MAGELLAN HEALTH SERVICES INC
S-3/A, 1996-05-28
HOSPITALS
Previous: CERTRON CORP, 10-Q, 1996-05-28
Next: CITIZENS UTILITIES CO, 8-K, 1996-05-28



   
      As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 28, 1996
    
                                                     Registration No. 333-01217
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549

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

   
                               AMENDMENT NO. 2 TO
                                    FORM S-3
    
                             REGISTRATION STATEMENT
                                      UNDER
                           THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

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

                         MAGELLAN HEALTH SERVICES, INC.
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
    Delaware                                                   58-1076937
(State or other jurisdiction of                             (I.R.S. Employer
 incorporation or organization)                             Identification No.)
                            3414 Peachtree Road, N.E.
                                   Suite 1400
                             Atlanta, Georgia 30326
                                 (404) 841-9200
                   (Address, including zip code, and telephone
                         number, including area code, of
                    registrant's principal executive offices)

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

                              STEVE J. DAVIS, ESQ.,
                EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT, ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES
                               AND GENERAL COUNSEL
                         Magellan Health Services, Inc.
                            3414 Peachtree Road, N.E.
                                   Suite 1400
                             Atlanta, Georgia 30326
                                 (404) 841-9200
                    (Name , address, including zip code, and
                        telephone number, including area
                           code, of agent for service)

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

                                    Copy to:
                   CRAIG L. MCKNIGHT, EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT
                           AND CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
                         Magellan Health Services, Inc.
                            3414 Peachtree Road, N.E.
                                   Suite 1400
                             Atlanta, Georgia 30326
                                 (404) 841-9200
                      ------------------------------------

                  Approximate date of commencement of proposed
                   sale to public: From time to time after the
                  effective date of the Registration Statement.

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


         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 the delivery of the prospectus is expected to be made pursuant to 
         Rule 434, please check the following box. [ ]

         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>



   
PROSPECTUS                                                        May 28, 1996
                                4,000,000 SHARES
    

                         MAGELLAN HEALTH SERVICES, INC.

                                  COMMON STOCK
                                ($.25 Par Value)

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


         The 4,000,000  shares (the  "Shares") of common  stock,  $.25 par value
("Common Stock"),  of Magellan Health Services,  Inc.,  formerly Charter Medical
Corporation ("Magellan" or the "Company"),  may be offered for sale from time to
time by and for the account of Rainwater-Magellan  Holdings,  L.P. (the "Selling
Stockholder").  See "Selling  Stockholder." The Selling Stockholder acquired the
Shares,  along with a warrant to  purchase  an  additional  2,000,000  shares of
Common  Stock  (the  "Warrant")  on  January  25,  1996 in a  private  placement
transaction with the Company. Magellan will not receive any of the proceeds from
the sale of the Shares by the Selling Stockholder.

         Magellan is  registering  the Shares as required by a Stock and Warrant
Purchase  Agreement dated December 22, 1995, as amended,  among Magellan and the
Selling Stockholder (the "Stock and Warrant Purchase Agreement"), to provide the
Selling Stockholder with freely tradeable  securities.  Magellan has also agreed
to pay all fees and  expenses  incident  to such  registration,  other  than any
underwriting discounts or any selling commissions payable in respect of sales of
the Shares, which will be paid by the Selling Stockholder.  It is estimated that
the fees and expenses payable by the Company in connection with the registration
of the Shares will be  approximately  $55,000.  Magellan  has agreed to keep the
Registration  Statement (as  hereinafter  defined)  current and  effective  with
certain  exceptions  for so long as the Selling  Stockholder  and its affiliates
collectively  own at least  25% of the  Shares  and the  shares  underlying  the
Warrant. See "Plan of Distribution."

   
         The Common Stock is listed on the  American  Stock  Exchange  under the
symbol "MGL." On May 24, 1996,  the last reported sale price of the Common Stock
on the American Stock Exchange was $24.00 per share.
    

         The Selling Stockholder from time to time may offer and sell the Shares
directly or through agents or  broker-dealers  on the American Stock Exchange or
otherwise  on prices and terms  related to the then  current  market price or in
privately  negotiated  transactions.  To the extent  required,  the names of any
agent or  broker-dealer  and  applicable  commissions or discounts and any other
required  information  with respect to any particular offer will be set forth in
an accompanying  Prospectus Supplement.  See "Plan of Distribution." The Selling
Stockholder  reserves  the sole right to accept or reject,  in whole or in part,
any proposed purchase of the Shares to be made directly or through agents.

         Certain  transfer  restrictions  have been placed on the Shares offered
hereby pursuant to the Stock and Warrant  Purchase  Agreement.  As a result,  no
more than 40,000 Shares may be sold by the Selling Stockholder or its affiliates
prior to January  25,  1997.  Further,  prior to January 25,  2000,  the Selling
Stockholder or its affiliates may not sell or transfer in a privately negotiated
transaction to a single purchaser and its affiliates, or any "group" (as defined
in Rule  13d-5(b)(1)  under the  Securities  Exchange  Act of 1934,  as amended)
Shares and shares  underlying  the  Warrant  which  would  equal or exceed  five
percent  (5%) of the Common Stock then  outstanding  on a  fully-diluted  basis.
Neither of these restrictions  affect the free  transferability of the Shares or
shares issued upon exercise of the Warrant among the Selling Stockholder and its
affiliates.

         The  Selling   Stockholder  and  any  agents  or  broker-dealers   that
participate  with the Selling  Stockholder in the distribution of the Shares may
be deemed to be "underwriters" within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933,
as amended (the "1933 Act"), and any commissions received by them and any profit
on the  resale of the  Shares may be deemed to be  underwriting  commissions  or
discounts   under  the  1933  Act.  See  "Plan  of   Distribution"   herein  for
indemnification arrangements among Magellan and the Selling Stockholder.

   
         THERE ARE CERTAIN RISKS  ASSOCIATED  WITH AN INVESTMENT IN MAGELLAN 
COMMON STOCK. FOR A DISCUSSION OF SUCH RISKS, SEE "RISK FACTORS" BEGINNING ON 
PAGE 3.
    

         THESE   SECURITIES  HAVE  NOT  BEEN  APPROVED  OR  DISAPPROVED  BY  THE
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE  COMMISSION OR ANY STATE  SECURITIES  COMMISSION NOR HAS
THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION PASSED
UPON THE  ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS  PROSPECTUS.  ANY  REPRESENTATION  TO THE
CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.

   
                  The Date of this Prospectus is May 28, 1996.
    

                                        1

<PAGE>



                              AVAILABLE INFORMATION

         Magellan is subject to the informational requirements of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), and,  accordingly,  files
reports, proxy statements and other information with the Securities and Exchange
Commission  (the  "Commission").   Such  reports,  proxy  statements  and  other
information filed with the Commission by Magellan can be inspected and copied at
the office of the Commission at Room 1024, 450 Fifth Street,  N.W.,  Washington,
D.C.  20549, or at its Regional  Offices located at 7 World Trade Center,  Suite
1300,  New York,  New York  10048,  and 500 West  Madison  Street,  Suite  1400,
Chicago,  Illinois 60661,  and copies of such materials can be obtained from the
Public  Reference  Section  of  the  Commission  at  450  Fifth  Street,   N.W.,
Washington,  D.C. 20549, at prescribed  rates. In addition,  the Common Stock of
Magellan is listed on the  American  Stock  Exchange,  and such  reports,  proxy
statements  and other  information  concerning  Magellan can be inspected at the
offices of the American Stock  Exchange,  86 Trinity  Place,  New York, New York
10006.

         Magellan has filed with the Commission a Registration Statement on Form
S-3 (together with any amendments,  the "Registration Statement") under the 1933
Act, covering the shares of Common Stock being offered by this Prospectus.  This
Prospectus, which is part of the Registration Statement, does not contain all of
the information and  undertakings  set forth in the  Registration  Statement and
reference is made to such Registration Statement,  including exhibits, which may
be inspected and copied in the manner and at the locations  specified above, for
further  information  with respect to Magellan and the Common Stock.  Statements
contained in this Prospectus  concerning the provisions of any documents are not
necessarily  complete  and, in each  instance,  reference is made to the copy of
such documents  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.

                 INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE

         The  following  documents  previously  filed  with  the  Commission  by
Magellan  (Commission  File No. 1-6639) are  incorporated by reference into this
Prospectus:

         (i)      Magellan's  Annual  Report  on Form 10-K for the  fiscal  year
                  ended  September  30, 1995, as amended on Form 10-K/A filed on
                  December 28, 1995;

   
         (ii)     Magellan's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended
                  December 31, 1995;

         (iii)    Magellan's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended
                  March 31,  1996,  as amended on Form  10-Q/A  filed on May 15,
                  1996; and

         (iv)     The  description  of the Magellan  Common Stock in  Magellan's
                  registration statement on Form 8-A filed on July 8, 1992.
    

         In  addition,  all  documents  filed by  Magellan  pursuant to Sections
13(a),  13(c),  14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act  subsequent  to the date of this
Prospectus  and prior to the  termination  of the offering  made pursuant to the
Registration  Statement shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference into and
to be a part of this Prospectus  from the date of filing of such documents.  Any
statement  contained in a document so  incorporated by reference shall be deemed
to be modified or superseded for purposes of this  Prospectus to the extent that
a statement  contained in this Prospectus,  or in any other  subsequently  filed
document which is also  incorporated  by reference,  modifies or supersedes such
statement.  Any such statement so modified or superseded  shall not be deemed to
constitute a part of this Prospectus except as so modified or superseded.

         Magellan  will  provide,  without  charge,  to each person to whom this
Prospectus is delivered,  upon the written or oral request of any such person, a
copy of any or all of the documents  incorporated  by reference  (not  including
exhibits to such documents unless such exhibits are specifically incorporated by
reference in such  documents).  Requests for copies of such documents  should be
directed to Mr. Craig L. McKnight,  Executive Vice President and Chief Financial
Officer,  Magellan Health Services, Inc., 3414 Peachtree Road, N.E., Suite 1400,
Atlanta, Georgia 30326, telephone (404) 841-9200.


                                        2

<PAGE>



                                  RISK FACTORS

         In addition to the other information in this Prospectus,  the following
factors  should be  considered  carefully in  evaluating  an  investment  in the
Magellan Common Stock.

Acquisition Growth Strategy

         The Company has  historically  grown through  acquisitions and internal
growth.  There  can be no  assurance  that  the  Company  will  be  able to make
successful  acquisitions  in the  future or that any such  acquisitions  will be
successfully  integrated into its operations.  In addition,  future acquisitions
could have an adverse effect upon the Company's operating results,  particularly
in  the  fiscal  quarters   immediately   following  the  consummation  of  such
transactions  while  the  acquired  operations  are  being  integrated  into its
operations.

Green Spring Health Services, Inc. Acquisition and Potential Adverse Reaction

         On December 13, 1995,  the Company  acquired a controlling  interest in
Green Spring Health  Services,  Inc.  ("Green  Spring"),  a leading  provider of
managed behavioral  healthcare services.  The Company's hospitals have contracts
with  behavioral  managed care  companies  other than Green  Spring.  Such other
companies could decide to terminate their contracts with the Company's hospitals
in reaction to the Company's  acquisition of a majority interest in one of their
major competitors. In addition, there can be no assurance that Green Spring will
be successfully integrated into the Company's operations.

Historical Operating Losses

   
         The Company has experienced  losses from continuing  operations  before
reorganization items,  extraordinary items and the cumulative effect of a change
in accounting principle in each fiscal year since the completion of a management
buyout in 1988. Such losses amounted to $167.2 million for the fiscal year ended
September 30, 1991,  $81.7 million for the ten-month period ended July 31, 1992,
$8.1  million  for the  two-month  period  ended  September  30,  1992 and $39.6
million,  $47.0 million and $43.0  million for the fiscal years ended  September
30, 1993, 1994 and 1995, respectively. The Company reported net revenue and loss
from continuing  operations of  approximately  $299.8 million and $15.1 million,
respectively,  for the quarter  ended March 31, 1995 compared to net revenue and
income from  continuing  operations of  approximately  $355.0  million and $20.1
million,  respectively,  for the quarter ended March 31, 1996.  The Company also
reported net revenue and loss from continuing operations of approximately $563.7
million and $14.8 million, respectively, for the six months ended March 31, 1995
compared to net revenue and income from continuing  operations of  approximately
$650.6 million and $29.8 million,  respectively,  for the six months ended March
31, 1996. The results of operations for such interim periods are not necessarily
indicative  of the  actual  results  expected  for  the  year.  There  can be no
assurance  that the  Company's  profitability  in the quarter and the six months
ended March 31, 1996 will continue in future periods.  The Company's  history of
losses could have an adverse effect on its operations.
    

Potential Hospital Closures

         The Company  continually  assesses events and changes in  circumstances
that could affect its  business  strategy  and the  viability  of its  operating
facilities. During fiscal 1995, the Company consolidated, closed or sold fifteen
psychiatric  hospitals.  The Company has  consolidated or closed six psychiatric
hospitals  during fiscal 1996,  including the April 1996 decision to close three
psychiatric   hospitals.   The   Company   anticipates   recording   charges  of
approximately $200,000 and $2.5 million in the quarterly periods ended March 31,
1996 and June 30, 1996,  respectively,  as a result of these  consolidations and
closures.  The Company may elect to consolidate services in selected markets and
to close or sell  additional  facilities in future  periods  depending on market
conditions and evolving  business  strategies.  If the Company closes additional
psychiatric  hospitals in future  periods,  it could result in charges to income
for the cost necessary to exit the hospital operations.



                                        3

<PAGE>



Potential Reductions in Reimbursement by
Third-Party Payers and Changes in Hospital Payor Mix

         The  Company's  hospitals  have  been  adversely  affected  by  factors
influencing the entire psychiatric  hospital industry.  Factors which affect the
Company  include  (i)  the  imposition  of more  stringent  length  of stay  and
admission  criteria  and other cost  containment  measures  by payers;  (ii) the
failure of reimbursement  rate increases from certain payers that reimburse on a
per diem or other  discounted basis to offset increases in the cost of providing
services;  (iii) an increase in the  percentage of its business that the Company
derives from payers that reimburse on a per diem or other discounted basis; (iv)
a trend toward higher deductible and co-insurance for individual  patients;  and
(v) a trend toward  limiting  employee  health  benefits,  such as reductions in
annual and lifetime limits on mental health  coverage.  All of these factors may
result in reductions  in the amounts that the Company's  hospitals can expect to
collect per patient day for services provided.

         For the fiscal year ended  September  30,  1995,  the  Company  derived
approximately  47%  of  its  gross  psychiatric  patient  service  revenue  from
private-pay sources (including HMOs, PPOs, commercial insurance and Blue Cross),
26% from Medicare,  17% from Medicaid,  4% from the Civilian  Health and Medical
Program for the  Uniformed  Services  ("CHAMPUS")  and 6% from other  government
programs.  Changes in the mix of the Company's  patients among the  private-pay,
Medicare and  Medicaid  categories,  and among  different  types of  private-pay
sources,  can significantly  affect the profitability of the Company's  hospital
operations.   Therefore,   there  can  be  no  assurance   that  payments  under
governmental  and  private  third-party  payor  programs  will  remain at levels
comparable to present levels or will, in the future,  be sufficient to cover the
costs of providing care to patients covered by such programs.

Previous Bankruptcy Reorganization

         The Company was reorganized pursuant to Chapter 11 of the United States
Bankruptcy Code, effective on July 21, 1992 (the "Reorganization"). Prior to the
Reorganization, the Company's total indebtedness was approximately $1.8 billion;
and from  February  1991  until  July 1992,  the  Company  was in default in the
payment  of  interest  and  principal,   or  both,  on  substantially  all  such
indebtedness.  The indebtedness was incurred by the Company in connection with a
management buy-out of the Company in 1988 and a  hospital-construction  program.
As a result of the  Reorganization,  the Company's long-term debt was reduced by
approximately  $700 million and its redeemable  preferred  stock of $233 million
was  eliminated.   The  holders  of  such  debt  and  preferred  stock  received
approximately 97% of Magellan's Common Stock outstanding on July 21, 1992.

Governmental Budgetary Constraints and Healthcare Reform

         In the 1995 and 1996 sessions of the United States Congress,  the focus
of healthcare  legislation has been on budgetary and related  funding  mechanism
issues.  A number of reports,  including  the 1995 Annual Report of the Board of
Trustees of the Federal  Hospital  Insurance  Program  (Medicare) have projected
that the Medicare "trust fund" is likely to become insolvent by the year 2002 if
the current growth rate of approximately 10% per annum in Medicare  expenditures
continues.  Similarly, federal and state expenditures under the Medicaid program
are projected to increase  significantly  during the same seven-year  period. In
response to these projected expenditure  increases,  and as part of an effort to
balance the federal  budget,  both the Congress  and the Clinton  Administration
have made  proposals  to reduce the rate of increase in  projected  Medicare and
Medicaid expenditures and to change funding mechanisms and other aspects of both
programs.   Congress  has  passed   legislation   that  would  reduce  projected
expenditure  increases  substantially and would make significant  changes in the
Medicare  and the Medicaid  programs.  The Clinton  Administration  has proposed
alternate  measures  to  reduce,  to a lesser  extent,  projected  increases  in
Medicare and Medicaid expenditures.  As of the date of this Prospectus,  neither
proposal has become law.

         The Medicare  legislation that has been adopted by Congress would, with
some differences,  reduce projected expenditure increases by a variety of means,
including  reduced  payments to providers  (including  the  Company),  increased
beneficiary  premiums for physician and certain other services,  and creation of
incentives  for  Medicare  beneficiaries  to enroll in managed  care plans or to
accept Medicare coverage with a substantially  increased deductible.  Changes in
the  Medicaid  program  would  reduce the number and extent of federal  mandates
concerning how state Medicaid  programs  operate  (including  levels of benefits
provided  and levels of  payments  to  providers)  and would  change the funding
mechanism from a sharing formula  between the federal  government and a state to
"block grant"

                                        4

<PAGE>



funding.  The  Company  cannot  predict the effect of any such  legislation,  if
adopted,  on its operations;  but the Company anticipates that, although overall
Medicare and Medicaid funding may be reduced from projected levels,  the changes
in such programs may provide  opportunities  to the Company to obtain  increased
Medicare and Medicaid  business  through  risk-sharing  or partial  risk-sharing
contracts with managed care plans and state Medicaid programs.

         Although  the  United  States  Congress,  in  1995  and  1996,  has not
considered  healthcare reform proposals,  the Company  anticipates that numerous
healthcare reform proposals will continue to be introduced in future sessions of
Congress.  The Company cannot predict  whether any such proposal will be adopted
or the effect on the Company of any proposal that does become law.

         A number of states in which the  Company  has  operations  have  either
adopted or are  considering  the  adoption of  healthcare  reform  proposals  of
general  applicability  or  Medicaid  reform  proposals,  partly in  response to
possible  changes in Medicaid law. Where  adopted,  these state reform laws have
often not yet been fully  implemented.  The Company cannot predict the effect of
these state healthcare reform and Medicaid reform laws on its operations.

Provider Business-Competition

         Each of the Company's hospitals competes with other hospitals,  some of
which are larger and have greater financial resources.  Some competing hospitals
are  owned  and  operated  by   governmental   agencies,   others  by  nonprofit
organizations supported by endowments and charitable contributions and others by
proprietary hospital  corporations.  The hospitals frequently draw patients from
areas outside their immediate  locale and,  therefore,  the Company's  hospitals
may,  in certain  markets,  compete  with both local and distant  hospitals.  In
addition,  the  Company's  hospitals  compete  not only with  other  psychiatric
hospitals,  but also with psychiatric units in general hospitals, and outpatient
services  provided by the Company may compete  with  private  practicing  mental
health  professionals and publicly funded mental health centers. The competitive
position of a hospital is, to a significant  degree,  dependent  upon the number
and quality of  physicians  who  practice at the hospital and who are members of
its medical staff. The Company has entered into joint venture  arrangements with
other healthcare  providers in certain markets to promote more efficiency in the
local delivery system.  The Company believes that its provider business competes
effectively with respect to the aforementioned factors. However, there can be no
assurance  that  Magellan will be able to compete  successfully  in the provider
business in the future.

   
         Competition among hospitals and other healthcare providers for patients
has intensified in recent years.  During this period,  hospital  occupancy rates
for inpatient  behavioral  care patients in the United States have declined as a
result  of  cost  containment   pressures,   changing  technology,   changes  in
reimbursement,  changes  in  practice  patterns  from  inpatient  to  outpatient
treatment  and other  factors.  In recent  years,  the  competitive  position of
hospitals has been affected by the ability of such hospitals to obtain contracts
with   Preferred   Provider   Organizations   ("PPO's"),    Health   Maintenance
Organizations ("HMO's") and other managed care programs to provide inpatient and
other services.  Such contracts  normally involve a discount from the hospital's
established  charges,  but provide a base of patient referrals.  These contracts
also  frequently  provide for  pre-admission  certification  and for  concurrent
length of stay reviews.  The importance of obtaining contracts with HMO's, PPO's
and other managed care companies varies from market to market,  depending on the
individual  market strength of the managed care companies.  State certificate of
need laws place  limitations  on the Company's and its  competitors'  ability to
build  new  hospitals  and to expand  existing  hospitals.  Protection  from new
competition  is reduced in those  states where there is no  certificate  of need
law,  and  opportunities  for growth  are  limited  by the  certificate  of need
requirement  in states  having  such laws.  As of April 30,  1996,  the  Company
operated 40 hospitals in 12 states  (Arizona,  Arkansas,  California,  Colorado,
Indiana,  Kansas,  Louisiana,  Nevada, New Mexico, South Dakota, Texas and Utah)
which do not have  certificate  of need laws  applicable to  hospitals.  In most
cases,  these laws do not restrict the ability of the Company or its competitors
to offer  new  outpatient  services.  Proposals  have  been  made in a number of
jurisdictions to repeal currently  applicable  certificate of need laws. Several
states have instituted moratoria on new certificates of need or otherwise stated
their intent not to grant approval for new facilities.
    



                                        5

<PAGE>



Managed Care Business - Competition

         The Company,  through its Green Spring subsidiary,  now operates in the
managed healthcare  industry.  The managed healthcare industry is being affected
by various external factors  including rising  healthcare  costs,  intense price
competition, and market consolidation by major managed care companies.  Magellan
faces  competition from a number of sources  including other  behavioral  health
managed care companies and traditional  full service managed care companies that
contract to provide behavioral  healthcare  benefits.  Also, to a lesser extent,
competition  exists  from fully  capitated  multi-specialty  medical  groups and
individual  practice  associations  that  directly  contract  with  managed care
companies and other customers to provide and manage all components of healthcare
for the members  including  the  behavioral  healthcare  component.  The Company
believes  that the most  significant  factors  in a  customer's  selection  of a
managed  behavioral  healthcare  company include price,  the extent and depth of
provider  networks and quality of services.  The Company also  believes that the
acquisition  of Green  Spring  creates  opportunities  to enhance  its  revenues
through  managed  care  contracts  utilizing  the  continuum of care and through
information systems that support care management and at-risk pricing mechanisms,
although no such  assurance can be given.  Management  believes that its managed
care business competes effectively with respect to these factors. However, there
can be no assurance  that Magellan will be able to compete  successfully  in the
managed care business in the future.

Limitations Imposed by the Credit Agreement
and Senior Note Indenture

         In May 1994,  the Company  entered  into a Second  Amended and Restated
Credit Agreement (the "Credit  Agreement") with certain  financial  institutions
and issued $375 million of Senior  Subordinated  Notes (the  "Senior  Notes") to
institutional  investors.  The Credit Agreement and the indenture for the Senior
Notes contain a number of restrictive covenants which, among other things, limit
the  ability of the  Company  and  certain of its  subsidiaries  to incur  other
indebtedness,  enter into certain joint venture transactions,  incur liens, make
certain  restricted  payments  and  investments,  enter  into  certain  business
combination and asset sale  transactions  and make capital  expenditures.  These
restrictions  could  adversely  affect the  Company's  ability  to  conduct  its
operations,   finance  its  capital  needs  or  to  pursue  attractive  business
combinations and joint ventures if such  opportunities  arise.  Under the Credit
Agreement,  the Company also is required to maintain certain specified financial
ratios.  Failure by the Company to maintain such  financial  ratios or to comply
with the  restrictions  contained in the Credit  Agreement and the indenture for
the   Senior   Notes   could   cause  such   indebtedness   (and  by  reason  of
cross-acceleration provisions, other indebtedness) to become immediately due and
payable and/or could cause the cessation of funding under the Credit Agreement.

Regulatory Environment

         The federal  government  and all states in which the  Company  operates
regulate various aspects of the Company's  businesses.  Such regulations provide
for periodic  inspections or other reviews of the Company's provider  operations
by, among others,  state  agencies,  the United States  Department of Health and
Human Services (the "Department") and CHAMPUS to determine compliance with their
respective  standards of care and other  applicable  conditions of participation
which is necessary  for  continued  licensure  or  participation  in  identified
healthcare  programs,  including,  but not limited to,  Medicare,  Medicaid  and
CHAMPUS. The Company is also subject to state regulation regarding the admission
and treatment of patients and federal regulations  regarding  confidentiality of
medical records of substance abuse patients.  Although the Company  endeavors to
comply with such  regulatory  requirements,  there can be no assurance  that the
Company  will always be in full  compliance.  The failure to obtain or renew any
required   regulatory   approvals  or  licenses  or  to  qualify  for  continued
participation  in identified  healthcare  programs  could  adversely  affect the
Company's  operations.  In addition,  there is currently pending before Congress
legislation  that would  establish  a program  to  control  fraud and abuse with
respect to health plans maintained by all public and private payers,  as opposed
to  current  fraud and abuse laws that  relate  only to  specified  governmental
payers.

         The  Company  is also  subject to  federal  and state laws that  govern
financial and other arrangements between healthcare providers.  These laws often
prohibit certain direct and indirect payments between healthcare  providers that
are  designed  to induce  overutilization  of  services  paid for by Medicare or
Medicaid. Such laws include the anti-kickback provisions of the federal Medicare
and  Medicaid  Patients and Program  Protection  Act of 1987.  These  provisions
prohibit, among other things, the offer, payment, solicitation or receipt of any
form of  remuneration  in return  for the  referral  of  Medicare  and  Medicaid
patients. GPA, the Company's subsidiary that owns or manages professional

                                        6

<PAGE>



group practices,  is subject to the federal and the state illegal  remuneration,
practice of medicine and certain other laws which prohibit the  subsidiary  from
owning,  but not  managing,  professional  practices.  In addition,  some states
prohibit business  corporations from providing,  or holding  themselves out as a
provider of, medical care. The Company  endeavors to comply with all federal and
state laws applicable to its business. However, a violation of these federal and
state laws may result in civil or criminal penalties for individuals or entities
or exclusion from participation in identified healthcare programs.

         Magellan's  managed  care  business  operations,  in some  states,  are
subject  to  utilization   review,   licensure  and  related  state   regulation
procedures.  Green Spring provides  managed  behavioral  healthcare  services to
various Blue Cross/Blue  Shield plans that operate  Medicare and Medicaid health
maintenance  organizations  or other  at-risk  managed  care  programs  and that
participate in the Blue Cross Federal Employees health program.  As a contractor
to these Blue  Cross/Blue  Shield plans,  Green Spring is indirectly  subject to
federal  and,  with  respect  to the  Medicaid  program,  state  monitoring  and
regulation  of  performance  and  financial  reporting  requirements.   Although
Magellan  believes that it is in  compliance  with all current state and federal
regulatory  requirements  applicable  to the managed care  business it conducts,
failure to do so could adversely affect its operations.

         Physician  ownership of or investment  in healthcare  entities to which
they refer patients has come under increasing scrutiny at both state and federal
levels.  Congress passed  legislation  (commonly referred to as "Stark I") which
prohibits  physicians from referring  Medicare patients for clinical  laboratory
services to an entity with which the physician has a financial relationship. The
Department recently published final Stark I regulations on August 14, 1995. Such
regulations  will govern how the  Department  views and reviews these  financial
relationships.  Additionally,  Congress passed legislation (commonly referred to
as "Stark II") which prohibits  physicians  from referring  Medicare or Medicaid
patients  for  certain  designated  health  services,  including  inpatient  and
outpatient  hospital  services,  to entities in which they have an  ownership or
investment  interest  or with which they have a  compensation  arrangement.  The
entity is also  prohibited  from billing the  Medicare or Medicaid  programs for
such  services  rendered  pursuant  to a  prohibited  referral.  To  the  extent
designated  services  are  provided by the  Company's  provider and managed care
operations,  physicians who have a financial  relationship  with the Company and
the  Company  will be subject to the  provisions  of Stark II.  Some states have
passed similar legislation which prohibits the referral of private pay patients.
To date, the Department has not published  Stark II  regulations.  However,  the
Department  indicated  that  it  will  review  referrals  involving  any  of the
designated  services  under the  language and  interpretations  set forth in the
Stark I rule.

         The  Company's  acquisitions  and  joint  venture  activities  are also
subject to federal antitrust laws. The healthcare  industry has recently been an
active area of antitrust  enforcement  action by the United States Federal Trade
Commission  (the "FTC") and the  Department  of Justice  ("DOJ").  The Company's
acquisitions and joint venture  arrangements could be the subject of a DOJ or an
FTC enforcement action which, if determined adversely to the Company, could have
a material adverse effect upon the Company's operations.

         Changes in laws or regulations or new  interpretations of existing laws
or regulations  can have an adverse effect on the Company's  operating  methods,
costs,  reimbursement  amounts and acquisition and joint venture activities.  In
addition,  the  healthcare  industry  is  subject  to  increasing   governmental
scrutiny, and additional laws and regulations may be enacted which could require
changes in the  Company's  operations.  A federal or state  agency  charged with
enforcement of such laws and regulations  might assert an interpretation of such
laws and  resolutions  or may increase  scrutiny of a previously  ignored  area,
which may require changes in the Company's operations.

Dependence on Healthcare Professionals

         Physicians  traditionally have been the source of a significant portion
of the patients treated at the Company's  hospitals.  Therefore,  the success of
the  Company's  hospitals  is dependent in part on the number and quality of the
physicians on the medical staffs of its hospitals and their admission practices.
A small  number of  physicians  account  for a  significant  portion  of patient
admissions at some of the Company's  hospitals.  There can be no assurance  that
the  Company  can  retain its  current  physicians  on staff or that  additional
physician relationships will be developed in the future.  Furthermore,  hospital
physicians  generally are not  employees of the Company and in general  Magellan
does not have contractual  arrangements with hospital physicians restricting the
ability of such physicians to practice elsewhere.


                                        7

<PAGE>



Potential General and Professional Liability

         Effective June 1, 1995, Plymouth Insurance Company, Ltd.  ("Plymouth"),
a wholly-owned Bermuda subsidiary of the Company,  provides general and hospital
professional  liability  insurance  up to $25  million  per  occurrence  for the
Company's hospitals.  All of the risk of losses from $1.5 million to $25 million
per occurrence has been reinsured with unaffiliated  insurers.  The Company also
insures  with an  unaffiliated  insurer  100% of the risk of losses  between $25
million and $100 million per occurrence, subject to an annual aggregate limit of
$75  million.  The  Company's  general and  professional  liability  coverage is
written on a "claims made or circumstances reported" basis. For reinsured claims
between $10 and $25 million per occurrence,  the Company has an annual aggregate
limit of coverage of $30 million.  For reinsured claims between $1.5 million and
$10 million per  occurrence,  the Company has no significant  limitations on the
aggregate dollar amounts of coverage.

         For the six years from June 1, 1989 through May 31,  1995,  the Company
had a similar general and hospital professional liability insurance program. For
those years,  the per occurrence  deductible  (with respect to which the Company
was self-insured) was $2.5 million for the years ended May 31, 1990 and 1991, $2
million for the years ended May 31, 1992 and 1993 and $1.5 million  (relating to
the Company's  general  hospitals sold on September 30, 1993) for the year ended
May 31, 1994. For psychiatric  hospitals,  Plymouth's coverage did not contain a
per occurrence deductible for the years ended May 31, 1994 and 1995. In December
1994,  the per  occurrence  deductible for the years ended May 31, 1989 and 1990
was eliminated. Plymouth provides coverage with no per occurrence deductible for
hospital  system  claims  which had not been paid prior to  December  31,  1994.
Plymouth does not underwrite any insurance  policies with any parties other than
the Company or its affiliates and subsidiaries.

         The amount of expense relating to Magellan's  malpractice insurance may
materially increase or decrease from year to year depending, among other things,
on the nature and number of new reported claims against  Magellan and amounts of
settlements of previously reported claims. To date, Magellan has not experienced
a loss in excess of policy limits.  Management believes that its coverage limits
are adequate.  However,  losses in excess of the limits  described  above or for
which insurance is otherwise  unavailable  could have a material  adverse effect
upon the Company.

Potential Expiration and Realization Uncertainties Related
to Estimated Tax Net Operating Loss Carryforwards

   
         As of September  30, 1995,  the Company had estimated tax net operating
loss ('NOL")  carryforwards  of approximately  $233 million  available to reduce
future federal taxable income.  These NOL  carryforwards  expire in 2006 through
2009 and are subject to  adjustment  upon  examination  by the Internal  Revenue
Service.  Due  to  the  ownership  change  which  occurred  as a  result  of the
Reorganization,  the  Company's  utilization  of  NOLs  generated  prior  to the
effective date of the  Reorganization  is limited.  Based on this limitation and
certain  other  factors,  the Company  has  recorded a  valuation  allowance  of
approximately  $93.2  million  against the amount of the NOL  deferred tax asset
that in  Management's  opinion,  is not likely to be recovered.  There can be no
assurance that these NOL  carryforwards  will not expire,  be reduced or be made
subject to further  limitations  prior to their potential  utilization in future
periods.
    

Capitation Arrangements

   
         The Company's  managed care business  contracts with companies  holding
state HMO or insurance  company licenses on a capitated or "at-risk" basis where
the risk of patient care is assumed by the Company in exchange for a monthly fee
per member regardless of utilization level. As of March 31, 1996,  approximately
30% of Green Spring's  managed care members were under  capitated  arrangements.
During the quarter and the six months ended March 31, 1996, approximately 70% of
Green Spring's  revenues were from at-risk  contracts.  Increases in utilization
levels under  capitated  contractual  arrangements  could  adversely  effect the
operations of the managed care business.
    

         Some jurisdictions are taking the position that capitated agreements in
which the provider bears the risk should be regulated by insurance laws. In this
regard, Green Spring's primary customers are comprised of Blue Cross/Blue Shield
Plans and other insurance entities which are licensed insurance organizations in
their respective states.  Green Spring offers "carved out" managed mental health
benefits,  on a  wholesale  basis,  as  a  vendor  to  the  regulated  insurance
organizations.  Most current  employer group  relationships  are also contracted
through the respective regulated insurance

                                        8

<PAGE>



organizations.  However,  as Magellan and Green Spring  develop more direct risk
arrangements   on  a  retail  basis  directly  with  employer  groups  or  other
non-insurance entity customers,  the Company may be required to obtain insurance
licenses in the respective  states where the direct risk  arrangements are to be
pursued.  There can be no  assurance  that the Company can obtain the  insurance
licenses  required by the respective states in a timely or cost effective manner
to respond to market demand.

Shares Eligible for Future Sale

   
         Upon completion of this offering,  the Shares will be eligible for sale
in the open market without  restriction,  except that no more than 40,000 shares
may be sold by the Selling  Stockholder or its  affiliates  prior to January 25,
1997. In addition,  the 2,000,000  shares of Common Stock underlying the Warrant
will be eligible  for sale in the open market  without  restriction  on or after
January 25, 1997, assuming  registration of the offer and sale of such shares in
the manner required by the Stock and Warrant Purchase  Agreement.  In connection
with the acquisition of a majority interest in Green Spring, the remaining Green
Spring  stockholders,  consisting  of four Blue  Cross/Blue  Shield  plans  (the
"Minority  Stockholders")  have the  option,  under  certain  circumstances,  to
exchange their ownership  interests in Green Spring for 2,831,739  shares of the
Company's Common Stock or $65.1 million in the Company's subordinated notes (the
"Exchange Option"). Assuming exercise by all of the Minority Stockholders of the
Exchange Option,  all 2,831,739 shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of
the  Exchange  Option  will be  eligible  for  sale in the open  market  without
restriction.  As of March  31,  1996,  the  Company's  officers,  directors  and
employees  held  options for the  purchase of  2,884,824  shares of Common Stock
(973,848  of which are  vested  and  1,910,976  of which are  subject to vesting
periods of up to four years in duration).  Upon  exercise,  the shares of Common
Stock  underlying  such  options  will be  eligible  for sale on the open market
without  restriction,  except that Directors and certain Officers of the Company
must effect such sales pursuant to Rule 144 under the 1933 Act. In January 1995,
the Company acquired National Mentor, Inc. by issuing 1,409,978 shares of Common
Stock which have been registered for resale.  Following this offering, sales and
potential  sales of shares of Common Stock in the public market pursuant to Rule
144 or otherwise  could  adversely  affect the prevailing  market prices for the
Common  Stock and  impair  the  Company's  ability  to raise  additional  equity
capital.
    

Possible Volatility of Stock Price

   
         The Company  believes  factors  such as  announcements  with respect to
healthcare  reform  measures,   reductions  in  government   healthcare  program
projected  expenditures,  acquisitions and  quarter-to-quarter  and year-to-year
variations in financial  results could cause the market price of Magellan Common
Stock to fluctuate substantially.  Any such adverse announcement with respect to
healthcare  reform  measures  or  program  expenditures,   acquisitions  or  any
shortfall in revenue or earnings  from levels  expected by  securities  analysts
could have an immediate and  significant  adverse effect on the trading price of
Magellan Common Stock in any given period. As a result,  the market for Magellan
Common  Stock may  experience  price and volume  fluctuations  unrelated  to the
operating performance of Magellan. See "Price Range of Common Stock and Dividend
Policy" on page 13.
    

                                   THE COMPANY

         Magellan is an integrated national behavioral  healthcare company.  The
Company  operates  through  three  principal  subsidiaries  engaging  in (i) the
provider  business,  (ii) the managed care  business and (iii) the public sector
business.

   
         Charter  Behavioral  Health Systems,  Inc., the Company's  wholly-owned
subsidiary  that  engages  in the  provider  business,  operated  94 acute  care
psychiatric hospitals and two residential  psychiatric treatment centers with an
aggregate  capacity of 8,682 licensed beds as of April 30, 1996.  Eighty-nine of
the Company's hospitals operate partial hospitalization programs and the Company
operates  141  outpatient  centers,  staffed  by  mental  health  professionals.
Approximately  91%  of  the  Company's  fiscal  1995  consolidated  revenue  was
contributed by the provider  business.  Management  estimates that approximately
75% of its fiscal 1996 consolidated  revenue will be contributed by the provider
business.
    

         Green Spring,  the Company's 61% owned  subsidiary  that engages in the
managed care business,  provides managed behavioral  healthcare services,  which
include (i) Enhanced Utilization Management, a utilization review

                                        9

<PAGE>



   
process that  employs  clinical  criteria  designed to provide each patient with
accessible,  appropriate and affordable treatment across the entire continuum of
care and services;  (ii) Care Management,  a fully  integrated  healthcare model
that offers  utilization  review services and provides care to patients  through
the  management  of  a  national   network  of  contract   providers  and  Green
Spring-owned staff model clinics; (iii) Employee Assistance Plans, employer-paid
assessment,  counseling  and  referral  programs  that  help  employees  address
personal and workplace problems; and (iv) Comprehensive Administrative Services,
including member assistance,  management reporting, claims processing,  clinical
management  information  and provider  referral  systems  that are  adaptable to
customer  circumstances  and requirements  through a network of more than 30,000
providers nationwide covering approximately 12.6 million members as of March 31,
1996. The Company had no significant managed care revenue in fiscal 1995.
    
 Management  estimates that  approximately  15% of its fiscal 1996  consolidated
revenue will be contributed by the managed care business.

         Magellan Public  Solutions,  Inc. ("Public  Solutions"),  the Company's
wholly-owned  subsidiary  that engages in the public sector  business,  provides
specialty  home-based  behavioral  healthcare  services,  behavioral services in
correctional  facilities  and  troubled  and  delinquent  adolescent  facilities
services  pursuant  to  contractual  arrangements  with  governmental  agencies.
Approximately 4% of the Company's fiscal 1995 consolidated  revenue was provided
by the public sector  business.  Management  estimates that less than 10% of its
fiscal  1996  consolidated  revenue  will be  contributed  by the public  sector
business.

         Magellan's  business  strategy is to provide access to a full continuum
of behavioral  healthcare and managed care services and to perform such services
in a cost effective manner with predictable  results.  The Company's  integrated
national  behavioral  healthcare  system has the  capability  to deliver  and to
manage the  delivery of  behavioral  healthcare  services  for large  public and
private payers who need assistance in managing the risk of behavioral healthcare
costs.

         Magellan  was  incorporated  in 1969  under  the  laws of the  State of
Delaware.  Magellan  Common Stock is traded on the American Stock Exchange under
the symbols "MGL." Unless the context otherwise requires, references to Magellan
include  Magellan  Health  Services,  Inc.  and  its  subsidiaries.   Magellan's
principal  executive  offices are located at 3414 Peachtree  Road,  N.E.,  Suite
1400, Atlanta, Georgia 30326, and its telephone number is (404) 841-9200.

Certain Forward-Looking Statements

         In  connection  with  the  "safe  harbor"  provisions  of  the  Private
Securities  Litigation  Reform  Act  of  1995,  the  Company  is  hereby  filing
cautionary  statements  identifying  important  factors  that  could  cause  the
Company's  actual results to differ  materially  from those projected in certain
forward-looking  statements  made by or on behalf of the Company.  Specifically,
the Company has projected the percentage contribution to total revenues for each
of its lines of business for the 1996 fiscal year. The  projections are based on
an analysis of prevailing  conditions  and trends in the  behavioral  healthcare
industry which directly impact the Company.

         Industry  conditions and trends considered by the Company in making the
projections  include (1) the  effects of  competition  on each of the  Company's
lines of business;  (2) increased payer  pressures in the behavioral  healthcare
industry with respect to negotiated rates and other  cost-containment  measures;
and (3) the effects of hospital closures..

         Industry  conditions and trends not considered by the Company in making
the projections include (1) governmental  budgetary constraints which could have
the effect of  restricting  the aggregate  amount of funds  available to support
governmental   healthcare  programs,   including  Medicare  and  Medicaid;   (2)
uncertainties in the regulatory  environment due to proposed  healthcare  reform
legislation,  including changes in Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement programs;
and (3) increased payor and  governmental  investigations  and/or inquiries into
alleged  fraud and abuse  concerns as the Company  cannot  project the effect of
such items. Any legislation  subsequently passed could adversely effect any such
projection.

         There can be no assurances that the projected results will be achieved.
As a result of the factors  identified  above, as well as the factors  described
under "Risk Factors" and other factors,  the Company's actual results could vary
significantly from the performance projected in the forward-looking statements.



                                       10

<PAGE>



                               RECENT DEVELOPMENTS

Green Spring Acquisition

         On December 13, 1995, the Company acquired a 51% ownership  interest in
Green Spring for  approximately  $68.9 million in cash,  the issuance of 215,458
shares of Common Stock valued at approximately $4.3 million and the contribution
of Group Practice Affiliates, a wholly-owned Magellan subsidiary, which became a
wholly-owned  subsidiary  of Green  Spring.  On December 20,  1995,  the Company
acquired an additional 10% ownership  interest in Green Spring for approximately
$16.7  million in cash as a result of an exercise by a minority  stockholder  of
its Exchange Option for a portion of the stockholder's interest in Green Spring.
The Company currently has a 61% ownership interest in Green Spring.

   
         The Company  believes  the Green Spring  acquisition  created the first
fully integrated national behavioral healthcare system and gives the Company the
capability  to provide case  management  and delivery  services to large private
organizations and a public sector marketplace seeking increased privatization of
services.  The Company  changed its name to Magellan  Health  Services,  Inc. on
December 21, 1995 to reflect the broader range of services it expects to provide
as a  result  of the  Green  Spring  acquisition  and  the  creation  of  Public
Solutions.

         The  minority  stockholders  of  Green  Spring  consist  of  four  Blue
Cross/Blue  Shield  organizations  (the "Blues") that are key customers of Green
Spring. In addition, two other Blues organizations that formerly owned a portion
of Green  Spring will  continue as customers  of Green  Spring.  As of March 31,
1996, the minority  stockholders of Green Spring have the Exchange Option, which
under certain circumstances,  allows the minority stockholders to exchange their
ownership  interests in Green  Spring for  2,831,739  shares of Magellan  Common
Stock or $65.1 million in subordinated  notes. The Company may elect to pay cash
in lieu of issuing the subordinated notes.
    
The Exchange Option expires December 13, 1998.

Sale of Common Stock and Warrant

         On January  25,  1996,  the Company  completed  the sale to the Selling
Stockholder  of the  Shares,  along with a warrant  to  purchase  an  additional
2,000,000  shares of Common  Stock,  pursuant to the Stock and Warrant  Purchase
Agreement.  The Warrant,  which expires in January,  2000,  entitles the Selling
Stockholder  to purchase such  additional  shares of Common Stock at a per share
price of $26.15, subject to adjustment for certain dilutive events, and provides
registration  rights for the shares of Common Stock underlying the Warrant.  The
aggregate  purchase price for the Shares and the Warrant was  $69,732,000.  Upon
completion  of the  acquisition  of the  Shares  (and prior to  exercise  of the
Warrant),  the Selling  Stockholder owned approximately 12.2% of the outstanding
voting  securities of Magellan.  The Warrant becomes  exercisable on January 25,
1997 and expires on January 25, 2000.

         The Stock and Warrant Purchase Agreement places certain restrictions on
the sale or transfer of the Shares and the Common Stock  issuable  upon exercise
of the Warrants (the "Warrant Shares").  As a result, no more than 40,000 Shares
may be sold by the Selling  Stockholder or its  affiliates  prior to January 25,
1997.  Further,  prior to January  25,  2000,  the  Selling  Stockholder  or its
affiliates may not sell or transfer in a privately  negotiated  transaction to a
single  purchaser  and  its  affiliates  or a  "group"  (  as  defined  in  Rule
13d-5(b)(1)  under the Exchange Act) Shares or Warrant  Shares which would equal
or  exceed  five  percent  (5%)  of  the  Common  Stock  then  outstanding  on a
fully-diluted   basis.   Neither   of  these   restrictions   affect   the  free
transferability of the Shares among the Selling  Stockholder and its affiliates.
In  addition,   the  Stock  and  Warrant  Purchase  Agreement  contains  certain
standstill  covenants on the part of the Selling  Stockholder which, among other
things,  prohibit the Selling  Stockholder  and its affiliates  from  purchasing
additional shares of Common Stock so that they collectively own in excess of 20%
of the outstanding shares of Common Stock prior to January,  1998. The Stock and
Warrant  Purchase  Agreement also grants the Selling  Stockholder  certain board
representation rights. See "Selling Stockholder".

         The Company  used $68.0  million of the  proceeds  from the sale of the
Shares and the Warrant to the Selling Stockholder to repay indebtedness incurred
under the  Company's  Credit  Agreement,  which  indebtedness  was  incurred  in
connection  with the  investments  in Green Spring  during the first  quarter of
fiscal 1996. Total debt  outstanding  under the Credit Agreement after the $68.0
million repayment was approximately $80.6 million. The loans outstanding under

                                       11

<PAGE>



the Credit Agreement as of January 25, 1996  bear interest at a rate of 7.625% 
per annum and mature on March 31, 1999.

                                 USE OF PROCEEDS

         The Company will not receive any of the  proceeds  from the sale of the
Shares.  All of the proceeds from the sale of the Shares will be received by the
Selling Stockholder.

                                    DILUTION

         No dilution will occur from sales of the Shares under this Registration
Statement.  At December 31, 1995,  the net tangible  book value of the Company's
Common Stock was a deficit of $72.0  million or $2.51 per share.  "Net  tangible
book value" per share represents  stockholders' equity less intangible assets of
the Company, divided by the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding. Giving
effect to the sale by the  Company of the Shares and the  Warrant to the Selling
Stockholder  at the  offering  price of  $17.43  per  share,  the pro  forma net
tangible  book value of the Common  Stock at December  31, 1995 was a deficit of
$3.4 million or $0.10 per share.  This represented an immediate  increase in net
tangible book value of $2.41 per share to existing stockholders and an immediate
dilution of $17.53 per share book value to the Selling Stockholder.


                 PRICE RANGE OF COMMON STOCK AND DIVIDEND POLICY

   
         The Common Stock is listed for trading on the American  Stock  Exchange
(ticker symbol "MGL"). As of April 30, 1996, there were 11,951 holders of record
of the Company's  Common Stock.  The following table sets forth the high and low
sales prices of the  Company's  Common  Stock as reported by the American  Stock
Exchange for the periods indicated:
    
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


                                                             Common Stock Sales Prices
                                                            ------------------------------
                         Calendar Year                         High                Low
- -----------------------------------------------------       ----------          ----------
<S>                                                         <C>                 <C>    

1993
       Fourth Quarter................................       $    27             $    21
                                                      
1994                                                  
       First Quarter.................................       $    28             $  21 3/8
       Second Quarter................................          26 1/8              21 3/4
       Third Quarter.................................          28 1/2              21 1/4
       Fourth Quarter................................          28 1/2                19
                                                      
1995                                                  
       First Quarter.................................       $  21 1/4           $  13 7/8
       Second Quarter................................          19 5/8              15 5/8
       Third Quarter.................................          23 1/4              16 1/4
       Fourth Quarter................................          24 1/4              17 3/8
                                                      
1996                                                  
       First Quarter ................................       $    25             $  21 3/8
   
       Second Quarter  (through  May  24, 1996)......          24 7/8                21
    

</TABLE>

         The Company has not declared any cash  dividends  during the past three
fiscal  years.  The  Company is  prohibited  from paying  dividends  (other than
dividends payable in shares of Common Stock) on its Common Stock under the terms
of the Credit Agreement,  except for cash dividends that, in the aggregate, from
May 1994, do not exceed 6% of the net cash  proceeds  from  issuances of capital
stock,  reduced  by the  aggregate  cost of stock  purchases  since May 1994 and
certain other limited circumstances.


                                       12

<PAGE>



                                 CAPITALIZATION

   
         The  following  table sets  forth the  consolidated  capitalization  of
Magellan as of March 31,
1996.
    
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

   

                                                                       March 31, 1996
                                                            -------------------------------------
                                                            (in thousands, except per share data)

<S>                                                                   <C>      
Revolving Credit Agreement.................................           $  70,593
11.25% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2004..................             375,000
Other long-term debt.......................................              96,313
Stockholders' equity:                                      
       Preferred stock, without par value;                 
         10,000 authorized; none issued and outstanding....                  --
       Common Stock, $.25 par value; 80,000                
         authorized;  32,915 issued and outstanding:.......               8,229
       Additional paid-in capital..........................             326,601
       Accumulated deficit.................................           (132,023)
       Warrants outstanding................................                 64
       Common Stock in Treasury, 462 shares................             (9,238)
       Cumulative foreign currency adjustments.............             (1,867)
                                                                      --------
            Total stockholders' equity.....................            191,766
                                                                      --------
            Total capitalization...........................          $ 733,672
                                                                      ========
    



                         SELECTED FINANCIAL INFORMATION

   
         The following table sets forth selected  historical  financial data and
selected pro forma  financial data for Magellan for the year ended September 30,
1995 and the six months ended March 31, 1996. The selected historical  financial
data for the year ended  September 30, 1995 has been derived from the historical
financial  statements of Magellan  audited by Arthur  Andersen LLP,  independent
public accountants.  The selected  historical  financial data for the six months
ended March 31, 1996 has been  derived  from  unaudited  interim  statements  of
operations of Magellan.  In the opinion of  Management,  the  unaudited  interim
financial  information  includes  all  adjustments  (consisting  only of  normal
recurring  adjustments)  necessary to present fairly the  information  set forth
therein.  The selected pro forma  financial data gives effect to the January 25,
1996 sale of the Shares to the Selling Stockholder, as if such sale had occurred
on October 1, 1994 (in thousands, except per share data).
    

</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

   
                                                              Fiscal year ended                  Six months ended
                                                              September 30, 1995                  March 31, 1996
                                                       ------------------------------       -------------------------------
                                                         Actual        Pro Forma (1)          Actual         Pro Forma (1)
                                                       -----------     --------------       ----------      ---------------

<S>                                                    <C>             <C>                  <C>             <C>        
Net income (loss)...............................       $  (42,963)     $    (39,731)        $  29,817       $    30,789
Average number of common shares outstanding:    
   Primary......................................           27,870            31,870            30,099            32,635
   Fully Diluted................................           27,870            31,870            31,851            34,387
Earnings (loss) per common share:               
   Primary......................................            (1.54)            (1.25)             0.99              0.94
   Fully Diluted................................            (1.54)            (1.25)             0.96              0.92
    
</TABLE>



         (1) The  adjustments to pro forma net income (loss),  income (loss) per
         common share and average  number of common  shares  outstanding  result
         from the issuance of the  4,000,000  shares to the Selling  Stockholder
         and a related  adjustment to reduce interest  expense,  net of tax, for
         the use of $68.0  million of the  proceeds  from the  issuance  of such
         shares to reduce

                                       13

<PAGE>



   
         outstanding  borrowings  under the Credit Agreement for the fiscal year
         ended September 30, 1995 and the six months ended March 31, 1996.
    

                               SELLING STOCKHOLDER

         The following table sets forth certain information with respect to the
ownership of the Shares as of December 22, 1995, and as adjusted to reflect the
sale of the Shares offered hereby, by the Selling Stockholder.  The Selling 
Stockholder has sole voting and investment power with respect to the Shares.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                            Ownership of                      Number of                     Ownership of
                                         Common Stock Before                Shares Being                 Common Stock After
                                             the Offering                    Offered (1)                  the Offering (2)
                                     -----------------------------         ----------------         ------------------------------

                                      Number of                                                      Number of
        Name                           Shares             Percent                                     Shares             Percent
- ---------------------                ------------         --------                                  ------------         ---------
<S>                                  <C>                  <C>              <C>                      <C>                  <C>    

Rainwater-Magellan
  Holdings, L.P.  (3)                 4,000,000           12.25%            4,000,000 (4)              None                 --

</TABLE>


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


(1)      The  Shares  being   offered   hereby  were  acquired  by  the  Selling
         Stockholder  pursuant  to the terms of the Stock and  Warrant  Purchase
         Agreement. Under the terms of the Stock and Warrant Purchase Agreement,
         the Selling  Stockholder  obtained  registration rights with respect to
         the Shares.  Magellan has  registered  the Shares for sale  pursuant to
         this  Prospectus  as  required  by  the  Stock  and  Warrant   Purchase
         Agreement.

(2)      Assumes that all Shares being offered are sold.

(3)      Under the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission, Rainwater, 
         Inc., the general partner of the Selling Stockholder, and Richard
         E. Rainwater, the sole shareholder and a director of Rainwater, Inc. 
         are also deemed to be beneficial owners of the Shares.  Darla Moore,
         Vice President and Director of Rainwater, Inc. was appointed to the 
         Board of Directors of Magellan on February 22, 1996 pursuant to
         the Stock and Warrant Purchase Agreement.

(4)      No more than 40,000  Shares may be sold by the Selling  Stockholder  or
         its affiliates prior to January 25, 1997. Further, prior to January 25,
         2000,  the  Selling  Stockholder  or its  affiliates  may  not  sell or
         transfer in a privately  negotiated  transaction to a single  purchaser
         and its affiliates or any "group" (as defined in Rule 13d-5(b)(1) under
         the Exchange  Act) Shares  (including  shares  underlying  the Warrant)
         which would equal or exceed five  percent (5%) of the Common Stock then
         outstanding on a fully-diluted basis.


                              PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

         The Shares may be sold from time to time by the Selling  Stockholder on
the American  Stock  Exchange or any national  securities  exchange or automated
interdealer  quotation  system on which  shares of Common Stock are then listed,
through negotiated transactions or otherwise. Certain transfer restrictions have
been  placed on the Shares  offered  hereby  pursuant  to the Stock and  Warrant
Purchase  Agreement,  which in general  restrict the sale of the Shares prior to
January 25, 1997. See "Recent Developments -- Sale of Common Stock and Warrant".
The  Shares  will be sold at  prices  and on terms  then  prevailing,  at prices
related to the then current  market price or at negotiated  prices.  The Selling
Stockholder  may effect  sales of the Shares  directly or by or through  agents,
brokers,  dealers or  underwriters  and the Shares may be sold by one or more of
the following methods: (a) underwritten public offerings, (b) ordinary brokerage
transactions,  (c) purchases by a broker-dealer  as principal and resale by such
broker-dealer  for its own account pursuant to this  Prospectus,  (d) in "block"
sales, and (e) privately negotiated transactions. At the time a particular offer
is made, a Prospectus  Supplement,  if required,  will be distributed  that sets
forth  the  name  or  names  of  agents,  broker-dealers  or  underwriters,  any
commissions  and other terms  constituting  compensation  and any other required
information.   In  effecting  sales,   broker-dealers  engaged  by  any  Selling
Stockholder   and/or  the  purchasers  of  the  Shares  may  arrange  for  other
broker-dealers  to  participate.   Broker-dealers   will  receive   commissions,
concessions or discounts from the Selling  Stockholder  and/or the purchasers of
the  Shares in amounts to be  negotiated  prior to the sale.  Sales will be made
only through  broker-dealers  registered as such in a subject jurisdiction or in
transactions  exempt from such registration.  As of the date of this Prospectus,
there are no selling arrangements between the Selling Stockholder and any broker
or dealer.


                                       14

<PAGE>



         In  offering  the  Shares  covered  by  this  Prospectus,  the  Selling
Stockholder and any brokers,  dealers or agents who participate in a sale of the
Shares by the Selling  Stockholder may be considered  "underwriters"  within the
meaning  of  Section  2(11) of the 1933 Act,  and any  profits  realized  by the
Selling  Stockholder and the compensation of any broker/dealers may be deemed to
be underwriting discounts and commissions.

         As required by the Stock and Warrant Purchase  Agreement,  Magellan has
filed the  Registration  Statement,  of which this Prospectus forms a part, with
respect to the sale of the Shares.  Magellan has agreed to keep the Registration
Statement  current and effective,  with certain  exceptions,  for so long as the
Selling  Stockholder  and its  affiliates  collectively  own at least 25% of the
Shares  (including  shares  underlying the Warrant) issued pursuant to the Stock
and

                                       15

<PAGE>



Warrant Purchase Agreement.

         Magellan  will not  receive  any of the  proceeds  from the sale of the
Shares by the Selling  Stockholder.  Magellan will bear the costs of registering
the Shares under the 1933 Act,  including  the  registration  fee under the 1933
Act,  its  legal  and  accounting  fees  and  any  printing  fees.  The  Selling
Stockholder will bear the cost of underwriting  commissions and/or discounts, if
any, and selling commissions.

         Pursuant  to the  terms of the Stock and  Warrant  Purchase  Agreement,
Magellan and the Selling  Stockholder  have agreed to  indemnify  each other and
certain other related  parties for certain  liabilities,  including  liabilities
under the 1933 Act, in connection with the registration of the Shares.

                                  LEGAL MATTERS

         The legality of the Shares are passed upon for the Selling  Stockholder
by Steve J. Davis, Esq., Executive Vice President,  Administrative  Services and
General Counsel of the Company,  3414 Peachtree  Road,  N.E.,  Atlanta,  Georgia
30326.

                                     EXPERTS

         The audited, consolidated financial statements and schedule of Magellan
Health Services, Inc. and subsidiaries included in the Magellan Annual Report on
Form 10-K for the year ended  September  30, 1995  incorporated  by reference in
this Prospectus and elsewhere in this  Registration  Statement have been audited
by Arthur Andersen LLP,  independent public  accountants,  as indicated in their
reports  thereto,  and are incorporated by reference herein in reliance upon the
authority of said firm, as experts in giving said reports.

         Future  consolidated  financial  statements  and  schedules of Magellan
Health  Services,  Inc.  and  subsidiaries  and the  reports  thereon  of Arthur
Andersen  LLP  also  will be  incorporated  by  reference  in this  Registration
Statement of which this  Prospectus  is a part in reliance upon the authority of
that firm as experts in giving those reports to the extent said firm has audited
those financial statements and consented to the use of their reports thereon.

                                       16

<PAGE>



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


     No person  has been  authorized  in
connection with the offering made hereby
to give any  information  or to make any
representation  not  contained  in  this
Prospectus  and, if given or made,  such
information or  representation  must not                4,000,000 SHARES
be relied upon as having been authorized
by Magellan, or the Selling Stockholder.
This  Prospectus  does not constitute an
offer  to sell or a  solicitation  of an               MAGELLAN HEALTH
offer  to  buy  any  of  the  securities               SERVICES, INC.
offered  hereby in any  jurisdiction  in
which it is  unlawful to make such offer
or solicitation. Neither the delivery of
this   Prospectus   nor  any  sale  made                 COMMON STOCK
hereunder      shall,      under     any
circumstances,  create  any  implication
that the information contained herein is
correct as of any time subsequent to the
date hereof.





       ---------------------------                     ----------
                                                       PROSPECTUS
                                                       ----------



            TABLE OF CONTENTS

Available Information................2
Incorporation of Certain Documents
   
  by Reference.......................2
Risk Factors.........................3
The Company..........................9
Recent Developments.................11
Use of Proceeds.....................12
Dilution ...........................12
Price Range of Common Stock
  and Dividend Policy
    
          ..........................12
Capitalization......................13
Selected Financial Information......13
Selling Stockholder.................14
Plan of Distribution................14
Legal Matters.......................15
Experts  ...........................15


   
                                                       MAY 28, 1996
    


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


                                                    
<PAGE>




                                     PART II

                     INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS

Item 14.   Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution
<TABLE>

<S>                                                                         <C>        
         Securities and Exchange Commission Registration Fee                $ 31,810.34
         Legal Fees and Expenses                                              10,000.00
         Accounting Fees and Expenses                                          4,000.00
         Blue Sky Fees and Expenses (including legal fees and expenses)        1,000.00
         Printing                                                              5,000.00
         Miscellaneous                                                         3,189.66
                                                                            -----------

                  Total                                                     $ 55,000.00
                                                                             ==========
</TABLE>

         All of the above items,  except for  registration  fee, are  estimates.
Although  the Selling  Stockholder  will not bear any of the  expenses set forth
above, the Selling  Stockholder  will bear the cost of underwriting  commissions
and/or discounts, if any, and selling commissions.

Item 15.   Indemnification of Directors and Officers

         The  Company is a Delaware  corporation.  Section  145 of the  Delaware
General  Corporation Law (the "DGCL")  provides that a Delaware  corporation has
the power to indemnify its officers and directors in certain circumstances.

         Subsection  (a) of Section 145 of the DGCL  empowers a  corporation  to
indemnify any director or officer, or former director or officer,  who was or is
a party  or is  threatened  to be made a party  to any  threatened,  pending  or
completed  action or suit by or in the  right of the  corporation  to  procure a
judgment in its favor by reason of the fact that such person acted in any of the
capacities  set  forth  above,  against  expenses  (including  attorneys'  fees)
actually and reasonably incurred in connection with the defense or settlement of
such action or suit  provided  that such director or officer acted in good faith
and in a manner  he  reasonably  believed  to be in or not  opposed  to the best
interests  of the  corporation,  except that no  indemnification  may be made in
respect of any claim, issue or matter as to which such director or officer shall
have been adjudged to be liable to the corporation unless and only to the extent
that the Court of Chancery or the court in which such action or suit was brought
shall determine upon application that, despite the adjudication of liability but
in view of all the circumstances of the case, such director or officer is fairly
and  reasonably  entitled to indemnity for such  expenses  which the court shall
deem proper.

         Section 145 further  provides  that to the extent a director or officer
of a  corporation  has been  successful  in the defense of any  action,  suit or
proceeding referred to in subsections (a) or (b) or in the defense of any claim,
issue or matter therein,  he shall be indemnified  against  expenses  (including
attorneys'  fees)  actually  and  reasonably   incurred  by  him  in  connection
therewith;  provided that indemnification provided for by Section 145 or granted
pursuant  thereto shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which the
indemnified party may be entitled.  Section 145 also empowers the corporation to
purchase  and  maintain  insurance  on behalf of a  director  or  officer of the
corporation against any liability asserted against him or incurred by him in any
such  capacity  or  arising  out  of his  status  as  such  whether  or not  the
corporation would have the power to indemnify him against such liabilities under
Section 145.

         Article  VII of the Bylaws of  Magellan  provide,  in  substance,  that
Magellan  shall  indemnify  directors  and officers  against all  liability  and
related expenses  incurred in connection with the affairs of Magellan if: (a) in
the case of actions not by or in the right of Magellan,  the director or officer
acted in good  faith  and in a manner  he  reasonably  believed  to be in or not
opposed  to the best  interests  of  Magellan,  and (with  respect to a criminal
proceeding) had no reasonable cause to believe his conduct was unlawful; and (b)
in the case of actions by or in the right of Magellan, the

                                       17
<PAGE>



director or officer acted in good faith and in a manner he  reasonably  believed
to be in or not opposed to the best  interests  of  Magellan,  provided  that no
indemnification shall be made for a claim as to which the director or officer is
adjudged  liable to Magellan unless (and only to the extent that) an appropriate
court determines that, in view of all the  circumstances,  such person is fairly
and reasonably entitled to indemnity.

         In  addition,   Section   102(b)(8)   of  the  DGCL  permits   Delaware
corporations  to include a  provision  in their  certificates  of  incorporation
eliminating or limiting the personal  liability of a director to the corporation
or its  stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary as a director,
provided  that such  provisions  shall not eliminate or limit the liability of a
director (i) for any breach of the director's duty of loyalty to the corporation
or its  stockholders,  (ii)  for  acts or  omissions  not in good  faith or that
involve  intentional  misconduct  or a knowing  violation of the law,  (iii) for
unlawful payment of dividends or other unlawful  distributions,  or (iv) for any
transactions  from which the  director  derived an  improper  personal  benefit.
Article  Twelve of Magellan's  Certificate  of  Incorporation  sets forth such a
provision.

         Magellan maintains  directors' and officers'  liability  insurance with
various providers in the aggregate amount of $60 million.

         The  Selling  Stockholder  has agreed to  indemnify  the  Company,  its
directors  and  officers  (who sign the  Registration  Statement),  and  certain
controlling persons against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the
1933 Act  subject  to such  limitations  as set forth in the  Stock and  Warrant
Purchase Agreement.

         The foregoing summaries are necessarily subject to the complete text of
the statutes,  Certificate  of  Incorporation,  Bylaws,  insurance  policies and
agreements  referred to above and are  qualified in their  entirety by reference
thereto.

         For the undertaking with respect to indemnification, see Item 17.

Item 16.   Exhibits

         4.1      Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company, as filed
                  in Delaware on October  16,  1992,  which was filed as Exhibit
                  3(a) to the Company's  Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year
                  ended  September  30,  1992,  and is  incorporated  herein  by
                  reference.
         4.2      Certificate  of Ownership and Merger merging  Magellan  Health
                  Services,  Inc. (a Delaware  corporation) into Charter Medical
                  Corporation (a Delaware corporation),  as filed in Delaware on
                  December  21,  1995,  which was filed as  Exhibit  3(c) to the
                  Company's  Annual  Report  on Form  10-K  for the  year  ended
                  September 30, 1995, and is incorporated herein by reference.
         4.3      Form of Share Purchase Rights Plan among the Company and First
                  Union National Bank of North Carolina,  N.A.,  which was filed
                  as Exhibit 2.5 to the Company's Registration Statement on Form
                  8-A  dated  July  8  1992,  and  is  incorporated   herein  by
                  reference.
         4.4      Stockholders' Agreement,  dated December 13, 1995, among Green
                  Spring Health  Services,  Inc.,  Blue Cross and Blue Shield of
                  New   Jersey,   Inc.,   Health   Care   Service   Corporation,
                  Independence  Blue Cross,  Pierce County Medical Bureau,  Inc.
                  and the  Company,  which  was  filed  as  Exhibit  4(d) to the
                  Company's  Quarterly  Report  on Form  10-Q for the  quarterly
                  period ended December 31, 1995, and is incorporated  herein by
                  reference.
         4.5      Exchange Agreement,  dated December 13, 1995, among Blue Cross
                  and Blue  Shield of New  Jersey,  Inc.,  Health  Care  Service
                  Corporation,  Independence  Blue Cross,  Pierce County Medical
                  Bureau, Inc. and the Company,  which was filed as Exhibit 4(e)
                  to the  Company's  Quarterly  Report  on  Form  10-Q  for  the
                  quarterly  period ended December 31, 1995, and is incorporated
                  herein by reference.


                                       18

<PAGE>



         4.6      Stock and Warrant Purchase Agreement, dated December 22, 1995,
                  between the Company and Richard E. Rainwater,  which was filed
                  as Exhibit 4(f) to the Company's  quarterly report on Form 10-
                  Q for the  quarterly  period ended  December 31, 1995,  and is
                  incorporated herein by reference.
       * 4.7      Amendment No. 1 to Stock and Warrant Purchase Agreement, dated
                  January 25, 1996, between the Company and Rainwater-Magellan 
                  Holdings, L.P.
       * 5.1      Opinion of Steve J. Davis as to the legality of the Common 
                  Stock to be registered.
       *23.1      Consent of Steve J. Davis (included in Exhibit 5.1)
        23.2      Consent of Arthur Andersen LLP.
       *24.1      Powers of Attorney.

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

*Previously filed

Item 17.   Undertakings

       The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:

       (1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made of
securities  registered  hereby, a post-effective  amendment to this Registration
Statement:

         (i)  To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)3 of the 1933 
Act;

         (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;

         (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.
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  and 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 20  percent  change in the
maximum  aggregate  offering price set forth in the "Calculation of Registration
Fee" table in the effective registration statement.

         Provided,  however,  that the  undertakings set forth in paragraphs (i)
and (ii)  above  not  apply if the  information  required  to be  included  in a
post-effective  amendment by those  paragraphs is contained in periodic  reports
filed with or furnished to the Commission by the registrant  pursuant to Section
13 or  Section  15(d)  of the  Securities  Exchange  Act  of  1934,  as  amended
("Exchange  Act"),  that are  incorporated  by  reference  in this  Registration
Statement.

       (2) That,  for the purpose of  determining  any liability  under the 1933
Act, 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.

       The  undersigned  registrant  hereby  undertakes  that  for  purposes  of
determining  any liability  under the 1933 Act, each filing of the  registrant's
annual  report  pursuant to Section  13(a) or Section  15(d) of the Exchange Act
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.


                                       19

<PAGE>



       Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the 1933 Act may
be permitted to directors,  officers and controlling  persons of the registrant,
the  registrant  has been  advised  that in the opinion of the  Commission  such
indemnification  is against  public  policy as expressed in the 1933 Act and is,
therefore,  unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against
such liabilities  (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred
or paid by a director,  officer or  controlling  person of the registrant in the
successful  defense of any  action,  suit or  proceeding)  is  asserted  by such
director,  officer or controlling  persons of the registrant in connection  with
the securities being  registered,  the registrant will, unless in the opinion of
its counsel the matter has been settled by  controlling  precedent,  submit to a
court of appropriate  jurisdiction the question of whether such  indemnification
by it is against public policy as expressed in the 1933 Act and will be governed
by the final adjudication of such issue.

                                       20

<PAGE>



                                   SIGNATURES

   
       Pursuant  to  the  requirements  of  the  Securities  Act  of  1933,  the
registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all
of the  requirements  for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this  Amendment
No. 2 to Registration  Statement to be signed on its behalf by the  undersigned,
thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Atlanta, State of Georgia, on the 28th
day of May, 1996.
    


                                              MAGELLAN HEALTH SERVICES, INC.



                                              By:/s/ Howard A. McLure
                                              -----------------------
                                                 Howard A. McLure
                                                 Vice President and Controller
                                                 (Principal Accounting Officer)


   
         Pursuant  to the  requirements  of the  Securities  Act of  1933,  this
Amendment  No. 2 to  Registration  Statement  has been  signed by the  following
persons on May 28, 1996 in the capacities and on the date indicated.




*                                                 Date:   May 28, 1996
- -----------------------------------                    -----------------------
    
E. Mac Crawford
President and Chairman of the Board
(Principal Executive Officer)



   
*                                                 Date:   May 28, 1996
- -----------------------------------                    -----------------------
    
Craig L. McKnight
Executive Vice President and
 Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial Officer)


   
/s/ Howard A. McLure                              Date:   May 28, 1996
- -----------------------------------                    -----------------------
    
Howard A. McLure
Vice President and Controller
(Principal Accounting Officer)



   
*                                                 Date:   May 28, 1996
- -----------------------------------                    -----------------------
    
Edwin M. Banks
Director




                                       21

<PAGE>



   
*                                                 Date:   May 28, 1996
- -----------------------------------                    -----------------------
G. Fred DiBona, Jr.
Director



*                                                 Date:   May 28, 1996
- -----------------------------------                    -----------------------
    
Andre C. Dimitriadis
Director



   
*                                                 Date:   May 28, 1996
- -----------------------------------                    -----------------------
A. D. Frazier, Jr.
Director



*                                                 Date:   May 28, 1996
- -----------------------------------                    -----------------------
    
Raymond H. Kiefer
Director



   
*                                                 Date:   May 28, 1996
- -----------------------------------                    -----------------------
    
Gerald L. McManis
Director



   
*                                                 Date:   May 28, 1996
- -----------------------------------                    -----------------------
    
Darla Moore
Director


   
*The undersigned  Attorney-in-Fact,  by signing his name below, does hereby sign
this  Amendment No. 2 to the  Registration  Statement on behalf of the indicated
officers  and  directors  of the  Registrant  pursuant  to a Power  of  Attorney
executed by such persons and filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.


By:  /s/ Howard A. McLure                         Date:   May 28, 1996
- -----------------------------------                    -----------------------
    
       Howard A. McLure


                                       22

<PAGE>


                                INDEX TO EXHIBITS


Exhibit

   4.1     Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company, as filed
           in Delaware on October 16, 1992, which was filed as Exhibit 
           3(a) to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year
           ended September 30, 1992, and is incorporated herein by 
           reference.                                                       IBR
   4.2     Certificate of Ownership and Merger merging Magellan Health 
           Services, Inc. (a Delaware corporation) into Charter Medical
           Corporation (a Delaware corporation), as filed in Delaware on
           December 21, 1995, which was filed as Exhibit 3(c) to the 
           Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
           September 30, 1995, and is incorporated herein by reference.     IBR
   4.3     Form of Share Purchase Rights Plan among the Company and First
           Union National Bank of North Carolina, N.A., which was filed 
           as Exhibit 2.5 to the Company's Registration Statement on Form
           8-A dated July 6, 1992, and is incorporated herein by 
           reference.                                                       IBR
   4.4     Stockholders' Agreement, dated December 13, 1995, among Green
           Spring Health Services, Inc., Blue Cross and Blue Shield of 
           New Jersey, Inc., Health Care Service Corporation, 
           Independence Blue Cross, Pierce County Medical Bureau, Inc.
           and the Company, which was filed as Exhibit 4(d) to the 
           Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly 
           period ended December 31, 1995, and is incorporated herein by
           reference.                                                       IBR
   4.5     Exchange Agreement, dated December 13, 1995, among Blue Cross
           and Blue Shield of New Jersey, Inc., Health Care Service 
           Corporation, Independence Blue Cross, Pierce County Medical 
           Bureau, Inc. and the Company, which was filed as Exhibit
           4(e) to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the 
           quarterly period ended December 31, 1995, and is incorporated
           herein by reference.                                             IBR
   4.6     Stock and Warrant Purchase Agreement, dated December 22, 1995, 
           between the Company and Richard E. Rainwater, which was filed 
           as Exhibit 4(f) to the Company's quarterly report on Form 10-Q
           for the quarterly period ended December 31, 1995, and is 
           incorporated herein by reference.                                IBR
*  4.7     Amendment No. 1 to Stock and Warrant Purchase Agreement, dated 
           January 25, 1996, between the Company and Rainwater-Magellan 
           Holdings, L.P.
*  5.1     Opinion of Steve J. Davis as to the legality of the Common Stock 
           to be registered.
* 23.1     Consent of Steve J. Davis (included in Exhibit 5.1)
  23.2     Consent of Arthur Andersen LLP.
* 24.1     Powers of Attorney.

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

*Previously filed





                                       23

<PAGE>




      As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 10, 1996
                                                    Registration No. 333-01217
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549

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

                               AMENDMENT NO. 2 TO
                                    FORM S-3
                             REGISTRATION STATEMENT
                                      UNDER
                           THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

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

                         MAGELLAN HEALTH SERVICES, INC.
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
         Delaware                                               58-1076937
(State or other jurisdiction of                            (I.R.S. Employer
 incorporation or organization)                             Identification No.)

                            3414 Peachtree Road, N.E.
                                   Suite 1400
                             Atlanta, Georgia 30326
                                 (404) 841-9200
                   (Address, including zip code, and telephone
                         number, including area code, of
                    registrant's principal executive offices)

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

                              STEVE J. DAVIS, ESQ.,
                EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT, ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES
                               AND GENERAL COUNSEL
                         Magellan Health Services, Inc.
                            3414 Peachtree Road, N.E.
                                   Suite 1400
                             Atlanta, Georgia 30326
                                 (404) 841-9200
                    (Name , address, including zip code, and
                        telephone number, including area
                           code, of agent for service)

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

                                    Copy to:
                   CRAIG L. MCKNIGHT, EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT
                           AND CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
                         Magellan Health Services, Inc.
                            3414 Peachtree Road, N.E.
                                   Suite 1400
                             Atlanta, Georgia 30326
                                 (404) 841-9200
                      ------------------------------------

                  Approximate date of commencement of proposed
                   sale to public: From time to time after the
                  effective date of the Registration Statement.

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


         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 the delivery of the prospectus is expected to be made pursuant to 
         Rule 434, please check the following box. [ ]

         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>



PROSPECTUS                                                         May 10, 1996
                                4,000,000 SHARES

                         MAGELLAN HEALTH SERVICES, INC.

                                  COMMON STOCK
                                ($.25 Par Value)

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


         The 4,000,000  shares (the  "Shares") of common  stock,  $.25 par value
("Common Stock"),  of Magellan Health Services,  Inc.,  formerly Charter Medical
Corporation ("Magellan" or the "Company"),  may be offered for sale from time to
time by and for the account of Rainwater-Magellan  Holdings,  L.P. (the "Selling
Stockholder").  See "Selling  Stockholder." The Selling Stockholder acquired the
Shares,  along with a warrant to  purchase  an  additional  2,000,000  shares of
Common  Stock  (the  "Warrant")  on  January  25,  1996 in a  private  placement
transaction with the Company. Magellan will not receive any of the proceeds from
the sale of the Shares by the Selling Stockholder.

         Magellan is  registering  the Shares as required by a Stock and Warrant
Purchase  Agreement dated December 22, 1995, as amended,  among Magellan and the
Selling Stockholder (the "Stock and Warrant Purchase Agreement"), to provide the
Selling Stockholder with freely tradeable  securities.  Magellan has also agreed
to pay all fees and  expenses  incident  to such  registration,  other  than any
underwriting discounts or any selling commissions payable in respect of sales of
the Shares, which will be paid by the Selling Stockholder.  It is estimated that
the fees and expenses payable by the Company in connection with the registration
of the Shares will be  approximately  $55,000.  Magellan  has agreed to keep the
Registration  Statement (as  hereinafter  defined)  current and  effective  with
certain  exceptions  for so long as the Selling  Stockholder  and its affiliates
collectively  own at least  25% of the  Shares  and the  shares  underlying  the
Warrant. See "Plan of Distribution."

         The Common Stock is listed on the  American  Stock  Exchange  under the
symbol  "MGL." On May 9, 1996,  the last reported sale price of the Common Stock
on the American Stock Exchange was $22.625 per share.

         The Selling Stockholder from time to time may offer and sell the Shares
directly or through agents or  broker-dealers  on the American Stock Exchange or
otherwise  on prices and terms  related to the then  current  market price or in
privately  negotiated  transactions.  To the extent  required,  the names of any
agent or  broker-dealer  and  applicable  commissions or discounts and any other
required  information  with respect to any particular offer will be set forth in
an accompanying  Prospectus Supplement.  See "Plan of Distribution." The Selling
Stockholder  reserves  the sole right to accept or reject,  in whole or in part,
any proposed purchase of the Shares to be made directly or through agents.

         Certain  transfer  restrictions  have been placed on the Shares offered
hereby pursuant to the Stock and Warrant  Purchase  Agreement.  As a result,  no
more than 40,000 Shares may be sold by the Selling Stockholder or its affiliates
prior to January  25,  1997.  Further,  prior to January 25,  2000,  the Selling
Stockholder or its affiliates may not sell or transfer in a privately negotiated
transaction to a single purchaser and its affiliates, or any "group" (as defined
in Rule  13d-5(b)(1)  under the  Securities  Exchange  Act of 1934,  as amended)
Shares and shares  underlying  the  Warrant  which  would  equal or exceed  five
percent  (5%) of the Common Stock then  outstanding  on a  fully-diluted  basis.
Neither of these restrictions  affect the free  transferability of the Shares or
shares issued upon exercise of the Warrant among the Selling Stockholder and its
affiliates.

         The  Selling   Stockholder  and  any  agents  or  broker-dealers   that
participate  with the Selling  Stockholder in the distribution of the Shares may
be deemed to be "underwriters" within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933,
as amended (the "1933 Act"), and any commissions received by them and any profit
on the  resale of the  Shares may be deemed to be  underwriting  commissions  or
discounts   under  the  1933  Act.  See  "Plan  of   Distribution"   herein  for
indemnification arrangements among Magellan and the Selling Stockholder.

         THERE ARE CERTAIN RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH AN INVESTMENT IN MAGELLAN 
COMMON STOCK.  FOR A DISCUSSION OF SUCH RISKS, SEE "RISK FACTORS" BEGINNING ON
PAGE 3.

         THESE   SECURITIES  HAVE  NOT  BEEN  APPROVED  OR  DISAPPROVED  BY  THE
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE  COMMISSION OR ANY STATE  SECURITIES  COMMISSION NOR HAS
THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION PASSED
UPON THE  ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS  PROSPECTUS.  ANY  REPRESENTATION  TO THE
CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.

                     The Date of this Prospectus is May 10,
1996.


                                        1

<PAGE>



                              AVAILABLE INFORMATION

         Magellan is subject to the informational requirements of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), and,  accordingly,  files
reports, proxy statements and other information with the Securities and Exchange
Commission  (the  "Commission").   Such  reports,  proxy  statements  and  other
information filed with the Commission by Magellan can be inspected and copied at
the office of the Commission at Room 1024, 450 Fifth Street,  N.W.,  Washington,
D.C.  20549, or at its Regional  Offices located at 7 World Trade Center,  Suite
1300,  New York,  New York  10048,  and 500 West  Madison  Street,  Suite  1400,
Chicago,  Illinois 60661,  and copies of such materials can be obtained from the
Public  Reference  Section  of  the  Commission  at  450  Fifth  Street,   N.W.,
Washington,  D.C. 20549, at prescribed  rates. In addition,  the Common Stock of
Magellan is listed on the  American  Stock  Exchange,  and such  reports,  proxy
statements  and other  information  concerning  Magellan can be inspected at the
offices of the American Stock  Exchange,  86 Trinity  Place,  New York, New York
10006.

         Magellan has filed with the Commission a Registration Statement on Form
S-3 (together with any amendments,  the "Registration Statement") under the 1933
Act, covering the shares of Common Stock being offered by this Prospectus.  This
Prospectus, which is part of the Registration Statement, does not contain all of
the information and  undertakings  set forth in the  Registration  Statement and
reference is made to such Registration Statement,  including exhibits, which may
be inspected and copied in the manner and at the locations  specified above, for
further  information  with respect to Magellan and the Common Stock.  Statements
contained in this Prospectus  concerning the provisions of any documents are not
necessarily  complete  and, in each  instance,  reference is made to the copy of
such documents  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.

                 INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE

         The  following  documents  previously  filed  with  the  Commission  by
Magellan  (Commission  File No. 1-6639) are  incorporated by reference into this
Prospectus:

         (i)      Magellan's  Annual  Report  on Form 10-K for the  fiscal  year
                  ended  September  30, 1995, as amended on Form 10-K/A filed on
                  December 28, 1995;

         (ii)     Magellan's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended
                  December 31, 1995; and

         (iii)    The  description  of the Magellan  Common Stock in  Magellan's
                  registration statement on Form 8-A filed on July 8, 1992.

         In  addition,  all  documents  filed by  Magellan  pursuant to Sections
13(a),  13(c),  14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act  subsequent  to the date of this
Prospectus  and prior to the  termination  of the offering  made pursuant to the
Registration  Statement shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference into and
to be a part of this Prospectus  from the date of filing of such documents.  Any
statement  contained in a document so  incorporated by reference shall be deemed
to be modified or superseded for purposes of this  Prospectus to the extent that
a statement  contained in this Prospectus,  or in any other  subsequently  filed
document which is also  incorporated  by reference,  modifies or supersedes such
statement.  Any such statement so modified or superseded  shall not be deemed to
constitute a part of this Prospectus except as so modified or superseded.

         Magellan  will  provide,  without  charge,  to each person to whom this
Prospectus is delivered,  upon the written or oral request of any such person, a
copy of any or all of the documents  incorporated  by reference  (not  including
exhibits to such documents unless such exhibits are specifically incorporated by
reference in such  documents).  Requests for copies of such documents  should be
directed to Mr. Craig L. McKnight,  Executive Vice President and Chief Financial
Officer,  Magellan Health Services, Inc., 3414 Peachtree Road, N.E., Suite 1400,
Atlanta, Georgia 30326, telephone (404) 841-9200.



                                        2

<PAGE>



                                  RISK FACTORS

         In addition to the other information in this Prospectus,  the following
factors  should be  considered  carefully in  evaluating  an  investment  in the
Magellan Common Stock.

Acquisition Growth Strategy

         The Company has  historically  grown through  acquisitions and internal
growth.  There  can be no  assurance  that  the  Company  will  be  able to make
successful  acquisitions  in the  future or that any such  acquisitions  will be
successfully  integrated into its operations.  In addition,  future acquisitions
could have an adverse effect upon the Company's operating results,  particularly
in  the  fiscal  quarters   immediately   following  the  consummation  of  such
transactions  while  the  acquired  operations  are  being  integrated  into its
operations.

Green Spring Health Services, Inc. Acquisition and Potential Adverse Reaction

         On December 13, 1995,  the Company  acquired a controlling  interest in
Green Spring Health  Services,  Inc.  ("Green  Spring"),  a leading  provider of
managed behavioral  healthcare services.  The Company's hospitals have contracts
with  behavioral  managed care  companies  other than Green  Spring.  Such other
companies could decide to terminate their contracts with the Company's hospitals
in reaction to the Company's  acquisition of a majority interest in one of their
major competitors. In addition, there can be no assurance that Green Spring will
be successfully integrated into the Company's operations.

Historical Operating Losses

         The Company has experienced  losses from continuing  operations  before
reorganization items,  extraordinary items and the cumulative effect of a change
in accounting principle in each fiscal year since the completion of a management
buyout in 1988. Such losses amounted to $167.2 million for the fiscal year ended
September 30, 1991,  $81.7 million for the ten-month period ended July 31, 1992,
$8.1  million  for the  two-month  period  ended  September  30,  1992 and $39.6
million,  $47.0 million and $43.0  million for the fiscal years ended  September
30,  1993,  1994 and 1995,  respectively.  The Company  reported net revenue and
income from continuing  operations of approximately $263.9 million and $349,000,
respectively,  for the quarter  ended  December 31, 1994 compared to net revenue
and income from continuing  operations of approximately  $295.7 million and $9.7
million,  respectively,  for the quarter ended December 31, 1995. The results of
operations for such interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the actual
results  expected  for the year.  There can be no assurance  that the  Company's
profitability  in the quarter  ended  December 31, 1995 will  continue in future
periods.  The  Company's  history of losses could have an adverse  effect on its
operations.

Potential Hospital Closures

         The Company  continually  assesses events and changes in  circumstances
that could affect its  business  strategy  and the  viability  of its  operating
facilities. During fiscal 1995, the Company consolidated, closed or sold fifteen
psychiatric  hospitals.  The Company has  consolidated or closed six psychiatric
hospitals  during fiscal 1996,  including the April 1996 decision to close three
psychiatric   hospitals.   The   Company   anticipates   recording   charges  of
approximately $200,000 and $2.5 million in the quarterly periods ended March 31,
1996 and June 30, 1996,  respectively,  as a result of these  consolidations and
closures.  The Company may elect to consolidate services in selected markets and
to close or sell  additional  facilities in future  periods  depending on market
conditions and evolving  business  strategies.  If the Company closes additional
psychiatric  hospitals in future  periods,  it could result in charges to income
for the cost necessary to exit the hospital operations.

Potential Reductions in Reimbursement by
Third-Party Payers and Changes in Hospital Payor Mix

         The  Company's  hospitals  have  been  adversely  affected  by  factors
influencing the entire psychiatric  hospital industry.  Factors which affect the
Company  include  (i)  the  imposition  of more  stringent  length  of stay  and
admission  criteria  and other cost  containment  measures  by payers;  (ii) the
failure of reimbursement  rate increases from certain payers that reimburse on a
per diem or other  discounted basis to offset increases in the cost of providing
services; (iii)

                                        3

<PAGE>



an increase in the  percentage  of its  business  that the Company  derives from
payers that  reimburse  on a per diem or other  discounted  basis;  (iv) a trend
toward higher  deductible and  co-insurance for individual  patients;  and (v) a
trend toward limiting employee health benefits, such as reductions in annual and
lifetime  limits on mental health  coverage.  All of these factors may result in
reductions in the amounts that the Company's hospitals can expect to collect per
patient day for services provided.

         For the fiscal year ended  September  30,  1995,  the  Company  derived
approximately  47%  of  its  gross  psychiatric  patient  service  revenue  from
private-pay sources (including HMOs, PPOs, commercial insurance and Blue Cross),
26% from Medicare,  17% from Medicaid,  4% from the Civilian  Health and Medical
Program for the  Uniformed  Services  ("CHAMPUS")  and 6% from other  government
programs.  Changes in the mix of the Company's  patients among the  private-pay,
Medicare and  Medicaid  categories,  and among  different  types of  private-pay
sources,  can significantly  affect the profitability of the Company's  hospital
operations.   Therefore,   there  can  be  no  assurance   that  payments  under
governmental  and  private  third-party  payor  programs  will  remain at levels
comparable to present levels or will, in the future,  be sufficient to cover the
costs of providing care to patients covered by such programs.

Previous Bankruptcy Reorganization

         The Company was reorganized pursuant to Chapter 11 of the United States
Bankruptcy Code, effective on July 21, 1992 (the "Reorganization"). Prior to the
Reorganization, the Company's total indebtedness was approximately $1.8 billion;
and from  February  1991  until  July 1992,  the  Company  was in default in the
payment  of  interest  and  principal,   or  both,  on  substantially  all  such
indebtedness.  The indebtedness was incurred by the Company in connection with a
management buy-out of the Company in 1988 and a  hospital-construction  program.
As a result of the  Reorganization,  the Company's long-term debt was reduced by
approximately  $700 million and its redeemable  preferred  stock of $233 million
was  eliminated.   The  holders  of  such  debt  and  preferred  stock  received
approximately 97% of Magellan's Common Stock outstanding on July 21, 1992.

Governmental Budgetary Constraints and Healthcare Reform

         In the 1995 and 1996 sessions of the United States Congress,  the focus
of healthcare  legislation has been on budgetary and related  funding  mechanism
issues.  A number of reports,  including  the 1995 Annual Report of the Board of
Trustees of the Federal  Hospital  Insurance  Program  (Medicare) have projected
that the Medicare "trust fund" is likely to become insolvent by the year 2002 if
the current growth rate of approximately 10% per annum in Medicare  expenditures
continues.  Similarly, federal and state expenditures under the Medicaid program
are projected to increase  significantly  during the same seven-year  period. In
response to these projected expenditure  increases,  and as part of an effort to
balance the federal  budget,  both the Congress  and the Clinton  Administration
have made  proposals  to reduce the rate of increase in  projected  Medicare and
Medicaid expenditures and to change funding mechanisms and other aspects of both
programs.   Congress  has  passed   legislation   that  would  reduce  projected
expenditure  increases  substantially and would make significant  changes in the
Medicare  and the Medicaid  programs.  The Clinton  Administration  has proposed
alternate  measures  to  reduce,  to a lesser  extent,  projected  increases  in
Medicare and Medicaid expenditures.  As of the date of this Prospectus,  neither
proposal has become law.

         The Medicare  legislation that has been adopted by Congress would, with
some differences,  reduce projected expenditure increases by a variety of means,
including  reduced  payments to providers  (including  the  Company),  increased
beneficiary  premiums for physician and certain other services,  and creation of
incentives  for  Medicare  beneficiaries  to enroll in managed  care plans or to
accept Medicare coverage with a substantially  increased deductible.  Changes in
the  Medicaid  program  would  reduce the number and extent of federal  mandates
concerning how state Medicaid  programs  operate  (including  levels of benefits
provided  and levels of  payments  to  providers)  and would  change the funding
mechanism from a sharing formula  between the federal  government and a state to
"block  grant"  funding.  The  Company  cannot  predict  the  effect of any such
legislation,  if adopted,  on its operations;  but the Company anticipates that,
although  overall  Medicare and Medicaid  funding may be reduced from  projected
levels, the changes in such programs may provide opportunities to the Company to
obtain increased Medicare and Medicaid business through  risk-sharing or partial
risk-sharing contracts with managed care plans and state Medicaid programs.

         Although  the  United  States  Congress,  in  1995  and  1996,  has not
considered  healthcare reform proposals,  the Company  anticipates that numerous
healthcare reform proposals will continue to be introduced in future sessions of

                                        4

<PAGE>



Congress.  The Company cannot predict whether any such proposal will be adopted
or the effect on the Company of any proposal that does become law.

         A number of states in which the  Company  has  operations  have  either
adopted or are  considering  the  adoption of  healthcare  reform  proposals  of
general  applicability  or  Medicaid  reform  proposals,  partly in  response to
possible  changes in Medicaid law. Where  adopted,  these state reform laws have
often not yet been fully  implemented.  The Company cannot predict the effect of
these state healthcare reform and Medicaid reform laws on its operations.

Provider Business-Competition

         Each of the Company's hospitals competes with other hospitals,  some of
which are larger and have greater financial resources.  Some competing hospitals
are  owned  and  operated  by   governmental   agencies,   others  by  nonprofit
organizations supported by endowments and charitable contributions and others by
proprietary hospital  corporations.  The hospitals frequently draw patients from
areas outside their immediate  locale and,  therefore,  the Company's  hospitals
may,  in certain  markets,  compete  with both local and distant  hospitals.  In
addition,  the  Company's  hospitals  compete  not only with  other  psychiatric
hospitals,  but also with psychiatric units in general hospitals, and outpatient
services  provided by the Company may compete  with  private  practicing  mental
health  professionals and publicly funded mental health centers. The competitive
position of a hospital is, to a significant  degree,  dependent  upon the number
and quality of  physicians  who  practice at the hospital and who are members of
its medical staff. The Company has entered into joint venture  arrangements with
other healthcare  providers in certain markets to promote more efficiency in the
local delivery system.  The Company believes that its provider business competes
effectively with respect to the aforementioned factors. However, there can be no
assurance  that  Magellan will be able to compete  successfully  in the provider
business in the future.

         Competition among hospitals and other healthcare providers for patients
has intensified in recent years.  During this period,  hospital  occupancy rates
for inpatient  behavioral  care patients in the United States have declined as a
result  of  cost  containment   pressures,   changing  technology,   changes  in
reimbursement,  changes  in  practice  patterns  from  inpatient  to  outpatient
treatment  and other  factors.  In recent  years,  the  competitive  position of
hospitals has been affected by the ability of such hospitals to obtain contracts
with   Preferred   Provider   Organizations   ("PPO's"),    Health   Maintenance
Organizations ("HMO's") and other managed care programs to provide inpatient and
other services.  Such contracts  normally involve a discount from the hospital's
established  charges,  but provide a base of patient referrals.  These contracts
also  frequently  provide for  pre-admission  certification  and for  concurrent
length of stay reviews.  The importance of obtaining contracts with HMO's, PPO's
and other managed care companies varies from market to market,  depending on the
individual  market strength of the managed care companies.  State certificate of
need laws place  limitations  on the Company's and its  competitors'  ability to
build  new  hospitals  and to expand  existing  hospitals.  Protection  from new
competition  is reduced in those  states where there is no  certificate  of need
law,  and  opportunities  for growth  are  limited  by the  certificate  of need
requirement  in states  having  such laws.  As of April 30,  1996,  the  Company
operated 40 hospitals in 12 states  (Arizona,  Arkansas,  California,  Colorado,
Indiana,  Kansas,  Louisiana,  Nevada, New Mexico, South Dakota, Texas and Utah)
which do not have  certificate  of need laws  applicable to  hospitals.  In most
cases,  these laws do not restrict the ability of the Company or its competitors
to offer  new  outpatient  services.  Proposals  have  been  made in a number of
jurisdictions to repeal currently  applicable  certificate of need laws. Several
states have instituted moratoria on new certificates of need or otherwise stated
their intent not to grant approval for new facilities.

Managed Care Business - Competition

         The Company,  through its Green Spring subsidiary,  now operates in the
managed healthcare  industry.  The managed healthcare industry is being affected
by various external factors  including rising  healthcare  costs,  intense price
competition, and market consolidation by major managed care companies.  Magellan
faces  competition from a number of sources  including other  behavioral  health
managed care companies and traditional  full service managed care companies that
contract to provide behavioral  healthcare  benefits.  Also, to a lesser extent,
competition  exists  from fully  capitated  multi-specialty  medical  groups and
individual  practice  associations  that  directly  contract  with  managed care
companies and other customers to provide and manage all components of healthcare
for the members  including  the  behavioral  healthcare  component.  The Company
believes  that the most  significant  factors  in a  customer's  selection  of a
managed  behavioral  healthcare  company include price,  the extent and depth of
provider networks and quality of

                                        5

<PAGE>



services. The Company also believes that the acquisition of Green Spring creates
opportunities to enhance its revenues  through managed care contracts  utilizing
the  continuum  of care  and  through  information  systems  that  support  care
management  and at-risk  pricing  mechanisms,  although no such assurance can be
given.  Management believes that its managed care business competes  effectively
with respect to these factors.  However, there can be no assurance that Magellan
will be able to compete successfully in the managed care business in the future.

Limitations Imposed by the Credit Agreement
and Senior Note Indenture

         In May 1994,  the Company  entered  into a Second  Amended and Restated
Credit Agreement (the "Credit  Agreement") with certain  financial  institutions
and issued $375 million of Senior  Subordinated  Notes (the  "Senior  Notes") to
institutional  investors.  The Credit Agreement and the indenture for the Senior
Notes contain a number of restrictive covenants which, among other things, limit
the  ability of the  Company  and  certain of its  subsidiaries  to incur  other
indebtedness,  enter into certain joint venture transactions,  incur liens, make
certain  restricted  payments  and  investments,  enter  into  certain  business
combination and asset sale  transactions  and make capital  expenditures.  These
restrictions  could  adversely  affect the  Company's  ability  to  conduct  its
operations,   finance  its  capital  needs  or  to  pursue  attractive  business
combinations and joint ventures if such  opportunities  arise.  Under the Credit
Agreement,  the Company also is required to maintain certain specified financial
ratios.  Failure by the Company to maintain such  financial  ratios or to comply
with the  restrictions  contained in the Credit  Agreement and the indenture for
the   Senior   Notes   could   cause  such   indebtedness   (and  by  reason  of
cross-acceleration provisions, other indebtedness) to become immediately due and
payable and/or could cause the cessation of funding under the Credit Agreement.

Regulatory Environment

         The federal  government  and all states in which the  Company  operates
regulate various aspects of the Company's  businesses.  Such regulations provide
for periodic  inspections or other reviews of the Company's provider  operations
by, among others,  state  agencies,  the United States  Department of Health and
Human Services (the "Department") and CHAMPUS to determine compliance with their
respective  standards of care and other  applicable  conditions of participation
which is necessary  for  continued  licensure  or  participation  in  identified
healthcare  programs,  including,  but not limited to,  Medicare,  Medicaid  and
CHAMPUS. The Company is also subject to state regulation regarding the admission
and treatment of patients and federal regulations  regarding  confidentiality of
medical records of substance abuse patients.  Although the Company  endeavors to
comply with such  regulatory  requirements,  there can be no assurance  that the
Company  will always be in full  compliance.  The failure to obtain or renew any
required   regulatory   approvals  or  licenses  or  to  qualify  for  continued
participation  in identified  healthcare  programs  could  adversely  affect the
Company's  operations.  In addition,  there is currently pending before Congress
legislation  that would  establish  a program  to  control  fraud and abuse with
respect to health plans maintained by all public and private payers,  as opposed
to  current  fraud and abuse laws that  relate  only to  specified  governmental
payers.

         The  Company  is also  subject to  federal  and state laws that  govern
financial and other arrangements between healthcare providers.  These laws often
prohibit certain direct and indirect payments between healthcare  providers that
are  designed  to induce  overutilization  of  services  paid for by Medicare or
Medicaid. Such laws include the anti-kickback provisions of the federal Medicare
and  Medicaid  Patients and Program  Protection  Act of 1987.  These  provisions
prohibit, among other things, the offer, payment, solicitation or receipt of any
form of  remuneration  in return  for the  referral  of  Medicare  and  Medicaid
patients.  GPA, the Company's subsidiary that owns or manages professional group
practices,  is  subject  to the  federal  and the  state  illegal  remuneration,
practice of medicine and certain other laws which prohibit the  subsidiary  from
owning,  but not  managing,  professional  practices.  In addition,  some states
prohibit business  corporations from providing,  or holding  themselves out as a
provider of, medical care. The Company  endeavors to comply with all federal and
state laws applicable to its business. However, a violation of these federal and
state laws may result in civil or criminal penalties for individuals or entities
or exclusion from participation in identified healthcare programs.

         Magellan's  managed  care  business  operations,  in some  states,  are
subject  to  utilization   review,   licensure  and  related  state   regulation
procedures.  Green Spring provides  managed  behavioral  healthcare  services to
various Blue Cross/Blue  Shield plans that operate  Medicare and Medicaid health
maintenance  organizations  or other  at-risk  managed  care  programs  and that
participate in the Blue Cross Federal Employees health program.  As a contractor
to these Blue

                                        6

<PAGE>



Cross/Blue Shield plans, Green Spring is indirectly subject to federal and, with
respect to the Medicaid program,  state monitoring and regulation of performance
and financial reporting  requirements.  Although Magellan believes that it is in
compliance with all current state and federal regulatory requirements applicable
to the managed  care  business  it  conducts,  failure to do so could  adversely
affect its operations.

         Physician  ownership of or investment  in healthcare  entities to which
they refer patients has come under increasing scrutiny at both state and federal
levels.  Congress passed  legislation  (commonly referred to as "Stark I") which
prohibits  physicians from referring  Medicare patients for clinical  laboratory
services to an entity with which the physician has a financial relationship. The
Department recently published final Stark I regulations on August 14, 1995. Such
regulations  will govern how the  Department  views and reviews these  financial
relationships.  Additionally,  Congress passed legislation (commonly referred to
as "Stark II") which prohibits  physicians  from referring  Medicare or Medicaid
patients  for  certain  designated  health  services,  including  inpatient  and
outpatient  hospital  services,  to entities in which they have an  ownership or
investment  interest  or with which they have a  compensation  arrangement.  The
entity is also  prohibited  from billing the  Medicare or Medicaid  programs for
such  services  rendered  pursuant  to a  prohibited  referral.  To  the  extent
designated  services  are  provided by the  Company's  provider and managed care
operations,  physicians who have a financial  relationship  with the Company and
the  Company  will be subject to the  provisions  of Stark II.  Some states have
passed similar legislation which prohibits the referral of private pay patients.
To date, the Department has not published  Stark II  regulations.  However,  the
Department  indicated  that  it  will  review  referrals  involving  any  of the
designated  services  under the  language and  interpretations  set forth in the
Stark I rule.

         The  Company's  acquisitions  and  joint  venture  activities  are also
subject to federal antitrust laws. The healthcare  industry has recently been an
active area of antitrust  enforcement  action by the United States Federal Trade
Commission  (the "FTC") and the  Department  of Justice  ("DOJ").  The Company's
acquisitions and joint venture  arrangements could be the subject of a DOJ or an
FTC enforcement action which, if determined adversely to the Company, could have
a material adverse effect upon the Company's operations.

         Changes in laws or regulations or new  interpretations of existing laws
or regulations  can have an adverse effect on the Company's  operating  methods,
costs,  reimbursement  amounts and acquisition and joint venture activities.  In
addition,  the  healthcare  industry  is  subject  to  increasing   governmental
scrutiny, and additional laws and regulations may be enacted which could require
changes in the  Company's  operations.  A federal or state  agency  charged with
enforcement of such laws and regulations  might assert an interpretation of such
laws and  resolutions  or may increase  scrutiny of a previously  ignored  area,
which may require changes in the Company's operations.

Dependence on Healthcare Professionals

         Physicians  traditionally have been the source of a significant portion
of the patients treated at the Company's  hospitals.  Therefore,  the success of
the  Company's  hospitals  is dependent in part on the number and quality of the
physicians on the medical staffs of its hospitals and their admission practices.
A small  number of  physicians  account  for a  significant  portion  of patient
admissions at some of the Company's  hospitals.  There can be no assurance  that
the  Company  can  retain its  current  physicians  on staff or that  additional
physician relationships will be developed in the future.  Furthermore,  hospital
physicians  generally are not  employees of the Company and in general  Magellan
does not have contractual  arrangements with hospital physicians restricting the
ability of such physicians to practice elsewhere.

Potential General and Professional Liability

         Effective June 1, 1995, Plymouth Insurance Company, Ltd.  ("Plymouth"),
a wholly-owned Bermuda subsidiary of the Company,  provides general and hospital
professional  liability  insurance  up to $25  million  per  occurrence  for the
Company's hospitals.  All of the risk of losses from $1.5 million to $25 million
per occurrence has been reinsured with unaffiliated  insurers.  The Company also
insures  with an  unaffiliated  insurer  100% of the risk of losses  between $25
million and $100 million per occurrence, subject to an annual aggregate limit of
$75  million.  The  Company's  general and  professional  liability  coverage is
written on a "claims made or circumstances reported" basis. For reinsured claims
between $10 and $25 million per occurrence,  the Company has an annual aggregate
limit of coverage of $30 million.  For reinsured claims between $1.5 million and
$10 million per  occurrence,  the Company has no significant  limitations on the
aggregate dollar amounts of coverage.

                                        7

<PAGE>



         For the six years from June 1, 1989 through May 31,  1995,  the Company
had a similar general and hospital professional liability insurance program. For
those years,  the per occurrence  deductible  (with respect to which the Company
was self-insured) was $2.5 million for the years ended May 31, 1990 and 1991, $2
million for the years ended May 31, 1992 and 1993 and $1.5 million  (relating to
the Company's  general  hospitals sold on September 30, 1993) for the year ended
May 31, 1994. For psychiatric  hospitals,  Plymouth's coverage did not contain a
per occurrence deductible for the years ended May 31, 1994 and 1995. In December
1994,  the per  occurrence  deductible for the years ended May 31, 1989 and 1990
was eliminated. Plymouth provides coverage with no per occurrence deductible for
hospital  system  claims  which had not been paid prior to  December  31,  1994.
Plymouth does not underwrite any insurance  policies with any parties other than
the Company or its affiliates and subsidiaries.

         The amount of expense relating to Magellan's  malpractice insurance may
materially increase or decrease from year to year depending, among other things,
on the nature and number of new reported claims against  Magellan and amounts of
settlements of previously reported claims. To date, Magellan has not experienced
a loss in excess of policy limits.  Management believes that its coverage limits
are adequate.  However,  losses in excess of the limits  described  above or for
which insurance is otherwise  unavailable  could have a material  adverse effect
upon the Company.

Potential Expiration and Realization Uncertainties Related
to Estimated Tax Net Operating Loss Carryforwards

         As of September  30, 1995,  the Company had estimated tax net operating
loss ('NOL")  carryforwards  of approximately  $233 million  available to reduce
future federal taxable income.  These NOL  carryforwards  expire in 2006 through
2009 and are subject to  adjustment  upon  examination  by the Internal  Revenue
Service.  Due  to  the  ownership  change  which  occurred  as a  result  of the
Reorganization,  the  Company's  utilization  of  NOLs  generated  prior  to the
effective date of the  Reorganization  is limited.  Based on this limitation and
certain  other  factors,  the Company  has  recorded a  valuation  allowance  of
approximately  $93.2  million  against the amount of the NOL  deferred tax asset
that in  Management's  opinion,  is not likely to be recovered.  There can be no
assurance that these NOL  carryforwards  will not expire,  be reduced or be made
subject to further  limitations  prior to their potential  utilization in future
periods.

Capitation Arrangements

         The Company's  managed care business  contracts with companies  holding
state HMO or insurance  company licenses on a capitated or "at-risk" basis where
the risk of patient care is assumed by the Company in exchange for a monthly fee
per member regardless of utilization level. As of March 31, 1996,  approximately
30% of Green Spring's  managed care members were under  capitated  arrangements.
During 1995,  approximately  70% of Green  Spring's  revenues  were from at-risk
contracts.   Increases  in  utilization   levels  under  capitated   contractual
arrangements could adversely effect the operations of the managed care business.

         Some jurisdictions are taking the position that capitated agreements in
which the provider bears the risk should be regulated by insurance laws. In this
regard, Green Spring's primary customers are comprised of Blue Cross/Blue Shield
Plans and other insurance entities which are licensed insurance organizations in
their respective states.  Green Spring offers "carved out" managed mental health
benefits,  on a  wholesale  basis,  as  a  vendor  to  the  regulated  insurance
organizations.  Most current  employer group  relationships  are also contracted
through the respective regulated insurance  organizations.  However, as Magellan
and Green  Spring  develop  more  direct  risk  arrangements  on a retail  basis
directly with  employer  groups or other  non-insurance  entity  customers,  the
Company may be required to obtain  insurance  licenses in the respective  states
where the direct risk arrangements are to be pursued.  There can be no assurance
that the Company can obtain the insurance  licenses  required by the  respective
states in a timely or cost effective manner to respond to market demand.



                                        8

<PAGE>



Shares Eligible for Future Sale

         Upon completion of this offering,  the Shares will be eligible for sale
in the open market without  restriction,  except that no more than 40,000 shares
may be sold by the Selling  Stockholder or its  affiliates  prior to January 25,
1997. In addition,  the 2,000,000  shares of Common Stock underlying the Warrant
will be eligible  for sale in the open market  without  restriction  on or after
January 25, 1997, assuming  registration of the offer and sale of such shares in
the manner required by the Stock and Warrant Purchase  Agreement.  In connection
with the acquisition of a majority interest in Green Spring, the remaining Green
Spring  stockholders,  consisting  of four Blue  Cross/Blue  Shield  plans  (the
"Minority  Stockholders")  have the  option,  under  certain  circumstances,  to
exchange their ownership  interests in Green Spring for 2,831,739  shares of the
Company's Common Stock or $65.1 million in the Company's subordinated notes (the
"Exchange Option"). Assuming exercise by all of the Minority Stockholders of the
Exchange Option,  all 2,831,739 shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of
the  Exchange  Option  will be  eligible  for  sale in the open  market  without
restriction.  As of March  31,  1996,  the  Company's  officers,  directors  and
employees  held  options for the  purchase of  2,884,824  shares of Common Stock
(973,848 of which are  currently  vested and  1,910,976  of which are subject to
vesting periods of up to four years in duration).  Upon exercise,  the shares of
Common  Stock  underlying  such  options  will be eligible  for sale on the open
market without  restriction,  except that Directors and certain  Officers of the
Company  must  effect  such sales  pursuant  to Rule 144 under the 1933 Act.  In
January 1995, the Company acquired  National Mentor,  Inc. by issuing  1,409,978
shares of Common Stock which have been  registered  for resale.  Following  this
offering,  sales and  potential  sales of shares of Common  Stock in the  public
market pursuant to Rule 144 or otherwise  could adversely  affect the prevailing
market  prices for the Common  Stock and impair the  Company's  ability to raise
additional equity capital.

Possible Volatility of Stock Price

         The Company  believes  factors  such as  announcements  with respect to
healthcare  reform  measures,   reductions  in  government   healthcare  program
projected  expenditures,  acquisitions and  quarter-to-quarter  and year-to-year
variations in financial  results could cause the market price of Magellan Common
Stock to fluctuate substantially.  Any such adverse announcement with respect to
healthcare  reform  measures  or  program  expenditures,   acquisitions  or  any
shortfall in revenue or earnings  from levels  expected by  securities  analysts
could have an immediate and  significant  adverse effect on the trading price of
Magellan Common Stock in any given period. As a result,  the market for Magellan
Common  Stock may  experience  price and volume  fluctuations  unrelated  to the
operating performance of Magellan. See "Price Range of Common Stock and Dividend
Policy" on page 13.

                                   THE COMPANY

         Magellan is an integrated national behavioral  healthcare company.  The
Company  operates  through  three  principal  subsidiaries  engaging  in (i) the
provider  business,  (ii) the managed care  business and (iii) the public sector
business.

         Charter  Behavioral  Health Systems,  Inc., the Company's  wholly-owned
subsidiary  that  engages  in the  provider  business,  operated  94 acute  care
psychiatric hospitals and two residential  psychiatric treatment centers with an
aggregate  capacity of 8,682 licensed beds as of April 30, 1996.  Eighty-nine of
the Company's hospitals operate partial hospitalization programs and the Company
operates  141  outpatient  centers,  staffed  by  mental  health  professionals.
Approximately  91%  of  the  Company's  fiscal  1995  consolidated  revenue  was
contributed by the provider  business.  Management  estimates that approximately
75% of its fiscal 1996 consolidated  revenue will be contributed by the provider
business.

         Green Spring,  the Company's 61% owned  subsidiary  that engages in the
managed care business,  provides managed behavioral  healthcare services,  which
include (i) Enhanced Utilization  Management,  a utilization review process that
employs  clinical  criteria  designed to provide each  patient with  accessible,
appropriate  and affordable  treatment  across the entire  continuum of care and
services; (ii) Care Management,  a fully integrated healthcare model that offers
utilization review services and provides care to patients through the management
of a national network of contract  providers and Green  Spring-owned staff model
clinics; (iii) Employee Assistance Plans,  employer-paid assessment,  counseling
and  referral  programs  that help  employees  address  personal  and  workplace
problems;  and (iv)  Comprehensive  Administrative  Services,  including  member
assistance, management reporting, claims processing,

                                        9

<PAGE>



clinical management information and provider referral systems that are adaptable
to customer circumstances and requirements through a network of more than 30,000
providers nationwide covering approximately 12.6 million members as of March 31,
1996.  The Company  had no  significant  managed  care  revenue in fiscal  1995.
Management  estimates  that  approximately  15% of its fiscal 1996  consolidated
revenue will be contributed by the managed care business.

         Magellan Public  Solutions,  Inc. ("Public  Solutions"),  the Company's
wholly-owned  subsidiary  that engages in the public sector  business,  provides
specialty  home-based  behavioral  healthcare  services,  behavioral services in
correctional  facilities  and  troubled  and  delinquent  adolescent  facilities
services  pursuant  to  contractual  arrangements  with  governmental  agencies.
Approximately 4% of the Company's fiscal 1995 consolidated  revenue was provided
by the public sector  business.  Management  estimates that less than 10% of its
fiscal  1996  consolidated  revenue  will be  contributed  by the public  sector
business.

         Magellan's  business  strategy is to provide access to a full continuum
of behavioral  healthcare and managed care services and to perform such services
in a cost effective manner with predictable  results.  The Company's  integrated
national  behavioral  healthcare  system has the  capability  to deliver  and to
manage the  delivery of  behavioral  healthcare  services  for large  public and
private payers who need assistance in managing the risk of behavioral healthcare
costs.

         Magellan  was  incorporated  in 1969  under  the  laws of the  State of
Delaware.  Magellan  Common Stock is traded on the American Stock Exchange under
the symbols "MGL." Unless the context otherwise requires, references to Magellan
include  Magellan  Health  Services,  Inc.  and  its  subsidiaries.   Magellan's
principal  executive  offices are located at 3414 Peachtree  Road,  N.E.,  Suite
1400, Atlanta, Georgia 30326, and its telephone number is (404) 841-9200.

Certain Forward-Looking Statements

         In  connection  with  the  "safe  harbor"  provisions  of  the  Private
Securities  Litigation  Reform  Act  of  1995,  the  Company  is  hereby  filing
cautionary  statements  identifying  important  factors  that  could  cause  the
Company's  actual results to differ  materially  from those projected in certain
forward-looking  statements  made by or on behalf of the Company.  Specifically,
the Company has projected the percentage contribution to total revenues for each
of its lines of business for the 1996 fiscal year. The  projections are based on
an analysis of prevailing  conditions  and trends in the  behavioral  healthcare
industry which directly impact the Company.

         Industry  conditions and trends considered by the Company in making the
projections  include (1) the  effects of  competition  on each of the  Company's
lines of business;  (2) increased payer  pressures in the behavioral  healthcare
industry with respect to negotiated rates and other  cost-containment  measures;
and (3) the effects of hospital closures..

         Industry  conditions and trends not considered by the Company in making
the projections include (1) governmental  budgetary constraints which could have
the effect of  restricting  the aggregate  amount of funds  available to support
governmental   healthcare  programs,   including  Medicare  and  Medicaid;   (2)
uncertainties in the regulatory  environment due to proposed  healthcare  reform
legislation,  including changes in Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement programs;
and (3) increased payor and  governmental  investigations  and/or inquiries into
alleged  fraud and abuse  concerns as the Company  cannot  project the effect of
such items. Any legislation  subsequently passed could adversely effect any such
projection.

         There can be no assurances that the projected results will be achieved.
As a result of the factors  identified  above, as well as the factors  described
under "Risk Factors" and other factors,  the Company's actual results could vary
significantly from the performance projected in the forward-looking statements.




                                       10

<PAGE>



                               RECENT DEVELOPMENTS

Green Spring Acquisition

         On December 13, 1995, the Company acquired a 51% ownership  interest in
Green Spring for  approximately  $68.9 million in cash,  the issuance of 215,458
shares of Common Stock valued at approximately $4.3 million and the contribution
of Group Practice Affiliates, a wholly-owned Magellan subsidiary, which became a
wholly-owned  subsidiary  of Green  Spring.  On December 20,  1995,  the Company
acquired an additional 10% ownership  interest in Green Spring for approximately
$16.7  million in cash as a result of an exercise by a minority  stockholder  of
its Exchange Option for a portion of the stockholder's interest in Green Spring.
The Company currently has a 61% ownership interest in Green Spring.

         The Company  believes  the Green Spring  acquisition  created the first
fully integrated national behavioral healthcare system and gives the Company the
capability  to provide case  management  and delivery  services to large private
organizations and a public sector marketplace seeking increased privatization of
services.  The Company  changed its name to Magellan  Health  Services,  Inc. on
December 21, 1995 to reflect the broader range of services it expects to provide
as a  result  of the  Green  Spring  acquisition  and  the  creation  of  Public
Solutions.

         The  minority  stockholders  of  Green  Spring  consist  of  four  Blue
Cross/Blue  Shield  organizations  (the "Blues") that are key customers of Green
Spring. In addition, two other Blues organizations that formerly owned a portion
of Green  Spring will  continue as customers  of Green  Spring.  As of March 31,
1996, the minority  stockholders of Green Spring have the Exchange Option, which
under certain circumstances,  allows the minority stockholders to exchange their
ownership  interests in Green  Spring for  2,831,739  shares of Magellan  Common
Stock or $65.1 million in subordinated  notes. The Company may elect to pay cash
in lieu of issuing the subordinated  notes. The Exchange Option expires December
13, 1998.

Sale of Common Stock and Warrant

         On January  25,  1996,  the Company  completed  the sale to the Selling
Stockholder  of the  Shares,  along with a warrant  to  purchase  an  additional
2,000,000  shares of Common  Stock,  pursuant to the Stock and Warrant  Purchase
Agreement.  The Warrant,  which expires in January,  2000,  entitles the Selling
Stockholder  to purchase such  additional  shares of Common Stock at a per share
price of $26.15, subject to adjustment for certain dilutive events, and provides
registration  rights for the shares of Common Stock underlying the Warrant.  The
aggregate  purchase price for the Shares and the Warrant was  $69,732,000.  Upon
completion  of the  acquisition  of the  Shares  (and prior to  exercise  of the
Warrant),  the Selling  Stockholder owned approximately 12.2% of the outstanding
voting  securities of Magellan.  The Warrant becomes  exercisable on January 25,
1997 and expires on January 25, 2000.

         The Stock and Warrant Purchase Agreement places certain restrictions on
the sale or transfer of the Shares and the Common Stock  issuable  upon exercise
of the Warrants (the "Warrant Shares").  As a result, no more than 40,000 Shares
may be sold by the Selling  Stockholder or its  affiliates  prior to January 25,
1997.  Further,  prior to January  25,  2000,  the  Selling  Stockholder  or its
affiliates may not sell or transfer in a privately  negotiated  transaction to a
single  purchaser  and  its  affiliates  or a  "group"  (  as  defined  in  Rule
13d-5(b)(1)  under the Exchange Act) Shares or Warrant  Shares which would equal
or  exceed  five  percent  (5%)  of  the  Common  Stock  then  outstanding  on a
fully-diluted   basis.   Neither   of  these   restrictions   affect   the  free
transferability of the Shares among the Selling  Stockholder and its affiliates.
In  addition,   the  Stock  and  Warrant  Purchase  Agreement  contains  certain
standstill  covenants on the part of the Selling  Stockholder which, among other
things,  prohibit the Selling  Stockholder  and its affiliates  from  purchasing
additional shares of Common Stock so that they collectively own in excess of 20%
of the outstanding shares of Common Stock prior to January,  1998. The Stock and
Warrant  Purchase  Agreement also grants the Selling  Stockholder  certain board
representation rights. See "Selling Stockholder".

         The Company  used $68.0  million of the  proceeds  from the sale of the
Shares and the Warrant to the Selling Stockholder to repay indebtedness incurred
under the  Company's  Credit  Agreement,  which  indebtedness  was  incurred  in
connection  with the  investments  in Green Spring  during the first  quarter of
fiscal 1996. Total debt  outstanding  under the Credit Agreement after the $68.0
million repayment was approximately $80.6 million. The loans outstanding under

                                       11

<PAGE>



the Credit Agreement as of January 25, 1996  bear interest at a rate of 7.625% 
per annum and mature on March 31, 1999.

                                 USE OF PROCEEDS

         The Company will not receive any of the  proceeds  from the sale of the
Shares.  All of the proceeds from the sale of the Shares will be received by the
Selling Stockholder.

                                    DILUTION

         No dilution will occur from sales of the Shares under this Registration
Statement.  At December 31, 1995,  the net tangible  book value of the Company's
Common Stock was a deficit of $72.0  million or $2.51 per share.  "Net  tangible
book value" per share represents  stockholders' equity less intangible assets of
the Company, divided by the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding. Giving
effect to the sale by the  Company of the Shares and the  Warrant to the Selling
Stockholder  at the  offering  price of  $17.43  per  share,  the pro  forma net
tangible  book value of the Common  Stock at December  31, 1995 was a deficit of
$3.4 million or $0.10 per share.  This represented an immediate  increase in net
tangible book value of $2.41 per share to existing stockholders and an immediate
dilution of $17.53 per share book value to the Selling Stockholder.

                         MAGELLAN RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

         On May 1, 1996,  the Company  announced its  operating  results for the
quarter and the six months ended March 31, 1996. A summary of the results are as
follows (in thousands, except per share data):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                           For the Quarter                 For the Six Months
                                                Ended                           Ended
                                              March 31,                       March 31,
                                      -------------------------         ----------------------
                                        1995            1996              1995         1996
                                      -----------     ---------         ---------    ---------
<S>     <C>                           <C>             <C>               <C>          <C>

Net revenue.........................    $299,817       $354,953         $563,658     $650,618
Net income (loss)...................     (15,100)        20,069          (14,751)      29,817
Earnings (loss) per Common Share:
       Primary......................    $  (0.53)      $   0.63         $  (0.53)    $   0.99
       Fully diluted................    $  (0.53)      $   0.59         $  (0.53)    $   0.96
</TABLE>





                                       12

<PAGE>




                 PRICE RANGE OF COMMON STOCK AND DIVIDEND POLICY

         The Common Stock is listed for trading on the American  Stock  Exchange
(ticker  symbol  "MGL").  As of January 31, 1996,  there were 12,221  holders of
record of the Company's  Common Stock.  The following  table sets forth the high
and low sales prices of the  Company's  Common Stock as reported by the American
Stock Exchange for the periods indicated:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                       Common Stock Sales Prices
                                                       ------------------------
                         Calendar Year                     High          Low
- -------------------------------------------------      ---------      ---------
<S>     <C>                                            <C>            <C>

1993
       Fourth Quarter............................      $    27        $   21

1994
       First Quarter.............................      $    28        $ 21 3/8
       Second Quarter............................         26 1/8        21 3/4
       Third Quarter.............................         28 1/2        21 1/4
       Fourth Quarter............................         28 1/2          19

1995
       First Quarter.............................      $  21 1/4      $ 13 7/8
       Second Quarter............................         19 5/8        15 5/8
       Third Quarter.............................         23 1/4        16 1/4
       Fourth Quarter............................         24 1/4        17 3/8

1996
       First Quarter ............................      $    25        $ 21 3/8
       Second Quarter (through May 10, 1996).....         23 3/4          21

</TABLE>


         The Company has not declared any cash  dividends  during the past three
fiscal  years.  The  Company is  prohibited  from paying  dividends  (other than
dividends payable in shares of Common Stock) on its Common Stock under the terms
of the Credit Agreement,  except for cash dividends that, in the aggregate, from
May 1994, do not exceed 6% of the net cash  proceeds  from  issuances of capital
stock,  reduced  by the  aggregate  cost of stock  purchases  since May 1994 and
certain other limited circumstances.


                                 CAPITALIZATION

         The  following  table sets  forth the  consolidated  capitalization  of
Magellan  as of  December  31,  1995 and as  adjusted to reflect the sale by the
Company of the  Shares  and the  Warrant  on  January  25,  1996 to the  Selling
Stockholder.














                                       13

<PAGE>


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                          December 31, 1995
                                                                -------------------------------------
                                                                   Actual            As Adjusted
                                                                -----------          ----------
                                                                (in thousands, except per share data)
<S>     <C>                                                     <C>                  <C>

Revolving Credit Agreement.................................      $ 148,593           $  80,593
11.25% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2004..................        375,000             375,000
Other long-term debt.......................................         97,528              97,528
Stockholders' equity:
       Preferred stock, without par value;
         10,000 authorized; none issued and outstanding....             --                  --
       Common Stock, $.25 par value; 80,000
         authorized; 28,664 issued and outstanding;
         32,664 issued and outstanding, as adjusted........          7,166               8,166
       Additional paid-in capital..........................        259,370             326,993
       Accumulated deficit.................................       (152,092)           (152,092)
       Warrants outstanding................................             64                  64
       Common Stock in Treasury, 462 shares................         (9,238)             (9,238)
       Cumulative foreign currency adjustments.............         (1,090)             (1,090)
                                                                 ---------            --------
            Total stockholders' equity.....................        104,180             172,803
                                                                 ---------            --------
            Total capitalization...........................      $ 725,301           $ 725,924
                                                                 =========            ========
</TABLE>


                         SELECTED FINANCIAL INFORMATION

         The following table sets forth selected  historical  financial data and
selected pro forma  financial data for Magellan for the year ended September 30,
1995 and the three months  ended  December  31,  1995.  The selected  historical
financial  data for the year ended  September 30, 1995 has been derived from the
historical  financial  statements  of Magellan  audited by Arthur  Andersen LLP,
independent public accountants.  The selected historical  financial data for the
three months ended  December  31, 1995 has been derived from  unaudited  interim
statements  of  operations  of  Magellan.  In the  opinion  of  management,  the
unaudited interim  financial  information  includes all adjustments  (consisting
only  of  normal  recurring   adjustments)   necessary  to  present  fairly  the
information  set forth  therein.  The  selected pro forma  financial  data gives
effect to the January 25, 1996 sale of the Shares to the Selling Stockholder, as
if such sale had occurred on October 1, 1994.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                       Fiscal year ended                 Three months ended
                                                       September 30, 1995                December 31, 1995
                                                  ---------------------------       ----------------------------
                                                   Actual       Pro Forma (1)        Actual         Pro Form (1)
                                                  ---------     -------------       ----------      ------------
<S>                                               <C>           <C>                 <C>             <C>

Net income (loss).............................    $(42,963)      $(39,731)           $ 9,748        $10,493
Average number of common shares outstanding...      27,870         31,870             27,994         31,994
Income (loss) per common share................       (1.54)         (1.25)              0.35           0.33
</TABLE>



         (1) The  adjustments to pro forma net income (loss),  income (loss) per
         common share and average  number of common  shares  outstanding  result
         from the issuance of the  4,000,000  shares to the Selling  Stockholder
         and a related  adjustment to reduce interest  expense,  net of tax, for
         the use of $68.0  million of the  proceeds  from the  issuance  of such
         shares to reduce outstanding  borrowings under the Credit Agreement for
         the fiscal year ended  September  30, 1995 and the three  months  ended
         December 31, 1995.



                                       14

<PAGE>



                               SELLING STOCKHOLDER

         The following table sets forth certain information with respect to the
ownership of the Shares as of December 22, 1995, and as adjusted to reflect the
sale of the Shares offered hereby, by the Selling Stockholder.  The Selling
Stockholder has sole voting and investment power with respect to the Shares.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


                                            Ownership of                      Number of                     Ownership of
                                         Common Stock Before                Shares Being                 Common Stock After
                                             the Offering                    Offered (1)                  the Offering (2)
                                     -----------------------------         ----------------         ------------------------------

                                      Number of                                                      Number of
        Name                           Shares             Percent                                     Shares             Percent
- ---------------------                ------------         --------                                  ------------         ---------
<S>                                  <C>                  <C>               <C>                     <C>                  <C>

Rainwater-Magellan
  Holdings, L.P.  (3)                 4,000,000           12.25%            4,000,000 (4)              None                 --


</TABLE>

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




(1)      The  Shares  being   offered   hereby  were  acquired  by  the  Selling
         Stockholder  pursuant  to the terms of the Stock and  Warrant  Purchase
         Agreement. Under the terms of the Stock and Warrant Purchase Agreement,
         the Selling  Stockholder  obtained  registration rights with respect to
         the Shares.  Magellan has  registered  the Shares for sale  pursuant to
         this  Prospectus  as  required  by  the  Stock  and  Warrant   Purchase
         Agreement.

(2)      Assumes that all Shares being offered are sold.

(3)      Under the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission, Rainwater, 
         Inc., the general partner of the Selling Stockholder, and Richard
         E. Rainwater, the sole shareholder and a director of Rainwater, Inc. 
         are also deemed to be beneficial owners of the Shares.  Darla Moore,
         Vice President and Director of Rainwater, Inc. was appointed to the 
         Board of Directors of Magellan on February 22, 1996 pursuant to the 
         Stock and Warrant Purchase Agreement.

(4)      No more than 40,000  Shares may be sold by the Selling  Stockholder  or
         its affiliates prior to January 25, 1997. Further, prior to January 25,
         2000,  the  Selling  Stockholder  or its  affiliates  may  not  sell or
         transfer in a privately  negotiated  transaction to a single  purchaser
         and its affiliates or any "group" (as defined in Rule 13d-5(b)(1) under
         the Exchange  Act) Shares  (including  shares  underlying  the Warrant)
         which would equal or exceed five  percent (5%) of the Common Stock then
         outstanding on a fully-diluted basis.


                              PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

         The Shares may be sold from time to time by the Selling  Stockholder on
the American  Stock  Exchange or any national  securities  exchange or automated
interdealer  quotation  system on which  shares of Common Stock are then listed,
through negotiated transactions or otherwise. Certain transfer restrictions have
been  placed on the Shares  offered  hereby  pursuant  to the Stock and  Warrant
Purchase  Agreement,  which in general  restrict the sale of the Shares prior to
January 25, 1997. See "Recent Developments -- Sale of Common Stock and Warrant".
The  Shares  will be sold at  prices  and on terms  then  prevailing,  at prices
related to the then current  market price or at negotiated  prices.  The Selling
Stockholder  may effect  sales of the Shares  directly or by or through  agents,
brokers,  dealers or  underwriters  and the Shares may be sold by one or more of
the following methods: (a) underwritten public offerings, (b) ordinary brokerage
transactions,  (c) purchases by a broker-dealer  as principal and resale by such
broker-dealer  for its own account pursuant to this  Prospectus,  (d) in "block"
sales, and (e) privately negotiated transactions. At the time a particular offer
is made, a Prospectus  Supplement,  if required,  will be distributed  that sets
forth  the  name  or  names  of  agents,  broker-dealers  or  underwriters,  any
commissions  and other terms  constituting  compensation  and any other required
information.   In  effecting  sales,   broker-dealers  engaged  by  any  Selling
Stockholder   and/or  the  purchasers  of  the  Shares  may  arrange  for  other
broker-dealers  to  participate.   Broker-dealers   will  receive   commissions,
concessions or discounts from the Selling  Stockholder  and/or the purchasers of
the  Shares in amounts to be  negotiated  prior to the sale.  Sales will be made
only through  broker-dealers  registered as such in a subject jurisdiction or in
transactions  exempt from such registration.  As of the date of this Prospectus,
there are no selling arrangements between the Selling Stockholder and any broker
or dealer.



                                       15

<PAGE>



         In  offering  the  Shares  covered  by  this  Prospectus,  the  Selling
Stockholder and any brokers,  dealers or agents who participate in a sale of the
Shares by the Selling  Stockholder may be considered  "underwriters"  within the
meaning  of  Section  2(11) of the 1933 Act,  and any  profits  realized  by the
Selling  Stockholder and the compensation of any broker/dealers may be deemed to
be underwriting discounts and commissions.

         As required by the Stock and Warrant Purchase  Agreement,  Magellan has
filed the  Registration  Statement,  of which this Prospectus forms a part, with
respect to the sale of the Shares.  Magellan has agreed to keep the Registration
Statement  current and effective,  with certain  exceptions,  for so long as the
Selling  Stockholder  and its  affiliates  collectively  own at least 25% of the
Shares  (including  shares  underlying the Warrant) issued pursuant to the Stock
and Warrant Purchase Agreement.

         Magellan  will not  receive  any of the  proceeds  from the sale of the
Shares by the Selling  Stockholder.  Magellan will bear the costs of registering
the Shares under the 1933 Act,  including  the  registration  fee under the 1933
Act,  its  legal  and  accounting  fees  and  any  printing  fees.  The  Selling
Stockholder will bear the cost of underwriting  commissions and/or discounts, if
any, and selling commissions.

         Pursuant  to the  terms of the Stock and  Warrant  Purchase  Agreement,
Magellan and the Selling  Stockholder  have agreed to  indemnify  each other and
certain other related  parties for certain  liabilities,  including  liabilities
under the 1933 Act, in connection with the registration of the Shares.

                                  LEGAL MATTERS

         The legality of the Shares are passed upon for the Selling  Stockholder
by Steve J. Davis, Esq., Executive Vice President,  Administrative  Services and
General Counsel of the Company,  3414 Peachtree  Road,  N.E.,  Atlanta,  Georgia
30326.

                                     EXPERTS

         The audited, consolidated financial statements and schedule of Magellan
Health Services, Inc. and subsidiaries included in the Magellan Annual Report on
Form 10-K for the year ended  September  30, 1995  incorporated  by reference in
this Prospectus and elsewhere in this  Registration  Statement have been audited
by Arthur Andersen LLP,  independent public  accountants,  as indicated in their
reports  thereto,  and are incorporated by reference herein in reliance upon the
authority of said firm, as experts in giving said reports.

         Future  consolidated  financial  statements  and  schedules of Magellan
Health  Services,  Inc.  and  subsidiaries  and the  reports  thereon  of Arthur
Andersen  LLP  also  will be  incorporated  by  reference  in this  Registration
Statement of which this  Prospectus  is a part in reliance upon the authority of
that firm as experts in giving those reports to the extent said firm has audited
those financial statements and consented to the use of their reports thereon.

                                       16

<PAGE>



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


     No person  has been  authorized  in
connection with the offering made hereby
to give any  information  or to make any
representation  not  contained  in  this
Prospectus  and, if given or made,  such               4,000,000 SHARES
information or  representation  must not
be relied upon as having been authorized
by Magellan, or the Selling Stockholder.
This  Prospectus  does not constitute an               MAGELLAN HEALTH
offer  to sell or a  solicitation  of an               SERVICES, INC.
offer  to  buy  any  of  the  securities
offered  hereby in any  jurisdiction  in
which it is  unlawful to make such offer
or solicitation. Neither the delivery of
this   Prospectus   nor  any  sale  made               COMMON STOCK
hereunder      shall,      under     any
circumstances,  create  any  implication
that the information contained herein is
correct as of any time subsequent to the
date hereof.

       ---------------------------                -------------------------
                                                       PROSEPCTUCS
                                                  -------------------------




   TABLE OF CONTENTS

Available Information...............2
Incorporation of Certain Documents
  by Reference......................2
Risk Factors........................3
The Company.........................9
Recent Developments................11
Use of Proceeds....................12
Dilution ..........................12
Magellan Results of Operations.....12
Price Range of Common Stock
  and Dividend Policy..............13
Capitalization.....................13
Selected Financial Information.....14
Selling Stockholder................15
Plan of Distribution...............15
Legal Matters......................16
Experts  ..........................16



                                                       MAY 10, 1996



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


<PAGE>




                                     PART II

                     INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS

Item 14.       Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution
<TABLE>

          <S>                                                               <C>

         Securities and Exchange Commission Registration Fee                $ 31,810.34
         Legal Fees and Expenses                                              10,000.00
         Accounting Fees and Expenses                                          4,000.00
         Blue Sky Fees and Expenses (including legal fees and expenses)        1,000.00
         Printing                                                              5,000.00
         Miscellaneous                                                         3,189.66
                                                                            -----------

                  Total                                                     $ 55,000.00
                                                                             ==========
</TABLE>

         All of the above items,  except for  registration  fee, are  estimates.
Although  the Selling  Stockholder  will not bear any of the  expenses set forth
above, the Selling  Stockholder  will bear the cost of underwriting  commissions
and/or discounts, if any, and selling commissions.

Item 15.       Indemnification of Directors and Officers

         The  Company is a Delaware  corporation.  Section  145 of the  Delaware
General  Corporation Law (the "DGCL")  provides that a Delaware  corporation has
the power to indemnify its officers and directors in certain circumstances.

         Subsection  (a) of Section 145 of the DGCL  empowers a  corporation  to
indemnify any director or officer, or former director or officer,  who was or is
a party  or is  threatened  to be made a party  to any  threatened,  pending  or
completed  action or suit by or in the  right of the  corporation  to  procure a
judgment in its favor by reason of the fact that such person acted in any of the
capacities  set  forth  above,  against  expenses  (including  attorneys'  fees)
actually and reasonably incurred in connection with the defense or settlement of
such action or suit  provided  that such director or officer acted in good faith
and in a manner  he  reasonably  believed  to be in or not  opposed  to the best
interests  of the  corporation,  except that no  indemnification  may be made in
respect of any claim, issue or matter as to which such director or officer shall
have been adjudged to be liable to the corporation unless and only to the extent
that the Court of Chancery or the court in which such action or suit was brought
shall determine upon application that, despite the adjudication of liability but
in view of all the circumstances of the case, such director or officer is fairly
and  reasonably  entitled to indemnity for such  expenses  which the court shall
deem proper.

         Section 145 further  provides  that to the extent a director or officer
of a  corporation  has been  successful  in the defense of any  action,  suit or
proceeding referred to in subsections (a) or (b) or in the defense of any claim,
issue or matter therein,  he shall be indemnified  against  expenses  (including
attorneys'  fees)  actually  and  reasonably   incurred  by  him  in  connection
therewith;  provided that indemnification provided for by Section 145 or granted
pursuant  thereto shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which the
indemnified party may be entitled.  Section 145 also empowers the corporation to
purchase  and  maintain  insurance  on behalf of a  director  or  officer of the
corporation against any liability asserted against him or incurred by him in any
such  capacity  or  arising  out  of his  status  as  such  whether  or not  the
corporation would have the power to indemnify him against such liabilities under
Section 145.

         Article  VII of the Bylaws of  Magellan  provide,  in  substance,  that
Magellan  shall  indemnify  directors  and officers  against all  liability  and
related expenses  incurred in connection with the affairs of Magellan if: (a) in
the case of actions not by or in the right of Magellan,  the director or officer
acted in good  faith  and in a manner  he  reasonably  believed  to be in or not
opposed  to the best  interests  of  Magellan,  and (with  respect to a criminal
proceeding) had no reasonable cause to believe his conduct was unlawful; and (b)
in the case of actions by or in the right of Magellan, the

                                       18

<PAGE>



director or officer acted in good faith and in a manner he  reasonably  believed
to be in or not opposed to the best  interests  of  Magellan,  provided  that no
indemnification shall be made for a claim as to which the director or officer is
adjudged  liable to Magellan unless (and only to the extent that) an appropriate
court determines that, in view of all the  circumstances,  such person is fairly
and reasonably entitled to indemnity.

         In  addition,   Section   102(b)(8)   of  the  DGCL  permits   Delaware
corporations  to include a  provision  in their  certificates  of  incorporation
eliminating or limiting the personal  liability of a director to the corporation
or its  stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary as a director,
provided  that such  provisions  shall not eliminate or limit the liability of a
director (i) for any breach of the director's duty of loyalty to the corporation
or its  stockholders,  (ii)  for  acts or  omissions  not in good  faith or that
involve  intentional  misconduct  or a knowing  violation of the law,  (iii) for
unlawful payment of dividends or other unlawful  distributions,  or (iv) for any
transactions  from which the  director  derived an  improper  personal  benefit.
Article  Twelve of Magellan's  Certificate  of  Incorporation  sets forth such a
provision.

         Magellan maintains  directors' and officers'  liability  insurance with
various providers in the aggregate amount of $60 million.

         The  Selling  Stockholder  has agreed to  indemnify  the  Company,  its
directors  and  officers  (who sign the  Registration  Statement),  and  certain
controlling persons against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the
1933 Act  subject  to such  limitations  as set forth in the  Stock and  Warrant
Purchase Agreement.

         The foregoing summaries are necessarily subject to the complete text of
the statutes,  Certificate  of  Incorporation,  Bylaws,  insurance  policies and
agreements  referred to above and are  qualified in their  entirety by reference
thereto.

         For the undertaking with respect to indemnification, see Item 17.

Item 16.       Exhibits

         4.1      Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company, as filed
                  in Delaware on October  16,  1992,  which was filed as Exhibit
                  3(a) to the Company's  Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year
                  ended  September  30,  1992,  and is  incorporated  herein  by
                  reference.
         4.2      Certificate  of Ownership and Merger merging  Magellan  Health
                  Services,  Inc. (a Delaware  corporation) into Charter Medical
                  Corporation (a Delaware corporation),  as filed in Delaware on
                  December  21,  1995,  which was filed as  Exhibit  3(c) to the
                  Company's  Annual  Report  on Form  10-K  for the  year  ended
                  September 30, 1995, and is incorporated herein by reference.
         4.3      Form of Share Purchase Rights Plan among the Company and First
                  Union National Bank of North Carolina,  N.A.,  which was filed
                  as Exhibit 2.5 to the Company's Registration Statement on Form
                  8-A  dated  July  8  1992,  and  is  incorporated   herein  by
                  reference.
         4.4      Stockholders' Agreement,  dated December 13, 1995, among Green
                  Spring Health  Services,  Inc.,  Blue Cross and Blue Shield of
                  New   Jersey,   Inc.,   Health   Care   Service   Corporation,
                  Independence  Blue Cross,  Pierce County Medical Bureau,  Inc.
                  and the  Company,  which  was  filed  as  Exhibit  4(d) to the
                  Company's  Quarterly  Report  on Form  10-Q for the  quarterly
                  period ended December 31, 1995, and is incorporated  herein by
                  reference.
         4.5      Exchange Agreement,  dated December 13, 1995, among Blue Cross
                  and Blue  Shield of New  Jersey,  Inc.,  Health  Care  Service
                  Corporation,  Independence  Blue Cross,  Pierce County Medical
                  Bureau, Inc. and the Company,  which was filed as Exhibit 4(e)
                  to the  Company's  Quarterly  Report  on  Form  10-Q  for  the
                  quarterly  period ended December 31, 1995, and is incorporated
                  herein by reference.


                                       19

<PAGE>



         4.6      Stock and Warrant Purchase Agreement, dated December 22, 1995,
                  between the Company and Richard E. Rainwater,  which was filed
                  as Exhibit 4(f) to the Company's  quarterly report on Form 10-
                  Q for the  quarterly  period ended  December 31, 1995,  and is
                  incorporated herein by reference.
       * 4.7      Amendment No. 1 to Stock and Warrant Purchase Agreement, dated
                  January 25, 1996, between the
                  Company and Rainwater-Magellan Holdings, L.P.
       * 5.1      Opinion of Steve J. Davis as to the legality of the Common 
                  Stock to be registered.
       *23.1      Consent of Steve J. Davis (included in Exhibit 5.1)
        23.2      Consent of Arthur Andersen LLP.
       *24.1      Powers of Attorney.

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

*Previously filed

Item 17.       Undertakings

       The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:

       (1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made of
securities  registered  hereby, a post-effective  amendment to this Registration
Statement:

         (i)  To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)3 of the 1933 
Act;

         (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;

         (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.
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  and 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 20  percent  change in the
maximum  aggregate  offering price set forth in the "Calculation of Registration
Fee" table in the effective registration statement.

         Provided,  however,  that the  undertakings set forth in paragraphs (i)
and (ii)  above  not  apply if the  information  required  to be  included  in a
post-effective  amendment by those  paragraphs is contained in periodic  reports
filed with or furnished to the Commission by the registrant  pursuant to Section
13 or  Section  15(d)  of the  Securities  Exchange  Act  of  1934,  as  amended
("Exchange  Act"),  that are  incorporated  by  reference  in this  Registration
Statement.

       (2) That,  for the purpose of  determining  any liability  under the 1933
Act, 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.

       The  undersigned  registrant  hereby  undertakes  that  for  purposes  of
determining  any liability  under the 1933 Act, each filing of the  registrant's
annual  report  pursuant to Section  13(a) or Section  15(d) of the Exchange Act
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.


                                       20

<PAGE>



       Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the 1933 Act may
be permitted to directors,  officers and controlling  persons of the registrant,
the  registrant  has been  advised  that in the opinion of the  Commission  such
indemnification  is against  public  policy as expressed in the 1933 Act and is,
therefore,  unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against
such liabilities  (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred
or paid by a director,  officer or  controlling  person of the registrant in the
successful  defense of any  action,  suit or  proceeding)  is  asserted  by such
director,  officer or controlling  persons of the registrant in connection  with
the securities being  registered,  the registrant will, unless in the opinion of
its counsel the matter has been settled by  controlling  precedent,  submit to a
court of appropriate  jurisdiction the question of whether such  indemnification
by it is against public policy as expressed in the 1933 Act and will be governed
by the final adjudication of such issue.

                                       21

<PAGE>



                                   SIGNATURES

       Pursuant  to  the  requirements  of  the  Securities  Act  of  1933,  the
registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all
of the  requirements  for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this  Amendment
No. 2 to Registration  Statement to be signed on its behalf by the  undersigned,
thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Atlanta, State of Georgia, on the 10th
day of May, 1996.


                                             MAGELLAN HEALTH SERVICES, INC.



                                             By:/s/ Howard A. McLure
                                                -------------------------------
                                                 Howard A. McLure
                                                 Vice President and Controller
                                                 (Principal Accounting Officer)


         Pursuant  to the  requirements  of the  Securities  Act of  1933,  this
Amendment  No. 1 to  Registration  Statement  has been  signed by the  following
persons on May 10, 1996 in the capacities and on the date indicated.




*                                                 Date:   May 10, 1996
- ------------------------------                         ------------------------
E. Mac Crawford
President and Chairman of the Board
(Principal Executive Officer)



*                                                 Date:   May 10, 1996
Craig L. McKnight
- ------------------------------                         ------------------------
Executive Vice President and
 Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial Officer)


/s/ Howard A. McLure                              Date:   May 10, 1996
- ------------------------------                         ------------------------
Howard A. McLure
Vice President and Controller
(Principal Accounting Officer)



*                                                 Date:   May 10, 1996
- ------------------------------                         ------------------------
Edwin M. Banks
Director




                                       22

<PAGE>



*                                                 Date:   May 10, 1996
- ------------------------------                         ------------------------
G. Fred DiBona, Jr.
Director



*                                                 Date:   May 10, 1996
- ------------------------------                         ------------------------
Andre C. Dimitriadis
Director



*                                                 Date:   May 10, 1996
- ------------------------------                         ------------------------
A. D. Frazier, Jr.
Director



*                                                 Date:   May 10, 1996
- ------------------------------                         ------------------------
Raymond H. Kiefer
Director



*                                                 Date:   May 10, 1996
- ------------------------------                         ------------------------
Gerald L. McManis
Director



*                                                 Date:   May 10, 1996
- ------------------------------                         ------------------------
Darla Moore
Director


*The undersigned  Attorney-in-Fact,  by signing his name below, does hereby sign
this  Amendment No. 1 to the  Registration  Statement on behalf of the indicated
officers  and  directors  of the  Registrant  pursuant  to a Power  of  Attorney
executed by such persons and filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.


By:  /s/ Howard A. McLure                         Date:   May 10, 1996
   ----------------------                              ------------------------
    Howard A. McLure


                                       23

<PAGE>


                                INDEX TO EXHIBITS


Exhibit

   4.1   Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company, as filed
         in Delaware on October 16, 1992, which was filed as Exhibit 
         3(a) to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year
         ended September 30, 1992, and is incorporated herein by 
         reference.                                                         IBR
   4.2   Certificate of Ownership and Merger merging Magellan Health 
         Services, Inc. (a Delaware corporation) into Charter Medical 
         Corporation (a Delaware corporation), as filed in Delaware on
         December 21, 1995, which was filed as Exhibit 3(c) to the 
         Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended 
         September 30, 1995, and is incorporated herein by reference.       IBR
   4.3   Form of Share Purchase Rights Plan among the Company and First
         Union National Bank of North Carolina, N.A., which was filed 
         as Exhibit 2.5 to the Company's Registration Statement on Form
         8-A dated July 6, 1992, and is incorporated herein by 
         reference.                                                         IBR
   4.4   Stockholders' Agreement, dated December 13, 1995, among Green
         Spring Health Services, Inc., Blue Cross and Blue Shield of 
         New Jersey, Inc., Health Care Service Corporation, 
         Independence Blue Cross, Pierce County Medical Bureau, Inc.
         and the Company, which was filed as Exhibit 4(d) to the 
         Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly 
         period ended December 31, 1995, and is incorporated herein by
         reference.                                                         IBR
   4.5   Exchange Agreement, dated December 13, 1995, among Blue Cross
         and Blue Shield of New Jersey, Inc., Health Care Service 
         Corporation, Independence Blue Cross, Pierce County Medical 
         Bureau, Inc. and the Company, which was filed as Exhibit 4(e)
         to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the 
         quarterly period ended December 31, 1995, and is incorporated
         herein by reference.                                               IBR
   4.6   Stock and Warrant Purchase Agreement, dated December 22, 1995,
         between the Company and Richard E. Rainwater, which was filed
         as Exhibit 4(f) to the Company's quarterly report on Form 10-Q
         for the quarterly period ended December 31, 1995, and is 
         incorporated herein by reference.                                  IBR
 * 4.7   Amendment No. 1 to Stock and Warrant Purchase Agreement, dated
         January 25, 1996, between the Company and Rainwater-Magellan 
         Holdings, L.P.
 * 5.1   Opinion of Steve J. Davis as to the legality of the Common 
         Stock to be registered.
 *23.1   Consent of Steve J. Davis (included in Exhibit 5.1)
  23.2   Consent of Arthur Andersen LLP.
 *24.1   Powers of Attorney.

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

*Previously filed





                                       24

<PAGE>




                                        February 22, 1996



Magellan Health Services, Inc.
3414 Peachtree Road, N.E.
Suite 1400
Atlanta, Georgia  30326

     Re: Form S-3 Registration  Statement relating to 4,000,000 shares of Common
         Stock, par value $.25 per share, of Magellan Health Services, Inc.

Ladies and Gentlemen:

         I have acted as counsel for Magellan Health Services,  Inc., a Delaware
corporation  (the  "Company"),   in  connection  with  the  preparation  of  the
Registration Statement on Form S-3 (the "Registration Statement") filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended,
relating  to the  offering  from  time to time of up to  4,000,000  shares  (the
"Shares")  of Common  Stock,  par  value  $.25 per  share,  of the  Company,  by
Rainwater-Magellan Holdings, L.P.

         As  such  counsel,  I have  examined  and  relied  upon  such  records,
documents, certificates and other instruments as in my judgment are necessary or
appropriate  to form the basis for the opinions  hereinafter  set forth.  In all
such  examinations,  I have assumed the  genuineness  of  signatures on original
documents and the conformity to such original  documents of all copies submitted
to me as certified,  conformed or photographic copies, and as to certificates of
public officials,  I have assumed the same to have been properly given and to be
accurate.

         Based upon the foregoing, I am of the opinion that the Shares have been
duly authorized and validly issued and are fully paid and nonassessable.

         I  consent  to  the  filing  of  this  opinion  as an  exhibit  to  the
Registration  Statement  and to the  reference  to me under the  caption  "Legal
Matters" in the Prospectus that forms a part of the Registration Statement.

                                        Very truly yours,


                                        /s/ Steve J. Davis
                                        ----------------------------------------
                                        Steve J. Davis
                                        Executive Vice President, Administrative
                                        Services and General Counsel





<PAGE>




                    CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS





         As   independent   public   accountants,   we  hereby  consent  to  the
incorporation by reference in this  Registration  Statement of our reports dated
November 9, 1995 (except with respect to the matters discussed in Note 13, as to
which the date is December  20,  1995)  included in  Magellan  Health  Services,
Inc.'s  Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended  September  30,1995
and to all references to our firm included in this Registration Statement.



                                                      /s/ Arthur Andersen LLP
                                                      -----------------------


Atlanta, Georgia
May 10, 1996



<PAGE>




                                POWER OF ATTORNEY


         KNOW ALL BY THESE  PRESENTS THAT I, E. MAC CRAWFORD,  President,  Chief
Executive Officer,  and Chairman of the Board of Magellan Health Services,  Inc.
(the  "Company"),  do  hereby  appoint  Howard A.  McLure,  Vice  President  and
Controller  of the  Company  and  Steve  J.  Davis,  Executive  Vice  President,
Administrative  Services and General Counsel of the Company, or any one of them,
my true and  lawful  attorney-in-fact  for me and in my name for the  purpose of
executing on my behalf (i) the Company's  Registration Statement on Form S-3, or
any amendments or supplements  thereto, for the registration of shares of Common
Stock of the Company to be issued in  connection  with the  investment in Common
Stock of the Company by Rainwater-Magellan  Holdings, L.P.; (ii) any application
for registration or qualification (or exemption  therefrom) of such shares under
the Blue Sky or other  federal or state  securities  laws and  regulations;  and
(iii) any other document or instrument deemed necessary or appropriate by any of
them in connection with such application for  registration or qualification  (or
exemption  therefrom);  and for the  purpose  of causing  any such  registration
statement  or any  subsequent  amendment  or  supplement  to  such  registration
statement to be filed with the  Securities and Exchange  Commission  pursuant to
the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

         IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  I have hereunto set my hand as of the 22nd day of
February, 1996.


                                             /s/ E. Mac Crawford
                                             -----------------------------------
                                             E. MAC CRAWFORD
                                             President, Chief Executive Officer,
                                             and Chairman of the Board


<PAGE>




                                POWER OF ATTORNEY


         KNOW ALL BY THESE  PRESENTS THAT I, CRAIG L.  McKNIGHT,  Executive Vice
President and Chief  Financial  Officer of Magellan Health  Services,  Inc. (the
"Company"), do hereby appoint Howard A. McLure, Vice President and Controller of
the  Company  and  Steve J.  Davis,  Executive  Vice  President,  Administrative
Services  and General  Counsel of the Company,  or any one of them,  my true and
lawful attorney-in-fact for me and in my name for the purpose of executing on my
behalf (i) the Company's  Registration  Statement on Form S-3, or any amendments
or supplements  thereto,  for the  registration of shares of Common Stock of the
Company to be issued in  connection  with the  investment in Common Stock of the
Company  by  Rainwater-Magellan   Holdings,   L.P.;  (ii)  any  application  for
registration or qualification (or exemption  therefrom) of such shares under the
Blue Sky or other federal or state  securities laws and  regulations;  and (iii)
any other document or instrument  deemed necessary or appropriate by any of them
in connection  with such  application  for  registration  or  qualification  (or
exemption  therefrom);  and for the  purpose  of causing  any such  registration
statement  or any  subsequent  amendment  or  supplement  to  such  registration
statement to be filed with the  Securities and Exchange  Commission  pursuant to
the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

         IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  I have hereunto set my hand as of the 22nd day of
February, 1996.


                                             /s/ Craig L. McKnight
                                             ---------------------
                                             CRAIG L. McKNIGHT
                                             Executive Vice President and Chief
                                             Financial Officer


<PAGE>




                                POWER OF ATTORNEY


         KNOW ALL BY THESE  PRESENTS  THAT I,  EDWIN M.  BANKS,  a  Director  of
Magellan  Health  Services,  Inc. (the  "Company"),  do hereby appoint Howard A.
McLure,  Vice  President  and  Controller  of the  Company  and Steve J.  Davis,
Executive Vice  President,  Administrative  Services and General  Counsel of the
Company, or any one of them, my true and lawful  attorney-in-fact  for me and in
my name for the purpose of executing on my behalf (i) the Company's Registration
Statement  on Form  S-3,  or any  amendments  or  supplements  thereto,  for the
registration of shares of Common Stock of the Company to be issued in connection
with the  investment  in  Common  Stock  of the  Company  by  Rainwater-Magellan
Holdings,  L.P.;  (ii) any application for  registration  or  qualification  (or
exemption therefrom) of such shares under the Blue Sky or other federal or state
securities  laws and  regulations;  and (iii) any other  document or  instrument
deemed  necessary  or  appropriate  by any  of  them  in  connection  with  such
application for registration or qualification (or exemption therefrom);  and for
the  purpose  of  causing  any such  registration  statement  or any  subsequent
amendment  or  supplement  to such  registration  statement to be filed with the
Securities  and Exchange  Commission  pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended.

         IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  I have hereunto set my hand as of the 22nd day of
February, 1996.


                                             /s/ Edwin M. Banks
                                             ----------------------------------
                                             EDWIN M. BANKS
                                             Director


<PAGE>




                                POWER OF ATTORNEY


         KNOW ALL BY THESE  PRESENTS THAT I, G. FRED DiBONA,  JR., a Director of
Magellan  Health  Services,  Inc. (the  "Company"),  do hereby appoint Howard A.
McLure,  Vice  President  and  Controller  of the  Company  and Steve J.  Davis,
Executive Vice  President,  Administrative  Services and General  Counsel of the
Company, or any one of them, my true and lawful  attorney-in-fact  for me and in
my name for the purpose of executing on my behalf (i) the Company's Registration
Statement  on Form  S-3,  or any  amendments  or  supplements  thereto,  for the
registration of shares of Common Stock of the Company to be issued in connection
with the  investment  in  Common  Stock  of the  Company  by  Rainwater-Magellan
Holdings,  L.P.;  (ii) any application for  registration  or  qualification  (or
exemption therefrom) of such shares under the Blue Sky or other federal or state
securities  laws and  regulations;  and (iii) any other  document or  instrument
deemed  necessary  or  appropriate  by any  of  them  in  connection  with  such
application for registration or qualification (or exemption therefrom);  and for
the  purpose  of  causing  any such  registration  statement  or any  subsequent
amendment  or  supplement  to such  registration  statement to be filed with the
Securities  and Exchange  Commission  pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended.

         IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  I have hereunto set my hand as of the 22nd day of
February, 1996.


                                             /s/ G. Fred DiBona, Jr.
                                             ----------------------------------
                                             G. FRED DiBONA, JR.
                                             Director


<PAGE>




                                POWER OF ATTORNEY


         KNOW ALL BY THESE PRESENTS THAT I, ANDRE C. DIMITRIADIS,  a Director of
Magellan  Health  Services,  Inc. (the  "Company"),  do hereby appoint Howard A.
McLure,  Vice  President  and  Controller  of the  Company  and Steve J.  Davis,
Executive Vice  President,  Administrative  Services and General  Counsel of the
Company, or any one of them, my true and lawful  attorney-in-fact  for me and in
my name for the purpose of executing on my behalf (i) the Company's Registration
Statement  on Form  S-3,  or any  amendments  or  supplements  thereto,  for the
registration of shares of Common Stock of the Company to be issued in connection
with the  investment  in  Common  Stock  of the  Company  by  Rainwater-Magellan
Holdings,  L.P.;  (ii) any application for  registration  or  qualification  (or
exemption therefrom) of such shares under the Blue Sky or other federal or state
securities  laws and  regulations;  and (iii) any other  document or  instrument
deemed  necessary  or  appropriate  by any  of  them  in  connection  with  such
application for registration or qualification (or exemption therefrom);  and for
the  purpose  of  causing  any such  registration  statement  or any  subsequent
amendment  or  supplement  to such  registration  statement to be filed with the
Securities  and Exchange  Commission  pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended.

         IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  I have hereunto set my hand as of the 22nd day of
February, 1996.


                                             /s/ Andre C. Dimitriadis
                                             ----------------------------------
                                             ANDRE C. DIMITRIADIS
                                             Director


<PAGE>




                                POWER OF ATTORNEY


         KNOW ALL BY THESE  PRESENTS THAT I, A. D.  FRAZIER,  JR., a Director of
Magellan  Health  Services,  Inc. (the  "Company"),  do hereby appoint Howard A.
McLure,  Vice  President  and  Controller  of the  Company  and Steve J.  Davis,
Executive Vice  President,  Administrative  Services and General  Counsel of the
Company, or any one of them, my true and lawful  attorney-in-fact  for me and in
my name for the purpose of executing on my behalf (i) the Company's Registration
Statement  on Form  S-3,  or any  amendments  or  supplements  thereto,  for the
registration of shares of Common Stock of the Company to be issued in connection
with the  investment  in  Common  Stock  of the  Company  by  Rainwater-Magellan
Holdings,  L.P.;  (ii) any application for  registration  or  qualification  (or
exemption therefrom) of such shares under the Blue Sky or other federal or state
securities  laws and  regulations;  and (iii) any other  document or  instrument
deemed  necessary  or  appropriate  by any  of  them  in  connection  with  such
application for registration or qualification (or exemption therefrom);  and for
the  purpose  of  causing  any such  registration  statement  or any  subsequent
amendment  or  supplement  to such  registration  statement to be filed with the
Securities  and Exchange  Commission  pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended.

         IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  I have hereunto set my hand as of the 22nd day of
February, 1996.


                                             /s/ A. D. Frazier, Jr.
                                             ----------------------------------
                                             A. D. FRAZIER, JR.
                                             Director


<PAGE>




                                POWER OF ATTORNEY


         KNOW ALL BY THESE  PRESENTS  THAT I, RAYMOND H.  KIEFER,  a Director of
Magellan  Health  Services,  Inc. (the  "Company"),  do hereby appoint Howard A.
McLure,  Vice  President  and  Controller  of the  Company  and Steve J.  Davis,
Executive Vice  President,  Administrative  Services and General  Counsel of the
Company, or any one of them, my true and lawful  attorney-in-fact  for me and in
my name for the purpose of executing on my behalf (i) the Company's Registration
Statement  on Form  S-3,  or any  amendments  or  supplements  thereto,  for the
registration of shares of Common Stock of the Company to be issued in connection
with the  investment  in  Common  Stock  of the  Company  by  Rainwater-Magellan
Holdings,  L.P.;  (ii) any application for  registration  or  qualification  (or
exemption therefrom) of such shares under the Blue Sky or other federal or state
securities  laws and  regulations;  and (iii) any other  document or  instrument
deemed  necessary  or  appropriate  by any  of  them  in  connection  with  such
application for registration or qualification (or exemption therefrom);  and for
the  purpose  of  causing  any such  registration  statement  or any  subsequent
amendment  or  supplement  to such  registration  statement to be filed with the
Securities  and Exchange  Commission  pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended.

         IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  I have hereunto set my hand as of the 22nd day of
February, 1996.


                                             /s/ Raymond H. Kiefer
                                             ----------------------------------
                                             RAYMOND H. KIEFER
                                             Director


<PAGE>




                                POWER OF ATTORNEY


         KNOW ALL BY THESE  PRESENTS  THAT I, GERALD L.  McMANIS,  a Director of
Magellan  Health  Services,  Inc. (the  "Company"),  do hereby appoint Howard A.
McLure,  Vice  President  and  Controller  of the  Company  and Steve J.  Davis,
Executive Vice  President,  Administrative  Services and General  Counsel of the
Company, or any one of them, my true and lawful  attorney-in-fact  for me and in
my name for the purpose of executing on my behalf (i) the Company's Registration
Statement  on Form  S-3,  or any  amendments  or  supplements  thereto,  for the
registration of shares of Common Stock of the Company to be issued in connection
with the  investment  in  Common  Stock  of the  Company  by  Rainwater-Magellan
Holdings,  L.P.;  (ii) any application for  registration  or  qualification  (or
exemption therefrom) of such shares under the Blue Sky or other federal or state
securities  laws and  regulations;  and (iii) any other  document or  instrument
deemed  necessary  or  appropriate  by any  of  them  in  connection  with  such
application for registration or qualification (or exemption therefrom);  and for
the  purpose  of  causing  any such  registration  statement  or any  subsequent
amendment  or  supplement  to such  registration  statement to be filed with the
Securities  and Exchange  Commission  pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended.

         IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  I have hereunto set my hand as of the 22nd day of
February, 1996.


                                             /s/ Gerald L. McManis
                                             ----------------------------------
                                             GERALD L. McMANIS
                                             Director


<PAGE>



                                POWER OF ATTORNEY


         KNOW ALL BY THESE  PRESENTS THAT I, DARLA MOORE, a Director of Magellan
Health Services, Inc. (the "Company"),  do hereby appoint Howard A. McLure, Vice
President  and  Controller  of the Company and Steve J.  Davis,  Executive  Vice
President,  Administrative  Services and General Counsel of the Company,  or any
one of them, my true and lawful  attorney-in-fact  for me and in my name for the
purpose of executing on my behalf (i) the  Company's  Registration  Statement on
Form S-3, or any  amendments or supplements  thereto,  for the  registration  of
shares of Common  Stock of the  Company  to be  issued  in  connection  with the
investment in Common Stock of the Company by Rainwater-Magellan  Holdings, L.P.;
(ii) any application for registration or qualification (or exemption  therefrom)
of such shares under the Blue Sky or other federal or state  securities laws and
regulations;  and (iii) any other  document or  instrument  deemed  necessary or
appropriate by any of them in connection with such  application for registration
or qualification  (or exemption  therefrom);  and for the purpose of causing any
such  registration  statement or any subsequent  amendment or supplement to such
registration  statement to be filed with the Securities and Exchange  Commission
pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

         IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  I have hereunto set my hand as of the 22nd day of
February, 1996.


                                             /s/ Darla Moore
                                             ----------------------------------
                                             DARLA MOORE
                                             Director


<PAGE>





© 2022 IncJournal is not affiliated with or endorsed by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission