BRUNSWICK CORP
S-3/A, 1996-11-19
ENGINES & TURBINES
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<PAGE>   1
 
   
   AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON NOVEMBER 19, 1996
    
 
   
                                                       REGISTRATION NO. 333-9997
    
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
                            ------------------------
 
   
                                AMENDMENT NO. 1
    
   
                                       TO
    
                                    FORM S-3
                             REGISTRATION STATEMENT
                                     UNDER
                           THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
                            ------------------------
 
                             BRUNSWICK CORPORATION
             (EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER)
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                <C>
                   DELAWARE                                          36-0848180
       (STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION OF                             (IRS EMPLOYER
        INCORPORATION OR ORGANIZATION)                          IDENTIFICATION NO.)
</TABLE>
 
                                 1 N. FIELD CT.
                        LAKE FOREST, ILLINOIS 60045-4811
                                 (847) 735-4700
  (ADDRESS, INCLUDING ZIP CODE, AND TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING AREA CODE, OF
                   REGISTRANT'S PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES)
                            ------------------------
 
                               ROBERT T. MCNANEY
                       VICE PRESIDENT AND GENERAL COUNSEL
                             BRUNSWICK CORPORATION
                                 1 N. FIELD CT.
                        LAKE FOREST, ILLINOIS 60045-4811
                                 (847) 735-4305
 (NAME, ADDRESS, INCLUDING ZIP CODE, AND TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING AREA CODE,
                             OF AGENT FOR SERVICE)
                            ------------------------
 
                                    COPY TO:
 
                                ROBERT E. CURLEY
                              MAYER, BROWN & PLATT
                            190 SOUTH LASALLE STREET
                            CHICAGO, ILLINOIS 60603
                            ------------------------
 
        APPROXIMATE DATE OF COMMENCEMENT OF PROPOSED SALE TO THE PUBLIC:
From time to time after the effective date of this registration statement as the
                          Registrant shall determine.
                            ------------------------
 
    If the only securities being registered on this Form are being offered
pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following
box.  [ ]
 
    If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on
a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of
1933, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or interest
reinvestment plans, check the following box.  [X]
 
    If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering
pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box
and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier
effective registration statement for the same offering.  [ ]
- ---------
 
    If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c)
under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act
registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement
for the same offering.  [ ]
- ---------
 
    If delivery of the prospectus is expected to be made pursuant to Rule 434,
please check the following box.  [ ]
                            ------------------------
 
    Pursuant to Rule 429 under the Securities Act, the Prospectus filed as part
of this Registration Statement relates to the securities registered hereby,
including the remaining unsold $100,000,000 principal amount of debt securities
previously registered by Registrant under its Registration Statement on Form S-3
(File No. 33-61512). Such Registration Statement is amended to reflect the
information contained herein.
                            ------------------------
 
    THE REGISTRANT HEREBY AMENDS THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON SUCH DATE OR
DATES AS MAY BE NECESSARY TO DELAY ITS EFFECTIVE DATE UNTIL THE REGISTRANT SHALL
FILE A FURTHER AMENDMENT WHICH SPECIFICALLY STATES THAT THIS REGISTRATION
STATEMENT SHALL THEREAFTER BECOME EFFECTIVE IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 8(A) OF
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 OR UNTIL THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT SHALL BECOME
EFFECTIVE ON SUCH DATE AS THE COMMISSION, ACTING PURSUANT TO SAID SECTION 8(A),
MAY DETERMINE.
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>   2
 
     INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN IS SUBJECT TO COMPLETION OR AMENDMENT. A
     REGISTRATION STATEMENT RELATING TO THESE SECURITIES HAS BEEN FILED WITH THE
     SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION. THESE SECURITIES MAY NOT BE SOLD NOR
     MAY OFFERS TO BUY BE ACCEPTED PRIOR TO THE TIME THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT
     BECOMES EFFECTIVE. THIS PROSPECTUS SHALL NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL OR
     THE SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY NOR SHALL THERE BE ANY SALE OF THESE
     SECURITIES IN ANY STATE IN WHICH SUCH OFFER, SOLICITATION OR SALE WOULD BE
     UNLAWFUL PRIOR TO REGISTRATION OR QUALIFICATION UNDER THE SECURITIES LAWS
     OF ANY SUCH STATE.
 
   
                 SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED NOVEMBER 19, 1996
    
 
PROSPECTUS
 
                                  $600,000,000
 
                                 [BRUNSWICK LOGO]
 
                             BRUNSWICK CORPORATION
       COMMON STOCK, PREFERRED STOCK, DEPOSITORY SHARES, DEBT SECURITIES,
  WARRANTS TO PURCHASE COMMON STOCK, WARRANTS TO PURCHASE PREFERRED STOCK AND
                      WARRANTS TO PURCHASE DEBT SECURITIES
 
     Brunswick Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), may from
time to time offer in one or more series (i) shares of Common Stock, par value
$.75 per share (the "Common Stock"), (ii) whole or fractional shares of
Preferred Stock, par value $.75 per share (collectively, "Preferred Stock"),
(iii) Preferred Stock represented by depository shares ("Depository Shares"),
(iv) unsecured debt securities ("Debt Securities"), (v) warrants to purchase
Common Stock ("Common Stock Warrants"), (vi) warrants to purchase Preferred
Stock ("Preferred Stock Warrants"), and (vii) warrants to purchase Debt
securities ("Debt Warrants"), with an aggregate public offering price of up to
$600,000,000, on terms to be determined at the time or times of offering. The
Common Stock, Preferred Stock, Depository Shares, Debt Securities, Common Stock
Warrants, Preferred Stock Warrants and Debt Warrants (collectively referred to
herein as the "Offered Securities") may be offered, separately or together, in
separate classes or series, in amounts, at prices and on terms to be set forth
in one or more supplements to this Prospectus (each, a "Prospectus Supplement").
 
   
     All specific terms of the offering and sale of the Offered Securities in
respect of which this Prospectus is being delivered will be set forth in the
applicable Prospectus Supplement and will include, where applicable: (i) in the
case of Common Stock, any public offering price and the aggregate number of
shares offered; (ii) in the case of Preferred Stock, the specific class, series,
title and stated value, any dividend, liquidation, redemption, conversion,
voting and other rights, any dividend payment dates, any sinking fund
provisions, the aggregate number of shares offered and any public offering
price; (iii) in the case of Depository Shares, the aggregate number of shares
offered, the shares of whole or fractional Preferred Stock represented by each
such Depository Share and any public offering price; (iv) in the case of Debt
Securities, the designation, aggregate principal amount, designated currency or
currency units, rate or method of calculation of interest and dates for payment
thereof, maturity, authorized denominations, any public offering price, any
redemption or prepayment rights at the option of the Company or and other
special terms of the Debt Securities; (v) in the case of Common Stock Warrants,
the duration, offering price, exercise price and detachability features; (vi) in
the case of Preferred Stock Warrants, description of the Preferred Stock for
which each warrant will be exercisable and the duration, offering price,
exercise price and detachability features; and (vii) in the case of Debt
Warrants, description of the Debt Securities for which each warrant will be
exercisable and the duration, offering price, exercise price and detachability
features.
    
 
     The applicable Prospectus Supplement will also contain information, where
applicable, about certain United States federal income tax considerations
relating to, and any listing on a securities exchange of, the Offered Securities
covered by that Prospectus Supplement.
 
     The Offered Securities may be offered directly, through agents designated
from time to time by the Company, or to or through underwriters or dealers. If
any agents or underwriters are involved in the sale of any of the Offered
Securities, their names and any applicable purchase price, fee, commission or
discount arrangement between or among them will be set forth in or will be
calculable from the information set forth in the applicable Prospectus
Supplement. No Offered Securities may be sold without delivery of the applicable
Prospectus Supplement describing the method and terms of the offering of those
Offered Securities. See "Plan of Distribution" for possible indemnification
arrangements with underwriters, dealers and agents.
                            ------------------------
 
THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND
  EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION, NOR HAS THE
     SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION
       PASSED UPON THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY
        REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
                            ------------------------
 
 This Prospectus may not be used to consummate sales of the Offered Securities
                 unless accompanied by a Prospectus Supplement.
                            ------------------------
 
                                          , 1996
<PAGE>   3
 
     NO PERSON HAS BEEN AUTHORIZED TO GIVE ANY INFORMATION OR TO MAKE ANY
REPRESENTATION IN CONNECTION WITH THIS OFFERING OTHER THAN THOSE CONTAINED OR
INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE IN THIS PROSPECTUS OR AN APPLICABLE PROSPECTUS
SUPPLEMENT AND, IF GIVEN OR MADE, SUCH INFORMATION OR REPRESENTATION MUST NOT BE
RELIED UPON AS HAVING BEEN AUTHORIZED BY THE COMPANY OR ANY UNDERWRITER, DEALER
OR AGENT. THIS PROSPECTUS AND ANY APPLICABLE PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT DO NOT
CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL OR A SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY ANY SECURITIES
OFFERED HEREBY IN ANY JURISDICTION TO ANY PERSON TO WHOM IT IS UNLAWFUL TO MAKE
SUCH OFFER OR SOLICITATION IN SUCH JURISDICTION. NEITHER THE DELIVERY OF THIS
PROSPECTUS OR ANY PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT NOR ANY SALE MADE HEREUNDER SHALL UNDER
ANY CIRCUMSTANCES CREATE ANY IMPLICATION THAT THERE HAS BEEN NO CHANGE IN THE
AFFAIRS OF THE COMPANY SINCE THE DATE HEREOF OR THEREOF.
 
     IN CONNECTION WITH THIS OFFERING, UNDERWRITERS, IF ANY, MAY OVER-ALLOT OR
EFFECT TRANSACTIONS WHICH STABILIZE OR MAINTAIN THE MARKET PRICES OF THE OFFERED
SECURITIES AT LEVELS ABOVE THOSE WHICH MIGHT OTHERWISE PREVAIL IN THE OPEN
MARKET. SUCH TRANSACTIONS MAY BE EFFECTED ON THE NEW YORK STOCK EXCHANGE, IN THE
OVER-THE-COUNTER MARKET OR OTHERWISE. SUCH STABILIZATION, IF COMMENCED, MAY BE
DISCONTINUED AT ANY TIME.
 
                             AVAILABLE INFORMATION
 
     The Company is subject to the informational requirements of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), and in accordance
therewith, files reports, proxy statements and other information with the
Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission"). Such reports, proxy
statements and other information filed by the Company can be inspected and
copied at the offices of the Commission at 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington,
D.C. 20549 or at its Regional Offices at Seven World Trade Center, 13th Floor,
New York, New York 10048 and Citicorp Center, Suite 1400, 500 West Madison
Street, Chicago, Illinois 60661. Copies of such material can be obtained by mail
from the Public Reference Section of the Commission at 450 Fifth Street, N.W.,
Washington, D.C. 20549, at prescribed rates, or at the Commission's world wide
web site at http://www.sec.gov. In addition, reports, proxy statements and other
information concerning the Company may be inspected and copied at the offices of
the New York Stock Exchange, Inc., 20 Broad Street, New York, New York 10005,
the Chicago Stock Exchange, 440 South LaSalle Street, Chicago, Illinois 60605,
and the Pacific Stock Exchange, Inc., 301 Pine Street, San Francisco, California
94104.
 
     The Company has filed with the Commission a Registration Statement on Form
S-3 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), which
relates to the Offered Securities (the "Registration Statement"). This
Prospectus omits certain of the information contained in the Registration
Statement, and reference is hereby made to the Registration Statement and to the
exhibits thereto for further information with respect to the Company and the
Offered Securities. The Registration Statement may be inspected without charge
by anyone at the office of the Commission at 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington,
D.C. 20549, and copies of all or any part thereof may be obtained from the
Commission upon payment of the prescribed fees. Any statements contained herein
concerning the provisions of any document are not necessarily complete, and, in
each instance, reference is made to the copy of such document filed as an
exhibit to the Registration Statement or otherwise filed with the Commission.
Each such statement is qualified in its entirety by such reference.
 
                      DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
 
   
     The following documents filed by the Company with the Commission are
incorporated in this Prospectus by reference: (i) the Company's Annual Report on
Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1995; (ii) the Company's Quarterly
Reports on Form 10-Q for the Quarters ended March 31, 1996, June 30, 1996 and
September 30, 1996; (iii) the Company's Current Reports on Form 8-K dated
February 9, 1996 and November 19, 1996; and (iv) the description of the
Preferred Stock Purchase Rights contained in the Company's Registration
Statement on Form 8-A dated March 13, 1996.
    
 
                                        2
<PAGE>   4
 
     All documents filed by the Company pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or
15(d) of the Exchange Act after the date hereof and prior to the termination of
the offering of the Offered Securities shall be deemed to be incorporated by
reference herein and to be a part hereof from the date of filing such documents.
Any statement contained in a document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated
by reference herein modifies or supersedes such statement. Any such statement so
modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded,
to constitute a part of this Prospectus.
 
     The Company hereby undertakes to provide without charge to each person,
including any beneficial owner, to whom a Prospectus is delivered a copy of any
and all of the information that has been incorporated by reference herein (other
than exhibits to such documents) upon written or oral request. Requests for such
copies should be directed to: Richard S. O'Brien, Vice President and Treasurer,
1 N. Field Ct., Lake Forest, Illinois 60045-4811 (telephone (847) 735-4351).
 
                                  THE COMPANY
 
   
     Brunswick Corporation (the "Company") is a multinational company with
operations in two industry segments: Recreation and Marine. The principal
executive offices of the Company are located at 1 N. Field Ct., Lake Forest,
Illinois 60045-4811 (telephone (847) 735-4700).
    
 
RECREATION
 
     There are two divisions in the Recreation industry segment: Brunswick
Outdoor Recreation Group and Brunswick Indoor Recreation Group.
 
   
     The Brunswick Outdoor Recreation Group manufactures, assembles, purchases
and sells spincast, spinning and baitcast fishing reels, rods, reel/rod
combinations, Martin fly reels and reel/rod combinations, and Swivl-Eze fishing
pedestals and ski tows and pylons. The Group also manufactures and sells
electric trolling motors. In March 1996 the Group acquired Roadmaster
Industries, Inc.'s Nelson/Weather-Rite Division, which manufactures, purchases
and sells camping products including sleeping bags, tents, backpacks, canvas
bags, rainwear, waders and portable stoves. In September 1996 the Group
purchased Roadmaster Industries, Inc.'s bicycle and outdoor product business,
which includes Roadmaster bicycles and wagons and the Flexible Flyer line of
sleds and wagons. On November 19, 1996 the Group announced that it had signed an
agreement to purchase Igloo Holdings, Inc. for approximately $154 million in
cash. Igloo manufactures and sells ice chests, beverage coolers and
thermoelectric products.
    
 
     The Brunswick Indoor Recreation Group manufactures and sells products for
the bowling industry, including bowling lanes, automatic pinsetters, ball
returns, computerized scoring equipment and business systems. In addition, the
Group manufactures and sells seating and locker units for bowling centers;
bowling pins, lane finishes and supplies; and bowling balls and bags. The Group
also sells billiards tables which are manufactured for the Company to its
specifications.
 
     The Brunswick Indoor Recreation Group also operates 126 recreation centers
worldwide, and its joint ventures operate an additional 28 centers. Recreation
centers are bowling centers which offer, in varying degrees depending on size
and location, the following additional activities and services: billiards and
other family games, children's playrooms, restaurants and cocktail lounges.
 
MARINE
 
   
     The Marine industry segment consists of the Mercury Marine Division, which
manufactures and sells marine propulsion systems, and the US Marine and Sea Ray
Divisions, which manufacture and sell pleasure and fishing boats. The Company
believes it has the largest dollar volume of sales of recreational marine
engines and pleasure boats in the world.
    
 
     The Mercury Marine Division manufactures and sells Mercury, Mariner and
Force outboard motors, MerCruiser gasoline and diesel inboard and stern drive
engines, the Sport Jet propless jet system and replacement parts and
accessories.
 
                                        3
<PAGE>   5
 
   
     The US Marine Division builds and sells several brands of fiberglass
pleasure and fishing boats, ranging in size from 16 to 56 feet. Bayliner is the
Division's oldest and most well known brand, with offerings that include jet
powered boats, family runabouts, cabin cruisers, sport fishing boats and luxury
motor yachts. Other brands include Maxum (runabouts and cabin cruisers), Robalo
and Trophy (sport fishing boats), and Quantum (fish 'n' ski boats).
    
 
   
     The Sea Ray Division builds and sells Sea Ray fiberglass boats from 14 to
65 feet in length, including luxury motor yachts, cabin cruisers, sport fishing
boats, sport boats, runabouts, water skiing boats, and jet powered boats. The
Division also manufactures and sells the Boston Whaler line of offshore boats.
    
 
   
                                USE OF PROCEEDS
    
 
     Unless otherwise described in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, the
Company intends to use the net proceeds from the sale of the Offered Securities
for general corporate purposes, including expansion of existing businesses and
investments in business opportunities as they may arise. Pending such use, the
net proceeds may be temporarily invested in short-term investments.
 
               RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES OF THE COMPANY
 
     The following table sets forth the ratio of earnings to fixed charges of
the Company for the periods indicated:
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                              NINE MONTHS
                                                 ENDED
                                             SEPTEMBER 30,              YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                             -------------     -----------------------------------------
                                             1996     1995     1995     1994     1993     1992     1991
                                             ----     ----     ----     ----     ----     ----     -----
<S>                                          <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges(a).....   9.3x     6.9x     6.2x     6.5x     3.4x     2.6x        --
Inadequacy of coverage(b).................                                                         $35.4
</TABLE>
    
 
- ---------------
 
   
(a) For computation of the ratio of earnings to fixed charges, "earnings" have
    been calculated by adding fixed charges (excluding capitalized interest) to
    earnings from continuing operations before income taxes and then deducting
    the undistributed earnings of affiliates. Fixed charges consist of interest
    expense, estimated interest portion of rental expense and capitalized
    interest.
    
 
(b) The Company's 1991 loss from continuing operations includes litigation
    charges of $38.0 million ($23.6 million after-tax). The Company was in
    compliance with its credit agreements during that year.
 
                 GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE OFFERED SECURITIES
 
     The Company may offer under this Prospectus Common Stock, Preferred Stock,
Depository Shares, Debt Securities, Common Stock Warrants, Preferred Stock
Warrants, or Debt Warrants or any combination of the foregoing, either
individually or as units consisting of two or more Offered Securities. The
aggregate offering price of Offered Securities offered by the Company under this
Prospectus will not exceed $600,000,000. If Offered Securities are offered as
units, the terms of the units will be set forth in a Prospectus Supplement.
 
                                        4
<PAGE>   6
 
                        DESCRIPTION OF THE CAPITAL STOCK
 
GENERAL
 
   
     The authorized capital stock of the Company consists of 200,000,000 shares
of Common Stock, par value $.75 per share, of which 98,419,406 were outstanding
as of November 11, 1996, and 12,500,000 shares of Preferred Stock, par value
$.75 per share, none of which are outstanding.
    
 
COMMON STOCK
 
     Each share of Common Stock is entitled to one vote at all meetings of
stockholders of the Company for the election of directors and all other matters
submitted to stockholder vote. The Common Stock does not have cumulative voting
rights. Accordingly, the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of
Common Stock can elect all the directors if they chose to do so. Dividends may
be paid to the holders of Common Stock when, as and if declared by the Board of
Directors of the Company out of funds legally available therefor. The Common
Stock has no preemptive or similar rights. Upon the liquidation, dissolution or
winding up of the affairs of the Company, any assets remaining after provision
for payment of all liabilities would be distributed pro rata among holders of
Common Stock. The shares of Common Stock currently outstanding are fully paid
and nonassessable. The shares of Common Stock outstanding are, and the shares of
Common Stock offered hereby will be, upon issuance against full payment of the
purchase price therefor, fully paid and nonassessable.
 
     The Company's Certificate of Incorporation contains provisions requiring,
with certain exceptions, any merger, consolidation, disposition of assets or
similar business combination with a person who owns 5% or more of the shares of
stock of the Company entitled to vote in elections of directors to be approved
by the affirmative vote of the holders of two-thirds of the shares of stock
entitled to vote in elections of directors which are not beneficially owned by
such person. The Certificate of Incorporation also requires, with certain
exceptions, that two independent experts conclude that the terms of any such
merger, consolidation, disposition of assets or similar business combination are
fair to unaffiliated stockholders and that the opinion of these experts be
included in a proxy statement mailed to stockholders. The foregoing provisions
may be amended only by the affirmative vote of the holders of two-thirds of the
shares of stock entitled to vote in elections of directors, excluding any shares
held by a person who owns 5% or more of the outstanding shares.
 
     The Company's Certificate of Incorporation divides the Board of Directors
into three classes that serve staggered three-year terms; sets the number of
directors at not less than six and not more than 15; permits the number of
directors to be increased or decreased within the foregoing range by vote of 80%
of the directors or the holders of 80% of the outstanding shares of stock
entitled to vote in elections of directors; authorizes the by-laws to establish
the procedures for advance notice for stockholder nominations of directors;
permits such nomination procedures to be amended only by vote of 80% of the
directors or the holders of 80% of the outstanding shares of stock entitled to
vote in elections of directors; gives the Board of Directors the exclusive power
to fill interim vacancies and to determine the qualifications of directors;
prohibits the removal of directors without cause; requires that stockholder
action be taken at a meeting of stockholders, except for action by written
consents of the holders of preferred stock authorized by the Board of Directors;
and requires the affirmative vote of the holders of 80% of the shares entitled
to vote in elections of directors to amend the foregoing provisions.
 
PREFERRED STOCK PURCHASE RIGHTS
 
   
     On February 5, 1996, the Board of Directors of the Company declared a
dividend distribution of one preferred stock purchase right (the "Rights") for
each outstanding share of Common Stock of the Company, pursuant to a Rights
Agreement, dated as of February 5, 1996, by and between the Company and Harris
Trust and Savings Bank. Prior to the Distribution Date (as hereinafter defined),
the Company will issue one Right with each new share of Common Stock so that all
such shares will have attached Rights. The Company is issuing one Right with
each share of Common Stock offered hereby. The following description does not
purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the
Rights Agreement.
    
 
                                        5
<PAGE>   7
 
     Each holder of Rights until April 1, 2006 (but only after the occurrence of
a Distribution Date) may purchase one one-thousandth of a share of Series A
Junior Participating Preferred Stock, par value $.75 per share (the "Series A
Preferred Stock"), at price of $85 per one one-thousandth share, subject to
adjustment (the "Purchase Price"). The Rights will be represented by the Common
Stock certificates and will not be exercisable, or transferable apart from the
Common Stock, until the earlier to occur of (i) the tenth day after the first
public announcement by the Company that a person has become an Acquiring Person
(as defined below) or (ii) the fifteenth business day (or such later date as the
Board of Directors may decide prior to such time as any person becomes an
Acquiring Person) after the commencement of (or a public announcement of the
intention to make) a tender offer or exchange offer that would result in such
person or group beneficially owning a total of 15% or more of the outstanding
Common Stock (the earlier of such dates being called the "Distribution Date").
 
     On the date when the Company announces that a person (other than the
Company, any subsidiary or any employee benefit plan of the Company or a
subsidiary) together with related parties has acquired, or has obtained the
right to acquire, beneficial ownership of 15% or more of the outstanding Common
Stock (an "Acquiring Person"), each Right (other than Rights owned by the
Acquiring Person and any transferees thereof, each of whose Rights become void)
will, subject to certain exceptions, become a right to buy, at the Purchase
Price, that number of shares of Common Stock having a market value of twice the
Purchase Price.
 
     Under certain circumstances in which the Company is acquired in a merger or
other business combination transaction or 50% or more of its consolidated assets
or earning power are sold, each holder of Rights (other than the Acquiring
Person) has the right to buy, at the Purchase Price, common stock of the
acquiring company (or the Company, if it is the surviving entity) having a
market value of twice the Purchase Price.
 
     The Purchase Price payable and the number of shares of Series A Preferred
Stock or Common Stock or other securities issuable upon exercise of the Rights
are subject to adjustment in certain circumstances. At any time prior to the
time a person shall become an Acquiring Person, the Company may elect to redeem
the Rights in whole, but not in part, at a price of $.01 per Right. The Rights
will expire on April 1, 2006, unless earlier redeemed by the Company. Until a
Right is exercised, the holder thereof, as such, will have no rights as a
stockholder of the Company, including, without limitation, the right to vote or
to receive dividends.
 
     The Rights have certain anti-takeover effects. The Rights will cause
substantial dilution to a person who attempts to acquire the Company without
conditioning any offer on the Rights being redeemed or a substantial number of
Rights being acquired. However, the Rights will not interfere with a transaction
approved by the Company's Board of Directors prior to the date upon which a
person has become a 15% stockholder, because the Rights can be redeemed until
that time.
 
PREFERRED STOCK
 
     Under the Certificate of Incorporation, the Board of Directors of the
Company may direct the issuance of up to 12,500,000 shares of Preferred Stock in
one or more series and with rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions,
including dividend rights, voting rights, conversion rights, terms of redemption
and liquidation preferences, that may be fixed or designated by the Board of
Directors pursuant to a certificate of designation without any further vote or
action by the Company's stockholders. As of February 5, 1996, the Board of
Directors had designated 150,000 shares of the Preferred Stock as Series A
Junior Participating Preferred Stock for possible issuance in connection with
the Rights. The issuance of Preferred Stock may have the effect of delaying,
deferring or preventing a change in control of the Company. Preferred Stock,
upon issuance against full payment of the purchase price therefor, will be fully
paid and nonassessable. The specific terms of a particular series of Preferred
Stock will be described in the Prospectus Supplement relating to that series.
The description of Preferred Stock set forth below and the description of the
terms of a particular series of Preferred Stock set forth in the related
Prospectus Supplement do not purport to be complete and are qualified in their
entirety by reference to the certificate of designation relating to that series.
The related Prospectus Supplement will contain a description of certain United
States federal income tax consequences relating to the purchase and ownership of
the series of Preferred Stock described in such Prospectus Supplement.
 
                                        6
<PAGE>   8
 
     The rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions of the Preferred Stock
of each series will be fixed by the certificate of designation relating to such
series. A Prospectus Supplement, relating to each series, will specify the
following terms of the Preferred Stock:
 
          (a) The maximum number of shares to constitute the series and the
     distinctive designation thereof;
 
          (b) The annual dividend rate, if any, on shares of the series, whether
     such rate is fixed or variable or both, the date or dates from which
     dividends will begin to accrue or accumulate and whether dividends will be
     cumulative;
 
          (c) The price at and the terms and conditions on which the shares of
     the series may be redeemed, including the time during which shares of the
     series may be redeemed and any accumulated dividends thereon that the
     holders of shares of the series shall be entitled to receive upon the
     redemption thereof;
 
          (d) The liquidation preference, if any, and any accumulated dividends
     thereon, that the holders of shares of the series shall be entitled to
     receive upon the liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the affairs of
     the Company;
 
          (e) Whether or not the shares of the series will be subject to
     operation of a retirement or sinking fund, and, if so, the extent and
     manner in which any such fund shall be applied to the purchase or
     redemption of the shares of the series for retirement or for other
     corporate purposes, and the terms and provisions relating to the operation
     of such fund;
 
          (f) The terms and conditions, if any, on which the shares of the
     series shall be convertible into, or exchangeable for, shares of any other
     class or classes of capital stock of the Company or a third party or of any
     other series of the same class, including the price or prices or the rate
     or rates of conversion or exchange and the method, if any, of adjusting the
     same and whether such conversion is mandatory or optional;
 
          (g) The stated value of the shares of such series;
 
          (h) The voting rights, if any, of the shares of the series; and
 
          (i) Any or all other preferences and relative, participating, optional
     or other special rights or qualifications, limitations or restrictions
     thereof.
 
     In the event of any voluntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the
affairs of the Company, the holders of any series of any class of Preferred
Stock shall be entitled to receive in full out of the assets of the Company,
including its capital, before any amount shall be paid or distributed among the
holders of the Common Stock or any other shares ranking junior to such series,
the amounts fixed by the Board of Directors with respect to such series and set
forth in the applicable Prospectus Supplement plus an amount equal to all
dividends accrued and unpaid thereon to the date of payment of the amount due
pursuant to such liquidation, dissolution or winding up the affairs of the
Company. After payment to the holders of the Preferred Stock of the full
preferential amounts to which they are entitled, the holders of Preferred Stock,
as such, shall have no right or claim to any of the remaining assets of the
Company.
 
     If liquidating distributions shall have been made in full to all holders of
Preferred Stock, the remaining assets of the Company shall be distributed among
the holders of any other classes or series of capital stock ranking junior to
the Preferred Stock upon liquidation, dissolution of winding up, according to
their respective rights and preferences and in each case according to their
respective number of shares. The merger or consolidation of the Company into or
with any other corporation, or the sale, lease or conveyance of all or
substantially all of the assets of the Company, shall not constitute a
dissolution, liquidation or winding up of the Company.
 
                                        7
<PAGE>   9
 
                        DESCRIPTION OF DEPOSITORY SHARES
GENERAL
 
     The Company may offer receipts ("Depository Receipts") for Depository
Shares, each of which will represent a fractional interest in a share of a
particular series of a class of Preferred Stock, as specified in the applicable
Prospectus Supplement. Preferred Stock of each series of each class represented
by Depository Shares will be deposited under a separate Deposit Agreement (each,
a "Deposit Agreement") among the Company, the depository named therein (such
depository or its successor, the "Preferred Stock Depository") and the holders
from time to time of the Depository Receipts. Subject to the terms of the
Deposit Agreement, each owner of a Depository Receipt will be entitled, in
proportion to the fractional interest of a share of the particular series of a
class of Preferred Stock represented by the Depository Shares evidenced by such
Depository Receipt, to all the rights and preferences of the Preferred Stock
represented by such Depository Shares (including dividend, voting, conversion,
redemption and liquidation rights).
 
     The Depository Shares will be evidenced by Depository Receipts issued
pursuant to the applicable Deposit Agreement. Immediately following the issuance
and delivery of the Preferred Stock by the Company to the Preferred Stock
Depository, the Company will cause the Preferred Stock Depository to issue, on
behalf of the Company, the Depository Receipts. Copies of the applicable form of
Deposit Agreement and Depository Receipt may be obtained from the Company upon
request.
 
DIVIDENDS AND OTHER DISTRIBUTIONS
 
     The Preferred Stock Depository will distribute all cash dividends or other
cash distributions received in respect of the Preferred Stock to the record
holders of the Depository Receipts evidencing the related Depository Shares in
proportion to the number of such Depository Receipts owned by such holder,
subject to certain obligations of holders to file proofs, certificates and other
information and to pay certain charges and expenses to the Preferred Stock
Depository.
 
     In the event of a distribution other than in cash, the Preferred Stock
Depository will distribute property received by it to the record holders of
Depository Receipts entitled thereto, subject to certain obligations of holders
to file proofs, certificates and other information and to pay certain charges
and expenses to the Preferred Stock Depository, unless the Preferred Stock
Depository determines that it is not feasible to make such distribution, in
which case the Preferred Stock Depository may, with the approval of the Company,
sell such property and distribute the net proceeds from such sale to such
holders.
 
WITHDRAWAL OF SHARES
 
     Upon surrender of the Depository Receipts at the corporate trust office of
the Preferred Stock Depository (unless the related Depository Shares have
previously been called for redemption), the holders thereof will be entitled to
delivery at such office, to or upon such holder's order, of the number of whole
shares of Preferred Stock and any money or other property represented by the
Depository Shares evidenced by such Depository Receipts. Holders of Depository
Receipts will be entitled to receive whole shares of the related Preferred Stock
on the basis of the proportion of Preferred Stock represented by each Depository
Share as specified in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, but holders of such
Preferred Stock will not thereafter be entitled to receive Depository Shares
therefor. If the Depository Receipts delivered by the holder evidence a number
of Depository Shares in excess of the number of Depository Shares representing
the number of shares of Preferred Stock to be withdrawn, the Preferred Stock
Depository will deliver to such holder at the same time a new Depository Receipt
evidencing such excess number of Depository Shares.
 
REDEMPTION OF DEPOSITORY SHARES
 
     Whenever the Company redeems Preferred Stock held by the Preferred Stock
Depository, the Preferred Stock Depository will redeem as of the same redemption
date the number of Depository Shares representing the Preferred Stock so
redeemed, provided the Company shall have paid in full to the Preferred Stock
Depository the redemption price of the Preferred Stock to be redeemed plus an
amount equal to any accrued and unpaid dividends (except, with respect to
noncumulative shares of Preferred Stock, dividends for the
 
                                        8
<PAGE>   10
 
current dividend period only) thereon to the date fixed for redemption. The
redemption price per Depository Share will be equal to the redemption price and
any other amounts per share payable with respect to the Preferred Stock. If less
than all the Depository Shares are to be redeemed, the Depository Shares to be
redeemed will be selected by the Preferred Stock Depository by lot.
 
     After the date fixed for redemption, the Depository Shares so called for
redemption will no longer be deemed to be outstanding and all rights of the
holders of the Depository Receipts evidencing the Depository Shares so called
for redemption will cease, except the right to receive any moneys payable upon
such redemption and any money or other property to which the holders of such
Depository Receipts were entitled upon such redemption upon surrender thereof to
the Preferred Stock Depository.
 
VOTING OF THE UNDERLYING PREFERRED STOCK
 
     Upon receipt of notice of any meeting at which the holders of the Preferred
Stock are entitled to vote, the Preferred Stock Depository will mail the
information contained in such notice of meeting to the record holders of the
Depository Receipts evidencing the Depository Shares which represent such
Preferred Stock. Each record holder of Depository Receipts evidencing Depository
Shares on the record date (which will be the same date as the record date for
the Preferred Stock) will be entitled to instruct the Preferred Stock Depository
as to the exercise of the voting rights pertaining to the amount of Preferred
Stock represented by such holder's Depository Shares. The Preferred Stock
Depository will vote the amount of Preferred Stock represented by such
Depository Shares in accordance with such instructions, and the Company will
agree to take all reasonable action which may be deemed necessary by the
Preferred Stock Depository in order to enable the Preferred Stock Depository to
do so. The Preferred Stock Depository will abstain from voting the amount of
Preferred Stock represented by such Depository Shares to the extent it does not
receive specific instructions from the holders of Depository Receipts evidencing
such Depository Shares.
 
LIQUIDATION PREFERENCE
 
     In the event of liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company,
whether voluntary or involuntary, each holder of a Depository Receipt will be
entitled to the fraction of the liquidation preference accorded each share of
Preferred Stock represented by the Depository Share evidenced by such Depository
Receipt, as set forth in the applicable Prospectus Supplement.
 
CONVERSION OF PREFERRED STOCK
 
     The Depository Shares, as such, are not convertible into Common Stock or
any securities or property of the Company. Nevertheless, if so specified in the
applicable Prospectus Supplement relating to an offering of Depository Shares,
the Depository Receipts may be surrendered by holders thereof to the Preferred
Stock Depository with written instructions to the Preferred Stock Depository to
instruct the Company to cause conversion of the Preferred Stock represented by
the Depository Shares evidenced by such Depository Receipts into whole shares of
Common Stock, other Preferred Stock of the Company or other shares of capital
stock, and the Company has agreed that upon receipt of such instructions and any
amounts payable in respect thereof, it will cause the conversion thereof
utilizing the same procedures as those provided for delivery of Preferred Stock
to effect such conversion. If the Depository Shares evidenced by a Depository
Receipt are to be converted in part only, one or more new Depository Receipts
will be issued for any Depository Shares not to be converted. No fractional
shares of Common Stock will be issued upon conversion, and if such conversion
will result in a fractional share being issued, an amount will be paid in cash
by the Company equal to the value of the fractional interest based upon the
closing price of the Common Stock on the last business day prior to the
conversion.
 
AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION OF THE DEPOSIT AGREEMENT
 
     The form of Depository Receipt evidencing the Depository Shares which
represent the Preferred Stock and any provision of the Deposit Agreement may at
any time be amended by agreement between the Company and the Preferred Stock
Depository. However, any amendment that materially and adversely alters
 
                                        9
<PAGE>   11
 
the rights of the holders of Depository Receipts will not be effective unless
such amendment has been approved by the existing holders of at least a majority
of the Depository Shares evidenced by the Depository Receipts then outstanding.
 
     The Deposit Agreement may be terminated by the Company upon not less than
30 days' prior written notice to the Preferred Stock Depository if a majority of
each class of Depository Shares affected by such termination consents to such
termination, whereupon the Preferred Stock Depository shall deliver or make
available to each holder of Depository Receipts, upon surrender of the
Depository Receipts held by such holder, such number of whole or fractional
shares of Preferred Stock as are represented by the Depository Shares evidenced
by such Depository Receipts. In addition, the Deposit Agreement will
automatically terminate if (i) all outstanding Depository Shares shall have been
redeemed, (ii) there shall have been a final distribution in respect of the
related Preferred Stock in connection with any liquidation, dissolution or
winding up of the Company and such distribution shall have been distributed to
the holders of Depository Receipts evidencing the Depository Shares representing
such Preferred Stock or (iii) each related share of Preferred Stock shall have
been converted into capital stock of the Company not so represented by
Depository Shares.
 
CHARGES OF PREFERRED STOCK DEPOSITORY
 
     The Company will pay all transfer and other taxes and governmental charges
arising solely from the existence of the Deposit Agreement. In addition, the
Company will pay the fees and expenses of the Preferred Stock Depository in
connection with the performance of its duties under the Deposit Agreement.
However, holders of the Depository Receipts will pay the fees and expenses of
the Preferred Stock Depository for any duties requested by such holders to be
performed which are outside of those expressly provided for in the Deposit
Agreement.
 
RESIGNATION AND REMOVAL OF PREFERRED STOCK DEPOSITORY
 
     The Preferred Stock Depository may resign at any time by delivering to the
Company notice of its election to do so, and the Company may at any time remove
the Preferred Stock Depository, any such resignation or removal to take effect
upon the appointment of a successor Preferred Stock Depository. A successor
Preferred Stock Depository must be appointed within 60 days after delivery of
the notice of resignation or removal and must be a bank or trust company having
its principal office in the United States and having a combined capital and
surplus of at least $50,000,000.
 
MISCELLANEOUS
 
     The Preferred Stock Depository will forward to holders of Depository
Receipts any reports and communications from the Company that are received by
the Preferred Stock Depository with respect to the related Preferred Stock.
 
     Neither the Preferred Stock Depository nor the Company will be liable if it
is prevented from or delayed in, by law or any circumstances beyond its control,
performing its obligations under the Deposit Agreement. The obligations of the
Company and the Preferred Stock Depository under the Deposit Agreement will be
limited to performing their duties thereunder in good faith and without gross
negligence or willful misconduct, and the Company and the Preferred Stock
Depository will not be obligated to prosecute or defend any legal proceeding in
respect of any Depository Receipts, Depository Shares or Preferred Stock
represented thereby unless satisfactory indemnity is furnished. The Company and
the Preferred Stock Depository may rely on written advice of counsel or
accountants, or information provided by persons presenting Preferred Stock
represented thereby for deposit, holders of Depository Receipts or other persons
believed to be competent to give such information, and on documents believed to
be genuine and signed by a proper party.
 
     If the Preferred Stock Depository shall receive conflicting claims,
requests or instructions from any holders of Depository Receipts, on the one
hand, and the Company, on the other hand, the Preferred Stock Depository shall
be entitled to act on such claims, requests or instructions received from the
Company.
 
                                       10
<PAGE>   12
 
                         DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES
 
     The Debt Securities are to be issued under an Indenture (the "Indenture"),
dated as of March 15, 1987, between the Company and Harris Trust and Savings
Bank, as trustee (the "Trustee") and as successor to Continental Bank, National
Association, a copy of which has been filed as an exhibit to the Registration
Statement. The following summary of certain provisions of the Indenture does not
purport to be complete and is subject to, and is qualified in its entirety by
reference to, all the provisions of the Indenture, including the definitions
therein of certain terms. Wherever particular sections or defined terms of the
Indenture are referred to, it is intended that such sections or defined terms
shall be incorporated herein by reference.
 
GENERAL
 
     The Indenture does not limit the aggregate principal amount of the Debt
Securities or of any particular series of Debt Securities and provides that Debt
Securities may be issued thereunder from time to time in one or more series. The
Debt Securities will be issued in fully registered form in denominations which
may be specified for each particular series, but in the absence of such
specification, shall be in denominations of $1,000 and integral multiples
thereof or the equivalent thereof in foreign denominated currency or ECU. Debt
Securities will be unsecured and will rank on a parity with other unsecured and
unsubordinated indebtedness of the Company. Unless otherwise described in the
Prospectus Supplement relating to the Debt Securities of any particular series,
there are no covenants or provisions contained in the Indenture which may afford
the holders of the Debt Securities protection in the event of a highly leveraged
transaction involving the Company. Any such highly leveraged transaction may
adversely affect holders of the Debt Securities.
 
     Reference is made to the Prospectus Supplement relating to the Debt
Securities of any particular series for the following terms thereof: (1) the
title of the Debt Securities; (2) any limit on the aggregate principal amount of
the Debt Securities; (3) the date or dates on which the Debt Securities will
mature; (4) the rate or rates (which may be fixed or variable) per annum at
which the Debt Securities will bear interest, if any, and the date from which
any such interest will accrue; (5) the times at which any such interest will be
payable; (6) the currency or currencies for which Debt Securities may be
purchased and currency or currencies in which principal of and any interest
thereon may be payable; (7) if the currency for which Debt Securities may be
purchased or in which principal of and interest thereon may be payable is at the
purchaser's election, the manner in which such an election may be made; (8) the
dates, if any, on which and the price or prices at which the Debt Securities
may, pursuant to any mandatory or optional sinking fund provisions, be redeemed
by the Company and other detailed terms and provisions of any such sinking
funds; and (9) the date, if any, after which and the price or prices at which
the Debt Securities may, pursuant to any optional redemption provisions, be
redeemed at the option of the Company or of the holder thereof, and other
detailed terms and provisions of any such optional redemption.
 
     Unless otherwise indicated in the Prospectus Supplement relating thereto,
principal and premium, if any, will be payable at the Company's offices or
agencies in Chicago, Illinois, the Borough of Manhattan in the City and State of
New York and such other place or places as the Company may designate pursuant to
the provisions of the Indenture, provided that, at the option of the Company,
payment of any interest may be made by check mailed to the address of the Person
entitled thereto as it appears in the security register. (Section 2.06.) Debt
Securities may be presented for registration of transfer or exchange at the
office of the Trustee in Chicago, at the office of the Trustee's agent in the
Borough of Manhattan and at such other place or places as the Company may
designate pursuant to the provisions of the Indenture. (Section 5.02).
 
     Debt Securities may be issued under the Indenture as original issue
discount Debt Securities to be offered and sold at a substantial discount from
the principal amount thereof. Special federal income tax, accounting and other
considerations applicable thereto will be described in the Prospectus Supplement
relating to any such original issue discount Debt Securities.
 
   
     As of September 30, 1996, $225 million principal amount of Debt Securities
were issued under the Indenture.
    
 
                                       11
<PAGE>   13
 
RESTRICTIONS ON SECURED DEBT
 
   
     The Indenture provides that the Company will not, and will not cause or
permit a Restricted Subsidiary to, incur, issue, assume or guarantee any Secured
Debt unless the Debt Securities will be secured by any Mortgage which secures
such Secured Debt, so long as such Secured Debt or any other Indebtedness
(except for the Debt Securities) secured by such Mortgage shall exist, equally
and ratably with (or prior to) any and all other obligations and indebtedness
which shall be so secured. The foregoing restrictions do not apply, however, to
(i) any Mortgage on any property hereafter acquired or constructed by the
Company or a Restricted Subsidiary to secure or provide for the payment of all
or any part of the purchase price or construction cost of such property,
including, but not limited to, any indebtedness incurred by the Company or a
Restricted Subsidiary prior to, at the time of, or within 180 days after the
later of the acquisition, the completion of construction (including any
improvements on an existing property) or the commencement of commercial
operation of such property, which indebtedness is incurred for the purpose of
financing all or any part of the purchase price thereof or construction or
improvements thereon; (ii) the acquisition of property subject to any Mortgage
upon such property existing at the time of acquisition thereof, whether or not
assumed by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary; (iii) any Mortgage
existing on the property, or on the outstanding shares of capital stock or
indebtedness, of a corporation at the time such corporation becomes a Restricted
Subsidiary; (iv) Mortgages on property or shares of capital stock or
indebtedness of a corporation existing at the time such corporation is merged
into or consolidated with the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary or at the time
of a sale, lease or other disposition of the properties of a corporation or firm
as an entirety or substantially as an entirety to the Company or a Restricted
subsidiary (provided, however, that no such Mortgage shall extend to any other
property of the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary prior to such acquisition
or to other property thereafter acquired other than additions or improvements to
such acquired property); (v) Mortgages on property of the Company or a
Restricted Subsidiary in favor or at the request of the United States of America
or any State thereof, or any department, agency or instrumentality or political
subdivision of the United States of America or any State thereof (including
Mortgages to secure indebtedness of the pollution control or industrial revenue
bond type), in order to permit the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary to perform
any contract or subcontract made by it with or at the request of any of the
foregoing, or to secure partial, progress, advance or other payments pursuant to
any tender, bid, contract, regulation or statute or to secure any indebtedness
incurred for the purpose of financing all or any part of the purchase price or
the cost of constructing or improving the property subject to such Mortgages;
(vi) any Mortgage on any property or assets of any Restricted Subsidiary to
secure indebtedness owing by it to the Company or to a Restricted Subsidiary;
(vii) any Mortgage existing on March 15, 1987; (viii) any extension, renewal or
replacement (or successive extensions, renewals or replacements) in whole or in
part of any Mortgage permitted by clauses (i) through (vii), inclusive,
provided, however, that the principal amount of Secured Debt secured thereby
shall not exceed the principal amount of Secured Debt so secured at the time of
such extension, renewal or replacement, and that such extension, renewal or
replacement shall be limited to the property which secured the Mortgage so
extended, renewed or replaced and additions or improvements to such property;
(ix) carriers', warehousemen's, landlords', mechanics' and materialmen's
Mortgages incurred in the ordinary course of business of the Company or a
Restricted Subsidiary for sums not yet due or being contested in good faith; (x)
Mortgages for taxes or assessments or governmental charges or levies on property
owned by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, if such taxes,
assessments, governmental charges or levies shall not at the time be due and
payable, or if the same thereafter can be paid without penalty, or if the same
are being contested in good faith; (xi) Mortgages to secure payment of worker's
compensation, customs duties or insurance premiums, to secure (or in lieu of)
customs, surety or appeal bonds, and for purposes similar to any of the above in
the regular course of business; and (xii) Mortgages created by or resulting from
any litigation or legal proceeding which at the time is currently being
contested in good faith. At September 30, 1996, assets of Unrestricted
Subsidiaries accounted for approximately 20% of the Company's total consolidated
assets.
    
 
     Notwithstanding the restrictions outlined above, the Company or any
Restricted Subsidiary may incur, issue, assume or guarantee Secured Debt which
would otherwise be subject to such restrictions in an aggregate amount which,
together with all other Secured Debt of the Company and its Restricted
Subsidiaries which would otherwise be subject to such restrictions (not
including Secured Debt permitted to be so secured) and
 
                                       12
<PAGE>   14
 
the aggregate Attributable Debt of the Sale and Leaseback Transactions in
existence at such time (except for Sale and Leaseback Transactions the proceeds
of which shall have been or will be used to retire Funded Debt in accordance
with the procedures specified in "Restrictions on Sale and Leaseback
Transactions"), does not exceed 10% of the Consolidated Net Tangible Assets of
the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries, determined as of a date not more
than 90 days prior thereto. (Section 5.05.)
 
RESTRICTIONS ON SALE AND LEASEBACK TRANSACTIONS
 
     The Indenture provides that the Company will not, and will not permit any
Restricted Subsidiary to, enter into a Sale and Leaseback Transaction unless
either (a) the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary would be entitled, pursuant
to the provisions outlined in "Restrictions on Secured Debt," to incur Secured
Debt in an amount equal to the Attributable Debt of such Sale and Leaseback
Transaction without equally and ratably securing the Securities, or (b) the
Company or a Restricted Subsidiary, within 120 days, applies an amount (which
amount shall equal the greater of (i) the net proceeds of the sale or transfer
of the property leased pursuant to such Sale and Leaseback Transaction or (ii)
the fair value of such property at the time of entering into such Sale and
Leaseback Transaction as determined by the Company's Board of Directors) to the
retirement (other than any mandatory retirement) of the Funded Debt as shown on
the most recent consolidated balance sheet of the Company and its Restricted
Subsidiaries, which Funded Debt, in the case of the Company, is not subordinated
to the prior payment of the Debt Securities of any series. In lieu of applying
all or any part of such amount to the retirement of Funded Debt, the Company, at
its option, may reduce the amount which it shall be required to apply to such
retirement by (i) delivering to the Trustee Debt Securities theretofore
purchased or otherwise acquired by the Company or (ii) receiving credit for Debt
Securities theretofore redeemed at its option or redeemed through optional
sinking fund payments, which Debt Securities have not previously been made the
basis for the reduction of a mandatory sinking fund payment. Any Debt Securities
which shall have been made the basis for a reduction in the amount of Funded
Debt required to be retired shall not be available as a credit against mandatory
sinking fund payments. (Section 5.06.)
 
RESTRICTIONS ON MERGER, CONSOLIDATION AND SALE, TRANSFER OR LEASE OF ASSETS
 
     The Indenture provides that the Company shall not consolidate with or merge
into any other corporation, or sell, transfer or lease its properties and assets
substantially as an entirety to any Person, nor may any other Person consolidate
with or merge into the Company, or sell or transfer or lease its properties and
assets substantially as an entirety to the Company, unless (i) the Person (if
other than the Company) formed by or resulting from any such consolidation or
merger or which shall have purchased, received the transfer of, or leased, such
property and assets shall be a corporation organized and existing under the laws
of the United States or any State or the District of Columbia and shall
expressly assume, by a supplemental indenture, the payment of the principal of
(and premium, if any) and interest (if any) on all the Debt Securities and the
performance and observance of the covenants of the Indenture, (ii) immediately
thereafter no Event of Default and no event which after notice or lapse of time,
or both, would become an Event of Default shall have happened or be continuing,
and (iii) if, as a result of such consolidation, merger, sale, transfer or
lease, properties or assets of the Company shall cause the outstanding Debt
Securities to be secured equally and ratably with (or prior to) such Mortgage.
Notwithstanding the provisions summarized in this paragraph, the Company may,
without complying with such provisions, sell, transfer or lease all of its
property and assets to another corporation organized and existing under the laws
of the United States of America or any State or the District of Columbia if,
immediately after giving effect to such sale, transfer or lease and the receipt
of the consolidation therefor, such corporation is a wholly-owned Restricted
Subsidiary of the Company and the Company would be permitted under the Indenture
to incur at least $1 of Secured Debt. (Section 12.01.)
 
EVENTS OF DEFAULT
 
     Events of Default with respect to any series of Debt Securities are defined
in the Indenture as being: default for 30 days in payment of any interest
installment due on the Debt Securities of such series; default in payment of
principal or premium, if any, on any of the Debt Securities of such series or in
making any
 
                                       13
<PAGE>   15
 
mandatory sinking fund payment with respect to Debt Securities of such series;
default in performance of any other covenant in the Debt Securities of such
series or in the Indenture for 60 days after notice to the Company by the
Trustee or to the Company and the Trustee by the holders of at least 25% in
principal amount of the outstanding Debt Securities of such series; certain
events of bankruptcy, insolvency and reorganization of the Company; and such
additional Events of Default as may be established with respect to the Debt
Securities of any series in the manner provided in the Indenture. If an Event of
Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee or the holders of at least 25% in
principal amount of the outstanding Debt Securities of such series may declare
all the Debt Securities of such series to be due and payable immediately,
subject to the right of the holders of a majority in principal amount of the
outstanding Debt Securities of such series to waive such default and rescind
such declaration in certain limited circumstances. (Sections 7.01 and 7.07.)
 
     The Indenture contains a provision entitling the Trustee, subject to the
duty of the Trustee during default to act with the required standard of care, to
be indemnified by the holders of the Debt Securities of any series before
proceeding to exercise any right or power under the Indenture at the request of
such holders. (Section 8.02.) The Indenture also provides that the holders of a
majority in principal amount of the outstanding Debt Securities of any series
may direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any
remedy available to the Trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred on
the Trustee with respect to the Debt Securities of such series. (Section 7.07.)
 
     The Indenture contains a covenant that the Company will file annually with
the Trustee a certificate of no default or a certificate specifying any default
that exists. (Section 5.07.)
 
MODIFICATION OF THE INDENTURE
 
     The Indenture contains provisions permitting the Company and the Trustee,
with the consent of the holders of not less than 66 2/3% in principal amount of
the outstanding Debt Securities of any series which would be affected by any
such supplemental indenture, to execute supplemental indentures adding any
provisions to or changing or eliminating any of the provisions of the Indenture
or modifying the rights of the holders of Debt Securities of such series, except
that no such supplemental indenture may (i) extend the fixed maturity of any
Debt Security, or reduce the rate or extend the time of payment of any interest
thereon, or reduce the principal amount thereof or any premium thereon, or
extend the time of or reduce the amount of any mandatory sinking fund payment,
or change the currency of payment of such Debt Security, or impair the rights of
the holder of such Debt Security to institute suit for the enforcement of any
payment of principal of or premium, if any, or any interest on such Debt
Security, in each case without the consent of the holder of each such Debt
Security so affected, or (ii) reduce the aforesaid percentage of Debt Securities
of any series, the holders of which are required to consent to any such
supplemental indenture, without the consent of the holders of all outstanding
Debt Securities of such series. (Section 11.02.)
 
DEFEASANCE AND DISCHARGE
 
   
     The Indenture provides that the Company, at its option, (a) will be
discharged from any and all obligations in respect of the Debt Securities
(except for certain obligations such as obligations to register the transfer or
exchange of Debt Securities, replace stolen, lost or mutilated Debt Securities,
and maintain paying agencies) and thereafter the holders of Debt Securities
shall look only to the Trustee for payment from the deposit in trust hereinafter
described, or (b) need not comply with certain restrictive covenants of the
Indenture (including those described under "Restrictions on Secured Debt,"
"Restrictions on Sale and Leaseback Transactions" and "Restrictions on Merger,
Consolidation and Sale, Transfer or Lease of Assets"), in each case if the
Company deposits with the Trustee, in trust, money, or U.S. Governmental
Obligations (or, in the case of Debt Securities denominated in a foreign
currency, Foreign Government Obligations), or any combination thereof, which
through the payment of interest thereon and principal thereof in accordance with
their terms will provide money in an amount sufficient to pay all the principal
(including any mandatory sinking fund payments) of and premium, if any, and
interest on the Debt Securities on the dates such installments of interest or
principal are due in accordance with the terms of the Indenture and the Debt
Securities, provided that the Trustee shall have been irrevocably instructed to
apply such money or the proceeds of such U.S. Government Obligations (or Foreign
Government Obligations) to the payment of such
    
 
                                       14
<PAGE>   16
 
installments of principal of, and premium, if any, and interest with respect to
the Debt Securities. To exercise the option referred to in (a) above, the
Company is required to deliver to the Trustee an opinion of outside counsel of
nationally recognized standing or a ruling from or published by the United
States Internal Revenue Service to the effect that the discharge would not cause
holders of Debt Securities to recognize income, gain or loss for Federal income
tax purposes. To exercise the option referred to in (b) above, the Company is
not required to deliver to the Trustee an opinion of counsel or ruling to such
effect. Defeasance provisions relating to any Debt Securities denominated in
ECUs will be set forth with more particularity in the applicable Prospectus
Supplement. (Section 4.01.)
 
DEFINITIONS OF CERTAIN TERMS
 
     The following Definitions are more fully set forth in Article One of the
Indenture:
 
     Attributable Debt means, with respect to any Sale and Leaseback Transaction
at any particular time, the present value, discounted at a rate per annum
(compounded semi-annually) equal to the effective weighted average interest rate
on the Debt Securities, of the obligation of the lessee for rental payments
(calculated in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles) due
during the remaining term of such lease (which may, if in accordance with
generally accepted accounting principles, include any period for which such
lease has been extended or may, at the option of the lessee, be extended). Such
rental payments shall not include amounts payable by the lessee for maintenance
and repairs, insurance, taxes, assessments and similar charges. In case of any
lease which is terminable by the lessee upon the payment of a penalty, such
rental payments shall also include such penalty, but no rent shall be considered
as required to be paid under such lease subsequent to the first date upon which
it may be so terminated.
 
     Consolidated Current Liabilities means the aggregate of the current
liabilities of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries appearing on the most
recent available consolidated balance sheet of the Company and its Restricted
Subsidiaries, all in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
but excluding any obligation of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries
issued under a revolving credit or similar agreement if the obligation issued
under such agreement matures by its terms within twelve months from the date
thereof but by the terms of such agreement such obligation may be renewed or
extended or the amount thereof reborrowed or refunded at the option of the
Company or any Restricted Subsidiary for a term in excess of twelve months from
the date of determination.
 
     Consolidated Net Tangible Assets means Consolidated Tangible Assets after
deduction of Consolidated Current Liabilities.
 
   
     Consolidated Tangible Assets means the aggregate of all assets of the
Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries (including the value of all existing
Sale and Leaseback Transactions and any assets resulting from the capitalization
of other long-term lease obligations in accordance with generally accepted
accounting principles but excluding the value of assets or investment in any
Unrestricted Subsidiary) appearing on the most recent available consolidated
balance sheet of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries at their net book
values, after deducting related depreciation, amortization and other valuation
reserves and excluding (a) any capital write-up resulting from reappraisals of
assets or of other investments after March 15, 1984 (other than a write-up of
any assets constituting part of the assets and business of another corporation
made in connection with the acquisition, direct or indirect, of the assets and
business of such other corporation) except as permitted in accordance with
generally accepted accounting principles, (b) treasury stock, and (c) patent and
trademark rights, goodwill, unamortized discounts and expenses and any other
intangible items, all in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles.
    
 
     Foreign Government Obligations means direct non-callable obligations of, or
non-callable obligations guaranteed by, a government other than that of the
United States of America or an agency of such government for the payment of
which obligations or guarantee the full faith and credit of such government is
pledged.
 
     Funded Debt of any corporation means an Indebtedness created, issued,
incurred, assumed or guaranteed by such corporation, whether secured or
unsecured, maturing more than one year after the date of
 
                                       15
<PAGE>   17
 
determination thereof or which may by its terms be reborrowed, refunded, renewed
or extended to a time more than twelve months after the date of determination
thereof.
 
     Indebtedness means (a) any obligation for borrowed money, (b) any
obligation representing the deferred purchase price of property other than
accounts payable arising in connection with the purchase of inventory or
equipment on terms customary in the trade, (c) any obligation, whether or not
assumed, secured by a Mortgage on, or payable out of the proceeds or production
from, property now owned or hereafter acquired by the obligor and (d) any
obligation in respect of lease rentals which under generally accepted accounting
principles would be shown on a consolidated balance sheet of the Company and its
Restricted Subsidiaries as a liability item other than a current liability.
 
     Mortgage means any mortgage, pledge, lien, charge, security interest,
conditional sale or other title retention agreement or other similar
encumbrance.
 
     Person means an individual, corporation or other entity.
 
     Principal Property means any manufacturing plant or other facility of the
Company or any Restricted Subsidiary, whether now owned or hereafter acquired,
which, in the opinion of the Board of Directors, is of material importance to
the business conducted by the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries as a
whole.
 
     Restricted Subsidiary means (a) any Subsidiary other than an Unrestricted
Subsidiary and (b) any Subsidiary which was an Unrestricted Subsidiary but
which, subsequent to March 15, 1987, is designated by the Board of Directors of
the Company to be a Restricted Subsidiary, provided, however, that the Company
may not designate any such Subsidiary to be a Restricted Subsidiary if the
Company would thereby breach any covenant contained in the Indenture (on the
assumptions that any outstanding Secured Debt of such Subsidiary was incurred at
the time of such designation and that any Sale and Leaseback Transaction to
which such Subsidiary is then a party was entered into at the time of such
designation).
 
     Sale and Leaseback Transaction means the sale or transfer (except to the
Company or one or more Restricted Subsidiaries) of any Principal Property owned
or leased by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary on a date which is more
than 120 days after the later of (a) the date of acquisition of such Principal
Property or (b) the date of completed construction and full operation of such
Principal Property, with the intention of leasing back such Principal Property
(except for a term of no more than 3 years with the intent not to use it
thereafter).
 
     Secured Debt means any Indebtedness which is secured by a Mortgage on (a)
any Principal Property of the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary or on (b) any
shares of capital stock or indebtedness of any Restricted Subsidiary.
 
     Subsidiary means any corporation of which at least a majority of the
outstanding stock having ordinary voting power to elect a majority of directors
(irrespective of whether stock of any other class or classes of such corporation
shall have or might have voting power by reason of the happening of any
contingency) is at the time, directly or indirectly, owned or controlled by the
Company or by one or more Subsidiaries thereof, or by the Company and one or
more Subsidiaries.
 
     Unrestricted Subsidiary means (a) any Subsidiary acquired or organized
after March 15, 1987 except for any such Subsidiary which is a successor,
directly or indirectly, to any Restricted Subsidiary, (b) any Subsidiary which
may acquire recreation centers from the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary and
which is principally engaged in the business of owning, leasing, operating or
constructing recreation centers, (c) any Subsidiary the principal business and
assets of which are located outside the United States of America, its
territories and possessions, (d) Centennial Assurance Company Ltd., a Bermuda
corporation, and (e) any Subsidiary substantially all the assets of which
consist of stock or indebtedness of a Subsidiary or Subsidiaries of the
character described in clauses (a), (b) or (c), or identified in clause (d), in
each case unless and until any such Subsidiary shall have been designated to be
a Restricted Subsidiary pursuant to clause (b) of the definition of "Restricted
Subsidiary."
 
                                       16
<PAGE>   18
 
     U.S. Government Obligations means direct non-callable obligations of, or
non-callable obligations guaranteed by, the United States of America or an
agency thereof for the payment of which guarantee or obligations the full faith
and credit of the United States is pledged.
 
CONCERNING THE TRUSTEE
 
     The Company has a $400 million revolving credit agreement with seventeen
banks, including Harris Trust and Savings Bank. The Company may from time to
time have other customary banking relationships with Harris Trust and Savings
Bank.
 
                    DESCRIPTION OF THE WARRANTS TO PURCHASE
                        COMMON STOCK OR PREFERRED STOCK
 
     The following statements with respect to the Common Stock Warrants and
Preferred Stock Warrants (collectively, the "Stock Warrants") are summaries of,
and subject to, the detailed provisions of a warrant agreement ("Stock Warrant
Agreement") to be entered into by the Company and a warrant agent to be selected
at the time of issue (the "Stock Warrant Agent"), which Stock Warrant Agreement
may include or incorporate by reference standard warrant provisions
substantially in the form of the Standard Stock Warrant Provisions (the "Stock
Warrant Provisions") filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement.
 
GENERAL
 
     The Stock Warrants, evidenced by warrant certificates (the "Stock Warrant
Certificates"), may be issued under the Stock Warrant Agreement independently or
together with any Offered Securities offered by any Prospectus Supplement and
may be attached to or separate from such Offered Securities. If Stock Warrants
are offered, the related Prospectus Supplement will describe the designation and
terms of the Stock Warrants, including without limitation the following: (1) the
offering price, if any; (2) the designation and terms of the Common Stock or
Preferred Stock purchasable upon exercise of the Stock Warrants; (3) if
applicable, the date on and after which the Stock Warrants and the related
Offered Securities will be separately transferable; (4) the number of shares of
Common Stock or Preferred Stock purchasable upon exercise of one Stock Warrant
and the initial price at which such shares may be purchased upon exercise; (5)
the date on which the right to exercise the Stock Warrants shall commence and
the date on which such right shall expire; (6) a discussion of certain federal
income tax considerations; (7) the call provisions, if any; (8) the currency,
currencies or currency units in which the offering price, if any, and exercise
price are payable; (9) the antidilution provisions of the Stock Warrants; and
(10) any other terms of the Stock Warrants. The shares of Common Stock or
Preferred Stock issuable upon exercise of the Stock Warrants will, when issued
in accordance with the Stock Warrant Agreement, be fully paid and nonassessable.
 
EXERCISE OF STOCK WARRANTS
 
     Stock Warrants may be exercised by surrendering to the Stock Warrant Agent
the Stock Warrant Certificate with the form of election to purchase on the
reverse thereof duly completed and signed by the warrantholder, or its duly
authorized agent (such signature to be guaranteed by a bank or trust company, a
broker or dealer which is a member of the National Association of Securities
Dealers, Inc. or by a national securities exchange), indicating the
warrantholder's election to exercise all or a portion of the Stock Warrants
evidenced by the certificate. Surrendered Stock Warrant Certificates shall be
accompanied by payment of the aggregate exercise price of the Stock Warrants to
be exercised, as set forth in the related Prospectus Supplement, in lawful money
of the United States of America, unless otherwise provided in the related
Prospectus Supplement. Upon receipt thereof by the Stock Warrant Agent, the
Stock Warrant Agent will requisition from the transfer agent for the Common
Stock or the Preferred Stock, as the case may be, for issuance and delivery to
or upon the written order of the exercising warrantholder, a certificate
representing the number of shares of Common Stock or Preferred Stock purchased.
If less than all of the Stock Warrants evidenced by any Stock Warrant
Certificate are exercised, the Stock Warrant Agent shall deliver to the
exercising warrantholder a new Stock Warrant Certificate representing the
unexercised Stock Warrants.
 
                                       17
<PAGE>   19
 
ANTIDILUTION AND OTHER PROVISIONS
 
     The exercise price payable and the number of shares of Common Stock or
Preferred Stock purchasable upon the exercise of each Stock Warrant and the
number of Stock Warrants outstanding will be subject to adjustment in certain
events, including the issuance of a stock dividend to holders of Common Stock or
Preferred Stock, respectively, or a combination, subdivision or reclassification
of Common Stock or Preferred Stock, respectively. In lieu of adjusting the
number of shares of Common Stock or Preferred Stock purchasable upon exercise of
each Stock Warrant, the Company may elect to adjust the number of Stock
Warrants. No adjustment in the number of shares purchasable upon exercise of the
Stock Warrants will be required until cumulative adjustments require an
adjustment of at least 1% thereof. The Company may, at its option, reduce the
exercise price at any time. No fractional shares will be issued upon exercise of
Stock Warrants, but the Company will pay the cash value of any fractional shares
otherwise issuable. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in case of any consolidation,
merger, or sale or conveyance of the property of the Company as an entirety or
substantially as an entirety, the holder of each outstanding Stock Warrant shall
have the right to the kind and amount of shares of stock and other securities
and property (including cash) receivable by a holder of the number of shares of
Common Stock or Preferred Stock into which such Stock Warrants were exercisable
immediately prior thereto.
 
NO RIGHTS AS STOCKHOLDERS
 
     Holders of Stock Warrants will not be entitled, by virtue of being such
holders, to vote, to consent, to receive dividends, to receive notice as
stockholders with respect to any meeting of stockholders for the election of
directors of the Company or any other matter, or to exercise any rights
whatsoever as stockholders of the Company.
 
            DESCRIPTION OF THE WARRANTS TO PURCHASE DEBT SECURITIES
 
     The following statements with respect to the Debt Warrants are summaries
of, and subject to, the detailed provisions of a warrant agreement (the "Debt
Warrant Agreement") to be entered into by the Company and a warrant agent to be
selected at the time of issue (the "Debt Warrant Agent"), which Debt Warrant
Agreement may include or incorporate by reference standard warrant provisions
substantially in the form of the Standard Debt Securities Warrant Provisions
(the "Debt Warrant Provisions") filed as an exhibit to the Registration
Statement.
 
GENERAL
 
     The Debt Warrants, evidenced by warrant certificates (the "Debt Warrant
Certificates"), may be issued under the Debt Warrant Agreement independently or
together with any Offered Securities offered by any Prospectus Supplement and
may be attached to or separate from such Offered Securities. If Debt Warrants
are offered, the related Prospectus Supplement will describe the designation and
terms of the Debt Warrants, including without limitation the following: (1) the
offering price, if any; (2) the designation, aggregate principal amount and
terms of the Debt Securities purchasable upon exercise of the Debt Warrants; (3)
if applicable, the date on and after which the Debt Warrants and the related
Offered Securities will be separately transferable; (4) the principal amount of
Debt Securities purchasable upon exercise of one Debt Warrant and the price at
which such principal amount of Debt Securities may be purchased upon exercise;
(5) the date on which the right to exercise the Debt Warrants shall commence and
the date on which such right shall expire; (6) a discussion of certain federal
income tax considerations; (7) whether the warrants represented by the Debt
Warrant Certificates will be issued in registered or bearer form; (8) the
currency, currencies or currency units in which the offering price, if any, and
exercise price are payable; (9) the antidilution provisions of the Debt
Warrants; and (10) any other terms of the Debt Warrants.
 
     Warrantholders do not have any of the rights of holders of Debt Securities,
including the right to receive the payment of principal of, or interest on, the
Debt Securities or to enforce any of the covenants of the Debt Securities or the
Indenture except as otherwise provided in the Indenture.
 
                                       18
<PAGE>   20
 
EXERCISE OF DEBT WARRANTS
 
     Debt Warrants may be exercised by surrendering the Debt Warrant Certificate
at the warrant agent office of the Debt Warrant Agent, with the form of election
to purchase on the reverse side of the Debt Warrant Certificate properly
completed and executed (with signature(s) guaranteed by a bank or trust company,
a broker or dealer which is a member of the National Association of Securities
Dealers, Inc. or by a national securities exchange), and by payment in full of
the exercise price, as set forth in the Prospectus Supplement. Upon the exercise
of Debt Warrants, the Company will issue the Debt Securities in authorized
denominations in accordance with the instructions of the exercising
warrantholder. If less than all of the Debt Warrants evidenced by the Debt
Warrant Certificate are exercised, a new Debt Warrant Certificate will be issued
for the remaining number of Debt Warrants.
 
                              PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
 
     The Company may sell the Offered Securities being offered hereby (i)
directly to purchasers, (ii) through agents, (iii) through underwriters or a
group of underwriters or (iv) through a combination of those methods of sale.
The Prospectus Supplement with respect to the Offered Securities describes the
terms of the offering of such Offered Securities and the method of distribution
of such Offered Securities.
 
     Offers to purchase Offered Securities may be solicited directly by the
Company or by agents designated by the Company from time to time. Unless
otherwise indicated in the Prospectus Supplement, any such agent will be acting
on a best efforts basis for the period of its appointment (ordinarily five
business days or less). Agents may be entitled under agreements which may be
entered into with the Company to indemnification by the Company against certain
civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act.
 
     If an underwriter or underwriters are utilized in the sale, the Company
will enter into an underwriting agreement with such underwriters at the time of
sale to them and the names of the underwriters and the terms of the transaction
will be set forth in the Prospectus Supplement, which will be used by the
underwriters to make resales of the Offered Securities in respect of which this
Prospectus is delivered to the public. The underwriters may be entitled, under
the underwriting agreement, to indemnification by the Company against certain
liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act.
 
   
     Any Offered Securities offered other than Common Stock will be a new issue
of securities with no established trading market. Any underwriters to whom such
Offered Securities are sold by the Company for public offering and sale may make
a market in such Offered Securities, but such underwriters will not be obligated
to do so and may discontinue any market making at any time without notice. No
assurance can be given as to the liquidity of or the trading markets for any
such Offered Securities.
    
 
     The agents and underwriters may be deemed to be underwriters and any
discounts, commissions or concessions received by them from the Company or any
profit on the resale of Offered Securities by them may be deemed to be
underwriting discounts and commissions under the Securities Act. Any such person
who may be deemed to be an underwriter and any such compensation received from
the Company will be described in the Prospectus Supplement. Agents and
underwriters may be customers of, engage in transactions with, or perform
services for, the Company in the ordinary course of business.
 
     The place and time of delivery for the Offered Securities in respect of
which this Prospectus is delivered are set forth in the Prospectus Supplement.
 
                                 LEGAL OPINIONS
 
     Certain legal matters in connection with the Offered Securities will be
passed upon for the Company by Mayer, Brown & Platt, 190 South LaSalle Street,
Chicago, Illinois. The legality of the Offered Securities will be passed upon
for any underwriters as set forth in the Prospectus Supplement.
 
                                       19
<PAGE>   21
 
                                    EXPERTS
 
     The consolidated financial statements and supplemental schedules included
or incorporated by reference in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
year ended December 31, 1995, have been examined by Arthur Andersen LLP,
independent public accountants, as indicated in their reports with respect
thereto, and are incorporated herein in reliance upon the authority of said firm
as experts in giving said reports.
 
                                       20
<PAGE>   22
 
                                    PART II
 
                     INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
 
ITEM 14. OTHER EXPENSES OF ISSUANCE AND DISTRIBUTION.
 
     The following table sets forth the estimated expenses in connection with
the issuance and distribution of the securities registered hereby, other than
underwriting discounts and commissions:
 
<TABLE>
        <S>                                                                 <C>
        SEC registration fee..............................................  $172,414
        Blue sky fees and expenses........................................     5,000
        Printing and engraving costs......................................    30,000
        Legal fees and expenses...........................................    50,000
        Accounting fees and expenses......................................   100,000
        Trustee fees and expenses.........................................     5,000
        Rating agency fees................................................   197,500
        Miscellaneous.....................................................    40,086
                                                                            --------
                  Total...................................................  $600,000
                                                                            ========
</TABLE>
 
ITEM 15. INDEMNIFICATION OF OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS.
 
     (a) Section 145 of the General Corporation Law of Delaware, under which the
Company is organized, empowers a corporation, subject to certain limitations, to
indemnify its officers, directors, employees and agents, or others acting in
similar capacities for other entities at the request of the Company, against
certain expenses, including attorneys' fees, judgments, fines and other amounts
which may be paid or incurred by them in their capacities as such directors,
officers, employees or agents.
 
     (b) The Certificate of Incorporation of the Company authorizes the Board of
Directors to indemnify directors, officers, employees or agents of the Company
to the full extent permitted by law.
 
     (c) The Company's By-laws authorize the Board of Directors to indemnify
directors, officers, employees and agents in the same circumstances set forth in
the Certificate of Incorporation. The By-laws also authorize the Company to
purchase liability insurance on behalf of directors, officers, employees and
agents and to enter into indemnity agreements with directors, officers,
employees and agents.
 
     (d) The Company has entered into indemnification agreements with its
directors and its officers which provide broader indemnification than the
indemnification specifically available under Section 145 of the Delaware General
Corporation Law. The agreements provide that the Company will indemnify its
directors and its officers to the fullest extent permitted by the Company's
Certificate of Incorporation (and that is otherwise lawful) against expenses
(including attorneys' fees), judgments, fines, taxes, penalties and settlement
payments incurred by reason of the fact that they were directors or officers of
the Company. Unlike Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, this
indemnification would, to the extent that it is lawful, cover judgments, fines
and amounts paid in settlement of claims against the director or officer by or
in the right of the Company.
 
     (e) The Company is the owner of the insurance policy which covers the
Company for certain losses incurred pursuant to indemnification obligations set
forth above during any policy year, subject to specified exclusions, terms and
conditions. The policy also covers the officers and directors of the Company for
certain of such losses if they are not indemnified by the Company.
 
     (f) The Company is also the owner of an insurance policy which would
reimburse it for certain losses incurred by it pursuant to its fiduciary
obligations under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, subject
to specified exclusions, terms and conditions. This policy also covers the
officers, directors and employees of the Company for certain of their losses
incurred as fiduciaries under such Act, subject to specified exclusions, terms
and conditions.
 
                                      II-1
<PAGE>   23
 
     (g) Under the terms of the Equity Underwriting Agreement and the Debt
Underwriting Agreement filed as exhibits hereto, directors, certain officers and
controlling persons of the Company are entitled to indemnification under certain
circumstances including proceedings under the Securities Act of 1933 and the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
 
ITEM 16. EXHIBITS.
 
     A list of exhibits filed herewith or incorporated by reference is contained
in the Exhibit Index which is incorporated herein by reference.
 
ITEM 17. UNDERTAKINGS.
 
     The Company hereby undertakes:
 
     (1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a
post-effective amendment to this Registration Statement:
 
          (i) To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the
     Securities Act of 1933;
 
          (ii) To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after
     the effective date of the Registration Statement (or the most recent
     post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate,
     represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the
     Registration Statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or
     decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of
     securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any
     deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range
     may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the Commission
     pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and
     price represent no more than a 20 percent change in the maximum aggregate
     offering price set forth in the "Calculation of Registration Fee" table in
     the effective Registration Statement; and
 
          (iii) To include any material information with respect to the plan of
     distribution not previously disclosed in the Registration Statement or any
     material change to such information in the Registration Statement;
 
     provided, however, that paragraphs (1)(i) and (1)(ii) do not apply if the
information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those
paragraphs is contained in periodic reports filed by the Company pursuant
Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are
incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement.
 
     (2) That for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities
Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new
Registration Statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the
offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona
fide offering thereof.
 
     (3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any
of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the
offering.
 
     (4) That for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act
of 1933, each filing of the Company's annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or
Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that is incorporated by
reference in this Registration Statement shall be deemed to be a new
Registration Statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the
offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona
fide offering thereof.
 
     (5) Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities
Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of
the Company, pursuant to the provisions described in Item 15, or otherwise, the
Company has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange
Commission, such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the
Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for
indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the Company
of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the
Company in the successful defense
 
                                      II-2
<PAGE>   24
 
of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted against the Company by such
director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being
registered, the Company will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter
has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to the court of appropriate
jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public
policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of
such issue.
 
     The Company hereby undertakes that:
 
     (1) For purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of
1933, the information omitted from the form of prospectus filed as part of this
Registration Statement in reliance upon Rule 430A and contained in a form of
prospectus filed by the Company pursuant to Rule 424(b)(1) or (4) or 497(h)
under the Securities Act of 1933 shall be deemed to be part of this Registration
Statement as of the time it was declared effective.
 
     (2) For the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act
of 1933, each post-effective amendment that contains a form of prospectus shall
be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered
therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be
the initial bona fide offering thereof.
 
                                      II-3
<PAGE>   25
 
                                   SIGNATURES
 
   
     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Company
certifies that is has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all the
requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this amended
Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto
duly authorized, Lake Forest, Illinois on November 19, 1996.
    
 
                                          BRUNSWICK CORPORATION
 
   
                                          By        /s/ PETER B. HAMILTON
    
 
                                            ------------------------------------
                                                 Senior Vice President and
                                                  Chief Financial Officer
 
   
     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this amended
Registration Statement has been signed below by the following persons in the
capacities and on the date indicated.
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                  SIGNATURE                                TITLE                     DATE
- ---------------------------------------------   ---------------------------   ------------------
<S>                                             <C>                           <C>
                      *                          Chairman of the Board and     November 19, 1996
- ---------------------------------------------    Chief Executive Officer,
               Peter N. Larson                     (Principal Executive
                                                         Officer),
                                                       and Director
                      *                          Senior Vice President and     November 19, 1996
- ---------------------------------------------     Chief Financial Officer
              Peter B. Hamilton                    (Principal Financial
                                                         Officer)
                      *                           Director of Accounting       November 19, 1996
- ---------------------------------------------      (Principal Accounting
             William L. Metzger                          Officer)
                      *                                  Director              November 19, 1996
- ---------------------------------------------
             Nolan D. Archibald
                      *                                  Director              November 19, 1996
- ---------------------------------------------
             Michael J. Callahan
                      *                                  Director              November 19, 1996
- ---------------------------------------------
               John P. Diesel
                      *                                  Director              November 19, 1996
- ---------------------------------------------
                 Peter Harf
                          *                              Director              November 19, 1996
- ---------------------------------------------
              George D. Kennedy
                          *                              Director              November 19, 1996
- ---------------------------------------------
               Bernd K. Koken
                          *                              Director              November 19, 1996
- ---------------------------------------------
                Jay W. Lorsch
                          *                              Director              November 19, 1996
- ---------------------------------------------
            Bettye Martin Musham
</TABLE>
    
 
                                      II-4
<PAGE>   26
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                  SIGNATURE                                TITLE                     DATE
- ---------------------------------------------   ---------------------------   ------------------
<S>                                             <C>                           <C>
                          *                              Director              November 19, 1996
- ---------------------------------------------
              Jack F. Reichert
                          *                              Director              November 19, 1996
- ---------------------------------------------
                Kenneth Roman
                          *                              Director              November 19, 1996
- ---------------------------------------------
              Roger W. Schipke
</TABLE>
    
 
   
*By       /s/ PETER B. HAMILTON
    
 
    --------------------------------
   
            Peter B. Hamilton
    
   
            Attorney-in-fact
    
 
                                      II-5
<PAGE>   27
 
                                 EXHIBIT INDEX
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                     SEQUENTIALLY
                                                                                       NUMBERED
  EXHIBIT NO.                                  EXHIBIT                                   PAGE
  -----------     -----------------------------------------------------------------  ------------
  <C>             <S>                                                                <C>
       1.1        Form of Equity Underwriting Agreement............................  *
       1.2        Form of Debt Underwriting Agreement..............................  *
       3.1        Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company filed as
                  Exhibit 19.2 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for
                  the quarter ended June 30, 1987, and hereby incorporated by
                  reference.
       3.2        Certificate of Designation, Preferences and Rights of Series A
                  Junior Participating Preferred Stock filed as Exhibit 3.2 to the
                  Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for 1995, and hereby
                  incorporated by reference.
       3.3        By-Laws of the Company filed as Exhibit 3.3 to the Company's
                  Annual Report on Form 10-K for 1995, and hereby incorporated by
                  reference.
       4.1        Indenture dated as of March 15 1987, between the Company and
                  Continental Illinois National Bank and Trust Company of Chicago
                  filed as Exhibit 4.1 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form
                  10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 1987, and hereby
                  incorporated by reference.
       4.2        Form of 8 1/8% Notes of the Company Due April 1, 1997, filed as
                  Exhibit 4.2 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for
                  the quarter ended March 31, 1987, and hereby incorporated by
                  reference.
       4.3        Officers' Certificate setting forth terms of the Company's
                  $125,000,000 principal amount 7 3/8% Debentures due September 1,
                  2023 filed as Exhibit 4.3 to the Company's Annual Report on Form
                  10-K for 1993, and hereby incorporated by reference.
       4.4        The Company's Agreement to furnish additional debt instruments
                  upon request by the Securities and Exchange Commission filed as
                  Exhibit 4.10 to the Company's Annual Report in Form 10-K for
                  1980, and hereby incorporated by reference.
       4.5        Rights Agreement dated as of February 5, 1996, between the
                  Company and Harris Trust and Savings Bank filed as Exhibit 1 to
                  the Company's Registration Statement for Preferred Share Purchase
                  Rights on Form 8-A dated March 13, 1996, and hereby incorporated
                  by reference.
       4.6        Form of Standard Stock Warrant Provisions........................  *
       4.7        Form of Standard Debt Warrant Provisions.........................  *
       4.8        Instrument of Resignation, Appointment and Acceptance dated as of
                  May 16, 1996, by and among the Company, First Trust of Illinois,
                  National Association (as the successor to Bank of America
                  Illinois, formerly known as Continental Illinois National Bank
                  and Trust Company of Chicago) and Harris Trust and Savings
                  Bank.............................................................  *
       5.1        Opinion of Mayer, Brown & Platt..................................  *
      12.1        Statement regarding computation of ratios of earnings to fixed
                  charges..........................................................
      23.1        Consent of Arthur Andersen LLP...................................
      23.2        Consent of Mayer, Brown & Platt (included in its opinion filed as
                  Exhibit 5.1).
      24.1        Powers of Attorney (included on the signature page of this
                  Registration Statement).
      25.1        Statement of Eligibility of Trustee on Form T-1 for Harris Trust
                  and Savings Bank.................................................  *
</TABLE>
    
 
- -------------------------
   
* previously filed
    

<PAGE>   1


                                                                   EXHIBIT 12.1


BRUNSWICK CORPORATION
COMPUTATION OF RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
(DOLLARS IN MILLIONS)



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                       SEPTEMBER YTD                           YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 
                                                ----------------------------     -------------------------------------------------- 
                                                     1996            1995             1995       1994     1993     1992     1991
                                                     ----            ----             ----       ----     ----     ----     -----
<S>                                                <C>              <C>             <C>        <C>      <C>       <C>     <C>      
EARNINGS AS ADJUSTED 
  Earnings from continuing operations    
       before extraordinary                         
        item and cumulative effect of accounting
        changes (a)                                 156.7            111.2            133.6      127.1    53.8      40.2    (31.9)  
  Income tax provision                               90.1             62.5             73.2       68.2    31.6      22.4     (3.6)
  Interest expense                                   24.3             23.9             32.5       28.5    27.2      29.9     32.0
  Interest portion of rent expense                    5.4              5.4              7.2        7.1     7.5       7.5      8.0
  Equity in earnings of less-than 50% owned 
    affiliates                                        0.0              0.0              0.1        0.0     0.2       0.2      0.1
  Dividends received from less-than 50% owned
    affiliates                                        0.0              0.0              0.0        0.0     0.0       0.0      0.0
                                                    -----            -----            -----      -----   -----      ----    -----
                                                    276.5            203.0            246.6      230.9   120.3     100.2      4.6 
                                                    =====            =====            =====      =====   =====     =====    =====
                                                                                                         
FIXED CHARGES                                                                                            
  Interest expense                                   24.3             23.9             32.5       28.5    27.2      29.9     32.0
  Interest portion of rent expense                    5.4              5.4              7.2        7.1     7.5       7.5      8.0
  Capitalized interest                                0.0              0.0              0.0        0.0     0.4       0.8      0.0
                                                     ----             ----             ----       ----    ----      ----     ----
                                                     29.7             29.3             39.7       35.8    35.1      38.2     40.0
                                                     ====             ====             ====       ====    ====      ====     ====
                                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                  
RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES                    9.3              6.9              6.2        6.5     3.4       2.6      0.0
                                                      ===              ===              ===        ===     ===       ===      ===
                                                                                                                  
INADEQUACY OF COVERAGE (b)                            0.0              0.0              0.0        0.0     0.0       0.0     35.4
                                                      ===              ===              ===        ===     ===       ===     ====
</TABLE>

(a) Previously reported amounts have been restated to reflect the results of
operations of the recently divested freshwater fishing boat unit as discontinued
operations.

(b) The Company's 1991 loss from continuing operations includes litigation 
charges of $38.0 million ($23.6 million after-tax.)                         

 
 
          
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

<PAGE>   1

                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.1

                             [ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP]


                   CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS

   
As independent public accountants, we hereby consent to the incorporation by
reference in this registration statement of our report dated January 30, 1996
included in Brunswick Corporation's Form 10-K for the year ended December 31,
1995 and to all references to our Firm included in this registration statement.
    

                                              ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP


   
Chicago, Illinois,
November 18, 1996
    


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