DANIELSON HOLDING CORP
10-Q/A, 1999-08-18
FIRE, MARINE & CASUALTY INSURANCE
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                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                              WASHINGTON, DC 20549



                                    FORM 10-Q/A


(X) QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE
    ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended June 30, 1999

                                       OR

(   )    TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES
         EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from ____________________ to________________

                         Commission file number: 1-6732

                          Danielson Holding Corporation
             (Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

        Delaware                                       95-6021257
(State of Incorporation)                    (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

767 Third Avenue, New York, New York 10017-2023
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)               (Zip Code)

Registrant's Telephone Number, Including Area Code:    (212) 888-0347


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

                                  Yes  X      No
                                     ----      -----


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

Class                                        Outstanding at August 12, 1999
- -----                                        -----------------------------
Common Stock, $0.10 par value                     17,576,276 shares


<PAGE>


                          PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION


Item 1.          Financial Statements.



                 DANIELSON HOLDING CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
                      Consolidated Statements of Operations
                  (In thousands, except per share information)
                                   (Unaudited)


<TABLE>
                                                        For the Three                         For the Six
                                                     Months Ended June 30,                 Months Ended June 30,
                                                    ----------------------                ----------------------
                                                       1999              1998                 1999              1998
                                                       ----              ----                 ----              ----
<S>                                               <C>            <C>                 <C>                 <C>
Revenues:

    Gross premiums earned                         $   15,030      $   16,295          $   30,393          $   33,251
    Ceded premiums earned                             (2,681)         (2,723)             (5,550)             (5,664)
                                                   ----------      ----------          ----------          ----------
    Net premiums earned                               12,349          13,572              24,843              27,587

    Net investment income                              1,876           1,935               3,783               4,274
    Net realized investment gains (losses)              (154)             87                (154)                124
    Other income                                         241             243                 425                 421
                                                   ---------       ---------           ---------           ---------

         Total revenues                               14,312          15,837              28,897              32,406
                                                   ---------       ---------           ---------           ---------


Losses and expenses:

    Gross losses and loss adjustment expenses         11,462          11,143              22,071              23,130
    Ceded losses and loss adjustment expenses         (3,031)         (1,521)             (5,168)             (3,575)
                                                   ----------      ----------          ----------          ----------
    Net losses and loss adjustment expenses            8,431           9,622              16,903              19,555

    Policyholder dividends                                81              91                 360                 203
    Policy acquisition expenses                        3,269           3,285               6,600               6,602
    General and administrative expenses                2,257           2,522               4,645               4,879
                                                   ---------       ---------           ---------           ---------

         Total losses and expenses                    14,038          15,520              28,508              31,239
                                                   ---------       ---------           ---------           ---------

Income before provision for income taxes                 274             317                 389               1,167
Income tax provision                                       8              10                  23                  53
                                                   ---------       ---------           ---------           ---------

Net income                                        $      266      $      307          $      366          $    1,114
                                                   =========       =========           =========           =========


Earnings  per share of Common Stock

Basic                                             $      .01      $      .02          $      .02          $      .07
                                                   =========       =========           =========           =========

Diluted                                           $      .01      $      .02          $      .02          $      .07
                                                   =========       ==========          ==========          =========

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

                                        2
<PAGE>


                 DANIELSON HOLDING CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
                           Consolidated Balance Sheets
             (In thousands, except share and per share information)

<TABLE>

                                                                            June 30, 1999         December 31,
                                                                             (Unaudited)              1998
                                                                             ------------             -----
<S>                                                                         <C>                 <C>
Assets:
   Fixed maturities, available for sale at fair value
     (Cost: $111,627 and $112,131)                                           $   110,752         $   114,683
   Equity securities, at fair value (Cost: $19,974 and $20,129)                   18,519              16,889
   Short term investments, at cost which
       approximates fair value                                                     4,496               3,287
                                                                                --------           ---------

       Total investments                                                         133,767             134,859

   Cash                                                                               54                 870
   Accrued investment income                                                       1,472               1,427
   Premiums and fees receivable, net of allowances
       of $ 156 and $136                                                          10,809               9,972
   Reinsurance recoverable on paid losses, net of allowances
       of $374 and $374                                                            2,866               7,714
   Reinsurance recoverable on unpaid losses, net of
       allowances of $619 and $559                                                20,419              18,187
   Prepaid reinsurance premiums                                                    1,460               1,668
   Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation
       of $7,960 and $8,322                                                        1,869               1,930
   Deferred acquisition costs                                                      2,612               2,381
   Other assets                                                                    1,724               1,887
                                                                                --------           ---------

       Total assets                                                          $   177,052         $   180,895
                                                                              ==========          ==========

Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity:
   Unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses                                $    90,987         $    95,653
   Unearned premiums                                                              15,010              13,705
   Policyholder dividends                                                            189                 181
   Reinsurance premiums payable                                                    2,764               2,143
   Funds withheld on ceded reinsurance                                             1,504               1,442
   Other liabilities                                                               4,601               4,498
                                                                                --------           ---------

       Total liabilities                                                         115,055             117,622

   Preferred stock ($0.10 par value; authorized
       10,000,000 shares; none issued and outstanding)                                --                 --
   Common stock ($0.10 par value; authorized
       20,000,000 shares; issued 15,586,994 shares;
       outstanding 15,576,276 shares)                                              1,559               1,559
   Additional paid-in capital                                                     46,673              46,673
   Accumulated other comprehensive loss                                           (2,330)               (688)
   Retained earnings                                                              16,161              15,795
   Treasury stock (Cost of 10,718 shares)                                            (66)                (66)
                                                                                --------           ---------

       Total stockholders' equity                                                 61,997              63,273
                                                                                --------           ---------

       Total liabilities and stockholders' equity                            $   177,052         $   180,895
                                                                              ==========          ==========
</TABLE>

          See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.


                                       3
<PAGE>


                 DANIELSON HOLDING CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
                 Consolidated Statement of Stockholders' Equity
                      (In thousands, except share amounts)
                                   (Unaudited)

<TABLE>

                                                                               Comprehensive                      Comprehensive
                                                                             Income (Loss) for the                 Loss for the
                                                                              Three Months Ended                 Six Months Ended
                                                                                    June 30,                      June 30,
                                                          June 30, 1999         1999       1998               1999        1998
                                                          -------------         ----       ----               ----        ----
<S>                                                    <C>                  <C>         <C>              <C>            <C>
Common stock
   Balance, beginning of year                               $ 1,559
                                                             ------
   Balance, end of period                                     1,559
                                                             ------

Additional paid-in capital
   Balance, beginning of year                                46,673
                                                             ------
   Balance, end of period                                    46,673
                                                             ------

Retained earnings
   Balance, beginning of year                                15,795
   Net income                                                   366          $  266      $  307           $   366       $ 1,114
                                                             ------           -----      ------            ------         -----
   Balance, end of period                                    16,161
                                                             ------

Accumulated other comprehensive loss
   Balance, beginning of year                                 (688)
   Net unrealized gain (loss) on available-
         for-sale securities (1)                                                347        (2,632)          (1,642)      (2,589)
                                                                               ----        -------          -------      -------
   Other comprehensive income (loss)                        (1,642)             347        (2,632)          (1,642)      (2,589)
                                                            -------          ------        -------          -------      -------
   Total comprehensive income (loss)                                          $ 613      $ (2,325)        $ (1,276)     $(1,475)
                                                                              =====       ========         ========      =======
   Balance, end of period                                   (2,330)

Treasury stock
   Balance, beginning of year                                  (66)
                                                               ----
   Balance, end of period                                      (66)

       Total stockholders' equity                          $61,997
                                                           =======

_______________________________________________________________________________

Common stock, shares
   Balance, beginning of year                           15,586,994
                                                        ----------
   Balance, end of period                               15,586,994
                                                        ----------

Treasury stock, shares
   Balance, beginning of year                               10,718
                                                            ------
   Balance, end of period                                   10,718
                                                            ======
</TABLE>

______________________________________

<TABLE>
                                                    For the Three Months Ended          For the Six Months Ended
                                                             June 30,                            June 30,
(1)  Disclosure of reclassification amount:             1999         1998                    1999         1998
                                                        ----         ----                    ----         ----
<S>                                                  <C>            <C>                   <C>            <C>
              Unrealized holding gains (losses)
                arising during the period             $  193         $(2,545)              $ (1,796)      $(2,465)
                Less: reclassification adjustment
                for net gains (losses) included in
                net income                              (154)            87                    (154)          124
                                                       ------         -------                 ------        -----
      Net unrealized gains (losses) on securities     $   347        $(2,632)              $  (1,642)     $(2,589)
                                                       ======         =======                 =======      =======

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

                                       4
<PAGE>


                 DANIELSON HOLDING CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
                      Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
                                 (In thousands)
                                   (Unaudited)

<TABLE>
                                                                                        For the Six
                                                                                  Months Ended June 30,
                                                                                  1999              1998
                                                                             -------------       ---------
<S>                                                                            <C>                <C>
Cash flows from operating activities:

Income from continuing operations                                               $    366           $   1,114
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash
       provided by (used in) operating activities:
Net realized investment (gains) losses                                               154                (124)
Depreciation and amortization                                                        367                 369
Change in accrued investment income                                                  (45)                556
Change in premiums and fees receivable                                              (837)             (3,603)
Change in reinsurance recoverables                                                 4,848                (515)
Change in reinsurance recoverable on unpaid losses                                (2,232)              1,095
Change in prepaid reinsurance premiums                                               208                 (35)
Change in deferred acquisition costs                                                (231)               (578)
Change in unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses                              (4,666)             (6,573)
Change in unearned premiums                                                        1,305               2,641
Change in reinsurance payables and funds withheld                                    683               1,121
Change in policyholder dividends payable                                               8                (144)
Other, net                                                                           162                 423
                                                                                --------           ---------
       Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities                            90              (4,253)
                                                                                --------           ----------

Cash flows from investing activities:

Proceeds from sales:
     Fixed income maturities available-for-sale                                      741              17,714
Investments, matured or called:
     Fixed income maturities available-for-sale                                   13,726              17,189
Investments, purchased:
     Fixed income maturities available-for-sale                                  (13,950)            (11,325)
     Equity securities                                                                 __            (19,952)

Proceeds from sale of property and equipment                                           __                  6
Purchases of property and equipment                                                 (214)                (52)
                                                                                    -----                ----
       Net cash provided by investing activities                                     303               3,580
                                                                                --------           ---------


Net increase (decrease) in cash and short term investments                           393                (673)

Cash and short term investments at beginning of period                             4,157               1,818
                                                                                --------           ---------

Cash and short term investments at end of period                                $  4,550           $   1,145
                                                                                 =======            ========

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

                                       5
<PAGE>


                 DANIELSON HOLDING CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
                   Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
                                   (Unaudited)


1)       BASIS OF PRESENTATION

         The  accompanying   unaudited   Consolidated  Financial  Statements  of
Danielson   Holding   Corporation   ("DHC"  or  "Registrant")  and  subsidiaries
(collectively  with DHC, the  "Company")  have been prepared in accordance  with
generally accepted accounting  principles.  However,  they do not include all of
the  information  and  footnotes  required  by  generally  accepted   accounting
principles for complete  consolidated  financial  statements.  In the opinion of
management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) considered
necessary for a fair presentation have been included.  Operating results for the
six months  ended June 30, 1999 are not  necessarily  indicative  of the results
that  may be  expected  for the year  ending  December  31,  1999.  For  further
information,  reference is made to the  Consolidated  Financial  Statements  and
footnotes  thereto  included  in DHC's  Annual  Report on Form 10-K for the year
ended December 31, 1998.


2)       PER SHARE DATA

                  Per  share  data is based on the  weighted  average  number of
shares  of common  stock of DHC,  par value  $0.10 per share  ("Common  Stock"),
outstanding during a particular year or other relevant period.  Diluted earnings
per share computations,  as calculated under the treasury stock method,  include
the average number of shares of additional outstanding Common Stock issuable for
stock options,  whether or not currently  exercisable.  Such average shares were
15,932,147  and  15,849,466  for the three and six months  ended June 30,  1999,
respectively,  and  16,177,757 and 16,171,268 for the three and six months ended
June 30, 1998, respectively.  Basic earnings per share are calculated using only
the average number of outstanding  shares of Common Stock and  disregarding  the
average number of shares  issuable for stock  options.  Such average shares were
15,576,276  for the three and six months ended June 30, 1999, and 15,576,285 and
15,576,286 for the three and six months ended June 30, 1998, respectively.


3)       INCOME TAXES

         DHC  files  a  Federal   consolidated   income  tax  return   with  its
subsidiaries  and certain  trusts that assumed  various  liabilities  of certain
present and former  subsidiaries  of DHC.  The  Company  records its interim tax
provisions based upon estimated effective tax rates for the year.

         The Company has made provisions for certain state and local taxes.  Tax
filings for these  jurisdictions do not consolidate the activities of the trusts
referred to above. For further information,  reference is made to Note 12 of the
Notes to Consolidated  Financial  Statements  included in DHC's Annual Report on
Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1998.


4)       FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSLATION AND FOREIGN INVESTMENTS

         During  1998,  DHC's  main  operating  subsidiary,   National  American
Insurance Company of California  ("NAICC") invested  approximately $10.3 million
in Japanese yen based equity securities.  In order to hedge the currency risk of
these  investments,  during the second quarter of 1998 NAICC purchased a foreign
currency  option to sell  Japanese yen at a fixed price on a given date in April
1999. The foreign currency option expired in April 1999, resulting in a realized
loss of  $155,000.  Investments  in equity  securities  denominated  in  foreign
currencies are translated into U.S.  dollars using current rates of exchange and
the  related   translation   adjustments  are  recorded  in  accumulated   other
comprehensive  loss


                                       6
<PAGE>

in stockholders'  equity.  For the six months ended June 30, 1999, the Company
recorded a  cumulative  unrealized  loss on the Japanese yen based equity
securities of $802,376 which is inclusive of a cumulative  gain of $536,277 as a
result of changes in foreign  currency  exchange  rates,  which is included in
accumulated other comprehensive loss  in  the accompanying consolidated balance
sheets.



5)       STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

         Effective April 14, 1999, the Company entered into a Stock Purchase and
Sale Agreement with Samstock, L.L.C. ("Samstock"),  which agreement was assigned
with the Company's consent by Samstock to its sole member SZ Investments, L.L.C.
("SZ"),  pursuant to an amendment and  assignment  agreement  (such Purchase and
Sale Agreement, as amended and assigned, the "Purchase Agreement").  Pursuant to
the Purchase  Agreement,  the Company agreed to sell to SZ, for consideration of
$9 million, 2,000,000 shares of Common Stock and a four year warrant (subject to
extension in certain  circumstances) to purchase an additional  2,000,000 shares
of Common Stock at $4.75 per share (subject to downward adjustment under certain
circumstances).  In order to provide sufficient available shares of Common Stock
to consummate  this proposed  transaction,  on July 20, 1999,  the  Registrant's
stockholders   approved  an  amendment  to  the   Registrant's   Certificate  of
Incorporation  to increase the number of authorized  shares of the  Registrant's
common stock from 20,000,000 shares to 100,000,000 shares. The stockholders also
approved  amendments  to  eliminate  cumulative  voting  for  Directors  and  to
eliminate  a  prohibition  on  issuing   non-voting   equity   securities.   The
transaction was consummated on August 12, 1999.


6)       GAIN CONTINGENCIES

         On June 22, 1999, the Missouri Court of Appeals  reversed a decision to
award interest on claims under a plan of  distribution  of assets of the Mission
Reinsurance Corporation  Trust (the "Trust").  The effect of the decision of the
Court of Appeals may result in the return to the Company of the surplus existing
in the Trust,  which was one of the trusts that had been created in connection
with the insolvency  and   reorganization  of  Mission  Insurance  Group,  Inc.
and its subsidiaries  from which the Company emerged.  Although  it does not
know the specific amount of the surplus currently in the Trust, the company has
reason to believe that the surplus currently approximates $14 million.

         The Missouri  Department of Insurance has appealed the decision of the
Court of Appeals and the decision could be reversed.  In the event the  decision
is reversed  and the  Missouri  Department of  Insurance is permitted to pay
interest on claims,  it is anticipated  that there would be no surplus remaining
in the Trust after  payment of the interest.  It therefore cannot be  determined
at this time when, or if, the Company would receive any proceeds from the
Trust's  surplus.  Accordingly, the Company has not  reflected any prospect of
receiving funds from this matter as an asset on its balance sheet or as income.


Item 2.       MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL
              CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS


         1.       GENERAL

         Danielson Holding Corporation ("DHC") is organized as a holding company
with  substantially  all  of  its  operations   conducted  by  its  subsidiaries
(collectively with DHC, the "Company"). DHC, on a parent-only basis, has limited
continuing  expenditures  for  rent  and  administrative  expenses  and  derives



                                       7
<PAGE>


revenues primarily from investment returns on portfolio  securities.  Therefore,
the  analysis of the  Company's  financial  condition  is  generally  done on an
operating subsidiary basis.

         This  Management's  Discussion and Analysis of Financial  Condition and
Results  of  Operations  and  the  information  in  Item  3, "  Qualitative  and
Quantitative Disclosures About Market Risk" contain forward-looking  statements,
including statements concerning capital adequacy,  adequacy of reserves,  goals,
future events,  Year 2000 compliance or performance  and underlying  assumptions
and other statements which are other than statements of historical  facts.  Such
forward-looking statements may be identified,  without limitation, by the use of
the words "believes",  "anticipates",  "expects", "intends", "plans" and similar
expressions.   All  such   statements   represent  only  current   estimates  or
expectations  as to future  results and are  subject to risks and  uncertainties
which could cause actual results to materially  differ from current estimates or
expectations. See "RISK FACTORS THAT MAY AFFECT FUTURE RESULTS".


         2.       RESULTS OF NAICC'S OPERATIONS

The  operations  of DHC's  principal  subsidiary,  National  American  Insurance
Company of  California  ("NAICC"),  are  primarily  in  specialty  property  and
casualty insurance.

PROPERTY AND CASUALTY INSURANCE OPERATIONS

         Net premiums  earned were $12.3 million and $24.8 million for the three
and six months ended June 30, 1999,  compared to $13.6 million and $27.6 million
for the three and six months ended June 30,  1998.  The decrease in net premiums
earned is directly  related to the change in net written  premiums.  Net written
premiums were $13.0 million and $26.4 million for the three and six months ended
June 30, 1999, compared to $14.4 million and $30.2 million for the three and six
months ended June 30, 1998.

         The  overall  decrease  in net  written  premuims  for  1999  over  the
comparable  periods in 1998 is  attributable  to  increased  competition  in the
automobile lines and an increase in reinsurance coverage associated with several
new treaties that significantly reduce NAICC's workers' compensation  retention.
The  participant  in the new treaties is a reinsurer with an A.M. Best rating of
"A-" (Excellent).

         Net  investment  income was $1.8 million and $3.6 million for the three
and six months ended June 30,  1999,  compared to $1.8 million and $4.1 million
for the three and six months ended June 30,  1998.  The decline for the six
month period is reflective of a slight decrease in average portfolio yield on
bonds purchased during the twelve months ended June 30, 1999.

         Net losses and loss  adjustment  expenses  (LAE) were $8.4  million and
$16.9 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 1999, compared to $9.6
million and $19.6 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 1998.  The
resulting loss and LAE ratios for the  corresponding  year-to-date  periods were
68.0 percent and 70.9 percent,  respectively for 1999 and 1998. The loss and LAE
ratio decreased in 1999 over 1998 due to the reduction of the Company's workers'
compensation retention.

         Policy  acquisition  costs were $3.3  million and $6.6  million for the
three and six months ended in each of June 30, 1999 and 1998. As a percentage of
net premiums  earned,  policy  acquisition  expenses  were 26.6 percent and 23.9
percent  for the six months  ended  June 30,  1999 and 1998,  respectively.  The
increase in the policy acquisition expense ratio in 1999 is due primarily to the
overall decrease in premium volume while fixed  underwriting  expenses of policy
acquisition costs remained relatively constant.

     Combined  underwriting  ratios were 110.8  percent and 108.5 percent for
the six months  ended June 30, 1999 and 1998,  respectively.  Net income from
insurance operations  for the six months ended June 30, 1999 and 1998 was $1.2
million and $2.2 million, respectively. The decrease in net income from


                                       8
<PAGE>


insurance operations during  the first six  months of 1999  compared  to the
same period for 1998 is primarily attributable to a decrease in premium volume
combined with a decrease in net investment income.

CASH FLOW FROM INSURANCE OPERATIONS

         Cash provided by  operations  was $1.0 million for the six months ended
June 30, 1999 and cash used in  operations  was $3.2  million for the six months
ended June 30, 1998. The decrease in cash used in operations is  attributable to
the  collection  of  previously  disputed  reinsurance  balances in excess of $6
million  during the 1999 period.  Overall cash and  invested  assets,  at market
value,  at June 30, 1999 were  $127.9  million,  compared  to $128.9  million at
December 31, 1998.


LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

         The Company's insurance subsidiaries require both readily liquid assets
and adequate capital to meet ongoing obligations to policyholders and claimants,
as well as to pay ordinary operating  expenses.  The primary sources of funds to
meet these obligations are premium revenues,  investment income, recoveries from
reinsurance and, if required,  the sale of invested assets.  NAICC's  investment
policy guidelines require that all liabilities be matched by a comparable amount
of investment grade invested assets. Management of NAICC believes that NAICC has
both  adequate  capital  resources  and  sufficient   reinsurance  to  meet  any
unforeseen  events  such as  natural  catastrophes,  reinsurer  insolvencies  or
possible reserve deficiencies.

         The  two  most  common  measures  of  capital  adequacy  for  insurance
companies are  premium-to-surplus  ratios (which measure current operating risk)
and reserves-to-surplus ratios (which measure financial risk related to possible
changes in the level of loss and loss adjustment expense  reserves).  A commonly
accepted standard net written  premium-to-surplus ratio is 3 to 1, although this
varies with different lines of business.  NAICC's  annualized premium-to-surplus
ratio of 1.05 to 1 and 1.4 to 1 for the six months ended June 30, 1999 and 1998,
respectively, remains well under current industry standards. A commonly accepted
standard for the ratio of losses and loss adjustment expense reserves-to-surplus
is 5 to 1, compared with NAICC's ratio of 1.4 to 1 at June 30, 1999. Given these
relatively conservative financial security ratios,  management is confident that
existing capital is adequate.


         3.       RESULTS OF DHC'S OPERATIONS

CASH FLOW FROM PARENT-ONLY OPERATIONS

         Operating  cash  flow  of  DHC  on a  parent-only  basis  is  primarily
dependent upon the rate of return  achieved on its investment  portfolio and the
payment of general and administrative  expenses incurred in the normal course of
business.  For the six  months  ended  June 30,  1999  and  1998,  cash  used in
parent-only   operating   activities   was  $0.9   million  and  $1.1   million,
respectively. The decrease in cash used was primarily attributable to the timing
of  certain  expense  payments.   For  information   regarding  DHC's  operating
subsidiaries' cash flow from operations, see "RESULTS OF NAICC'S  OPERATIONS,
CASH FLOW FROM INSURANCE OPERATIONS."


LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

         At June 30, 1999, cash and investments of DHC were  approximately  $5.9
million,  compared to $6.8 million at December 31, 1998. As described above, the
primary use of funds was the payment of general and  administrative  expenses in
the  normal  course of  business.  For  information  regarding  DHC's




                                        9
<PAGE>

operating subsidiaries'   liquidity  and  capital  resources,   see  "RESULTS OF
NAICC'S OPERATIONS, LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES."


         4.       AUTHORITATIVE ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

         In June 1998, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Statement
of  Financial   Accounting   Standards  No.  133,   "Accounting  for  Derivative
Instruments  and Hedging  Activities"  ("SFAS  133").  SFAS 133 is effective for
fiscal years  beginning  after June 15, 1999 and  establishes  standards for the
reporting for derivative instruments. It requires changes in the fair value of a
derivative instrument and the changes in fair value of the assets or liabilities
hedged by that instrument to be included in income.  The Company has not adopted
SFAS  133.  However,  the  effect  of  adoption  on the  consolidated  financial
statements at June 30, 1999 would not be material.  In June 1999,  the Financial
Accounting  Standards Board issued Statement of Financial  Accounting  Standards
No. 137, "Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities- Deferral
of the  Effective  Date of FASB  Satement  No. 133." This  statement  defers the
effective date of SFAS 133 to fiscal years beginning after June 15, 2000.



         5.       YEAR 2000

         The  Company  has  undertaken  a review of its  systems for "Year 2000"
compliance at both the holding company and subsidiary  levels. DHC has completed
an assessment  of its hardware and software  systems and has contacted the third
party vendors that it believes are critical to its operations. DHC believes that
it is currently Year 2000 compliant and has received  assurances  from its third
party  vendors  that  they are Year  2000  compliant.  However,  there can be no
assurance that such  assessments  are correct and DHC is currently  developing a
contingency plan in the event that those assessments are incorrect.

         NAICC is highly dependent on electronic data processing and information
systems in its operations.  NAICC has reviewed its information systems, hardware
and software  operations and  applications  in relation to the Year 2000.  NAICC
believes  that  its  hardware  and  operating  system  software  are  Year  2000
compliant.  NAICC also believes that it has identified  substantially all of the
application software programs which require modification in order to become Year
2000  compliant and has a formal plan to correct and test the programs  affected
by the conversion of a two-digit year to a four-digit  year. NAICC has completed
and tested the  modifications  to its insurance  applications  and believes that
they are Year  2000  compliant.  All  non-insurance  applications  (e.g.  e-mail
software, accounting software, and report archiving software) have been upgraded
and NAICC believes that they are Year 2000 compliant.

         NAICC has  identified the third parties it believes are material to its
operations  and is  continuing  to monitor and, in the case of certain  material
third  parties,  has been able to test its interface to the external  systems of
these third parties and believes that they are Year 2000 compliant.

         NAICC believes that it does not currently issue any insurance  policies
with coverages  under which claims for Year 2000 related losses or damages could
be successfully asserted.  Management does not believe that material risk exists
that such claims will be made on previous policies.

         NAICC  is  utilizing  internal  and  external  resources  to  meet  its
deadlines  for Year 2000  modifications.  Management  believes that the costs of
Year 2000  compliance  related  efforts are expected to be $200,000 for the year
ended  December 31, 1999.  Due to the  complexities  of  estimating  the cost of
modifying all applications to become Year 2000 compliant and the difficulties in
assessing   third-party  vendors'  abilities  to  become  Year  2000  compliant,
estimates are subject to and are likely to change.



                                       10
<PAGE>


         The management of NAICC believes that its  electronic  data  processing
and  information  systems  will be Year  2000  compliant.  However,  should  any
material system fail to correctly process information due to the century change,
operations could be interrupted and this could have a material adverse effect on
NAICC's results of operations.



         6.       RISK FACTORS THAT MAY AFFECT FUTURE RESULTS

                  As  noted  above,   the  foregoing   discussion   may  include
forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties.  In addition to
other  factors and matters  discussed  elsewhere  herein,  some of the important
factors that, in the view of the Company,  could cause actual  results to differ
materially from those discussed in the  forward-looking  statements  include the
following:

              1. The  insurance  products  sold by the  Company  are  subject to
intense  competition  from many  competitors,  many of whom  have  substantially
greater  resources than the Company.  There can be no assurance that the Company
will be able to successfully  compete and generate  sufficient premium volume at
attractive prices to be profitable.

              2. In order to implement its business  plan,  the Company has been
seeking  to enter  into  strategic  partnerships  and/or  make  acquisitions  of
businesses  that  would  enable  the  Company  to earn an  attractive  return on
investment.  Restrictions on the Company's ability to issue additional equity in
order to finance any such transactions  exist which could  significantly  affect
the  Company's  ability to finance  any such  transaction.  The Company may have
limited other resources with which to implement its strategy and there can be no
assurance that any transaction will be successfully consummated.

              3.  The  insurance  industry  is  highly  regulated  and it is not
possible to predict the impact of future  state and  federal  regulation  on the
operations of the Company.

              4. Unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses ("LAE") are based on
estimates of reported losses,  historical  Company experience of losses reported
by reinsured  companies for insurance assumed from such insurers,  and estimates
based on historical Company and industry  experience for unreported claims. Such
liability is, by necessity,  based upon  estimates  which may change in the near
term, and there can be no assurance that the ultimate liability will not exceed,
or even materially exceed, such estimates.


Item 3.       QUALITATIVE AND QUANTITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT  MARKET RISK


                  The Company's  objectives in managing its investment portfolio
are to  maximize  investment  income and  investment  returns  while  minimizing
overall credit risk.  Investment  strategies are developed based on many factors
including underwriting results,  overall tax position,  regulatory requirements,
and fluctuations in interest rates.  Investment decisions are made by management
and approved by the Board of Directors. Market risk represents the potential for
loss due to adverse  changes in the fair value of  securities.  The market risks
related to the Company's  fixed maturity  portfolio are primarily  interest rate
risk and  prepayment  risk.  The market risks  related to the  Company's  equity
portfolio are foreign  currency  risk and equity price risk.  There have been no
material  changes to the Company's market risk for the six months ended June 30,
1999. For further information,  reference is made to Management's Discussion and
Analysis of  Financial  Condition  and Results of  Operations  included in DHC's
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1998.


                                       11
<PAGE>

                           PART II. OTHER INFORMATION


Item 1.       Legal Proceedings.

         NAICC is a party to  various  legal  proceedings  which are  considered
routine and  incidental  to its business  and are not material to the  financial
condition and operation of its business.

Item 2.       Changes in Securities and Use of Proceeds.

              Not applicable.

Item 3.       Defaults Upon Senior Securities.

              Not applicable.

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

              Not applicable.

Item 5.       Other Information.

              Not applicable.

Item 6.       Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K.

              (a)    Exhibits:

                    10.1 Stock Purchase and Sale Agreement dated as of April 14,
                         1999 between Samstock, L.L.C. and the Registrant.

                    10.2 Amendment No. 1, Assignment and Consent to Assignment
                         of Stock Purchase and Sale Agreement dated May 7, 1999
                         among Samstock, L.L.C., S.Z. Investments, L.L.C. and
                         the Registrant.

                    10.3 Investment Agreement dated as of April 14, 1999
                         among the Registrant, Samstock, L.L.C. and Martin J.
                         Whitman.

                    10.4 Assignment  and Consent to  Assignment  of  Investment
                         Agreement  dated May 7, 1999 among the  Registrant,
                         Martin J. Whitman and S.Z. Investments, L.L.C.

                    10.5 Letter Agreement dated April 14, 1999 between Equity
                         Group Investments, L.L.C. and the Registrant.

                    10.6 Amendment dated June 2, 1999 to letter agreement dated
                         April 14, 1999 between Equity Group Investments, L.L.C.
                         and the Registrant.

                    10.7 Employment Agreement dated April 14, 1999 between the
                         Registrant and David Barse.

                    10.8 Employment Agreement dated April 14, 1999 between the
                         Registrant and Michael Carney.

                                       12
<PAGE>


              (b) Reports on Form 8-K:

                    1.   The Registrant reported that it had entered into an
                         agreement on April 14, 1999 with Samstock, L.L.C.
                         pursuant to which the Registrant agreed to sell
                         Samstock 2,000,000 shares of common stock and a
                         warrant to purchase an additional 2,000,000 shares of
                         common stock. The Registrant subsequently reported
                         that  Samstock  had  assigned its rights to its sole
                         member, S.Z. Investments, L.L.C.  The Registrant also
                         reported  an agreement relating to the nomination of
                         certain  individuals  to the Board of Directors and the
                         voting of certain shares for certain directors and an
                         agreement providing for Equity Group Investments,
                         L.L.C. to provide certain investment banking services
                         to the Registrant.

                    2.   The Registrant reported that on June 22, 1999, the
                         Missouri Court of Appeals announced a decision in a
                         certain litigation that could ultimately result in the
                         Registrant receiving certain sums from the Mission
                         Reinsurance Corporation Trust.



                                       13
<PAGE>




                                   SIGNATURES


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



Date:    August 18, 1999


                                    DANIELSON HOLDING CORPORATION
                                             (Registrant)



                                    By: /s/ DAVID BARSE
                                      ------------------------
                                            David Barse
                                            President & Chief Operating Officer



                                   By: /s/ MICHAEL CARNEY
                                     --------------------------
                                           Michael Carney
                                           Chief Financial Officer





                                       14

<PAGE>



                                 EXHIBIT INDEX



     EXHIBIT                       DOCUMENT                              PAGE
     NUMBER                        --------                              NUMBER
     ------                                                              -------
     10.1      Stock Purchase and Sale Agreement dated as of April 14,     17
               1999 between Samstock, L.L.C. and the Registrant.

     10.2      Amendment No. 1, Assignment and Consent to Assignment       72
               of Stock Purchase and Sale Agreement dated May, 7, 1999
               among Samstock, L.L.C., S.Z. Investments, L.L.C. and
               the Registrant.

     10.3      Investment Agreement dated as of April 14, 1999             75
               among the Registrant, Samstock, L.L.C. and Martin J.
               Whitman.

     10.4      Assignment  and Consent to  Assignment  of  Investment      86
               Agreement  dated May, 7, 1999 among the  Registrant,
               Martin J. Whitman and S.Z. Investments, L.L.C.

     10.5      Letter Agreement dated April 14, 1999 between Equity        89
               Group Investments, L.L.C. and the Registrant.

     10.6      Amendment dated June 2, 1999 to letter agreement dated      92
               April 14, 1999 between Equity Group Investments, L.L.C.
               and the Registrant.

     10.7      Employment Agreement dated April 14, 1999 between the       93
               Registrant and David Barse.

     10.8      Employment Agreement dated April 14, 1999 between the       108
               Registrant and Michael Carney.










                        STOCK PURCHASE AND SALE AGREEMENT

         THIS STOCK  PURCHASE AND SALE  AGREEMENT is made and entered into as of
April 14, 1999 (as  amended,  supplemented  or otherwise  modified  from time to
time, this  "Agreement"),  by and between  Samstock,  L.L.C., a Delaware limited
liability company ("Purchaser"),  and Danielson Holding Corporation,  a Delaware
corporation (the "Company). All capitalized terms used and not otherwise defined
herein have the meanings ascribed to them in Article X hereof.

         WHEREAS,  the  Company  desires  to issue  and sell to  Purchaser,  and
Purchaser  desires to purchase  from the  Company,  (i)  2,000,000  newly issued
shares (such 2,000,000 newly issued shares, collectively the "Shares") of Common
Stock in the aggregate,  representing as of the date hereof  approximately 9.43%
of the Fully Diluted Common Stock and  approximately  11.38% of the  outstanding
Common Stock (after giving  effect to the sale and issuance of the Shares),  and
(ii) a warrant  (the  "Warrant")  in the form of Exhibit A hereto to purchase an
additional  2,000,000  shares of Common Stock in the aggregate (such  additional
2,000,000  shares of Common Stock in the  aggregate  issuable  from time to time
upon exercise of the Warrant,  collectively the "Warrant Shares"),  representing
as of the date hereof approximately 9.43% of the Fully Diluted Common Stock, all
upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement.

         NOW, THEREFORE,  in consideration of the premises,  representations and
warranties  and the mutual  covenants and  agreements set forth herein and other
good and valuable consideration,  the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby
acknowledged, the parties hereby agree as follows:


                                    ARTICLE I

                     PURCHASE AND SALE OF SHARES AND WARRANT

         1.1 Purchase and Sale.  Upon the terms and subject to the  satisfaction
of the conditions contained in this Agreement, at the Closing, the Company shall
issue and sell to Purchaser  and Purchaser  shall  purchase from the Company the
Shares and the Warrant, in each case free and clear of all Liens.

         1.2  Consideration.  Upon the terms and subject to the  satisfaction of
the conditions contained in this Agreement, at the Closing,  Purchaser shall pay
to the Company Nine Million Dollars ($9,000,000) in the aggregate (the "Purchase
Price") for the Shares and the Warrant.


                                   ARTICLE II

                                   THE CLOSING

         2.1 Time and Place.  Upon the terms and subject to the  satisfaction of
the conditions contained in this Agreement, the closing of the issuance and sale
of the Shares and the Warrant  contemplated  by this Agreement  (the  "Closing")
shall take place at the offices of  Rosenberg  &  Liebentritt,  P.C.,  Two North
Riverside  Plaza,  Chicago,  Illinois  at 10:00 a.m.  (local  time) on the third
business day following the date on which all of the  conditions  hereunder have

<PAGE>

been  satisfied or waived,  or at such other place or time as Purchaser and the
Company  may agree.  The date and time at which the Closing  actually occurs is
hereinafter referred to as the "Closing Date."

         2.2  Deliveries  by the  Company.  At the  Closing,  the Company  shall
deliver the following to Purchaser:

         (a) escrow receipts evidencing  Purchaser's beneficial ownership of the
Shares,  dated as of the Closing Date, in accordance with Section 5.2(a), of the
Company's Certificate of Incorporation;

         (b) the Warrant, dated as of the Closing Date, in the name of
Purchaser;

         (c) an opinion of Zukerman Gore & Brandeis,  LLP  substantially  in the
form attached hereto as Exhibit B; and

         (d) all other documents,  instruments and writings  reasonably required
to be  delivered  by the Company at or prior to the Closing  Date in  connection
with this Agreement.

         2.3 Deliveries by Purchaser.  At the Closing,  Purchaser  shall deliver
the following to the Company:

         (a) the Purchase Price by interbank transfer of federal funds to one or
more accounts  designated in a writing  delivered by the Company to Purchaser no
less than two (2) business days prior to the Closing Date or by such other means
as may be agreed upon in writing by the Company and Purchaser;

         (b) an opinion letter from Rosenberg &  Liebentritt,  P.C.,  counsel to
Purchaser, in substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit C; and

         (c) all other documents,  instruments and writings  reasonably required
to be delivered by Purchaser at or prior to the Closing Date in connection  with
this Agreement.


                                   ARTICLE III

                  REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY

         The Company represents, warrants and covenants to Purchaser on the date
of  this  Agreement  and  again  on the  Closing  Date,  which  representations,
warranties  and covenants  shall survive the Closing until the Survival Date (as
hereinafter defined), as follows:

         3.1  Organization  and  Qualification.  Each of the  Company  and  each
Subsidiary  is a  corporation  duly  organized,  validly  existing  and in  good
standing under the laws of the  jurisdiction  of its  incorporation  and has the
requisite  corporate  power and  authority to carry on its business as it is now
being  conducted.  Each of the Company and each  Subsidiary is duly qualified or
licensed as a foreign  corporation to do business,  and is in good standing,  in
each  jurisdiction  (including  any foreign  country) where the character of its
properties owned, leased or operated by it or the nature of its activities makes
such  qualification  or licensing  necessary,


                                        2
<PAGE>


except for such failures to be so qualified or licensed or in good standing
which would not,  individually  or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse
Effect.

         3.2 Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws. The Company has heretofore
made available to Purchaser a complete and correct copy of the  certificates  of
incorporation  of the Company and each  Subsidiary and the bylaws of the Company
and each Subsidiary as currently in effect  (collectively,  the  "Organizational
Documents").  Such Organizational Documents are in full force and effect, and no
other organizational  documents are applicable to or binding upon the Company or
any Subsidiary (including,  without limitation, any joint venture, investment or
other agreement).  Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary is in violation of any
of the provisions of its Organizational  Documents in any material respect or in
any respect  (whether or not  material)  which could  reasonably  be expected to
result in a Material Adverse Effect.

         3.3      Capitalization; Subsidiaries.

         (a) The authorized  capital stock of the Company consists of 20,000,000
shares of Common Stock and 10,000,000  shares of Preferred Stock. As of the date
hereof, (i) 15,586,994 shares of Common Stock were issued,  15,576,276 shares of
Common Stock were outstanding and 10,718 shares of Common Stock were held in the
treasury of the Company, all of which shares were validly issued, fully paid and
nonassessable, (ii) no shares of Preferred Stock were issued or outstanding, and
(iii) other than 10,718 shares of Common Stock,  no Equity  Securities were held
in the treasury of the Company.

         (b) As of the date hereof and the Closing Date and after giving  affect
to  the  sale  of  the  Shares,  the  Shares  represent,   or  shall  represent,
approximately  9.43% of the Fully Diluted Common Stock and approximately  11.38%
of the outstanding shares of Common Stock. As of the date hereof and the Closing
Date, the Warrant Shares represent,  or shall represent,  approximately 9.43% of
the Fully Diluted Common Stock.

         (c)  Except as set forth  above in  Section  3.3(a) and as set forth in
Schedule  3.3(c)  hereto,  there are no  outstanding  Equity  Securities  of the
Company.  Schedule  3.3(c)  includes a true and correct  table  summarizing  all
outstanding  stock  options,   warrants  and  other  rights  to  acquire  Equity
Securities of the Company or any Subsidiary (other than the Warrant),  including
the identity of the holder,  the number of shares covered,  the vesting schedule
therefor, the exercise price therefor, and the termination date therefor.

         (d) Attached as Schedule 3.3(d) hereto is a true,  correct and complete
organization chart identifying the Company,  each direct or indirect  Subsidiary
and the ownership of each such entity. Each of the outstanding shares of capital
stock of each  Subsidiary is duly  authorized,  validly  issued,  fully paid and
nonassessable,  and all such  shares  are  owned  by the  Company,  directly  or
indirectly through other wholly-owned  Subsidiaries,  as represented in Schedule
3.3(d),  free and  clear of all  Liens,  and  there  are no  outstanding  Equity
Securities of any Subsidiary  other than such shares.  The Company does not own,
directly or indirectly, any capital stock or other equity interest in any Person
other than the  Subsidiaries  identified or as otherwise  identified on Schedule
3.3(d).  No  Subsidiary  engaged  in  the  insurance  business  is  commercially
domiciled in any jurisdiction other than its jurisdiction of incorporation.


                                        3
<PAGE>

         3.4      The Shares and the Warrant.

         (a) Upon payment of the Purchase  Price at the Closing,  Purchaser will
acquire good and  marketable  title to the Shares,  free and clear of all Liens.
Upon payment of the Purchase Price,  the Shares shall be validly  issued,  fully
paid and nonassessable.

         (b) Upon payment of the Purchase  Price at the Closing,  Purchaser will
acquire good and marketable  title to the Warrant,  free and clear of all Liens.
Upon exercise of the Warrant,  in whole or, from time to time, in part, and upon
payment of the exercise price therefor,  all in accordance with the terms of the
Warrant, Purchaser will acquire good and marketable title to the Warrant Shares,
free and clear of all Liens,  and such Warrant  Shares shall be validly  issued,
fully paid and nonassessable.

         3.5 Power and Authority.  The Company has all necessary corporate power
and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement,  the Investment  Agreement,
the  Warrant  and all other  documents,  instruments  and other  writings  to be
executed and/or  delivered by or on behalf of the Company to Purchaser or any of
its  representatives in connection with the transactions  contemplated hereby or
thereby  (collectively,  the "Company  Transaction  Documents"),  to perform its
obligations   hereunder  and  thereunder  and  to  consummate  the  transactions
contemplated  hereby  and  thereby,  except  that the  Proxy  Proposals  require
shareholder approval as referenced in Section 3.23(b).  The execution,  delivery
and performance of each of the Company Transaction Documents by the Company, and
the  consummation  by the Company of the  transactions  contemplated  hereby and
thereby,  have been duly and validly authorized by the Board of Directors of the
Company (the  "Board"),  and no other  corporate  proceedings on the part of the
Company are necessary to authorize the  execution,  delivery and  performance of
the  Company  Transaction  Documents  or the  consummation  of the  transactions
contemplated  hereby  and  thereby,  except  that the  Proxy  Proposals  require
shareholder approval as referenced in Section 3.23(b).

         3.6 No Conflict; Required Filings and Consents. The execution, delivery
and performance of the Company  Transaction  Documents by the Company do not and
will not:  (a)  conflict  with or violate the  Organizational  Documents  of the
Company  or any  Subsidiary;  (b)  conflict  with  or  violate  any  law,  rule,
regulation,  order,  judgment  or  decree  applicable  to  the  Company  or  any
Subsidiary or by which its or any of their  respective  properties  are bound or
affected which could  reasonably be expected to have a Material  Adverse Effect;
(c) require any consent, approval, authorization or permit of, action by, filing
with or  notification  to, any  Governmental  Entity  (other than (i) any filing
required  under  Section  13(a) or (d), 14, 15(d) or 16(a) of the Exchange  Act,
(ii) the Purchaser Insurance Filings and Consents,  or (iii) with respect to the
exercise  of the  Warrant,  the filing of the HSR Report and the  expiration  or
termination  of  the  applicable  waiting  period  under  the  HSR  Act)  or any
securities  exchange  including  AMEX (except that the Company must and shall as
soon as  practicable  notify  AMEX of  this  transaction  and  take  all  action
necessary  to cause the Shares and Warrant  Shares to be, and the Shares and the
Warrant  Shares must be, listed and approved by AMEX),  except where the failure
to obtain or effect the same would not have a Material  Adverse  Effect;  or (d)
result in any breach or violation of or  constitute a default (or an event which
with  notice or lapse of time or both could  become a default)  or result in the
loss by the Company or any Subsidiary of a material  benefit under, or give rise
to any right of termination,  amendment,  acceleration  or  cancellation  of, or
result  in the  creation  of a Lien on any of the  properties  or  assets of the
Company or any Subsidiary pursuant to, any Contract,  Permit or other instrument
or obligation

                                        4
<PAGE>


to which the Company or any  Subsidiary is a party or by which the
Company or any  Subsidiary or any of their  respective  properties  are bound or
affected which could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

         3.7  Employment, Consulting and Severance Agreements and Related
Matters.  Except as set forth in Schedule 3.7 hereto:

         (a) There are no  Employment,  Consulting  or Severance  Agreements  to
which the  Company or any  Subsidiary  is a party or by which the Company or any
Subsidiary  or any of their  respective  assets may be bound,  and no present or
former employee, officer, director, consultant,  independent contractor or other
agent of the Company or any  Subsidiary is a party to or the  beneficiary of any
such Employment, Consulting or Severance Agreements.

         (b) The execution  and delivery of this  Agreement or the other Company
Transactions  Documents and the  consummation of the  transactions  contemplated
hereby and thereby: (i) do not and will not result in any breach or violation of
or  constitute a default (or an event which with notice or lapse of time or both
could  become a default) or result in the loss by the Company or any  Subsidiary
of a  material  benefit  under,  or  give  rise  to any  right  of  termination,
amendment,  acceleration  or  cancellation  of  any  Employment,  Consulting  or
Severance Agreement;  or (ii) do not and will not give rise to any obligation on
the part of the  Company  or any  Subsidiary  to pay or  provide  any  Severance
Payment.

         3.8 Compliance;  No Violation.  Each of the Company and each Subsidiary
is in compliance with, and is not in default or violation of, (i) its respective
Organizational Documents, and (ii) all Contracts,  Permits and other instruments
or  obligations  to which any of them are a party or by which any of them or any
of their respective properties may be bound or affected,  except, in the case of
clause (ii), for any such failures of compliance,  defaults and violations which
could not,  individually  or in the aggregate,  reasonably be expected to have a
Material Adverse Effect.

         3.9      Insurance Regulatory Compliance and Related Matters.

         (a) The statutory Annual  Statements of the Company and each Subsidiary
for the year ended  December 31, 1998,  together with all exhibits and schedules
thereto,  and financial  statements relating thereto, and any actuarial opinion,
affirmation or certification  filed in connection  therewith,  and all Insurance
Reports, with respect to the Company and each of its Subsidiaries,  in each case
as  filed  with  the  applicable  Insurance  Regulator  of its  jurisdiction  or
domicile,  in every jurisdiction in which it holds a certificate of authority or
in any other  jurisdiction  as  otherwise  required,  were timely filed and were
prepared  in  all  material  respects  in  conformity  with  SAP,  applied  on a
consistent  basis, and present fairly, in all material  respects,  to the extent
required  by and in  conformity  with SAP,  the  admitted  assets,  liabilities,
capital and surplus, cash flow, other funds liability for unpaid losses and loss
adjustment expenses and unearned premiums,  of the Subsidiaries at such date and
the results of operations,  changes in capital and surplus and cash flow of each
such entity for such  period,  and were correct in all  material  respects  when
filed and there were no material  omissions  therefrom when filed.  The reserves
for unpaid  losses  and loss  adjustment  expenses  included  therein  have been
estimated in  accordance  with  generally  accepted  actuarial  standards and in
accordance  with SAP.  Except  as set forth on  Schedule  3.9(a),  no  Insurance
Regulator  has given any written  notice of any  deficiency  or violation of any
applicable  statute,   law,   ordinance,   rule,  order  or  regulation  of  any


                                        5
<PAGE>


Governmental  Entity which deficiency or violation would have a Material Adverse
Effect.  Each of the  Company  and its  Subsidiaries  has filed  with  Insurance
Regulators  all Insurance  Reports  required to be filed under the insurance and
other  laws  of its  state  of  domicile  and in each  state  where  it  holds a
certificate of authority  except where such failure to file,  individually or in
the aggregate,  would not have a Material  Adverse Effect.  Schedule 3.9(a) sets
forth all reports of examination issued by any Insurance  Regulator with respect
to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries since January 1, 1996. The Company and
its  Insurance  Subsidiaries  have  resolved all material  issues raised in such
reports to the satisfaction of the issuer thereof.

         (b) Schedule  3.9(b)  identifies  all in force  Subsidiary  Reinsurance
Agreements.  Each Subsidiary  Reinsurance Agreement is in full force and effect,
enforceable in accordance  with the terms  thereof,  and neither the Company nor
any  Subsidiary  is in default  under or breach of any of the  provisions of any
Subsidiary  Reinsurance  Agreements and, except as set forth on Schedule 3.9(b),
there is no event  that has  occurred  which,  with the  passage  of time or the
giving of notice,  or both,  would  create a default or breach by the Company or
any such  Subsidiary  thereunder,  except to the extent that any such default or
breach would not have a Material  Adverse Effect.  The execution and delivery of
this Agreement or the other Company Transactions  Documents and the consummation
of the transactions  contemplated  hereby and thereby including the issuance and
sale of the Shares and  Warrant or the  exercise  of the Warrant or the sale and
issuance  of Warrant  Shares  upon  exercise  of the Warrant do not and will not
result in any breach or violation of or  constitute a default (or an event which
with  notice or lapse of time or both could  become a default)  or result in the
loss by the Company or any Subsidiary of a material  benefit under, or give rise
to any right of  termination,  amendment,  acceleration  or  cancellation of any
Subsidiary  Reinsurance  Agreement.  None of the Company,  any Subsidiary or any
reinsurer  under any  Subsidiary  Reinsurance  Agreement has given any notice of
termination  with  respect to any such  arrangement  or treaty,  and there is no
dispute  other than those that occur in the ordinary  course of business,  under
any such arrangement or treaty regarding the liability for any claim against the
Company  or  any  Subsidiary  by its  insureds  that  is  covered  by  any  such
arrangement or treaty, which if adversely  determined would,  individually or in
the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect.

         (c) All  insurance  products  offered  and sold by the  Company  or any
Subsidiary,  complied when offered,  issued,  and sold, in all material respects
with the provisions of all applicable laws and regulations.  All policies, bonds
or contracts of insurance issued by the Company or any Subsidiary,  as currently
in force,  are to the extent required under applicable law, on forms approved by
Insurance  Regulators or other appropriate  Governmental  Entities or which have
been filed and not objected to by such  authorities  within the period  provided
for  objection,  and all such  insurance  in force is valid and binding upon the
Company or its  Subsidiaries,  in  accordance  with the terms of such  policies,
bonds and contracts.  All premium rates required to be filed with or approved by
Insurance Regulators have been so filed,  approved or not objected to within the
period provided for objection and all premiums charged, conform thereto.

         (d) Neither the Company nor any  Subsidiary  has advertised or used any
sales  promotional  materials in connection with the offer and sale of insurance
products  that does not  comply  with  applicable  laws,  except  where any such
practice would not have a Material Adverse Effect.


                                        6
<PAGE>


         (e)  Neither  the Company  nor any of its  Insurance  Subsidiaries  has
empowered any  independent  agent with the authority to bind it to any insurance
or reinsurance contract or any amendment or endorsement  thereto,  whether known
as or acting as managing  general agent or otherwise,  with the exception of the
authority  granted to the agents of the  Company or its  Insurance  Subsidiaries
pursuant to their respective Agency Agreements. Each Agency Agreement is in full
force and effect,  enforceable in accordance with the terms thereof, and neither
the  Company  nor any  Subsidiary  is in  default  under or breach of any of the
provisions of any Agency Agreements, and there is no event that has occurred (or
to the Company's  knowledge that is likely to occur) which,  with the passage of
time or the giving of notice,  or both,  would create a default or breach by the
Company or any such  Subsidiary  thereunder,  except to the extent that any such
default or breach would not have a Material Adverse Effect. None of the Company,
any  Subsidiary or any agent under any Agency  Agreement has given any notice of
termination with respect to any such arrangement.

         (f)  The   execution,   delivery  and   performance  of  the  Purchaser
Transaction  Documents  by any  Person  acquiring  the  Shares  and  Warrant  as
contemplated  by this  Agreement,  does not and will not: (i)  conflict  with or
violate  any  insurance  law,  statute,   rule,  regulation  or  policy  of  any
jurisdiction,  (collectively,  "Purchaser Insurance Regulations")  applicable to
any Person  acquiring  the Shares and  Warrant  Shares as  contemplated  by this
Agreement;  and (ii) except as specified in Schedule 3.9(f) hereto,  require any
consent,  approval,  authorization  or permit  of,  action  by,  filing  with or
notification  to,  any  Insurance  Regulator  (all  such  consents,   approvals,
authorizations,  permits,  actions,  filings  and  notifications,  collectively,
"Purchaser Insurance Filings and Consents").

         (g) Except as set forth on Schedule 3.9(g) hereto,  each of the Company
and each  Subsidiary is in  compliance  with all  statutes,  laws,  regulations,
rules,  injunctions,  decrees,  permits,  orders  and  licenses  to  which it is
subject,  including,  without limitation,  laws, statutes,  rules,  regulations,
permits,  and  orders of or  issued  or  administered  by  Insurance  Regulators
governing  their  businesses,  including,  without  limitation,  development and
marketing of insurance  products,  the licensure or  registration  of agents and
brokers and the execution and  performance  of  reinsurance  agreements,  except
where such failure to comply would not have a Material  Adverse Effect,  and has
received  no notice of any alleged  violation  of any such law,  statute,  rule,
regulation, injunction, decree, permit, order or license.

         (h)  Schedule   3.9(h)  contains  a  complete  and  accurate  list  and
description of all certificates of authority,  licenses and permits held by each
insurance  Subsidiary,  which  certificates  of authority,  licenses and permits
constitute  all  authority   necessary  to  the  lawful  conduct  of  each  such
Subsidiary's  business  as  currently  contemplated,  and are in full  force and
effect.  Neither the Company nor any  Subsidiary is aware of or has received any
notice from any Insurance Regulator indicating any problem with, or condition or
limitation  on, any  certificate  of  authority,  license  or permit,  including
without limitation,  any condition or limitation that could restrict or prohibit
the use thereof upon the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby.

         (i)  Schedule  3.9(i)  sets  forth a  complete  and  accurate  list and
description  of  each  registration,   filing,  application,  notice,  transfer,
consent,  approval,  order,  qualification or waiver (each a "Required Consent")
known  to  the  Company  to be  required  to be  obtained  by the  Company  or a
Subsidiary by virtue of the execution of this Agreement or the  consummation  of
the transactions contemplated hereby (a) to avoid the loss of any certificate of
authority or of

                                        7

<PAGE>


any license or permit or the  violation of any law or regulation or any order to
which the Company or a Subsidiary  is subject or by which any of their assets
may be bound,  or to prevent the  possibility  of a termination  or impairment
of any contract or reinsurance  agreement disclosed or referred to in Schedule
3.9(i), (b) to enable the transfer of valid and marketable title to the Shares
to Purchaser, (c) to enable the Company and each  Subsidiary to continue their
respective businesses after the Closing as conducted prior to the Closing, or
(d) to continue  after the Closing the  agreements of the  reinsurers of each
Subsidiary to provide reinsurance.

         3.10     SEC Documents; Undisclosed Liabilities.

         (a) The Company has filed with the SEC all required reports, schedules,
forms,   proxy,   registration   and  other   statements  and  other   documents
(collectively,  the "SEC Documents"). As of the date of this Agreement, the last
SEC Document  filed by the Company was the Company's  Annual Report on Form 10-K
for the year ended December 31, 1998. As of their  respective  filing dates, the
SEC Documents  complied in all material  respects with the  requirements  of the
Securities  Act or the  Exchange  Act,  as the case may be,  and the  rules  and
regulations of the SEC promulgated  thereunder  applicable to the SEC Documents.
As of their  respective  filing dates,  none of the SEC Documents  contained any
untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material fact required
to be stated  therein or necessary in order to make the statements  therein,  in
light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, except to
the extent  such  statements  have been  modified or  superseded  by a later SEC
Document  filed  and  publicly   available   prior  to  the  Closing  Date,  the
circumstances or bases for which  modifications  or  supersessions  have not and
will not  individually or in the aggregate  result in any material  liability or
obligation on behalf of the Company under the Securities  Act, the Exchange Act,
the rules  promulgated  under the  Securities  Act or the  Exchange  Act, or any
federal,  state or local anti-fraud,  blue-sky,  securities or similar laws. The
consolidated  financial  statements of the Company included in the SEC Documents
(as amended or  supplemented  by any later filed SEC Document filed and publicly
available prior to March 31, 1999),  comply as to form in all material  respects
with applicable accounting requirements and the rules and regulations of the SEC
with respect  thereto,  have been prepared in accordance  with GAAP applied on a
consistent  basis  during the periods  involved  (except as may be  indicated in
notes thereto) and fairly  present the  consolidated  financial  position of the
Company  and the  Subsidiaries  as of the  dates  thereof  and the  consolidated
results of their  operations and cash flows for the periods then ended (subject,
in the case of unaudited  statements,  to normal  year-end  audit  adjustments).
Other than  liabilities  and  obligations  reflected or reserved  against in the
consolidated   financial   statements  of  the  Company  and  its   consolidated
Subsidiaries  included in the  Company's  Annual Report on Form10-K for the year
ended  December  31,  1998,  or  incurred  since the date of the  balance  sheet
included in such financial  statements in the ordinary  course of business which
are  not   individually  or  collectively   material  to  the  Company  and  the
Subsidiaries  taken as a whole,  and  except as set  forth in the SEC  Documents
(which includes, without limitation,  descriptions of the uncertainties involved
in  determining  reserve for  insurance  payments),  neither the Company nor any
Subsidiary has any obligation or liability of any nature  whatsoever  (direct or
indirect,  matured or  unmatured,  absolute,  accrued,  contingent or otherwise)
either (i) required by GAAP to be set forth on a  consolidated  balance sheet of
the  Company  and the  Subsidiaries  or in the  notes  thereto  or  (ii)  which,
individually  or in the  aggregate,  could  reasonably  be  expected  to  have a
Material  Adverse  Effect  whether or not required by GAAP to be provided for or
reserved against on a balance sheet prepared in accordance with GAAP.


                                        8
<PAGE>


         (b) At the date the Proxy  Statement is first  mailed to the  Company's
stockholders or at the time of the  Stockholders'  Meeting,  the Proxy Statement
will not contain any untrue  statement  of a material  fact or omit to state any
material  fact  required to be stated  therein or necessary in order to make the
statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they are made, not
misleading (other than with respect to information concerning Purchaser provided
by Purchaser in writing to the Company  specifically to be included in the Proxy
Statement as to which the Company makes no representation).  The Proxy Statement
shall comply in all material  respects with the requirements of the Exchange Act
and the rules and  regulations  promulgated  thereunder  except that the Company
makes no  representation,  warranty  or  covenant  with  respect to any  written
information  supplied  by  Purchaser  specifically  for  inclusion  in the Proxy
Statement.

         3.11 Absence of Certain  Changes or Events.  Except as disclosed in the
SEC Documents,  since December 31, 1998, the Company and the  Subsidiaries  have
conducted  their  businesses  only  in  the  ordinary  course  and  in a  manner
consistent with past practice, and there has not occurred any event,  condition,
circumstance,  change or development  (whether or not in the ordinary  course of
business) that, individually or in the aggregate, has had or could reasonably be
expected to have a Material  Adverse Effect.  Without limiting the generality of
the  foregoing,  except as set forth on Schedule  3.11 hereto or as disclosed in
any SEC Documents and publicly available prior to March 31, 1999, since December
31,  1998,  there has not been (i) any change by the  Company in its  accounting
methods,  principles or practices, (ii) any revaluation by the Company of any of
its or any Subsidiary's  material  assets,  other than in the ordinary course of
business  consistent  with past  practice,  (iii) any entry outside the ordinary
course of business  by the Company or any  Subsidiary  into any  commitments  or
transactions material,  individually or in the aggregate, to the Company and the
Subsidiaries taken as a whole, (iv) any declaration, setting aside or payment of
any dividends or  distributions in respect of the shares of Common Stock or, any
redemption,  purchase or other  acquisition  of any of its  securities,  (v) any
grant or issuance of any Equity Securities of the Company or any Subsidiary;  or
(vi)  any  increase  in,  establishment  of  or  amendment  of  any  Employment,
Consulting or Severance  Agreement,  bonus,  insurance,  deferred  compensation,
pension, retirement,  profit sharing, stock option (including without limitation
the granting of stock options, stock appreciation rights, performance awards, or
restricted  stock  awards),  stock  purchase or other  employee  benefit plan or
agreement or arrangement,  or any other increase in the compensation  payable or
to become payable to any present or former  directors,  officers or employees of
the Company or any  Subsidiary,  except for  increases  in  compensation  in the
ordinary course of business consistent with past practice.

         3.12 Absence of Litigation; Compliance. Except as set forth on Schedule
3.12 hereto or as disclosed in any SEC Documents filed with the SEC and publicly
available  prior to  March  31,  1999,  there  are no  suits,  claims,  actions,
proceedings or investigations  pending or, to the Company's  knowledge,  overtly
threatened against the Company or any Subsidiary, or any properties or rights of
the  Company  or  any  Subsidiary,  including,  without  limitation  before  any
arbitrator  or  Governmental  Entity  that (i) if  determined  adversely  to the
Company or any Subsidiary could, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be
expected to have a Material  Adverse Effect or (ii) seek to delay or prevent the
consummation of the  transactions  contemplated  by this Agreement.  Neither the
Company nor any  Subsidiary  nor any of their  respective  properties  is or are
subject to any order, writ, judgment, injunction, decree, determination or award
having,   or  which  in  the  future  could  reasonably  be  expected  to  have,
individually or in the aggregate,  a Material Adverse Effect or could prevent or
delay the

                                        9

<PAGE>


consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or any other
Transaction  Document.  Neither  the  Company  nor any  Subsidiary  is in
violation of, nor has the Company or any  Subsidiary  violated,  any  applicable
provisions of any Contract,  Permit or other  instrument or obligations to which
the Company or any Subsidiary is a party or by which the Company, any Subsidiary
or any of their respective  properties are bound or affected except for any such
violations  which could not,  individually  or in the  aggregate,  reasonably be
expected  to have a Material  Adverse  Effect.  Except as  disclosed  in any SEC
Documents filed with the SEC and publicly available prior to March 31, 1999, the
Company and its  Subsidiaries  are in compliance  with all applicable  statutes,
laws,  ordinances,  rules,  orders and  regulations of any  Governmental  Entity
(including,  without  limitation,  with  respect to  employment  and  employment
practices,  immigration laws relevant to employment, and terms and conditions of
employment  and wages and hours)  except for any  failure to comply  which could
not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material
Adverse Effect.  Except as disclosed in any SEC Documents filed with the SEC and
publicly available prior to March 31, 1999, no investigation by any Governmental
Entity with respect to the Company or any  Subsidiary is pending or, to the best
of the Company's knowledge, threatened.

         3.13     Employee Benefit Plans.

         (a) The Company has made available or delivered to Purchaser copies (or
if the same do not exist in written form, descriptions) of each material formal,
informal, oral or written bonus, deferred compensation,  incentive compensation,
stock  purchase,  stock option,  restricted  stock  purchase or other  issuance,
severance or termination pay,  hospitalization  or other medical,  life or other
insurance  (or  similar  self-insurance),  supplemental  unemployment  benefits,
profit-sharing,  employee stock ownership, pension, or retirement plan, program,
agreement  or  arrangement,  and each  other  employee  benefit  plan,  program,
agreement or arrangement  whether for the benefit of present or former officers,
employees,  agents,  directors or independent  contractors of the Company or any
Subsidiary or any ERISA  Affiliate,  sponsored,  maintained or contributed to or
required  to be  contributed  to by the  Company  or by any  trade or  business,
whether or not  incorporated  (an "ERISA  Affiliate"),  that  together  with the
Company  would be deemed a "single  employer"  within  the  meaning  of  Section
4001(b) of the  Employee  Retirement  Income  Security  Act of 1974,  as amended
("ERISA") or Section 414(b) or (c) of the Code (collectively, the "Plans"). Each
of the Plans  that is an  "employee  benefit  plan," as that term is  defined in
Section 3(3) of ERISA and subject thereto is collectively  referred to herein as
"ERISA Plans."

         (b) No material  liability under Title IV of ERISA has been incurred by
the Company or any ERISA  Affiliate  that has not been satisfied in full, and no
condition  exists  that  presents  a material  risk to the  Company or any ERISA
Affiliate  of  incurring  a  material  liability  under such  Title,  other than
liability for premiums due the Pension  Benefit  Guaranty  Corporation  ("PBGC")
(which  premiums  have been paid when due).  To the extent  this  representation
applies to sections 4064, 4069 or 4204 of Title IV of ERISA, it is made not only
with respect to each ERISA Plan but also with  respect to any  employee  benefit
plan,  program,  agreement or arrangement  subject to Title IV of ERISA to which
the Company or any ERISA Affiliate made, or was required to make,  contributions
during the five-year period ending on the Closing Date.  Neither the Company nor
any ERISA  Affiliate is required to  contribute  to a  "multiemployer  plan" (as
defined in Section  4001(a)(3) of ERISA) or has withdrawn from any multiemployer
plan where such  withdrawal  has  resulted  or would  result in any  "withdrawal
liability"  (within  the  meaning of Title IV of ERISA)  that has not been fully
paid.

                                       10

<PAGE>


         (c) The PBGC has not instituted proceedings to terminate any ERISA Plan
and no condition exists that presents a material risk that such proceedings will
be instituted.

         (d) Neither the  Company nor any ERISA  Affiliate,  nor any ERISA Plan,
nor any trust created thereunder,  nor any trustee or administrator  thereof has
engaged in a  transaction  in  connection  with  which the  Company or any ERISA
Affiliate,  any ERISA  Plan,  any such trust,  or any  trustee or  administrator
thereof,  or any party  dealing  with any  ERISA  Plan or any such  trust  could
reasonably be subject to either a material  civil penalty  assessed  pursuant to
section  409 or 502(i) of ERISA or a material  tax  imposed  pursuant to section
4975 or 4976 of the Code.

         (e) No ERISA Plan or any trust established  thereunder has incurred any
"accumulated funding deficiency" (as defined in section 302 of ERISA and section
412 of the Code),  whether or not waived,  as of the last day of the most recent
fiscal year of each ERISA Plan,  which could reasonably be expected to result in
a material liability to the Company;  and all contributions  required to be made
with  respect  thereto  (whether  pursuant  to the  terms of any  ERISA  Plan or
otherwise) have been timely made.

         (f) Each Plan has been operated and administered in accordance with its
terms and applicable law in all material  respects,  including,  but not limited
to, ERISA and the Code. No Plan is subject to any material dispute or proceeding
other than relating to a routine claim for benefits.

         (g) There are no material  pending or (to the knowledge of the Company)
threatened  claims by or on behalf of any Plan,  by any employee or  beneficiary
covered  under any such Plan,  or otherwise  involving any such Plan (other than
routine claims for benefits).

         (h)  To the  knowledge  of the  Company,  no  fact  exists  that  could
reasonably  be  expected to result in the  disqualification  of any Plan that is
intended to be qualified under Section 401(a) of the Code.

         3.14 Tax Matters.  Since  August 15, 1990,  each of the Company and the
Subsidiaries  has filed all Tax Returns,  or requests for extensions to file Tax
Returns,  which the Company and the Subsidiaries  were required to have filed on
or  before  the date  hereof,  except  where  the  failure  to do so  could  not
reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.  All Tax Returns filed
by the Company or the Subsidiaries  are complete and accurate,  except where the
failure to be complete and accurate  could not  reasonably be expected to have a
Material  Adverse  Effect.  The Company and the  Subsidiaries  have paid (or the
Company has paid on behalf of the  Subsidiaries) or has made adequate  provision
for the payment of all Taxes shown as due on such Tax Returns and  reflected  in
the most recent  financial  statements  contained in the SEC  Documents  for all
taxable periods and portions  thereof accrued through the date of such financial
statements,  except where the failure to do so could not  reasonably be expected
to have a  Material  Adverse  Effect.  No  deficiencies  for any Taxes have been
proposed,  asserted or assessed  against the Company or any Subsidiary  that are
not  adequately  reserved  for,  pursuant to such Tax Returns or pursuant to any
assessment received with respect thereto. Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary
has  been  notified,  or  otherwise  has  knowledge,  of any  pending  audit  or
examination  of  any  Tax  Return  of  the  Company  or  any  Subsidiary  by any
Governmental  Entity,  nor has the Company or any  Subsidiary  received  written
notice of any such audit or  examination  and there are no unexpired  waivers or
agreements  for the extension of time for the assessment of taxes on the Company
or any Subsidiary or extension of any

                                       11

<PAGE>

statute of limitations with respect to any Taxes, and there are no pending,
nor has the Company or any Subsidiary received any written notice of any
threatened,  actions, proceedings or investigations by any Governmental Entity
with respect to Taxes.

         3.15 Environmental  Matters. To the best knowledge of the Company, none
of  the  Company  or  any  Subsidiary  (including,   without  limitation,  their
respective  assets) is in violation of any  Environmental  Laws or Environmental
Permits.  To the best knowledge of the Company,  the Company and each Subsidiary
possesses and is in compliance with all Environmental Permits which are required
for the operation of their  respective  businesses,  except where the failure to
possess or comply with such Environmental  Permits could not, individually or in
the aggregate,  reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. During
the last five years,  none of the Company or any  Subsidiary  has  received  any
notice,  citation,  inquiry or complaint of any alleged violation by any of them
of any Environmental Law or Environmental Permit

         3.16 Labor  Matters.  (a) neither the  Company  nor any  Subsidiary  is
engaged in any unfair  labor  practice;  (b) there is no unfair  labor  practice
charge or complaint  against the Company or any  Subsidiary  pending  before the
National  Mediation Board, the National Labor Relations Board, or any comparable
state or local agency, (c) there is no (x) labor strike,  material dispute, slow
down  or  stoppage  actually  pending  or,  to the  knowledge  of  the  Company,
threatened  against or involving the Company or any Subsidiary,  or (y) material
labor grievance or pending arbitration  involving the Company or any Subsidiary;
(d) neither the Company nor any Subsidiary has  experienced any work stoppage or
other material labor difficulty  during the three-year  period prior to the date
of this  Agreement;  (e) there are no collective  bargaining  agreements,  union
contracts or similar types of agreements by which the Company or any  Subsidiary
is bound or covered;  (f) there are no union  representation  petitions  pending
before the National Labor  Relations  Board,  and no union within the past three
years has sought or demanded  recognition by the Company or any Subsidiary;  and
(g) there is no union  organizing  activity,  to the  knowledge  of the Company,
currently in progress involving the Company or any Subsidiary.

         3.17     Real Property.  None of the Company or any Subsidiary owns,
or has any option to purchase, any real property.

         3.18 Material  Contracts;  Defaults.  Schedule 3.18 hereto sets forth a
correct and complete  list of all  material  Contracts  (other than  Employment,
Consulting or Severance Agreements and insurance contracts) to which the Company
or any Subsidiary is a party or by which the Company or any Subsidiary or any of
their  respective  assets may be bound (the  "Material  Contracts"),  including,
without  limitation,  any such Contracts (a) involving the  expenditure  (or the
transfer of assets or services) by any party  thereto in an aggregate  amount or
with an aggregate  value in excess of $100,000 in any year,  (b) which do not by
their terms expire and are not subject to  termination  (without  penalty to the
Company or any Subsidiary)  within six (6) months from the date of execution and
delivery thereof,  or (c) to which any director or officer of the Company or any
Subsidiary or any holder of more than 5% of the outstanding  Common Stock or any
of their  respective  Affiliates is a party.  The Company has made  available or
delivered to Purchaser  correct and complete  copies of all Material  Contracts.
Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary is, or has received any notice or has any
knowledge  that any other party is, in default in any respect under any Material
Contract,  except for those defaults which would not, either  individually or in
the aggregate,  reasonably be expected to



                                       12

<PAGE>

have a Material  Adverse  Effect,  and there has not  occurred  any event  that
with the lapse of time or the giving of notice or both would  constitute such a
default by the Company or any Subsidiary or, to the Company's knowledge,  by any
other party. To the Company's knowledge, no party to any Material  Contract has
threatened  to terminate  such  Material Contract  (or modify  such  Material
Contract  in a manner  detrimental  to the Company or any Subsidiary).

         3.19  Intellectual  Property.  The Company and each of its Subsidiaries
owns,  or is  licensed  to use (in each  case,  free and clear of any Liens) all
patents,  trademarks,  trade names,  service marks,  service names,  copyrights,
technology, know-how, trade secrets, processes and computer software (including,
without  limitation,  all documentation and source and object codes with respect
to such  software)  used in or  necessary  for the  conduct of its  business  as
currently  conducted  which are material to the  business,  operations,  assets,
prospects,  financial  condition or results of operations of the Company and its
Subsidiaries  taken  as a whole.  To the  Company's  knowledge,  the use of such
patents,  trademarks,  trade  names,  copyrights,  technology,  know-how,  trade
secrets,  processes and computer software  (including,  without limitation,  all
documentation  and source and object codes with respect to such software) by the
Company and its Subsidiaries  does not infringe or otherwise  violate the rights
of any person. To the Company's knowledge,  no person is infringing any right of
the Company or any  Subsidiary  with  respect to any such  patents,  trademarks,
trade names, copyrights,  technology,  know-how,  processes or computer software
(including,  without  limitation,  all documentation and source and object codes
with respect to such software). The Company and each of its Subsidiaries is Year
2000  Compliant,  except where the failure to be Year 2000  Compliant  could not
reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

         3.20 Insurance.  The Company has heretofore made available to Purchaser
copies  of all  policies  or  binders  of fire,  liability,  product  liability,
worker's  compensation,  vehicular  and other  insurance  bonds that  insure the
operations  of the  Company  and the  Subsidiaries.  Such  policies  include all
policies that are required in connection with the operation of the businesses of
the Company and the Subsidiaries,  as presently conducted, by applicable laws or
regulations  or by the  terms  of any  Contract  to  which  the  Company  or any
Subsidiary is a party or by which any of their  respective  assets is bound. The
policies concerning such insurance are in full force and effect and no notice of
cancellation  or termination  has been received by the Company or any Subsidiary
with respect to any such policy. There are no outstanding unsettled claims under
any such policy or binder that  individually,  or in the  aggregate,  exceed the
coverage of any such policy or binder. There is no failure by the Company or any
Subsidiary to pay premiums when due, and there is no material  inaccuracy in any
application for such policies or binders. Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary
has  received any notice of  cancellation  or  nonrenewal  of any such policy or
binder.  Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary has received any notice from any
carrier  of such  insurance  that  any  insurance  premiums  will be  materially
increased  in the  future  or that  any  such  insurance  coverage  will  not be
available in the future on substantially the same terms as now in effect.

         3.21  Permits.  The  Company  and the  Subsidiaries  have  all  Permits
required by law or  governmental  regulations  from all applicable  Governmental
Entities that are necessary to operate their respective  businesses as presently
conducted  and all such  Permits are in full force and effect,  except where the
failure  to  have  any  such  Permits  in  full  force  and  effect  could  not,
individually  or in the  aggregate,  reasonably  be  expected to have a Material
Adverse  Effect.  Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary is in default under, or
in violation of or noncompliance with, any of such Permits,  except for any such
default,  violation of or noncompliance which


                                       13
<PAGE>

could not,  individually or in the aggregate,  reasonably  be  expected  to have
a Material  Adverse  Effect.  Upon consummation  of the  transactions
contemplated  by this  Agreement,  each such Permit  will  remain in full force
and effect and will not create a right of any other person to terminate  or
revoke,  modify or condition  such Permit based on such consummation.

         3.22  Related  Party  Transactions.  Except  as  disclosed  in any  SEC
Documents filed with the SEC and publicly  available prior to March 31, 1999, no
director or officer of the Company or any  Subsidiary  or holder of more than 5%
of the  outstanding  Common Stock or any of their  respective  Affiliates or any
Affiliate of the Company or any  Subsidiary  (i) has borrowed any monies from or
has outstanding any indebtedness or other similar  obligations to the Company or
any Subsidiary in excess,  individually or in the aggregate,  of $100,000;  (ii)
owns more than a 5% equity  interest  in, or is a director,  officer,  employee,
partner,  Affiliate or  associate  of, or  consultant  or lender to, or borrower
from, or has the right to participate in the  management,  operations or profits
of, any person which is a competitor, supplier, customer, creditor, or debtor of
the Company or any Subsidiaries;  or (iii) is otherwise a party to any contract,
arrangement  or  understanding  with  the  Company  or any  Subsidiary  with  an
aggregate value or amount in excess of $100,000,  in all cases other than travel
and other  expenses and  reimbursements,  company car charges and other  similar
transactions  which  are  customary  in  amount  and in the  ordinary  course of
business.

         3.23     Vote Required.

         (a) No vote of the  holders of any class or series of capital  stock or
other Equity  Securities of the Company or any Subsidiary is required to approve
or effect this Agreement or the  transactions  contemplated  hereby,  including,
without limitation,  under applicable law, AMEX regulations,  the Organizational
Documents,  any Contract or any Permit,  except that the Proxy Proposals require
shareholder approval as referenced in Section 3.23(b).

         (b) The  affirmative  vote of the holders of no more than a majority of
the  outstanding  shares of Common  Stock is the only vote of the holders of any
class or series of  capital  stock or other  Equity  Securities  of the  Company
necessary to approve the Proxy Proposals.

         3.24 Takeover  Status.  No "fair price",  "moratorium",  "control share
acquisition" or other similar  anti-takeover statute or regulation enacted under
state or  federal  laws or  applicable  stock  exchange  rules  or  regulations,
including,  without limitation,  Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation
Law,  applicable  to  the  Company  or  any  Subsidiary  is  applicable  to  the
transactions  contemplated  hereby or by any other Transaction  Document,  taken
individually or in the aggregate.

         3.25 Compliance with  Securities  Laws. The Company has not taken,  and
will not take,  any action  which  would  subject the  issuance  and sale of the
Shares,  the Warrant and/or the Warrant Shares pursuant to this Agreement to the
provisions of Section 5 of the Securities  Act, or violate the  registration  or
qualification  provisions of any  securities or blue sky laws of any  applicable
jurisdiction,  and, based in part on the representations of Purchaser in Section
4.5, the sale of the Shares and the Warrant  pursuant to this  Agreement and the
issuance  of the Warrant  Shares from time to time upon  exercise of the Warrant
complies  with all  applicable  requirements  of  applicable  federal  and state
securities and blue sky laws.

                                       14

<PAGE>


         3.26  Reporting  Company;  Form S-3.  The  Company  is  subject  to the
reporting  requirements  of the Exchange Act and its Common Stock is  registered
under  Section 12 of the  Exchange  Act. The Company is eligible to register for
resale  shares of its Common Stock to be sold by parties  other than the Company
on a registration statement on Form S-3 under the Securities Act.

         3.27 Trading on AMEX. The Company's  Common Stock is listed for trading
on AMEX,  and the  trading in the  Company's  Common  Stock on AMEX has not been
suspended as of the date hereof and as of the Closing Date.

         3.28 Brokers.  No broker,  finder, or investment banker or other Person
is entitled to any brokerage,  finder's or other fee or commission in connection
with the transactions  contemplated by the Company  Transaction  Documents based
upon arrangements made by or on behalf of the Company.

         3.29 Accuracy. All of the representations,  warranties,  understandings
and acknowledgments that the Company has made herein are true and correct in all
material respects as of the date of the execution hereof.

         3.30 Use of Proceeds.  The Company  agrees that the Purchase  Price and
the proceeds,  if any, paid to the Company upon exercise of the Warrant shall be
retained  as  direct  assets  of the  Company  and such  proceeds  shall  not be
transferred or attributed in any way,  directly or indirectly,  to any Insurance
Subsidiary.

                                   ARTICLE IV

                   REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF PURCHASER

         Purchaser hereby  represents,  warrants and covenants to the Company on
the date of this Agreement and again on the Closing Date, which  representations
and warranties shall survive the Closing, as follows:

         4.1  Organization.  Purchaser  is  a  limited  liability  company  duly
organized,  validly  existing  and  in  good  standing  under  the  laws  of the
jurisdiction in which it is organized.

         4.2  Authority  Relative to This  Agreement.  Purchaser has the limited
liability company power and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement, the
Investment Agreement and all other documents,  instruments and other writings to
be executed and/or  delivered by or on behalf of Purchaser to the Company or any
of its  representatives in connection with the transactions  contemplated hereby
or thereby  (collectively,  "Purchaser Transaction  Documents"),  to perform its
obligations   hereunder  and  thereunder  and  to  consummate  the  transactions
contemplated hereby and thereby. The execution, delivery and performance of each
of the  Purchaser  Transaction  Documents by Purchaser and the  consummation  by
Purchaser  of the  transactions  contemplated  hereby and thereby have been duly
authorized by the managing member of Purchaser,  and no other limited  liability
company  proceedings  on the part of Purchaser  are  necessary to authorize  the
execution,  delivery and performance of the Purchaser  Transaction  Documents or
the  transactions   contemplated  hereby  or  thereby.  Each  of  the  Purchaser
Transaction  Documents has been duly  executed and delivered by Purchaser,  and,
assuming due authorization, execution and delivery by the


                                       15
<PAGE>

Company, constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of Purchaser,
enforceable against Purchaser, in accordance with its terms.

         4.3 No Conflict; Required Filings and Consents. The execution, delivery
and performance of the Purchaser  Transaction  Documents by Purchaser,  does not
and will not:  (a)  conflict  with or violate the  organizational  documents  of
Purchaser;  (b)  conflict  with or violate  any law,  rule,  regulation,  order,
judgment or decree  applicable to Purchaser,  or by which any of its  properties
are  bound  or  affected  (other  than  with  respect  to  Purchaser   Insurance
Regulations  or  Purchaser  Insurance  Filings  and  Consents);  (c) require any
consent,  approval,  authorization  or permit  of,  action  by,  filing  with or
notification  to, any  Governmental  Entity  (other than any filing (i) required
under  Section  13(a) or (d), 14, 15(d) or 16(a) of the Exchange  Act, (ii) with
respect to Purchaser  Insurance  Regulations or Purchaser  Insurance Filings and
Consents or (iii) with respect to the exercise of the Warrant, the filing of the
HSR Report and the expiration or  termination  of the applicable  waiting period
under the HSR Act);  (d) result in any breach or  violation  of or  constitute a
default (or an event  which with notice or lapse of time or both could  become a
default) or result in the loss of a material  benefit under, or give rise to any
right of termination,  amendment,  acceleration or cancellation of, or result in
the creation of a Lien on any of the property or assets of  Purchaser,  pursuant
to, any Contract, Permit or other instrument or obligation to which Purchaser is
a party or by which  Purchaser,  or any of its properties are bound or affected;
or  (e) to  Purchaser's  knowledge,  conflict  with  or  violate  any  Purchaser
Insurance Regulations or require any consent, approval,  authorization or permit
of, action by, filing with or  notification  to, any  Governmental  Entity other
than any  Purchaser  Insurance  Filings  and  Consents,  except,  in the case of
clauses (b),  (c), (d) and (e), for any such  conflicts,  violations,  breaches,
defaults or other occurrences which could not, individually or in the aggregate,
reasonably  be expected to impair or delay the ability of  Purchaser  to perform
its obligations under this Agreement.

         4.4 Brokers.  No broker,  finder,  investment banker or other person is
entitled to any  brokerage,  finder's or other fee or  commission  in connection
with the transactions  contemplated by the Purchaser Transaction Documents based
upon arrangements made by or on behalf of Purchaser.

         4.5  Investment  Intent.  Purchaser  represents  and warrants  that the
Shares and the Warrant (and the Warrant Shares issuable upon the exercise of the
Warrants) are being  purchased or acquired  solely for  Purchaser's own account,
for  investment  purposes only and not with a view towards the  distribution  or
resale to others.  Purchaser acknowledges,  understands and appreciates that the
Shares,  the Warrant and the Warrant Shares have not been  registered  under the
Securities  Act by reason of a claimed  exemption  under the  provisions  of the
Securities   Act  which   depends,   in  large   part,   upon  the   Purchaser's
representations  as to  investment  intention,  investor  status and related and
other matters set forth herein.  Purchaser  understands that, in the view of the
United  States  Securities  and Exchange  Commission  (the  "SEC"),  among other
things, a purchase with a present intent to distribute or resell would represent
a purchase and acquisition with an intent  inconsistent with its  representation
to the Company,  and the SEC might regard such a transfer as a deferred sale for
which the  registration  exemption is not  available.  The Purchaser  agrees and
consents to the  placement of a legend on the  certificate(s)  representing  the
Shares  purchased  hereunder  (and upon the Warrant  Shares)  stating  that such
securities have not been registered under the Act or applicable state securities
laws.  Such legend shall also reference the transfer  restrictions  described in
the last sentence of Section 4.11 below.

                                       16
<PAGE>

         4.6 Certain Risks.  Purchaser expressly understands that: (i) no return
on investment, whether through distributions,  appreciation,  transferability or
otherwise,  and no performance by, through or of the Company, has been promised,
assured,  represented or warranted by the Company, or by any director,  officer,
employee, agent or representative thereof; (ii) while the Company's Common Stock
is presently  traded on the AMEX,  and while the Purchaser is a  beneficiary  of
certain  registration  rights with respect to the Shares and the Warrant Shares,
the Shares and the Warrant  subscribed for and that may be purchased  under this
Agreement and the Warrant Shares  issuable upon exercise of the Warrants (x) are
not registered under  applicable  federal or state securities laws, and thus may
not be sold, conveyed, assigned or transferred unless registered under such laws
or unless an exemption from  registration  is available under such laws, as more
fully described below,  and (y) are not quoted,  traded or listed for trading or
quotation on the AMEX, or any other organized  market or quotation  system,  and
there is therefore no present public or other market for the Shares, the Warrant
or the Warrant Shares, nor can there be any assurance that the Common Stock will
continue to be quoted,  traded or listed for trading or quotation on the AMEX or
on any other organized market or quotation  system;  and (iii) that the purchase
of Shares and the  Warrant is a  speculative  investment,  involving a degree of
risk,  and is suitable only for a person or entity of adequate  financial  means
who has no need for liquidity in this  investment  in that,  among other things,
(x) such person or entity may not be able to liquidate  their  investment in the
event of an emergency or otherwise,  (y) transferability is limited,  and (z) in
the event of a dissolution  or otherwise,  such person or entity could sustain a
complete loss of their entire investment.

         4.7  Sophistication.  Purchaser (i) has adequate means of providing for
the Purchaser's  current  financial needs and possible  contingencies and has no
need for liquidity of the Purchaser's  investment in the Shares and the Warrant;
(ii) the Purchaser is able to bear the economic  risks inherent in an investment
in the Shares and the  Warrant  and an  important  consideration  bearing on its
ability to bear the  economic  risk of the purchase of Shares and the Warrant is
whether the Purchaser can afford a complete loss of the  Purchaser's  investment
in the Shares and the  Warrant  and the  undersigned  Purchaser  represents  and
warrants  that the  Purchaser  can afford  such a complete  loss;  and (iii) the
Purchaser has such knowledge and experience in business,  financial,  investment
and banking  matters  (including,  but not limited to investments in restricted,
non-listed  and  non-registered  securities)  that the  Purchaser  is capable of
evaluating the merits, risks and advisability of an investment in the Shares and
the Warrant.

         4.8 Accredited Investor. Purchaser is an "accredited investor," as such
term is defined in Rule 501 of Regulation D promulgated under the Act.

         4.9  Documents,  Information  and Access.  Purchaser's  (i) decision to
purchase the Shares and the Warrant is not based on any  promotional,  marketing
or sales  materials,  and  (ii)  Purchaser  and its  representatives  have  been
afforded, prior to purchase thereof, the opportunity to ask questions of, and to
receive answers from, the Company and its management,  and has had access to all
documents and  information  which the Purchaser  deems material to an investment
decision with respect to the purchase of the Shares and Warrant  hereunder.  The
Purchaser  acknowledges  and understands  that the Company is a public reporting
company, that annual,  quarterly and other reports are, from time to time, filed
by the Company with the SEC under the Exchange  Act, and that the  Purchaser can
obtain a copy of any such reports,  and of the notice and proxy statement of the
Company  relating to its

                                       17

<PAGE>


annual  meeting of  stockholders  at which (among other things) directors are
elected,  without charge,  from certain public information offices maintained
by the SEC or from the Company.

         4.10 No Registration,  Review or Approval.  Purchaser  acknowledges and
understands that the limited private offering and sale of the Shares and Warrant
pursuant to this  Agreement  has not been  reviewed or approved by the SEC or by
any state  securities  commission,  authority or agency,  and is not  registered
under the Act or under the  securities or "blue sky" laws,  rules or regulations
of any state. The Purchaser acknowledges, understands and agrees that the Shares
and the Warrant are being offered and sold  hereunder  pursuant to (i) a private
placement  exemption  to the  registration  provisions  of the Act  pursuant  to
Section 4(2) of such Act (and Rule 506 of  Regulation D  promulgated  under such
Act), and (ii) a similar exemption to the registration  provisions of applicable
state securities laws.

         4.11      Transfer Restrictions.

         (a) Purchaser  will not transfer any  Securities  purchased  under this
Agreement  unless such  Securities  are  registered  under the Act and under any
applicable  state securities or "blue sky" laws  (collectively,  the "Securities
Laws"),  or unless an exemption is available under such Securities Laws, and the
Company may, if it chooses,  where an exemption from  registration is claimed by
such Purchaser, condition any transfer of Securities out of the Purchaser's name
on an opinion of the Company's counsel, to the effect that the proposed transfer
is being  effected in  accordance  with,  and does not  violate,  an  applicable
exemption from registration under the Securities Laws.

         (b) Purchaser  expressly agrees to be bound by all of the provisions of
Article Fifth of the Company's  Certificate of Incorporation  ("Article Fifth").
For  purposes of applying  such Article  Fifth,  except with regard to an actual
exercise of the  Warrant,  the Warrant will be treated as fully  exercised  into
Warrant Shares after taking into account the adjustments contained in Sections 3
and 4 of the  Warrant.  None of the  Purchaser  or any person  that has either a
direct or indirect  ownership  interest in the  Purchaser  or which  acquires an
interest in the shares from the Purchaser pursuant to this paragraph,  including
without limitation,  a "first tier entity," a "higher tier entity", a "5-percent
owner," a "public owner" or any other "entity" (collectively  "Indirect Owners")
will engage in any  transaction  that could result in a "shift" in the ownership
of the Company's  stock without first  complying  with the procedures of Article
Fifth. Notwithstanding the foregoing,  compliance with the procedures of Article
Fifth will not be required to consummate any transfer or other  disposition  not
involving  a "shift" if the  Indirect  Owners  receive  an opinion of  competent
counsel that such  transaction  will not result in a "shift" in the ownership of
the Company's stock. For purposes of this section the terms "first tier entity,"
"higher tier entity,"  "5-percent  owner," "public owner,"  "entity" and "shift"
have the meanings ascribed to them in Treasury Regulation  Sections  1.382-2T(f)
and 1.382-3.  The  Purchaser  and the Indirect  Owners will  cooperate  with the
Company  concerning the Company's  duty to inquire as to actual stock  ownership
pursuant to Treasury  Regulation  1.382-2T(k)(3) and or any successor  provision
and will provide any related  documentation that is reasonably  requested by the
Company.  The foregoing  representations will survive as long as Purchaser holds
all or any portion of the Shares, the Warrant or the Warrant Shares or until the
termination  of the Stock  Escrow  pursuant  to Article  Fifth of the  Company's
Certificate of Incorporation.



                                       18
<PAGE>


         4.12  Accuracy  of  Purchaser  Information.  Purchaser  represents  and
warrants  that  all  information  concerning  Purchaser  provided  by  Purchaser
specifically  for the purpose of being  included in any public  documents  to be
filed by the Company shall be true and accurate in all material respects.

         4.13 Reliance. Purchaser understands, acknowledges and appreciates that
the Company is relying upon all of the representations,  warranties,  covenants,
understandings,  acknowledgements  and agreements contained in this Agreement in
determining  whether to accept this subscription,  and sell and issue the Shares
and Warrant to the Purchaser.

         4.14  Litigation.  There are no  outstanding  suits,  claims,  actions,
proceedings  or  investigations  pending or, to Purchaser's  knowledge,  overtly
threatened  against  Purchaser,  which could reasonably be expected to impair or
delay the ability of Purchaser to perform its  obligations  under this Agreement
and/or, if Purchaser so elects, exercise the Warrant.

         4.15 Accuracy. All of the representations,  warranties,  understandings
and  acknowledgments  that Purchaser has made herein are true and correct in all
material respects as of the date of the execution hereof.

                                    ARTICLE V

               CONDUCT OF BUSINESS OF THE COMPANY PENDING CLOSING

         5.1  Conduct of Business of the  Company  Pending  Closing.  During the
period from the date hereof to the earlier of the  termination of this Agreement
pursuant to Section 8.1 hereof and the Closing, unless Purchaser shall otherwise
agree in writing in advance,  the businesses of the Company and the Subsidiaries
shall be conducted only in, and the Company and the Subsidiaries  shall not take
any action except in, the ordinary course of business and in a manner consistent
with past practice and in compliance with  applicable  laws; and the Company and
its  Subsidiaries  each shall use  commercially  reasonable  efforts to preserve
substantially   intact  the  business   organization  of  the  Company  and  the
Subsidiaries,  to keep available the services of the present officers, employees
and consultants of the Company and the  Subsidiaries and to preserve the present
relationships  of the Company and the  Subsidiaries  with  customers,  and other
Persons  with  which the  Company or any  Subsidiary  has  significant  business
relations.  By way of amplification  and not limitation,  unless Purchaser shall
otherwise  agree in writing in advance,  neither the Company nor any  Subsidiary
shall,  between  the  date  of  this  Agreement  and the  Closing,  directly  or
indirectly do, or propose or commit to do, any of the following:

         (a)      amend its Organizational Documents other than by means of the
Charter Amendment;

         (b) issue, deliver,  sell, pledge, dispose of or encumber, or authorize
or commit to the issuance, sale, pledge,  disposition or encumbrance of, (i) any
Equity Securities of the Company or any Subsidiary (other than upon the exercise
of employee and/or director  options pursuant to the terms of stock option plans
disclosed in the schedules to this Agreement), or (ii) any assets of the Company
or any Subsidiary with an individual value in excess of $100,000 or an aggregate
value as to all such  assets of  $500,000  (other  than the  purchase or sale of
insurance and/or investment related assets in the ordinary course of business);



                                       19
<PAGE>


         (c) declare, set aside, make or pay any dividend or other distribution,
payable  in cash,  stock,  property  or  otherwise,  with  respect to any of its
capital stock;

         (d)  reclassify,  combine,  split,  subdivide  or redeem,  purchase  or
otherwise acquire, directly or indirectly, any of its capital stock;

         (e) (i) except in the ordinary course of business  consistent with past
practices,  acquire (by merger, consolidation or acquisition of stock or assets)
any corporation,  partnership or other business organization or division thereof
or  any  assets,   except  for  such   transactions   which  involve   aggregate
consideration  of less than  $100,000;  (ii)  except in the  ordinary  course of
business  consistent  with past  practices,  sell,  transfer,  lease,  mortgage,
pledge,  encumber  or  otherwise  dispose  of or  subject to any Lien any of its
assets  (including  capital  stock  of  the   Subsidiaries),   except  for  such
transactions which involve aggregate consideration of less than $100,000;  (iii)
incur  any  indebtedness  for  borrowed  money or issue any debt  securities  or
assume,   guarantee  or  endorse,  or  otherwise  as  an  accommodation   become
responsible for, the obligations of any Person,  or make any loans,  advances or
capital  contributions to, or investments in, any other Person other than in the
ordinary course of business  consistent  with past  practices;  (iv) enter into,
amend or terminate any Subsidiary  Reinsurance  Agreement or Agency  Agreements,
except in the ordinary course of business  consistent  with past practices;  (v)
enter into any  commitments or  transactions  material,  individually  or in the
aggregate,  to the Company and the Subsidiaries taken as a whole,  except in the
ordinary course of business  consistent with past practices;  (vi) authorize any
capital  expenditure  in excess of  $100,000,  individually,  or $500,000 in the
aggregate,  except in the  ordinary  course  of  business  consistent  with past
practices;  or (vii) enter into or amend any Contract  obligating it to take any
of the actions set forth in this Section 5.1(e);

         (f) (i)  increase  the  compensation  or fringe  benefits of any of its
present or former  directors,  officers,  employees,  consultants or independent
contractors  except for increases in salary or wages of employees of the Company
or the  Subsidiaries  who are not  officers  of the  Company in all cases to the
extent in the ordinary course of business in accordance with past practice, (ii)
grant any severance,  termination or similar  payments or benefits except in the
ordinary course of business in accordance with past practice,  (iii) enter into,
or amend,  any  Employment,  Consulting  or Severance  Agreements  except in the
ordinary course of business in accordance with past practice, or (iv) establish,
adopt,  enter into or amend or  terminate  any bonus,  profit  sharing,  thrift,
compensation,  stock option,  restricted stock,  pension,  retirement,  deferred
compensation,  or other plan, agreement,  trust, fund, policy or arrangement for
the  benefit  of  any  present  or  former   directors,   officers,   employees,
consultants,  independent  contractors  or other  agents of the  Company  or any
Subsidiary;

         (g)  except  as may be  required  as a result  of a change in law or in
GAAP, change any of the accounting practices or principles used by it;

         (h) except in the ordinary course of business, settle or compromise any
pending  or  threatened  suits,  actions  or claims in a manner  obligating  the
Company or any  Subsidiary  thereof to pay,  or waiving  amounts  claimed by the
Company or any Subsidiary.

         (i) authorize, recommend, propose, announce or adopt a plan of complete
or  partial  liquidation,  dissolution,  merger,  consolidation,  restructuring,
recapitalization  (other than the  transactions  contemplated by the Transaction
Documents) or other reorganization;

                                       20
<PAGE>


         (j) pay,  discharge or satisfy any claims,  liabilities  or obligations
(absolute, accrued, asserted or unasserted, contingent or otherwise), other than
the payment,  discharge or  satisfaction  in the ordinary course of business and
consistent  with past practice of liabilities  reflected or reserved  against in
the financial  statements  of the Company or incurred in the ordinary  course of
business and consistent with past practice;

         (k) enter into any Contract  providing for the  acceleration of payment
or  performance  or other  consequences  as a result of any of the  transactions
contemplated by any Transaction Document;

         (l)      enter into any new non-insurance related business; or

         (m) take,  or offer or propose to take,  or agree to any of the actions
described in this Article V.


                                   ARTICLE VI

                              ADDITIONAL AGREEMENTS

         6.1      Exclusivity.

         (a) In consideration of the expenditure of time,  effort and expense to
be undertaken by Purchaser in connection  with the preparation of this Agreement
and the other Transaction  Documents,  and the  investigations and review of the
business of the Company and the Subsidiaries,  the Company agrees that, prior to
the  Termination  Date,  neither  it,  any of  the  Subsidiaries,  any of  their
respective Affiliates, nor any of the respective directors, officers, employees,
agents or representatives of any of the foregoing will,  directly or indirectly:
(a) solicit or discuss with any potential  third party buyer any proposals  with
respect to the issuance,  sale or other  disposition,  however effected,  to any
potential  third  party  buyer of any Equity  Securities  of the  Company or any
Subsidiary or, other than in the ordinary course of business,  any assets of the
Company or any  Subsidiary  (any such  transaction  or proposed  transaction,  a
"Competing  Transaction");  (b)  provide  any  information  relating  to  or  in
connection with any Competing Transaction to any potential third party buyer; or
(c) disclose  publicly or disclose to any  potential  third party buyer the fact
that the Company or any  Subsidiary  is, or any of their Equity  Securities  or,
other  than  in the  ordinary  course  of  business,  assets  are  for  sale  or
disposition  generally.  The Company  agrees to  promptly  advise  Purchaser  in
writing of the  existence of (i) any inquiries or proposals (or desire to make a
proposal) received by (or indicated to), any information  requested from, or any
negotiations  or  discussions  sought to be  initiated or  continued  with,  the
Company, the Subsidiaries, their respective Affiliates, or any of the respective
directors,  officers,  employees, agents or representatives of the foregoing, in
each case from any party with respect to a Competing  Transaction,  and (ii) the
terms thereof, including the identity of such party (and any other real party in
interest,  including the direct and indirect owners of such party).  The Company
agrees,  without  limitation  of its  obligations,  that any  violation  of this
Section 6.1 by any directors,  officers,  or other  management  personnel of the
Company and/or any Subsidiary whether or not such Person is purporting to act on
behalf of the Company or by any investment banker,  financial advisor,  attorney
or other  advisor,  consultant,  agent or  representative  of the  Company,  the
Subsidiaries and their respective


                                       21
<PAGE>

Affiliates, acting upon the authority and with the knowledge of the Company,
shall be deemed to be a breach of this Section 6.1 by the Company.

         (b) Nothing in this  Agreement  shall prevent the Company and the board
of directors of the Company  from  complying  with Rule 14e-2 under the Exchange
Act, or issuing a communication  meeting the requirements of Rule 14d-9(e) under
the Exchange  Act,  with  respect to any tender offer or otherwise  prohibit the
Company from making any public  disclosures  required by law or the requirements
of the American  Stock Exchange  (provided,  whenever  practicable,  the Company
first  consults  with  Purchaser  concerning  the  timing  and  content  of such
disclosure).

         6.2 Access to  Information.  Purchaser  is entitled to continue its due
diligence  investigation of the Company and the Subsidiaries,  including without
limitation,  any business,  legal,  financial or environmental  due diligence as
Purchaser  deems  appropriate.   The  Company  will  permit  Purchaser  and  its
authorized  representatives,  accountants,  attorneys,  advisors and consultants
full access to the Company's and the Subsidiaries'  property and all records and
other data with respect to the Company,  the Subsidiaries,  and their respective
properties,  assets,  operations,  and products and  services,  as is reasonably
requested,  and  will  provide  such  assistance  as  is  reasonably  requested.
Purchaser is entitled to contact and communicate with employees,  legal advisors
and accountants of the Company and the Subsidiaries.

         6.3 Form 8-K. Within five days after the date hereof, the Company shall
provide a draft of the Form 8-K to Purchaser for Purchaser's  review and comment
with respect to the information  contained  therein relating to Purchaser,  this
Agreement or the transactions  contemplated hereby, and promptly after receiving
Purchaser's  comments  thereon,  file the final version of the Form 8-K with the
SEC.

         6.4  Filings.  As  promptly  as  practicable  after  the  date  of this
Agreement,  the Company and  Purchaser  shall make or cause to be made all other
filings and submissions under laws and regulations applicable to the Company and
Purchaser,  if any, as may be required for the  consummation of the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement.  Purchaser and the Company shall  coordinate and
cooperate  in  exchanging   such   information  and  providing  such  reasonable
assistance as may be requested by any of them in connection with the filings and
submissions contemplated by this Section 6.4.

         6.5      Stockholders' Meeting.  The Company acting through the Board,
shall, in accordance with applicable law:

         (a) as soon as practicable,  give notice of, convene and hold an annual
or special meeting of its  stockholders  (the  "Stockholders'  Meeting") for the
purpose of considering and taking action upon each of the Proxy Proposals;

         (b)  include  in the proxy  statement  (the  "Proxy  Statement")  to be
distributed  to  the  Company's   stockholders  in  connection  with  the  Proxy
Proposals,   including  any  amendments  or  supplements  thereto  (which  Proxy
Statement  shall be in form and content  reasonably  satisfactory to Purchaser),
the  recommendation  of the Board that the  stockholders  of the Company vote in
favor of the approval of each of the Proxy Proposals;


                                       22
<PAGE>


         (c) (i) obtain and furnish the  information  required to be included by
it in the Proxy  Statement and respond  promptly to any comments made by the SEC
with respect to the Proxy  Statement  and any  preliminary  version  thereof and
cause the Proxy  Statement  to be mailed  to its  stockholders  at the  earliest
practicable time, and (ii) obtain the necessary approvals by its stockholders of
the Proxy Proposals;

         (d) cause the Proxy  Statement (i) not to contain any untrue  statement
of a material  fact or omit to state any  material  fact  required  to be stated
therein or necessary in order to make the  statements  therein,  in light of the
circumstances under which they are made, not misleading (other than with respect
to  information  concerning  Purchaser  provided by  Purchaser in writing to the
Company specifically to be included in the Proxy Statement),  and (ii) to comply
as to form in all  material  respects  with  the  applicable  provisions  of the
Exchange Act and the rules and regulations thereunder; and

         (e)   immediately   upon  approval  of  the  Proxy   Proposals  by  the
stockholders  of the Company,  file the Charter  Amendment with the Secretary of
State of the State of Delaware and take, or cause to be taken, all action and to
do,  or cause to be done,  all  things  necessary,  proper  or  advisable  under
applicable laws and regulations to adopt and make effective the Proxy Proposals.

         6.6 Agreement to Cooperate;  Further  Assurances.  Subject to the terms
and  conditions  of this  Agreement,  each of the parties  hereto  shall use all
reasonable efforts to take, or cause to be taken, all action and to do, or cause
to be done, all things necessary,  proper or advisable under applicable laws and
regulations to consummate and make effective the  transactions  contemplated  by
this  Agreement  and  the  other  Transaction  Documents,   including  providing
information and using reasonable  efforts to obtain all necessary or appropriate
waivers,  consents and approvals,  and effecting all necessary registrations and
filings, including,  without limitation, in the case of Purchaser, all Purchaser
Insurance  Filings and  Consents,  and in the case of the Company,  all Required
Consents.  In case at any time  after the  Closing  Date any  further  action is
necessary or desirable to transfer any Shares, the Warrant or the Warrant Shares
to Purchaser or  otherwise to carry out the purposes of this  Agreement  and the
other  Transaction  Documents,  the Company and  Purchaser  shall  execute  such
further  documents  and shall take such further  action as shall be necessary or
desirable to effect such  transfer  and to  otherwise  carry out the purposes of
this Agreement and the other Transaction  Documents,  in each case to the extent
not   inconsistent   with  applicable  law  or  the  Company's   Certificate  of
Incorporation.

         6.7 Public Announcements.  Any public announcement made by or on behalf
of either  Purchaser or the Company prior to the  termination  of this Agreement
pursuant to Article VIII hereof  concerning  this  Agreement,  the  transactions
described herein or in any other Transaction Document or any other aspect of the
dealings heretofore had or hereafter to be had between the Company and Purchaser
and their  respective  Affiliates must first be approved in writing by the other
(any such approval not to be  unreasonably  withheld),  subject to the Company's
obligations  under  applicable law or AMEX rules and listing  requirements  as a
public  company  (but the  Company  shall use its best  efforts to consult  with
Purchaser as to all such public  announcements).  A copy of the press release to
be issued upon the  execution of this  Agreement  is attached  hereto as Exhibit
6.7.



                                       23
<PAGE>


         6.8 Notification of Certain Matters. The Company shall promptly provide
Purchaser  (or its counsel)  with copies of all filings made by the Company with
the  SEC,  any  other  Governmental  Entity  or AMEX  in  connection  with  this
Agreement,  the other  Transaction  Documents and the transactions  contemplated
hereby and thereby.

         6.9  Representations  and  Warranties.  The  Company  shall give prompt
notice to Purchaser,  and Purchaser shall give prompt notice to the Company,  of
(a)  any  representation  or  warranty  made  by such  party  contained  in this
Agreement that is qualified as to materiality  becoming  untrue or inaccurate in
any  respect or any such  representation  or warranty  that is not so  qualified
becoming  untrue or inaccurate  in any material  respect prior to the Closing or
(b) the  failure by such party prior to Closing to comply with or satisfy in any
material  respect any  covenant,  condition or agreement to be complied  with or
satisfied by such party under this Agreement;  provided,  however,  that no such
notification  shall  affect  the  representations,   warranties,   covenants  or
agreements of the parties or the  conditions to the  obligations  of the parties
under this Agreement.

         6.10 Purchaser Insurance Filings and Consents. Purchaser shall, as soon
as practicable and in accordance with all applicable laws, (i) file all required
filings,  applications  and notices in  connection  with the required  Purchaser
Insurance Filings and Consents with the applicable  Governmental Entities,  (ii)
prosecute the same, (iii) upon reasonable request by the Company, furnish copies
of all such  filings to the Company to the extent  providing  said copies to the
Company would not in the good faith judgment of Purchaser  materially  prejudice
Purchaser,  and (iv) update the Company,  from time to time, as to the status of
any such filings.

                                   ARTICLE VII

                              CONDITIONS TO CLOSING

         7.1 Conditions to Obligation of Each Party. The respective  obligations
of each party to effect the transactions contemplated by this Agreement shall be
subject to the  satisfaction  at or prior to the Closing  Date of the  following
conditions:

         (a) No temporary restraining order, preliminary or permanent injunction
or other order or decree by any court of competent  jurisdiction  which prevents
the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the other
Transaction  Documents or imposes material conditions with respect thereto shall
have been issued and remain in effect (each party agreeing to use its reasonable
efforts to have any such injunction, order or decree lifted);

         (b) No action shall have been taken, and no statute, rule or regulation
shall have been  enacted,  by any  Governmental  Entity which would  prevent the
consummation  of the  transactions  contemplated  by this Agreement or the other
Transaction Documents or impose material conditions with respect thereto; and

         (c) No action or  proceeding  shall be pending  against  the Company or
Purchaser  before any court of competent  jurisdiction  to  prohibit,  restrain,
enjoin or restrict the  consummation  of the  transactions  contemplated by this
Agreement or the other Transaction Documents.



                                       24
<PAGE>


         (d)  All  orders,  consents  and  approvals  of  Governmental  Entities
(including,   without  limitation,  the  consents  of  any  Insurance  Regulator
specified in the Purchaser Insurance Filings and Consents), legally required for
the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the other
Transaction  Documents  shall have been obtained and be in effect at the Closing
Date.

         7.2  Condition to  Obligations  of the Company.  The  obligation of the
Company to effect  the  transactions  contemplated  by this  Agreement  shall be
subject to the  fulfillment  at or prior to the  Closing  Date of the  following
additional condition:

         (a)  Purchaser  shall  have  performed  in all  material  respects  all
obligations  by it required to be performed at or prior to the Closing Date, and
the  representations  and  warranties of Purchaser  contained in this  Agreement
shall  be true  and  correct  in all  material  respects  (if not  qualified  by
materiality)  and true and  correct (if so  qualified)  on and as of the date of
this  Agreement  and at and as of the  Closing  Date as if made at and as of the
Closing  Date,  except to the extent  that any such  representation  or warranty
expressly  relates  to  another  date (in which  case,  as of such date) and the
Company shall have  received a  certificate  signed on behalf of Purchaser by an
executive officer thereof, to such effect;

         (b) All consents, approvals, authorizations and permits of, actions by,
filing  with or  notifications  to,  Governmental  Entities  and  third  parties
required in connection with the transactions  contemplated by this Agreement and
the other Transaction Documents shall have been obtained, taken or made; and

         (c)  Each  of the  Proxy  Proposals  shall  have  received  Stockholder
Approval.

         7.3  Conditions  to  Obligations  of  Purchaser.   The  obligations  of
Purchaser to effect the  transactions  contemplated  by this Agreement  shall be
subject to the  fulfillment  at or prior to the  Closing  Date of the  following
additional conditions:

         (a) The Company  shall have  performed  in all  material  respects  all
obligations  required to be performed by it under this  Agreement at or prior to
the  Closing  Date,  and  the  representations  and  warranties  of the  Company
contained in this Agreement  shall be true and correct in all material  respects
(if not qualified by materiality)  and true and correct (if so qualified) on and
as of the date of this Agreement and at and as of the Closing Date as if made at
and as of the Closing Date, except to the extent that any such representation or
warranty  expressly relates to another date (in which case, as of such date) and
Purchaser  shall  have  received a  certificate  from the  Company  signed by an
executive officer), to such effect;

         (b) All consents, approvals, authorizations and permits of, actions by,
filings  with or  notifications  to,  Governmental  Entities  and third  parties
required in connection with the transactions  contemplated by this Agreement and
the other Transaction Documents shall have been obtained, taken or made;

         (c) The Company and each current Company  stockholder who is to be made
a party thereto  shall have  executed and delivered to Purchaser the  Investment
Agreement, and such Investment Agreement shall be in full force and effect; and

                                       25
<PAGE>


         (d)  Each  of the  Proxy  Proposals  shall  have  received  Stockholder
Approval,  and the  Charter  Amendment  shall have been filed with the  Delaware
Secretary of State and be shall be effective.


                                  ARTICLE VIII

                        TERMINATION, AMENDMENT AND WAIVER

         8.1 Termination.  This Agreement may be terminated and the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement may be abandoned at any time prior to the Closing
Date:

         (a)      By mutual written consent of Purchaser and the Company;

         (b) By Purchaser,  upon notice to the Company, if (i) the Company shall
not have mailed the Proxy  Statement to the Company's  stockholders  by June 15,
1999,  or (ii) the Closing  shall not have  occurred  on or before the  sixtieth
(60th) day following the mailing of the Proxy  Statement,  unless the absence of
such occurrence  shall be due to (i) the failure of the  Stockholders to approve
the  Proxy  Proposals  at the  Stockholders'  Meeting,  or (ii) the  failure  of
Purchaser to perform in all material respects each of its obligations under this
Agreement required to be performed by it at or prior to the Closing.

         (c) By Purchaser (i) if there has been a material breach by the Company
of any  representation,  warranty,  covenant  or  agreement  set  forth  in this
Agreement  (other  than the  covenant  set forth in Section 6.1  hereof),  which
breach has not been cured within ten (10) business days following receipt by the
breaching  party of notice  of such  breach;  (ii) if there has been a  material
breach by the Company of any covenant set forth in Section 6.1 hereof (including
due to the act or  omission  of any  directors,  officers,  or other  management
personnel  of the Company  and/or any  Subsidiary  whether or not such Person is
purporting  to act  on  behalf  of the  Company  or by  any  investment  banker,
financial   advisor,   attorney   or  other   advisor,   consultant,   agent  or
representative of the Company, the Subsidiaries and their respective Affiliates,
acting upon the  authority  and with the  knowledge  of the  Company)  provided,
however,  that in the event Purchaser has knowledge of any such material breach,
Purchaser has notified the Company in writing of such breach and such breach has
not been cured (to the extent such breach is curable) within 48 hours of receipt
of such notice;  (iii) if the Board fails to recommend,  or revokes or otherwise
modifies  its  recommendation  of, the Proxy  Proposals or resolves to do so, or
(iv) if the Company  enters into a definitive  agreement  concerning a Competing
Transaction;

         (d) By the Company, upon notice to Purchaser,  if the Closing shall not
have occurred on or before the sixtieth  (60th) day following the mailing of the
Proxy  Statement,  unless  the  absence of such  occurrence  shall be due to the
failure  of  the  Company  to  perform  in all  material  respects  each  of its
obligations  under this Agreement  required to be performed by it at or prior to
the Closing;

         (e) By  Purchaser  or the  Company,  upon  notice to the other,  if the
Company's  stockholders  fail  to  adopt  each  of the  Proxy  Proposals  at the
Stockholders' Meeting.


                                       26
<PAGE>


          (f) By Purchaser or the Company,  if (i) the Board of Directors of the
Company shall withdraw,  modify or change its approval or  recommendation of the
Proxy  Proposals in a manner  adverse to Purchaser or shall have  resolved to do
so; or (ii) the Board of Directors of the Company shall have  recommended to the
stockholders of the Company a Competing Transaction;

         (g) By the Company, if there has been a material and intentional breach
by Purchaser of any representation, warranty, covenant or agreement set forth in
this  Agreement  which breach has not been cured within ten (10)  business  days
following receipt by the breaching party of notice of such breach;

         (h) By the Company,  in event that  Purchaser  fails to consummate  the
transactions  contemplated  by this  Agreement in accordance  with its terms and
such failure constitutes an intentional breach of this Agreement by Purchaser.

         8.2      Termination Fees and Expenses Payable to Purchaser or the
                  Company.

         (a)  Notwithstanding  any  provision to the contrary  contained in this
Agreement,  in the event that Purchaser  terminates  this Agreement  pursuant to
Section 8.1(b),  8.1(c),  8.1(d), or 8.1(f), hereof (provided the Company is not
entitled to terminate this Agreement  pursuant to Section 8.1(h) hereof),  or if
the Company  terminates  this Agreement  other than pursuant to Section  8.1(d),
8.1(g) or 8.1(h) hereof  (provided  Purchaser is not entitled to terminate  this
Agreement pursuant to Section 8.1(b), 8.1(c),  8.1(d), or 8.1(f),  hereof), then
the  Company  shall  immediately  pay to  Purchaser  an amount  equal to (a) One
Million Dollars ($1,000,000),  plus (ii) all documented  out-of-pocket costs and
expenses (including attorneys' fees and expenses), not to exceed $250,000 in the
aggregate,  reasonably  incurred by Purchaser and their Affiliates in connection
with this Agreement and the other Purchaser Transaction Documents,  with the One
Million Dollars to be paid concurrently with such termination of this Agreement,
and the  expense  amount  under  clause  (ii) above to be paid  within  five (5)
business days after receipt by the Company of  reasonably  detailed  evidence of
the same. Upon receipt of such payments,  Purchaser shall not be entitled to and
shall be deemed to have waived the right to seek  Damages or  remedies  from the
Company  for  breach  of, or  otherwise  in  connection  with,  this  Agreement.
Notwithstanding  any provision to the contrary  contained in this Agreement,  in
the event that Purchaser  terminates  this Agreement  pursuant to Section 8.1(e)
hereof,  then the Company shall  immediately pay to Purchaser an amount equal to
all documented  out-of-pocket costs and expenses (including  attorneys' fees and
expenses),  not to exceed  $250,000  in the  aggregate,  reasonably  incurred by
Purchaser and their  Affiliates in connection  with this Agreement and the other
Purchaser Transaction Documents,  with the expense amount to be paid within five
(5) business days after receipt by the Company of reasonably  detailed  evidence
of the same.  Notwithstanding  anything to the contrary in this Section 8.2, the
Company  shall not be  obligated  to pay the One Million  Dollar fee referred to
above or any  out-of-pocket  costs and  expenses of  Purchaser in the event that
this  Agreement  is  terminated  pursuant to Section  8.1(b)  because any of the
conditions  to Closing  specified in Section  7.1,  Section  7.2(b),  or Section
7.3(b) have not been satisfied or waived  (except,  with respect to Section 7.1,
Section  7.2(b) and Section  7.3(b),  where the failure to obtain the  consents,
approvals,   authorizations   and  permits  of,  actions  by,  filings  with  or
notifications  to,  Governmental  Entities and third parties referred to in said
Section 7.1,  Section  7.2(b) and Section  7.3(b) shall be due to the failure by
the Company to perform in all material  respects each of its  obligations  under
this Agreement required to be performed by the Company prior to the Closing).

                                       27

<PAGE>


         (b)  Notwithstanding  any  provision to the contrary  contained in this
Agreement,  in the event that the Company  terminates this Agreement pursuant to
Section 8.1(g) or 8.1(h) hereof (provided Purchaser is not entitled to terminate
this Agreement  pursuant to Section 8.1(b),  8.1(c),  8.1(d),  or 8.1(f) hereof)
then Purchaser  shall  immediately pay to the Company an amount equal to (i) One
Million Dollars ($1,000,000),  plus (ii) all documented  out-of-pocket costs and
expenses (including attorneys' fees and expenses), not to exceed $250,000 in the
aggregate,  reasonably  incurred by the Company and its Affiliates in connection
with this Agreement and the other Company  Transaction  Documents,  with the One
Million Dollars  ($1,000,000) to be paid  concurrently  with such termination of
this Agreement, and the expense amount under clause (ii) above to be paid within
five (5)  business  days after  receipt by the  Company of  reasonably  detailed
evidence of the same.  Upon receipt of such  payments,  the Company shall not be
entitled  to and shall be deemed to have  waived  the right to seek  Damages  or
remedies from  Purchaser for breach of, or otherwise in  connection  with,  this
Agreement.

         8.3 Other  Remedies.  Notwithstanding  any  provision  to the  contrary
contained in this Agreement, if this Agreement is terminated pursuant to Article
VIII or otherwise by the Company,  on the one hand, or  Purchaser,  on the other
hand,  and the  non-terminating  party is not  entitled to receive the  payments
described in Section 8.2,  then the  non-terminating  party shall be entitled to
pursue any available legal rights to recover Damages.


                                   ARTICLE IX

                                 INDEMNIFICATION

         9.1 General.  From and after the Closing,  the parties shall  indemnify
each  other  as  provided  in  this  Article  IX.  No  specifically   enumerated
indemnification  obligation  with respect to a particular  subject matter as set
forth  below  shall  limit  or  affect  the  applicability  of  a  more  general
indemnification  obligation  as set forth below with respect to the same subject
matter.  For the purposes of this Article IX, each party shall be deemed to have
remade all of its  representations,  warranties and covenants  contained in this
Agreement  at the  Closing  with the same  effect as if  originally  made at the
Closing.  No Person which may be subject to an indemnification  obligation under
this Article IX shall be entitled to require that any action be brought  against
any other  Person  before  action is brought  against it  hereunder  by a Person
seeking indemnification by such Person.

         9.2  The  Company's  Indemnification  Obligations.  The  Company  shall
indemnify, save and keep harmless Purchaser, its Affiliates and their respective
officers,  directors,   employees,  agents,   representatives,   successors  and
permitted assigns (collectively,  "Purchaser  Indemnitees") against and from all
Damages sustained or incurred by any of them resulting from or arising out of or
by virtue of any  inaccuracy  in,  breach of or other failure to comply with any
representation,  warranty or covenant  made by the Company in this  Agreement or
any other Company Transaction  Document. A claim for indemnification  under this
Section 9.2 must be asserted by notice  delivered to the Company within one year
after the Closing Date (such one year period,  hereinafter the "Survival Date").
Notwithstanding  anything to the contrary in this Agreement, no investigation or
lack of  investigation  by  Purchaser  shall  in any  way  limit  the  Company's
indemnification  obligations hereunder. The Purchaser  Indemnification shall not
be entitled to recover any amount  hereunder  until the total  amount  which the
Purchaser


                                       28
<PAGE>


Indemnitee  would be  entitled  to  recover  hereunder,  but for this
sentence, exceeds $100,000, and then only for the excess over $100,000.

         9.3 Purchaser's Indemnification Obligations. Purchaser shall indemnify,
save and keep harmless the Company,  its  Subsidiaries  and Affiliates and their
respective officers, directors, employees, agents,  representatives,  successors
and permitted  assigns against and from all Damages sustained or incurred by any
of them  resulting  from or arising out of or by virtue of any  inaccuracy in or
breach of any  representation  and warranty  made by Purchaser to the Company in
this  Agreement  or in any other  Purchaser  Transaction  Document.  A claim for
indemnification  under this Section 9.3 must be asserted by notice  delivered to
the party from whom  indemnification  is sought no later than the Survival Date,
provided however,  that notwithstanding the foregoing,  any such claim resulting
from,  arising  out  of or by  virtue  of any  inaccuracy  in or  breach  of the
representation  made in  Section  4.11(b)  hereof,  must be  asserted  by notice
delivered to Purchaser at any time  (including  after the Survival  Date) within
three (3) months after the Company has actual knowledge of such breach.


                                    ARTICLE X

                                   DEFINITIONS

         "AMEX" means the American Stock Exchange.

         "Affiliate"  shall mean,  with respect to any person,  any other person
that directly or indirectly through one or more  intermediaries,  controls or is
controlled by or is under common control with such first person. As used in this
definition, "control" (including, with correlative meanings, "controlled by" and
"under common control with") shall mean the possession,  directly or indirectly,
of the power to direct or cause the direction of management or policies, whether
through the ownership of securities or partnership or other ownership interests,
by contract or otherwise.

         "Agency  Agreement" means all agreements  whereby the Company or any of
its  Insurance  Subsidiaries  has  empowered  any  independent  agent  with  the
authority to bind it to any insurance or  reinsurance  contract or any amendment
or endorsement thereto,  whether known as or acting as managing general agent or
otherwise,  including,  without limitation, that certain Agency Agreement, dated
as of March 15, 1993,  by and between  National  American  Insurance  Company of
California and SCJ Insurance Services.

         "Board" has the meaning given it in Section 3.5 hereof.

         "Charter Amendment" means an amendment to the Company's  Certificate of
Incorporation,  in form and content acceptable to Purchaser,  (i) increasing the
number of authorized  shares of Common Stock from  20,000,000 to 55,000,000  and
(ii) eliminating the right to cumulative  voting in connection with the election
of directors.

         "Closing" has the meaning given it in Section 2.1 hereof.

         "Closing Date" has the meaning given it in Section 2.1 hereof.

         "Code" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

                                       29
<PAGE>


         "Common Stock" means the common stock, $.10 par value per share, of the
Company.

         "Company Transaction Document" has the meaning given it in Section 3.5
hereof.

         "Competing Transaction" has the meaning given it in Section 6.1(a)
hereof.

         "Contract" means any contract, agreement, commitment, indenture, lease,
note, bond,  mortgage,  license,  plan,  arrangement or  understanding,  whether
written or oral.

         "Damages" means all liabilities,  demands, claims, actions or causes of
action,  regulatory,  legislative  or judicial  proceedings  or  investigations,
assessments,  levies,  losses, fines,  penalties,  damages,  costs and expenses,
including,    without   limitation,    reasonable   attorneys',    accountants',
investigators',  and  experts'  fees and  expenses,  sustained  or  incurred  in
connection with the defense or investigation of any of the foregoing.

         "Employment,  Consulting  or Severance  Agreements"  means all oral and
written (i) agreements for the employment for any period of time whatsoever,  or
in regard to the employment,  or restricting the employment,  of any employee of
the  Company or any  Subsidiary,  (ii)  consulting,  independent  contractor  or
similar   agreements,   and  (iii)   policies,   agreements,   arrangements   or
understandings relating to the payment or provision of severance, termination or
similar pay or benefits to any present or former employees, officers, directors,
consultants,  independent  contractors  or other  agents of the  Company  or any
Subsidiary.

         "Environmental  Laws"  means all  federal,  state  and local  statutes,
regulations,  ordinances,  rules, regulations and policies, all court orders and
decrees  and  arbitration   awards,   and  the  common  law,  which  pertain  to
environmental matters or contamination of any type whatsoever.

         "Environmental   Permits"  means  licenses,   permits,   registrations,
governmental approvals,  agreements and consents which are required under or are
issued pursuant to Environmental Laws.

         "Equity   Securities"  means,  with  respect  to  the  Company  or  any
Subsidiary,  as the case  may be,  (i) any  class or  series  of  common  stock,
preferred stock or other capital stock, whether voting or non-voting, including,
without  limitation,  with  respect to the Company,  Common Stock and  Preferred
Stock,  (ii)  any  other  equity  securities  issued  by  the  Company  or  such
Subsidiary, as the case may be, whether now or hereafter authorized for issuance
by the  Company's  or such  Subsidiary's,  as the  case may be,  Certificate  of
Incorporation,  (iii) any debt, hybrid or other securities issued by the Company
or such Subsidiary,  as the case may be, which are convertible into, exercisable
for or exchangeable  for any other Equity  Securities,  whether now or hereafter
authorized for issuance by the Company's or such  Subsidiary's,  as the case may
be,  Certificate  of  Incorporation,  (iv) any  equity  equivalents  (including,
without limitation, stock appreciation rights, phantom stock or similar rights),
interests in the ownership or earnings of the Company or such Subsidiary, as the
case may be, or other similar rights,  (v) any written or oral rights,  options,
warrants,  subscriptions,  calls, preemptive rights,  rescission rights or other
rights to subscribe  for,  purchase or otherwise  acquire any of the  foregoing,
(vi) any written or oral  obligation of the Company or such  Subsidiary,  as
the case may be, to issue, deliver or sell, any of the foregoing,  (vii) any
written or oral  obligations of the Company or such  Subsidiary,  as



                                       30
<PAGE>

the case may be, to repurchase,  redeem or otherwise acquire any Equity
Securities, and (viii) any bonds,  debentures,   notes  or  other  indebtedness
of  the Company  or  such Subsidiary,  as the case may be, having the right to
vote (or convertible  into, or exchangeable for securities having the right to
vote) on any matters on which the  stockholders  of the  Company or such
Subsidiary, as the case may be, may vote.

         "Exchange Act" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

         "Form  8-K"  shall mean a Current  Report on Form 8-K  disclosing  this
Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby.

         "Fully Diluted Common Stock" means the total number of shares of Common
Stock  outstanding  after taking into account the  following:  (i) all shares of
Common Stock outstanding  (exclusive of the Shares); (ii) all Shares and Warrant
Shares  (assuming  full  exercise  of the  Warrant  and  issuance of all Warrant
Shares); (iii) all shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion,  exchange or
other  exercise  of  the  Company's  Equity  Securities  outstanding;  and  (iv)
adjustments  needed to  account  or adjust for stock  splits,  stock  dividends,
recapitalizations, recombinations and similar events.

         "GAAP" means United States generally accepted accounting principles.

         "Governmental  Entity"  means  any  court,   administrative  agency  or
commission or other governmental authority or instrumentality,  whether domestic
(federal, state or local) or foreign.

         "HSR Act" means the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of
1976, as amended.

         "HSR Report" means the notification report required under the HSR Act.

         "IRS" means the Internal Revenue Service.

         "Insurance  Regulators"  means  Governmental  Entities charged with the
supervision  of  insurance  companies  or the  sale or  provision  of  insurance
policies.

         "Insurance  Reports"  means all  filings,  statements,  documents,  and
reports  required of insurance  companies and their  Affiliates by the insurance
laws, statutes, regulations, rules or policies of any Governmental Entities.

         "Interim Financial Statements" has the meaning given it in Section 6.9
hereof.

         "Investment  Agreement" means that certain Investment Agreement,  dated
as of even date  herewith,  among  Purchaser,  the Company  and certain  current
stockholders of the Company.

         "knowledge"  in the context of the phrase "to the knowledge" or "to the
best knowledge" of the Company and/or its  Subsidiaries,  or words or phrases of
similar import,  includes,  without  limitation,  the knowledge of any officers,
directors or other  management  personnel of the Company and/or any  Subsidiary,
and the knowledge of any of them is imputed to the Company and each Subsidiary.


                                       31
<PAGE>


         "Lien"  means any  preemptive  or  similar  rights of any third  party,
purchase options, calls, proxies,  voting trusts, voting agreements,  judgments,
pledges, charges, assessments, levies, escrows, rights of first refusal or first
offer, transfer restrictions,  mortgages,  indentures,  claims, liens, equities,
mortgages,  deeds of trust,  deeds to secure debt,  security interests and other
encumbrances of every kind and nature whatsoever,  whether arising by agreement,
operation of law or  otherwise,  other than any created by (i)  Purchaser or the
Purchaser  Transaction  Documents,  (ii) the Certificate of Incorporation of the
Company, or (iii) federal and state securities laws, rules and regulations.

         "Material  Adverse  Effect"  means a  material  adverse  effect (or any
development  which  could  reasonably  be  expected  to have a material  adverse
effect) on the  business,  operations,  assets,  financial  or other  condition,
results of operations or prospects of the Company and the Subsidiaries, taken as
a whole, or that could  reasonably be expected to impair or delay the ability of
the  Company to perform its  obligations  under this  Agreement,  whether or not
required  by GAAP to be  provided  for or  reserved  against on a balance  sheet
prepared in accordance with GAAP.

         "Material Contracts" has the meaning given it in Section 3.17 hereof.

         "Organizational Documents" has the meaning given it in Section 3.2
hereof.

         "Parachute   Payment"  means  any  Severance  Payment   constituting  a
"parachute payment" within the meaning of Section 280G(b)(2) of the Code and the
regulations issued thereunder.

         "Permit"   means   any   permit,   certificate,    consent,   approval,
authorization,  order, license, variance,  franchise or other similar indicia of
authority issued or granted by any Governmental Entity.

         "Person" or "person" means any  individual,  corporation,  partnership,
limited  liability  partnership,   limited  liability  company,  joint  venture,
association,   joint  stock  company,  trust,   unincorporated  organization  or
Governmental  Entity,  or any agency or political  subdivision  thereof,  or any
other entity.

         "Preferred Stock" means the preferred stock, $.10 par value per share,
of the Company.

         "Proxy  Proposals" means the following  proposals to be included in the
Proxy Statement for Stockholder  Approval:  (i) the election to the Board of the
individuals  designated  in  accordance  with  Section  1.1  of  the  Investment
Agreement; and (ii) the Charter Amendment.

         "Proxy Statement" has the meaning given it in Section 6.4(b) hereof.

         "Purchase Price has the meaning given it in the recitals to this
Agreement.

         "Purchaser Indemnitees" has the meaning given it in Section 6.2 hereof.

         "Purchaser Insurance Filings and Consents" has the meaning given it in
Section 3.9(f) hereof.

         "Purchaser Insurance Regulation" has the meaning given to it in Section
3.9(f) hereof.



                                       32

<PAGE>


         "Purchaser Transaction Documents" has the meaning given it in Section
4.2 hereof.

         "Required Consent" has the meaning given it in Section 3.9(i) hereof.

         "SAP" means statutory accounting practices prescribed or permitted by
Insurance Regulators.

         "Securities Act" means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

         "Securities Laws" has the meaning given it in Section 4.11 hereof.

         "SEC" means the Securities and Exchange Commission.

         "SEC Documents" has the meaning given it in Section 3.9 hereof.

         "Severance Payment" means any termination, severance or similar payment
or benefit,  including  without  limitation any such payment or benefit as would
constitute  a  Parachute  Payment,  to which any  present  or  former  employee,
officer,  director,  consultant,  independent  contractor  or other agent of the
Company  or any  Subsidiary  might  be  entitled  pursuant  to  any  Employment,
Consulting or Severance  Agreement or otherwise,  which entitlement results from
the  Company's  execution  and delivery of this  Agreement or the other  Company
Transaction  Documents  or the  consummation  of the  transactions  contemplated
hereby or thereby,  whether taken alone or taken  together with any other action
or failure to act by  Purchaser,  the Company or any  Subsidiary or any of their
respective officers, directors, employees, agents or other representatives.

         "Shares" has the meaning given it in the recitals to this Agreement.

         "Stockholder  Approval"  means the requisite  approval of the Company's
stockholders under the Company's Organizational  Documents, the Delaware General
Corporation Law for the Proxy  Proposals and the rules,  regulations and notices
of AMEX or other applicable stock exchanges.

         "Stockholders' Meeting" has the meaning given it in Section 6.4(a).

         "Subsidiary"  means each of (i) National American  Insurance Company of
California, a California corporation, (ii) Mission American Insurance Company, a
California   corporation,   (iii)  Danielson   Indemnity   Company,  a  Missouri
corporation, (iv) Danielson Reinsurance Corporation, a Missouri corporation, (v)
Danielson Insurance Company, a California  corporation,  (vi) Danielson National
Insurance  Company,  a  California  corporation,  (vii) KCP Holding  Company,  a
Delaware  corporation,  (viii)  Kramer  Capital  Consultants,  Inc.,  a New York
corporation,  (ix) Danielson Mortgage Corporation,  a Delaware corporation,  (x)
Danielson Advisers,  Inc., a Delaware corporation,  (xi) Danielson  Investments,
Inc., a Delaware corporation, (xii) Mission Sub D, Inc., a Delaware corporation,
(xiii)  Mission  Sub E, Inc.,  a Delaware  corporation,  (xiv)  Valor  Insurance
Company,  Inc., a Montana  corporation,  (xv) Great River Insurance  Company,  a
California  corporation,  (xvi) Viscount Insurance Services,  Inc., a California
corporation,  (xvii) NAICC Insurance Services,  Inc., a California  corporation,
and (viii) Victory Insurance Services, Inc., a Montana corporation, all of which
are identified on Schedule 3.3(d) hereto.



                                       33
<PAGE>


         "Subsidiary  Reinsurance  Agreements"  means  all  presently  in  force
reinsurance  arrangements and treaties,  and all addenda  thereto,  to which any
Subsidiary is a party.

         "Survival Date" has the meaning given it in Section 9.2 hereof.

         "Taxes"  means all federal,  state,  local and foreign  taxes,  duties,
fees,  levies,  governmental  charges or other  assessments of any kind (whether
imposed directly or through withholding),  including any interest,  additions to
tax or penalties applicable thereto.

         "Tax Return" means all federal,  state,  local and foreign tax returns,
declarations,  statements, reports, schedules, forms and information returns and
any amendment to any of the foregoing.

         "Termination  Date" means the earlier of (i) the Closing  Date, or (ii)
the date on which the Agreement is terminated pursuant to Article VIII.

         "Transaction Document" means any Company Transaction Document and any
Purchaser Transaction Document.

         "Warrant" has the meaning given it in the recitals to this Agreement.

         "Warrant Shares" has the meaning given it in the recitals to this
Agreement.

         "Year  2000  Compliant"  means  that  the  "Company's  Technology"  (as
hereinafter  defined),  is  designed  to be used prior to,  during and after the
calendar year 2000 A.D., and that the Company's Technology used during each such
time period will: (i)  accurately  receive,  provide and process  date/time data
including, but not limited to, calculating, comparing, and sequencing from, into
and between the twentieth and twenty-first  centuries,  including the years 1999
and 2000, and leap-year  calculations,  provided that the  provider's  date/time
data is delivered in a Year 2000 Compliant Manner and (ii) will not malfunction,
cease to function,  or provide  incorrect results as a result of date/time data.
"Technology" shall mean computer software, computer firmware, computer hardware,
computer  chip  embedded  equipment  and  other  similar  or  related  items  of
automated,  computerized,  or software  system(s) or equipment.  The  "Company's
Technology" shall mean all Technology owned, licensed,  used or relied on by the
Company and/or any Subsidiary in the conduct of its business.

                                   ARTICLE XI

                                  MISCELLANEOUS

         11.1 Notices. All notices, and other communications  hereunder shall be
in writing and shall be deemed given if delivered personally, sent by documented
overnight delivery service or, to the extent receipt is confirmed, facsimile, to
the  appropriate  address or facsimile  number set forth below (or at such other
address or facsimile number for a party as shall be specified by like notice):


                                       34
<PAGE>



                           if to Purchaser:

                           c/o Samstock, L.L.C.
                           Two N. Riverside Plaza, Suite 600
                           Chicago, IL  60606
                           Attention:  Bill Pate
                           Fax: (312) 559-1280

                           with an additional copy to:

                           Rosenberg & Liebentritt, P.C.
                           Two N. Riverside Plaza, Suite 1600
                           Chicago, IL  60606
                           Attention:  President
                           Fax: (312) 454-0335

                           if to the Company:

                           Danielson Holding Corporation
                           767 Third Avenue
                           New York, NY 10017
                           Attention:  David M. Barse
                           Fax: (212) 888-6704

                           with a copy to:

                           Danielson Holding Corporation
                           767 Third Avenue
                           New York, NY 10017
                           Attention:  Ian M. Kirschner
                           Fax:  (212) 735-0003

         11.2  Expenses.  Except as otherwise  provided in this  Agreement,  the
Company  shall  bear  all fees  and  expenses  incurred  by the  Company  or any
Subsidiary  in  connection  with,  relating to or arising out of the  execution,
delivery and  performance  of this  Agreement and the other Company  Transaction
Documents  and the  consummation  of the  transactions  contemplated  hereby and
thereby,  including  attorneys',  accountants' and other  professional  fees and
expenses.  Purchaser  shall bear all fees and expenses  incurred by Purchaser in
connection  with,  relating to or arising  out of the  execution,  delivery  and
performance of this Agreement and the other Purchaser  Transaction Documents and
the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby,  including
attorneys', accountants' and other professional fees and expenses.

         11.3 Severability.  If any term or other provision of this Agreement is
invalid,  illegal or  incapable  of being  enforced by any rule of law or public
policy, all other conditions and provisions of this Agreement shall nevertheless
remain in full force and effect so long as the  economic or legal  substance  of
the  transactions  contemplated  hereby is not affected in any manner adverse to
any party. Upon such  determination that any term or other provision is invalid,
illegal or incapable of being  enforced,  the parties hereto shall  negotiate in
good faith to modify this  Agreement so as to effect the original  intent of the
parties as  closely  as  possible  in



                                       35
<PAGE>

an  acceptable  manner to the end that the transactions contemplated hereby are
fulfilled to the fullest extent possible

         11.4  Entire  Agreement;   Amendment;  Waiver;  Assignment;  Nature  of
Obligations.  This  Agreement,  together with the other  Transaction  Documents,
constitutes  the entire  agreement among the parties with respect to the subject
matter hereof and thereof and supersedes all prior agreements and  undertakings,
both written and oral,  among the parties,  or any of them,  with respect to the
subject matter hereof and thereof.  No amendment,  supplement,  modification  or
waiver of this  Agreement  shall be binding  unless  executed  in writing by the
party to be bound thereby.  No waiver of any of the provisions of this Agreement
shall be deemed or shall  constitute  a waiver  of any other  provision  of this
Agreement, whether or not similar, nor shall such waiver constitute a continuing
waiver unless otherwise expressly provided. This Agreement shall not be assigned
by operation of law or otherwise.

         11.5  Parties in  Interest.  This  Agreement  shall be binding upon and
inure solely to the benefit of each party hereto, and nothing in this Agreement,
express or implied,  is intended  to or shall  confer upon any other  person any
rights, benefits or remedies of any nature whatsoever under or by reason of this
Agreement.

         11.6  Publicity.  Neither the Company nor Purchaser will make or issue,
or cause to be made or issued, any announcement or written statements concerning
the  Transaction   Documents  or  the  transactions   contemplated  thereby  for
dissemination  to the general  public  without the prior written  consent of the
Company or Purchaser,  as  appropriate,  which consent shall not be unreasonably
withheld. This provision will not apply to any announcement or written statement
required to be made by law or the  regulations  of the SEC or AMEX,  except that
the party required to make such announcement will, whenever practicable, consult
with the  other  parties  hereto  concerning  the  timing  and  content  of such
announcement before such announcement is made.

         11.7 Governing Law. This Agreement  shall be governed and controlled as
to validity, enforcement, interpretation,  construction, effect and in all other
respects by the internal  laws of the State of Delaware  applicable to contracts
made in that State.

         11.8 Headings. The descriptive headings contained in this Agreement are
included for  convenience  of reference only and shall not affect in any way the
meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.

         11.9 Interpretation.  Unless the context requires otherwise,  all words
used in this  Agreement in the  singular  number shall extend to and include the
plural, all words in the plural number shall extend to and include the singular,
and all words in any  gender  (including  neutral  gender)  shall  extend to and
include all genders.

         11.10  Counterparts.  This  Agreement  may be  executed  in two or more
counterparts, and by the different parties hereto in separate counterparts, each
of which when executed  shall be deemed to be an original but all of which taken
together shall constitute one and the same agreement.

         11.11  Jurisdiction  and Service of Process.  THE COMPANY AND PURCHASER
HEREBY CONSENT TO THE  JURISDICTION OF ANY STATE OR FEDERAL COURT


                                       36
<PAGE>


LOCATED WITHIN THE  STATE  OF  DELAWARE  AND  IRREVOCABLY  AGREE  THAT,  SUBJECT
TO THE  OTHER PROVISIONS  OF THIS  AGREEMENT,  ALL  ACTIONS OR  PROCEEDINGS
ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS  AGREEMENT  WHICH MAY BE  LITIGATED  SHALL BE
LITIGATED IN SUCH COURTS.  EACH OF THE  COMPANY  AND  PURCHASER  ACCEPTS  FOR
SUCH  PARTY  AND IN CONNECTION  WITH SUCH PARTY'S  PROPERTIES,  GENERALLY AND
UNCONDITIONALLY,  THE NONEXCLUSIVE  JURISDICTION  OF THE  AFORESAID  COURTS AND
WAIVES ANY  DEFENSE OF FORUM  NON  CONVENIENS,  AND  IRREVOCABLY  AGREES  TO BE
BOUND  BY ANY  JUDGMENT RENDERED  THEREBY IN  CONNECTION  WITH THIS  AGREEMENT.
EACH OF THE COMPANY AND PURCHASER  AGREES TO ACCEPT  SERVICE OF ALL PROCESS BY
REGISTERED  OR CERTIFIED MAIL, RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED,  IN ANY SUCH
PROCEEDINGS IN ANY SUCH COURT, SUCH SERVICE BEING HEREBY ACKNOWLEDGED BY EACH
SUCH PARTY TO BE EFFECTIVE AND BINDING SERVICE IN EVERY RESPECT.  IF ANY AGENT
APPOINTED BY THE COMPANY,  OR PURCHASER REFUSES TO ACCEPT SERVICE, SUCH PARTY
HEREBY AGREES THAT SERVICE UPON SUCH PARTY BY MAIL SHALL  CONSTITUTE  SUFFICIENT
NOTICE.  NOTHING  HEREIN SHALL AFFECT THE RIGHT TO SERVE  PROCESS IN ANY OTHER
MANNER  PERMITTED BY LAW OR SHALL LIMIT THE RIGHT OF THE COMPANY OR  PURCHASER
TO BRING  PROCEEDINGS  AGAINST THE COMPANY OR PURCHASER IN THE COURTS OF ANY
OTHER JURISDICTION.

         11.12  Trial.  EACH OF THE COMPANY  AND  PURCHASER  HEREBY  WAIVES SUCH
PARTY'S  RIGHTS TO A JURY  TRIAL OF ANY CLAIM OR CAUSE OF ACTION  BASED  UPON OR
ARISING  OUT OF THIS  AGREEMENT  OR ANY  DEALINGS  BETWEEN  THE  PARTIES  HERETO
RELATING TO THE SUBJECT  MATTER  HEREOF.  EACH OF THE COMPANY AND PURCHASER ALSO
WAIVES ANY BOND OR SURETY OR SECURITY  UPON SUCH BOND WHICH MIGHT,  BUT FOR THIS
WAIVER,  BE REQUIRED OF ANY PARTY TO THIS  AGREEMENT  WITH RESPECT TO ANY ACTION
COMMENCED BY ONE OF THEM AGAINST THE OTHER OF THEM.  THE SCOPE OF THIS WAIVER IS
INTENDED TO BE ALL-ENCOMPASSING OF ANY AND ALL DISPUTES THAT MAY BE FILED IN ANY
COURT AND THAT  RELATE TO THE  SUBJECT  MATTER  OF THIS  TRANSACTION,  INCLUDING
WITHOUT LIMITATION, CONTRACT CLAIMS, TORT CLAIMS, BREACH OF DUTY CLAIMS, AND ALL
OTHER  COMMON  LAW AND  STATUTORY  CLAIMS.  EACH OF THE  COMPANY  AND  PURCHASER
ACKNOWLEDGES THAT THIS WAIVER IS A MATERIAL  INDUCEMENT TO ENTER INTO A BUSINESS
RELATIONSHIP,  THAT EACH HAS ALREADY  RELIED ON THE WAIVER IN ENTERING INTO THIS
AGREEMENT  AND THAT EACH WILL  CONTINUE  TO RELY ON THE WAIVER IN THEIR  RELATED
FUTURE  DEALINGS.  EACH  OF THE  COMPANY  AND  PURCHASER  FURTHER  WARRANTS  AND
REPRESENTS  THAT SUCH PARTY HAS  REVIEWED  THIS WAIVER WITH SUCH  PARTY'S  LEGAL
COUNSEL,  AND THAT SUCH PARTY KNOWINGLY AND VOLUNTARILY WAIVES SUCH PARTY'S JURY
TRIAL  RIGHTS  FOLLOWING   CONSULTATION  WITH  LEGAL  COUNSEL.  THIS  WAIVER  IS
IRREVOCABLE,  MEANING THAT IT MAY NOT BE MODIFIED  EITHER  ORALLY OR IN WRITING,
AND THE WAIVER SHALL APPLY TO ANY SUBSEQUENT AMENDMENTS,  RENEWALS,  SUPPLEMENTS
OR MODIFICATIONS TO THIS AGREEMENT.  IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION,  THIS AGREEMENT
MAY BE FILED AS A WRITTEN CONSENT TO A TRIAL BY THE COURT.


                                       37
<PAGE>


         IN WITNESS WHEREOF,  Purchaser and the Company have executed this Stock
Purchase and Sale Agreement as of the date first above written.

                                 PURCHASER:

                                 SAMSTOCK, L.L.C.


                                          Donald J. Liebentritt
                                 ----------------------------------------
                                 By:      Donald J. Liebentritt, Vice President



                                 COMPANY:

                                 DANIELSON HOLDING CORPORATION


                                          David Barse
                                 ---------------------------------------
                                 By:      David Barse, President and
                                          Chief Operating Officer




                                       38
<PAGE>



                                    EXHIBIT A
                                    ---------


                                                        Stock Warrant No. ______

THIS WARRANT AND THE  SECURITIES  THAT MAY BE ACQUIRED UPON THE EXERCISE OF THIS
WARRANT HAVE NOT BEEN  REGISTERED  UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED,
OR ANY STATE SECURITIES ACT AND MAY NOT BE SOLD OR TRANSFERRED IN THE ABSENCE OF
REGISTRATION OR EXEMPTION THEREFROM OR AS OTHERWISE PROVIDED IN THIS WARRANT.

THE  EXERCISE  OF THIS  WARRANT  MAY BE SUBJECT TO THE FILING OF A  NOTIFICATION
REPORT  UNDER  THE  HART-SCOTT-RODINO  ANTITRUST  IMPROVEMENTS  ACT OF 1976,  AS
AMENDED,  AND THE EXPIRATION OF OR TERMINATION OF THE APPLICABLE  WAITING PERIOD
THEREUNDER.

                          DANIELSON HOLDING CORPORATION

                              Common Stock Warrant

         Danielson Holding Corporation,  a Delaware corporation (the "Company"),
hereby  certifies  that,  for good and valuable  consideration,  the receipt and
sufficiency  of which are  hereby  acknowledged,  Samstock,  L.L.C.,  a Delaware
limited liability company ("Samstock"), or its permitted assigns under the terms
of this  warrant  (Samstock  or such  permitted  assigns  at the time  being the
registered holder or holders hereof being  hereinafter  referred to as "Holder")
is entitled, subject to the terms set forth below, to purchase from the Company,
at a purchase price per share of $4.75 (as such amount may be adjusted from time
to time pursuant to Sections 1.5 or 3 hereof, the "Purchase Price"), at any time
or  from  time  to time  prior  to 5:00  p.m.,  Eastern  Standard  Time,  on the
Expiration Date, 2,000,000 fully paid and non-assessable shares of Common Stock,
$.10 par value per share,  of the Company (the "Common  Stock")  (such shares of
Common Stock as the number and  characterization  of such shares may be adjusted
or otherwise  modified from time to time pursuant to Sections 3 or 4, are herein
referred to as the "Warrant Shares").

         Certain  capitalized  terms not otherwise defined herein shall have the
meanings set forth in Section 6 hereof.

Section  1        EXERCISE OF WARRANT.

         1.1 Exercise.  This Warrant may be exercised by Holder,  in whole or in
part (but not for less than  100,000,  subject  to pro rata  adjustment  for any
subdivision  of Common  Stock or the payment of any dividend in shares of Common
Stock,  of the Warrant  Shares  issuable  under this  Warrant,  or the remaining
Warrant  Shares,  if less than such  amount),  at any time and from time to time
prior to 5:00 p.m.,  Eastern Standard Time, on the Expiration Date, by surrender
of this  Warrant,  together  with a  subscription  substantially  in the form of
Exhibit A attached to this  Warrant (or a  reasonable  facsimile  thereof)  duly
executed by Holder,  to the Company at its principal  office and  accompanied by
payment in full,  in cash or by check payable to the order of


<PAGE>


the Company (or in the manner  provided  in Section  1.2  hereof), in the amount
of the  aggregate Purchase Price for the Warrant Shares covered by such
exercise.

         1.2 Cashless  Exercise.  In lieu of exercising this Warrant pursuant to
Section 1.1 above,  the Holder shall have the right at any time and from time to
time  prior to 5:00 p.m.,  Eastern  Standard  Time,  on the  Expiration  Date to
exercise this Warrant,  in whole or in part, by requiring the Company to convert
all or any part of this Warrant (the "Conversion Right"), into Warrant Shares by
surrendering  this  Warrant to the Company  accompanied  by the form  conversion
notice  (substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit B, or a reasonable
facsimile  thereof) which has been duly  completed and signed.  Upon exercise of
the Conversion  Right,  the Company shall deliver to the Holder (without payment
by the Holder of any cash in  respect  of the  Purchase  Price)  that  number of
Warrant  Shares which is equal to the amount  obtained by dividing (x) an amount
equal  to the  difference  between  (A)  the  Current  Market  Price  Per  Share
multiplied by the number of Warrant Shares as to which the  Conversion  Right is
then being  exercised (the  "Conversion  Shares"),  determined as of immediately
prior to the effective time of the exercise of the Conversion  Right,  minus (B)
the aggregate  Purchase  Price then  applicable to the  Conversion  Shares (such
difference,  the "Conversion Amount"), by (y) the Current Market Price Per Share
of one share of Common Stock determined as of immediately prior to the effective
time of the exercise of the  Conversion  Right.  Upon exercise of the Conversion
Right, the Conversion Amount shall be deemed to have been paid to the Company in
respect of the Warrant Shares so acquired. Any references in this Warrant to the
"exercise" of this Warrant,  and the use of the term "exercise" herein, shall be
deemed to include, without limitation,  any exercise of the Conversion Right. In
the event this  Warrant is not  exercised in full,  the Warrant  Shares shall be
reduced by the number of Warrant  Shares subject to such partial  exercise,  and
the Company,  at its expense,  shall forthwith issue and deliver to Holder a new
Warrant of like tenor in the name of Holder,  reflecting  such adjusted  Warrant
Shares.

         1.3 When  Exercise  Effective.  Each  exercise of this Warrant shall be
deemed to have been effected  immediately  prior to the close of business on the
Business Day on which this Warrant  (together with the  applicable  subscription
and Purchase  Price) shall have been  surrendered  to the Company as provided in
Section 1.1 or 1.2 hereof,  and at such time the Person or Persons in whose name
or names any  certificate or  certificates  for shares of Common Stock (or Other
Securities)  shall be  issuable  upon such  exercise  as provided in Section 1.4
shall be deemed to have  become the holder or  holders  of record  thereof.  The
warrant or warrants  surrendered  upon  exercise  thereof  shall  thereafter  be
canceled and of no further force or effect.

         1.4 Delivery of Stock  Certificates,  etc. As soon as practicable after
each exercise of this Warrant,  in whole or in part,  the Company at its expense
(including the payment by it of any and all applicable issue taxes but excluding
any  applicable  transfer  taxes)  will  issue  and  deliver  to  Holder:  (a) a
certificate  or  certificates  (or an escrow  receipt in lieu  thereof as may be
required under Section 5.2 of the Company's  Certificate of  Incorporation),  in
such  name or  names  as such  Holder  may  designate,  for the  number  of duly
authorized, validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable shares of Common Stock
to which  Holder  shall  be  entitled  on such  exercise,  plus,  in lieu of any
fractional  share to which such holder would  otherwise be entitled,  cash in an
amount  equal to the  same  fraction  of the  Current  Market  Price  Per  Share
determined as of the Business Day preceding the date of such  exercise,  and (b)
in case  such  exercise  is for  less  than  all  the  Warrant  Shares  issuable
hereunder,  a new  Warrant  representing  such  Warrant  or  Warrants  remaining
hereunder in substantially the form of this Warrant.


                                        2

<PAGE>


         1.5 Reduction of Purchase Price for A&E  Deficiency.  If on the date of
any exercise pursuant to Section 1.1 or 1.2 above (determined in accordance with
Section 1.3 hereof) the Company does not have in effect an Excess of Loss Policy
and there exists an A&E Deficiency,  then the Purchase Price  applicable to such
exercise shall be automatically reduced as follows (the "Price Reduction"):

         (a)      If the A&E Deficiency is:

                  (i)  greater  than  $5,000,000  but  less  than  or  equal  to
         $10,000,000,   the  Purchase  Price  shall  be  reduced  by  an  amount
         determined  by  dividing  (x)  40.8% of the  amount  by  which  the A&E
         Deficiency  exceeds  $5,000,000,  by (y) the initial  number of Warrant
         Shares  represented  by the original  Warrant  (taking into account any
         adjustment pursuant to Sections 3 and 4 hereof);

                  (ii) greater  than  $10,000,000,  the Purchase  Price shall be
         reduced by an amount  determined by dividing (x) an amount equal to the
         sum of (A)  20.4% of the  amount by which  the A&E  Deficiency  exceeds
         $10,000,000  plus (B)  $2,040,000 by (y) the initial  number of Warrant
         Shares  represented  by the original  Warrant  (taking into account any
         adjustment pursuant to Sections 3 and 4 hereof);

         (b) If the Holder has  previously  exercised a portion of the  Warrant,
then the  Purchase  Price  shall,  in  addition  to any  reduction  pursuant  to
subsection (a) above, be further reduced by an amount determined by dividing (x)
the excess, if any, of (A) the Price Reduction calculated pursuant to subsection
(a) above  multiplied by the aggregate  number of Warrant Shares issued upon all
prior  exercises of the Warrant over (B) the Aggregate Price  Reduction,  by (y)
the total number of Warrant Shares to which the current exercise relates.

         (c) Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Price Reduction shall be applied
only to the extent that it does not cause the Purchase Price to be reduced below
the lower of (x) $3.00, which amount shall be adjusted  proportionately with any
adjustment  in the  Purchase  Price  pursuant  to  Section 3 hereof,  or (y) the
Current Market Price Per Share as of the date of such adjustment.

         (d) The  Price  Reduction  is  independent  of and in  addition  to any
adjustment  required by Section 3 hereof,  is applicable  only to the particular
exercise to which such Price  Reduction  relates and shall not affect any future
calculations  except to the extent that a Price  Reduction  increases  Aggregate
Price Reduction.

                                        3
<PAGE>


Section 2         CERTAIN OBLIGATIONS OF THE COMPANY.

         2.1  Reservation  of Stock.  The Company  covenants that it will at all
times  reserve  and keep  available,  free from  preemptive  rights,  solely for
issuance and delivery  upon  exercise of this  Warrant,  the number of shares of
Common Stock (or Other  Securities)  from time to time issuable upon exercise of
this Warrant.  In  furtherance  of and not in limitation of the  foregoing,  the
Company  will from  time to time,  in  accordance  with the laws of its state of
incorporation, take all necessary action to increase and maintain the authorized
amount of its Common  Stock (or Other  Securities)  if at any time the number of
shares of Common Stock  authorized  but remaining  unissued and  unreserved  for
other  purposes  shall be  insufficient  to  permit  the full  exercise  of this
Warrant.

         2.2 Status of Warrant Shares;  Corporate Actions. The Company covenants
that all Warrant  Shares,  upon  issuance in  accordance  with the terms of this
Warrant  Agreement and the Company's  Certificate of  Incorporation,  as amended
from time to time (the "Certificate of Incorporation"),  shall be fully paid and
nonassessable  and free from all taxes  with  respect  to the  issuance  thereof
(other than income taxes, if any, related to ordinary income attributable to the
Holder) and from all liens,  charges and security  interests other than transfer
restrictions  contained  in the  Company's  Certificate  of  Incorporation.  The
Company will not, by amendment of its  Certificate of  Incorporation  or through
any  consolidation,  merger,  reorganization,  transfer of assets,  dissolution,
issuance or sale of securities or any other voluntary action or omission,  avoid
or seek to avoid  the  observance  or  performance  of any of the  terms of this
Warrant.  Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Company (a) will
not permit the par value or the  determined or stated value of any shares of the
Common Stock  receivable  upon the exercise of this Warrant to exceed the amount
payable  therefor upon such exercise and (b) will take all such action as may be
necessary or appropriate in order that the Company may validly and legally issue
fully paid and  nonassessable  shares of the Common Stock (or Other  Securities)
upon the exercise of this Warrant, including,  without limitation,  amending the
Certificate of Incorporation.

         2.3  Maintenance  of Office.  The Company will maintain an office where
presentations  and demands to or upon the Company in respect of this Warrant may
be made. The initial  location of such office shall be at 767 Third Avenue,  New
York, NY 10017.  The Company will give notice in writing to Holder in accordance
with Section 11 hereof of each change in the location of such office.

         2.4 Use of  Proceeds.  The  Company  agrees that  proceeds  paid to the
Company  from any Holder's  exercise of the Warrant  shall be retained as direct
assets of the Company and such proceeds  shall not be  transferred or attributed
in any way, directly or indirectly, to any insurance subsidiary of the Company.


                                        4

<PAGE>


Section 3         ADJUSTMENT OF PURCHASE PRICE.

         3.1 General; Purchase Price. The number of shares of Common Stock which
the holder of this  Warrant  shall be  entitled  to receive  upon each  exercise
hereof shall be determined by  multiplying  the number of shares of Common Stock
which would  otherwise  (but for the  provisions  of this Section 3) be issuable
upon such  exercise,  as designated  by the holder hereof  pursuant to Section 1
hereof,  by the  fraction  of which  (a) the  numerator  is  $4.75,  and (b) the
denominator is the Purchase  Price in effect on the date of such  exercise.  The
"Purchase  Price"  shall  initially  be $4.75 per share,  shall be adjusted  and
readjusted  from time to time as provided in this  Section 3 and, as so adjusted
or readjusted, shall remain in effect until a further adjustment or readjustment
thereof is required by this Section 3.

         3.2. Issuance of Additional Shares of Common Stock. In case the Company
at any time or from  time to time  after  the date  hereof  shall  issue or sell
Additional  Shares of Common Stock (including  Additional Shares of Common Stock
deemed to be issued pursuant to Section 3.3 or 3.4 hereof) without consideration
or for a  consideration  per  share  less  than the  Purchase  Price  in  effect
immediately  prior to such  issue or sale,  then,  and in each such  case,  such
Purchase  Price shall be  reduced,  concurrently  with such issue or sale,  to a
price  (calculated to the nearest .001 of a cent) determined by multiplying such
Purchase Price by a fraction,

                           (i) the numerator of which shall be (A) the number of
                  shares of Common Stock  outstanding  immediately prior to such
                  issue or sale plus (B) the  number  of shares of Common  Stock
                  which the aggregate  consideration received by the Company for
                  the total number of such Additional  Shares of Common Stock so
                  issued or sold would  purchase at the Purchase Price in effect
                  immediately prior to such sale; and

                           (ii) the  denominator of which shall be the number of
                  shares of Common  Stock  outstanding  immediately  after  such
                  issue or sale, provided that, for the purposes of this Section
                  3.2, (A)  immediately  after any  Additional  Shares of Common
                  Stock are deemed to have been  issued  pursuant to Section 3.3
                  or 3.4 hereof, such Additional Shares of Common Stock shall be
                  deemed to be outstanding, and (B) treasury shares shall not be
                  deemed to be outstanding.

         3.3.  Treatment  of Options  and  Convertible  Securities.  In case the
Company  at any time or from time to time  after the date  hereof  shall  issue,
sell,  grant or  assume,  or shall fix a record  date for the  determination  of
holders  of any  class  of  securities  entitled  to  receive,  any  Options  or
Convertible  Securities,  then,  and in each such case,  the  maximum  number of
Additional  Shares of Common  Stock  (as set  forth in the  instrument  relating
thereto,  without  regard to any provisions  contained  therein for a subsequent
adjustment of such number) issuable upon the exercise of such Options or, in the
case  of  Convertible  Securities  and  options  therefor,   issuable  upon  the
conversion  or exchange of such  Convertible  Securities,  shall be deemed to be
Additional  Shares of Common  Stock  issued as of the time of such issue,  sale,
grant or assumption or, in case such a record date shall have been fixed,  as of
the close of business on such record date (or, if the Common  Stock trades on an
ex-dividend  basis,  on the  date  prior  to  the  commencement  of  ex-dividend
trading);  provided  that such  Additional  Shares of Common  Stock shall not be
deemed  to have been  issued  unless  the  consideration  per share  (determined
pursuant to Section 3.5 hereof) of such shares  would be less than the  Purchase
Price in effect on the date of and immediately prior to such issue,  sale, grant
or assumption or


                                        5
<PAGE>

immediately  prior to the close of business on such record date (or, if the
Common Stock trades on an  ex-dividend  basis,  on the date prior to the
commencement of ex-dividend  trading),  as the case may be; and,  provided,
further,  that in any such case in which  Additional  Shares of Common Stock are
deemed to be issued:

                   (a) no further adjustment of the Purchase Price shall be made
upon the subsequent issue or sale of Convertible  Securities or shares of Common
Stock upon the  exercise of such Options or the  conversion  or exchange of such
Convertible  Securities,  except in the case of any such Options or  Convertible
Securities which contain provisions  requiring an adjustment,  subsequent to the
date of the issue or sale thereof,  of the number of Additional Shares of Common
Stock  issuable upon the exercise of such Options or the  conversion or exchange
of such  Convertible  Securities  by reason of (i) a change  of  control  of the
Company  or (ii) the  acquisition  by any  Person  or group  of  Persons  of any
specified number or percentage of the Voting Securities of the Company;

                   (b) if such Options or Convertible  Securities by their terms
provide,  with  the  passage  of time or  otherwise,  for  any  increase  in the
consideration  payable to the Company,  or decrease in the number of  Additional
Shares of Common  Stock  issuable,  upon the  exercise,  conversion  or exchange
thereof (by change of rate or  otherwise),  the Purchase Price computed upon the
original issue, sale, grant or assumption thereof (or upon the occurrence of the
record date, or date prior to the  commencement of ex-dividend  trading,  as the
case  may be,  with  respect  thereto),  and any  subsequent  adjustments  based
thereon,  shall,  upon any such  increase or  decrease  becoming  effective,  be
recomputed  to reflect  such  increase  or decrease  insofar as it affects  such
options,  or the  rights  of  conversion  or  exchange  under  such  Convertible
Securities, which are outstanding at such time;

                  (c)  upon the  expiration  (or  purchase  by the  Company  and
cancellation  or  retirement)  of any such  Options  which  shall  not have been
exercised or the  expiration of any rights of  conversion or exchange  under any
such  Convertible  Securities which (or purchase by the Company and cancellation
or retirement  of any such  Convertible  Securities  the rights of conversion or
exchange under which) shall not have been exercised, the Purchase Price computed
upon  the  original  issue,  sale,  grant  or  assumption  thereof  (or upon the
occurrence of the record date, or date prior to the  commencement of ex-dividend
trading,  as the  case  may  be,  with  respect  thereto),  and  any  subsequent
adjustments based thereon,  shall, upon such expiration (or such cancellation or
retirement, as the case may be), be recomputed as if:

                   (i) in the case of Options  for Common  Stock or  Convertible
         Securities,  the only Additional  Shares of Common Stock issued or sold
         were the Additional  Shares of Common Stock, if any, actually issued or
         sold upon the exercise of such Options or the conversion or exchange of
         such Convertible Securities and the consideration received therefor was
         the consideration actually received by the Company for the issue, sale,
         grant or assumption of all such Options, whether or not exercised, plus
         the consideration  actually received by the Company upon such exercise,
         or for the issue or sale of all such Convertible  Securities which were
         actually converted or exchanged, plus the additional consideration,  if
         any, actually received by the Company upon such conversion or exchange;
         and

                   (ii) in the case of Options for Convertible Securities,  only
         the Convertible  Securities,  if any,  actually issued or sold upon the
         exercise of such  Options  were issued



                                             6
<PAGE>


         at the time of the issue,  sale, grant or assumption of such Options,
         and the consideration  received by the Company for the  Additional
         Shares of Common  Stock deemed to have then been issued was the
         consideration actually received by the Company for the issue, sale,
         grant or assumption of all such Options,  whether or not exercised,
         plus the consideration  deemed to have been received by the Company
         (pursuant to Section 3.5 hereof) upon the issue or sale of such
         Convertible  Securities with respect to which such Options were
         actually exercised;

                   (d) no readjustment  pursuant to subdivision (b) or (c) above
shall have the effect of increasing the Purchase Price by an amount in excess of
the amount of the adjustment  thereof  originally  made in respect of the issue,
sale, grant or assumption of such Options or Convertible Securities; and

                  (e) in the  case of any such  Options  which  expire  by their
terms not more than 30 days after the date of issue,  sale,  grant or assumption
thereof,  no adjustment of the Purchase Price shall be made until the expiration
or exercise of all such Options,  whereupon such adjustment shall be made in the
manner provided in subdivision (c) above.

         3.4.  Treatment  of Stock  Dividends,  Stock  Splits,  etc. In case the
Company at any time or from time to time after the date hereof shall  declare or
pay any dividend on the Common Stock payable in Common Stock,  or shall effect a
subdivision of the  outstanding  shares of Common Stock into a greater number of
shares of Common Stock (by  reclassification  or otherwise  than by payment of a
dividend in Common  Stock),  then,  and in each such case,  with  respect to any
adjustment of the Purchase Price pursuant to Section 3.2,  Additional  Shares of
Common  Stock  shall be deemed to have been  issued  (a) in the case of any such
dividend,  immediately  after the close of  business  on the record date for the
determination  of holders of any class of  securities  entitled to receive  such
dividend,  or (b) in the case of any such subdivision,  at the close of business
on the day immediately prior to the day upon which such corporate action becomes
effective.

         3.5      Computation of Consideration.  For the purposes of this
Section 3:

                    (a)  the   consideration  for  the  issue  or  sale  of  any
Additional  Shares  of  Common  Stock  shall,  irrespective  of  the  accounting
treatment of such consideration,

                            (i) insofar as it  consists of cash,  be computed at
                  the net  amount  of cash  received  by the  Company,  (without
                  deducting  any expenses paid or incurred by the Company or any
                  commissions or compensations  paid or concessions or discounts
                  allowed to underwriters,  dealers or others performing similar
                  services in connection with such issue or sale);

                            (ii)  insofar as it consists of property  (including
                  securities)  other than cash,  be  computed  at the fair value
                  thereof at the time of such issue or sale,  as  determined  in
                  good faith by the Board of Directors of the Company; and

                            (iii) in case Additional  Shares of Common Stock are
                  issued or sold  together  with other  stock or  securities  or
                  other assets of the Company for a  consideration  which covers
                  both,  be the  portion  of  such  consideration  so  received,
                  computed as provided in clauses (i) and (ii) above,  allocable
                  to such


                                        7
<PAGE>

                  Additional  Shares of Common Stock,  all as determined
                  in good faith by the Board of Directors of the Company.

                   (b)  Additional  Shares of Common  Stock  deemed to have been
issued pursuant to Section 3.3, relating to Options and Convertible  Securities,
shall be deemed to have been issued for a consideration  per share determined by
dividing

                           (i) the total amount, if any, received and receivable
                  by the Company as consideration for the issue,  sale, grant or
                  assumption  of  the  Options  or  Convertible   Securities  in
                  question plus the aggregate amount of additional consideration
                  (as set forth in the  instruments  relating  thereto,  without
                  regard to any  provision  contained  therein for a  subsequent
                  adjustment of such  consideration to protect against dilution)
                  payable  to the  Company  upon  the  exercise  in full of such
                  Options or the  conversion  or  exchange  of such  Convertible
                  Securities  or,  in  the  case  of  Options  for   Convertible
                  Securities,  the  exercise  of such  options  for  Convertible
                  Securities and the conversion or exchange of such  Convertible
                  Securities,  in each  case  computing  such  consideration  as
                  provided in the foregoing subdivision (a), by

                            (ii) the  maximum  number of shares of Common  Stock
                  (as set forth in the  instruments  relating  thereto,  without
                  regard to any  provision  contained  therein for a  subsequent
                  adjustment  of  such  number  to  protect  against   dilution)
                  issuable  upon the exercise of such Options or the  conversion
                  or exchange of such Convertible Securities.

          (c)  Additional  Shares of  Common  Stock  deemed to have been  issued
pursuant to Section 3.4 hereof, relating to stock dividends, stock splits, etc.,
shall be deemed to have been issued for no consideration, unless and only to the
extent that consideration is actually paid therefor.

         3.6. Adjustments for Combinations,  etc. In case the outstanding shares
of Common  Stock shall be  combined  or  consolidated,  by  reclassification  or
otherwise, into a lesser number of shares of Common Stock, the Purchase Price in
effect   immediately   prior  to  such  combination  or   consolidation   shall,
concurrently  with the  effectiveness of such combination or  consolidation,  be
proportionately increased.

Section 4 RECLASSIFICATION,  CONSOLIDATION,  MERGER, ETC. In the case of (A) any
capital  reorganization,  reclassification or other change of outstanding Common
Stock (or Other Securities)  (other than those referred to in Section 3.4 hereof
and other than a change in par value),  or (B) any  consolidation of the Company
with any other corporation or any merger of the Company into another corporation
or of another corporation into the Company (other than a consolidation or merger
in which the Company is the continuing or surviving  corporation  and which does
not result in any  reclassification  of, or change  (other  than a change in par
value,  or as a result of a  subdivision  or  combination  to which  Section 3.4
hereof is applicable) in, the outstanding  Common Stock (or Other  Securities)),
or (C) any sale or transfer to another Person (other than by mortgage or pledge)
of all or  substantially  all of the properties and assets of the Company,  each
Warrant shall from and after such event or transaction  be exercisable  upon the
terms and  conditions  specified  in this  Warrant,  for the number of shares of
stock or other  securities  or assets to which  the  Holder  (at the time of the
transaction  or event) upon



                                        8
<PAGE>

exercise of this Warrant  would have been  entitled upon such  transaction or
event as if such Holder exercised this Warrant in full immediately  prior  to
such  transaction  or  event  and in any  such  case,  if necessary, the
provisions set forth in this Section 4 with respect to the rights thereafter of
the Holder shall be appropriately adjusted so as to be applicable, as nearly as
may be  possible,  to any  shares of stock or other  securities  or assets
thereafter deliverable on the exercise of the Warrant; provided, that any such
resulting or surviving corporation or purchaser, as the case may be, in any such
transaction,  shall expressly  assume, by delivery of a written  instrument
delivered to the Company and the Holder prior to consummation of the transaction
in question,  the obligation to deliver,  upon the exercise of the Warrant, such
shares,  securities or property as the Holder of the Warrant or other securities
received by the Holder in place thereof,  shall be entitled to receive  pursuant
to the  provisions  hereof,  and to make  provisions  for the  protection of the
exercise rights as above provided.

Section 5         NOTICE OF CERTAIN EVENTS.

         If at any time:

         (a) the Company shall declare any dividend or  distribution  payable to
the holders of its Common Stock (whether payable in cash,  Common Stock or other
consideration);

         (b) the Company  shall offer for  subscription  or issuance pro rata to
the holders of its Common Stock any additional shares of stock of any class;

         (c) there  shall be any  capital  reorganization  of the  Company,  any
recapitalization  or  reclassification  of the capital stock of the Company,  or
consolidation or merger involving the Company, or any sale or transfer of all or
substantially all of the Company's assets to any other Person;

         (d) there shall be a voluntary or involuntary dissolution,  liquidation
or winding up of the Company as a whole or  substantially as a whole in a single
transaction or a series of related transactions; or

         (e)  there  shall  be any  other  event  which  would  or  may  require
adjustment of at least 1% of the Purchase Price or the Warrant  Shares  pursuant
to Section 3 or 4 hereof,

then, in any one or more of such cases,  the Company  shall give Holder  written
notice  of the  date on  which a  record  shall  be  taken  for  such  dividend,
distribution or subscription rights or for determining  stockholders entitled to
vote   upon    such    reorganization,    recapitalization,    reclassification,
consolidation,  merger, sale, transfer,  dissolution,  liquidation or winding up
and of the date, if determined,  when any such transaction  shall take place, as
the case may be. If and to the extent applicable, such notice shall also specify
the date as of which the holders of Common Stock of record shall  participate in
such  dividend,  distribution  or  subscription  rights or shall be  entitled to
exchange their Common Stock for securities or other  property  deliverable  upon
such recapitalization,  consolidation, merger, sale, dissolution, liquidation or
winding  up,  as the case may be.  Such  notice  shall be given at least 30 days
before the earliest  date required to be specified  therein in  accordance  with
this subparagraph,  shall describe the proposed transaction in reasonable detail
and shall  specify  the  consideration  to be  received by the holders of Common
Stock in respect thereto and/or any adjustment which would be made to the number
of Warrant  Shares  obtainable  upon the exercise of this Warrant as a result of
such


                                        9
<PAGE>

transaction; provided, however, that the Company shall be obligated to give only
ten 10 days prior  notice with  respect to the  following  events:  (i) any
event the  occurrence of which would give rise to an adjustment  pursuant to the
provisions of Section 3 or (ii) any regularly-scheduled dividend or distribution
which,  individually or as a policy, has been previously publicly announced. The
Company shall also furnish to each Holder all notices and materials furnished to
its  stockholders in connection  with such  transaction as and when such notices
and materials are furnished to its stockholders.

Section 6         DEFINITIONS.

         As used  herein,  the  following  terms,  unless the context  otherwise
requires, have the following respective meanings:


         6.1 The term "Additional  Shares of Common Stock" shall mean all shares
(including  treasury  shares) of Common  Stock  issued or sold (or,  pursuant to
Section  3.3 or 3.4 hereof,  deemed to be issued) by the Company  after the date
hereof, whether or not subsequently  reacquired or retired by the Company, other
than:  (a) shares  issued  upon the  exercise of this  Warrant;  (b) options and
shares issued upon the exercise of options  outstanding on the date hereof or to
be granted  under any Company  stock  option plan or stock  purchase  plan as in
effect on the date hereof or under any other  employee or director  stock option
or purchase plan or plans adopted or assumed after such date and which have been
duly approved and adopted by a vote of the stockholders of the Company; (c) such
additional  number of shares as may become  issuable upon the exercise of any of
the  securities  referred to in the  foregoing  clauses (a) or (b), by reason of
adjustments  required  pursuant to anti-dilution  provisions  applicable to such
securities  as in effect on the date hereof,  but only if and to the extent that
such  adjustments  are  required as the result of the  original  issuance of the
Warrants;  (d) such additional  number of shares as may become issuable upon the
exercise of any of the securities referred to in the foregoing clauses (a), (b),
or (c) by reason of adjustments  required  pursuant to anti-dilution  provisions
applicable  to such  securities  as in  effect on the date  hereof,  in order to
reflect any subdivision or combination of Common Stock, by  reclassification  or
otherwise, or any dividend on Common Stock payable in Common Stock.

         6.2 The term "A&E Deficiency" shall mean the amount by which the sum of
losses and loss  adjustment  expenses  actually  paid by the  insurance  company
subsidiaries  of the  Company  in  settlement  of  asbestos-related  claims  and
environmental-related claims between December 31, 1998, and the date of exercise
of the Warrant,  plus the reserves for such losses and loss adjustment  expenses
as of such exercise date,  exceed the reserves  established by such subsidiaries
for such losses and loss adjustment expenses (including reserves for losses that
have been incurred but which have not been reported) as of December 31, 1998.

         6.3  The  term  "Aggregate  Price  Reduction"  means  the  sum  of  all
reductions  from the aggregate  purchase price paid in connection with all prior
exercises,  calculated in accordance with Section 1.5 hereof;  provided that for
purposes of determining  this amount,  such  reductions  for cashless  exercises
pursuant to Section 1.2 hereof shall be determined by multiplying  the number of
Warrant Shares as to which the Conversion  Right is then being  exercised by the
Price Reduction applicable to such cashless exercise.

                                       10
<PAGE>

         6.4 The term  "Business  Day" means any day other than a Saturday  or a
Sunday or a day on which  commercial  banking  institutions in New York City are
authorized by law to be closed.  Any reference to "days"  (unless  Business Days
are specified) shall mean calendar days.

         6.5 The term "Charter  Amendment" shall have the meaning ascribed to it
in the Purchase and Sale Agreement.

         6.6 The term "Common  Stock"  shall have the meaning  ascribed to it in
the introductory  paragraph to this Warrant,  provided that such term shall also
include any other  securities or rights into which or for which the Common Stock
is  converted  or  exchanged,  whether  pursuant to a plan of  reclassification,
reorganization, consolidation, merger, sale of assets, dissolution, liquidation,
or otherwise.

         6.7 The  term  "Convertible  Securities"  shall  mean any  evidence  of
indebtedness,  shares of stock  (other  than Common  Stock) or other  securities
directly or indirectly convertible into or exchangeable for Additional Shares of
Common Stock.

         6.8 The term "Current  Market Price Per Share" shall mean, with respect
to any of the Common Stock,  as of any  particular  date of  determination,  the
average of the daily closing  prices of the Common Stock as reported in The Wall
Street Journal or other reputable  financial news source, for the 20 consecutive
trading days immediately preceding such date.

         6.9 The term "Excess of Loss Policy" shall mean a policy of reinsurance
obtained by the insurance company subsidiaries of the Company, which reinsurance
policy shall limit the amount of the A&E  Deficiency  payable by such  insurance
company subsidiaries to [$10,000,000.]

         6.10 The term "Expiration Date" shall mean 5:00 p.m.,  Eastern Standard
Time, on  ________________,  2003 [insert fourth anniversary of the Closing Date
under Purchase and Sale  Agreement];  provided  however that if on such date the
Purchase Price would be subject to adjustment  pursuant to Section 1.5 herein if
the Warrant  were then  exercised,  then the  Expiration  Date shall be extended
until  _________,  2004 [insert fifth  anniversary of the Closing Date under the
Purchase Agreement].

         6.11 The term  "Options"  shall  mean any and all  rights,  options  or
warrants to subscribe  for,  purchase or  otherwise  acquire  either  Additional
Shares of Common Stock or Convertible Securities.

         6.12 The term  "Other  Securities"  shall  mean any stock  (other  than
Common Stock) and other securities of the Company or any other Person (corporate
or otherwise) which the holders of this Warrant at any time shall be entitled to
receive,  or shall have received,  upon the exercise of this Warrant, in lieu of
or in addition to Common Stock,  or which at any time shall be issuable or shall
have been  issued in exchange  for or in  replacement  of Common  Stock or Other
Securities pursuant to Section 4 hereof or otherwise.

         6.13  The  term  "Person"  shall  mean  an   individual,   corporation,
partnership,  limited  liability  company,  association,  trust,  joint venture,
unincorporated organization or any government, governmental department or agency
or political subdivision thereof.



                                       11
<PAGE>


         [6.14    The term "Price Reduction" shall have the meaning ascribed to
it in Section 1.5 hereof.]

         6.15 The term  "Purchase  and Sale  Agreement"  shall mean that certain
Stock Purchase and Sale Agreement dated as of April 14, 1999 between the Company
and Holder.

         6.16 The term  "Voting  Securities"  shall  mean  stock of any class or
classes (or equivalent interests),  if the holders of the stock of such class or
classes  (or   equivalent   interests)  are   ordinarily,   in  the  absence  of
contingencies,  entitled to vote for the election of the  directors  (or persons
performing similar functions) of such business entity,  even though the right so
to vote has been suspended by the happening of such a contingency.

         6.17 The term "Warrant" shall refer to this or any replacement  Warrant
covering any Warrant Shares.

         6.18 The term "Warrant Shares" shall have the meaning ascribed to it in
the  introductory  paragraph  to this  Warrant,  provided  that such term  shall
include all Other  Securities  issuable  from time to time upon exercise of this
Warrant in whole or in part.

Section 7         REPLACEMENT OF WARRANTS.

         Upon surrender of this Warrant in mutilated form or receipt of evidence
satisfactory  to the Company of the loss,  theft or destruction of this Warrant,
then, the Company,  at the Holder's expense,  shall execute and deliver, in lieu
of and in  replacement  of this  Warrant,  a Warrant  identical  in form to this
Warrant.

Section 8         REMEDIES.

         The Company  stipulates  that the  remedies at law of the Holder in the
event of any  breach or  threatened  breach by the  Company of the terms of this
Warrant  are  not  and  will  not  be  adequate,  and  that  such  terms  may be
specifically  enforced by a decree for the specific performance of any agreement
contained herein or by an injunction against a breach of any of the terms hereof
or otherwise.  The Company hereby irrevocably  waives, to the extent that it may
do so under applicable law, any defense based on the adequacy of a remedy at law
which may be  asserted  as a bar to the remedy of  specific  performance  in any
action brought  against the Company for specific  performance of this Warrant by
the Holder.  Such remedies and all other  remedies  provided for in this Warrant
shall,  however, be cumulative and not exclusive and shall be in addition to any
other remedies which may be available under this Warrant.

Section 9         APPLICABILITY OF ARTICLE FIFTH OF CERTIFICATE OF
                  INCORPORATION; TRANSFER.

         This Warrant and its direct and  indirect  owners are subject to all of
the  restrictions  set forth in Article  Fifth of the Company's  Certificate  of
Incorporation and in Section 4.11(b) of the Purchase and Sale Agreement.  Upon a
transfer  in  accordance  with  this  Section  9,  the  Company  at its  expense
(excluding any applicable  transfer taxes) shall execute and deliver, in lieu of
and in replacement of this Warrant,  Warrants  identical in form to this Warrant
and in such  denominations  as the transferring  Holder shall request;  provided
that, any such  transferee,  by


                                       12
<PAGE>

acceptance  hereof,  agrees to assume all of the obligations  of Holder and be
bound by all of the terms and  provisions  of this Warrant.

Section 10        NOTICES.

         Where this Warrant provides for notice of any event,  such notice shall
be given (unless otherwise herein expressly  provided) in writing and either (i)
delivered  personally,  (ii) sent by certified,  registered or express mail or a
nationally  recognized  express courier,  postage and other  applicable  charges
prepaid, (iii) sent by facsimile transmission, and shall be deemed given when so
delivered personally,  sent by facsimile transmission  (confirmed in writing) or
four days after being mailed. Notices shall be addressed, as follows:

         if to Holder:

                  Samstock, L.L.C.
                  Two North Riverside Plaza
                  Suite 600
                  Chicago, IL 60606
                  Attention:  Bill Pate

         if to the Company:

                  Danielson Holding Corporation
                  767 Third Avenue
                  New York, NY 10017
                  Attention:  General Counsel

provided,  that the  exercise of this  Warrant  shall be effective in the manner
provided in Section 1 hereof.

Section 11        SALE OF WARRANT OR SHARES.

         Neither  this  Warrant  nor the shares of Common  Stock  issuable  upon
exercise  hereof  have been  registered  under the  Securities  Act of 1933,  as
amended (the "Federal Act"), or under the securities laws of any state.  Neither
this Warrant nor such shares, when issued, may be sold, transferred,  pledged or
hypothecated  in the absence of an  effective  registration  statement  for this
Warrant,  or the  shares,  as the case  may be,  under  the  Federal  Act,  such
registration or  qualification  as may be necessary under the securities laws of
any state, an exemption from such  registration or  qualification  requirements.
The certificate or certificates  evidencing all or any of the shares issued upon
exercise of this Warrant shall bear the following legend:

         "The  securities   represented  by  this   certificate  have  not  been
         registered  under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended,  or any state
         securities  act and may not be sold or  transferred  in the  absence of
         such  registration  or an  exemption  therefrom,  or in the  absence of
         receipt by the issuer of an opinion of counsel reasonably  satisfactory
         to the issuer that the securities  may be sold or  transferred  without
         such registration.  The securities  represented by this


                                       13
<PAGE>


         certificate are also  subject to certain  restrictions  on  transfer
         contained  in the issuer's Certificate of Incorporation."

         This Warrant  shall be  registered  on the books of the Company,  which
shall be kept by it at its  principal  office  for  that  purpose  and  shall be
transferable  only on said  books by the  registered  Holder's  duly  authorized
attorney  upon  surrender  of  this  Warrant  properly  endorsed,  and  only  in
compliance with the provisions of the preceding paragraph.

Section 12        NO DIVIDENDS OR VOTING RIGHTS.

         No provision of this Warrant shall be construed as conferring  upon the
Holder  the  right  to  receive  dividends  or to vote as a  shareholder  of the
Company,  or as imposing any obligation on the Holder to purchase any securities
or as imposing any  liabilities  on such Holder as a stockholder of the Company,
whether  such  obligation  or  liabilities  are  asserted  by the  Company or by
creditors of the Company.

Section 13        MISCELLANEOUS.

         This  Warrant  shall be binding  upon the  Company and Holder and their
legal  representatives,  successors and permitted assigns. In case any provision
of this  Warrant  shall be  invalid,  illegal  or  unenforceable,  or  partially
invalid,  illegal or  unenforceable,  the  provision  shall be  enforced  to the
extent,  if any, that it may legally be enforced and the validity,  legality and
enforceability  of the remaining  provisions shall not in any way be affected or
impaired  thereby.  This  Warrant and any term  hereof may be  changed,  waived,
discharged  or  terminated  only by a statement  in writing  signed by the party
against which  enforcement of such change,  waiver,  discharge or termination is
sought.  This  Warrant  shall be  governed  by, and  construed  and  enforced in
accordance  with,  the  laws of the  State of  Delaware  without  regard  to its
principles  of conflicts of laws.  The headings in this Warrant are for purposes
of  reference  only,  and shall not limit or  otherwise  affect any of the terms
hereof. This Warrant may be executed in two or more counterparts,  each of which
shall  be  deemed  an  original,  but all of which  constitute  one and the same
instrument.

Section 14 JUDICIAL  PROCEEDINGS;  WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL. Any judicial proceeding
brought  against the Company  with respect to this Warrant may be brought in any
state or federal court of competent  jurisdiction  in the State of Delaware and,
by execution and delivery of this Agreement, the Company (a) accepts,  generally
and  unconditionally,  the  nonexclusive  jurisdiction  of such  courts  and any
related  appellate  court,  and  irrevocably  agrees to be bound by any judgment
rendered  thereby  in  connection  with this  Warrant,  subject to any rights of
appeal,  and  (b)  irrevocably  waives  any  objection  the  Company  may now or
hereafter have as to the venue of any such suit, action or proceeding brought in
such a court or that such court is an  inconvenient  forum.  THE COMPANY  HEREBY
WAIVES  TRIAL  BY  JURY  IN ANY  JUDICIAL  PROCEEDING  INVOLVING,  DIRECTLY,  OR
INDIRECTLY,  ANY MATTER (WHETHER SOUNDING IN TORT, CONTRACT OR OTHERWISE) IN ANY
WAY  ARISING  OUT OF,  RELATED  TO,  OR  CONNECTION  WITH  THIS  WARRANT  OR THE
RELATIONSHIP ESTABLISHED HEREUNDER.

                                       14
<PAGE>


         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company and the Holder have caused this Warrant
to be executed as an instrument under seal by a duly authorized  officer and, in
the case of the Company, attested by its Secretary or Assistant Secretary.

Dated as of _______________, 1999


(Corporate Seal)

                                            DANIELSON HOLDING CORPORATION
Attest:


_______________________                     By:
                                               ___________________________
Secretary/Assistant Secretary                   Name:
                                                Title:



                                        15
<PAGE>




                                    EXHIBIT A


                              FORM OF SUBSCRIPTION

                   (To be signed only on exercise of Warrant)


TO:      DANIELSON HOLDING CORPORATION

         The undersigned,  the holder of the within Warrant,  hereby irrevocably
elects to exercise this Warrant for, and to receive thereunder, shares of Common
Stock of DANIELSON  HOLDING  CORPORATION  (the  "Company"),  and herewith  makes
payment of $_________  therefor,  and requests that the  certificates (or escrow
receipts therefor,  in lieu thereof, if applicable) for such shares be issued in
the     name     of     _________________________,      and     delivered     to
_________________________ whose address is____________________________.


Dated:


_____________________________
                                   (Signature must conform in all respects to
                                   name of Holder as specified on the face of
                                   the Warrant)


                                   ___________________________________
                                    (Address)


_____________________

*Insert  here the number of shares of Common Stock to which the Warrant is being
exercised  (including  partial  exercise),  and in any event without  making any
adjustment  for  Additional  Shares of Common  Stock or any other stock or Other
Securities or property or cash which,  pursuant to the adjustment  provisions of
this Warrant, may be delivered upon exercise. In the case of partial exercise, a
new  Warrant  or  Warrants  will  be  issued  and  delivered,  representing  the
unexercised portion of the Warrant, to the holder of the surrendering Warrant.


<PAGE>


                                    EXHIBIT B


                          FORM OF NOTICE OF CONVERSION


                   (To be executed upon conversion of Warrant)


         The  undersigned  hereby  irrevocably  elects to  exercise  the  right,
represented by the Warrant delivered herewith, in accordance with Section 1.2 of
the  Warrant,  to convert the  Warrant  represented  thereby  into ___ shares of
Common Stock in accordance with the terms hereof. The undersigned  requests that
a certificate (or escrow receipts therefor,  in lieu thereof, if applicable) for
such    shares   of   Common    Stock   be    registered    in   the   name   of
___________________________  whose address is _____________________________  and
that such certificate be delivered to  _______________________  whose address is
___________________.  If said number of shares of Common  Stock is less than all
of the Warrant Shares obtainable hereunder,  the undersigned requests that a new
Warrant  representing the remaining  balance of the Warrant Shares be registered
in    the    name    of    ___________________________    whose    address    is
______________________________   and  that  such   Warrant   be   delivered   to
____________________________ whose address is ____________________________.


Signature:


_________________________________________________
(Signature  must  conform in all respects to name
of Holder as specified on the face of the Warrant.)




Date:_____________






            AMENDMENT NO. 1, ASSIGNMENT AND CONSENT TO ASSIGNMENT OF
                        STOCK PURCHASE AND SALE AGREEMENT


         AMENDMENT NO. 1, ASSIGNMENT AND CONSENT TO ASSIGNMENT OF STOCK PURCHASE
AND SALE AGREEMENT, dated May 7, 1999 (the "Amendment"),  by and among Samstock,
L.L.C., a Delaware limited  liability  company  ("Samstock"),  Danielson Holding
Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the "Company") and SZ Investments,  L.L.C.,
a Delaware limited  liability  company ("SZ") relating to the Stock Purchase and
Sale Agreement (the  "Purchase  Agreement"),  dated as of April 14, 1998, by and
between Samstock and the Company.  All capitalized  terms not otherwise  defined
herein shall have the meanings given such terms in the Purchase Agreement.

         WHEREAS, Samstock is controlled by SZ, its sole limited liability
company member;

         WHEREAS,  pursuant  to  the  Purchase  Agreement,  Samstock  agreed  to
purchase  from the  Company,  and the Company  agreed to sell to  Samstock,  the
Shares and the Warrant;

         WHEREAS,  Samstock and the Company desire to amend certain of the terms
and conditions  set forth in the Purchase  Agreement as provided in Section 11.4
of the Purchase Agreement;

         WHEREAS,  Samstock desires to assign to SZ (the  "Assignment"),  and SZ
desires to assume from Samstock (the  "Assumption"),  all of Samstock's  rights,
duties, obligations and interest arising under the Purchase Agreement; and

         WHEREAS,  the  Company  desires to consent  to the  Assignment  and the
Assumption.

         NOW,  THEREFORE,  in  consideration  of the  premises  and  the  mutual
promises herein made, and other good and valuable  consideration the receipt and
sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties agree as follows:

         1.       Amendment.  Samstock  and the  Company  agree  that  the last
sentence  of  Section  11.4 of the Purchase Agreement is hereby amended and
restated in its entirety as follows:

         "This  Agreement may not be assigned by operation of law or otherwise,

                                        1
<PAGE>


 without the prior written consent of each party hereto."

         2. Assignment and Assumption.  Samstock hereby assigns to SZ all of its
rights, obligations, duties, liabilities and interests arising under or relating
to the Purchase Agreement,  as amended by this Amendment,  and SZ hereby accepts
this  Assignment  from  Samstock.  Samstock shall be released from, and SZ shall
assume  as its  direct  obligations  as if SZ were  the  original  party  to the
Purchase  Agreement  with the Company,  all of Samstock's  rights,  obligations,
duties,  liabilities  and  interests  arising  under or relating to the Purchase
Agreement, as amended by this Amendment, and agrees to perform and discharge all
of Samstock's obligations,  duties, and liabilities  thereunder.  The Assignment
and Assumption shall be effective as of the date hereof.

         3. Consent to Assignment and Assumption.  The Company hereby  consents,
pursuant  to  Section  11.4  of the  Purchase  Agreement,  as  amended  by  this
Amendment,  to the  Assignment  and  Assumption  as  provided  in the  foregoing
paragraph  and agrees  that  wherever  the term  "Samstock"  and/or  "Purchaser"
appears in the Purchase Agreement or the Exhibits thereto, it shall be deemed to
read and refer to SZ. The Company  hereby  fully,  finally  and forever  waives,
releases  and  discharges  Samstock  from any and all claims,  causes of action,
demands, suits, costs,  liabilities,  debts, expenses (including but not limited
to reasonable  attorneys' fees) and damages,  that it now may have, ever had, or
hereafter may acquire of whatsoever  nature and kind,  whether known or unknown,
whether  now  existing or  hereafter  arising,  whether at law or in equity,  in
contract,  tort or  otherwise,  by statute  or common  law,  arising  out of the
Purchase Agreement.

         4.       Miscellaneous.

                  (a)  Reaffirmation.  Except as expressly  modified hereby, the
Company  and SZ  hereby  reaffirm  each and  every  provision  set  forth in the
Purchase   Agreement  and,  except  as  modified  hereby,  the  Company  and  SZ
acknowledge  and agree that each provision and obligation  therein  continues in
full  force  and  effect.  SZ  hereby  makes  each  of the  representations  and
warranties  contained  in  Section  4 of the  Agreement  as of the  date  of the
Purchase  Agreement.  References to the  "Agreement"  in the Purchase  Agreement
shall hereinafter be deemed to mean such Agreement as amended by this Amendment.

                  (b)  Counterparts.  This  Amendment  may be executed in one or
more  counterparts,  each of which shall be deemed an original but both of which
together will constitute one and the same instrument.

                  (c) Headings. The section headings contained in this Amendment
are inserted for convenience only and shall not affect in any way the meaning or
interpretation of this Amendment.

                                        2
<PAGE>


                  (d) Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Process. This Amendment shall
be governed by and construed in  accordance  with the internal laws (and not the
laws of conflicts) of the State of Delaware.

                  (e) Parties in Interest.  This Amendment shall be binding upon
and inure to the  benefit  of the  parties  hereto  and their  respective  legal
representatives, successors and assigns.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Amendment No.
1,  Assignment and Consent to Assignment of Stock Purchase and Sale Agreement as
of the date first above written.


                                     SAMSTOCK, L.L.C.



                                     By:   /s/ Donald J. Liebentritt
                                        __________________________________
                                        Name:    Donald J. Liebentritt
                                        Title:   Vice President


                                     SZ INVESTMENTS, L.L.C.



                                     By: /s/ Donald J. Liebentritt
                                        ________________________________
                                     Name:    Donald J. Liebentritt
                                     Title:   Vice President


                                     DANIELSON HOLDING CORPORATION



                                     By: /s/ David Barse
                                        ________________________________
                                         Name:    David Barse
                                         Title:   President and
                                         Chief Operating Officer




                                       3




                              INVESTMENT AGREEMENT

         Investment   Agreement  dated  as  of  April  14,  1999,  (as  amended,
supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, this  "Agreement"),  among
Danielson Holding Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), Samstock,
L.L.C.,  a  Delaware  limited  liability  company  ("Samstock"),  and  Martin J.
Whitman, individually ("Stockholder").

                              W I T N E S S E T H:

         WHEREAS,  pursuant to that certain Stock  Purchase and Sale  Agreement,
dated as of the date  hereof,  between the Company and Samstock  (the  "Purchase
Agreement"),  the Company has agreed to issue and sell to Samstock, and Samstock
has agreed to purchase  from the Company,  an aggregate of (i)  2,000,000  newly
issued shares  (collectively,  the "Shares") of the Company's  Common Stock, par
value  $.10 per share  ("Common  Stock"),  and (ii) a  warrant  to  purchase  an
additional  2,000,000 shares of Common Stock. All capitalized terms used and not
defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Purchase Agreement.

         WHEREAS,  the Company,  Samstock and the  Stockholder are entering into
this Agreement  concurrently  with the execution of the Purchase  Agreement,  to
establish certain arrangements with respect to the relationships between them.

                    NOW,  THEREFORE,  intending to be legally bound, the parties
hereto agree as follows:

                                    ARTICLE I

                VOTING OF COMPANY SECURITIES AND RELATED MATTERS

         1.1      Samstock and Stockholder Board Designees.

                  (a) Company and  Stockholder  hereby  agree to take all action
within their power to cause, on or prior to the Closing Date, (i) two members of
the Company's Board of Directors  acceptable to Samstock to resign,  (ii) two of
the  resigning  members of the  Company's  Board of  Directors to be replaced by
persons designated by Samstock who are reasonably  acceptable to the Company (it
being  agreed by the Company  that Sam Zell,  Rod F.  Dammeyer and Bill Pate are
acceptable to the Company),  and (iii)  provided Sam Zell elects to serve as one
of Samstock's director  designees,  Sam Zell to be elected Chairman of the Board
of the Company (which Samstock  acknowledges is a  non-executive  position).  In
addition,  concurrently therewith,  Company and Stockholder hereby agree to take
all action within their power to cause to be formed an acquisition  committee to
the Company's  Board of Directors (the  "Acquisition  Committee")  consisting of
four members to be comprised of  Stockholder  (who will serve as Chairman of the
Acquisition Committee), David Barse and the two Samstock director designees.

                  (b) So long as Samstock  owns  directly or indirectly at least
1,000,000 shares of Company Voting Securities (as adjusted in the event of stock
dividends,  subdivisions or similar events) (i) Samstock shall have the right to
designate two directors to the Company's  Board of Directors who are  reasonably
acceptable  to the Company (it being agreed that Sam

<PAGE>


Zell,  Rod F.  Dammeyer and Bill Pate are  reasonably  acceptable  to the
Company);  (ii) the  Company  and Stockholder  shall take all  necessary  or
appropriate  action to assist in the nomination and election as directors the
individuals so designated by Samstock; (iii)  Stockholder  shall vote all
Company  Voting  Securities  now or hereafter owned of record by  Stockholder
and shall cause all Company  Voting  Securities owned of record or  beneficially
by him (other than any such  shares  which are owned  beneficially or of record
by Whitman  Hefferan & Rhein Workout Fund, L.P. or the Third  Avenue  Value
Fund,  together,  the  "Funds")  to be voted at any election of  directors of
the Company in favor of the  appointment  as directors the individuals so
designated by Samstock; (iv) in the event that Sam Zell is so designated  by
Samstock,  the  Company  and  Stockholder  shall take all action necessary to
cause Sam Zell to be  nominated to be appointed as Chairman of the Board of
Directors;  and (v) the Company and  Stockholder  shall take all action
necessary to maintain the Acquisition  Committee  comprised of four  individuals
including the two Samstock director  designees.  As used in this Agreement,  the
term "Company  Voting  Securities"  shall mean Common Stock and any other Equity
Securities entitled to vote generally for the election of directors. The Company
shall  maintain  in effect  at all  times  directors'  and  officers'  liability
insurance  covering  those persons who are  designated to the Board of Directors
hereunder  by Samstock on terms  reasonably  acceptable  to  Samstock,  it being
agreed that the insurance in effect on the date of this Agreement is acceptable.

                  (c) So long as Stockholder and the Funds,  (i) own directly or
indirectly  collectively  at least  500,000  shares  of  Voting  Securities  (as
adjusted in the event of stock  dividends,  subdivisions  or similar events) and
(ii)  Stockholder  is  affiliated  with both Funds in the same or  substantially
similar  capacity in which  Stockholder  is  affiliated  as of the date  hereof,
Samstock  shall  vote all  Company  Voting  Securities  now or  hereafter  owned
beneficially  or of  record by  Samstock  and shall  cause  all  Company  Voting
Securities owned beneficially or of record by it, to be voted at any election of
directors  of the  Company in favor of the  appointment  as  directors  each of,
Stockholder  and  an  additional   individual   designated  by  Stockholder  and
reasonably acceptable to Samstock.

         1.2 Approval of Proxy Proposals. Stockholder agrees to vote all Company
Voting  Securities now or hereafter  owned of record or  beneficially by him and
shall  use his best  efforts  to cause  all  Company  Voting  Securities  now or
hereafter  owned  beneficially  by  him,  to be  voted  in  favor  of the  Proxy
Proposals.

                                   ARTICLE II

                               REGISTRATION RIGHTS

         2.1 Definitions. For purposes of this Article II:

         (a) The term  "register,"  "registered" and  "registration"  refer to a
registration  effected  by  preparing  and filing a  registration  statement  in
compliance with the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Act").

         (b) The term  "Registrable  Securities"  means  shares of Common  Stock
held, from time to time, by Samstock.

         (c) The term  "Rule 415  Offering"  means an  offering  on a delayed or
continuous  basis pursuant to Rule 415 (or any successor rule to similar effect)
promulgated under the Act.



                                        2
<PAGE>


         (d) The  term  "Shelf  Registration  Statement"  means  a  registration
statement  intended to effect a shelf registration in connection with a Rule 415
Offering.

         2.2      Shelf Registrations and Piggy-Back Registrations.

                  (a) Upon the earlier of (i) the  Company's  Board of Directors
approving an acquisition  proposal  recommended by the Acquisition  Committee or
(ii) the first anniversary of this Agreement,  and provided Article Fifth of the
Company's  Certificate of Incorporation does not prohibit the sale,  pledging or
other  disposition  or transfer of the  Registrable  Securities,  if the Company
shall at any time receive a written  request from  Samstock (or its designee) on
behalf of  Samstock  who are the  holders  of  Registrable  Securities  that the
Company file a Shelf  Registration  Statement  with  respect to any  Registrable
Securities,  then, within sixty (60) days after the receipt of such request, the
Company  shall  prepare  and file  with the SEC a Shelf  Registration  Statement
(which  shall  include  pledgees  of any  selling  stockholder  in the  "plan of
distribution")  with respect to such number of Registrable  Securities which the
Holders  request to be registered and use its  reasonable  efforts to cause such
Shelf   Registration   Statement  to  become   effective  and  keep  such  Shelf
Registration  Statement  effective  until  such  time  as all  such  Registrable
Securities  covered  thereby have been sold or disposed of  thereunder  or sold,
transferred  or otherwise  disposed of (other than  pursuant to a pledge of such
Registrable  Securities) to a person that is not a Holder.  Notwithstanding  the
foregoing,  if the Company shall furnish to Samstock a certificate signed by the
Chief  Executive,  Chief  Operating,  or Chief Financial  Officer of the Company
stating  that,  in the good faith  judgment of a majority  of the  Disinterested
Directors,  it would be  materially  detrimental  to the  Company for such Shelf
Registration  Statement to be filed,  the Company  shall have the right to defer
such  filing  for a period  of not  more  than 120  days  after  receipt  of the
Samstock's  request;  provided,  however,  that the Company may not utilize this
right more than twice in any 12-month  period.  Notwithstanding  the  foregoing,
Samstock  and the  Company  agree  that  Samstock's  right  to  request  a Shelf
Registration and the Company's  obligation to effect a Shelf  Registration shall
terminate  as of the  earlier  of (i) such  time as  Samstock  no  longer  holds
Registrable  Securities or (ii) such time as the Company has filed two (2) Shelf
Registration  Statements  at the request of Samstock (or its  designee) and such
previously  filed Shelf  Registration  Statements  have been  effective  for the
period required under this Section 2.2(a).

                  (b) Piggyback Registration.  If (but without any obligation to
do so) the Company proposes to register any of its Common Stock under the Act in
connection  with the public  offering of such Common Stock by the Company solely
for cash (other than a registration relating solely to the sale of securities to
participants in a dividend  reinvestment  plan,  stock plan or employee  benefit
plan;  a  registration  relating  solely to the  issuance of  securities  to the
security holders of an acquired company in connection with an acquisition;  or a
registration   on  any  form  which  does  not  permit   inclusion   of  selling
stockholders),  or the Company  proposes to register  any of its  securities  on
behalf of a holder exercising demand registration  rights, the Company shall, at
such time, promptly give Samstock written notice of such registration.  Upon the
written request of Samstock given within 15 days after mailing of such notice by
the Company,  the Company shall cause to be registered  under the Act all of the
Registrable  Securities  that each  Samstock  has  requested  to be  registered.
Notwithstanding  anything to the contrary in this Section 2.2(b),  in connection
with any  offering  involving  an  underwriting  of shares  being  issued by the
Company,  the Company shall not be required under this Section 2.2(b) to include
any  of  the  Holders'  Registrable  Securities  in  such  underwriting  or  the
registration  statement  relating  thereto  unless  they accept the terms of the
underwriting as



                                        3

<PAGE>

agreed upon between the Company and the underwriters selected by the  Company.
If  the  total  amount  of  securities,   including   Registrable Securities,
requested by Holders and other  stockholders to be included in such offering
exceeds the amount of securities offered other than by the Company that the
underwriters  reasonably  believe can be offered without  jeopardizing  the
success of the  offering,  then the Company  shall be required to include in the
offering only that number of such securities,  including Registrable Securities,
which the underwriters  believe will not jeopardize the success of the offering.
To achieve any necessary  reduction in the securities to be sold, the securities
to be excluded from the offering shall first be selected (in each case, pro rata
among such class of holders according to the total amount of securities proposed
to be included in the  registration  statement or in such other  proportions  as
shall  mutually be agreed to by such class of holders)  in the  following  order
(subject to any contrary  provisions in registration  rights agreements executed
by the Company prior to the date hereof):  (i) first,  securities being included
on behalf of holders other than either  Samstock or other holders of Registrable
Securities  shall be  excluded;  (ii) next,  if  additional  securities  must be
excluded,  Registrable  Securities  included pursuant to Section 2.2(b) shall be
excluded;  (iii) finally, if additional securities must be excluded,  securities
offered by the Company shall be excluded.

         2.3  Additional  Obligations  of the Company.  Whenever the Company has
filed a  registration  statement  under this Article II, the Company  shall,  as
expeditiously as reasonably possible:

         (a) Prepare and file with the SEC such  amendments  and  supplements to
such registration  statement and the prospectus used in connection  therewith as
may be  necessary to comply with the  provisions  of the Act with respect to the
disposition of all securities covered thereby.

         (b) Furnish to the holders of  Registrable  Securities  such numbers of
copies of a prospectus,  including a preliminary prospectus,  in conformity with
the  requirements  of the Act, and such other  documents as they may  reasonably
request in order to facilitate the disposition of Registrable Securities covered
by such registration statement owned by them.

         (c) Use its best efforts to register and qualify the securities covered
by such  registration  statement under such other securities or Blue Sky laws of
such  states or other  jurisdictions  as shall be  reasonably  requested  by the
holders  of  Registrable  Securities,  provided  that the  Company  shall not be
required to qualify to do  business  or to file a general  consent to service of
process in any such states or jurisdictions where it is not so subject.

         (d)  Notify  each  holder of  Registrable  Securities  covered  by such
registration  statement  at any  time  when a  prospectus  relating  thereto  is
required to be delivered under the Act of the happening of any event as a result
of which the  prospectus  included in such  registration  statement,  as then in
effect,  includes  an untrue  statement  of a material  fact or omits to state a
material fact required to be stated  therein or necessary to make the statements
therein not misleading in the light of the circumstances then existing, and then
use  its  best  efforts  to  promptly   correct  such   statement  or  omission.
Notwithstanding  the  foregoing  and  anything to the contrary set forth in this
Section 2.3, each holder of Registrable Securities acknowledges that the Company
shall have the right to suspend  the use of the  prospectus  forming a part of a
registration statement if such offering would interfere with a pending corporate
transaction  or for  other  reasons  until  such  time  as an  amendment  to the
registration

                                        4
<PAGE>

statement has been filed by the Company and declared  effective by the SEC, or
until such time as the Company has filed an appropriate  report with the SEC
pursuant to the Exchange  Act.  Each holder of  Registrable  Securities hereby
covenants that it will (a) keep any such notice  strictly  confidential, and (b)
not sell any shares of Common Stock pursuant to such  prospectus  during the
period  commencing  at the time at which the  Company  gives the  holder of
Registrable  Securities  notice of the suspension of the use of such  prospectus
and ending at the time the Company  gives the holder of  Registrable  Securities
notice that it may  thereafter  effect sales  pursuant to such  prospectus.  The
Company  shall only be able to suspend  the use of such  prospectus  for periods
aggregating no more than 90 days in respect of any registration.

         (e) Use its best  efforts to cause all  Registerable  Securities  to be
listed on all  securities  exchanges on which similar  securities  issued by the
Company are then listed.

         2.4  Furnish  Information.  It shall be a  condition  precedent  to the
obligations  of the Company to take any action  pursuant to this Article II with
respect to the  Registrable  Securities  of any  selling  holder of  Registrable
Securities  that such  holder of  Registrable  Securities  shall  furnish to the
Company such information  regarding itself,  the Registrable  Securities held by
it,  and the  intended  method of  disposition  of such  securities  as shall be
required to effect the registration of such holder's Registrable  Securities and
as may be required from time to time to keep such registration current.

         2.5 Expenses of Registration.  All expenses incurred by or on behalf of
the Company in connection with registrations, filings or qualifications pursuant
to Section 2.2,  including,  without  limitation,  all registration,  filing and
qualification fees, printers' and accounting fees, and fees and disbursements of
counsel for the Company,  shall be borne by the  Company.  In no event shall the
Company be  obligated  to bear any  underwriting  discounts  or  commissions  or
brokerage fees or commissions relating to Registrable Securities or the fees and
expenses of counsel to the selling holders of Registrable Securities.

         2.6  Indemnification.  In the  event  any  Registrable  Securities  are
included in a registration statement under this Article II:

         (a) To the extent permitted by law, the Company will indemnify and hold
harmless  each holder and the  affiliates of such holder,  and their  respective
directors,  officers,  general and limited partners,  agents and representatives
(and the directors,  officers,  affiliates and controlling persons thereof), and
each other  person,  if any, who controls  such holder within the meaning of the
Act, against any losses,  claims,  damages, or liabilities (joint or several) to
which they may become  subject  under the Act, the Exchange Act or other federal
or state law, insofar as such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions
in  respect  thereof)  arise  out  of or are  based  upon  any of the  following
statements, omissions or violations (collectively a "Violation"): (i) any untrue
statement  or alleged  untrue  statement  of a material  fact  contained in such
registration  statement,  including any preliminary prospectus (but only if such
statement is not  corrected in the final  prospectus)  contained  therein or any
amendments  or  supplements  thereto,  (ii) the omission or alleged  omission to
state  therein a material fact  required to be stated  therein,  or necessary to
make the  statements  therein not  misleading  (but only if such omission is not
corrected in the final prospectus),  or (iii) any violation or alleged violation
by the Company in connection  with the  registration  of Registrable  Securities
under  the Act,  the  Exchange  Act,  any  state  securities  law or any rule or
regulation  promulgated  under the Act, the Exchange Act or any state securities
law;  and the Company will pay to each such  Holder,  affiliate  or  controlling

                                        5
<PAGE>


person, as incurred,  any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by them in
connection  with  investigating  or  defending  any such  loss,  claim,  damage,
liability or action;  provided,  however, that the indemnity agreement contained
in this Section 2.5(a) shall not apply to amounts paid in settlement of any such
loss, claim, damage,  liability or action if such settlement is effected without
the consent of the Company (which consent shall not be  unreasonably  withheld),
nor shall the  Company  be  liable  in any such case for any such  loss,  claim,
damage, liability or action to the extent that it arises out of or is based upon
a  Violation  which  occurs in  reliance  upon and in  conformity  with  written
information  furnished expressly for use in connection with such registration by
any such holder or controlling person. Each indemnified party shall furnish such
information  regarding itself or the claim in question as an indemnifying  party
may  reasonably  request  in  writing  and as shall be  reasonably  required  in
connection with defense of such claim and litigation resulting therefrom.

         (b) To the extent  permitted by law, each selling holder of Registrable
Securities will indemnify and hold harmless the Company,  each of its directors,
each of its officers who has signed the registration statement,  each person, if
any, who controls  the Company  within the meaning of the Act, any  underwriter,
any other holder  selling  securities  in such  registration  statement  and any
controlling person of any such underwriter or other holder,  against any losses,
claims,  damages or liabilities (joint or several) to which any of the foregoing
persons may become subject,  under the Act, the Exchange Act or other federal or
state law, insofar as such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in
respect  thereto) arise out of or are based upon any Violation,  in each case to
the extent (and only to the extent) that such Violation  occurs in reliance upon
and in conformity with written  information  furnished by such holder  expressly
for use in connection with such registration;  and each such holder will pay, as
incurred, any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by any person intended
to  be  indemnified   pursuant  to  this  Section  2.5(b)  in  connection   with
investigating or defending any such loss,  claim,  damage,  liability or action;
provided, however, that the indemnity agreement contained in this Section 2.5(b)
shall not apply to amounts paid in settlement of any such loss,  claim,  damage,
liability or action if such  settlement is effected  without the consent of such
holder, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld;  provided, that, in no
event shall any indemnity  under this Section  2.5(b) exceed the gross  proceeds
from the offering received by such holder.

         (c) Promptly after receipt by an  indemnified  party under this Section
2.5 of notice of the  commencement  of any action  (including  any  governmental
action),  such  indemnified  party will, if a claim in respect  thereof is to be
made  against any  indemnifying  party under this  Section  2.5,  deliver to the
indemnifying  party  a  written  notice  of the  commencement  thereof  and  the
indemnifying  party shall have the right to  participate  in, and, to the extent
the indemnifying  party so desires,  jointly with any other  indemnifying  party
similarly  noticed,   to  assume  the  defense  thereof  with  counsel  mutually
satisfactory  to the  parties.  The  failure  to deliver  written  notice to the
indemnifying  party within a reasonable time after the  commencement of any such
action,  if materially  prejudicial to its ability to defend such action,  shall
relieve such indemnifying  party of any liability to the indemnified party under
this Section 2.5 to the extent of such prejudice, but the omission so to deliver
written  notice to the  indemnifying  party will not relieve it of any liability
that it may have to any indemnified party otherwise than under this Section 2.5.
The  indemnified  party  shall  have  the  right,  but  not the  obligation,  to
participate  in the defense of any action  referred to above through  counsel of
its own choosing and shall have the right, but not the obligation, to assert any
and all separate defenses,  cross claims or counterclaims which it may have, and
the  fees  and  expenses  of  such  counsel  shall  be at the  expense  of  such

                                        6

<PAGE>

indemnified   party  unless  (i)  the   employment  of  such  counsel  has  been
specifically  authorized in advance by the indemnifying  party,  (ii) there is a
conflict of interest  that  prevents  counsel  for the  indemnifying  party from
adequately  representing  the  interests of the  indemnified  party or there are
defenses  available  to the  indemnified  party  that  are  different  from,  or
additional to, the defenses that are available to the indemnifying  party, (iii)
the indemnifying  party does not employ counsel that is reasonably  satisfactory
to the  indemnified  party  within a  reasonable  period  of  time,  or (iv) the
indemnifying  party fails to assume the defense or does not  reasonably  contest
such action in good faith, in which case, if the indemnified  party notifies the
indemnifying  party that it elects to employ separate counsel,  the indemnifying
party shall not have the right to assume the defense of such action on behalf of
the  indemnified  party and the  reasonable  fees and expenses of such  separate
counsel shall be borne by the indemnifying party;  provided,  however, that, the
indemnifying  party  shall not, in  connection  with any  proceeding  or related
proceedings  in the same  jurisdiction,  be liable for the  reasonable  fees and
expenses of more than one separate firm (in addition to one firm acting as local
counsel) for all indemnified parties.

         (d) The  obligations  of the Company and the holders under this Section
2.5 shall survive the completion of any offering of Registrable  Securities in a
registration statement under this Article II.

         (e) Notwithstanding the foregoing, to the extent that the provisions on
indemnification  and contribution  contained in the  underwriting  agreement (if
any) entered into in connection  with any  underwritten  public  offering of the
Registrable  Securities  are in  conflict  with the  foregoing  provisions,  the
provisions in such underwriting agreement shall control.

         2.6 Reports Under the Exchange Act. With a view to making  available to
the holders of  Registrable  Securities  the  benefits of Rule 144 and any other
rule or  regulation  of the SEC  that may at any  time  permit a holder  to sell
securities of the Company to the public  without  registration  or pursuant to a
registration on Form S-3, the Company agrees to:

         (a) use its best efforts to make and keep public information available,
as those terms are understood and defined in Rule 144;

         (b) use its best  efforts  to file with the SEC in a timely  manner all
reports and other documents required under the Act and the Exchange Act; and

         (c)  furnish  to  any  Holder  forthwith  upon  request  (i) a  written
statement by the Company as to its compliance with the reporting requirements of
Rule 144, or as to whether it qualifies as a registrant  whose securities may be
resold  pursuant to Form S-3, (ii) a copy of the most recent annual or quarterly
report of the  Company  and such other  reports  and  documents  so filed by the
Company,  and (iii)  such other  information  (and the  Company  shall take such
action) as may be  reasonably  requested in availing  any holder of  Registrable
Securities of any rule or regulation of the SEC which permits the selling of any
such securities without registration or pursuant to such form.

         2.7 No  Assignment  of  Registration  Rights.  The  rights to cause the
Company to register Registrable  Securities pursuant to this Article II may only
be assigned by a holder of Registrable Securities to a transferee or assignee of
any  Registrable  Securities if immediately

                                         7
<PAGE>

following such transfer the further disposition of such securities by the
transferee or assignee is restricted under the Act.

         2.8 Waiver  Procedures.  The observance by the Company of any provision
of this Article II may be waived (either  generally or in a particular  instance
and either  retroactively  or  prospectively)  with the  written  consent of the
holders of a majority of the Registrable Securities,  and any waiver effected in
accordance  with this paragraph shall be binding upon each holder of Registrable
Securities.

         2.9 "Market Stand-off" Agreement. Any holder of Registrable Securities,
if requested by an  underwriter  of any  registered  public  offering of Company
securities being sold in a firm commitment  underwriting,  agrees not to sell or
otherwise  transfer  or  dispose of any Common  Stock (or other  Company  Voting
Securities)  held by such  holder  other than shares of  Registrable  Securities
included in the registration during the seven days prior to, and during a period
of up to 180 days following,  the effective date of the registration  statement.
Such  agreement  shall be in writing in a form  reasonably  satisfactory  to the
Company and such underwriter.  The Company may impose stop-transfer instructions
with respect to the securities  subject to the foregoing  restriction  until the
end of the required stand-off period.

                                   ARTICLE III

                                  MISCELLANEOUS

         3.1.  Termination of this  Agreement.  This Agreement  shall  terminate
immediately  upon, and without  further  liability to any of the parties hereto,
the  termination  of the  Purchase  Agreement  in  accordance  with Article VIII
thereof.

         3.2 Remedies. Each of Stockholder, Samstock and the Company acknowledge
and agree that (i) the provisions of this Agreement are reasonable and necessary
to protect the proper and legitimate  interests of the parties hereto,  and (ii)
the parties would be  irreparably  damaged in the event any of the provisions of
this  Agreement  were not performed in accordance  with their  specific terms or
were  otherwise  breached.  It is  accordingly  agreed  that each party shall be
entitled to seek preliminary and permanent injunctive relief to prevent breaches
of the  provisions  of this  Agreement  by the other  party (or its  Affiliates)
without the necessity of proving  actual  damages or of posting any bond, and to
enforce specifically the terms and provisions hereof and thereof in any court of
the United States or any state thereof having  jurisdiction,  which rights shall
be  cumulative  and in addition to any other  remedy to which the parties may be
entitled hereunder or at law or equity.

         3.3 Notices. All notices,  and other communications  hereunder shall be
in writing and shall be deemed given if delivered personally, sent by documented
overnight delivery service or, to the extent receipt is confirmed, facsimile, to
the  appropriate  address or facsimile  number set forth below (or at such other
address or facsimile number for a party as shall be specified by like notice):

                           if to Samstock:

                           Samstock, L.L.C.
                           Two N. Riverside Plaza - Suite 600



                                        8
<PAGE>

                           Chicago, IL  60606
                           Attention:  Bill Pate
                           Fax: (312) 454-0610

                           with an additional copy to:

                           Rosenberg & Liebentritt, P.C.
                           Two N. Riverside Plaza - Suite 1600
                           Chicago, IL  60606
                           Attention:  President
                           Fax: (312) 454-0335

                           if to Whitman:

                           c/o Danielson Holding Corporation
                           767 Third Avenue
                           New York, NY 10017-2023
                           Attention:  David M. Barse
                           Fax: (212) 888-6704

                           with a copy to:


                           Danielson Holding Corporation
                           767 Third Avenue
                           New York, NY 10017-2023
                           Attention:  Ian M. Kirschner, Esq.
                           Fax: (212) 735-0003

         3.4 Severability.  If any term,  provision,  covenant or restriction of
this Agreement is held by a court of competent  jurisdiction to be invalid, void
or  unenforceable,  the  remainder  of  the  terms,  provisions,  covenants  and
restrictions  shall  remain  in full  force  and  effect  and shall in no way be
affected,  impaired or invalidated.  The parties hereto agree that they will use
their best efforts at all times to support and defend this Agreement.

         3.5      Amendments.  This Agreement may be amended only by an
agreement in writing signed by each of the parties hereto;

         3.6 Governing Law. This  Agreement  shall be governed and controlled as
to validity, enforcement, interpretation,  construction, effect and in all other
respects by the internal  laws of the State of Delaware  applicable to contracts
made in that State.

         3.7   Descriptive Headings.  Descriptive headings are for convenience
only and shall not control or affect the meaning or construction of any
provision of this Agreement.

         3.8   Counterparts;  Facsimile Signatures.  This Agreement shall become
binding when one or more  counterparts  hereof,  individually or taken together,
bears the  signatures  of each of the  parties  hereto.  This  Agreement  may be
executed  in any number of  counterparts,  each of which shall be an original as
against the party  whose  signature  appears  thereon,  or on whose


                                       9
<PAGE>

behalf such counterpart  is executed,  but all of which taken  together shall
be one and the same agreement.  A facsimile copy of a signature of a party to
this Agreement or any such counterpart shall be fully effective as if an
original signature.

         3.9  Successors and Assigns.  This Agreement  shall be binding upon and
inure to the benefit of and be  enforceable by the successors and assigns of the
parties hereto.

         3.10 Assignments.  This Agreement may not be assigned without the prior
written  consent of each party  hereto,  and any attempt to effect an assignment
hereof without such consent shall be void.

                  3.11  Jurisdiction  and  Service  of  Process.   THE  COMPANY,
PURCHASER AND STOCKHOLDER  HEREBY  CONSENTS TO THE  JURISDICTION OF ANY STATE OR
FEDERAL COURT LOCATED WITHIN THE STATE OF DELAWARE AND  IRREVOCABLY  AGREE THAT,
SUBJECT TO THE OTHER  PROVISIONS OF THIS  AGREEMENT,  ALL ACTIONS OR PROCEEDINGS
ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS  AGREEMENT  WHICH MAY BE  LITIGATED  SHALL BE
LITIGATED IN SUCH COURTS.  THE COMPANY,  PURCHASER AND  STOCKHOLDER  ACCEPTS FOR
SUCH  PARTY  AND IN  CONNECTION  WITH SUCH  PARTY'S  PROPERTIES,  GENERALLY  AND
UNCONDITIONALLY,  THE  NONEXCLUSIVE  JURISDICTION  OF THE  AFORESAID  COURTS AND
WAIVES ANY DEFENSE OF FORUM NON CONVENIENS,  AND IRREVOCABLY  AGREES TO BE BOUND
BY ANY JUDGMENT RENDERED THEREBY IN CONNECTION WITH THIS AGREEMENT. THE COMPANY,
PURCHASER AND STOCKHOLDER  AGREES TO ACCEPT SERVICE OF ALL PROCESS BY REGISTERED
OR CERTIFIED MAIL, RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED, IN ANY SUCH PROCEEDINGS IN ANY SUCH
COURT, SUCH SERVICE BEING HEREBY ACKNOWLEDGED BY EACH SUCH PARTY TO BE EFFECTIVE
AND BINDING SERVICE IN EVERY RESPECT.  IF ANY AGENT APPOINTED BY THE COMPANY, OR
PURCHASER REFUSES TO ACCEPT SERVICE,  SUCH PARTY HEREBY AGREES THAT SERVICE UPON
SUCH PARTY BY MAIL SHALL  CONSTITUTE  SUFFICIENT  NOTICE.  NOTHING  HEREIN SHALL
AFFECT THE RIGHT TO SERVE PROCESS IN ANY OTHER MANNER  PERMITTED BY LAW OR SHALL
LIMIT THE RIGHT OF THE COMPANY OR  PURCHASER  TO BRING  PROCEEDINGS  AGAINST THE
COMPANY OR PURCHASER IN THE COURTS OF ANY OTHER JURISDICTION.

         3.12 Trial. THE COMPANY,  PURCHASER AND STOCKHOLDER  HEREBY WAIVES SUCH
PARTY'S  RIGHTS TO A JURY  TRIAL OF ANY CLAIM OR CAUSE OF ACTION  BASED  UPON OR
ARISING  OUT OF THIS  AGREEMENT  OR ANY  DEALINGS  BETWEEN  THE  PARTIES  HERETO
RELATING TO THE SUBJECT MATTER HEREOF.  THE COMPANY,  PURCHASER AND  STOCKHOLDER
ALSO WAIVES ANY BOND OR SURETY OR SECURITY  UPON SUCH BOND WHICH MIGHT,  BUT FOR
THIS  WAIVER,  BE REQUIRED OF ANY PARTY TO THIS  AGREEMENT  WITH  RESPECT TO ANY
ACTION  COMMENCED  BY ONE OF THEM  AGAINST THE OTHER OF THEM.  THE SCOPE OF THIS
WAIVER IS INTENDED TO BE  ALL-ENCOMPASSING  OF ANY AND ALL DISPUTES  THAT MAY BE
FILED IN ANY COURT AND THAT  RELATE TO THE SUBJECT  MATTER OF THIS  TRANSACTION,
INCLUDING  WITHOUT  LIMITATION,  CONTRACT  CLAIMS,  TORT CLAIMS,  BREACH OF DUTY
CLAIMS,  AND ALL OTHER COMMON LAW AND STATUTORY CLAIMS.  THE COMPANY,  PURCHASER
AND STOCKHOLDER  ACKNOWLEDGES THAT THIS WAIVER IS A MATERIAL INDUCEMENT TO ENTER
INTO A  BUSINESS  RELATIONSHIP,  THAT EACH HAS  ALREADY  RELIED ON THE WAIVER IN
ENTERING  INTO THIS  AGREEMENT AND THAT EACH WILL CONTINUE TO RELY ON THE WAIVER
IN THEIR RELATED FUTURE DEALINGS. THE COMPANY,

                                       10
                                     <PAGE>

PURCHASER AND STOCKHOLDER FURTHER WARRANTS  AND  REPRESENTS  THAT SUCH PARTY HAS
REVIEWED  THIS  WAIVER WITH SUCH PARTY'S LEGAL COUNSEL, AND THAT SUCH PARTY
KNOWINGLY AND VOLUNTARILY WAIVES SUCH PARTY'S JURY TRIAL RIGHTS FOLLOWING
CONSULTATION WITH LEGAL COUNSEL. THIS WAIVER IS IRREVOCABLE, MEANING THAT IT MAY
NOT BE MODIFIED EITHER ORALLY OR IN WRITING, AND THE WAIVER SHALL APPLY TO ANY
SUBSEQUENT AMENDMENTS,  RENEWALS,  SUPPLEMENTS OR MODIFICATIONS TO THIS
AGREEMENT.  IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION,  THIS AGREEMENT MAY BE FILED AS A
WRITTEN CONSENT TO A TRIAL BY THE COURT.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Stockholder, Samstock and the Company have executed
this Agreement as of the date first above written.

                                 SAMSTOCK, L.L.C.

                                     Donald J. Liebentritt
                                 ________________________________
                                 By: Donald J. Liebentritt, Vice President


                                 DANIELSON HOLDING CORPORATION


                                  By: David Barse
                                      __________________________
                                      David Barse
                                      President

                                      Martin J. Whitman
                                      __________________________
                                      Martin J. Whitman



                                       11



                     ASSIGNMENT AND CONSENT TO ASSIGNMENT OF
                              INVESTMENT AGREEMENT


         ASSIGNMENT AND CONSENT TO ASSIGNMENT OF INVESTMENT AGREEMENT, dated May
7, 1999 (this  "Assignment  and  Consent"),  by and among  Samstock,  L.L.C.,  a
Delaware limited liability company ("Samstock"),  Danielson Holding Corporation,
a Delaware  corporation  (the "Company"),  Martin J. Whitman  ("Whitman") and SZ
Investments,  L.L.C., a Delaware limited liability  company ("SZ"),  relating to
the Investment  Agreement (the  "Investment  Agreement"),  dated as of April 14,
1998, by and among Samstock,  Whitman and the Company. All capitalized terms not
otherwise  defined  herein  shall  have the  meanings  given  such  terms in the
Investment Agreement.

         WHEREAS, Samstock is controlled by SZ, its sole limited liability
company member;

         WHEREAS,  Samstock desires to assign to SZ (the  "Assignment"),  and SZ
desires to assume from Samstock (the  "Assumption"),  all of Samstock's  rights,
duties, obligations and interest arising under the Investment Agreement; and

         WHEREAS,  the  Company  desires to consent  to the  Assignment  and the
Assumption pursuant to Section 3.10 of the Investment Agreement.

         NOW,  THEREFORE,  in  consideration  of the  premises  and  the  mutual
promises herein made, and other good and valuable  consideration the receipt and
sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties agree as follows:

         1. Assignment and Assumption.  Samstock hereby assigns to SZ all of its
rights, obligations, duties, liabilities and interests arising under or relating
to the  Investment  Agreement,  and  SZ  hereby  accepts  this  Assignment  from
Samstock.  Samstock  shall be released  from,  and SZ shall assume as its direct
obligations as if SZ were the original  party to the  Investment  Agreement with
the  Company  and  Whitman,  all  of  Samstock's  rights,  obligations,  duties,
liabilities and interests arising under or relating to the Investment Agreement,
and agrees to perform and discharge all of Samstock's  obligations,  duties, and
liabilities  thereunder.  The Assignment and Assumption shall be effective as of
the date hereof.

         2. Consent to Assignment and Assumption.  The Company hereby  consents,
pursuant to Section 3.10 of the  Investment  Agreement,  to the  Assignment  and
Assumption as provided in the  foregoing  paragraph and agrees that wherever the
term "Samstock" appears in the Investment Agreement,  it shall be deemed to read
and refer to SZ. The Company hereby fully, finally and forever waives,  releases
and  discharges  Samstock  from any and all claims,  causes of action,  demands,
suits,  costs,  liabilities,

                                        1
<PAGE>


debts,  expenses  (including  but not  limited  to reasonable  attorneys'  fees)
and  damages,  that it now may have,  ever had, or hereafter may acquire of
whatsoever  nature and kind,  whether known or unknown, whether  now  existing
or  hereafter  arising,  whether at law or in equity,  in contract,  tort or
otherwise,  by statute  or common  law,  arising  out of the Investment
Agreement.

         3.       Miscellaneous.

                  (a) Counterparts.  This Assignment and Consent may be executed
in one or more counterparts,  each of which shall be deemed an original but both
of which together will constitute one and the same instrument.

                  (b)  Headings.   The  section   headings   contained  in  this
Assignment and Consent are inserted for convenience only and shall not affect in
any way the meaning or interpretation of this Assignment and Consent.

                  (c) Governing Law; Jurisdiction;  Process. This Assignment and
Consent shall be governed by and construed in accordance  with the internal laws
(and not the laws of conflicts) of the State of Delaware.

                  (d) Parties in Interest.  This Assignment and Consent shall be
binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective
legal representatives, successors and assigns.



                                        2

<PAGE>



         IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  the parties hereto have executed this  Assignment
and Consent to  Assignment  of  Investment  Agreement as of the date first above
written.

                                  SAMSTOCK, L.L.C.



                                   By:  Donald J. Liebentritt
                                        _______________________________
                                        Name: Donald J. Liebentritt
                                        Title: Vice President


                                   SZ INVESTMENTS, L.L.C.



                                   By:  Donald J. Liebentritt
                                        _______________________________
                                        Name: Donald J. Liebentritt
                                        Title: Vice President


                                   DANIELSON HOLDING CORPORATION



                                   By:  David Barse
                                        _______________________________
                                        Name: David Barse
                                        Title: President and
                                        Chief Operating Officer


                                        Martin J. Whitman
                                        _______________________________
                                        MARTIN J. WHITMAN



                                   3





[LETTERHEAD OF EQUITY GROUP INVESTMENTS, L.L.C.]



                                                              April 14, 1999


Board of Directors
Danielson Holding Corporation
767 Third Avenue
New York, NY 10017-2023

Attention:        Martin J. Whitman
                  Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

Ladies and Gentlemen:

         This letter will confirm our understanding of the basis on which Equity
Group  Investments,  L.L.C.  ("EGI") will  provide,  on a  non-exclusive  basis,
certain advisory  services to Danielson Holding  Corporation  (together with its
affiliates  and  subsidiaries,  the  "Company")  in  connection  with  potential
business  acquisitions  by the Company,  whether by purchase of capital stock or
other  assets  or  by  merger,   joint   venture  or   otherwise   ("Acquisition
Transactions").

         1.  Services.  To the  extent  requested  by  the  Company  and  deemed
appropriate by EGI, EGI shall assist the Company in  identifying  and evaluating
candidates for  Acquisition  Transactions,  assist the Company in evaluating and
responding  to  inquiries  and  proposals  that may be  received  by the Company
regarding potential Acquisition Transactions, assist the Company in negotiations
in respect of Acquisition  Transactions  and consult with and assist counsel and
accountants in the structuring and execution of Acquisition Transactions.

         2. Transaction Fee. In  consideration of our services as described
herein, the Company agrees to pay EGI, at the  closing of any Acquisition
Transaction in respect of which the  Acquisition  Committee of the Company's
Board of Directors (or the Board of Directors in the event there is no
Acquisition  Committee) has determined,  by the affirmative vote of a majority
of its members, that EGI has provided  material services as contemplated by this
letter, a transaction fee in cash in the amount of 1% of the Aggregate
Consideration (as hereinafter defined) in the Acquisition Transaction.
"Aggregate  Consideration" means the sum of the value of all cash,  securities
(whether debt or equity) and other property paid or payable or otherwise to be
distributed  (including,  without  limitation,  by exchange  of  securities) by
the  Company  to the  selling  party or its equity owners,  plus the  amount of
indebtedness,  preferred  stock or  similar  items assumed or remaining
outstanding, in connection with an Acquisition Transaction.

         3.  Reimbursement  of Expenses.  In addition to the fee described above
and whether or not any proposed  Acquisition  Transaction  is  consummated,  the
Company agrees to periodically reimburse EGI, upon request: (i) EGI's travel and
other out-of-pocket expenses, provided, however, that in the event such expenses
exceed $5,000 in the aggregate with respect to any single  proposed  Acquisition
Transaction,  EGI shall first  obtain the  Company's  consent  before  incurring
additional  reimbursable expenses, and (ii) provided the Company's prior consent
to  their  engagement  with  respect  to  any  particular  proposed  Acquisition
<PAGE>

Board of Directors                                               April 14, 1999
Danielson Holding Corporation                                            Page 2



Transaction  is  obtained,  all  reasonable  fees and  disbursements  of counsel
(including, without limitation, the law firm of Rosenberg & Liebentritt,  P.C.),
accountants and other professionals,  incurred from and after the date hereof in
connection  with EGI's services  under this letter.  The Company agrees that, in
lieu of  reimbursing  EGI for such  expenses,  EGI may  forward  to the  Company
invoices for the same, and the Company shall promptly pay such invoices directly
to the payee.

         4. Indemnification;  No Liability.  In consideration of our services as
described  herein,  the Company  agrees to indemnify  and hold harmless EGI, its
direct and indirect affiliates and each of their respective directors, officers,
agents, employees,  representatives,  shareholders,  partners, members and other
affiliated persons (each of the foregoing an "Indemnified Party) against any and
all losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions or proceedings in respect
thereof)  relating to or arising out of this letter agreement or EGI's provision
of services  hereunder and will reimburse each Indemnified  Party for reasonable
attorneys',  accountants',  investigators',  and experts'  fees and expenses and
other  out-of-pocket fees and expenses incurred in connection with investigating
or defending any such loss,  claim,  damage,  liability,  action or  proceeding,
whether or not in connection with pending or threatened  litigation in which any
Indemnified Party is a party;  provided,  however,  that the Company will not be
liable in any such case for losses,  claims,  damages,  liabilities  or expenses
that a  court  of  competent  jurisdiction  shall  have  determined  in a  final
unapealable  judgment to have arisen  primarily from the gross  negligence,  bad
faith or willful misconduct of the Indemnified Party seeking indemnification. In
addition,  neither EGI nor any other  Indemnified Party shall have any liability
(whether  direct or indirect,  in  contract,  tort or  otherwise)  related to or
arising  from this letter  agreement or EGI's  provision of services  hereunder,
except for  liability for losses,  claims,  damages and expenses that a court of
competent  jurisdiction shall have determined in a final unapealable judgment to
have  arisen  primarily  from  EGI's  gross  negligence,  bad  faith or  willful
misconduct.  The Company expressly acknowledges and agrees that each Indemnified
Party is an intended third party  beneficiary of this paragraph 4, and that each
Indemnified  Party  shall have the right  individually  to enforce the terms and
provisions of this paragraph 4.

5. This letter  agreement  (a) shall be governed by, and construed in accordance
with,  the laws of the State of Illinois  without  regard to the  principles  of
conflicts  of law,  (b)  contains  the  complete  and entire  understanding  and
agreement of EGI and the Company with  respect to the  specific  subject  matter
hereof,  and supersedes all  unperformed  prior  understandings,  conditions and
agreements,  oral or written, express or implied,  respecting EGI's provision of
services in connection  with any  contemplated  Acquisition  Transaction and the
other subject matter  specifically  addressed herein,  and (c) may be amended or
modified in a writing duly executed by both of the parties hereto and not by any
course  of  conduct,   course  of  dealing  or  purported   oral   amendment  or
modification.  The waiver by either  party of a breach of any  provision of this
letter  agreement  by the other  party shall not  operate or be  construed  as a
waiver of any subsequent breach of that provision or any other provision hereof.

6.  Neither  EGI  nor the  Company  may  assign  or  delegate  their  rights  or
obligations  under this letter agreement  without the express written consent of
the other party hereto, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, except
that (i) EGI may assign any and all of its rights under this letter agreement to
receive payment of fees and  reimbursement of EGI's expenses as provided in this
letter agreement, and (ii) the Company's rights and obligations hereunder may be
assigned   and   delegated   by   operation  of  law  pursuant  to  any  merger,
reorganization  or similar business  combination.  This letter agreement and all
the obligations and

<PAGE>

Board of Directors                                            April 14, 1999
Danielson Holding Corporation                                         Page 3


benefits  hereunder shall be binding upon and shall inure to the successors and
permitted assigns of the parties.

If the foregoing  accurately sets forth our understanding,  please so signify by
signing and returning to us the enclosed duplicate hereof.

                                  Very truly yours,

                                  EQUITY GROUP INVESTMENTS, L.L.C.

                                  By:      /s/ Donald J. Liebentritt
                                     ________________________________
                                           Vice President

Accepted and agreed
to as of the date first
above written:

DANIELSON HOLDING CORPORATION


By:   /s/ David Barse
   ___________________
      President




                                  June 2, 1999

Board of Directors
Danielson Holding Corporation
767 Third Avenue
New York, NY 10017-2023

Attention:        Martin J. Whitman
                  Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

Ladies and Gentlemen:

         Reference  is  made  to  that   certain   Letter   Agreement   ("Letter
Agreement"),  dated April 14, 1999,  by and between  Equity  Group  Investments,
L.L.C.  ("EGI") and Danielson  Holding  Corporation (the "Company")  pursuant to
which the Company and EGI agreed to the terms and conditions under which EGI may
provide certain advisory services to the Company.

         Pursuant  to  Section  5(c) of the Letter  Agreement,  and for good and
valuable   consideration  the  receipt  and  sufficiency  of  which  are  hereby
acknowledged,  EGI and the Company hereby agree that the first full paragraph of
the Letter  Agreement is hereby  deleted in its  entirety and replaced  with the
following:

         "This  letter  will  confirm  our  understanding  of the basis on which
         Equity  Group   Investments,   L.L.C.   ("EGI")  will  provide,   on  a
         non-exclusive  basis,  certain advisory  services to Danielson  Holding
         Corporation  (the  "Company") in  connection  with  potential  business
         acquisitions  by the Company,  whether by purchase of capital  stock or
         other assets or by merger,  joint  venture or  otherwise  ("Acquisition
         Transactions")."

         Except  as  expressly  modified  hereby,  the  Company  and EGI  hereby
reaffirm each and every provision set forth in the Letter  Agreement and, except
as  modified  hereby,  the  Company  and EGI  acknowledge  and  agree  that each
provision and obligation therein continues in full force and effect.

                                         Very Truly Yours,

                                         Equity Group Investments, L.L.C.

                                         By: Donald Liebentritt
                                           ________________________


   Accepted and Agreed
   to as of the date first
   above written:


   Danielson Holding Corporation

   By: /s/ David Barse
      ______________________













                              EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

                                 By and Between

                         DANIELSON HOLDINGS CORPORATION
                                       and
                                   DAVID BARSE






                                 April 14, 1999


<PAGE>





                                TABLE OF CONTENTS
                                                                           Page

         1.       Employment..................................................1

         2.       Duties and Responsibilities of Employee.....................1

         3.       Non-Exclusivity of Service  ................................2

         4.       Compensation; Bonus.........................................2

         5.       Benefits....................................................2

         6.       Term of Employment..........................................3

         7.       Confidentiality.............................................3

         8.       Non-Competition; Non-Solicitation...........................4

         9.       Termination.................................................5
                  (a)      Cause. ............................................5
                  (b)      Incapacity.  ......................................5
                  (c)      Death. ............................................6
                  (d)      Termination Without Cause. ........................6
                  (e)      Release; Sole Remedy...............................6

         10.      ............................................................7

         11.      Specific Performance; Damages...............................7

         12.      Notices.....................................................7

         13.      Waivers.....................................................8

         14.      Preservation of Intent......................................8

         15.      Entire Agreement............................................8

         16.      Inurement; Assignment.......................................8

         17.      Amendment...................................................9

         18.      Headings....................................................9



                                        i

<PAGE>

         19.      Counterparts................................................9

         20.      Governing Law...............................................9




                                       ii

<PAGE>







                              EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

         EMPLOYMENT  AGREEMENT (this  "Agreement") dated as of April 14th, 1999,
by and between DANIELSON HOLDINGS CORPORATION,  a Delaware corporation having an
office  at 767  Third  Avenue,  New  York,  New York  10017  ("Employer"  or the
"Company"), and DAVID BARSE an individual residing at 230 Osborn Road, Harrison,
New York 10528("Employee").

                              W I T N E S S E T H:

         WHEREAS,  Employer  desires  to  engage  Employee  as an  employee  and
Employee desires to provide his non-exclusive services to Employer in connection
with Employer's business; and

         WHEREAS,  both  parties  desire to clarify  and  specify the rights and
obligations  which  each  have with  respect  to the  other in  connection  with
Employee's employment.

         NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the agreements and covenants herein
set forth, the parties hereby agree as follows:

              1.   Employment

                   Employer   hereby  employs   Employee  as  the  President  of
Employer,  and Employee  hereby accepts such employment and agrees to render his
non-exclusive  services  as an  employee  of  Employer,  for  the  term  of this
Agreement  (as set forth in Section 6 hereof),  all  subject to and on the terms
and conditions herein set forth.

              2. Duties and Responsibilities of Employee

             (a) Employee  shall be employed  as the  President  of  Employer,
subject to the other provisions of this Section 2 and Section 3 below.


             (b)  Employee  shall be employed in the  business of Employer  and
his duties and responsibilities  shall be commensurate with those of a President
of a company engaged in the business engaged in by Employer.  As such,  Employee
shall be primarily  responsible  for the direction and management of the current
and future affairs and business of Employer as presently constituted and as same
may from time to time hereafter change. Accordingly, Employee shall be primarily
responsible for the overall direction of the Company, its day-to-day  operations
and  management of the  Company's  business,  personnel  (hiring and firing) and
affairs in  general.  In the  performance  of his  duties and  responsibilities,
Employee  shall report to the Board of Directors of the Employer (the  "Board").
Employee  shall use his best  efforts to maintain  and enhance the  business and
reputation of Employer and shall perform such other duties commensurate with his
position as may,  from time to time,  be  designated to Employee by the
Board or its designees.


                                        1


<PAGE>

              3.   Non-Exclusivity of Service

                   Employee  agrees to devote  his  business  time,  effort  and
attention  as  needed  to  the  business  and  affairs  of  the  Company  on  an
non-exclusive basis.  Employee shall be entitled to render his services from any
location  and shall not be  required  to be  located  at the  Company's  offices
wherever  located,  although  Employee  shall be required to travel from time to
time in connection with the performance of his duties hereunder.

             4.    Compensation; Bonus

             (a).  In consideration  for his services to be performed under this
Agreement and as compensation  therefor,  Employee shall receive, in addition to
all other  benefits  provided  for in this  Agreement,  a base salary (the "Base
Salary") at the rate of Seventy-Five  Thousand  ($75,000) Dollars per annum. All
payments  of Base  Salary  shall be  payable  in  semi-monthly  installments  or
otherwise in accordance with Employer's policies. Increases in Base Salary shall
be reviewed annually by the Board in its sole discretion.

             (b).  In addition  to the Base Salary that  Employee is to receive,
Employee may also receive an annual discretionary  performance bonus, payable at
the end of each fiscal year, at the discretion of the Compensation  Committee of
the Board (the "Discretionary Bonus").

             (c).  In addition  to the Base  Salary that  Employee is to receive
and the  Discretionary  Bonus that  Employee may  receive,  Employee may also be
granted stock options,  at the discretion of the  Compensation  Committee of the
Board (the "Discretionary Options").

             5.    Benefits

             In  addition  to the Base  Salary,  Discretionary  Bonus and
Discretionary  Options  provided  for in  Section  4 hereof,  Employee  shall be
entitled  to the  following  benefits  during and in respect of the term of this
Agreement:

             (a)   Employer shall reimburse an affiliated entity of Employer an
appropriate,  pro rata share of Employee's  hospitalization,  medical and dental
insurance  coverage and all other  benefits in accordance  with past  practices,
which is approximately, at present, $6,000 per calendar year.

             (b)   Employee shall be entitled to four (4) weeks paid vacation
to be taken by Employee at times mutually and reasonably agreed upon by Employer
and Employee in addition to all other holidays established as part of Employer's
standard practices.

             (c)   Employee   shall  be  entitled  to  reimbursement for  all
reasonable  travel,  entertainment  and other  reasonable  expenses  incurred in
connection with Employer's business,


                                        2
<PAGE>


provided that such expenses are adequately documented and vouchered in
accordance with Employer's policies.

             (d)  All other  benefits  afforded  similarly  situated  executive
employees of Employer.

             6.    Term of Employment

                   The term of Employee's employment hereunder shall be from the
date hereof for a period of two years (the "Term") or  terminated  prior thereto
in accordance with Section 9 hereof.

             7.    Confidentiality

             (a)  Employee  agrees  and  covenants  that,  at any  time
during employment  by Employer  (which,  for purposes of this  Section 7 shall
include Employer's  subsidiaries  and  affiliates) or  thereafter,  he will not
(without first  obtaining  the express  permission  of  Employer)  (i) at any
time during employment by Employer and for a period of two (2) years thereafter,
divulge to any  person  or  entity,  nor use  (either  himself  or in
connection  with any business) any "Confidential Information" (as hereinafter
defined in Section 7(c) hereof) and (ii) at any time during  employment by
Employer and for a period of two (2) years  thereafter,  divulge  to any person
or  entity,  nor use  (either himself or in connection  with any business) any
"Trade Secrets" (as hereinafter defined  in  Section  7(c)  hereof) to which he
may have had access or which had been revealed to him during the course of his
employment  unless such disclosure is pursuant to a court order, disclosure in
litigation involving the Employer or in any reports or applications required by
law to be filed with any governmental agency after prior consultation with
Employer, if practicable.

             (b)  Any  interest in patents,  patent  applications,
inventions, copyrights,  developments,  innovations, methods, processes,
analyses, drawings, and reports  ("Inventions") which Employee now or hereafter
during the period he is employed under this Agreement or otherwise may own or
develop relating to the fields in which the Employer may then be engaged  shall
belong to the  Employer; and Employee  shall  disclose the  inventions  to
Employer  and  forthwith  upon request of the Employer,  Employee shall execute
all such  assignments and other documents and take all such other action as the
Employer may reasonably  request in order to vest in the  Employer all right,
title,  and interest in and to the Inventions free and clear of all liens,
charges, and encumbrances.

             (c)  As  used   in  this   Agreement,   the   term
"Confidential Information"  shall  mean and  include  all  information  and data
in respect of Employer's  operations,  financial condition,  products,
customers and business (including,   without   limitation,   artwork,
photographs,    specifications, facsimiles,  samples, business, marketing or
promotional plans, creative written material and information relating to
characters, concepts, names, trademarks and copyrights)  which may be
communicated to Employee or to which Employee may have access in the course of
Employee's  employment by Employer.  Notwithstanding the foregoing,  the term


                                        3


<PAGE>

"Confidential  Information"  shall not include  information which:

                  (i)      is, at the time of the disclosure, a part of the
                           public domain through no act or omission by Employee;
                           or

                  (ii)     is  hereafter  lawfully  disclosed  to Employee by a
                           third   party  who  or  which  did  not  acquire  the
                           information under an obligation of confidentiality to
                           or through Employer.

                   As used in this  Agreement,  the term "Trade  Secrets"  shall
mean and include information, without regard to form, including, but not limited
to,  technical or non-technical  data, a formula,  a pattern,  a compilation,  a
program, a device, a method, a technique, a drawing, a process,  financial data,
financial  plans,  product plans, or a list of actual or potential  customers or
suppliers  which is not  commonly  known by or available to the public and which
information  (i) derives  economic  value,  actual or potential,  from not being
known to, and not being readily  ascertainable by proper means by, other persons
who can  obtain  economic  value  from its  disclosure  or use;  and (ii) is the
subject of efforts that are reasonable  under the  circumstances to maintain its
secrecy.  In  addition,  the  term  "trade  secrets"  includes  all  information
protectible as "trade secrets" under applicable law.

                   Nothing  in  this  Section  7  shall  limit  any  protection,
definition  or remedy  provided  to  Employer  under any law,  statute  or legal
principle relating to Confidential Information or Trade Secrets.

            8.     Non-Competition; Non-Solicitation

            (a)   Employee hereby agrees and covenants that for a period of one
year  following  his  employment  with  Employer  that he will not  directly  or
indirectly  engage  in or become  interested  (whether  as an owner,  principal,
agent,  stockholder,   member,  partner,  trustee,  venturer,  lender  or  other
investor,  director, officer, employee,  consultant or through the agency of any
corporation,  limited liability  company,  partnership,  association or agent or
otherwise) in any business or enterprise that shall, at the time, be in whole or
in  substantial  part  competitive  with any part of the  business  conducted by
Employer during the period of Employee's  employment with Employer  (except that
ownership of not more than 5% of the outstanding  securities of any class of any
entity  that are  listed  on a  national  securities  exchange  or traded in the
over-the-counter market shall not be considered a breach of this Section 8(a)).

            (b)   Employee  agrees and covenants  that for a period of one year
following his employment  with Employer he will not (without first obtaining the
written  permission  of  Employer)  directly or  indirectly  participate  in the
solicitation of any business of any type conducted by Employer during the period
of  Employee's  employment  with  Employer from any person or entity which was a
client or customer of Employer  during the period of Employee's  employment with
Employer,  or  was a  prospective  customer  of  Employer  from  which  Employee


                                        4


<PAGE>

solicited  business or for which a proposal for submission  was prepared  during
the period of Employee's employment with Employer.

           (c)   Employee  agrees and covenants  that for a period of one year
following his employment  with Employer he will not (without first obtaining the
written  permission  of  Employer)  directly or  indirectly,  hire,  recruit for
employment,  or induce or seek to cause  such  person  to  terminate  his or his
employment with Employer,  any person who then is an employee of Employer or was
an employee of Employer within six months prior to such hiring or solicitation.

           9.     Termination

           (a)   Cause.  Notwithstanding  the terms of this  Agreement,
Employer may, upon the unanimous vote of the Board of Directors,  discharge
Employee and terminate this Agreement for cause ("Cause") in the event (i) of
Employee's  willful refusal to materially perform his duties hereunder with
reasonable  diligence or to follow, after  written  notice and an  opportunity
to cure,  a lawful  directive of the Board, (ii) Employee's  commission of an
act involving fraud,  embezzlement,  or theft  against the  property  or
personnel  of the  Company,  (iii)  Employee's engagement  in gross  reckless
conduct that the Board in good faith  determines will have a material adverse
affect on the business, assets, properties, results of operations  or financial
condition of Employer,  or (iv)  Employee  shall be convicted of a felony or (v)
Employee  engages in other  criminal  conduct that substantially  jeopardizes
the  Employer's  business.  In the event Employee is discharged  pursuant  to
this  Section  9(a),  (i)  Employee's  Base  Salary and Discretionary  Bonus and
all benefits  under  Section 5 hereof  shall  terminate immediately upon such
discharge (subject to applicable law such as COBRA),  (ii) all  unvested
options,  including  but not  limited to  unvested  Discretionary Options,
shall immediately  expire,  and all vested options,  including but not limited
to vested Discretionary  Options, may be exercised by Employee until six (6)
months after the date of  termination  under this Section  9(a),  or for the
remainder of their term,  whichever is sooner,  and (iii) Employer shall have no
further obligations to Employee except for payment and reimbursement to Employee
for any monies due to Employee which right to payment or  reimbursement  accrued
prior to such  discharge.  Notwithstanding  anything set forth herein,  prior to
Employer having the right to discharge Employee pursuant to clauses (i) or (iii)
above,  Employer  shall first be required to give  Employee at least thirty (30)
days'  prior  written  notice of any alleged  breach  under  Section  9(a)(i) or
9(a)(iii)  above (the  "Notice"),  and for such Notice to be  effective  it must
specify in reasonable detail the nature of, and facts and circumstances relative
to, such alleged Cause, and Employee shall have a reasonable opportunity to cure
any such alleged improper actions within such thirty (30) day period (and in the
event  Employee  actually  cures any such alleged  improper  actions within such
thirty (30) day period, the Notice shall automatically be deemed withdrawn).


          (b)  Incapacity.  Should  Employee,  in the reasonable  judgment of a
physician chosen by the  Board,  become  incapacitated  to the  extent he is
unable to  perform  his material  duties  pursuant to this Agreement for a
period of six (6) consecutive months  by reason of  illness,


                                        5


<PAGE>


disability  or other  incapacity,  Employer  may terminate  this  Agreement
upon one  month's notice  after  said six (6) month period.  Employer  shall
have no further obligations  to  Employee or his legal representatives except to
pay to Employee the balance of his Base Salary for the remainder of the Term of
the Agreement and to pay to Employee the  Discretionary Bonus,  if any, for the
year prior to  Employee's  incapacity.  Upon  Employee's termination  under this
Section 9(b) all unvested  options,  including  but not limited to unvested
Discretionary Options, shall automatically vest, and all of Employee's options,
including but not limited to Discretionary  Options, may be exercised by
Employee, or Employee's legal guardian or representative, until one (1) year
after the date of  Employee's  termination  under this Section 9(b), or for the
remainder of their term, whichever is sooner.

          (c)   Death.  This Agreement shall terminate immediately upon the
death of Employee, in which case  Employer shall have no further obligations to
Employee or his legal  representatives;  provided,  however,  that in the event
that  Employee's death occurs in connection with Employee's  performance of his
duties hereunder, Employer shall pay to Employee's legal representatives the
balance of Employee's Base  Salary  for  the  remainder  of the  Term of the
Agreement  and to pay to Employee's legal  representatives,  within sixty (60)
days of Employee's  death, the  Discretionary  Bonus, if any, for the year prior
to Employee's  death. Upon Employee's  death, all unvested  options,  including
but not limited to unvested Discretionary Options,  shall vest and all of
Employee's options,  including but not limited to  Discretionary  Options,
may be exercised by  Employee's  estate until one (1) year from the date of
Employee's  death,  or for the remainder of their term, whichever is sooner.

          (d)   Termination Without Cause.   In the event that Employee is
discharged  and this  Agreement  is terminated without Cause (Cause being
defined as a reason for termination as set forth in Section  9(a) above) or for
reason  other than as set forth in Sections 9(b)  or  9(c) hereof, Employee
shall  receive  upon  such   termination  or resignation: (A) the balance of his
Base Salary for the remainder of the Term of the  Agreement;  (B) in the event
that any bonus was  actually  paid to Employee under Section 4 above for the
immediately  preceding fiscal year,  including but not limited to the
Discretionary  Bonus,  Employee  shall  receive an identical bonus  (or
pro-rated  portion  thereof)  with  respect  to the  fiscal  year of
termination; and (C) all benefits under Section 5 hereof for the remaining Term,
as applicable.  In addition, upon Employee's termination under this Section 9(d)
any  unvested  options,  including  but not  limited to  unvested  Discretionary
Options,  shall automatically vest and all of Employee's options,  including but
not limited to Discretionary Options, may be exercised by Employee until one (1)
year after the date of  Employee's  termination  under this Section 9(d), or for
the remainder of their term, whichever is sooner. All amounts due Employee under
this  Section  9(d) shall be paid to  Employee  without  offset for any  amounts
earned by Employee in any other employment or from any other source.

          (e)     Release; Sole Remedy.  Notwithstanding  anything  to the
contrary in this  Agreement,  the amounts,  if any, payable,  and the provision
of benefits, if any, to Employee, required  under the applicable  provisions of
this Section 9 in connection  with the termination of Employee's employment,
voluntarily or involuntarily, for any or no reason,  shall be: (i) the only

                                        6

<PAGE>


remedy,  legal or equitable,  available to Employee in connection  with such
termination,  and the payment of such amounts and the provision of such benefits
shall constitute liquidated damages; and (ii) as a condition  precedent to
Employer's  obligations  to pay any such amounts or provide any such  benefits,
Employee shall have first executed and delivered to Employer  the form of
Release  attached  hereto as Exhibit A, and the seven day revocation period
provided in said Release shall have expired without revocation of said Release
by Employee.

          10.     Violation of Other Agreements

          Employee  represents  and  warrants  to  Employer  that he is
legally able to enter into this Agreement and accept  employment  with Employer;
that Employee is not prohibited by the terms of any agreement,  understanding or
policy from entering into this Agreement;  that the terms hereof will not and do
not violate or contravene the terms of any agreement, understanding or policy to
which Employee is or may be a party, or by which Employee may be bound; and that
Employee  is under no  physical  or mental  disability  that  would  hinder  the
performance of his duties under this Agreement. Employee agrees that, as it is a
material inducement to Employer that Employee make the foregoing representations
and  warranties  and that they be true in all respects,  Employee  shall forever
indemnify and hold Employer  harmless from and against all  liability,  costs or
expenses  (including  attorney's  fees  and  disbursements)  on  account  of the
foregoing representations being untrue.

          11.    Specific Performance; Damages

          In  the  event  of a  breach  or  threatened  breach  of  the
provisions  of Sections 7 and 8 hereof,  Employee  agrees that the injury  which
could be suffered by Employer  would be of a character  which could not be fully
compensated for solely by a recovery of monetary damages. Accordingly,  Employee
agrees  that in the event of a breach or  threatened  breach of Sections 7 and 8
hereof,  in addition to and not in lieu of any damages sustained by Employer and
any other remedies  which Employer may pursue  hereunder or under any applicable
law, Employer shall have the right to seek equitable relief,  including issuance
of a temporary or permanent injunction,  by any court of competent  jurisdiction
against the commission or  continuance of any such breach or threatened  breach,
without the  necessity  of proving any actual  damages or posting of any bond or
other surety  therefor.  In addition to, and not in limitation of the foregoing,
Employee  understands  and confirms that, in the event of a breach or threatened
breach of Sections 7 and 8 hereof,  Employee may be held  financially  liable to
Employer for any loss suffered by Employer as a result.

          12.    Notices

          Any  and  all  notices,   demands  or  requests  required  or
permitted to be given under this  Agreement  shall be given in writing and sent,
by registered or certified U.S. mail, return receipt  requested,  by hand, or by
overnight courier,  addressed to the parties hereto at their addresses set forth
above or such other addresses as they may from time-to-time designate by written
notice,


                                        7

<PAGE>


given in accordance with the terms of this Section, together with copies
thereof as follows:

                   In the case of Employer, with a copy to:

                            Zukerman Gore & Brandeis, LLP
                            900 Third Avenue
                            New York, New York  10022-4728

                            Attention: Andrew M. Chonoles, Esq.

          Notice  given as provided in this Section  shall be deemed  effective:
(i) on the date hand  delivered,  (ii) on the first  business day  following the
sending thereof by overnight courier, and (iii) on the seventh calendar day (or,
if it is not a business day, then the next  succeeding  business day thereafter)
after the  depositing  thereof  into the  exclusive  custody of the U.S.  Postal
Service.

          13.    Waivers

          No waiver by any party of any  default  with  respect  to any
provision, condition or requirement hereof shall be deemed to be a waiver of any
other  provision,  condition  or  requirement  hereof;  nor  shall  any delay or
omission of any party to exercise any right  hereunder in any manner  impair the
exercise of any such right accruing to it thereafter.

          14.    Preservation of Intent

          Should any  provision of this  Agreement be  determined  by a court
having  jurisdiction in the premises to be illegal or in conflict with any laws
of any state or  jurisdiction  or  otherwise  unenforceable,  Employer  and
Employee  agree that such  provision  shall be  modified  to the extent  legally
possible so that the intent of this Agreement may be legally carried out.

          15.    Entire Agreement

          This  Agreement  sets forth the entire and only  agreement or
understanding  between the parties  relating  to the subject  matter  hereof and
supersedes and cancels all previous agreements, negotiations, letters of intent,
correspondence,  commitments and  representations in respect thereof among them,
and no  party  shall  be bound by any  conditions,  definitions,  warranties  or
representations  with respect to the subject matter of this Agreement  except as
provided in this Agreement.

         16.     Inurement; Assignment

         The rights and  obligations  of Employer under this Agreement
shall  inure to the  benefit  of and  shall be  binding  upon any  successor  of
Employer  or to the  business of  Employer,  subject to the  provisions  hereof.
Employer  may  assign  this  Agreement  to  any  person,   firm  or  corporation




                                        8

<PAGE>

controlling,  controlled by, or under common control with Employer. Neither this
Agreement  nor  any  rights  or  obligations  of  Employee  hereunder  shall  be
transferable or assignable by Employee.

          17.   Amendment

          This Agreement may not be amended in any respect except by an
instrument in writing signed by the parties hereto.

          18.   Headings

          The headings in this Agreement are solely for  convenience of
reference and shall be given no effect in the construction or  interpretation of
this Agreement.

          19.   Counterparts

          This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts,
each of which shall be deemed an original,  but all of which when taken together
shall constitute one and the same instrument.

          20.   Governing Law

         This  Agreement  shall  be  governed  by,  construed  and  enforced  in
accordance  with the  internal  laws of the  State of New York,  without  giving
reference  to  principles  of  conflict  of  laws.  Each of the  parties  hereto
irrevocably  consents  to the venue and  jurisdiction  of the  federal and state
courts located in the State of New York, County of New York.


                                        9
<PAGE>


         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be
duly executed as of the date first above written.

                                    EMPLOYEE:


                                   /s/ David Barse
                                   __________________________
                                       DAVID BARSE


                                    EMPLOYER:

                                    DANIELSON HOLDINGS CORPORATION




                                   By:  /s/ Martin J. Whitman
                                     ___________________________
                                     Name: Martin J. Whitman
                                     Title: Chairman



                                       10

<PAGE>



                                    Exhibit A

                                     RELEASE

         1. Pursuant to the terms of the  Employment  Agreement made as of ___ ,
1999,  between  Danielson  Holdings  Corporation,  a Delaware  corporation  (the
"Company"),  and the undersigned (the "Agreement"),  and in consideration of the
payments made to me and other benefits to be received by me pursuant thereto, I,
____________ , being of lawful age, do hereby  release,  and forever  discharge,
the Company,  its subsidiaries  and affiliates and their  respective  directors,
officers, shareholders, subsidiaries, agents, employees and affiliates, from any
and all actions,  causes of action,  claims, or demands for general,  special or
punitive damages, attorney's fees, expenses, or other compensation, which in any
way  relate  to or arise out of my  employment  with the  Company  or any of its
subsidiaries or the termination of such employment (but not for actions,  causes
of  action,  claims or  demands  not  directly  related  to such  employment  or
termination of employment, even if arising at the time of termination),  which I
may now or hereafter have under any federal,  state or local law,  regulation or
order, including without limitation,  under the Age Discrimination in Employment
Act,  as amended,  through and  including  the date of this  Release;  provided,
however,  that this Release  shall not release the  Company's  obligations  with
respect to (a) payment of the severance  payments and compliance  with the other
provisions of Section 9 of the Agreement, and (b) paragraph 2 of this Release.

         2. The Company  agrees that,  from and after the date hereof,  if asked
about  the  undersigned's  separation  from the  Company,  except  as  otherwise
required  by  applicable  law,  the Company  will not make any public  statement
regarding such  separation  other than that the undersigned has left the Company
to pursue other interests.  From and after the date hereof, the Company will not
intentionally   make  any  defamatory  or  disparaging   statements   about  the
undersigned or the  undersigned's  performance for the Company.  For purposes of
this  paragraph 2 only,  the Company shall mean only the directors and executive
officers of the Company (as long as the foregoing  persons are still directly or
indirectly  affiliated with the Company),  and shall specifically include David
Barse, Harold Drachman, Michael  Carney and Ian Kirschner (as long as the
foregoing  persons are still directly or indirectly affiliated with the
Company).

         3. I agree  that,  from and after the date  hereof,  if asked  about my
separation from the Company,  except as otherwise  required by applicable law, I
will not make any public  statement  regarding such separation other than that I
have left the Company to pursue other interests. From and after the date hereof,
I will not intentionally make any defamatory or disparaging statements about the
Company, its subsidiaries or affiliates or their products, services,  directors,
officers, shareholders, employees, agents, customers or business relationships.



                                       11
<PAGE>


         4. I further  state  that I have read this  Release  and the  Agreement
referred to herein,  that I know the  contents of both and that I have  executed
the same as my own free act.

         WITNESS my hand this ___ day of ______________ , ____.



                                   _________________________
                                   [Employee]



AGREED AND ACKNOWLEDGED
THIS ______ DAY OF ___________ , ______

DANIELSON HOLDINGS CORPORATION


By: _________________________




                              EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

                                 By and Between

                         DANIELSON HOLDINGS CORPORATION
                                       and
                                 MICHAEL CARNEY






                                 April 14, 1999


<PAGE>




                                TABLE OF CONTENTS
                                                                           Page

         1.       Employment..................................................1

         2.       Duties and Responsibilities of Employee.....................1

         3.       Non-Exclusivity of Service  ................................2

         4.       Compensation; Bonus.........................................2

         5.       Benefits....................................................2

         6.       Term of Employment..........................................3

         7.       Confidentiality............................ ................3

         8.       Non-Competition; Non-Solicitation...........................4

         9.       Termination.................................................5
                  (a)      Cause. ............................................5
                  (b)      Incapacity.  ......................................5
                  (c)      Death. ............................................6
                  (d)      Termination Without Cause. ........................6
                  (e)      Release; Sole Remedy...............................6

         10.      ............................................................7

         11.      Specific Performance; Damages...............................7

         12.      Notices.....................................................7

         13.      Waivers.....................................................8

         14.      Preservation of Intent......................................8

         15.      Entire Agreement............................................8

         16.      Inurement; Assignment.......................................8

         17.      Amendment...................................................9

         18.      Headings....................................................9



                                        i

<PAGE>

         19.      Counterparts................................................9

         20.      Governing Law...............................................9


                                       ii
<PAGE>





                              EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

         EMPLOYMENT  AGREEMENT (this  "Agreement") dated as of April 14th, 1999,
by and between DANIELSON HOLDINGS CORPORATION,  a Delaware corporation having an
office  at 767  Third  Avenue,  New  York,  New York  10017  ("Employer"  or the
"Company"),  and MICHAEL CARNEY an individual  residing at 401 East 34th Street,
Apt. 34E, New York, NY 10016 ("Employee").

                              W I T N E S S E T H:

         WHEREAS,  Employer  desires  to  engage  Employee  as an  employee  and
Employee desires to provide his non-exclusive services to Employer in connection
with Employer's business; and

         WHEREAS,  both  parties  desire to clarify  and  specify the rights and
obligations  which  each  have with  respect  to the  other in  connection  with
Employee's employment.

         NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the agreements and covenants herein
set forth, the parties hereby agree as follows:

          1.   Employment

          Employer  hereby  employs  Employee  as the  Chief  Financial
Officer of Employer,  and Employee  hereby accepts such employment and agrees to
render his  non-exclusive  services as an employee of Employer,  for the term of
this  Agreement  (as set forth in Section 6 hereof),  all  subject to and on the
terms and conditions herein set forth.

          2. Duties and Responsibilities of Employee

         (a)   Employee shall be employed as the Chief Financial  Officer of
Employer, subject to the other provisions of this Section 2 and Section 3 below.

         (b)   Employee  shall be employed in the  business of Employer  and
his  duties and  responsibilities  shall be  commensurate  with those of a Chief
Financial  Officer of a company engaged in the business  engaged in by Employer.
As such,  Employee  shall be  primarily  responsible  for the  oversight  of all
financial matters relative to the Company.  In the performance of his duties and
responsibilities,  Employee  shall  report to David  Barse,  in his  capacity as
President  of the  Company,  and the Board of  Directors  of the  Employer  (the
"Board").  Employee  shall use his best  efforts to  maintain  and  enhance  the
business  and  reputation  of  Employer  and shall  perform  such  other  duties
commensurate  with his  position as may,  from time to time,  be  designated  to
Employee by the Board or its designees.


                                        1

<PAGE>


          3.   Non-Exclusivity of Service

          Employee  agrees to devote  his  business  time,  effort  and
attention  as  needed  to  the  business  and  affairs  of  the  Company  on  an
non-exclusive basis.  Employee shall be entitled to render his services from any
location  and shall not be  required  to be  located  at the  Company's  offices
wherever  located,  although  Employee  shall be required to travel from time to
time in connection with the performance of his duties hereunder.

          4.   Compensation; Bonus

          (a)  In consideration  for his services to be performed under this
Agreement and as compensation  therefor,  Employee shall receive, in addition to
all other  benefits  provided  for in this  Agreement,  a base salary (the "Base
Salary") at the rate of Seventy-Five  Thousand  ($75,000) Dollars per annum. All
payments  of Base  Salary  shall be  payable  in  semi-monthly  installments  or
otherwise in accordance with Employer's policies. Increases in Base Salary shall
be reviewed annually by the Board in its sole discretion.

          (b)  In addition  to the Base Salary that  Employee is to receive,
Employee may also receive an annual discretionary  performance bonus, payable at
the end of each fiscal year, at the discretion of the Compensation  Committee of
the Board (the "Discretionary Bonus").

          (c)  In addition  to the Base  Salary that  Employee is to receive
and the  Discretionary  Bonus that  Employee may  receive,  Employee may also be
granted stock options,  at the discretion of the  Compensation  Committee of the
Board (the "Discretionary Options").

          5.    Benefits

          In  addition  to the Base  Salary,  Discretionary  Bonus  and
Discretionary  Options  provided  for in  Section  4 hereof,  Employee  shall be
entitled  to the  following  benefits  during and in respect of the term of this
Agreement:

         (a)  Employer shall reimburse an affiliated  entity of Employer an
appropriate,  pro rata share of Employee's  hospitalization,  medical and dental
insurance  coverage and all other  benefits in accordance  with past  practices,
which is approximately, at present, $6,000 per calendar year.

         (b)  Employee shall be entitled to four (4) weeks paid vacation to
be taken by Employee at times  mutually and  reasonably  agreed upon by Employer
and Employee in addition to all other holidays established as part of Employer's
standard practices.

         (c)  Employee   shall  be  entitled  to   reimbursement   for  all
reasonable  travel,  entertainment  and other  reasonable  expenses  incurred in
connection with Employer's business,  provided that such expenses are adequately
documented and vouchered in accordance with Employer's policies.


                                   2


<PAGE>



        (d)  All other  benefits  afforded  similarly  situated  executive
employees of Employer.

          6.   Term of Employment

                   The term of Employee's employment hereunder shall be from the
date hereof for a period of two years (the "Term") or  terminated  prior thereto
in accordance with Section 9 hereof.

          7.   Confidentiality

          (a)  Employee  agrees  and  covenants  that,  at any  time  during
employment  by Employer  (which,  for purposes of this  Section 7 shall  include
Employer's  subsidiaries  and  affiliates) or  thereafter,  he will not (without
first  obtaining  the express  permission  of  Employer)  (i) at any time during
employment by Employer and for a period of two (2) years thereafter,  divulge to
any  person  or  entity,  nor use  (either  himself  or in  connection  with any
business) any "Confidential Information" (as hereinafter defined in Section 7(c)
hereof) and (ii) at any time during  employment  by Employer and for a period of
two (2) years  thereafter,  divulge  to any person or  entity,  nor use  (either
himself or in connection  with any business) any "Trade Secrets" (as hereinafter
defined  in  Section  7(c)  hereof) to which he may have had access or which had
been revealed to him during the course of his employment  unless such disclosure
is pursuant to a court order, disclosure in litigation involving the Employer or
in any reports or applications required by law to be filed with any governmental
agency after prior consultation with Employer, if practicable.

          (b)  Any  interest in patents,  patent  applications,  inventions,
copyrights,  developments,  innovations, methods, processes, analyses, drawings,
and reports  ("Inventions") which Employee now or hereafter during the period he
is employed under this Agreement or otherwise may own or develop relating to the
fields in which the Employer may then be engaged  shall belong to the  Employer;
and Employee  shall  disclose the  inventions  to Employer  and  forthwith  upon
request of the Employer,  Employee shall execute all such  assignments and other
documents and take all such other action as the Employer may reasonably  request
in order to vest in the  Employer all right,  title,  and interest in and to the
Inventions free and clear of all liens, charges, and encumbrances.

          (c)  As  used   in  this   Agreement,   the   term   "Confidential
Information"  shall  mean and  include  all  information  and data in respect of
Employer's  operations,  financial condition,  products,  customers and business
(including,   without   limitation,   artwork,   photographs,    specifications,
facsimiles,  samples, business, marketing or promotional plans, creative written
material and information relating to characters, concepts, names, trademarks and
copyrights)  which may be communicated to Employee or to which Employee may have
access in the course of Employee's  employment by Employer.  Notwithstanding the
foregoing,  the term "Confidential  Information"  shall not include  information
which

                                        3

<PAGE>


               (i)  is, at the time of the disclosure, a part of the public
                    domain through no act or omission by Employee; or

               (ii) is  hereafter  lawfully  disclosed  to Employee by a
                    third   party  who  or  which  did  not  acquire  the
                    information under an obligation of confidentiality to
                    or through Employer.

          As used in this  Agreement,  the term "Trade  Secrets"  shall mean and
include information, without regard to form, including, but not limited to,
technical or non-technical  data, a formula,  a pattern,  a compilation,  a
program, a device, a method, a technique, a drawing, a process,  financial data,
financial  plans,  product plans, or a list of actual or potential  customers or
suppliers  which is not  commonly  known by or available to the public and which
information  (i) derives  economic  value,  actual or potential,  from not being
known to, and not being readily  ascertainable by proper means by, other persons
who can  obtain  economic  value  from its  disclosure  or use;  and (ii) is the
subject of efforts that are reasonable  under the  circumstances to maintain its
secrecy.  In  addition,  the  term  "trade  secrets"  includes  all  information
protectible as "trade secrets" under applicable law.

          Nothing  in  this  Section  7  shall  limit  any  protection,
definition  or remedy  provided  to  Employer  under any law,  statute  or legal
principle relating to Confidential Information or Trade Secrets.

          8.   Non-Competition; Non-Solicitation

          (a)  Employee hereby agrees and covenants that for a period of one
year  following  his  employment  with  Employer  that he will not  directly  or
indirectly  engage  in or become  interested  (whether  as an owner,  principal,
agent,  stockholder,   member,  partner,  trustee,  venturer,  lender  or  other
investor,  director, officer, employee,  consultant or through the agency of any
corporation,  limited liability  company,  partnership,  association or agent or
otherwise) in any business or enterprise that shall, at the time, be in whole or
in  substantial  part  competitive  with any part of the  business  conducted by
Employer during the period of Employee's  employment with Employer  (except that
ownership of not more than 5% of the outstanding  securities of any class of any
entity  that are  listed  on a  national  securities  exchange  or traded in the
over-the-counter market shall not be considered a breach of this Section 8(a)).

          (b)  Employee  agrees and covenants  that for a period of one year
following his employment  with Employer he will not (without first obtaining the
written  permission  of  Employer)  directly or  indirectly  participate  in the
solicitation of any business of any type conducted by Employer during the period
of  Employee's  employment  with  Employer from any person or entity which was a
client or customer of Employer  during the period of Employee's  employment with
Employer,  or  was a  prospective  customer  of  Employer  from  which  Employee
solicited  business or for which a proposal for submission  was prepared  during
the period of Employee's employment with Employer.



                                        4

<PAGE>



          (c). Employee  agrees and covenants  that for a period of one year
following his employment  with Employer he will not (without first obtaining the
written  permission  of  Employer)  directly or  indirectly,  hire,  recruit for
employment,  or induce or seek to cause  such  person  to  terminate  his or his
employment with Employer,  any person who then is an employee of Employer or was
an employee of Employer within six months prior to such hiring or solicitation.

          9.   Termination

          (a)  Cause.  Notwithstanding  the terms of this  Agreement,  Employer
may, upon the unanimous vote of the Board of Directors,  discharge Employee and
terminate this Agreement for cause ("Cause") in the event (i) of Employee's
willful refusal to materially perform his duties hereunder with reasonable
diligence or to follow, after  written  notice and an  opportunity  to cure,  a
lawful  directive of the Board, (ii) Employee's  commission of an act involving
fraud,  embezzlement,  or theft  against the  property  or  personnel  of the
Company,  (iii)  Employee's engagement  in gross  reckless  conduct that the
Board in good faith  determines will have a material adverse affect on the
business, assets, properties, results of operations  or financial  condition of
Employer,  or (iv) Employee shall be convicted of a felony or (v)  Employee
engages in other  criminal  conduct that substantially  jeopardizes  the
Employer's  business.  In the event Employee is discharged  pursuant  to this
Section  9(a),  (i)  Employee's  Base  Salary and Discretionary  Bonus and all
benefits  under  Section 5 hereof  shall  terminate immediately upon such
discharge (subject to applicable law such as COBRA),  (ii) all  unvested
options,  including  but not  limited to  unvested  Discretionary Options,
shall immediately  expire,  and all vested options,  including but not limited
to vested Discretionary  Options, may be exercised by Employee until six (6)
months after the date of  termination  under this Section  9(a),  or for the
remainder of their term,  whichever is sooner,  and (iii) Employer shall have no
further obligations to Employee except for payment and reimbursement to Employee
for any monies due to Employee which right to payment or  reimbursement  accrued
prior to such  discharge.  Notwithstanding  anything set forth herein,  prior to
Employer having the right to discharge Employee pursuant to clauses (i) or (iii)
above,  Employer  shall first be required to give  Employee at least thirty (30)
days'  prior  written  notice of any alleged  breach  under  Section  9(a)(i) or
9(a)(iii)  above (the  "Notice"),  and for such Notice to be  effective  it must
specify in reasonable detail the nature of, and facts and circumstances relative
to, such alleged Cause, and Employee shall have a reasonable opportunity to cure
any such alleged improper actions within such thirty (30) day period (and in the
event  Employee  actually  cures any such alleged  improper  actions within such
thirty (30) day period, the Notice shall automatically be deemed withdrawn).

          (b)  Incapacity.  Should  Employee,  in the reasonable  judgment of a
physician chosen by the  Board,  become  incapacitated  to the  extent he is
unable to  perform  his material  duties  pursuant to this Agreement for a
period of six (6) consecutive months  by reason of  illness,  disability  or
other  incapacity,  Employer  may terminate  this  Agreement  upon one  month's
notice  after  said six (6) month period.  Employer  shall have no further
obligations  to  Employee or his



                                        5
<PAGE>


legal representatives except to pay to Employee the balance of his Base Salary
for the remainder of the Term of the Agreement and to pay to Employee the
Discretionary Bonus,  if any, for the year prior to  Employee's  incapacity.
Upon  Employee's termination  under this  Section 9(b) all unvested  options,
including  but not limited to unvested  Discretionary Options, shall
automatically vest, and all of Employee's options,  including but not limited to
Discretionary  Options, may be exercised by Employee, or Employee's legal
guardian or representative, until one (1) year after the date of  Employee's
termination  under this Section 9(b), or for the remainder of their term,
whichever is sooner.

          (c)  This Agreement shall terminate immediately upon the death of
Employee, in which case  Employer  shall have no further  obligations  to
Employee or his legal  representatives;  provided,  however,  that in the event
that  Employee's death occurs in connection with Employee's  performance of his
duties hereunder, Employer shall pay to Employee's legal representatives the
balance of Employee's Base  Salary  for  the  remainder  of the  Term of the
Agreement  and to pay to Employee's legal  representatives,  within sixty (60)
days of Employee's  death, the  Discretionary  Bonus, if any, for the year prior
to Employee's  death. Upon Employee's  death, all unvested  options,  including
but not limited to unvested Discretionary Options,  shall vest and all of
Employee's options,  including but not limited to  Discretionary  Options,  may
be exercised by  Employee's  estate until one (1) year from the date of
Employee's  death,  or for the remainder of their term, whichever is sooner.

          (d)  Termination Without Cause.  In the  event  that  Employee  is
discharged  and this Agreement  is terminated without Cause (Cause being defined
as a reason for termination as set forth in Section  9(a) above) or for reason
other than as set forth in Sections 9(b)  or  9(c)  hereof,   Employee  shall
receive  upon such   termination  or resignation: (A) the balance of his Base
Salary for the remainder of the Term of the  Agreement;  (B) in the event that
any bonus was actually  paid to Employee under Section 4 above for the
immediately  preceding fiscal year,  including but not limited to the
Discretionary  Bonus,  Employee shall  receive an identical bonus  (or
pro-rated  portion  thereof)  with respect to the  fiscal  year of termination;
and (C) all benefits under Section 5 hereof for the remaining Term, as
applicable.  In addition, upon Employee's termination under this Section 9(d)
any  unvested  options,  including  but not limited to  unvested  Discretionary
Options,  shall automatically vest and all of Employee's options,  including
but not limited to Discretionary Options, may be exercised by Employee until
one (1) year after the date of  Employee's termination  under this Section 9(d),
or for the remainder of their term, whichever is sooner. All amounts due
Employee under this  Section  9(d) shall be paid to  Employee  without
offset for any  amounts earned by Employee in any other employment or from any
other source.

          (e)  Release; Sole Remedy.  Notwithstanding  anything to the contrary
in this Agreement, the amounts, if any, payable, and the provision of benefits,
if any, to Employee, required  under the applicable  provisions of this Section
9 in connection with the termination of Employee's employment, voluntarily or
involuntarily, for any or no reason, shall be: (i) the only remedy, legal or
equitable, available to Employee in connection  with such  termination, and the
payment of such amounts and the provision of such benefits shall constitute
liquidated damages;



                                        6
<PAGE>

and (ii) as a condition  precedent to Employer's obligations  to pay any such
amounts or provide any such  benefits,  Employee shall have first executed and
delivered to Employer  the form of  Release attached  hereto as Exhibit A, and
the seven day revocation period provided in said Release shall have expired
without revocation of said Release by Employee.

          10.  Violation of Other Agreements

          Employee  represents  and  warrants  to  Employer  that he is legally
able to enter into this Agreement and accept  employment  with Employer; that
Employee is not prohibited by the terms of any agreement,  understanding or
policy from entering into this Agreement;  that the terms hereof will not and do
not violate or contravene the terms of any agreement, understanding or policy to
which Employee is or may be a party, or by which Employee may be bound; and that
Employee  is under no  physical  or mental  disability  that  would  hinder  the
performance of his duties under this Agreement. Employee agrees that, as it is a
material inducement to Employer that Employee make the foregoing representations
and  warranties  and that they be true in all respects,  Employee  shall forever
indemnify and hold Employer  harmless from and against all  liability,  costs or
expenses  (including  attorney's  fees  and  disbursements)  on  account  of the
foregoing representations being untrue.

          11.  Specific Performance; Damages

          In  the  event  of a  breach  or  threatened  breach  of  the
provisions  of Sections 7 and 8 hereof,  Employee  agrees that the injury  which
could be suffered by Employer  would be of a character  which could not be fully
compensated for solely by a recovery of monetary damages. Accordingly,  Employee
agrees  that in the event of a breach or  threatened  breach of Sections 7 and 8
hereof,  in addition to and not in lieu of any damages sustained by Employer and
any other remedies  which Employer may pursue  hereunder or under any applicable
law, Employer shall have the right to seek equitable relief,  including issuance
of a temporary or permanent injunction,  by any court of competent  jurisdiction
against the commission or  continuance of any such breach or threatened  breach,
without the  necessity  of proving any actual  damages or posting of any bond or
other surety  therefor.  In addition to, and not in limitation of the foregoing,
Employee  understands  and confirms that, in the event of a breach or threatened
breach of Sections 7 and 8 hereof,  Employee may be held  financially  liable to
Employer for any loss suffered by Employer as a result.

          12.  Notices

          Any  and  all  notices,   demands  or  requests  required  or
permitted to be given under this  Agreement  shall be given in writing and sent,
by registered or certified U.S. mail, return receipt  requested,  by hand, or by
overnight courier,  addressed to the parties hereto at their addresses set forth
above or such other addresses as they may from time-to-time designate by written
notice, given in accordance with the terms of this Section, together with copies
thereof as follows:




                                        7
<PAGE>


                   In the case of Employer, with a copy to:

                            Zukerman Gore & Brandeis, LLP
                            900 Third Avenue
                            New York, New York  10022-4728

                            Attention: Andrew M. Chonoles, Esq.

Notice  given as provided in this Section shall be deemed effective: (i) on the
date hand delivered, (ii) on the first  business day  following the sending
thereof by overnight courier, and (iii) on the seventh calendar day (or, if it
is not a business day, then the next  succeeding  business day thereafter) after
the  depositing  thereof  into the  exclusive  custody of the U.S.  Postal
Service.

          13.  Waivers

          No waiver by any party of any  default  with  respect  to any
provision, condition or requirement hereof shall be deemed to be a waiver of any
other  provision,  condition  or  requirement  hereof;  nor  shall  any delay or
omission of any party to exercise any right  hereunder in any manner  impair the
exercise of any such right accruing to it thereafter.

          14.  Preservation of Intent

          Should any  provision of this  Agreement be  determined  by a court
having  jurisdiction in the premises to be illegal or in conflict with any laws
of any state or  jurisdiction  or  otherwise  unenforceable,  Employer  and
Employee  agree that such  provision  shall be  modified  to the extent  legally
possible so that the intent of this Agreement may be legally carried out.

          15.  Entire Agreement

          This  Agreement  sets forth the entire and only  agreement or
understanding  between the parties  relating  to the subject  matter  hereof and
supersedes and cancels all previous agreements, negotiations, letters of intent,
correspondence,  commitments and  representations in respect thereof among them,
and no  party  shall  be bound by any  conditions, definitions, warranties or
representations  with respect to the subject matter of this Agreement except as
provided in this Agreement.

          16.  Inurement; Assignment

                   The rights and  obligations  of Employer under this Agreement
shall  inure to the  benefit  of and  shall be  binding  upon any  successor  of
Employer  or to the  business of  Employer,  subject to the  provisions  hereof.
Employer  may  assign  this  Agreement  to  any  person,   firm  or  corporation
controlling,  controlled by, or under common control with Employer. Neither this
Agreement  nor  any  rights  or  obligations  of  Employee  hereunder  shall  be
transferable or assignable by Employee.



                                        8
<PAGE>


          17.  Amendment

          This Agreement may not be amended in any respect except by an
instrument in writing signed by the parties hereto.

          18.  Headings

          The headings in this Agreement are solely for  convenience of
reference and shall be given no effect in the construction or  interpretation of
this Agreement.

          19.  Counterparts

          This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of
which shall be deemed an original,  but all of which when taken together shall
constitute one and the same instrument.

          20.  Governing Law

         This  Agreement  shall  be  governed  by,  construed  and  enforced  in
accordance  with the  internal  laws of the  State of New York,  without  giving
reference  to  principles  of  conflict  of  laws.  Each of the  parties  hereto
irrevocably  consents  to the venue and  jurisdiction  of the  federal and state
courts located in the State of New York, County of New York.


         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be
duly executed as of the date first above written.

                                 EMPLOYEE:

                                  /s/ Michael Carney
                                 _______________________________
                                 MICHAEL CARNEY


                                 EMPLOYER:

                                 DANIELSON HOLDINGS CORPORATION




                                 By: /s/ David Barse
                                    ___________________________
                                    Name: David Barse
                                    Title: President



                                        9
<PAGE>


                                    Exhibit A

                                     RELEASE

         1. Pursuant to the terms of the  Employment  Agreement made as of ___ ,
1999,  between  Danielson  Holdings  Corporation,  a Delaware  corporation  (the
"Company"),  and the undersigned (the "Agreement"),  and in consideration of the
payments made to me and other benefits to be received by me pursuant thereto, I,
____________ , being of lawful age, do hereby  release,  and forever  discharge,
the Company,  its subsidiaries  and affiliates and their  respective  directors,
officers, shareholders, subsidiaries, agents, employees and affiliates, from any
and all actions,  causes of action,  claims, or demands for general,  special or
punitive damages, attorney's fees, expenses, or other compensation, which in any
way  relate  to or arise out of my  employment  with the  Company  or any of its
subsidiaries or the termination of such employment (but not for actions,  causes
of  action,  claims or  demands  not  directly  related  to such  employment  or
termination of employment, even if arising at the time of termination),  which I
may now or hereafter have under any federal,  state or local law,  regulation or
order, including without limitation,  under the Age Discrimination in Employment
Act,  as amended,  through and  including  the date of this  Release;  provided,
however,  that this Release  shall not release the  Company's  obligations  with
respect to (a) payment of the severance  payments and compliance  with the other
provisions of Section 9 of the Agreement, and (b) paragraph 2 of this Release.

         2. The Company  agrees that,  from and after the date hereof,  if asked
about  the  undersigned's  separation  from the  Company,  except  as  otherwise
required  by  applicable  law,  the Company  will not make any public  statement
regarding such  separation  other than that the undersigned has left the Company
to pursue other interests.  From and after the date hereof, the Company will not
intentionally   make  any  defamatory  or  disparaging   statements   about  the
undersigned or the  undersigned's  performance for the Company.  For purposes of
this  paragraph 2 only,  the Company shall mean only the directors and executive
officers of the Company (as long as the foregoing  persons are still directly or
indirectly  affiliated with the Company),  and shall specifically  include David
Barse,  Harold  Drachman,  Michael  Carney  and Ian  Kirschner  (as  long as the
foregoing persons are still directly or indirectly affiliated with the Company).

         3. I agree  that,  from and after the date  hereof,  if asked  about my
separation from the Company,  except as otherwise  required by applicable law, I
will not make any public  statement  regarding such separation other than that I
have left the Company to pursue other interests. From and after the date hereof,
I will not intentionally make any defamatory or disparaging statements about the
Company, its subsidiaries or affiliates or their products, services,  directors,
officers, shareholders, employees, agents, customers or business relationships.



                                       11

<PAGE>


         4. I further  state  that I have read this  Release  and the  Agreement
referred to herein,  that I know the  contents of both and that I have  executed
the same as my own free act.

         WITNESS my hand this ___ day of _______________________ , ____.



                                   __________________________
                                   [Employee]



AGREED AND ACKNOWLEDGED
THIS ______ DAY OF ___________ , ______

DANIELSON HOLDINGS CORPORATION


By: _________________________


                                       12




<TABLE> <S> <C>


<ARTICLE>                                           7
<LEGEND>
     THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM FORM
     10Q FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED JUNE 30, 1999 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS
     ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<CIK>                                          0000225648
<NAME>                                         DANIELSON HOLDING CORPORATION
<MULTIPLIER>                                   1000
<CURRENCY>                                     U.S. DOLLARS

<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                              DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-START>                                 JAN-01-1999
<PERIOD-END>                                   JUN-30-1999
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                1
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE>                           110,752
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>                          0
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>                            0
<EQUITIES>                                     18,519
<MORTGAGE>                                     0
<REAL-ESTATE>                                  0
<TOTAL-INVEST>                                 133,767
<CASH>                                         54
<RECOVER-REINSURE>                             23,285 <F1>
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>                         2,612
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 177,052
<POLICY-LOSSES>                                90,987
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS>                            15,010
<POLICY-OTHER>                                 0
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS>                          189
<NOTES-PAYABLE>                                0
                          0
                                    0
<COMMON>                                       1559
<OTHER-SE>                                     60,438 <F2>
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   177,052
                                     24,843
<INVESTMENT-INCOME>                            3,783
<INVESTMENT-GAINS>                             (154)
<OTHER-INCOME>                                 425
<BENEFITS>                                     16,903
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION>                    4,641
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER>                           6,604
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                389
<INCOME-TAX>                                   23
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            366
<DISCONTINUED>                                 0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                0
<CHANGES>                                      0
<NET-INCOME>                                   366
<EPS-BASIC>                                  0.02 <F3>
<EPS-DILUTED>                                  0.02 <F4>
<RESERVE-OPEN>                                 77,466
<PROVISION-CURRENT>                            16,903
<PROVISION-PRIOR>                              0
<PAYMENTS-CURRENT>                             6,722
<PAYMENTS-PRIOR>                               17,079
<RESERVE-CLOSE>                                70,568
<CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY>                        0
<FN>
<F1> INCLUDES REINSURANCE RECOVERABLES ON UNPAID LOSSES OF 20,419
     AND REINSURANCE RECOVERABLES ON PAID LOSSES OF 2,866.
<F2> INCLUDES TREASURY STOCK OF 66.
<F3> REPRESENTS EARNINGS PER SHARE-BASIC.
<F4> REPRESENTS EARNINGS PER SHARE-DILUTED.
</FN>



</TABLE>


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