any time during the last half of a taxable year of the Company,
more than 50% in value of its outstanding stock is owned, directly or
indirectly, by five or fewer individuals. The personal holding company tax is a
tax equal to 39.6% of the "undistributed personal holding company income" of
either (i) an affiliated group of corporations calculated on a consolidated
basis or (ii) in certain circumstances, each corporation in the group calculated
on a separate company basis. Personal holding company income subject to the tax
generally includes passive types of income, such as dividends, interest, rents
and certain royalties. Such income is subject to the personal holding company
tax only if 60% or more of the "adjusted ordinary gross income" (as defined in
section 543(b)(2) of the Code) of the affiliated group or separate member, as
the case may be, is personal holding company income. The Company believes that
the latter requirement for taxability will not be met because of the character
and amounts of the income expected to be earned and of the expenses expected to
be incurred by the members of the Company's affiliated group, and that liability
for the personal holding company tax will thus be avoided entirely or limited to
amounts that are not material.
 
     The Shares are currently "margin securities" under the rules of the Federal
Reserve Board. This has the effect, among other things, of allowing brokers to
extend credit on the collateral of the Shares. Following the repurchase of
Shares pursuant to the Offer, the Company believes the Shares will continue to
be "margin securities" for purposes of the Federal Reserve Board's margin
regulations.
 
     The Shares are registered under the Exchange Act which requires, among
other things, that the Company furnish certain information to its stockholders
and to the Commission and comply with the Commission's proxy rules in connection
with meetings of the Company's stockholders. The Company does not believe that
the purchase by the Company of Shares pursuant to the Offer will result in the
Shares becoming eligible for deregistration under the Exchange Act.
 
     A tender offer by the Company for its Shares initially was proposed to the
Company's Board of Directors by Avram A. Glazer at a meeting on December 13,
1996. The Board of Directors took no action at that time but decided to consider
the matter further. The terms discussed at the December 13, 1996 meeting were
similar to those embodied in the Offer except that no Minimum Condition was
discussed at the December 13 meeting and Malcolm I. Glazer at that time
expressed the view that he would not tender any Shares that he beneficially
owns. The final terms of the Offer were proposed by Avram A. Glazer and approved
by the Board of Directors at a meeting on December 30, 1996. At its meeting on
December 30, 1996, the Board of Directors determined that the Offer was fair and
in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders, but that the Company
would make no recommendation as to whether any stockholder should tender any or
all of such stockholder's shares pursuant to the Offer. The Board of Directors
did not authorize any committee of independent directors to evaluate or
otherwise act in connection with the Offer and did not engage any investment
banking firm to evaluate the financial terms of the Offer or otherwise assist in
structuring the Offer. The determination of the Board of Directors of the
fairness of the terms of the Offer was based primarily on the excess of the
Purchase Price over market prices of the Common Stock during the last twelve
months. The Board's determination as to fairness was subjective in nature and
not the result of a quantitative analysis of various factors other than as
described in the preceding sentence.
 
     NEITHER THE COMPANY NOR ITS BOARD OF DIRECTORS MAKES ANY RECOMMENDATION AS
TO WHETHER ANY STOCKHOLDER SHOULD TENDER ANY OR ALL OF SUCH STOCKHOLDER'S SHARES
PURSUANT TO THE OFFER AND NEITHER THE COMPANY NOR ITS BOARD OF DIRECTORS HAS
AUTHORIZED ANY PERSON TO MAKE ANY SUCH RECOM-
 
                                       11
<PAGE>   14
 
MENDATION. EACH STOCKHOLDER MUST MAKE SUCH STOCKHOLDER'S OWN DECISION WHETHER TO
TENDER SHARES AND, IF SO, HOW MANY SHARES TO TENDER.
 
8. CERTAIN INFORMATION CONCERNING THE COMPANY
 
     The Company is a Delaware corporation organized in 1954. As used herein,
the term the "Company" refers to the Company or to the Company and its
consolidated subsidiaries, as applicable.
 
     In fiscal 1993, the Company began to redirect its operations into the
natural gas services market. The Company acquired the common stock of Cimarron
Gas Holding Company ("Cimarron") in fiscal 1993. Cimarron was engaged in the
business of marketing and trading natural gas liquids, as well as gathering and
processing natural gas and its constituent products. Cimarron was purchased to
serve as the vehicle for the Company's expansion into the gathering and
processing segments of the natural gas services markets. Since being acquired,
Cimarron purchased additional gathering and processing assets and expanded its
operations. In November 1993, the Company acquired the natural gas compression
businesses of Energy Industries, Inc. and certain other affiliated companies
(collectively, "Energy Industries"). Energy Industries was engaged in the
business of renting, fabricating, selling, installing and servicing natural gas
compressor packages, and served as the vehicle for the Company's expansion into
the compression segment of the natural gas services markets.
 
     In September 1994, the Company's Board of Directors announced that the
Company would immediately undertake efforts to sell its U.S. natural gas
producing properties. The six properties in the Gulf of Mexico, representing the
Company's domestic oil and gas producing operations, were sold in fiscal 1995.
The Company is also considering the disposition of its Bolivian oil and gas
operations.
 
     In late 1994 and early 1995, the Company began to develop a strategic plan
which involved repositioning the Company into the food packaging, food and food
service equipment and supply (collectively, "food services") businesses and
exiting the energy business. The strategic plan that was developed called for
the divestiture of most of the Company's remaining energy operations, including
Energy Industries, Cimarron and the Company's remaining domestic oil and gas
assets, and the acquisition of, or joint ventures with, selected companies in
the food services industry. Zapata's plan to pursue entry into the food services
business did not result from a comprehensive assessment of all possible business
opportunities, but was developed in the context of Malcolm I. Glazer's interest
in Houlihan's and other businesses in the food services industry and with the
recognition that companies in which Malcolm I. Glazer had interests would be
considered for acquisition in connection with the redirection of Zapata's
business.
 
     In September 1995, the Company entered into an agreement (the "Purchase
Agreement") to sell the assets of Energy Industries (the "Energy Industries
Sale") to Weatherford Enterra, Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiary, Enterra
Compression Company (collectively, "Weatherford Enterra"). Pursuant to the
Purchase Agreement, Weatherford Enterra purchased from the Company all of the
assets of Energy Industries for approximately $131 million in cash. The Energy
Industries Sale closed in December 1995 after receiving stockholder approval.
The Energy Industries Sale resulted in an after-tax gain of approximately $12.6
million. During fiscal 1995, the Company also sold substantially all of the
assets of Cimarron in two separate transactions with Conoco, Inc. ("Conoco") and
Enogex Products Corporation ("Enogex"); Conoco purchased certain of the
Texas-based assets and Enogex purchased certain of the Oklahoma-based assets.
The aggregate cash consideration paid by Conoco and Enogex totaled approximately
$23 million. Subsequently, the Company sold Cimarron's remaining assets for an
additional $700,000 (collectively with the sales to Conoco and Enogex, the
"Cimarron Sales"). The Cimarron Sales resulted in an after-tax loss of
approximately $3 million. Additionally, Cimarron recognized an after-tax loss of
approximately $500,000 from operations for fiscal 1996.
 
     In March 1995, the Company executed an agreement to sell its marine protein
operations to an investor group. However, that agreement was terminated in April
1995 as a result of the purchaser's failure to meet its obligations to close.
Following the termination of such agreement, the Company decided to retain the
marine protein operations, but has considered from time to time other
transactions that would involve its marine protein operations, including the
acquisition of related businesses that would be combined with the marine
 
                                       12
<PAGE>   15
 
protein operations and the sale or spin-off to its stockholders of those
operations. Ronald C. Lassiter, a director of Zapata, is Chairman and Chief
Executive Officer of Zapata Protein, Inc. and could leave Zapata and continue
with the marine protein operations in case of their disposition by Zapata.
 
     In August 1995, the Company purchased 4,189,298 shares of the common stock
of Envirodyne Industries, Inc. ("Envirodyne"), representing 31% of the then
outstanding common stock of Envirodyne, for $18.8 million from the Malcolm
Glazer Trust (the predecessor in ownership of the Shares currently held by the
Malcolm I. Glazer Family Limited Partnership). Malcolm I. Glazer is also a
director of Envirodyne. Such shares represented all of Malcolm I. Glazer's
ownership interest in Envirodyne. The Company paid the purchase price by issuing
a subordinated promissory note bearing interest at the prime rate and maturing
in August 1997, subject to prepayment at the Company's option. The Company has
since prepaid the promissory note. In June and July 1996, the Company purchased
1,688,006 additional shares of Envirodyne common stock in brokerage and
privately negotiated transactions for an aggregate consideration of
approximately $7.0 million. As a result of these purchases, the Company
currently owns approximately 40.6% of the outstanding shares of Envirodyne
common stock. Envirodyne is a major supplier of food packaging products and food
service supplies and is a leading worldwide producer of cellulosic casings used
in the preparation of packaging of processed meat products. It is the world's
second largest producer of heat shrinkable plastic bags and specialty firms for
packaging and preserving fresh and processed meat products, poultry and cheeses.
Envirodyne is also a leading domestic producer of (i) disposable plastic
cutlery, drinking straws, custom dining kits and related products and (ii)
thermo-formed and injection-molded plastic containers and horticultural trays
and inserts. The Company may consider the acquisition of additional shares of
Envirodyne common stock or proposing a merger with, or acquisition of,
Envirodyne in the future, although the Company currently has no plans or
proposals to do so. Envirodyne has implemented a stockholder rights plan the
terms of which would effectively preclude the Company from acquiring 41% or more
of Envirodyne's common stock without approval of Envirodyne's board of
directors. In addition, instruments governing certain debt of Envirodyne provide
that acquisition of more than 50% of Envirodyne's common stock would give the
holders of the debt the right to require Envirodyne to repurchase the debt at a
premium.
 
     On May 2, 1996, the Company and Houlihan's Restaurant Group, Inc.
("Houlihan's") announced that they had entered into a letter of intent relating
to Zapata's proposed acquisition of Houlihan's (the "Houlihan's Merger"). The
Company and Houlihan's subsequently entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger
dated as of June 4, 1996 (the "Houlihan's Merger Agreement") relating to the
proposed acquisition. In view of Malcolm I. Glazer's significant beneficial
ownership of common stock of both the Company and Houlihan's, the transaction
was negotiated by representatives of special committees of the respective board
of directors of both the Company and Houlihan's. The proposed transaction was
subject to, among other things, the approval of the transactions by the
stockholders of both companies, including, in the case of the Company, a
requirement that the transaction be approved by holders of a majority of the
votes cast on the transaction by holders other than the Malcolm Glazer Trust and
certain affiliates of Malcolm I. Glazer. On October 8, 1996, the Company
terminated the Houlihan's Merger Agreement pursuant to a provision of such
agreement that gave either party the right to terminate the merger agreement if
the Houlihan's Merger was not consummated before October 1, 1996. The
termination followed a decision of the Court of Chancery of Delaware that the
proposed transaction would require the approval of holders of 80% of the
Company's outstanding voting stock pursuant to a supermajority provision in the
Company's Restated Certificate of Incorporation. The Company does not believe
that a supermajority vote was required under the circumstances of the Houlihan's
Merger, and is appealing the decision of the Delaware Court of Chancery. In
connection with the Houlihan's Merger, the Company and Malcolm I. Glazer entered
into an agreement (the "Standstill Agreement") providing for certain
restrictions on the acquisition, disposition and voting of, and other matters
relating to, the Shares by Malcolm I. Glazer and any corporation (excluding the
Company), person, or other entity controlled by Malcolm I. Glazer during the
term of such agreement. The Standstill Agreement terminated as a result of the
termination of the Houlihan's Merger Agreement and has no continuing effect.
 
     The reduction in cash assets resulting from the purchase of Shares pursuant
to the Offer will reduce the assets of the Company available to make
acquisitions. The Company currently is reviewing its business strategy and
evaluating various options (including but not limited to the previously
announced strategy of
 
                                       13
<PAGE>   16
 
expansion into the food services industry) to determine those which are in the
best interests of the Company and its stockholders.
 
     Certain Litigation. On August 11, 1995, a derivative and class action was
filed by Elly Harwin against the Company and its then directors in the Court of
Chancery of the State of Delaware, New Castle County. On January 18, 1996, a
second derivative action was filed by Crandon Capital Partners against the
Company and its directors in the same court. On May 7, 1996, a third derivative
action was filed by Elly Harwin and Crandon Capital Partners against the Company
and its directors in the same court. On October 4, 1996, a motion for leave to
file an amended complaint for a consolidated derivative and class action (the
"Harwin/Crandon Case") was filed by these same parties in the same court; the
Company does not oppose the motion. The consolidated complaint alleges that the
Company's directors engaged in conduct constituting breach of fiduciary duty and
waste of the Company's assets in connection with the Company's investment in
Envirodyne, in connection with the decision to shift the Company's business
focus from energy to food services, and in connection with the proposed (but
subsequently abandoned) Houlihan's Merger. The complaint alleges, among other
things, that the purchase of Envirodyne common stock from Malcolm I. Glazer's
affiliate was a wrongful expenditure of the Company's funds and was designed to
permit Malcolm I. Glazer to obtain personal financial advantage to the detriment
of Zapata. The complaint also alleges that the Company's Board of Directors is
controlled by Malcolm I. Glazer and that director W. George Loar lacked
independence from Malcolm I. Glazer because he was employed until his retirement
(which occurred more than five years ago) by a corporation indirectly controlled
by Malcolm I. Glazer, that director Robert V. Leffler, Jr. lacks such
independence because of his status as a paid consultant to Malcolm I. Glazer,
that Avram A. Glazer lacks such independence because of familial relationship
and that director Ronald C. Lassiter lacks such independence by reason of an
employment or consulting relationship with Zapata. The complaint seeks relief
including, among other things, rescission of the Company's purchase of the
shares of Envirodyne common stock from the Malcolm Glazer Trust; injunctive
relief to void the election of Messrs. Leffler and Loar as directors at the
Company's Annual Meeting of Stockholders held on July 27, 1995 and to enjoin
consummation of the Houlihan's Merger and any transaction in which Malcolm I.
Glazer has an interest; and an award of unspecified compensatory damages and
expenses, including attorneys' fees. Zapata believes that the complaint and the
allegations contained therein are without merit and intends to defend the
Harwin/Crandon Case vigorously.
 
     On May 31, 1996, a fourth derivative and class action (the "Pasternak
Case") was filed by Arnold Pasternak against the Company and its directors in
the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware, New Castle County. The complaint
alleged that the Company's directors engaged in conduct constituting breach of
fiduciary duty and waste of the Company's assets in connection with the
Houlihan's Merger. The complaint further alleged that the Houlihan's Merger
consideration was unfair and excessive and that the Houlihan's Merger would
result in voting power dilution, unfairly benefiting Malcolm I. Glazer. In this
connection, the complaint alleged that the per share book value, fair value and
liquidation value of the Shares substantially exceeded the price at which
Malcolm I. Glazer would acquire additional Shares in the Houlihan's Merger, that
the fair value and liquidation value of the Shares were substantially in excess
of book value and that the fair value of Houlihan's stock was substantially less
than the proposed merger consideration. On July 11, 1996, the plaintiff filed an
amended complaint. The amended complaint alleged that the Houlihan's Merger
Agreement was in conflict with Article SEVENTH of Zapata's Restated Certificate
of Incorporation, which provides that an affirmative vote or consent of a
supermajority of 80% of outstanding voting stock is necessary under certain
circumstances. The plaintiff filed a motion for a preliminary injunction
requesting that the court preliminarily enjoin the Company from consummating the
Houlihan's Merger based on the contention that under Article SEVENTH the
Houlihan's Merger would require the approval of holders of 80% of Zapata's
outstanding voting stock. The Company does not believe that a supermajority vote
was required under the circumstances of the Houlihan's Merger, and its position
is supported by an opinion of special Delaware counsel. A hearing concerning
whether Article SEVENTH applies to the Houlihan's Merger Agreement and the
Houlihan's Merger was held before the Court of Chancery on September 6, 1996
and, on September 24, 1996, the Court of Chancery decided that Article SEVENTH
did apply to the Houlihan's Merger Agreement and the Houlihan's Merger. On
October 3, 1996, the Company filed a notice of appeal with the Supreme Court of
the State of Delaware regarding the decision of the Court of Chancery. The
plaintiff moved to
 
                                       14
<PAGE>   17
 
dismiss Zapata's appeal as moot, in light of the termination of the Houlihan's
Merger Agreement. On November 7, 1996, the Supreme Court of the State of
Delaware denied the plaintiff's motion to dismiss Zapata's appeal. The Company's
appeal has not yet been set for oral argument in the Supreme Court.
 
     On November 19, 1995, a petition was filed in the 148th Judicial District
Court of Nueces County, Texas by Peter M. Holt, a former director of the
Company, and certain of his affiliates who sold their interest in Energy
Industries to the Company in November 1993 (collectively, with Mr. Holt, the
"Holt Affiliates"). The petition lists the Company, Malcolm I. Glazer and Avram
A. Glazer as defendants and alleges several causes of action based on alleged
misrepresentations on the part of the defendants concerning the Company's intent
to follow a long-term development strategy focusing its efforts on the natural
gas services business. The petition does not allege a breach of any provision of
the purchase agreement to which the Company acquired Energy Industries from the
Holt Affiliates, but alleges that various representatives of the Company and
Malcolm I. Glazer made representations to Mr. Holt regarding Zapata's intention
to continue in the natural gas services industry. Among the remedies sought by
the petition are the following requests: (i) the Company's repurchase of the
approximately 2.7 million shares of Zapata common stock owned by the Holt
Affiliates for $15.6 million (which relief is no longer possible because the
Holt Affiliates sold most of their common stock in March and April 1996); (ii)
the disgorgement to the Holt Affiliates of Zapata's profit to be made on the
sale of Energy Industries; or (iii) the money damages based on the alleged lower
value of the Common Stock had the alleged misrepresentations not been made. The
case has been set for trial beginning April 28, 1997. The Company believes that
the petition and the allegations made therein are without merit and intends to
defend the case vigorously.
 
     HISTORICAL AND UNAUDITED PRO FORMA FINANCIAL INFORMATION. The table below
sets forth summary historical consolidated financial information for the Company
and its subsidiaries and summary unaudited consolidated pro forma financial
information giving effect to the purchase of Shares pursuant to the Offer. The
historical financial information for the fiscal years 1995 and 1996 (other than
the ratios of earnings to fixed charges) has been derived from, and should be
read in conjunction with, the audited consolidated financial statements of the
Company contained in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
September 30, 1996, which is incorporated herein by reference. The summary
historical financial information should be read in conjunction with, and is
qualified by reference to, the audited financial information and related notes
thereto from which it has been derived. The summary unaudited consolidated pro
forma financial information gives effect to the purchase of Shares pursuant to
the Offer, based on certain assumptions described in the notes to the table, as
if it had occurred on October 1, 1995 with respect to income statement data, and
on September 30, 1996 with respect to balance sheet data. The unaudited pro
forma financial information should be read in conjunction with the historical
consolidated financial information incorporated herein by reference and does not
purport to be indicative of the results that would actually have been obtained
had the purchase of the Shares pursuant to the Offer been completed at the dates
indicated or that may be obtained in the future.
 
                                       15
<PAGE>   18
 
      SUMMARY HISTORICAL AND UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONSOLIDATED INFORMATION
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                UNAUDITED PRO FORMA
                                                                                 SEPTEMBER 30, 1996
                                                                              ------------------------
                                                         HISTORICAL
                                                        SEPTEMBER 30,             SHARES PURCHASED
                                                   -----------------------    ------------------------
                                                      1996          1995      10 MILLION    15 MILLION
                                                   -----------    --------    ----------    ----------
                                                   (IN THOUSANDS EXCEPT RATIOS AND PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
<S>                                                <C>            <C>         <C>           <C>
Income Statement:
  Net sales......................................  $    95,678    $103,068     $  95,678     $  95,678
  Net income.....................................        7,022       4,204         7,022         7,022
  Net income per Share(1)........................  $      0.24    $   0.14     $    0.36     $    0.48
                                                                     (less
                                                                      than
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges:(2)...........         1.25      1 to 1)         1.25          1.25
  Amount of coverage deficiency:.................           --    $  8,304            --            --
Balance Sheet:
  Working capital................................  $    99,327    $113,536     $  54,327     $  31,827
  Total current assets...........................      144,548     150,637        99,548        77,048
  Total assets...................................      233,143     239,391       188,143       165,643
  Total debt.....................................       34,267      53,616        34,267        34,267
  Stockholders' equity...........................      152,313     145,290       107,313        84,813
Book value per Share(3)..........................  $      5.15        4.91     $    5.49     $    5.82
</TABLE>
 
Notes to Summary Historical and Unaudited Pro Forma Consolidated Financial
Information
 
(1) All net earnings per share data are based on the weighted average Shares
    outstanding during the applicable periods. The potential dilution from the
    exercise of Options is not material.
 
(2) The ratio of earnings to fixed charges was computed by dividing earnings by
    fixed charges. For this purpose, earnings include earnings before equity in
    losses of affiliates and taxes on earnings and fixed charges. Fixed charges
    include interest and amortization of debt expenses and the estimated
    interest component of rentals.
 
(3) Book value per Share is calculated as total stockholders' equity less the
    liquidation value of Convertible Securities divided by the number of Shares
    outstanding at the end of the period.
 
     OTHER VALUATION INFORMATION. In connection with the proposed Houlihan's
Merger, the special committees of the respective boards of directors of the
Company and Houlihan's engaged investment banking firms to render opinions as to
the fairness, from a financial point of view, of the merger consideration. In
preparing their respective opinions, such firms performed various financial
analyses, including summary valuations of the Shares. The summary equity value
range determined by the firm engaged by the Company's special committee was
$4.13-$4.47 per Share. The summary equity value range determined by the firm
engaged by Houlihan's special committee was $4.03-$5.99 per Share. These equity
value ranges did not constitute independent evaluations or appraisals of the
assets or liabilities of the Company but instead were based on information
provided by the Company, publicly available information and various other
assumptions. Moreover, the valuation ranges were used by the investment banking
firms only as one element in the preparation of their respective fairness
opinions, were not prepared for use other than in that context, and are
inherently subject to substantial uncertainty. In addition, because the fairness
opinions were delivered in June 1996, the valuation ranges do not reflect
developments occurring after that time or other more recent information. Neither
investment banking firm gave any advice to the Company or otherwise acted on the
Company's behalf in connection with the Offer.
 
     The Company's assets include 5,877,304 shares of common stock of Envirodyne
(approximately 40.6% of its outstanding common stock). The Company's investment
in Envirodyne is reflected on its consolidated balance sheet as of September 30,
1996 at $21.5 million. In November 1996 Envirodyne obtained a judgment in the
U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois awarding it damages of
$102 million in a patent
 
                                       16
<PAGE>   19
 
infringement lawsuit against American National Can Co., a subsidiary of Pechiney
SA. The award is subject to appeal. On the basis of the closing market price of
Envirodyne common stock of $5.50 per share on January 8, 1997, the shares of
Envirodyne common stock held by the Company had a market value of approximately
$32.3 million as of that date.
 
     ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. The Company is subject to the informational
requirements of the Exchange Act and in accordance therewith files periodic
reports, proxy statements and other information with the Securities and Exchange
Commission (the "Commission"). The Company is required to disclose in such proxy
statements certain information, as of particular dates, concerning the Company's
directors and officers, their remuneration, stock options granted to them, the
principal holders of the Company's securities and any material interest of such
persons in transactions with the Company. The Company has also filed an Issuer
Tender Offer Statement on Schedule 13E-4 with the Commission which includes
certain additional information relating to the Offer.
 
     Such material can be inspected and copied at the public reference
facilities maintained by the Commission at 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Room 1024,
Washington, D.C. 20549, and at its regional offices at Seven World Trade Center,
13th Floor, New York, New York 10048, and CitiCorp Center, 500 West Madison
Street, Suite 1400, Chicago, Illinois 60661-2511. Reports, proxy materials and
other information about the Company are also available at the offices of the New
York Stock Exchange, 20 Broad Street, New York, New York 10005. Copies also may
be obtained by mail, upon payment of the Commission's customary charges, from
the Commission's Public Reference Branch, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Room 1024,
Washington, D.C. 20549. The Commission also maintain a Web site on the World
Wide Web at http://www.sec.gov that contains reports, proxy statements and other
material filed electronically by the Company with the Commission. The Company's
Schedule 13E-4 will not be available at the Commission's regional offices.
 
9. SOURCE AND AMOUNT OF FUNDS
 
     Assuming that the Company purchases 15,000,000 Shares pursuant to the
Offer, the total amount required by the Company to purchase such Shares and pay
related fees and expenses will be approximately $67,800,000. The Company
anticipates that it will fund the purchase of Shares pursuant to the Offer and
the payment of related fees and expenses from available cash and cash
equivalents.
 
10. TRANSACTIONS AND ARRANGEMENTS CONCERNING THE SHARES
 
     Based upon the Company's records and upon information provided to the
Company by its directors, executive officers and affiliates, neither the Company
nor any of its subsidiaries nor, to the best of the Company's knowledge, any of
the directors or executive officers of the Company or any of its subsidiaries,
nor any associates of any of the foregoing, has effected any transactions in the
Shares during the 40 business days prior to the date hereof except for the
transfer of the Shares formerly held by the Malcolm Glazer Trust to the Malcolm
I. Glazer Family Limited Partnership in December 1996.
 
     Except as set forth in this Offer to Purchase, neither the Company nor, to
the best of the Company's knowledge, any of its affiliates, directors or
executive officers, or any of the executive officers or directors of its
subsidiaries, is a party to any contract, arrangement, understanding or
relationship with any other person relating, directly or indirectly, to the
Offer with respect to any securities of the Company (including, but not limited
to, any contract, arrangement, understanding or relationship concerning the
transfer of the voting of any such securities, joint ventures, loan or option
arrangements, puts or calls, guarantees of loans, guarantees against loss or the
giving or withholding or proxies, consents or authorizations).
 
11. CERTAIN LEGAL MATTERS; REGULATORY AND FOREIGN APPROVALS
 
     The Company is not aware of any license or regulatory permit that appears
to be material to its business that might be adversely affected by its
acquisition of Shares as contemplated in the Offer or, except as set forth in
the next paragraph with respect to the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements
Act, of any approval or other action by any government or governmental,
administrative or regulatory authority or agency, domestic or foreign, that
would be required for the Company's acquisition or ownership of Shares as
 
                                       17
<PAGE>   20
 
contemplated by the Offer. Should any such approval or other action be required,
the Company currently contemplates that it will seek such approval or other
action. The Company cannot predict whether it may determine that it is required
to delay the acceptance for payment of Shares tendered pursuant to the Offer
pending the outcome of any such matter. There can be no assurance that any such
approval or other action, if needed, would be obtained or would be obtained
without substantial conditions or that the failure to obtain any such approval
or other action might not result in adverse consequences to the Company's
business. The Company's obligation under the Offer to accept Shares for payment
is subject to certain conditions. See Section 5.
 
     Although repurchases of voting securities by issuers of securities are
normally exempt from the requirements of the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust
Improvements Act, the staff of the Federal Trade Commission has indicated that
compliance may nonetheless be required when the result of such repurchases is to
increase the percentage of voting securities held by a stockholder who may be
deemed to control the issuer above a reporting threshold. Consequently, the
staff of the Federal Trade Commission may require compliance with the
requirements of such Act with respect to the increase in the percentage of the
Company's voting securities beneficially owned by Malcolm I. Glazer, in which
case it will be a condition precedent to the consummation of the Offer that the
applicable waiting period under such Act with respect to the transaction shall
have expired or been terminated.
 
12. CERTAIN FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES
 
     Sales of Shares by stockholders pursuant to the Offer will be taxable
transactions for Federal income tax purposes and may also be taxable
transactions under applicable state, local, foreign and other tax laws. As a
result of such sale, a stockholder will, depending upon the stockholder's
particular facts and circumstances, be treated for Federal income tax purposes
either as having sold the Shares tendered or as having received a dividend
distribution from the Company with the consequences described below.
 
     Under Section 302 of the Code, sale of Shares pursuant to the Offer will,
as a general rule, be treated as a sale or exchange if the receipt of cash upon
such sale (a) is "substantially disproportionate" with respect to the
stockholder, (b) results in a "complete redemption" of the stockholder's
interest in the Company or (c) is "not essentially equivalent to a dividend"
with respect to the stockholder. If any of those three tests is satisfied, a
tendering stockholder will recognize gain or loss equal to the difference
between the amount of cash received by the stockholder pursuant to the Offer and
the stockholder's tax basis in the Shares sold pursuant to the Offer. Recognized
gain or loss will be capital gain or loss, assuming the Shares are held as
capital assets, which will be long-term capital gain or loss if the Shares are
held for more than one year. Gain or loss must be determined separately for each
block of Shares (i.e., shares acquired at the same cost in a single transaction)
that is exchanged pursuant to the Offer. The stockholder is permitted to
designate which blocks of Shares are tendered pursuant to the Offer if less than
all of such stockholders' Shares are tendered, and the order in which different
blocks would be exchanged for cash in the event of proration pursuant to the
Offer. Such designation may be made on the Letter of Transmittal. Stockholders
should consult their tax advisors concerning the mechanics and desirability of
such a designation.
 
     In determining whether any of the tests under Section 302 of the Code is
satisfied, stockholders must take into account not only the Shares they actually
own, but also Shares they are deemed to own pursuant to the constructive
ownership rules of Section 318 of the Code. Pursuant to those constructive
ownership rules, a stockholder is deemed to own the Shares actually owned, and
in some cases constructively owned, by certain related individuals or entities,
and any Shares that the stockholder has the right to acquire by exercise of an
option or by conversion or exchange of a security.
 
     The receipt of cash will be "substantially disproportionate" with respect
to a stockholder if the percentage of the outstanding voting stock of the
Company actually and constructively owned by the stockholder immediately
following the sale of Shares pursuant to the Offer (treating as no longer
outstanding all Shares purchased pursuant to the Offer) is less than 80% of the
percentage of the outstanding voting stock of the Company actually and
constructively owned by such stockholder immediately before the sale of Shares
pursuant to the Offer (treating as outstanding all Shares purchased pursuant to
the Offer). Stockholders
 
                                       18
<PAGE>   21
 
should consult their tax advisors with respect to the application of the
"substantially disproportionate" test to their particular facts and
circumstances.
 
     The receipt of cash by a stockholder will result in a "complete redemption"
of the stockholder's interest in the Company if either (a) all the Shares
actually and constructively owned by the stockholder are sold pursuant to the
Offer or (b) all the Shares actually owned by the stockholder are sold pursuant
to the Offer and the stockholder is eligible to waive and does effectively waive
attribution of all Shares constructively owned by the stockholder in accordance
with Section 302(c) of the Code.
 
     Even if the receipt of cash by a stockholder fails to satisfy the
"substantially disproportionate" test or the "complete redemption" test, such
stockholder may nevertheless satisfy the "not essentially equivalent to a
dividend" test, if the stockholder's sales of Shares pursuant to the Offer
results in a "meaningful reduction" in the stockholder's proportionate interest
in the Company. Whether the receipt of cash by a stockholder will be "not
essentially equivalent to a dividend" will depend upon the individual
stockholder's facts and circumstances. In certain circumstances, even a small
reduction in a stockholder's proportionate interest may satisfy this test. For
example, the Internal Revenue Service has indicated in a published ruling that a
3.3% reduction in the proportionate interest of a small minority (substantially
less than 1%) stockholder in a publicly held corporation who exercises no
control over corporate affairs constitutes such a "meaningful reduction."
Stockholders expecting to rely upon the "not essentially equivalent to a
dividend" test should, therefore, consult with tax advisors as to its
application in their particular situations.
 
     Stockholders should be aware that, because proration may occur as to Shares
tendered pursuant to the Offer, fewer than all such Shares may be purchased in
the Offer. This must be taken into account in determining whether a stockholder
is able to satisfy the tests under Section 302 of the Code for sale or exchange
treatment. In general, however, as a result of the Malcolm I. Glazer Family
Limited Partnership tendering only 3,000,000 of the Shares owned by it, other
stockholders who tender all of their Shares can expect to satisfy the
"substantially disproportionate" test and thus recognize sale or exchange
treatment, assuming all Shares constructively owned by such stockholder are also
tendered.
 
     It may be possible for a tendering stockholder to satisfy one of the above
three tests by contemporaneously selling or otherwise disposing of all or some
of the Shares that are actually or constructively owned by such stockholder but
are not purchased pursuant to the Offer. Correspondingly, a tendering
stockholder may not be able to satisfy one of the above three tests because of
contemporaneous acquisitions of Shares by such stockholder or a related party
whose Shares would be attributed to such stockholder. Stockholders should
consult their tax advisors regarding the tax consequences of such sales or
acquisitions in their particular circumstances.
 
     If none of the three tests under Section 302 is satisfied and if, as is
anticipated, the Company has sufficient earnings and profits, the tendering
stockholder will be treated as having received a dividend includible in gross
income in an amount equal to the entire amount of cash received by the
stockholder pursuant to the Offer (without regard to gain or loss, if any). The
stockholder's basis in the Shares tendered generally will be added to the basis
of such stockholder's remaining Shares.
 
     In the case of a corporate stockholder, if the cash paid is treated as a
dividend, the dividend income may be eligible for the 70% dividends-received
deduction. The dividends-received deduction is subject to certain limitations,
and may not be available if the corporate stockholder does not satisfy certain
holding period requirements with respect to the Shares or if the Shares are
treated as "debt financed portfolio stock." Generally, if a dividends-received
deduction is available, it is expected that the dividend will be treated as an
"extraordinary dividend" under Section 1059(a) of the Code, in which case such
corporate stockholder's tax basis in Shares retained by such stockholder would
be reduced, but not below zero, by the amount of the nontaxed portion of the
dividend. Any amount of the nontaxed portion of the dividend in excess of the
stockholder's basis will generally be subject to tax upon sale or disposition of
those Shares. Corporate stockholders are urged to consult their tax advisors as
to the effect of Section 1059 of the Code on their tax basis in Shares.
 
                                       19
<PAGE>   22
 
     A foreign stockholder may be subject to dividend withholding tax at the 30%
rate or a lower applicable treaty rate on the gross proceeds of the sale of
Shares pursuant to the Offer. Foreign stockholders should consult their tax
advisors regarding application of these withholding rules.
 
     Stockholders who do not tender any Shares will not incur any tax liability
as a result of the Offer.
 
     The foregoing discussion may not apply to Shares acquired pursuant to
certain compensation arrangements with the Company.
 
     THE TAX DISCUSSION SET FORTH ABOVE IS INCLUDED FOR GENERAL INFORMATION
ONLY. THE TAX CONSEQUENCES OF A SALE PURSUANT TO THE OFFER MAY VARY DEPENDING
UPON, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE PARTICULAR CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE TENDERING
STOCKHOLDER. NO INFORMATION IS PROVIDED HEREIN AS TO THE STATE, LOCAL OR FOREIGN
TAX CONSEQUENCES OF THE TRANSACTION CONTEMPLATED BY THE OFFER. STOCKHOLDERS ARE
URGED TO CONSULT THEIR OWN TAX ADVISORS TO DETERMINE THE PARTICULAR FEDERAL,
STATE, LOCAL AND FOREIGN TAX CONSEQUENCES OF SALES MADE BY THEM PURSUANT TO THE
OFFER AND THE EFFECT OF THE CONSTRUCTIVE STOCK OWNERSHIP RULES MENTIONED ABOVE.
 
13. EXTENSION OF THE TENDER PERIOD; TERMINATION; AMENDMENTS
 
     The Company expressly reserves the right, in its sole discretion, at any
time or from time to time and regardless of whether or not any of the events set
forth in Section 5 shall have occurred or shall be deemed by the Company to have
occurred, to extend the period of time during which the Offer is open and
thereby delay acceptance for payment of, and payment for, any Shares by giving
oral or written notice of such extension to the Depositary and making a public
announcement thereof. During any such extension, all Shares previously tendered
and not purchased or withdrawn will remain subject to the Offer, except to the
extent that such Shares may be withdrawn as set forth in Section 3. The Company
also expressly reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to terminate the
Offer and not accept for payment or pay for any Shares not theretofore accepted
for payment or paid for or, subject to applicable law, to postpone payment for
Shares upon the occurrence of any of the conditions specified in Section 5 by
giving oral or written notice of such termination or postponement to the
Depositary and making a public announcement thereof. The Company's reservation
of the right to delay payment for Shares which it has accepted for payment is
limited by Rule 13e-4(f)(5) under the Exchange Act, which requires that an
issuer must pay the consideration offered or return the securities tendered
promptly after termination or withdrawal of a tender offer. Subject to
compliance with applicable law, the Company further reserves the right, in its
sole discretion, and regardless of whether or not any of the events set forth in
Section 5 shall have occurred or shall be deemed by the Company to have
occurred, to amend the Offer in any respect (including, without limitation, by
decreasing or increasing the consideration offered in the Offer to owners of
Shares or by decreasing the number of Shares being sought in the Offer) or to
waive the limitation on the maximum or minimum number of shares to be purchased
pursuant to the Offer. Amendments to the Offer may be made at any time or from
time to time effected by public announcement thereof, such announcement, in the
case of an extension, to be issued no later than 9:00 a.m., New York City time,
on the next business day after the previously scheduled or announced Expiration
Date. Any public announcement made pursuant to the Offer will be disseminated
promptly to stockholders in a manner reasonably designed to inform stockholders
of such change. Without limiting the manner in which the Company may choose to
make a public announcement, except as required by applicable law (including Rule
13e-4(e)(2) under the Exchange Act), the Company shall have no obligation to
publish, advertise or otherwise communicate any such public announcement other
than by making a release to the Dow Jones News Service.
 
     If the Company materially changes the terms of the Offer or the information
concerning the Offer or if it waives a material condition of the Offer, the
Company will extend the Offer to the extent required by Rules 13e-4(d)(2) and
13e-4(e)(2) promulgated under the Exchange Act, which require that the minimum
period during which an offer must remain open following material changes in the
terms of the offer or information concerning the offer (other than a change in
price or a change in percentage of securities sought)
 
                                       20
<PAGE>   23
 
will depend on the facts and circumstances, including the relative materiality
of such terms or information. The Commission has stated that, as a general rule,
it is of the view that an offer should remain open for a minimum of five
business days from the date that notice of such a material change is first
published, sent or given. If (a) the Company (i) increases or decreases the
price to be paid for Shares, (ii) increases the number of Shares being sought by
an amount exceeding 2% of the outstanding Shares, (iii) decreases the number of
Shares being sought or (iv) waives the Minimum Condition, and (b) the Offer is
scheduled to expire at any time earlier than the expiration of a period ending
on the tenth business day from and including the date that notice of such
increase, decrease or waiver is first published, sent or given, the Offer will
be extended until the expiration of such period of ten business days.
 
14. FEES AND EXPENSES
 
     The Company has retained American Stock Transfer & Trust Co., Inc. as
Depositary and Georgeson & Company Inc. as Information Agent in connection with
the Offer. The Information Agent will assist stockholders who request assistance
in connection with the Offer and may request brokers, dealers and other nominee
stockholders to forward materials relating to the Offer to beneficial owners.
The Depositary and the Information Agent will receive reasonable and customary
compensation for their services in connection with the Offer and will also be
reimbursed for certain out-of-pocket expenses, including the reasonable fees and
expenses of their counsel. The Company has agreed to indemnify the Depositary
and the Information Agent against certain liabilities in connection with the
Offer, including certain liabilities under the federal securities laws. Neither
American Stock Transfer & Trust Co. nor Georgeson & Company Inc. has been
retained to make solicitations or recommendations in their respective roles as
Depositary and Information Agent.
 
     The Company will not pay fees or commissions to any broker, dealer,
commercial bank, trust company or other person for soliciting any Shares
pursuant to the Offer. The Company will, however, on request, reimburse such
persons for customary handling and mailing expenses incurred in forwarding
materials in respect of the Offer to the beneficial owners for which they act as
nominees. No such broker, dealer, commercial bank or trust company has been
authorized to act as the Company's agent for purposes of this Offer. The Company
will pay (or cause to be paid) any stock transfer taxes on its purchase of
Shares, except as otherwise provided in Instruction 6 of the Letter of
Transmittal.
 
15. MISCELLANEOUS
 
     The Offer is not being made to, nor will the Company accept tenders from,
owners of Shares in any jurisdiction in which the Offer or its acceptance would
not be in compliance with the laws of such jurisdiction. The Company is not
aware of any jurisdiction where the making of the Offer or the tender of Shares
would not be in compliance with applicable law. If the Company becomes aware of
any jurisdiction where the making of the Offer or the tender of Shares is not in
compliance with any applicable law, the Company will make a good faith effort to
comply with such law. If, after such good faith effort, the Company cannot
comply with such law, the Offer will not be made to (nor will tenders be
accepted from or on behalf of) the holders of Shares residing in such
jurisdiction. In any jurisdiction in which the securities, blue sky or other
laws require the Offer to be made by a licensed broker or dealer, the Offer will
be deemed to be made on the Company's behalf by one or more registered brokers
or dealers licensed under the laws of such jurisdiction.
 
     NO PERSON HAS BEEN AUTHORIZED TO GIVE ANY INFORMATION OR MAKE ANY
REPRESENTATION ON BEHALF OF THE COMPANY IN CONNECTION WITH THE OFFER OTHER THAN
THOSE CONTAINED IN THIS OFFER TO PURCHASE OR IN THE RELATED LETTER OF
TRANSMITTAL. IF GIVEN OR MADE, SUCH INFORMATION OR REPRESENTATION MUST NOT BE
RELIED UPON AS HAVING BEEN AUTHORIZED BY THE COMPANY.
 
                                                             ZAPATA CORPORATION
 
January 14, 1997
 
                                       21
<PAGE>   24
 
     Facsimile copies of the Letter of Transmittal, properly completed and duly
executed, will be accepted. The Letter of Transmittal, certificates for Shares
and any other required documents should be sent or delivered by each stockholder
of the Company or such stockholder's broker, dealer, commercial bank or trust
company to the Depositary at one of its addresses set forth below.
 
                        The Depositary for the Offer is:
 
                   AMERICAN STOCK TRANSFER & TRUST CO., INC.
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                           <C>
     By Mail, Hand or Overnight Courier:                By Facsimile Transmission:
                                                     (For Eligible Institutions Only)
                40 Wall Street                                (718) 234-5001
                  46th Floor                              Confirm by Telephone:
           New York, New York 10005                           (718) 921-8200
</TABLE>
 
Any questions or requests for assistance or for additional copies of this Offer
to Purchase or the Letter of Transmittal may be directed to the Information
Agent. Stockholders may also contact their broker, dealer, commercial bank,
trust company or other nominee for assistance concerning the Offer.
 
                    The Information Agent for the Offer is:
 
                         GEORGESON & COMPANY INC. LOGO
 
                               Wall Street Plaza
                            New York, New York 10005
                            Toll Free (800) 223-2064
 
                             Bankers and Brokerage
                           Firms please call collect:
                                 (212) 440-9800

<PAGE>   1
 
                             LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL
 
                        TO TENDER SHARES OF COMMON STOCK
 
                                       OF
 
                               ZAPATA CORPORATION
 
                       PURSUANT TO ITS OFFER TO PURCHASE
 
                             DATED JANUARY 14, 1997

 THE OFFER, PRORATION PERIOD AND WITHDRAWAL RIGHTS WILL EXPIRE AT 5:00 P.M.,
 NEW YORK CITY TIME, ON THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 1997, UNLESS THE OFFER IS
 EXTENDED.
 
           TO: AMERICAN STOCK TRANSFER & TRUST CO., INC., Depositary
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                  <C>
         By Mail, Hand or Overnight Courier:                      By Facsimile Transmission:
                   40 Wall Street                              (For Eligible Institutions Only)
                     46th Floor                                         (718) 234-5001
              New York, New York 10005                               Confirm by Telephone:
                                                                        (718) 921-8200
</TABLE>
 
     DELIVERY OF THIS INSTRUMENT TO AN ADDRESS OTHER THAN AS SET FORTH ABOVE
WILL NOT CONSTITUTE A VALID DELIVERY.
 
     This Letter of Transmittal can be used only if (a) certificates for Shares
(as defined below) are to be delivered with it or (b) Shares are being delivered
concurrently by book-entry transfer to the account maintained by the Depositary
at The Depository Trust Company or the Philadelphia Depository Trust Company
(collectively, the "Book-Entry Transfer Facilities") as set forth in Section 2
of the Offer to Purchase (as defined below).
 
     Stockholders who cannot deliver the certificates for their Shares to the
Depositary prior to the Expiration Date (as defined in the Offer to Purchase) or
who cannot complete the procedure for book-entry transfer on a timely basis or
who cannot deliver a Letter of Transmittal and all other required documents to
the Depositary prior to the Expiration Date, in any such case, must tender their
Shares pursuant to the guaranteed delivery procedure set forth in Section 2 of
the Offer to Purchase. See Instruction 2.
 
     The name(s) and address(es) of the registered holder(s) should be printed
below, if they are not already printed below, exactly as they appear on the
certificate(s) representing the Shares tendered herewith. The certificate(s) and
the number of Shares that the registered holder(s) wish(es) to tender should be
indicated in the appropriate boxes below.
<PAGE>   2
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                        DESCRIPTION OF SHARES TENDERED
                                              (SEE INSTRUCTIONS)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    NAME(S) AND ADDRESS(ES) OF REGISTERED HOLDER(S)
    (PLEASE FILL IN EXACTLY AS NAME(S) APPEAR(S) ON                        SHARES TENDERED
                     CERTIFICATE(S)                             (ATTACH ADDITIONAL LIST IF NECESSARY)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                               
                                                                                               
                                                                           NUMBER OF SHARES     NUMBER OF
                                                           CERTIFICATE      REPRESENTED BY        SHARES
                                                           NUMBER(S)(1)   CERTIFICATE(S)(1)    TENDERED(2)
<S>                                                     <C>               <C>               <C>
                                                        ------------------------------------------------------
 
                                                        ------------------------------------------------------
 
                                                        ------------------------------------------------------
 
                                                        ------------------------------------------------------
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           TOTAL SHARES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Indicate in this box the order (by certificate number) in which Shares are to be purchased in the event of
  proration.(3) (Attach additional signed list if necessary.)

  1st: ____________            2nd: ____________              3rd: ____________             4th: ____________
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  (1) Need not be completed by stockholders delivering Shares by book-entry transfer.
  (2) Unless otherwise indicated, it will be assumed that all Shares represented by any certificates delivered
      to the Depositary are being tendered. See Instruction 4.
  (3) If you do not designate an order, then in the event less than all Shares are purchased due to proration,
      Shares will be selected for purchase by the Depositary.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
 
[ ] CHECK HERE IF TENDERED SHARES ARE BEING DELIVERED BY BOOK-ENTRY TRANSFER 
    TO THE DEPOSITARY'S ACCOUNT AT ONE OF THE BOOK-ENTRY TRANSFER FACILITIES 
    AND COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING:

    Name of Tendering Institution___________________________________________

    Check Box of Book-Entry Transfer Facility:

         [ ] The Depository Trust Company

         [ ] Philadelphia Depository Trust Company

    Account No._____________________________________________________________

    Transaction Code No.____________________________________________________

[ ] CHECK HERE IF TENDERED SHARES ARE BEING DELIVERED PURSUANT TO A NOTICE 
    OF GUARANTEED DELIVERY PREVIOUSLY SENT TO THE DEPOSITARY AND COMPLETE 
    THE FOLLOWING:

    Name(s) of Tendering Stockholder(s)_____________________________________

    Date of Execution of Notice of Guaranteed Delivery______________________

    Name of Institution which Guaranteed Delivery___________________________

    If delivery is by book-entry transfer:

    Name of Tendering Institution___________________________________________

    Check Box of Book-Entry Transfer Facility:

         [ ] The Depository Trust Company

         [ ] Philadelphia Depository Trust Company

    Account No._____________________________________________________________

    Transaction Code No.____________________________________________________
<PAGE>   3
 
                    NOTE: SIGNATURES MUST BE PROVIDED BELOW
              PLEASE READ THE ACCOMPANYING INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY
 
Ladies and Gentlemen:
 
     The undersigned hereby tenders to Zapata Corporation, a Delaware
corporation (the "Company"), the above-described shares of Common Stock, par
value $0.25 per share, of the Company (the "Shares"), pursuant to the Company's
offer to purchase up to 15,000,000 Shares at a price of $4.50 per Share (the
"Purchase Price"), net to the seller in cash, upon the terms and subject to the
conditions set forth in the Offer to Purchase dated January 14, 1997 (the "Offer
to Purchase"), receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, and in this Letter of
Transmittal (which together constitute the "Offer").
 
     Subject to and effective upon acceptance for payment of and payment for the
Shares tendered herewith in accordance with the terms of the Offer (including,
if the Offer is extended or amended, the terms or conditions of any such
extension or amendment), the undersigned hereby sells, assigns and transfers to
or upon the order of the Company all right, title and interest in and to all the
Shares that are being tendered hereby, or orders the registration of such Shares
delivered by book-entry transfer, that are purchased pursuant to the Offer and
hereby irrevocably constitutes and appoints the Depositary the true and lawful
agent and attorney-in-fact of the undersigned with respect to such Shares, with
full power of substitution (such power of attorney being deemed to be an
irrevocable power coupled with an interest), to:
 
          (a) deliver certificates for such Shares, or transfer ownership of
     such Shares on the account books maintained by any of the Book-Entry
     Transfer Facilities, together, in any such case, with all accompanying
     evidences of transfer and authenticity, to or upon the order of the
     Company, upon receipt by the Depositary, as the undersigned's agent, of the
     Purchase Price with respect to such Shares;
 
          (b) present certificates for such Shares for cancellation and transfer
     on the books of the Company; and
 
          (c) receive all benefits and otherwise exercise all rights of
     beneficial ownership of such Shares, all in accordance with the terms of
     the Offer.
 
     The undersigned hereby represents and warrants that:
 
          (a) the undersigned has a "net long position" in the Shares tendered
     hereby within the meaning of Rule 14e-4 promulgated under the Securities
     Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the undersigned has full power and
     authority to validly tender, sell, assign and transfer the Shares tendered
     hereby;
 
          (b) the tender of Shares by the undersigned complies with Rule 14e-4;
 
          (c) when and to the extent the Company accepts the Shares for
     purchase, the Company will acquire good, marketable and unencumbered title
     to the Shares, free and clear of all security interests, liens, charges,
     encumbrances, conditional sales agreements or other obligations relating to
     their sale or transfer, and not subject to any adverse claim;
 
          (d) on request, the undersigned will execute and deliver any
     additional documents the Depositary or the Company deems necessary or
     desirable to complete the assignment, transfer and purchase of the Shares
     tendered hereby; and
 
          (e) the undersigned has read and agrees to all the terms of the Offer.
 
     The undersigned recognizes that, under certain circumstances set forth in
the Offer to Purchase, the Company may terminate or amend the Offer or may
postpone the acceptance for payment of, or the payment for, Shares tendered or
may not be required to accept for payment any of the Shares tendered herewith or
may accept for payment fewer than all of the Shares tendered herewith.
 
     The undersigned understands that tenders of Shares pursuant to any one of
the procedures described in Section 2 of the Offer to Purchase and in the
instructions hereto will constitute an agreement between the undersigned and the
Company upon the terms and subject to the conditions of the Offer.
 
     All authority herein conferred, or agreed to be conferred, shall survive
the death or incapacity of the undersigned, and any obligation of the
undersigned hereunder shall be binding upon the heirs, personal representatives,
successors and assigns of the undersigned. Except as stated in the Offer, this
tender is irrevocable.
 
     Unless otherwise indicated under "Special Payment Instructions," please
issue the check for the Purchase Price and/or return or issue the certificate(s)
evidencing any Shares not tendered or not accepted for payment in the name(s) of
the registered holder(s) appearing under "Description of Shares Tendered."
Similarly, unless otherwise indicated under "Special Delivery Instructions,"
please mail the check for the Purchase Price and/or the certificate(s)
evidencing any Shares not tendered or not accepted for payment (and accompanying
documents, as appropriate) to the address of the registered holder(s) appearing
under "Description of Shares Tendered." In the event that both the "Special
Delivery Instructions" and "Special Payment Instructions" are completed, please
issue the check for the Purchase Price and/or issue or return the certificate(s)
evidencing any Shares not tendered or accepted for payment in the name(s) of,
and deliver said check and/or certificate(s) to,
<PAGE>   4
 
the person or persons so indicated. In the case of book-entry delivery of
Shares, please credit the account maintained at the Book-Entry Transfer Facility
indicated above with any Shares not accepted for payment. The undersigned
recognizes that the Company has no obligation pursuant to the "Special Payment
Instructions" to transfer any Shares from the name(s) of the registered
holder(s) thereof if the Company does not accept for payment any of the Shares
so tendered.

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                          SPECIAL PAYMENT INSTRUCTIONS
                   (SEE INSTRUCTIONS 1, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 AND 9)
 
   To be completed ONLY if the check for the aggregate Purchase Price of Shares
 purchased and/or certificates for Shares not tendered or not purchased are to
 be issued in the name of someone other than the undersigned.
 
 Issue [ ] check, and/or
       [ ] certificates to:
 
 Name__________________________________________________________________________
                                 (PLEASE PRINT)

 Address_______________________________________________________________________
 
 ______________________________________________________________________________
                                                                     (ZIP CODE)
 ______________________________________________________________________________ 
                       (TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION NO.)
 
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------





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

                         SPECIAL DELIVERY INSTRUCTIONS
                      (SEE INSTRUCTIONS 1, 4, 5, 6 AND 7)
 
   To be completed ONLY if the check for the aggregate Purchase Price of Shares
 purchased and/or certificates for Shares not tendered or not purchased are to
 be mailed to someone other than the undersigned or to the undersigned at an
 address other than that shown below the undersigned's signature(s).
 
 Mail [ ] check, and/or
      [ ] certificates to:
 
 Name__________________________________________________________________________
                                 (PLEASE PRINT)
 
 Address_______________________________________________________________________

 ______________________________________________________________________________
                                                                     (ZIP CODE)

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>   5
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                                   SIGN HERE
                           (SEE INSTRUCTIONS 1 AND 5)
                  (PLEASE COMPLETE SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9 BELOW)


_______________________________________________________________________________


_______________________________________________________________________________
                           (SIGNATURE(S) OF OWNER(S)

Name(s)________________________________________________________________________
                                 (PLEASE PRINT)

Capacity (full title)__________________________________________________________
 

Address________________________________________________________________________


_______________________________________________________________________________
                               (INCLUDE ZIP CODE)
 
Area Code and Telephone Number_________________________________________________
 

Tax Identification Number______________________________________________________

 
Dated__________________________________________________________________________
 
(Must be signed by registered holder(s) exactly as name(s) appear(s) on stock
certificate(s) or on a security position listing or by person(s) authorized to
become registered holder(s) by certificates and documents transmitted herewith.
If signature is by a trustee, administrator, guardian, attorney-in-fact, agent,
officer of a corporation or other person acting in a fiduciary or representative
capacity, please set forth full title and see Instruction 5.)
 

                           GUARANTEE OF SIGNATURE(S)
                           (SEE INSTRUCTIONS 1 AND 5)

 
Authorized Signature___________________________________________________________

 
Name___________________________________________________________________________
                                 (PLEASE PRINT)
 
Title__________________________________________________________________________
 

Name of Firm___________________________________________________________________


Address________________________________________________________________________


_______________________________________________________________________________
                               (INCLUDE ZIP CODE)
 
Area Code and Telephone Number_________________________________________________
 

Dated__________________________________________________________________________


- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>   6
 
                           IMPORTANT TAX INFORMATION
 
     Under U.S. Federal income tax law, a stockholder whose tendered Shares are
accepted for payment is required to provide the Depositary with such
stockholder's correct taxpayer identification number ("TIN") and, if applicable,
make certain certifications on Substitute Form W-9 below. If the Depositary is
not provided with the correct TIN, or if any other information is not correctly
provided, the Internal Revenue Service may subject the stockholder or other
payee to a $50 penalty. In addition, payments that are made to such stockholder
or other payee with respect to Shares purchased pursuant to the Offer may be
subject to 31% backup withholding.
 
     Certain stockholders (including, among others, all corporations and certain
foreign individuals) are not subject to these backup withholding and reporting
requirements and should indicate their status by writing "exempt" across the
face of the Substitute Form W-9. In order for a foreign individual to qualify as
an exempt recipient, the stockholder must submit a Form W-8, signed under
penalties of perjury, attesting to that individual's exempt status. A Form W-8
can be obtained from the Depositary. See the enclosed "Guidelines for
Certification of Taxpayer Identification Number on Substitute Form W-9" for more
instructions.
 
     If backup withholding applies, the Depositary is required to withhold 31%
of any such payments made to the stockholder or other payee. Backup withholding
is not an additional tax. Rather, the tax liability of persons subject to backup
withholding will be reduced by the amount of tax withheld. If withholding
results in an overpayment of taxes, a refund may be obtained from the Internal
Revenue Service.
 
     To prevent backup withholding, each stockholder must complete Parts 1 and 2
of the Substitute Form W-9 below. In Part 1 of the Substitute Form W-9, the
stockholder must give the Depositary the TIN (e.g., social security number or
employer identification number) of the record owner of the Shares or of the last
transferee attached to, or endorsed on, the certificates evidencing the Shares.
If the Shares are registered in more than one name or are not registered in the
name of the actual owner, consult the enclosed "Guidelines for Certification of
Taxpayer Identification Number on Substitute Form W-9" for additional guidance
on which number to report. In Part 2 of the Substitute Form W-9, the stockholder
must certify that the TIN provided in Part 1 is correct and that (i) the
stockholder is exempt from backup withholding, (ii) the stockholder has not been
notified by the Internal Revenue Service that such stockholder is subject to
backup withholding as a result of a failure to report all interest or dividends,
or (iii) the Internal Revenue Service has notified the stockholder that such
stockholder is no longer subject to backup withholding. The box in Part 3 of the
Substitute Form W-9 may be checked if the tendering stockholder has not been
issued a TIN and has applied for a TIN or intends to apply for a TIN in the near
future. If the box in Part 3 is checked, the stockholder or other payee must
also complete the Certificate of Awaiting Taxpayer Identification Number below
Part 3 in order to avoid backup withholding. Notwithstanding that the box in
Part 3 is checked and the Certificate of Awaiting Taxpayer Identification Number
is completed, the Depositary will withhold 31% on all payments made prior to the
time a properly certified TIN is provided to the Depositary.
 
<TABLE>
            PAYER'S NAME: AMERICAN STOCK TRANSFER & TRUST CO., INC.
<S>                                     <C>                                             <C>
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
SUBSTITUTE                               PART 1 -- PLEASE PROVIDE YOUR TIN IN            ________________________________________
FORM W-9                                 THE BOX AT RIGHT AND CERTIFY BY SIGNING AND               Social Security Number
                                         DATING BELOW, OR IF A TIN HAS NOT BEEN ISSUED   OR______________________________________
Please fill in your Name and Address:    TO YOU, PLEASE CHECK THE BOX IN PART 3 BELOW.         Employer Identification Number

_______________________________________
_______________________________________
_______________________________________

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

DEPARTMENT OF TREASURY                    PART 2 -- For payees exempt from backup withholding, see the enclosed Guidelines for
PAYER'S REQUEST FOR TAXPAYER              Certification
IDENTIFICATION NUMBER (TIN)               of Taxpayer Identification Number on Substitute Form W-9

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

CERTIFICATION -- Under penalties of perjury, I certify that:
(1) The number shown on this form is my correct Taxpayer Identification Number (or I am waiting for a number to be issued to me)
    and
(2) I am not subject to backup withholding under the provisions of Section 3406 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
    amended, either because (i) I am exempt from backup withholding, (ii) I have not been notified by the Internal Revenue
    Service ("IRS") that I am subject to backup withholding as a result of a failure to report all interest or dividends or
    (iii) the IRS has notified me that I am no longer subject to backup withholding.
CERTIFICATION INSTRUCTIONS -- You must cross out item (2) above if you have been notified by the IRS that you are subject to
backup withholding because of under reporting interest or dividends on your tax return. However, if after being notified by the
IRS that you were subject to backup withholding you received another notification from the IRS that you are no longer subject to
backup withholding, do not cross out item (2).

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

                                                                                          PART 3
  SIGNATURE  DATE________________, 1997                                                               Awaiting TIN [ ]

- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
<PAGE>   7
 
       YOU MUST COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING CERTIFICATE IF YOU CHECKED THE BOX
                        IN PART 3 OF SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9
 
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------

             CERTIFICATE OF AWAITING TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION NUMBER
 
    I certify under penalties of perjury that a taxpayer identification number
has not been issued to me, and either (a) I have mailed or delivered an
application to receive a taxpayer identification number to the appropriate
Internal Revenue Service Center or Social Security Administration Office, or (b)
I intend to mail or deliver an application in the near future. I understand
that, notwithstanding that I have checked the box in Part 3 (and have completed
this Certificate of Awaiting Taxpayer Identification Number), all reportable
payments made to me prior to the time I provide the Depositary with a properly
certified taxpayer identification number will be subject to a 31% backup
withholding tax.
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                   <C>
___________________________________________________   _________________________
              SIGNATURE                                          DATE
</TABLE>
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

NOTE:  FAILURE TO COMPLETE AND RETURN THIS FORM W-9 MAY RESULT IN A BACKUP WITH-
       HOLDING OF 31% OF ANY PAYMENT MADE TO YOU PURSUANT TO THE OFFER. PLEASE
       REVIEW THE ENCLOSED "GUIDELINES FOR CERTIFICATION OF TAXPAYER 
       IDENTIFICATION NUMBER ON SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9" FOR ADDITIONAL DETAILS.
 

                                  INSTRUCTIONS
             FORMING PART OF THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THE OFFER
 
1. GUARANTEE OF SIGNATURES
 
     Except as otherwise provided below, all signatures on this Letter of
Transmittal must be guaranteed by a firm which is an "Eligible Institution" (as
defined in the Offer to Purchase). Signatures on this Letter of Transmittal need
not be guaranteed if (a) this Letter of Transmittal is signed by the registered
owner of the Shares (which term, for purposes of this document, shall include
any participant in one of the Book-Entry Transfer Facilities whose name appears
on a security position listing as the owner of Shares) tendered herewith and
such holder(s) have not completed either of the boxes entitled "Special Payment
Instructions" or "Special Delivery Instructions" on this Letter of Transmittal
or (b) such Shares are tendered for the account of an Eligible Institution. See
Instruction 5.
 
2. DELIVERY OF THE LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL AND SHARES
 
     This Letter of Transmittal is to be used only if (a) certificates for
Shares are to be forwarded herewith or (b) delivery of Shares is to be made by
book-entry transfer pursuant to the procedures set forth in Section 2 of the
Offer to Purchase. Certificates for all physically delivered Shares, or a
confirmation of a book-entry transfer of all Shares delivered electronically
into the Depositary's account at one of the Book-Entry Transfer Facilities,
together in each case with a properly completed and duly executed Letter of
Transmittal (or a facsimile thereof) with any required signature guarantees, and
any other documents required by this Letter of Transmittal, must be received by
the Depositary at one of its addresses set forth on the front page of this
Letter of Transmittal by the Expiration Date (as defined in the Offer to
Purchase). Delivery of documents to one of the Book-Entry Transfer Facilities
does not constitute delivery to the Depositary.
 
     Stockholders who cannot deliver the certificates for their Shares to the
Depositary prior to the Expiration Date or who cannot complete the procedure for
book-entry transfer on a timely basis or who cannot deliver a Letter of
Transmittal and all other required documents to the Depositary by the Expiration
Date must tender their Shares pursuant to the guaranteed delivery procedure set
forth in Section 2 of the Offer to Purchase. Pursuant to such procedure: (a)
such tender must be made by or through an Eligible Institution, (b) a properly
completed and duly executed Notice of Guaranteed Delivery substantially in the
form provided by the Company must be received (by hand, mail or facsimile
transmission) by the Depositary by the Expiration Date and (c) the certificates
for all physically delivered Shares, in proper form for transfer (or a
confirmation of a book-entry transfer of such Shares into the Depositary's
account at one of the Book-Entry Transfer Facilities), together with a properly
completed and duly executed Letter of Transmittal (or a facsimile thereof) and
any required signature guarantees and any other documents required by this
Letter of Transmittal, must be received by the Depositary within three New York
Stock Exchange trading days after the date of execution of such Notice of
Guaranteed Delivery, all as provided in Section 2 of the Offer to Purchase.
 
     THE METHOD OF DELIVERY OF SHARES, THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL AND ANY OTHER
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS IS AT THE OPTION AND RISK OF THE TENDERING STOCKHOLDER. IF
DELIVERY IS MADE BY MAIL, REGISTERED MAIL WITH RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED,
PROPERLY INSURED, IS RECOMMENDED.
<PAGE>   8
 
     No alternative, conditional, or contingent tenders will be accepted, and no
fractional Shares will be purchased. By executing this Letter of Transmittal (or
facsimile thereof), each tendering stockholder waives any right to receive any
notice of the acceptance of such stockholder's tender.
 
3. INADEQUATE SPACE
 
     If the space provided in the box captioned "Description of Shares Tendered"
is inadequate, the certificate numbers and/or the number of Shares should be
listed on a separate signed schedule and attached to this Letter of Transmittal.
 
4. PARTIAL TENDERS AND UNPURCHASED SHARES
 
     (Not applicable to stockholders who deliver Shares by book-entry transfer.)
If fewer than all the Shares represented by any certificate delivered to the
Depositary are to be tendered, fill in the number of Shares that are to be
tendered in the box entitled "Number of Shares Tendered." If such Shares are
purchased, a new certificate for the remainder of the Shares represented by the
old certificate(s) will be sent to and in the name of the registered holder(s)
(unless otherwise provided by such holder(s) having completed either of the
boxes entitled "Special Payment Instructions" or "Special Delivery Instructions"
on this Letter of Transmittal) as promptly as practicable following the
expiration or termination of the Offer. All Shares represented by the
certificate(s) listed and delivered to the Depositary will be deemed to have
been tendered unless otherwise indicated.
 
5. SIGNATURES ON THE LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL; STOCK POWERS AND ENDORSEMENTS
 
          (a) If this Letter of Transmittal is signed by the registered
     holder(s) of the Shares tendered herewith, the signature(s) must correspond
     with the name(s) as written on the face of the certificates without any
     change whatsoever.
 
          (b) If any of the Shares tendered herewith are registered in the names
     of two or more joint owners, each such owner must sign this Letter of
     Transmittal.
 
          (c) If any of the Shares tendered herewith are registered in different
     names on different certificates, it will be necessary to complete, sign and
     submit as many separate Letters of Transmittal as there are different
     registrations of certificates.
 
          (d) If this Letter of Transmittal is signed by the registered
     holder(s) of the Shares tendered herewith, no endorsements of certificates
     of separate stock powers are required unless payment is to be made, and/or
     the certificates for Shares not tendered or not purchased are to be issued,
     in the name(s) of any person(s) other than the registered holder(s). If
     this Letter of Transmittal is signed by a person other than the registered
     holder(s) of the Shares tendered herewith, however, the certificates must
     be endorsed or accompanied by appropriate stock powers, in either case,
     signed exactly as the name(s) of the registered holder(s) appear(s) on the
     certificates for such Shares. Signature(s) on any such certificates or
     stock powers must be guaranteed by an Eligible Institution. See Instruction
     1.
 
          (e) If this Letter of Transmittal or any certificate or stock power is
     signed by a trustee, executor, administrator, guardian, attorney-in-fact,
     officer of a corporation or other person acting in a fiduciary or
     representative capacity, such person should so indicate when signing and
     proper evidence satisfactory to the Company of the authority of such person
     so to act must be submitted.
 
6. STOCK TRANSFER TAXES
 
     The Company will pay any stock transfer taxes with respect to the transfer
and sale of Shares to it or its order pursuant to the Offer. If, however,
payment of the Purchase Price is to be made to, or if certificates for Shares
not tendered or accepted for purchase are to be registered in the name of, any
person other than the registered holder, or if tendered certificates are
registered in the name of any person other than the person(s) signing this
Letter of Transmittal, the amount of any stock transfer taxes (whether imposed
on the registered holder or such person) payable on account of the transfer to
such person will be deducted from the Purchase Price unless satisfactory
evidence of the payment of such taxes or exemption therefrom is submitted.
 
7. SPECIAL PAYMENT AND DELIVERY INSTRUCTIONS
 
     If the check for the Purchase Price of any Shares purchased is to be issued
to, or any Shares not tendered or not purchased are to be returned in the name
of, a person other than the person(s) signing this Letter of Transmittal or if
the check or any certificates for Shares not tendered or not purchased are to be
mailed to someone other than the person(s) signing this Letter of Transmittal or
to the person(s) signing this Letter of Transmittal at an address other than
that shown in the box entitled "Description of Shares Tendered," the boxes
entitled "Special Payment Instructions" and/or "Special Delivery Instructions"
on this Letter of Transmittal should be completed.
<PAGE>   9
 
8. FEDERAL INCOME TAX WITHHOLDING
 
     Except as provided above under "Important Tax Information," each tendering
stockholder is required to provide the Depositary with a correct TIN on
Substitute Form W-9 which is provided under "Important Tax Information" above.
Failure to provide the information and make the certifications on the form may
subject the tendering stockholder to a $50 penalty and 31% Federal backup
withholding tax may be imposed on the payments made to the stockholder or other
payee with respect to Shares purchased pursuant to the Offer.
 
9. WITHHOLDING ON FOREIGN STOCKHOLDERS
 
     The Depositary will withhold Federal income taxes equal to 30% of the gross
payments payable to a foreign stockholder unless such foreign stockholder proves
in a manner satisfactory to the Company and the Depositary that either (i) the
sale of its Shares pursuant to the Offer will qualify as a sale or exchange,
rather than as a dividend, for Federal income tax purposes (as described in
Section 12 of the Offer to Purchase), in which case no withholding will be
required, or (ii) the foreign stockholder is eligible for a reduced tax treaty
rate with respect to dividend income, in which case the Depositary will withhold
at the reduced treaty rate. For this purpose, a foreign stockholder is any
stockholder that is not (i) an individual citizen or resident of the United
States, (ii) a corporation, partnership or other entity created or organized in
or under the laws of the United States or any political subdivision thereof or
(iii) any estate or trust the income of which is subject to United States
Federal income taxation regardless of the source of such income. The Depositary
will determine a stockholder's status as a foreign stockholder and eligibility
for a tax treaty reduced rate of withholding by reference to the stockholder's
address and to any outstanding certificates or statements concerning eligibility
for a reduced rate of withholding unless facts and circumstances indicate that
reliance is not warranted. A foreign stockholder who has not previously
submitted the appropriate certificates or statements with respect to a reduced
rate of withholding for which such stockholder may be eligible should consider
doing so in order to avoid overwithholding. A foreign stockholder may be
eligible to obtain from the U.S. Internal Revenue Service a refund of tax
withheld if such stockholder meets one of the three tests for sale or exchange
treatment described in Section 12 of the Offer to Purchase or is otherwise able
to establish that no tax or reduced amount of tax was due.
 
10. IRREGULARITIES
 
     All questions as to the number of Shares to be accepted and the validity,
form, eligibility (including time of receipt) and acceptance for payment of any
tender of Shares will be determined by the Company, in its sole discretion, and
its determination shall be final and binding on all parties. The Company
reserves the absolute right to reject any or all tenders it determines not to be
in proper form or the acceptance of or payment for which may, in the opinion of
the Company's counsel, be unlawful. The Company also reserves the absolute right
to waive any of the conditions of the Offer or any defect or irregularity in the
tender of any particular Shares. No tender of Shares will be deemed to be
properly made until all defects and irregularities have been cured or waived.
Unless waived, any defect or irregularity in connection with tenders must be
cured within such time as the Company shall determine. None of the Company, the
Depositary, the Information Agent or any other person is or will be obligated to
give notice of any defect or irregularity in tenders, and none of them will
incur any liability for failure to give such notice.
 
11. REQUESTS FOR ASSISTANCE OR ADDITIONAL COPIES
 
     Requests for assistance or additional copies of the Offer to Purchase and
this Letter of Transmittal may be obtained from the Information Agent at the
address or telephone numbers set forth below.
 
     IMPORTANT: THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL OR A MANUALLY SIGNED FACSIMILE HEREOF
(TOGETHER WITH CERTIFICATES FOR SHARES OR CONFIRMATION OF BOOK-ENTRY TRANSFER OF
SHARES AND ALL OTHER REQUIRED DOCUMENTS) OR A NOTICE OF GUARANTEED DELIVERY MUST
BE RECEIVED BY THE DEPOSITARY PRIOR TO THE EXPIRATION DATE.
 
                    The Information Agent for the Offer is:
 
                                [GEORGESON LOGO]
 
                               Wall Street Plaza
                            New York, New York 10005
                            Toll Free (800) 223-2064
 
                             Bankers and Brokerage
                           Firms please call collect:
                                 (212) 440-9800

<PAGE>   1
                                                               EXHIBIT 99.(a)(3)


                               ZAPATA CORPORATION

                         NOTICE OF GUARANTEED DELIVERY
                           OF SHARES OF COMMON STOCK



                 This form or a facsimile hereof must be used to accept the
                 Offer (as defined below) if:

                          (a)     certificates for shares of Common Stock, par
                 value $0.25 per share (the "Shares"), of Zapata Corporation, a
                 Delaware corporation (the "Company"), cannot be delivered to
                 the Depositary prior to the Expiration Date (as defined in
                 Section 1 of the Company's Offer to Purchase dated January 14,
                 1997 (the "Offer to Purchase")); or

                          (b)     the procedure for book-entry transfer (set
                 forth in Section 2 of the Offer to Purchase) cannot be
                 completed on a timely basis; or

                          (c)     the Letter of Transmittal (or a facsimile
                 thereof) and all other required documents cannot be delivered
                 to the Depositary prior to the Expiration Date.

                 This form, properly completed and duly executed, may be
delivered by hand, mail or facsimile transmission to the Depositary.   See
Section 2 of the Offer to Purchase.

             TO:  AMERICAN STOCK TRANSFER & TRUST CO., Inc., Depositary

      By Mail, Hand or Overnight Courier:        By Facsimile Transmission:
                                              (for Eligible Institutions only)
                 40 Wall Street                         718-234-5001
                   46th Floor               
            New York, New York 10005                Confirm by Telephone:
                                                        718-921-8200

   DELIVERY  OF THIS  INSTRUMENT TO  AN ADDRESS  OTHER THAN  AS SET 
   FORTH ABOVE  OR A  TRANSMISSION OF INSTRUCTIONS TO  A FACSIMILE
   NUMBER OTHER THAN THE  ONES LISTED ABOVE  DOES NOT CONSTITUTE  A VALID
   DELIVERY.

                 This form is not to be used to guarantee signatures.  If a
signature on a Letter of Transmittal is required to be guaranteed by an
"Eligible Institution" (as defined in the Offer to Purchase) under the
instructions thereto, such signature guarantee must appear in the applicable
space provided in the signature box on the Letter of Transmittal.

Ladies and Gentlemen:

                 The undersigned hereby tenders to the Company, upon the terms
and subject to the conditions set forth in the Offer to Purchase and the
related Letter of Transmittal (which together constitute the "Offer"), receipt
of which is hereby acknowledged, the number of Shares specified below pursuant
to the guaranteed delivery procedure set forth in Section 2 of the Offer to
Purchase.





<PAGE>   2
 No. of Shares tendered                                      SIGN HERE
                Shares                        
 -------------                                
                                              
 Certificate Nos.                                                           
                                               ---------------------------------
 (if available):                                           (SIGNATURE(S))
                                              
 -----------------------------------------
                                                                             
 -----------------------------------------
 If Shares will be delivered by                ---------------------------------
 book-entry transfer:                                      (SIGNATURE(S)) 
                                              
 Name of Tendering Institution:                                              
                               ------------    ---------------------------------
                                                       (NAME(S)) (PLEASE PRINT)
 ------------------------------------------
 Account No.:                                 
               ----------------------------
                                                                              
                                               ---------------------------------
 at:                                                       (ADDRESS)
                                              
 [ ]  The Depository Trust Company                                           
                                               ---------------------------------
 [ ]  Philadelphia Depository Trust Company                (ZIP CODE)
                                              
                                                                             
                                               ---------------------------------
                                                   (AREA CODE AND TELEPHONE NO.)
                                                            

                                   GUARANTEE
                    (Not to be used for signature guarantee)

                 The undersigned, an "Eligible Institution," guarantees (a)
that the above named person(s) has a "net long position" in the Shares tendered
hereby within the meaning of Rule 14e-4 under the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, as amended, (b) that such tender of Shares complies with Rule 14e-4 and
(c) to deliver to the Depositary either the stock certificates representing the
Shares tendered hereby, in proper form for transfer, or confirmation of the
book-entry transfer of such Shares into the Depositary's account at The
Depository Trust Company or Philadelphia Depository Trust Company, in any such
case together with a properly completed and duly executed Letter(s) of
Transmittal (or facsimile(s) thereof) and any other required documents, all
within three New York Stock Exchange trading days after the date of execution
of this notice.



                                                                               
                                               ---------------------------------
                                                         (NAME OF FIRM)

                                               ---------------------------------
                                                     (AUTHORIZED SIGNATURE)


                                               ---------------------------------
                                                             (NAME)


                                               ---------------------------------
                                                           (ADDRESS)


                                               ---------------------------------
                                                           (ZIP CODE)

 Dated:                                                                       
         ----------------------                ---------------------------------
                                                  (AREA CODE AND TELEPHONE NO.)

DO NOT SEND STOCK CERTIFICATES WITH THIS FORM.  YOUR STOCK CERTIFICATES MUST BE
SENT WITH THE LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL.





                                     -2-

<PAGE>   1
                                                               EXHIBIT 99.(a)(4)


                              [ZAPATA LETTERHEAD]





                           OFFER TO PURCHASE FOR CASH

                                       by

                               ZAPATA CORPORATION

                                     up to

                     15,000,000 SHARES OF ITS COMMON STOCK

                                       at

                              $4.50 NET PER SHARE

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

THE OFFER, THE PRORATION PERIOD AND WITHDRAWAL RIGHTS WILL EXPIRE AT 5:00 P.M.,
NEW YORK CITY TIME, ON FEBRUARY 20, 1997, UNLESS THE OFFER IS EXTENDED.

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


                                                                January 14, 1997


To Brokers, Dealers, Commercial Banks,
Trust Companies and Other Nominees:

         Zapata Corporation (the "Company") is offering to purchase up to
15,000,000 shares of its Common Stock, par value $0.25 per share (the "Shares"),
at a price of $4.50 per Share, net to the seller in cash, upon the terms and
subject to the conditions set forth in the Offer to Purchase, dated January 14,
1997 (the "Offer to Purchase"), and in the related Letter of Transmittal (which
together constitute the "Offer") enclosed herewith.  Please furnish copies of
the enclosed materials to those of your clients for whose accounts you hold
Shares registered in your name or in the name of your nominee.

         THE OFFER IS CONDITIONED UPON A MINIMUM OF 10,000,000 SHARES BEING
TENDERED.  THE OFFER ALSO IS SUBJECT TO CERTAIN OTHER CONDITIONS. SEE SECTION 5
OF THE OFFER TO PURCHASE.





<PAGE>   2
         Enclosed herewith for your information and for forwarding to your
clients for whose accounts you hold Shares registered in your name or in the
name of your nominee are copies of the following documents:

         1.      The Offer to Purchase, dated January 14, 1997;

         2.      The Letter of Transmittal for your use and for the information
                 of your clients (facsimile copies of the Letter of Transmittal
                 may be used to tender Shares);

         3.      A Notice of Guaranteed Delivery to be used to accept the Offer
                 if  certificates for Shares are not immediately available or
                 if such  certificates and all other required documents cannot
                 be delivered to the  Depositary (as defined in the Offer to
                 Purchase) before the expiration of the Offer or if the
                 procedures for book-entry transfer cannot be completed  on a
                 timely basis;

         4.      A printed form of letter which may be sent to your clients for
                 whose  account you hold Shares registered in your name or in
                 the name of your  nominee, with space provided for obtaining
                 such clients' instructions with  regard to the Offer;

         5.      Guidelines of the Internal Revenue Service for Certification
                 of Taxpayer Identification Number on Substitute Form W-9; and

         6.      A return envelope addressed to the Depositary.

         YOUR PROMPT ACTION IS REQUESTED. WE URGE YOU TO CONTACT YOUR CLIENTS
AS PROMPTLY AS POSSIBLE. THE OFFER, THE PRORATION PERIOD AND WITHDRAWAL RIGHTS
WILL EXPIRE AT 5:00 P.M., NEW YORK CITY TIME, ON FEBRUARY 20, 1997, UNLESS THE
OFFER IS EXTENDED.

         In order to accept the Offer, (i) a duly executed and properly
completed letter of Transmittal with any required signature guarantees or any
other documentation should be sent to the Depositary, and (ii) either
certificates representing the tendered Shares should be delivered to the
Depositary or such Shares should be tendered by book-entry transfer into the
Depositary's account maintained at one of the Book-Entry Transfer Facilities
(as defined in the Offer to Purchase), all in accordance with the instructions
set forth in the Letter of transmittal and the Offer to Purchase.

         If holders of Shares wish to tender, but it is impractical for them to
forward their certificates for such Shares or other required documentation on
or prior to the expiration of the Offer or to comply with the book-entry
transfer procedures on a timely basis, a tender may be effected by following
the guaranteed delivery procedures specified in Section 2 of the Offer to
Purchase.

         The Company will not pay any commissions or fees to any broker, dealer
or other person for soliciting tenders of Shares pursuant to the Offer. The
Company will, however, upon request,





                                    - 2 -
<PAGE>   3
reimburse you for customary clerical and mailing expenses incurred by you in
forwarding any of the enclosed materials to your clients. The Company will pay
or cause to be paid any transfer taxes payable on the transfer of Shares to it,
except as otherwise provided in Instruction 6 of the enclosed Letter of
Transmittal.

         Any questions or requests for assistance may be directed to the
Information agent at its address and telephone number set forth on the back
cover of the Offer to Purchase. Requests for additional copies of the Offer to
Purchase, the Letter of Transmittal and other tender offer materials may be
directed to the Information Agent at its address and phone numbers listed on the
back cover of the enclosed Offer to Purchase.

                                     Very truly yours,

                                     /s/ AVRAM A. GLAZER
                                     -----------------------------------------
                                         President and Chief Executive Officer


Enclosures



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

         NOTHING CONTAINED HEREIN OR IN THE ENCLOSED DOCUMENTS SHALL CONSTITUTE
YOU OR ANY OTHER PERSON THE AGENT OF THE COMPANY, THE DEPOSITARY, THE
INFORMATION AGENT OR ANY AFFILIATE OF ANY OF THEM OR AUTHORIZE YOU OR ANY OTHER
PERSON TO MAKE ANY STATEMENT OR USE ANY DOCUMENT ON BEHALF OF ANY OF THEM IN
CONNECTION WITH THE OFFER OTHER THAN THE ENCLOSED DOCUMENTS AND THE STATEMENTS
CONTAINED THEREIN.

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





                                    - 3 -

<PAGE>   1
                                                               EXHIBIT 99.(a)(5)


                               ZAPATA CORPORATION

                           OFFER TO PURCHASE FOR CASH
                  UP TO 15,000,000 SHARES OF ITS COMMON STOCK
                             AT $4.50 NET PER SHARE

                                                                January 14, 1997

To Our Clients:

         Enclosed for your consideration are the Offer to Purchase dated
January 14, 1997, and the related Letter of Transmittal (which together
constitute the "Offer"), in connection with the Offer by Zapata Corporation, a
Delaware corporation (the "Company"), to purchase up to 15,000,000 shares of
its Common Stock, par value $0.25 per share (such shares together with all
other outstanding shares of Common Stock of the Company are herein referred to
as the "Shares"), at a price of $4.50 per Share, upon the terms and subject to
the conditions of the Offer.  We are the holder of record of Shares held for
your account.  A tender of such Shares can be made only by us as the holder of
record and pursuant to your instructions. THE LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL IS
FURNISHED TO YOU FOR YOUR INFORMATION ONLY AND CANNOT BE USED BY YOU TO TENDER
SHARES HELD BY US FOR YOUR ACCOUNT.

         We request instructions as to whether you wish to tender any or all of
the Shares held by us for your account, upon the terms and subject to the
conditions set forth in the Offer to Purchase and the Letter of Transmittal.

         Your attention is invited to the following:

         1.      The Offer, proration period and withdrawal rights expire at
5:00 p.m., New York City time, on Thursday, February 20, 1997, unless the Offer
is extended.

         2.      The Offer is conditioned upon a minimum of 10,000,000 Shares
being validly tendered and not withdrawn prior to the expiration of the Offer.
The Offer is also subject to certain other conditions described in the Offer to
Purchase.

         3.      Any stock transfer taxes applicable to the sale of Shares to
the Company pursuant to the Offer will be paid by the Company, except as
otherwise provided in Instruction 6 of the Letter of Transmittal.

         If you wish to have us tender any or all of your Shares, please so
instruct us by completing, executing and returning to us the attached
instruction form.  An envelope to return your instructions to us is enclosed.
If you authorize tender of your Shares, all such Shares will be tendered unless
otherwise specified on the attached instruction form.  Your instructions should
be forwarded to us in ample time to permit us to submit a tender on your behalf
by the expiration of the Offer.

         As described in the Offer to Purchase, if fewer than all Shares
validly tendered prior to the expiration of the Offer are to be purchased by
the Company, the Company, upon the terms and subject to the conditions of the
Offer, will accept Shares for purchase on a pro rata basis, if necessary (with
adjustments to avoid purchases of fractional Shares).

         THE OFFER IS NOT BEING MADE TO, NOR WILL TENDERS BE ACCEPTED FROM OR
ON BEHALF OF, HOLDERS OF SHARES IN ANY JURISDICTION IN WHICH THE MAKING OF THE
OFFER OR ACCEPTANCE THEREOF WOULD NOT BE IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE LAWS OF SUCH
JURISDICTION.  IN THOSE JURISDICTIONS THE LAWS OF WHICH REQUIRE THAT THE OFFER
BE MADE BY A LICENSED BROKER OR DEALER, THE OFFER SHALL BE DEEMED TO BE MADE ON
BEHALF OF THE COMPANY BY ONE OR MORE REGISTERED BROKERS OR DEALERS LICENSED
UNDER THE LAWS OF SUCH JURISDICTION.





<PAGE>   2
            INSTRUCTIONS WITH RESPECT TO OFFER TO PURCHASE FOR CASH
                    UP TO 15,000,000 SHARES OF COMMON STOCK
                                       OF
                               ZAPATA CORPORATION

         The undersigned acknowledge(s) receipt of your letter and the enclosed
Offer to Purchase dated January 14, 1997, and the related Letter of Transmittal
in connection with the Offer by Zapata Corporation (the "Company") to purchase
up to 15,000,000 shares of its Common Stock, par value $0.25 per share (such
shares together with all other outstanding shares of Common Stock of the
Company are herein referred to as the "Shares"), at a price of $4.50 per Share,
net to the undersigned in cash.

         This will instruct you to tender the number of Shares indicated below
held by you for the account of the undersigned, upon the terms and subject to
the conditions set forth in the Offer to Purchase and the related Letter of
Transmittal.

[ ]      By checking this box, all Shares held for the account of the
         undersigned will be tendered.  If fewer than all Shares are to be
         tendered, please check the box and indicate below the aggregate number
         of Shares to be tendered.

                                                   Shares*
                                     -------------
- ----------
*        Unless otherwise indicated, it will be assumed that all Shares held
         for the account of the undersigned are to be tendered.


                                  SIGN HERE

                            
- -----------------------------------------     ---------------------------------
        SIGNATURE(S)


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

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

- -----------------------------------------     ---------------------------------
      
PLEASE PRINT NAME(S) AND ADDRESS(ES) HERE

Dated
     ------------------------------------





<PAGE>   1
                                                               EXHIBIT 99.(a)(6)


                              [ZAPATA LETTERHEAD]


                                                                January 14, 1997

Dear Stockholder:

         Zapata Corporation (the "Company") is offering to purchase up to
15,000,000 shares of its Common Stock, par value $0.25 per share (the "Shares"),
at a price of $4.50 per Share, net to the seller in cash (the "Offer"). The
Offer is conditioned, among other things, upon a minimum of 10,000,000 Shares
being tendered.  The Offer is explained in detail in the enclosed Offer to
Purchase and Letter of Transmittal. The instructions on how to tender your
Shares are also explained in detail in the enclosed accompanying materials. We
encourage you to read these materials carefully.

         The closing sale prices per Share on the New York Stock Exchange on
December 30, 1996, the day on which the Company announced, after the close of
trading, its intention to commence the Offer, and on January 13, 1997, the last
trading day prior to the commencement of the Offer, were $3.50 and $4.25,
respectively. Any stockholder whose Shares are purchased in the Offer will not
incur the usual transaction costs associated with open market sales.

         The Board of Directors of the Company has approved the making of the
Offer.  However, neither the Company nor the Board of Directors makes any
recommendation to any stockholder as to whether to tender any or all Shares.
Stockholders must make their own decision as to whether to tender Shares and,
if so, how many Shares to tender.

         We have retained Georgeson & Company Inc. as our Information Agent to
help you respond to the Offer.  Please contact them between the hours of 8:00
a.m. and 6:00 p.m., Eastern Time, at their toll free number (1-800-223-2064),
if you have any questions. Their representatives will be pleased to answer your
questions and can help you complete the enclosed materials.

                               Very truly yours,

                               For the Board of Directors,


                               /s/ AVRAM A. GLAZER

                               President and Chief Executive Officer

===============================================================================
                                                                       
NOTE:  IF STOCK CERTIFICATES ARE TENDERED THAT WERE ISSUED PRIOR TO THE
COMPANY'S MAY 1994 1-FOR-5 REVERSE STOCK SPLIT, THE COMPANY'S TRANSFER AGENT
AND THE DEPOSITARY FOR THE OFFER, AMERICAN STOCK TRANSFER & TRUST CO., INC.,
WILL EXCHANGE AUTOMATICALLY SUCH CERTIFICATES FOR POST REVERSE STOCK SPLIT
SHARES IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS APPLICABLE TO THE REVERSE STOCK SPLIT.

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






<PAGE>   1
                                                               EXHIBIT 99.(a)(7)



                          [LETTERHEAD OF STERN & CO.]




CONTACTS:                                      
JOSEPH L. VON ROSENBERG III                                       RICHARD STERN
ZAPATA CORP.                                                      STERN & CO.
(713) 940-6100                                                    (212) 777-7722
                                               
                                               

           ZAPATA ANNOUNCES TENDER FOR UP TO 15 MILLION COMMON SHARES


HOUSTON -- DECEMBER 30, 1996--Zapata Corporation (NYSE:ZAP) announced its
intention to commence a cash tender offer for up to 15 million shares of its
common stock at a price of $4.50 per share.  The offer will be conditioned upon
a minimum of 10 million shares being tendered and not withdrawn and will be
subject to the satisfaction of other customary conditions.

Avram A. Glazer, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, said,
"That Board of Directors has determined that the purchase of shares pursuant to
the offering represents a good use of a substantial portion of the cash it has
available and is an attractive investment opportunity for the Company."

Zapata has approximately 29.5 million shares of common stock outstanding.
Malcolm Glazer, Chairman of the Board of Zapata, intends to tender 3 million of
the approximately 10.4 million shares owned by him through a trust.  Zapata
intends to commence the tender offer in approximately a week.

                                      ###

<PAGE>   1
                                                               EXHIBIT 99.(a)(8)


            GUIDELINES FOR CERTIFICATION OF TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION
                         NUMBER ON SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9

Guidelines for Determining the Proper Identification Number to Give the Payor
- -- Social Security numbers have nine digits separated by two hyphens: i.e.,
000-00-0000.  Employer identification numbers have nine digits separated by
only one hyphen: i.e., 00-0000000.  The table below will help determine the
number to give the payor.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                  Give the EMPLOYER
                                  Give the SOCIAL                                                 IDENTIFICATION
 For this type of account:        SECURITY number of --           For this type of account:       number of --          
 ------------------------         ---------------------           ------------------------        ----------------------
 <S>                              <C>                             <C>                             <C>
 1.  An individual's account      The individual                  9.  A valid trust, estate, or   Legal entity (Do not furnish    
                                                                      pension trust               the identifying number of the   
 2.  Two or more individuals      The actual owner of the                                         personal representative or      
     (joint account)              account or, if combined                                         trustee unless the legal entity 
                                  funds, the first individual                                     itself is not designated in the 
                                  on the account(1)                                               account title.)(5)              
                                                                                                                        
 3.  Husband and wife (joint      The actual owner of the         10. Corporate account           The corporation
     account)                     account or, if joint funds,
                                  the first individual on the
                                  account(1)

 4.  Custodian account of a       The minor(2)                    11. Association, club,          The organization
     minor (Uniform Gift to                                           religious, charitable,
     Minors Act)                                                      educational, or other tax-
                                                                      exempt organization

 5.  Adult and minor (joint       The adult or, if the minor      12. Partnership account held    The partnership
     account)                     is the only contributor, the        in the name of the         
                                  minor(1)                            business

 6.  Account in the name of       The ward, minor or              13. A broker or registered      The broker or nominee
     guardian or committee for    incompetent person(3)               nominee
     a designated ward, minor,
     or incompetent person

 7.  (a) The usual revocable      The grantor person(1)           14. Account with the            The public entity
         savings trust account                                        Department of Agriculture   
         (grantor is also                                             in the name of a public
         trustee)                                                     entity (such as a state or
     (b) So-called trust          The actual owner(1)                 local government, school 
         account that is not a                                        district, or prison) that
         legal or valid trust                                         receives agricultural         
         under state law                                              program payments

 8.  Sole proprietorship          The owner(4)
     account
</TABLE>

- -------------
     (1)    List first and circle the name of the person whose number your 
            furnish.

     (2)    Circle the minor's name and furnish the minor's social security 
            number.

     (3)    Circle the ward's, minor's or incompetent person's name and furnish 
            such person's social security number.

     (4)    Show the name of the owner.

     (5)    List first and circle the name of the legal trust, estate, or 
            pension trust.

     Notes: If no name is circle when there is more than one name, the number
            will be considered to be that of the first name listed.
<PAGE>   2
OBTAINING A NUMBER

      If you don't have a taxpayer identification number or you don't know your
number, obtain Form SS-5, Application for Social Security Number Card, or Form
SS-4, Application for Employer Identification Number, at the local office of
the Social Security Administration or the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and
apply for a number.

      PAYEES AND PAYMENT EXEMPT FROM BACKUP WITHHOLDING -- The following is a
list of payees exempt from backup withholding and for which no information
reporting is required. For broker transactions, payees listed in items (1)
through (13), and a person registered under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940
who regularly acts as a broker are exempt.   Payments subject to reporting
under sections 6041 and 6041A are generally exempt from backup withholding only
if made to payees described in items (1) through (7), except that a corporation
that provides medical and health care services or bills and collects payments
for such services is not exempt from withholding or information reporting:

(1)   A corporation.
(2)   An organization exempt from tax under section 501(a), or an individual
      retirement plan (IRA), or a custodial account under section 403(b)(7).
(3)   The United States or any of its agencies or instrumentalities.
(4)   A state, the District of Columbia, a possession of the United States, or
      any of their political subdivisions or instrumentalities.
(5)   A foreign government or any of its political subdivisions, agencies or
      instrumentalities.
(6)   An international organization or any of its agencies or instrumentalities.
(7)   A foreign central bank of issue.
(8)   A dealer in securities or commodities required to register in the U.S. or
      a possession of the U.S.
(9)   A futures commission merchant registered with the Commodity Futures
      Trading Commission.
(10)  A real estate investment trust.
(11)  An entity registered at all times during the tax year under the
      Investment Company Act of 1940.
(12)  A common trust fund operated by a bank under section 584(a).
(13)  A financial institution.

      Exempt payees described above should complete substitute Form W-9 to
avoid possible erroneous backup withholding.  ENTER YOUR CORRECT TAXPAYER
IDENTIFICATION NUMBER IN PART 1, WRITE "EXEMPT" IN PART II, AND SIGN AND DATE
THE FORM.   If you are a nonresident alien or foreign entity not subject to
backup withholding, give the requester a completed Form W- 8, Certificate of
Foreign Status.

      Payments that are not subject to information reporting are also not
subject to backup withholding.  For details, see the regulations under sections
6041, 6041(A)(a), 6042, 6044, 6045, 6049, 6050A, and 6050N.

      PRIVACY ACT NOTICE -- Section 6109 requires you to furnish your correct
taxpayer identification number (TIN) to persons who must file information
returns with IRS to report interest, dividends, and certain other income paid
to you, mortgage interest you paid, the acquisition or abandonment of secured
property, or contribution you made to an individual retirement arrangement
(IRA).  IRS uses the numbers for identification purposes and to help verify the
accuracy of your tax return.  You must provide your TIN whether or not you are
required to file a tax return.  Payors must generally withhold 31% of taxable
interest, dividend, and certain other payments to a payee who does not furnish
a TIN to a payor.  Certain penalties may also apply.

PENALTIES

(1)   PENALTY FOR FAILURE TO FURNISH TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION NUMBER -- If you
      fail to furnish your correct taxpayer identification number to a payor,
      you are subject to a penalty of $50 for each such failure unless your
      failure is due to reasonable cause and not to willful neglect.

(2)   CIVIL PENALTY FOR FALSE INFORMATION WITH RESPECT TO WITHHOLDING -- If you
      make a false statement with no reasonable basis that results in no
      imposition of backup withholding, you are subject to a penalty of $500.

(3)   CRIMINAL PENALTY FOR FALSIFYING INFORMATION -- Willfully falsifying
      certifications or affirmations may subject you to criminal penalties
      including fines and/or imprisonment.

                    FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CONTACT YOUR
                 TAX CONSULTANT OR THE INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE

<PAGE>   1
                                                              EXHIBIT 99(a)(9)




CONTACT:
JOSEPH L. VON ROSENBERG III                                  
ZAPATA CORP.                                                 
(713) 940-6100                                               



           ZAPATA COMMENCES TENDER OFFER FOR UP TO 15 MILLION SHARES


HOUSTON -- JANUARY 14, 1997--Zapata Corporation (NYSE:ZAP) announced that it is
commencing today a cash tender offer for up to 15 million shares of its common
stock at a price of $4.50 per share.  The offer will be made on the terms and
subject to the conditions set forth in the Company's definitive tender offer
materials, which are being mailed to stockholders today.  The tender offer will
expire at 5:00 p.m., Eastern Time, on February 20, 1997, unless extended.

The offer is conditioned upon a minimum of 10 million shares being validly
tendered and not withdrawn prior to the expiration of the offer and also is
subject to certain other conditions set forth in the offer materials.

Zapata has approximately 29.5 million shares of common stock outstanding.
Zapata has been advised that the Malcolm I. Glazer Family Limited Partnership
intends to tender 3 million of the approximately 10.4 million shares held by
such partnership.  Malcolm I. Glazer, the beneficial owner of the shares held
by such partnership, is the Chairman of Zapata's Board of Directors.  Based on
the number of shares now outstanding, the purchase of shares pursuant to the
offer will result in an increase in the percentage of Zapata's outstanding
shares held by the Malcolm I. Glazer Family Limited Partnership from 35.18% to
(i) at least 37.83%, if only the 10 million shares (including 3 million of the
shares held by the Malcolm I. Glazer Family Limited Partnership) necessary to 
satisfy the minimum condition are validly tendered, not withdrawn and
purchased, and (ii) as much as 57.49%, if all shares held by others than the
Malcolm I. Glazer Family Limited Partnership (and 3 million of the shares held
by such partnership) are validly tendered and not withdrawn and 15 million 
shares are purchased.
        
The information agent for the tender offer is Georgeson & Company Inc.
Additional copies of the Offer to Purchase and the Letter of Transmittal for
the tender offer may be obtained from the information agent.
        
                                      ###


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