BRT REALTY TRUST
10-Q, 1997-05-14
REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUSTS
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                         SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                                Washington, DC  20549
                                     FORM 10-Q

             [X] Quarterly Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of
                       the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

                  For the quarterly period ended March 31, 1997

                                       OR

            [ ] Transition Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of
                       the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

                          Commission File Number 1-7172


                                BRT REALTY TRUST
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

                            Massachusetts 13-2755856
                (State or other jurisdiction of (I.R.S. Employer
               incorporation or organization) Identification No.)

                    60 Cutter Mill Road, Great Neck, NY 11021
               (Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

        Registrant's telephone number, including area code:(516) 466-3100

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

                    8,473,081 Shares of Beneficial Interest,
                    $3 par value, outstanding on May 5, 1997

     Indicate  by check mark  whether the  registrant  (1) has filed all reports
required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the  Securities  Exchange  Act of
1934  during  the  preceding  12 months  (or for such  shorter  period  that the
registrant was required to file such reports),  and (2) has been subject to such
filing requirements for the past 90 days.

                                    Yes X No 


<PAGE>
<TABLE>

                                                   Part 1 - FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. Financial Statements

                                                  BRT REALTY TRUST AND SUBSIDIARIES
                                                     CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                                                           (In Thousands)

<CAPTION>

                                                                                      March 31, 1997          September 30, 1996
                                                                                        Unaudited)                 (Audited)
<S>                                                                                        <C>                      <C>  

Assets
   Real estate loans - Note 3:
      Earning interest                                                                     $34,449                  $32,813
      Not earning interest                                                                   4,325                    5,905
                                                                                             -----                    -----
                                                                                            38,774                   38,718
      Less allowance for possible losses                                                     6,473                    7,773 
                                                                                             -----                    -----  
                                                                                            32,301                   30,945
                                                                                            ------                   ------
   Real estate assets:
      Foreclosed properties held for sale                                                   47,246                   48,438
      Investment in real estate venture                                                      1,552                        -
                                                                                             -----                   ------      
                                                                                            48,798                   48,438
      Less valuation allowance                                                               2,128                    2,128
                                                                                             -----                    -----
                                                                                            46,670                   46,310
   Cash and cash equivalents                                                                 6,217                    6,209
   Investment in U.S. Government obligations and securities                                  1,135                    1,977
   Interest receivable                                                                         345                      354
   Other assets                                                                              3,989                    3,818
                                                                                             -----                    -----
             Total Assets                                                                  $90,657                  $89,613
                                                                                           =======                  =======
Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity
   Liabilities:
      Notes payable, Gould Investors L.P. (a related party)                                $     -                   $1,030
      Loans and mortgages payable,  non-recourse                                            24,922                   25,391
      Accounts payable and accrued liabilities, including deposits of $1,688
      and $1,524                                                                             2,818                    2,300
          ------                                                                             -----                    -----
             Total Liabilities                                                              27,740                   28,721
                                                                                            ------                   ------
   Shareholders' Equity - Note 2:
      Preferred shares - $1 par value:
       Authorized 10,000 shares issued - none                                                    -                        -
      Shares of beneficial interest, $3 par value:
       Authorized number of shares - unlimited,  issued - 8,932 and 8,969 shares            26,795                   26,906
       Additional paid-in capital net of distributions of $5,171                            81,717                   81,857
       Net unrealized gain on available-for-sale securities                                    161                       17
       Accumulated deficit                                                                (42,002)                 (45,249)
                                                                                          -------                  ------- 
                                                                                            66,671                   63,531
      Cost of 420 and 244 treasury shares of beneficial interest                           (3,754)                  (2,639)
              ---     ---                                                                  ------                   ------ 
             Total Shareholders' Equity                                                     62,917                   60,892
                                                                                            ------                   ------
             Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity                                    $90,657                  $89,613
                                                                                           =======                  =======
See Accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
<TABLE>


                                                  BRT REALTY TRUST AND SUBSIDIARIES
                                                CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
                                                       AND ACCUMULATED DEFICIT
                                                             (Unaudited)
                                              (In Thousands except for Per Share Data)

<CAPTION>

                                                                                Three Months Ended               Six Months Ended
                                                                                     March 31,                      March 31,
 
 
                                                                                1997           1996            1997          1996
<S>                                                                           <C>             <C>             <C>           <C>    
Revenues:
   Interest and fees on real estate loans                                     $1,074          $1,178          $2,419        $2,489
   Operating income on real estate assets                                      2,327           2,181           4,495         4,227
   Reversal of previously provided allowances                                  1,000               -           1,300             -
   Other, primarily investment income                                             76              73             199           156
                                                                                  --              --             ---           ---
                 Total revenues                                                4,477           3,432           8,413         6,872
                                                                               -----           -----           -----         -----
Expenses:
   Interest-notes payable and loans payable                                        -             346              10           840
   Advisor's fee                                                                 143             164             274           329
   General and administrative                                                    628             856           1,168         1,452
   Operating expenses relating to real estate assets, including
   interest on mortgages of $498 and $510 for the three-month 
   periods, and $1005 and $956 for the six month periods,                      1,782           1,917           3,440         3,598
   respectively

   Depreciation and amortization                                                 140              59             274           200
                                                                                 ---              --             ---           ---
                 Total expenses                                                2,693           3,342           5,166         6,419
                                                                               -----           -----           -----         -----
Income before gain on sale of foreclosed properties held for sale              1,784              90           3,247           453
Gain on sale of foreclosed properties held for sale                                -               -               -           227
Net income                                                                    $1,784             $90          $3,247          $680
Calculation of net income applicable to common shareholders:
   Net income                                                                 $1,784             $90          $3,247          $680
   Less: distribution on preferred stock                                           -              68               -           135
                                                                              ------              --          ------           ---
   Net income applicable to common shareholders                               $1,784             $22          $3,247          $545
                                                                              ======             ===          ======          ====
Earnings per share of Beneficial Interest - Note 2:
   Primary
   Income before gain on sale of foreclosed properties held for sale
   applicable to common shareholders                                           $0.21           $0.00           $0.38         $0.04
   Gain on sale of foreclosed properties held for sale                             -               -               -          0.03
                                                                               -----          ------         -------          ----
   Net income applicable to common shareholders                                 $0.21          $0.00           $0.38         $0.07
                                                                                =====          =====           =====         =====
   Fully Diluted                                                                $0.21          $0.00           $0.38         $0.07
                                                                                =====          =====           =====         =====
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding - Note 2:
   Primary                                                                  8,570,942      7,457,609       8,628,927     7,401,813
                                                                            =========      =========       =========     =========
   Fully Diluted                                                            8,570,942      7,457,609       8,628,927     7,401,813
                                                                            =========      =========       =========     =========

STATEMENT OF ACCUMULATED DEFICIT
   Accumulated deficit, beginning of period                                 ($43,786)       ($46,905)      ($45,249)     ($47,495)
   Net income                                                                  1,784              90           3,247           680
                                                                               -----              --           -----           ---
   Accumulated deficit, end of period                                       ($42,002)       ($46,815)      ($42,002)     ($46,815)
                                                                            ========        ========       ========      ======== 
See Accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
</TABLE>



<PAGE>
<TABLE>


                                                  BRT REALTY TRUST AND SUBSIDIARIES
                                                CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
                                                             (Unaudited)
                                                           (In Thousands)
<CAPTION>

                                                                                                      Six Months Ended
                                                                                                          March 31,
                                                                                                    1997              1996
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------  -----------------------------
<S>                                                                                                    <C>               <C> 
Cash flow from operating activities:
  Net income                                                                                           $3,247            $680
  Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash provided by operating activities:
  Reversal of previously provided allowances                                                          (1,300)               -
  Depreciation and amortization                                                                           274             200
  Gain on sale of foreclosed properties                                                                     -           (227)
  Decrease in interest receivable                                                                           9             160
  (Increase) decrease in prepaid expenses                                                               (162)             103
  Increase (decrease) in accounts payable and accrued liabilities                                         297           (258)
  Decrease (increase) in rent and other receivables                                                        40            (69)
  Decrease (increase) in escrow deposits                                                                   42           (187)
  Increase in deferred costs                                                                            (268)           (281)
  Other                                                                                                    15             112
                                                                                                           --             ---
Net cash provided by operating activities                                                               2,194             233
                                                                                                        -----             ---
                                                                                                 
Cash flows from investing activities:
  Collections from real estate loans                                                                    6,870           1,528
  Proceeds from participating lenders                                                                       -             125
  Additions to real estate loans                                                                      (5,904)           (108)
  Repayments to participating lenders                                                                 (1,000)               -
  Net costs capitalized to foreclosed properties                                                        (828)           (803)
  Proceeds from sale of foreclosed properties                                                             412           1,992
  Increase (decrease) in deposits payable                                                                 164           (274)
  Decrease in investment in U.S. Government obligations                                                   986               -
                                                                                                          ---                
  Other                                                                                                  (17)              36
                                                                                                         ---               --
Net cash provided by investing activities                                                                 683           2,496
                                                                                                          ---           -----
Cash flow from financing activities:
  Bank repayments                                                                                           -         (9,900)
  Payoff/paydown of loan and mortgages payable                                                        (1,499)           (395)
  Proceeds from mortgages payables                                                                          -           4,800
  Exercise of stock options                                                                                 -           1,262
  Repurchase of shares of beneficial interest, a portion of which were cancelled                      (1,367)               -
  Decrease in restricted cash                                                                               -             257
  Other                                                                                                   (3)           (154)
                                                                                                          --            ---- 
Net cash used in financing activities                                                                 (2,869)         (4,130)
                                                                                                      ------          ------ 
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents                                                        8         (1,401)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period                                                        6,209           7,385
                                                                                                        -----           -----
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period                                                             $6,217          $5,984
                                                                                                       ======          ======
See Accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
</TABLE>



<PAGE>
<TABLE>

                                                  BRT REALTY TRUST AND SUBSIDIARIES
                                                CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOW
                                                             (Unaudited)
                                                           (In Thousands)
<CAPTION>



                                                                                              Six Months Ended
                                                                                                  March 31,
                                                                                            1997           1996

<S>                                                                                         <C>           <C>   
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
             Cash paid during the period for interest expense                               $710          $1,947
                                                                                            ====          ======

Supplemental schedule of non-cash investing and financing activities:
             Transfer of a non-earning real estate loan to foreclosed properties at fair$      -             $34
                  value
             Recognition of allowance for previously provided losses                           -           1,286
             Transfer of foreclosed property to an investment in a real estate venture     1,552               -
             Recognition of valuation allowance upon sale of foreclosed properties             -             244


See Accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
</TABLE>





<PAGE>

                        BRT REALTY TRUST AND SUBSIDIARIES
                   Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Note 1 - Basis of Preparation

     The accompanying interim unaudited  consolidated financial statements as of
March 31,  1997 and for the three and six months  ended  March 31, 1997 and 1996
reflect  all  normal  recurring   adjustments  which  are,  in  the  opinion  of
management,  necessary  for a fair  statement  of the results  for such  interim
periods.  The results of operations for the three and six months ended March 31,
1997 are not necessarily indicative of the results for the full year.

     Certain items on the  consolidated  financial  statements for the preceding
periods  have  been  reclassified  to  conform  with  the  current  consolidated
financial statements.

     The consolidated  financial  statements  include the accounts of BRT Realty
Trust, its wholly-owned subsidiaries,  and its majority-owned or controlled real
estate   entities.   For  financial   statement  and  economic   purposes,   the
majority-owned  real estate entity is  wholly-owned  and presented  accordingly.
Investments in less than  majority-owned  entities have been accounted for using
the  equity  method.  Material  intercompany  items and  transactions  have been
eliminated.  Many of the wholly-owned  subsidiaries were organized to take title
to various  properties  acquired by BRT Realty  Trust.  BRT Realty Trust and its
subsidiaries are hereinafter referred to as the "Trust".

     These  statements  should  be read in  conjunction  with  the  consolidated
financial  statements and related notes which are included in the Trust's Annual
Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 1996.

Note 2 - Shareholders' Equity

Per Share Data

     Primary  earnings  per  share of  beneficial  interest  is  based  upon the
weighted  average  number of common  shares and the  assumed  equivalent  shares
outstanding during each period, after giving effect to dividends relating to the
Trust's  preferred  stock.  The preferred stock issued on September 14, 1993, is
not considered a common stock  equivalent  for the purpose of computing  primary
earnings per share.  The  preferred  stock was converted to shares of beneficial
interest  on a one for one  basis  on July 1,  1996.  The  assumed  exercise  of
outstanding  share options,  using the treasury stock method,  is not materially
dilutive for the primary  earnings per share  computation  for the three and six
months ended March 31, 1997 and 1996, respectively.

     Fully diluted  earnings per share of beneficial  interest amounts are based
on an increased  number of common shares that would be outstanding  assuming the
exercise  of common  share  options  during each  period and the  conversion  of
preferred stock to shares of beneficial interest at the higher of the period end
or  average  market  price.  The fully  diluted  computation  is not  materially
dilutive, or is anti-dilutive, for the three and six months ended March 31, 1997
and 1996, respectively, and therefore not presented.

     In February 1997, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Statement
No. 128 ("FASB  128"),  Earnings  Per Share,  which is required to be adopted on
December 31, 1997. At that time, the Trust will be required to change the method
currently used to compute earnings per share and to restate all prior periods.
<PAGE>

     Under the new requirements for calculating  primary earnings per share, the
dilutive effect of stock options will be excluded. The impact of FASB 128 on the
calculation  of primary and fully diluted  earnings per share is not expected to
be material.

Note 3 - Real Estate Loans

     If all loans  classified  as  non-earning  were  earning  interest at their
contractual  rates for the three and six months  ended  March 31, 1997 and 1996,
interest income would have increased by  approximately  $166,000 and $317,000 in
the respective  periods in 1997, and approximately  $212,000 and $401,000 in the
respective periods in 1996.

<PAGE>

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

 
Liquidity and Capital Resources
 
     The Trust engages in the business of making and participating in short term
senior and junior real estate  mortgages,  secured by income producing  property
and to a lesser extent by unimproved  real  property.  Repayments of real estate
loans in the amount of $18,492,000 are due during the twelve months ending March
31, 1998,  including $9,291,000 which is due on demand. There presently exists a
favorable  environment for obtaining mortgage financing secured by real property
and for selling real estate. Accordingly,  prior to or at maturity, borrowers in
many cases are able to refinance  and repay the  indebtedness  due to the Trust.
However,  the Trust cannot project the portion of loans maturing during the next
twelve  months which will be paid or the portion of loans which will be extended
for a fixed term or on a month to month basis.

     Effective  September  23,  1992,  the Trust  entered  into an  Amended  and
Restated Credit Agreement (the "Restated Credit  Agreement") with five banks. On
August 2, 1996, the Trust repaid in full its remaining debt obligation due under
the  Restated  Credit  Agreement.  In  October,  1996 the Trust  entered  into a
$25,000,000  credit facility with CS First Boston Mortgage Capital Corp. ("First
Boston").  The  facility,  a  revolving  credit  facility,  permits the Trust to
borrow, repay and reborrow,  provides for an interest rate, adjusted monthly, of
prime plus 1% or Libor plus 3%,  whichever is lower,  and matures on October 17,
1998.  The Trust has the right to extend the  facility  for two  additional  six
month periods for a fee of .25% with each extension. Borrowings under the credit
facility  are secured by  specific  receivables  and real  estate  assets by the
Trust, and the credit agreement  provides that the loan amount will never exceed
75% of the agreed value of the collateral.

     Repayment  in full of the debt due  under  the  Restated  Credit  Agreement
terminated the prohibition on the Trust's ability to engage in mortgage  lending
activities,  and  therefore  during the fiscal  year ended  September  30,  1997
("Fiscal  1997") the Trust became active in making short term real estate loans.
From the beginning of Fiscal 1997 through May 5, 1997,  the Trust has funded new
real estate loans of  approximately  $10,200,000 with available cash on hand and
borrowings from First Boston of approximately  $2,300,000.  The effects of these
new loans will become  meaningful, commencing  with the third  quarter of Fiscal
1997.

     During the six months ended March 31,  1997,  the Trust  generated  cash of
$2,194,000 from operating  activities and $5,870,000 from  collections from real
estate loans (net of repayments to participating  lenders of $1,000,000).  These
funds were used  primarily to fund additions to real estate loans of $5,904,000,
to pay in full a note  payable  to Gould  Investors  LP,  a  related  party,  of
approximately $1,030,000,  and to purchase 213,091 shares of beneficial interest
of the Trust at an approximate aggregate cost of $1,367,000.

     On July 2, 1996, the Trust's Board of Trustees authorized the purchase from
time to time of up to 250,000  shares of beneficial  interest of the Trust,  and
approved the purchase of an additional  250,000 shares on January 3, 1997. As of
May 5, 1997, 304,243 shares have been purchased at an approximate aggregate cost
of $1,933,000.


<PAGE>

     The Trust  intends  to  satisfy  its  liquidity  needs from cash and liquid
investments on hand, the credit facility with First Boston, interest received on
outstanding  real estate loans and net cash flow generated from the operation of
real estate assets.

Results of Operations

     Interest  and  fees  on real  estate  loans  decreased  to  $2,419,000  and
$1,074,000  for the six and three  months  ended  March 31,  1997 as compared to
$2,489,000  and  $1,178,000  for the six and three  months ended March 31, 1996.
These  decreases of $70,000 and $104,000,  respectively,  were  primarily due to
payoffs and paydowns of various earning real estate loans.  These decreases were
offset in part by the receipt of  additional  interest  during the first half of
Fiscal 1997 of approximately  $486,000  ($92,000 was received during the quarter
ended  March  31,  1997)  upon  the  payoff  of  two  loans,  one of  which  was
non-earning.
 
     Operating  income on real estate assets  increased by $268,000 and $146,000
to $4,495,000  and  $2,327,000 for the six and three months ended March 31, 1997
from  $4,227,000 and  $2,181,000 for the comparable  periods in the prior fiscal
year.  These  increases  were the result of an increase in occupancy  and rental
rates at various  properties,  including an office  building in Fairway,  Kansas
(acquired in October, 1995;  accordingly,  Fiscal 1996 reflects only five months
of  operations  ), the Dover,  Delaware  property,  and a mixed use  property in
Philadelphia,  Pennsylvania.  Also, during the quarter ended March 31, 1997, the
Trust received a real estate tax refund of approximately $106,000 as a result of
a  successful  tax appeal.  These  increases  were offset in part by the loss of
rental income upon the sale of properties.

     During the six and three  months  ended March 31,  1997 the Trust  reversed
previously provided allowances of $1,300,000 and $1,000,000,  respectively, upon
the payoff in full of two real estate  loans (one in each three  month  period).
There were no comparable reversals during the comparable periods in Fiscal 1996.

     Interest  expense on notes and loans payable  decreased by $830,000 for the
first half of Fiscal  1997 from  $840,000  to $10,000  for the six months  ended
March 31,  1996 and 1997,  respectively,  and by $346,000  for the three  months
ended March 31, 1997 as compared to the three months ended March 31, 1996. These
decreases  were a direct  result of the  continuing  reduction  and the eventual
payoff of the  outstanding  debt under the Restated  Credit  Agreement in August
1996.

     The  Advisor's fee decreased to $274,000 for the six months ended March 31,
1997 from $329,000 for the comparable six month period in the prior fiscal year,
a decrease of $55,000 and to $143,000  for the three months ended March 31, 1997
from  $164,000 for the three months ended March 31, 1996, a decrease of $21,000.
These decreases were a result of a decrease in total invested assets,  the basis
on which the advisory fee is calculated.


<PAGE>

     General and  administrative  expenses decreased by $284,000 from $1,452,000
for the six months ended March 31, 1996 to  $1,168,000  for the six months ended
March 31, 1997,  and by $228,000 from $856,000 for the second  quarter of Fiscal
1996 to $628,000 for the second  quarter of Fiscal  1997.  These  decreases  are
primarily the result of the recognition  during the quarter ended March 31, 1996
of approximately $187,000 of additional legal, accounting and investment banking
expenses  incurred  in  connection  with a potential  transaction  which did not
proceed  beyond the  negotiation  stage.  There has also been a reduction in the
Trust's general overhead expenses.

     Operating expenses relating to real estate assets decreased by $158,000 and
$135,000 from $3,598,000 and $1,917,000 for the six and three months ended March
31, 1996 to $3,440,000  and  $1,782,000 for the six and three months ended March
31,  1997.  These  decreases  were  primarily  due to  the  sale  of  foreclosed
properties offset in part by a full period of operations of an office  building
in Fairway,  Kansas,  acquired  in October,  1995 (the first half of Fiscal 1996
reflects only five months of operations).

     Depreciation  and  amortization  increased by $74,000 for the first half of
Fiscal 1997 and $81,000 for the second quarter of Fiscal 1997.  These  increases
were a result of the amortization of the deferred mortgage costs associated with
the financing of real estate assets and the First Boston  credit  facility.  The
six month increase was offset in part by the reclassification, effective January
1996,  of a mixed use property  located in  Philadelphia,  Pennsylvania  from an
asset held for the  production  of income to an asset held for sale,  thereby no
longer being depreciated.

     Gain on sale of  foreclosed  properties  for the six months ended March 31,
1996 was  $227,000,  with no  comparable  gain in the six months ended March 31,
1997. It is the policy of the Trust to offer for sale all foreclosed property at
prices which management believes represents fair value in the geographic area in
which the property is located.


<PAGE>

                           PART II - OTHER INFORMATION


Item 4.  Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security-Holders

     The Annual Meeting of  Shareholders  of the Trust ("Annual  Meeting"),  was
held on March 21, 1997. At the meeting,  the following Trustees were elected for
a term of three years or until their respective successors are elected and shall
qualify:

            Name              Votes Cast For        Votes Withheld

      Patrick J. Callan         7,805,506             423,516
      Jeffrey A. Gould          8,149,621              79,401

     The following Trustees remained in office after the Annual Meeting:  Arthur
Hurand,  Herbert C. Lust, II, Marshall Rose, Fredric H. Gould,  Nathan Kupin and
Gary Hurand.

     At the Annual Meeting,  the shareholders  also voted on the adoption of the
Trust's 1996 Stock Option Plan and  reserving of 450,000  Beneficial  Shares for
issuance  thereunder.  In that regard,  reference  is made to the Trust's  Proxy
Statement  dated  January 27, 1997 and  supplement  thereto dated March 3, 1997.
With respect to this  proposal,  4,979,405  votes were cast in favor,  1,241,926
shares against, 57,599 shares abstained and 1,950,092 shares were the subject of
broker  non-votes.  Since  the  proposal  was  approved  by a  majority  of  the
outstanding shares, the proposal was adopted.

     The Annual Meeting also  considered the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as
the Trust's independent  auditors for the fiscal year ending September 30, 1997.
With respect to the appointment,  8,178,427 shares voted in favor, 31,131 shares
against and 19,464 shares abstained.


Item 6.  Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K

(a)          Exhibit 1 - BRT Realty Trust 1996 Stock Option Plan.

(b)          The Trust did not file any reports on Form 8-K during the quarter
             ended March 31, 1997.

<PAGE>

                                   SIGNATURES


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

BRT REALTY TRUST
   Registrant




05/14/97                               /s/ Jeffrey Gould                        
Date                                   Jeffrey Gould, President





05/14/97                               /s/ David W. Kalish                      
Date                                   David W. Kalish, Vice President and
                                         Chief Financial Officer

                                 EXHIBIT 1
                              BRT REALTY TRUST
                          1996 STOCK OPTION PLAN


1.                Purpose.
                  ------- 
                  The  purpose  of this plan (the  "Plan")  is to secure for BRT
Realty  Trust (the  "Trust")  and its  shareholders  the  benefits  arising from
ownership  of  shares of  Beneficial  Interest,  $3.00  par  value  ("Beneficial
Shares") by employees, officers and trustees of, and consultants or advisors to,
the Trust who are  expected  to  contribute  to the  Trust's  future  growth and
success.  Except where the context  otherwise  requires,  the term "Trust" shall
include all present and future  subsidiaries of the Trust as defined in Sections
424(e) and 424(f) of the Internal  Revenue Code of 1986,  as amended or replaced
from time to time (the "Code").  Those provisions of the Plan which make express
reference  to Section 422 shall apply only to Incentive  Stock  Options (as that
term is defined in the Plan).

2.                Type of Options and Administration.
                  ----------------------------------
                  (a) Types of  Options.  Options  granted  pursuant to the Plan
                      -----------------
shall be  authorized  by action of the Board of Trustees of the Trust and may be
either  incentive  stock  options   ("Incentive   Stock  Options")  meeting  the
requirements of Section 422 of the Code or  non-statutory  options which are not
intended to meet the requirements of Section 422 of the Code.

                  (b) Administration. The Plan will be administered by the Audit
                      --------------
and  Compensation  Committee (the  "Committee")  of the Board of Trustees of the
Trust (or any successor committee), whose construction and interpretation of the
terms and provisions of the Plan shall be final and  conclusive.  The delegation
of  powers  to the  Committee  shall  be  consistent  with  applicable  laws  or
regulations (including, without limitation,  applicable state law and Rule 16b-3
promulgated  under the Securities  Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act"), or
any successor rule ("Rule 16b-3")). The Committee shall have authority,  subject
to the express provisions of the Plan, to construe the respective

                                    -1-

<PAGE>



option  agreements  and the Plan,  to  prescribe,  amend and  rescind  rules and
regulations  relating to the Plan, to determine the terms and  provisions of the
respective option agreements, which need not be identical, and to make all other
determinations  in the judgment of the Committee  necessary or desirable for the
administration  of the Plan.  The Committee may correct any defect or supply any
omission or reconcile any  inconsistency  in the Plan or in any option agreement
in the manner and to the extent it shall deem  expedient  to carry the Plan into
effect and it shall be the sole and final judge of such expediency.  No director
or person acting pursuant to authority  delegated by the Board of Trustees shall
be liable for any  action or  determination  under the Plan made in good  faith.
Subject to adjustment as provided in Section 15 below,  the aggregate  number of
Beneficial Shares that may be granted to any person in a calendar year shall not
exceed 50,000 Beneficial Shares.

                  (c) Applicability of Rule 16b-3.  Those provisions of the Plan
                      ---------------------------   
which make express reference to Rule 16b-3 shall apply to the Trust only at such
time as the Trust's  Beneficial  Shares are  registered  under the Exchange Act,
subject to the last sentence of Section  3(b),  and then only to such persons as
are  required  to file  reports  under  Section  16(a)  of the  Exchange  Act (a
"Reporting Person").

3.                Eligibility.
                  -----------
                  (a) General. Options may be granted to persons who are, at the
                      -------
time of grant,  employees,  officers or trustees of, or  consultants or advisors
to, the Trust or any subsidiaries of the Trust as defined in Sections 424(e) and
424(f) of the Code ("Participants")  provided,  that Incentive Stock Options may
                                     -------- 
only be  granted to  individuals  who are  employees  of the Trust  (within  the
meaning of Section 3401(c) of the Code).  Subject to the limitation contained in
Section 2(b) above. A person who has been granted an option may, if he or she is
otherwise eligible, be granted additional options if the Board of Trustees shall
so determine.


                                     -2-

<PAGE>



                  (b) Grant of Options to Reporting Persons.  The selection of a
                      -------------------------------------
trustee (the  equivalent of a director) or an officer who is a Reporting  Person
(as the terms  "director"  and "officer" are defined for purposes of Rule 16b-3)
as a recipient of an option,  the timing of the option grant, the exercise price
of the option and the number of shares subject to the option shall be determined
either (i) by the Board of Trustees, or (ii) by a committee consisting solely of
two or more trustees  having full  authority to act in the matter,  each of whom
shall be a  "Non-Employee  Trustee" . For the  purposes  of the Plan,  a Trustee
shall be deemed to be a "Non-Employee  Trustee" only if such person qualifies as
a "Non-Employee  Trustee" as such term is defined in Rule 16b-3, as such term is
interpreted  from time to time.  If at least two of the  members of the Board of
Trustees do not qualify as a  "Non-Employee  Trustee" within the meaning of Rule
16b-3,  as such term is  interpreted  from time to time,  then the  granting  of
options to officers and directors who are Reporting Persons under the Plan shall
not be determined  in accordance  with this Section 3(b) but shall be determined
in accordance with the other provisions of the Plan.

4.                Stock Subject to Plan.
                  ---------------------
                  The stock  subject to options  granted under the Plan shall be
shares of authorized but unissued or reacquired  Beneficial  Shares.  Subject to
adjustment  as provided in Section 15 below,  the maximum  number of  Beneficial
Shares of the  Trust  which may be  issued  and sold  under the Plan is  450,000
shares.  If an option  granted  under the Plan  shall  expire,  terminate  or is
cancelled for any reason without having been exercised in full, the  unpurchased
shares  subject to such option shall again be available  for  subsequent  option
grants under the Plan.

5.                Forms of Option Agreements.
                  --------------------------
                  As a condition to the grant of an option under the Plan,  each
recipient  of an  option  shall  execute  an option  agreement  in such form not
inconsistent with the Plan

                                                        -3-

<PAGE>



as may be approved by the Board of Trustees or the Committee.  Such option
agreements may differ among recipients.

6.                Purchase Price.
                  --------------
                  (a) General. The purchase price per share of stock deliverable
                      -------
upon the exercise of an option shall be  determined  by the Board of Trustees at
the time of  grant of such  option;  provided,  however,  that in the case of an
Incentive  Stock Option,  the exercise  price shall not be less than 100% of the
Fair Market Value (as  hereinafter  defined) of such stock, at the time of grant
of such  option,  or less  than 110% of such  Fair  Market  Value in the case of
options described in Section 11(b).  "Fair Market Value" of Beneficial Shares as
of a specified date for the purposes of the Plan shall mean the closing price of
a Beneficial Share on the principal  securities  exchange  (including the Nasdaq
National  Market)  on which  such  shares are traded on the day as of which Fair
Market Value is being  determined,  or on the next  preceding date on which such
shares are traded if no shares were traded on such day, or if the shares are not
traded on a  securities  exchange,  Fair Market  Value shall be deemed to be the
average   of  the  high  bid  and  low  asked   prices  of  the  shares  in  the
over-the-counter  market  on the day as of  which  Fair  Market  Value  is being
determined  or on the next  preceding  date on which such high bid and low asked
prices were recorded.  If the shares are not publicly traded,  Fair Market Value
of Beneficial Shares shall be determined in good faith by the Board of Trustees.
In no case shall Fair Market  Value be  determined  with regard to  restrictions
other than restrictions which, by their terms, will never lapse.

                  (b) Payment of Purchase Price.  Options granted under the Plan
                      -------------------------
may provide for the payment of the exercise price by delivery of cash or a check
to the  order of the  Trust in an  amount  equal to the  exercise  price of such
options, or by any other means which the Committee determines is consistent with
the purpose of the Plan and with  applicable  laws and  regulations  (including,
without limitation, the provisions of Rule 16b-3 and Regulation T promulgated by
the Federal Reserve Board).

                                                        -4-

<PAGE>



7.                Option Period.
                  -------------
                  Subject to earlier  termination as provided in the Plan,  each
option and all rights  thereunder shall expire on such date as determined by the
Board of Trustees and set forth in the applicable  option  agreement,  provided,
that such date  shall not be later  than (10) ten years  after the date on which
the option is granted.

8.                Exercise of Options.
                  -------------------
                  Each option granted under the Plan shall be exercisable either
in full or in installments at such time or times and during such period as shall
be set forth in the option  agreement  evidencing  such  option,  subject to the
provisions of the Plan. No option granted to a Reporting  Person for purposes of
the Exchange  Act,  however,  shall be  exercisable  during the first six months
after  the  date  of  grant.  Subject  to the  requirements  in the  immediately
preceding  sentence,  if an  option  is not at the  time  of  grant  immediately
exercisable,  the Board of Trustees  may (i) in the  agreement  evidencing  such
option,  provide  for the  acceleration  of the  exercise  date or  dates of the
subject option upon the occurrence of specified events,  and/or (ii) at any time
prior to the complete termination of an option,  accelerate the exercise date or
dates of such option.

9.                Transferability of Options.
                  --------------------------  
                  Incentive  Stock  Options  granted under the Plan shall not be
assignable  in whole or in part  except  by will or by the laws of  descent  and
distribution.  Options granted under this Plan which are  non-statutory  options
shall be  assignable  or otherwise  transferable  by the optionee in whole or in
part (i) by will or by the laws of descent and distribution,  (ii) pursuant to a
qualified  domestic  relations  order as defined in the Code,  (iii) pursuant to
Title I of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act, or the rules thereunder,
(iv) to the spouse, children, grandchildren or parents of the optionee

                                                        -5-

<PAGE>



("Qualifying Relatives") or any trust created or existing for the benefit of the
optionee and/or one or more Qualifying  Relatives,  or (v) to any partnership or
limited  liability  company in which the optionee  and/or one or more Qualifying
Relatives  is a partner or member.  The Board of Trustees or the  Committee,  in
their  discretion,  may permit the transfer of options granted under the Plan to
other  persons or  entities,  provided  that  Incentive  Stock  Options  are not
assignable or otherwise  transferable  except by will or the laws of descent and
distribution.

                  In the event an  optionee  dies during his  employment  by the
Trust or any of its subsidiaries, or during the three-month period following the
date  of  termination  of  such  employment,  the  option  shall  thereafter  be
exercisable,  during  the  period  specified  in the  option  agreement,  by his
executors or  administrators  or by any assignee or  transferee to the extent to
which such option was exercisable at the time of the optionee's death during the
periods set forth in Section 10 or 11(d).

10.               Effect of Termination of Employment or Other Relationship.
                  ---------------------------------------------------------
                  Except as provided in Section  11(d) with respect to Incentive
Stock Options and except as otherwise determined by the Committee at the date of
grant of an Option,  and subject to the  provisions of the Plan, an optionee (or
any  permitted  assignee or  transferee  of an option  granted  hereunder),  may
exercise an option at any time within three months  following the termination of
the optionee's employment or other relationship with the Trust or within one (1)
year if such termination was due to the death or disability of the optionee but,
except in the case of the optionee's  death,  no event later than the expiration
date of the Option. If the termination of the optionee's employment is for cause
or is otherwise  attributable  to a breach by the optionee of an  employment  or
confidentiality  or  non-disclosure  agreement,  the option shall expire for all
purposes and with respect to any assignee or  transferee  immediately  upon such
termination.  The  Board of  Trustees  shall  have the power to  determine  what
constitutes a termination for

                                                        -6-

<PAGE>



cause  or a  breach  of  an  employment  or  confidentiality  or  non-disclosure
agreement,  whether an optionee  has been  terminated  for cause or has breached
such an agreement,  and the date upon which such termination for cause or breach
occurs. Any such  determinations  shall be final and conclusive and binding upon
the optionee and any assignee or transferee of any option granted hereunder.

11.               Incentive Stock Options.
                  -----------------------
                  Options  granted  under  the Plan  which  are  intended  to be
Incentive Stock Options shall be subject to the following  additional  terms and
conditions:

                  (a) Express Designation.  All Incentive Stock Options granted 
                      ------------------- 
under the Plan shall, at the time of grant, be specifically designated as such 
in the option agreement covering such Incentive Stock Options.

                  (b) 10% Shareholder.  If any person to whom an Incentive Stock
                      ---------------
Option  is to be  granted  under  the Plan is,  at the time of the grant of such
option, the owner of stock possessing more than 10% of the total combined voting
power of all  classes  of stock of the Trust  (after  taking  into  account  the
attribution of stock  ownership  rules of Section 424(d) of the Code),  then the
following  special  provisions shall be applicable to the Incentive Stock Option
granted to such individual:

                         (i) The purchase price per Beneficial Shares subject to
                  such Incentive Stock Option shall not be less than 110% of the
                  Fair  Market  Value  of one  Beneficial  Share  at the time of
                  grant; and

                        (ii) the option exercise period shall not exceed five 
                  years from the date of grant.


                                                        -7-

<PAGE>



                  (c)  Dollar  Limitation.  For so long  as the  Code  shall  so
                       ------------------
provide,  options  granted under the Plan (and any other  incentive stock option
plans of the Trust) which are intended to  constitute  Incentive  Stock  Options
shall not constitute Incentive Stock Options to the extent that such options, in
the aggregate,  become  exercisable  for the first time in any one calendar year
for Beneficial  Shares with an aggregate Fair Market Value, as of the respective
date or dates of grant, of more than $100,000.

                  (d)  Termination  of  Employment,   Death  or  Disability.  No
                       ---------------------------
Incentive  Stock Option may be exercised  unless,  at the time of such exercise,
the optionee is, and has been continuously since the date of grant of his or her
option, employed by the Trust, except that:

                         (i) an Incentive  Stock Option may be exercised  within
                  the period of three months after the date the optionee  ceases
                  to be an employee  of the Trust (or within such lesser  period
                  as may be  specified  in the  applica  ble option  agreement),
                  provided,  that the agreement  with respect to such option may
                  --------
                  designate a longer exercise period and that the exercise after
                  such three-month  period shall be treated as the exercise of a
                  non-statutory option under the Plan;

                        (ii) if the  optionee  dies  while in the  employ of the
                  Trust,  or within three months after the optionee ceases to be
                  such an employee,  the Incentive Stock Option may be exercised
                  by the person to whom it is transferred by will or the laws of
                  descent and  distribution  within the period of one year after
                  the date of death  (or  within  such  lesser  period as may be
                  specified in the applicable option agreement); and

                       (iii)  if  the  optionee  becomes  disabled  (within  the
                  meaning  of  Section  22(e)(3)  of the  Code or any  successor
                  provisions  thereto)  while in the  employ of the  Trust,  the
                  Incentive Stock Option may be exercised within

                                                        -8-

<PAGE>



                  the period of one year after the date the  optionee  ceases to
                  be such an employee because of such disability (or within such
                  lesser  period as may be  specified in the  applicable  option
                  agreement).

For all  purposes  of the Plan and any option  granted  hereunder,  "employment"
shall be defined in accordance with the provisions of Section  1.421-7(h) of the
Income Tax  Regulations  (or any  successor  regulations).  Notwithstanding  the
foregoing  provisions,  no Incentive  Stock  Option may be  exercised  after its
expiration date.

12.               Additional Provisions.
                  --------------------- 
                  (a) Additional Option Provisions. The Board of Trustees or the
                      ----------------------------
Committee may, in its sole discretion,  include additional  provisions in option
agreements   covering  options  granted  under  the  Plan,   including   without
limitation, repurchase rights, rights of first refusal, or such other provisions
as shall be determined by the Board of Trustees or the Committee as the case may
be; provided, that such additional provisions shall not be inconsistent with any
other term or condition  of the Plan and such  additional  provisions  shall not
cause any Incentive Stock Option granted under the Plan to fail to qualify as an
Incentive Stock Option within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code.

                  (b) Acceleration,  Extension,  Etc. The Board of Trustees may,
                      ------------------------------ 
in its sole  discretion,  (i)  accelerate  the date or dates on which all or any
particular  option or options  granted  under the Plan may be  exercised or (ii)
extend the dates during which all, or any particular,  option or options granted
under the Plan may be exercised; provided, however, that no such extension shall
be  permitted  if it would cause the Plan to fail to comply with  Section 422 of
the Code or with Rule 16b-3 (if applicable).
<PAGE>
13.               General Restrictions.
                  --------------------

                                                        -9



                  (a)  Investment  Representations.  The Trust may  require  any
                       ---------------------------
person to whom an Option is granted,  as a condition of exercising  such option,
to give written  assurances in substance and form  satisfactory  to the Trust to
the effect that such person is acquiring the  Beneficial  Shares  subject to the
option,  for his or her own  account  for  investment  and not with any  present
intention  of  selling or  otherwise  distributing  the same,  and to such other
effects as the Trust  deems  necessary  or  appropriate  in order to comply with
federal and applicable state securities laws.

                  (b)  Compliance  With  Securities  Law.  Each Option  shall be
                       ---------------------------------
subject to the  requirement  that if, at any time,  counsel  to the Trust  shall
determine that the listing,  registration or qualification of the shares subject
to such option upon any  securities  exchange or automated  quotation  system or
under any state or federal  law, or the consent or approval of any  governmental
or regulatory  body, or that the  disclosure  of non-public  information  or the
satisfaction  of any other  condition  is  necessary  as a  condition  of, or in
connection with the issuance or purchase of shares  thereunder,  such option may
not be  exercised,  in whole  or in part,  unless  such  listing,  registration,
qualification, consent or approval, or satisfaction of such condition shall have
been  effected or obtained on  conditions  acceptable  to the Board of Trustees.
Nothing  herein  shall be deemed to require  the Trust to apply for or to obtain
such listing, registration or qualification, or to satisfy such condition.

14.               Rights as a Stockholder.
                  ----------------------- 
                  The holder of an option shall have no rights as a  stockholder
with respect to any shares covered by the option (including, without limitation,
any rights to receive dividends or non-cash  distributions  with respect to such
shares)  until the date of issue of a stock  certificate  to him or her for such
shares.  No adjustment shall be made for dividends or other rights for which the
record date is prior to the date such stock certificate is issued.


                                                       -10-

<PAGE>



15.               Adjustment Provisions for Recapitalizations, Reorganizations
                  ------------------------------------------------------------
                  and Related Transactions.
                  ------------------------
                  (a) Recapitalizations and Related Transactions. If, through or
as a result of any  recapitalization,  reclassification,  stock dividend,  stock
split,  reverse stock split or other similar  transaction,  (i) the  outstanding
Beneficial  Shares are increased,  decreased or exchanged for a different number
or kind of shares or other securities of the Trust, or (ii) additional shares or
new or different shares or other non-cash assets are distributed with respect to
such Beneficial  Shares or other  securities,  an appropriate and  proportionate
adjustment  shall be made in (x) the maximum number and kind of shares  reserved
for issuance under or otherwise referred to in the Plan, (y) the number and kind
of shares or other securities subject to any then outstanding  options under the
Plan, and (z) the price for each share subject to any then  outstanding  options
under the Plan,  without changing the aggregate  purchase price as to which such
options remain exercisable.  Notwithstanding the foregoing,  no adjustment shall
be made pursuant to this Section 15 if such  adjustment (i) would cause the Plan
to fail to comply with  Section 422 of the Code or with Rule 16b-3 or (ii) would
be considered as the adoption of a new plan requiring stockholder approval.

                  (b)  Reorganization,  Merger  and  Related  Transactions.  All
                       --------------------------------------------------- 
outstanding  Options under the Plan shall become fully  exercisable for a period
of sixty (60) days following the occurrence of any Trigger Event, whether or not
such  Options  are then  exercisable  under  the  provisions  of the  applicable
agreements relating thereto.  For purposes of the Plan, a "Trigger Event" is any
one of the following events:

                                    (i) the date on which Beneficial  Shares are
                  first  purchased  pursuant to a tender offer or exchange offer
                  (other than such an offer by the Trust,  any  Subsidiary,  any
                  employee benefit plan of the Trust or of any Subsidiary or any
                  entity holding  Beneficial  Shares or other  securities of the
                  Trust for or pursuant  to the terms of such plan),  whether or
                  not such offer

                                                       -11-

<PAGE>



                  is approved or opposed by the Trust and regardless of the
                  number of shares purchased pursuant to such offer;

                                    (ii) the date the Trust  acquires  knowledge
                  that any person or group deemed a person under Section 13(d)-3
                  of the Exchange Act (other than the Trust, any Subsidiary, any
                  employee benefit plan of the Trust or of any Subsidiary or any
                  entity holding  Beneficial  Shares or other  securities of the
                  Trust  for or  pursuant  to the  terms of any such plan or any
                  individual  or  entity  or group or  affiliate  thereof  which
                  acquired its beneficial  ownership  interest prior to the date
                  the Plan was adopted by the Board), in a transaction or series
                  of transactions,  has become the beneficial owner, directly or
                  indirectly (with beneficial  ownership  determined as provided
                  in Rule 13d-3, or any successor rule, under the Exchange Act),
                  of  securities  of the Trust  entitling the person or group to
                  30% or more of all votes (without  consideration of the rights
                  of any class or stock to elect  directors by a separate  class
                  vote) to which all shareholders of the Trust would be entitled
                  if the election of the Board of Trustees were an election held
                  on such date;

                                    (iii) the  date,  during  any  period of two
                  consecutive  years,  when  individuals who at the beginning of
                  such  period  constitute  the Board of  Trustees  of the Trust
                  cease  for any  reason  to  constitute  at  least  a  majority
                  thereof,  unless the election,  or the nomination for election
                  by the  stockholders  of the Trust,  of each new  director was
                  approved  by a vote of at least  two-thirds  of the  directors
                  then still in office who were  directors  at the  beginning of
                  such period; and

                                    (iv)   the   date   of   approval   by   the
                  stockholders  of the Trust of an agreement (a  "reorganization
                  agreement") providing for:


                                                       -12-

<PAGE>



                                    (A) The merger or consolidation of the Trust
                  with another corporation or real estate investment trust where
                  the stockholders of the Trust, immediately prior to the merger
                  or consolidation,  do not beneficially own,  immediately after
                  the merger or consolidation, shares of the entity issuing cash
                  or securities in the merger or  consolidation  entitling  such
                  shareholders   to  80%  or   more   of  all   votes   (without
                  consideration  of the  rights  of any  class of stock to elect
                  directors by a separate class vote) to which all  stockholders
                  of such  corporation  would be  entitled  in the  election  of
                  directors or where the members of the Board of Trustees of the
                  Trust,  immediately prior to the merger or  consolidation,  do
                  not, immediately after the merger or consolidation, constitute
                  a majority of the Board of  Directors  or Board of Trustees of
                  the  entity  issuing  cash  or  securities  in the  merger  or
                  consolidation; or

                                    (B) The sale or other  disposition of all or
                  substantially all the assets of the Trust.

                  (c) Board Authority to Make Adjustments. Any adjustments under
this  Section 15 will be made by the Board of Trustees or the  Committee,  whose
determina  tion as to what  adjustments,  if any,  will be made  and the  extent
thereof will be final,  binding and  conclusive.  No  fractional  shares will be
issued under the Plan on account of any such adjustments.

16.               Merger, Consolidation, Asset Sale, Liquidation, etc.
                  ---------------------------------------------------  
                  (a)  General.  In the event of any sale,  merger,  transfer or
acquisition  of the  Trust or  substantially  all of the  assets of the Trust in
which the Trust is not the surviving  entity,  and provided that after the Trust
shall have  requested  the  acquiring  or  succeeding  entity  (or an  affiliate
thereof), that equivalent options shall be substituted and such successor entity
shall have refused or failed to assume all options outstanding

                                                       -13-

<PAGE>



under  the  Plan or  issue  substantially  equivalent  options,  then any or all
outstanding  options under the Plan shall  accelerate and become  exercisable in
full  immediately  prior to such event.  The  Committee  will notify  holders of
options  under the Plan that any such options shall be fully  exercisable  for a
period of fifteen (15) days from the date of such  notice,  and the options will
terminate upon expiration of such notice.

                  (b) Substitute Options.  The Trust may grant options under the
                      ------------------ 
Plan in substitution  for options held by employees of another entity who become
employees of the Trust,  or a subsidiary of the Trust, as the result of a merger
or  consolidation  of the employing entity with the Trust or a subsidiary of the
Trust,  or as a  result  of  the  acquisition  by  the  Trust,  or  one  of  its
subsidiaries, of property or stock of the employing entity. The Trust may direct
that substitute  options be granted on such terms and conditions as the Board of
Trustees considers appropriate in the circumstances.

17.               No Special Employment Rights.
                  ----------------------------
                  Nothing  contained  in the Plan or in any option  shall confer
upon any  optionee  any right  with  respect to the  continuation  of his or her
employment  by the Trust or  interfere in any way with the right of the Trust at
any  time  to  terminate  such   employment  or  to  increase  or  decrease  the
compensation of the optionee.

18.               Other Employee Benefits.
                  -----------------------
                  Except as to plans which by their terms  include  such amounts
as  compensation,  the amount of any  compensation  deemed to be  received by an
employee as a result of the exercise of an option or the sale of shares received
upon such exercise will not  constitute  compensation  with respect to which any
other  employee  benefits of such employee are  determined,  including,  without
limitation, benefits under any bonus, pension, profit-sharing, life insurance or
salary  continuation  plan, except as otherwise  specifically  determined by the
Board of Trustees.

                                                       -14-

<PAGE>



19.               Amendment of the Plan.
                  ---------------------
                  (a) The Board of  Trustees  may at any time,  and from time to
time, modify or amend the Plan in any respect; provided, however, that if at any
time the approval of the stockholders of the Trust is required under Section 422
of the Code or any successor  provision with respect to Incentive Stock Options,
the Board of Trustees may not effect such modification or amendment without such
approval.

                  (b) The  modification  or  amendment  of the Plan  shall  not,
without the  consent of an  optionee,  affect his or her rights  under an option
previously granted to him or her. With the consent of the optionee affected, the
Board of  Trustees  may amend  outstanding  option  agreements  in a manner  not
inconsistent  with the Plan. The Board of Trustees shall have the right to amend
or  modify  (i) the  terms  and  provisions  of the Plan and of any  outstanding
Incentive  Stock  Options  granted  under the Plan to the  extent  necessary  to
qualify any or all such options for such favorable  federal income tax treatment
(including  deferral of taxation  upon  exercise)  as may be afforded  incentive
stock options under Section 422 of the Code and (ii) the terms and provisions of
the Plan and of any  outstanding  option to the extent  necessary  to ensure the
qualification of the Plan under Rule 16b-3.

20.               Withholding.
                  -----------
                  (a) The Trust shall have the right to deduct from  payments of
any kind otherwise due to the optionee any federal,  state or local taxes of any
kind  required  by law to be  withheld  with  respect to any shares  issued upon
exercise of options under the Plan.  Subject to the prior approval of the Trust,
which may be  withheld by the Trust in its sole  discretion,  the  optionee  may
elect to satisfy such obligations, in whole or in part, (i) by causing the Trust
to withhold  Beneficial Shares otherwise issuable pursuant to the exercise of an
option or (ii) by delivering to the Trust Beneficial Shares already owned by the
optionee. The shares so delivered or withheld shall have a Fair Market Value

                                                       -15-

<PAGE>



equal to such withholding obligation as of the date that the amount of tax to be
withheld is to be determined.  An optionee who has made an election  pursuant to
this  Section  20(a) may only  satisfy his or her  withholding  obligation  with
Beneficial  Shares  which  are  not  subject  to  any  repurchase,   forfeiture,
unfulfilled vesting or other similar requirements.

                  (b) The  acceptance of  Beneficial  Shares upon exercise of an
Incentive  Stock  Option  shall  constitute  an agreement by the optionee (i) to
notify the Trust if any or all of such shares are  disposed  of by the  optionee
within two years  from the date the  option was  granted or within one year from
the date the shares were issued to the optionee  pursuant to the exercise of the
option,  and (ii) if required by law, to remit to the Trust,  at the time of and
in the case of any such disposition, an amount sufficient to satisfy the Trust's
federal,  state and local  withholding  tax  obligations  with  respect  to such
disposition,  whether or not,  as to both (i) and (ii),  the  optionee is in the
employ of the Trust at the time of such disposition.

                  (c) Notwithstanding the foregoing,  in the case of a Reporting
Person whose  options have been granted in  accordance  with the  provisions  of
Section  3(b) herein,  no election to use shares for the payment of  withholding
taxes  shall  be  effective  unless  made  in  compliance  with  any  applicable
requirements of Rule 16b-3.

21.               Cancellation and New Grant of Options, Etc.
                  -------------------------------------------
                  The Board of Trustees  shall have the authority to effect,  at
any time and from time to time, with the consent of the affected optionees,  (i)
the cancellation of any or all outstanding  options under the Plan and the grant
in  substitution  therefor of new options  under the Plan  covering  the same or
different  numbers of shares and having an option exercise price per share which
may be lower or  higher  than the  exercise  price  per  share of the  cancelled
options or (ii) the  amendment of the terms of any and all  outstanding  options
under the Plan to provide an option exercise price per share which

                                                       -16-

<PAGE>



is  higher  or lower  than the  then-current  exercise  price  per share of such
outstanding options.

22.               Effective Date and Duration of the Plan.
                  ---------------------------------------- 
                  (a)  Effective  Date.  The Plan shall  become  effective  when
                       ---------------
adopted by the Board of Trustees,  but no Incentive  Stock Option  granted under
the Plan  shall  become  exercisable  unless  and until the Plan shall have been
approved  by the  Trust's  stockholders.  If such  stockholder  approval  is not
obtained  within  twelve  months  after the date of the Board's  adoption of the
Plan,  no  options  previously  granted  under  the Plan  shall be  deemed to be
Incentive  Stock  Options  and no  Incentive  Stock  Options  shall  be  granted
thereafter.  Amendments to the Plan not  requiring  stockholder  approval  shall
become  effective  when adopted by the Board of Trustees;  amendments  requiring
shareholder  approval (as provided in Section 21) shall  become  effective  when
adopted by the Board of Trustees,  but no Incentive  Stock Option  granted after
the date of such  amendment  shall become  exercisable  (to the extent that such
amendment to the Plan was  required to enable the Trust to grant such  Incentive
Stock Option to a particular  optionee)  unless and until such  amendment  shall
have been approved by the Trust's stockholders.  If such stockholder approval is
not obtained within twelve months of the Board's adoption of such amendment, any
Incentive  Stock Options  granted on or after the date of such  amendment  shall
terminate  to the extent that such  amendment to the Plan was required to enable
the  Trust to grant  such  option  to a  particular  optionee.  Subject  to this
limitation,  options  may be  granted  under  the  Plan at any  time  after  the
effective date and before the date fixed for termination of the Plan.

                  (b) Termination.  Unless sooner  terminated in accordance with
                      -----------
Section  16,  the Plan  shall  terminate  upon the  earlier  of (i) the close of
business  on the day next  preceding  the tenth  anniversary  of the date of its
adoption  by the  Board  of  Trustees,  or (ii) the  date on  which  all  shares
available  for  issuance  under the Plan shall have been issued  pursuant to the
exercise or cancellation of options granted under the

                                                       -17-

<PAGE>


Plan. If the date of  termination  is determined  under (i) above,  then options
outstanding  on such date shall  continue to have force and effect in accordance
with the provisions of the instruments evidencing such options.

23.               Governing Law.
                  -------------  
                  The provisions of this Plan shall be governed and construed in
accordance with the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

                  Adopted by the Board of Trustees on December 6, 1996



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<ARTICLE> 5
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<S>                                         <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                               3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                                         SEP-30-1997
<PERIOD-START>                                            JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                                              MAR-31-1997
<CASH>                                                          6,217
<SECURITIES>                                                        0
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<NET-INCOME>                                                    1,784
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                                     .21
<EPS-DILUTED>                                                     .21
        

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