COMPREHENSIVE CARE CORP
SC 13E4/A, 1996-11-08
HOSPITALS
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<PAGE>   1
   
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549
                               AMENDMENT NO. 5 ON
                               SCHEDULE 13E-4/A-5
                          ISSUER TENDER OFFER STATEMENT
            (PURSUANT TO SECTION 13(e)(1) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE
                                  ACT OF 1934)
    

                         Comprehensive Care Corporation
                                (Name of Issuer)

                         Comprehensive Care Corporation
                      (Name of Person(s) Filing Statement)

          7 1/2% Convertible Subordinated Debentures due April 15, 2010
                         (Title of Class of Securities)

                                    204620AA6
                      (CUSIP Number of Class of Securities)

                Chriss W. Street, 1111 Bayside Drive, Suite 100,
                    Corona del Mar, CA 92625 (714) 222-2273
       (Name, Address and Telephone Number of Person Authorized to Receive
     Notices and Communications on Behalf of the Person(s) Filing Statement)

                                 Not Applicable
                (Date Tender Offer First Published, Sent or Given
                              to Security Holders)

                            Calculation of Filing Fee


Transaction
valuation*               Amount of Filing Fee
$3,179,333               $635.87

* Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the filing fee, pursuant to
Rule 0-11(a)(4) and 0-11(b)(2), paid on September 14, 1995 upon originally
filing this Schedule 13E-4 (as hereafter from time to time may be amended herein
called the "Schedule") which was equal to one-fiftieth (1/50th) of one percent
of an amount equal to one-third of the value, determined as described below, of
the maximum amount of Debentures to be received by the Issuer (the "Transaction
Value"). The Issuer has an accumulated capital deficit, thereby qualifying to
base the Transaction Value on one-third of the $9,538,000 outstanding principal
amount pursuant to Rule 0-11(a)(4).

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

Amount Previously Paid:          $635.87
Form or Registration Number:     SC 13E-4 (Schedule 13E-4); File No. 005-19482
Filing Party:                    Comprehensive Care Corporation
Date Filed:                      September 14, 1995
<PAGE>   2

ITEM 1. SECURITY AND ISSUER

         (a)      Comprehensive Care Corporation (the "Issuer") has its
                  principal executive office at 1111 Bayside Drive, Suite 100,
                  Corona del Mar, California 92625.

         (b)      For each $1,000 outstanding principal amount (the "face
                  amount") of the Issuer's 7 1/2% Convertible Subordinated
                  Debentures due April 15, 2010 ("Debentures") and a waiver of
                  approximately $208.98 of interest accrued and unpaid as of
                  November 15, 1996, and all other rights thereunder, the Issuer
                  proposes to exchange (the "Exchange Offer") consideration
                  comprised of the following: a payment of principal of $500 in
                  cash plus sixteen (16) shares of the Issuer's authorized and
                  previously unissued Common Stock, par value $.01 per share
                  ("Common Stock") and an interest payment of $80 in cash plus
                  eight (8) additional shares of Common Stock. The combined
                  aggregate of the Issuer's cash and Common Stock exchangeable
                  per $1,000 face amount of Debentures is called the "Exchange
                  Consideration." The shares of Common Stock included in the
                  Exchange Consideration are herein sometimes called the "Common
                  Shares." Debentures that are tendered (and not withdrawn) at
                  the date the Exchange Offer terminates (the "Expiration
                  Date"), will be accepted for payment (the "Exchange"). The
                  Expiration Date will be at least five (5) business days after
                  the Exchange Offer is or becomes substantially funded. The
                  Expiration Date, in turn, must occur at least five business
                  days prior to the record date for the payment of overdue
                  installments of interest. The Debentures were issued pursuant
                  to an Indenture dated April 25, 1985 (the "Indenture") between
                  the Issuer and Bank of America National Trust and Savings
                  Association, as Trustee (including any successors, herein
                  called the "Trustee").
   
                  The Issuer is seeking to Exchange an aggregate of $5,532,000
                  in cash and 228,912 Common Shares for up to all of the
                  Debentures, if tendered and accepted in the Exchange. The
                  aggregate principal amount of outstanding Debentures is
                  $9,538,000 as of November 14, 1996.
    

         (c)      The Debentures are traded over-the-counter, although trading
                  in these securities is limited and sporadic. The sections
                  headed "Price of Securities Prior to Announcement" on page 11
                  of the Offering Circular, "Price Range of Debentures" on page
                  11 thereof and "Other Factors to Consider - Price Range of the
                  Common Shares" on page 25 thereof are incorporated herein by
                  this reference.

ITEM 2. SOURCE AND AMOUNT OF FUNDS OR OTHER CONSIDERATION

         (a)      The section in the Offering Circular entitled "Exchange Offer
                  Funding Requirements and Sources" is incorporated herein by
                  this reference. Exhibit 99.25 is incorporated herein by this
                  reference.

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

         The Debentures are currently due and payable pursuant to an
         acceleration thereof that occurred when Debentureholders who
         purportedly owned of record an aggregate of at least 25% of the
         outstanding principal amount gave notice of acceleration on or about
         February 10, 1995. The rescission of the acceleration will be solicited
         by the Issuer. Exhibit 99.14, the Issuer's Debenture Consent
         Solicitation Statement, is incorporated herein by this reference.


                                        2
<PAGE>   3
         The purpose of the tender offer is to rescind the Debenture
         acceleration by offering the Exchange Consideration, as defined in Item
         1(b), in exchange for each $1,000, or integral multiple thereof, in
         principal amount of up to 100% of the outstanding Debentures, provides
         that each Debenture accepted in the Exchange be accompanied by the
         Consent being solicited from Debentureholders. The information in the
         Offering Circular under the heading, "The Debenture Acceleration," is
         incorporated herein by this reference.

         The Issuer is a party to a letter agreement dated March 3, 1995 (the
         "Letter Agreement") with Mr. Jay H. Lustig, an individual who was
         representing certain holders of outstanding Debentures (therein
         represented to the Issuer as holding at least 26% of the principal
         amount and called the "Participating Securityholders"). The Letter
         Agreement is filed as Exhibit 99.20 hereto and is incorporated herein
         by this reference. The Letter Agreement provided for the Issuer
         offering an exchange for all of the Debentures that were outstanding
         and properly tendered by the Debentureholders in the Issuer's second
         quarter of fiscal 1996, but such proposed exchange offer was not
         effected. Although the Issuer has increased the Exchange consideration
         to compensate for delays, the Issuer believes that the provision in the
         Letter Agreement requiring the Issuer to complete the exchange in the
         second quarter of fiscal year 1996 is not binding upon the Issuer
         because of the failure on the part of Participating Securityholders,
         believed to represent a 25% portion of the outstanding principal, to
         use best efforts, as necessary, to perform their obligations to provide
         effective notices of rescission of acceleration, signed by holders of a
         majority of the outstanding principal amount of Debentures. The
         Exchange Offer is being made by the Issuer as a means to obtain consent
         of Debentureholders to rescission of acceleration and includes certain
         of the concepts of the Letter Agreement as a framework for the proposed
         Exchange. Mr. Jay H. Lustig delivered, and the Issuer received, a
         letter dated March 21, 1996 concerning the Letter Agreement. Mr. Lustig
         indicated in such letter his opinion in support of the Exchange
         Consideration's increase, per $1,000 in principal amount of Debentures,
         by $55 in cash or 7 1/3 shares for delays from September 3, 1995 to May
         1, 1996. See Exhibit 99.21, "Letter dated March 21, 1996 from Jay H.
         Lustig," incorporated herein by this reference. 

   
         The Issuer conditions its obligation to accept the tendered Debentures
         in the Exchange upon conditions including rescission of the Debenture
         acceleration, which requires action by the holders of at least a
         majority in principal amount of Debentures outstanding, and which also
         requires that the Issuer have paid the interest due on non-tendered
         Debentures in order to cure the Events of Default respecting the
         aggregate principal amount of Debentures that are not exchanged. The
         Issuer anticipates that it is likely that between 30% and 100% of the
         outstanding principal amount of Debentures will be tendered by
         Debentureholders and exchanged. The Issuer estimates that, as of
         December 31, 1996, approximately $3.0 million dollars in cash in the
         aggregate would be necessary to make full payment of Exchange
         Consideration for 30% of the outstanding Debentures, which is the least
         amount that the Issuer anticipates to be exchanged, plus interest and
         default interest due on the unexchanged 70% of Debentures. Regardless
         of when the exchange is consummated, payment of the Exchange
         Consideration in the event of an exchange of 100% of the outstanding
         Debentures, which is the maximum in terms of funds required, would
         require approximately $5.5 million in cash. The Issuer estimates that
         $75,000, which is included in the amounts given above will be necessary
         to pay any and all costs and expenses incurred to consummate the
         Exchange.


                                        3
<PAGE>   4
         The tender of Debentures inherently includes the waiver of a portion of
         the face value and the accrued interest respecting the tendered
         Debentures. The Exchange Consideration is the only principal or
         interest the Debentureholder does not waive in the Exchange. For an
         Exchange of $1,000 of principal amount of Debentures, the
         Debentureholder would receive $500 in cash and sixteen (16) Common
         Shares. To the extent that the $1,000 face value differs from the $500
         in cash and 16 shares of Common Stock designated as principal, the
         tender of Debentures is a waiver of principal. It is estimated that the
         interest (and default interest thereon) accrued through November 15,
         1996 would be approximately $208.98 per $1,000 of principal amount of
         Debentures. To the extent this accrual exceeds or differs from the $80
         in cash plus the eight (8) shares of Common Stock designated as
         interest, the tender of Debentures is a waiver of interest accrued and
         unpaid or accruing to the date of the Exchange.
    

         The Debentures received by the Exchange Agent from the tendering
         Debentureholders will be acquired by the Issuer upon consummation of
         the Exchange, and once so acquired may neither be voted by the Issuer
         nor counted in calculating the amount of consents required. Debentures
         which are exchanged for Exchange Consideration will thereafter be
         delivered on behalf of the Issuer to the Debenture Registrar for
         cancellation as soon as practicable after the completion of the
         Exchange. It is planned that the Trustee shall also act as the Exchange
         Agent and the paying agent for the interest payable respecting
         non-tendered Debentures, in addition to its acting in the capacity of
         Registrar.
   

         In connection with the proposed Exchange, the Issuer has not taken any
         action with the purpose of deregistering Debentures in accordance with
         the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act");
         provided, that, prior to the Exchange Offer the Debentures have been
         held by fewer than 300 record holders. At any given time one or more
         record holders may request certificates to be issued in the names of
         one or more successor record holders. As of May 9, 1996 there were
         approximately 42 record holders and the Issuer has no reason to believe
         that Debentures were held of record in one "street" name by more than
         one beneficial holder in order to avoid the provisions of the Exchange
         Act by making the Debentures deregistrable. Record holders, including
         clearing agencies and brokers, hold Debentures for one or more
         beneficial holders in the ordinary course of their business. Based on
         the Issuer's May 1996 written communication to brokers believed to hold
         Debentures for beneficial holders, brokers hold Debentures for an
         aggregate of 170 beneficial holders. Therefore, the maximum total
         number of potential record holders at that time may be approximately
         230. The Debentures continue to have been deregistrable, effective
         ninety (90) days after filing with the Commission a certification on
         Form 15 that there are fewer than 300 record holders. The Issuer may
         consider deregistration of Debentures at some future time if
         circumstances continue to exist under which the Debentures will be
         deregistrable after the Exchange Offer. After the prescribed 90-day
         time period, deregistration will affect to some extent the
         applicability of certain federal securities laws to the Debentures.
    

         The Issuer has no present intention to retire any Debentures prior to
         their original maturity date except pursuant to the Exchange Offer. In
         approximately the past five years, the Issuer has not purchased or
         otherwise acquired any Debentures. In accordance with Rules and
         Regulations promulgated under the Exchange Act, the Issuer cannot
         acquire Debentures otherwise than pursuant to the Exchange Offer before
         or during the period the Exchange Offer is open and until at least ten
         business days after the termination of the Exchange Offer, provided
         that the Company complies with Rule 13e-4(f)(6). Thereafter, the Issuer
         may, from time to time, make purchases of Debentures in the open market
         or in privately negotiated transactions, either at or with reference to
         market prices, or at negotiated prices; in the event that these
         purchases take place, either without all of the protections of Section
         13(e) of the Exchange Act after an Exchange Act deregistration of
         Debentures, or if Rule 13(e) promulgated under the Exchange Act is
         otherwise inapplicable pursuant to its existing or future exemptions
         and exceptions. The Indenture provides for the Issuer's Board of
         Directors to be able either to temporarily reduce the Debenture
         conversion price (in order to provide a financial incentive for
         Debentureholders to convert Debentures into Common Stock), or to redeem
         Debentures for cash equal to their face amount.

         The Issuer has elected to subtract from its sinking fund obligations
         the approximately $36.5 million principal amount of Debentures
         converted by Debentureholders in March 1991 and previously cancelled,
         effectively


                                        4
<PAGE>   5
         removing the sinking fund redemption obligation. The information under
         the heading "The Proposals - Proposal No. 4" is incorporated herein by
         this reference.
   

         The information in the Offer Circular under the headings "Purpose of
         the Exchange Offer," "Exchange Offer Funding Requirements and Sources,"
         "Use of Proceeds," "Dividend Policy," "Pro Forma Consolidated Balance
         Sheets and Statements of Operations," and "Changes in Accountants" is
         incorporated herein by this reference.
    

         Except to the extent indicated in the preceding paragraphs, the Issuer
         has no plans or proposals of the type enumerated in Item 3 of Schedule
         13E-4.

ITEM 4. INTEREST IN SECURITIES OF THE ISSUER

         To the best knowledge of the Issuer, there have been no transactions in
         the Debentures by the Issuer or any of its executive officers,
         directors, affiliates, or any associate or subsidiary thereof, during
         the forty (40) business days of the Issuer immediately preceding the
         filing hereof.

         For this purpose, "affiliate" or "associate" is assumed to include
         subsidiaries and other entities that are controlled, directly or
         indirectly, by the Issuer and the executive officers and directors of
         each thereof.

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


         The third full paragraph of Item 3 is incorporated herein by this
         reference.

         The Company has received a firm commitment, expiring in August 1997,
         from Lindner Funds to purchase at least $5,000,000 of face amount of
         15% fully secured promissory notes that will not be due or callable for
         at least 15 months from the date of issue, as set forth in Exhibit
         99.25, which is incorporated herein by this reference.


         Item 6 of this Schedule 13E-4 is incorporated herein by this reference.

         The information presented in the Offering Circular on the "Offering
         Circular Cover Page," and under the headings "The Debenture
         Acceleration," "Risk Factors," including "Risk Factors-Ability of
         Company to Continue as a Going Concern; Explanatory Paragraph in
         Auditors' Report,""Other Factors to Consider," "The Exchange Offer,"
         including "The Exchange Offer - Terms of the Exchange Offer," "The
         Company," "Interests of Certain Persons," "Principal Stockholders,"
         "Use of Proceeds," "Dividend Policy," "Pro Forma Balance Sheets and
         Statements of Operations Information," "Changes in Accountants,"
         "Description of Debentures," "Description of Capital Stock," "Exchange
         Offer Funding Requirements and Sources," "Purpose of the Exchange
         Offer," and "Conditions of the Exchange Offer," is incorporated herein
         by this reference.

ITEM 6. PERSONS RETAINED, EMPLOYED OR TO BE COMPENSATED

         The Exchange Offer is being made by the Issuer in reliance upon the
         exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act of
         1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), afforded by Section 3(a)(9)
         thereof. The Issuer, therefore, will not pay any commission or other
         remuneration to any broker, dealer, salesman, or other person for
         soliciting tenders of the Debentures in the Exchange Offer. Regular
         employees, officers and directors of the Issuer and its subsidiaries,
         who will not receive additional compensation therefor, may solicit
         Exchanges from holders of the Debentures.


                                        5
<PAGE>   6
         The Trustee, which has been appointed as Exchange Agent for the
         Exchange Offer (the "Exchange Agent") and which also serves as the
         Debenture Registrar, and Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company,
         serving as the Common Stock Registrar and Transfer Agent, are engaged
         to perform administrative services. The Issuer will provide, or will
         cause to be provided, copies of the Schedule 13E-4, the Offering
         Circular and other documents upon request. The Trustee is available for
         appropriate written requests addressed to the Trustee as indicated in
         the Offering Circular.

ITEM 7. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

   
         The information under the heading "Legal Proceedings," included in the
         Issuer's Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended May 31, 1996, as filed
         with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission") on
         August 29, 1996, and the information under the headings "Selected
         Financial Data," "Management's Discussion and Analysis," the
         Consolidated Financial Statements, and the notes thereto, and the
         auditors' reports thereon, and "Risk Factors," included in the Issuer's
         Form 10-K/A-2 for the fiscal year ended May 31, 1996, as filed with the
         Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission") on November 7,
         1996 are incorporated herein by this reference.

         The information under the headings "Management's Discussion and
         Analysis," the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, and the
         notes thereto, "Risk Factors," and "Legal Proceedings," included in the
         Issuer's Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended August 31, 1996, as
         filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission") on
         October 15, 1996 are incorporated herein by this reference.
    

         The information in the section of the Offering Circular entitled "Ratio
         of Earnings to Fixed Charges," which is located at page 10 thereof, is
         incorporated herein by this reference.

         The information in the section of the Offering Circular entitled "Pro
         Forma Consolidated Balance Sheets and Statements of Operations," which
         is located at pages 50 through 58 thereof, is incorporated herein by
         this reference.

ITEM 8. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

         The seventh and eighth paragraphs of Item 5 are incorporated herein by
         this reference.

         The information in the Offering Circular in the seventh, eighth and
         tenth paragraphs under "The Exchange Offer" below the heading "Terms of
         the Exchange Offer" is incorporated herein by this reference.

   
         The information in the Offering Circular included in the following
         "Risk Factors" is incorporated herein by this reference: "Important
         Factors Relating to Forward Looking Statements," "Continued Listing on
         NYSE," and "Uncertainty of Future Funding."

         The Company's Current Reports on Forms 8-K filed with the Commission
         dated July 15, August 14, September 6, October 5, and October 22, 1996
         are incorporated herein by this reference.

         The Company's Debentures are convertible at a conversion price of
         approximately $250 per share of Common Stock. On November 4, 1996, the
         Common Stock closing price of $11 1/2 was equal to approximately only
         4.7% of the conversion price.
    

         The Company believes that the Exchange Offer for Debentures, which
         involves the Company's acquisition of a technically convertible
         security ("Debenture") and issuance of shares, is not the kind of
         transaction that would constitute a manipulative or deceptive device or
         contrivance comprehended within the purpose of Rule 10b-6 under the
         1934 Act.


                                       6
<PAGE>   7
         The information presented in the Offering Circular under the headings
         "Description of Debentures," "Risk Factors," and "The Exchange Offer --
         Conditions of the Exchange Offer," "Purpose of the Exchange Offer," and
         "Exchange Offer Funding Requirements and Sources," is hereby
         incorporated herein by this reference.

ITEM 9. MATERIAL TO BE FILED AS EXHIBITS

         The Exhibit Index attached to this Schedule is incorporated herein by
this reference.

                                    SIGNATURE

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

                            COMPREHENSIVE CARE CORPORATION

                            /S/ KERRI RUPPERT
                            ----------------------------------------------------
                            Kerri Ruppert
                            Senior Vice President, Secretary/Treasurer and Chief
                            Financial Officer
   
Date: November 7, 1996
    


                                        7
<PAGE>   8
                                  EXHIBIT INDEX
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

Exhibit No.

<S>       <C>             <C>
23.5                       Consent of Ernst & Young LLP
23.6                       Consent of Arthur Andersen LLP
99.8      (a)  (i)         Offering Circular and Cover Letter*
99.9           (ii)        Letter of Transmittal*
99.10          (iii)       Guidelines for Certification of Taxpayer Identification Number on Form W-9*
99.11          (iv)        First, Second, Third, Fourth and Fifth Notices of Default from Trustee to
                           Debentureholders (incorporated by reference to the Consent Solicitation Statement)*
99.12          (v)         Form of Notice to Debentureholders of Interest Payment Date (incorporated by reference to the
                           Consent Solicitation Statement)
99.13          (vi)        News Release for Debenture Consent Solicitation Statement  (incorporated by reference
                           to the referenced exhibit of the Consent Solicitation Statement)*
99.14          (vii)       Definitive Consent Solicitation Statement on Schedule 14A (the "Consent Solicitation
                           Statement"), for solicitation of Debentureholders, as filed by the Issuer with the
                           Commission on November 8, 1996, pursuant to the Exchange Act (incorporated herein
                           by reference)*
99.15          (viii)      Script for use by persons answering questions  (incorporated by reference to the
                           referenced exhibit of the Consent Solicitation Statement)
99.16          (ix)        Letter to Brokers*
99.17          (x)         Letter to Clients of Brokers and Others*
99.18          (xi)        Notice of Conversion Price Adjustment  (incorporated by reference to the referenced
                           exhibit in the Consent Solicitation Statement)*
99.19     (c)  (i)         Indenture dated April 25, 1985 between the Issuer 
                           and Bank of America National Trust and Savings
                           Association, is incorporated by reference to the
                           referenced exhibit of Exhibit 4 to the Issuer's Form
                           S-3 Registration No. 2-97160 filed April 25, 1985
                           regarding an aggregate $46,000,000 original principal
                           amount of the Debentures (incorporated herein by
                           reference)*
99.20          (ii)        Letter Agreement dated March 3, 1995 between the Issuer and Mr. Jay H. Lustig, as a
                           representative of certain holders of Debentures (incorporated by reference to the
                           referenced exhibit in the Consent Solicitation Statement)*
99.21          (iii)       Letter dated March 21, 1996 from Mr. Jay H. Lustig to the Issuer concerning the present terms
                           of the Exchange (incorporated by reference to the referenced exhibit in the Consent Solicitation
                           Statement)*
99.22          (iv)        Letter dated March 1, 1996 from the Trustee to the Issuer concerning sinking fund
                           provisions of the Indenture (incorporated by reference to the referenced exhibit in the
                           Consent Solicitation Statement)*
99.23          (v)         Letters dated March 27, 1996 from the Issuer to the Trustee concerning the Trustee's
                           letter dated March 1, 1996 (incorporated by reference to the referenced exhibit in the
                           Consent Solicitation Statement)*
99.24          (vi)        No-Action Letters regarding the Section 3(a)(9) exemption under the Securities Act of
                           1933 for an exchange of securities (incorporated by reference to the referenced exhibit
                           of Exhibit 99.24 to Amendment No. 4 of the Preliminary Consent Solicitation Statement as filed 
                           with the Commission on October 7, 1996)
99.25          (vii)       Mutual Fund's Firm Commitment dated August 8, 1996.  (incorporated by reference to
                           the referenced exhibit in the Consent Solicitation Statement)
</TABLE>
    

- -------------
* Exhibits that are to be distributed to Debentureholders along with this
Schedule 13E-4.


                                        8

<PAGE>   1
   
                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.5

                         CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS

We consent to the incorporation by reference in Schedule 14A and Schedule
13E-4/A-5 of our report dated August 27, 1996 with respect to the consolidated
financial statements of Comprehensive Care Corporation and subsidiaries included
in Comprehensive Care Corporation's Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended
May 31, 1996, as amended, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.


                                             /s/ Ernst & Young LLP


Orange County, California
November 4, 1996
    

<PAGE>   1
                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.6


   
                    CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS

As independent public accountants, we hereby consent to the incorporation by
reference in this Schedule 14A and Schedule 13E-4 of our report dated August 22,
1994, included in Comprehensive Care Corporation's Annual Report (Form 10-K) for
the year ended May 31, 1996, as amended. It should be noted that we have not
audited any financial statements of the Company subsequent to May 31, 1994, or
performed any audit procedures subsequent to the date of our report.


/s/ ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP


ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP

St. Louis, Missouri,
November 7, 1996
    

<PAGE>   1
                                                                    EXHIBIT 99.8


                   [COMPREHENSIVE CARE CORPORATION LETTERHEAD]
   
                                                               November 14, 1996
    




To:      Holders of our 7 1/2% Convertible Subordinated
         Debentures Due April 15, 2010 ("Debentures")


         Comprehensive Care Corporation (the "Company") is offering you, the
Exchange, in which you may surrender each $1,000 in principal amount by you of
your outstanding Debentures, which incidentally includes a surrender of all
interest, comprised of approximately $208.98 of interest accrued by you and
interest on default interest accrued as of November 15, 1996 per $1,000 of
principal amount, in Exchange for an EXCHANGE CONSIDERATION offered to you by
the Company in the Exchange Offer which is comprised of (a) a cash principal
payment of $500, plus (b) a non-cash principal payment of sixteen (16) shares of
Common Stock, par value $.01 per share, of the Company ("Common Stock"), and (c)
a cash interest payment of $80, plus (d) a non-cash interest payment of eight
(8) shares of Common Stock.

         If you elect to keep your Debentures, you will not lose the accrual of
any interest payment; provided, however, that continued payment of interest and
ultimately the principal thereof by the Company is subject to prior satisfaction
of conditions to such payment provided in the Indenture and the Company's
ability to pay such interest. Principal and interest due under the Debentures
are unsecured and are subject to the terms, restrictions and subordinations as
provided in the Indenture pursuant to which the Debentures were issued.

         The Debentures are currently due and payable in full as a result of
Debenture acceleration. The Company's non-payment of the October 15, 1994
interest installment and each subsequent semi-annual installment, and continuing
payment defaults result in each Debentureholder being owned by the Company
$1,000 principal amount per $1,000 of face value plus approximately $208.98 of
interest, including interest on default interest as of November 15, 1996. For
the Exchange Offer to be completed, holders of a majority in principal amount of
Debentures must consent for the purpose of giving notice to the Trustee that the
acceleration is rescinded and also the Company must cure the Events of Default.
Interest payments due on non-tendered Debentures are not waived, and all default
interest will be paid to non-tendering Debentureholders. Subject to certain
conditions, the Company expects to deliver Exchange Consideration for all
Debentures properly tendered for Exchange. The Company also intends to resume
semi-annual interest payments on non-tendered Debentures and does not have any
present intention to redeem or otherwise retire any such non-tendered Debentures
except in the Exchange.

         The Exchange Offer expires on December 23, 1996, and the Company
anticipates payment of the Exchange Consideration on or before December 31,
1996. Under certain circumstances, the Company may extend such dates and amend
or withdraw the offer. The enclosed Offering Circular further describes the
Exchange Offer. Existing Debentureholders and their representatives, successors
or assigns may obtain additional copies of the Offering Circular upon request to
Kerri Ruppert, Senior Vice President, Secretary/Treasurer and Chief Financial
Officer, telephone (800) 678-2273.

   
         You are urged to read the enclosed Offering Circular carefully. The
Offering Circular is accompanied by a Letter of Transmittal, Notice of
Guaranteed Delivery, Letter to Brokers and Letter to Clients of Brokers for your
use in tendering your Debenture certificates to the Exchange Agent, First Trust
of California, National Association. Also, the Offering Circular is accompanied
by a Debenture Consent Solicitation Statement. Each of these documents is
accompanied by additional documents describing the proposed transaction. One
desired effect of the Exchange Offer is to obtain a rescission of acceleration
of the Debentures so that the Company can resume its former non-default status
under the Debentures and reinstate the maturity date of April 15, 2010.

         THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS SOLICITS YOU TO TENDER YOUR DEBENTURES TO
RECEIVE THE EXCHANGE CONSIDERATION DESCRIBED ABOVE.
    

                                        Cordially,

                                        /s/ KERRI RUPPERT

                                        Kerri Ruppert
                                        Senior Vice President, Secretary/
                                        Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer
<PAGE>   2
                                OFFERING CIRCULAR


 OFFER BY THE ISSUER TO EXCHANGE CASH AND COMMON STOCK FOR THE SURRENDER OF ALL
     PRINCIPAL AND INTEREST DUE ON ANY OR ALL OUTSTANDING 7 1/2% CONVERTIBLE
            SUBORDINATED DEBENTURES DUE APRIL 15, 2010 ("DEBENTURES")


                         COMPREHENSIVE CARE CORPORATION

                          1111 BAYSIDE DRIVE, SUITE 100
                            CORONA DEL MAR, CA 92625


            THE COMPANY OFFERS AN AGGREGATE EXCHANGE CONSIDERATION OF
        $500 IN CASH AND 16 SHARES OF ITS COMMON STOCK AS PRINCIPAL, AND
            $80 IN CASH AND 8 SHARES OF ITS COMMON STOCK AS INTEREST,
            FOR THE SURRENDER OF EACH $1,000 OF OUTSTANDING PRINCIPAL
                              AMOUNT OF DEBENTURES

                           AND WAIVER AND FORGIVENESS
              OF ALL CLAIMS THEREUNDER, INCLUDING INTEREST THEREON

                               ACCRUED OR ACCRUING
   
          FROM APRIL 15, 1994 TO THE DATE OF THE EXCHANGE, WHICH WOULD
             BE $208.98 OF INTEREST ACCRUED, INCLUDING ALL INTEREST
                  ON DEFAULT INTEREST AS OF NOVEMBER 15, 1996,
             PLUS INTEREST THEREAFTER AT THE RATE OF 7 1/2% PER YEAR


THE EXCHANGE OFFER WILL EXPIRE AT 2:00 P.M. ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA TIME, ON
DECEMBER 23, 1996 UNLESS THE EXCHANGE OFFER IS EXTENDED.

DEBENTUREHOLDERS WILL BE REQUIRED TO CONSENT PURSUANT TO THE DEBENTURE CONSENT
SOLICITATION STATEMENT IN ORDER TO TENDER A DEBENTURE, AND REVOCATION OF CONSENT
WILL DISQUALIFY THE TENDER OF A DEBENTURE, IN EACH CASE UNLESS THE COMPANY
DETERMINES TO WAIVE THIS CONDITION IN ITS OWN DISCRETION BY ACCEPTING SUCH A
DEBENTURE FOR EXCHANGE. THE CONSENT BY A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF DEBENTURES IS A
CONDITION TO THE EXCHANGE. THE EXCHANGE OFFER WILL BE EXTENDED TO AT LEAST THE
FIFTH (5TH) BUSINESS DAY AFTER THE COMPANY OBTAINS CONSENT FOR APPROVAL OF ALL
PROPOSALS.

THE DATE OF THIS OFFERING CIRCULAR IS NOVEMBER 14, 1996.
    

         Comprehensive Care Corporation (the "Company") hereby offers, upon the
terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Offering Circular and in
the accompanying Letter of Transmittal (which together constitute the "Exchange
Offer"), to exchange $500 in cash plus sixteen (16) shares of Common Stock, par
value $.01 per share ("Common Shares"), designated aggregately as a payment of
principal, plus $80 in cash plus eight (8) Common Shares, designated aggregately
as a payment of interest (the combined total of principal and interest herein
called "Exchange Consideration") for each $1,000 of the outstanding principal
amount of its 7 1/2% Convertible Subordinated Debentures due April 15, 2010 (the
"Debentures"), and the waiver by the Debentureholder of all interest accrued and
unpaid on such principal amount as of the date of the Exchange except for such
designated interest payment included in the Exchange Consideration. See "The
Exchange Offer -- Procedures for Tendering."


                                        i
<PAGE>   3
         THE COMPANY IS CONCURRENTLY SOLICITING FOUR CONSENTS FROM
DEBENTUREHOLDERS PURSUANT TO A DEBENTURE CONSENT SOLICITATION STATEMENT
WHICH IS A DOCUMENT SEPARATE FROM THIS OFFERING CIRCULAR RELATING TO THE
FOLLOWING: Consent (1) to rescind, and to notify the Trustee of a rescission of,
an acceleration of $9,538,000 of principal due under the Debentures, (2) to
waive, and to notify the Trustee of a waiver of, any defaults or Events of
Default (other than nonpayment of any interest due), (3) to instruct the Trustee
not to pursue any remedy available at law or in equity upon anything less than
future directions given by a majority in outstanding principal amount of
Debentures during the Consent Solicitation Period, and (4) to the waiver of
formal notice from the Company to the Trustee with respect to the cancellation
under the Indenture of the Company's sinking fund payment obligations.

   
         IF THE CONSENTS ARE OBTAINED, ALL DEBENTURES WHICH REMAIN UNTENDERED
AND OUTSTANDING AT THE EXPIRATION OF THE OFFER WILL BE ENTITLED TO RECEIVE A
PAYMENT OF $202.73 PER $1,000 OF PRINCIPAL, PLUS ADDITIONAL INTEREST ACCRUING ON
OVERDUE INTEREST FROM AND AFTER NOVEMBER 15, 1996 TO THE DEFAULT INTEREST
PAYMENT DATE AT THE RATE OF 7 1/2% PER YEAR, BUT THE ACCELERATION WILL HAVE BEEN
RESCINDED BY VIRTUE OF SUCH CONSENT AND INTEREST PAYMENT.

         The Company shall not accept any Debentures submitted for tender at any
time after 2:00 p.m., St. Paul, Minnesota time on December 23, 1996 (the
"Expiration Date") or the business day five business days prior to the Interest
Record Date, as defined below. The Company will pay (concurrently with the
interest payment on all of the Debentures not exchanged in the Exchange Offer)
the Exchange Consideration to the Trustee for the benefit of tendering
Debentureholders, and holders of Senior Debt, and upon the receipt of the
Exchange Consideration by the Trustee, and if at such time such payments to
Debentureholders are permitted by law and only if the Trustee also shall not
have theretofore received a notice of any claim that there has occurred a
prohibited default under, or non-payment of, any Senior Debt, then and in such
case, the payments shall be deemed effectively made as soon as the funds are
held by the Trustee. Thereupon, simultaneously, all Events of Default will be
cured by full payment of interest to every Debentureholder rejecting the
Exchange Offer and waived by every Debentureholder who accepts the Exchange
Offer by tendering and surrendering Debentures in exchange for Exchange
Consideration. The interest due (other than the interest arising only on account
of acceleration) will be paid to all Debentureholders (except as to only the
aforesaid tendered and exchanged Debentures). The scheduled consummation of the
Exchange Offer, subject to extension by the Company, is on or before December
31, 1996 (the "Exchange Date"). The Company also will, at least fifteen (15)
days in advance, notify all Debentureholders of the record date (the "Interest
Record Date") and the date for payment of such interest ("Interest Payment
Date"). The Expiration Date, Interest Record Date and the Interest Payment Date
are subject to extension in the reasonable discretion of the Company.

         Presently, 152,608 of the Common Shares have been accepted for listing
upon notice of issuance on The New York Stock Exchange, Inc. ("NYSE"). On
November 4, 1996, the reported closing price of the Common Shares on the NYSE
was $11 1/2 per share. The Exchange Consideration includes twenty-four (24)
Common Shares. The Company's Common Shares are described in "Risk Factors,"
"Other Factors to Consider" and "Description of the Capital Stock." See "Summary
Comparison of Terms of Debentures and Exchange Consideration." All Debentures
are convertible into Common Shares at the Conversion Price in effect from time
to time, which currently is approximately $250 per share of Common Stock. (See
the "Notice of Conversion Price Adjustment".)


                                       ii
<PAGE>   4
         Upon the terms and subject to the conditions of the Exchange Offer, the
Company will accept for exchange any and all Debentures properly tendered prior
to the Expiration Date, unless the Exchange Offer is extended from time to time
at the option of the Company. Tenders of Debentures may be withdrawn at any time
prior to 2:00 p.m., St. Paul, Minnesota time on the Expiration Date. See "The
Exchange Offer -- Withdrawal Rights." The Company will deliver Exchange
Consideration including certificates representing Common Shares as soon as
practicable following the Expiration Date. PROVIDED, if, under circumstances
then prevailing, financing is unavailable or is available only on terms that are
unacceptable in the Company's reasonable judgment, the Company may elect not to
proceed with or to effect the Exchange, if the Company reasonably determines
that the Exchange is not in the best interests of the Company, or may amend the
Exchange Offer, including to permit the Company to accept less than all of the
Debentures tendered and to prorate acceptances of the offer among all tendering
holders.

         An aggregate of $9,538,000 in principal amount ("face value") of
Debentures was outstanding as of November 14, 1996. The Debentures are traded in
the over-the-counter market, although trading in these securities is limited and
sporadic. The Debentures are not quoted on any automated quotation system. On
November 4, 1996, the reported bid and asked prices of the Debentures were
$470.20 and $472.70, respectively, per $1,000 original principal amount on the
over-the-counter market based on information from Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc. The
existence of a bid price does not indicate an active trading market exists or
will exist.

         The entire outstanding principal amount of $9,538,000 of Debentures,
plus interest on the principal amount from April 15, 1994, through November 15,
1996, of approximately $1,847,988, default interest accrued thereon of
approximately $145,306, and $59,613 due only on account of acceleration, will be
due and payable pursuant to acceleration of the Debentures by holders of 25% or
more of the outstanding principal amount. Interest is unpaid on the Debentures
from April 15, 1994. As of November 15, 1996, the amount of interest and default
interest accrued would be $208.98 per $1,000 of principal amount. Interest
continues to accrue thereafter to the Exchange Date at the rate of 7 1/2% per
year. 
    

         The Exchange Offer is not conditioned upon any minimum principal amount
of Debentures being tendered for exchange, although the obligation of the
Company to complete the Exchange is subject to the Company's ability to raise
sufficient funds, the rescission of acceleration of the Debentures, the absence
of certain actions or notices by Senior Debt holders, and certain customary
conditions, all as described under "The Exchange Offer -- Conditions of the
Exchange Offer," certain of which may be waived by the Company. According to the
Indenture between the Company and the Trustee, no payment may be made to the
holders of Debentures if any Senior Debt, as defined in the Indenture, has
matured and is unpaid or if any Senior Debt, as so defined, is in default and if
such default would permit acceleration of the Senior Debt and if any legal
action concerning any such default is commenced or if the Senior Debt holder
gives notice to the Company of such a default. To the Company's best knowledge,
there is no such default under any Senior Debt. However, no assurance can be
made that no such default exists or may occur in the future.

         The Exchange Offer is being made by the Company in reliance upon the
exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended (the "Securities Act"), afforded by Section 3(a)(9) thereof. The
Company, therefore, will not pay any commission or other remuneration to any
broker, dealer, salesman, or other person for soliciting tenders of the
Debentures. Regular employees of the Company and its subsidiaries, who will not
receive additional compensation therefor, may solicit exchanges from holders of
the Debentures. This Exchange Offer is directed solely to existing
Debentureholders. The Trustee will assist administratively in mailing and
receiving tenders, consents and written requests for information, and will
receive and authenticate all tendered Debentures and all Consents for a fee. The
Trustee shall not make recommendations with respect thereto.

         No person has been authorized to give any information or to make any
representations in connection with the Exchange Offer other than those contained
in this Offering Circular. If given or made, the information or representations
should not be relied upon as having been authorized by the Company.

         This Offering Circular does not constitute an offer to any person in
any jurisdiction in which any such offer would be unlawful, and the Company will
not accept tenders from holders of Debentures in any jurisdiction in which such
acceptance would not be in compliance with applicable securities or blue sky
laws of such jurisdiction.


                                       iii
<PAGE>   5
         This Offering Circular describes private unregistered sales of the
Company's Common Stock and convertible debt. Such shares upon issuance are
restricted pursuant to the Securities Act and may not be resold without
registration under the Securities Act or an appropriate exemption. No offer
thereof, express or implied, is made herein.

                             ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

         The Trustee of the Debentures is First Trust of California, National
Association, successor to Bank of America National Trust and Savings
Association. The Trustee has also agreed to provide certain services as Exchange
Agent in connection with the Exchange Offer. Holders of Debentures who require
assistance may contact the Company, attention Kerri Ruppert, Senior Vice
President, Secretary/Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer, at 1111 Bayside
Drive, Suite 100, Corona del Mar, California 92625, (800) 678-2273; or by mail
to the Exchange Agent and Trustee, First Trust of California, National
Association, successor to Bank of America National Trust and Savings
Association, 180 East Fifth Street, Suite 200, St. Paul, Minnesota 55101.

                              AVAILABLE INFORMATION

         The Company is subject to the informational requirements of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act"), and in accordance
therewith files reports, proxy statements and other information with the
Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission"). Such reports, proxy
statements and other information filed by the Company can be inspected and
copied at the public reference facilities maintained by the Commission at
Judiciary Plaza, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549, and at the
Commission's regional offices at 500 West Madison Street, Chicago, Illinois
60606 and 7 World Trade Center, New York, New York 10048. Copies of such
material can also be obtained from the Public Reference Section of the
Commission at its principal office at Judiciary Plaza, 450 Fifth Street, N.W.,
Washington, D.C. 20549 at prescribed rates.

         This Offering Circular does not contain all of the information set
forth in the Schedule 13E-4, as the same from time to time may hereafter be
amended (the "Schedule 13E-4"), of which this Offering Circular is a part and
which the Company has filed with the Commission. For further information with
respect to the Company and the securities offered hereby, reference is made to
the Schedule 13E-4, including the exhibits filed as a part thereof, copies of
which can be inspected at, or obtained at prescribed rates from, the Public
Reference Section of the Commission at the address set forth above. Additional
updating information with respect to the Company may be provided in the future
by means of documents incorporated by reference herein or other appendices or
supplements to this Offering Circular.


                                       iv
<PAGE>   6
                 INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE

         The documents listed below have been filed by the Company with the
Commission under the Exchange Act and are incorporated herein by reference:

   
         The Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended May
         31, 1996 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the
         "Commission") on August 29, 1996, and as amended on Form 10-K/A-1 as
         filed on September 27, 1996, and as amended on Form 10-K/A-2 as filed
         on November 7, 1996.

         The Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the three months ended
         August 31, 1996 as filed with the Commission on October 15, 1996.

         The Company's Debentureholder Consent Solicitation Statement on
         Schedule 14A as filed with the Commission on November 8, 1996.

         The Company's Periodic Reports on Forms 8-K as filed with the
         Commission dated July 15, August 14, September 6, October 5, and
         October 22, 1996.
    

         All documents filed by the Company pursuant to Section 13(a), 13(c), 14
and 15(d) of the Exchange Act subsequent to the date of this Offering Circular,
and prior to the filing of a post-effective amendment which indicates that all
securities offered have been sold or which deregisters all securities then
remaining unsold, shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference in this
Offering Circular and to be part hereof from the date of filing such documents.

         Any statement contained in a document incorporated or deemed to be
incorporated by reference herein shall be deemed to be modified or superseded
for purposes of this Offering Circular to the extent that a statement contained
herein, or in any other subsequently filed document that also is or is deemed to
be incorporated herein by reference, modifies or supersedes such statement. Any
statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified
or superseded, to constitute a part of this Offering Circular.

         The Company will provide, without charge, to each person, including any
beneficial owner, to whom this Offering Circular is delivered, upon written or
oral request of such person, a copy of any and all of the information that has
been incorporated by reference herein (other than exhibits to the information
that is incorporated by reference unless such exhibits are specifically
incorporated by reference into the information this Offering Circular
incorporates). Such requests should be directed to Kerri Ruppert, Senior Vice
President, Secretary/Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer of the Company, at
(800) 678-2273.


                                        v
<PAGE>   7
                                TABLE OF CONTENTS

   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                                 Page
<S>                                                                                                             <C>
PURPOSE OF THE EXCHANGE OFFER...................................................................................  1

OFFERING SUMMARY................................................................................................  1

SUMMARY COMPARISON OF TERMS OF DEBENTURES AND EXCHANGE CONSIDERATION............................................  4

THE COMPANY.....................................................................................................  6

FINANCIAL INFORMATION...........................................................................................  6

EXCHANGE OFFER FUNDING REQUIREMENTS AND SOURCES.................................................................  7

RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES.............................................................................. 10

RECENT TRANSACTIONS IN SECURITIES OF THE COMPANY................................................................ 10

PRICE RANGE OF DEBENTURES....................................................................................... 11

PRICE OF SECURITIES PRIOR TO ANNOUNCEMENT....................................................................... 11

INTERESTS OF CERTAIN PERSONS.................................................................................... 11

THE EXCHANGE OFFER.............................................................................................. 12

PRICE RANGE OF THE COMMON SHARES................................................................................ 25

SHARES ELIGIBLE FOR FUTURE SALE................................................................................. 26

POTENTIAL FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES....................................................................... 27

DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK.................................................................................... 30

DESCRIPTION OF DEBENTURES....................................................................................... 31

RISK FACTORS.................................................................................................... 36

PRINCIPAL STOCKHOLDERS.......................................................................................... 48

USE OF PROCEEDS................................................................................................. 50

DIVIDEND POLICY................................................................................................. 50

PRO FORMA CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS AND STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS.............................................. 51

CHANGES IN ACCOUNTANTS.......................................................................................... 60
</TABLE>
    


                                       vi
<PAGE>   8
                          PURPOSE OF THE EXCHANGE OFFER

   
         The Exchange Offer is an integral step in the Company's
recapitalization and offer of compromise to the Debentureholders in order to
eliminate its default status under the Debentures and to enable the Company to
conduct its affairs and business without the overhanging threats of foreclosure
and bankruptcy, and to attempt to increase the value of the Company's Common
Stock for the benefit of all of the stockholders, including those who receive
their shares in the Exchange. Payment of all amounts due under the Debentures
has been accelerated by a group of Debentureholders, and thus approximately
$11.5 million is currently due and payable under the Debentures, subject,
however, to, rescission of the acceleration by holders of a majority in
principal amount of the outstanding Debentures. All other continuing Events of
Default must be appropriately cured or waived prior to the rescission becoming
effective. Concurrently with the Exchange, the Company is soliciting the
rescission of acceleration. Holders of Senior Debt (as defined by the
subordination provisions of the Debentures) or Debentureholders or other
creditors may be able to make claims senior to those of Debentureholders or on a
parity therewith. Payments by the Company in exchange for the Debentures are
expected to improve the Company's financial position. The issuance of Common
Shares and payment by the Company in cash at a discount to the face amount are
expected to improve the Company's balance sheet and financial outlook. If
holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Debentures notify
the Trustee of rescission of acceleration of the Debentures, the Debentures will
be reinstated and once again will mature on April 15, 2010. If the holders of a
majority in principal amount of Debentures outstanding do not give notice of
rescission of acceleration of the Debentures, the Company will then consider its
potential options, but has no present intention to consummate the Exchange or to
pay any interest accrued on the Debentures unless the acceleration is rescinded.
Substantial disclosure concerning the Exchange Offer's underlying contracts,
arrangements, understandings or relationships is also contained in Item 5,
entitled "Contracts, Arrangements, Understandings or Relationships with respect
to the Issuer's Securities," of the Schedule 13E-4, which is incorporated herein
by this reference. 
    

                                OFFERING SUMMARY

         The following is a summary of certain features of the Exchange Offer
and other matters, and all statements contained herein are qualified in their
entirety by reference to the more detailed information included elsewhere in
this Offering Circular.

   
<TABLE>
<S>                                               <C>
THE OFFERING....................................   The Company is offering to exchange the Exchange Consideration, as defined
                                                   below, for each $1,000 principal amount of outstanding Debentures properly
                                                   tendered for exchange and accepted by the Company in the Exchange Offer.
                                                   See "The Exchange Offer--Terms of the Exchange Offer."

EXCHANGE CONSIDERATION..........................   The Company is offering to exchange, for each $1,000 principal amount of
                                                   outstanding Debentures and the interest accrued thereon (estimated to be
                                                   $208.98 of interest per $1,000 of principal amount as of November 15,
                                                   1996), a principal payment of $500 in cash plus sixteen (16) shares of
                                                   Common Stock and additionally an interest payment of $80 in cash plus eight
                                                   (8) shares of Common Stock. All Debentureholders that tender Debentures
                                                   will be deemed to have waived accrued interest since April 15, 1994 (and
                                                   interest on default interest since October 15, 1994) to the extent the aggregate
                                                   accrued amount exceeds the aggregate designated interest payment.
</TABLE>
    


                                        1
<PAGE>   9
   
<TABLE>
<S>                                               <C>
EFFECTS OF TENDERING
 DEBENTURES.....................................   Tendering Debentureholders will receive Exchange Consideration for
                                                   Debentures and will waive a portion of the accrued interest. Debentureholders
                                                   should receive a separate proxy statement relating to Notice of Rescission of
                                                   Acceleration and an accompanying consent form to be submitted by them to
                                                   the Trustee.

NOTICE OF RESCISSION
OF ACCELERATION.................................   As a condition to the Company's obligation to consummate the Exchange, the
                                                   acceleration of the Debentures must be rescinded. Rescission of acceleration
                                                   will have significant effects on  all non-tendering Debentureholders or any
                                                   tendering Debentureholders whose tendered Debentures are not accepted for
                                                   exchange. See "Risk Factors."  Also see "Acceptance of Debentures for
                                                   Exchange; Delivery of Exchange Consideration."

EXPIRATION DATE.................................   2:00 p.m., St. Paul, Minnesota time, on December 23, 1996, unless extended
                                                   by the Company. See "The Exchange Offer--Expiration Date; Extensions;
                                                   Termination; Amendments."

WITHDRAWAL OF TENDERS...........................   Tenders of Debentures may be withdrawn at any time prior to the Expiration
                                                   Date or at any time after December 30, 1996, if not theretofore accepted for
                                                   exchange. See "The Exchange Offer -- Withdrawal Rights."

ACCEPTANCE OF DEBENTURES........................   The Company will accept for exchange any and all Debentures which are
                                                   properly tendered in the Exchange Offer prior to 2:00 p.m., St. Paul,
                                                   Minnesota time, on the Expiration Date, subject to the Company's ability to
                                                   extend, amend or terminate the Exchange. See "The Exchange Offer--
                                                   Acceptance of Debentures for Exchange."

CONDITIONS OF THE EXCHANGE
  OFFER.........................................   The Company's obligation to consummate the Exchange Offer is not
                                                   conditioned upon any minimum principal amount of Debentures being
                                                   tendered for exchange. The Exchange Offer is, however, subject to the
                                                   Company's ability to raise sufficient funds to purchase all of the Debentures
                                                   that are properly tendered; the rescission of acceleration of the Debentures
                                                   (requiring consent of holders of a majority of the Debentures) and waiver of
                                                   all existing Events of Default (requiring two-thirds of the Debentures); the
                                                   prior payment of any matured principal and interest or other charges under
                                                   any Senior Debt and the absence of legal actions or default notices by Senior
                                                   Debt holders with a right to accelerate the maturity of Senior Debt, as well as
                                                   the satisfaction of certain customary conditions.  Certain of the conditions
                                                   may be waived by the Company. See "The Exchange Offer--Conditions of the
                                                   Exchange Offer."

PROCEDURES FOR TENDERING
  DEBENTURES....................................   Each holder of Debentures wishing to accept the Exchange Offer must
                                                   complete and sign the Letter of Transmittal or a reasonable facsimile, in
                                                   accordance with the instructions contained therein, and forward or hand
                                                   deliver such Letter of Transmittal to the Exchange Agent at the address set
                                                   forth therein. Any holder of Debentures whose Debentures are registered in
                                                   the name of a broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or nominee is
                                                   urged to contact such registered holder promptly if such record holder wishes
                                                   to tender Debentures in the Exchange Offer. Holders whose certificates that
                                                   represent their Debentures are not immediately available or who cannot
                                                   deliver their certificates or any other required documents to the Exchange
                                                   Agent prior to 2:00 p.m., St. Paul, Minnesota time, on the Expiration Date
                                                   may tender their Debentures pursuant to the guaranteed delivery procedure set
                                                   forth herein. See "The Exchange Offer--Procedures for Tendering" and "--
                                                   Guaranteed Delivery Procedure."
</TABLE>
    


                                        2
<PAGE>   10
<TABLE>
<S>                                               <C>
NOTICES OF RESCISSION
  OF ACCELERATION...............................   The Company's Debentures have been and are immediately due and payable.
                                                   The Company requests that all Debentureholders submit a Notice of
                                                   Rescission of Acceleration to the Trustee. While the acceleration of
                                                   Debentures is continuing, the Trustee can obtain a judgment against the
                                                   Company in the amount of the full face value of the Debentures, plus interest
                                                   and default interest and costs.

SENIOR DEBT.....................................   The Debentures are subordinated to all Senior Debt.  All principal or interest
                                                   of Senior Debt, as defined in the Indenture, that has theretofore matured, by
                                                   acceleration or otherwise, must be paid prior to the Company's making any
                                                   payment to Debentureholders. Any Senior Debt holder who commences any
                                                   legal proceeding (whether or not the holder prevails), or gives notice (whether
                                                   or not meritorious) concerning any purported Senior Debt default that
                                                   purportedly would permit the Senior Debt to be accelerated can effectively
                                                   prevent or delay payment to Debentureholders pursuant to the Indenture.
                                                   Moreover, it is a condition to the Exchange Offer that payment be made in
                                                   full on Senior Debt that has matured and that no Senior Debt holders
                                                   commence proceedings or give notices as stated above. The Company
                                                   anticipates being able to make full payment of approximately $500,000 of
                                                   matured Senior Debt and is currently not aware of any such default under
                                                   Senior Debt.  As of August 31, 1996, the Company believes that it has
                                                   approximately $2.0 million of Senior Debt outstanding and an additional $8.5
                                                   million in the aggregate of other liabilities with priority over the Debentures.

   
EFFECTS OF THE RESCISSION
  OF ACCELERATION...............................   Rescission of acceleration may affect the rights of Debentureholders relative
                                                   to other creditors. The Company intends to consummate the Exchange Offer
                                                   as promptly as legally practicable following or concurrently with the effective
                                                   rescission of acceleration.  Substantial disclosure is provided in
                                                   Schedule 13E-4, Item 8, entitled "Additional Information" concerning the
                                                   Exchange Offer's underlying exemption from the Securities Act of 1933,
                                                   NYSE listing approval for shares of Common Stock issuable in Exchange for
                                                   Debentures, the purpose or background of the Exchange Offer and the
                                                   accompanying Consent Solicitation Statement, and intentions of the Company
                                                   if any Proposal is not approved.
    

INTEREST PAYABLE TO THE
NON-TENDERING DEBENTUREHOLDER...................   Debentureholders intending to tender in the Exchange Offer must properly
                                                   tender before the Expiration Date, as the same may be extended from time to
                                                   time.  The default interest will not be payable until after Debentures are
                                                   tendered at the Expiration Date. The tendering Debentureholder will be
                                                   offered the Exchange Consideration in lieu of all rights under the Debentures,
                                                   including among other things, the interest payable to the non-tendering
                                                   Debentureholder.

   
TRADING.........................................   The Company's Debentures are traded in the over-the-counter market;
                                                   however, trading is sporadic. The Company's shares of Common Stock are
                                                   traded on the NYSE and the Common Shares included in the Exchange
                                                   Consideration have been or will have been approved for listing on the NYSE 
                                                   subject to notice of issuance. No assurance is given of continuation of NYSE
                                                   listing. See "Risk Factors - Continued Listing on NYSE."
    

EXCHANGE AGENT..................................   First Trust of California, N.A., 180 East Fifth Street, Suite 200, St. Paul,
                                                   Minnesota 55101. See "The Exchange Offer --Exchange Agent."

FURTHER INFORMATION.............................   For further information, please contact the Company, attention Kerri Ruppert,
                                                   Senior Vice President,
                                                   Secretary/Treasurer and Chief
                                                   Financial Officer, at (800)
                                                   678-2273 or First Trust of
                                                   California, N.A., the
                                                   Exchange Agent, at the above
                                                   address.
</TABLE>


                                        3
<PAGE>   11
      SUMMARY COMPARISON OF TERMS OF DEBENTURES AND EXCHANGE CONSIDERATION


   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                      THE DEBENTURES                                         EXCHANGE
                                                                           CONSIDERATION
<S>        <C>                                                   <C>
PRINCIPAL   While the Debentures are                              For each $1,000 in principal amount
            accelerated, $1,000 of principal and                  exchanged, the Debentureholder will
            interest accrued on the principal to the              receive $500 in cash plus 16 shares of
            date of payment is payable, along with                Common Stock. As of November 4, 1996,
            interest on unpaid interest to the                    the closing price of the Common Stock on
            extent lawful is due and payable in                   the NYSE was $11 1/2. The rights of
            cash. See "Interest" below. If the                    holders of Common Stock are junior to
            acceleration is rescinded, the principal              the rights of Debentureholders and all
            amount will be due in full April 15,                  other creditors. See "Ranking" below.
            2010, subject to earlier redemption in
            the Company's discretion. No sinking
            fund payments will be due.


INTEREST    Interest accrues at the rate of                       The Exchange Consideration includes, as
            7 1/2% per annum calculated on a 30-day               interest, for each $1,000 in principal
            month and 360-day year basis. Interest                amount exchanged, $80 in cash plus 8
            has not been paid since April 15, 1994                shares of Common Stock. No additional
            on the Debentures. Five semi-annual                   payment of Exchange Consideration will
            interest installments are in arrears                  be due on account of interest accruing
            (October 15, 1994, April 15, 1995,                    or accrued or any other claim under such
            October 15, 1995, April 15, 1996 and                  Debentures. As of November 4, 1996, the
            October 15, 1996). Debentures earn                    reported closing price of the Common
            interest on default interest at 7 1/2%                Stock on the NYSE Composite Tape was $11
            per annum, to the extent permitted by                 1/2.
            law. While the Debentures are
            accelerated, interest accrues on the
            entire principal amount. Approximately
            $208.98 of interest in the aggregate
            will have accrued on each $1,000 face
            value to November 15, 1996. If the
            acceleration is to be rescinded, the
            interest required to be paid would be
            approximately $202.73 per $1,000 face value
            as of November 15, 1996, which excludes
            the portion of accrued interest due only
            on account of the acceleration,
            comprising a portion of the semi-annual
            installment of interest due April 15,
            1997 accruing at the rate of 7 1/2% per
            year on the principal amount of
            $9,538,000 over the period from October
            15, 1996 to April 15, 1997.
    

MATURITY    While the Debentures are                              Upon the Exchange being completed, the
            accelerated, all $9,538,000 of principal              tendering Debentureholders will receive
            and, through November 15, 1996, an                    Exchange Consideration, and the
            aggregate of $1,993,294 of interest will              Debentures tendered and exchanged will
            be due and payable immediately. If the                be cancelled.
            acceleration is rescinded, the principal
            amount will mature on April 15, 2010,
            subject only to optional redemption by
            the Company at 100% of face amount, and
            also subject to acceleration in the
            event of notice by the Trustee or at
            least 25% in principal amount of
            Debentures following the existence and
            continuation of any Event of Default.
            Because $36,460,000 in principal amount
            of the Debentures that were originally
            issued had been retired, comprised of
            the Debentures converted by
            Debentureholders in March 1991, the
            Company elected to subtract from the
            Company's sinking fund obligations the
            amount of retired Debentures. The effect
            is to cancel the sinking fund redemption
            obligation that otherwise would apply
            pursuant to the terms of the Debentures.

   
CONVERSION  Each $1,000 in principal                              See "Principal" above.
            amount is convertible into 4 whole
            Common shares (and the Debentureholder
            will not be entitled to convert a
            Debenture in a principal amount less
            than $1,000) at the current conversion
            price of $248.12 per share. The
            conversion price is subject to
            adjustment to prevent dilution in
            certain events. The conversion price
            adjustments are made generally whenever
            shares are sold by the Company at a
            price below the average closing price on
            the NYSE during a specified period. See
            "Risk Factors--Conversion Price Far
            Above Share Prices." See the "Notice of
            Conversion Price Adjustment" attached as
            Exhibit 99.18 hereto.
</TABLE>
    


                                        4
<PAGE>   12
<TABLE>
<S>           <C>                                        <C>
   
RANKING       Debentures are unsecured general           Payments received in the Exchange Offer
              obligations of the Company subordinate     by Debentureholders may be subject to
              to all existing and future Senior Debt     claims of Senior Debt holders or other
              of the Company (as defined), are           creditors, and, if competing creditors
              generally on a parity with unsecured       prevail in asserting their claims, the
              general credit of the Company, excluding   Exchange Consideration may be
              subsidiaries, and may indirectly have      forfeitable. See "Priorities of
              claims on the stock owned by the Company   Securities and Other Considerations
              of its subsidiaries, but only after all    Relating to Any Future Bankruptcy of the
              of the subsidiaries' creditors have been   Company." Shares of Common Stock
              paid in full. At August 31, 1996, Senior   received in the Exchange constitute
              Debt of the Company totaled                "equity" securities of the Company,
              approximately $2,042,000, other debt of    which by their nature are subordinate to
              the Company on a parity with Debentures    all indebtedness of the Company and any
              totaled approximately $2,011,000,          senior "equity."
              excluding subsidiaries, and the
              Company's subsidiaries were obligated to
              pay approximately $8,646,000 of debt and
              contingently obligated to redeem
              approximately $1,040,000 of senior
              equity.
    


FORFEITURE    Payments received generally by             Payments received in the Exchange Offer
              Debentureholders may be subject to         by Debentureholders may be subject to
              claims of Senior Debt holders or other     claims of Senior Debt holders, and, if
              creditors, and, if competing creditors     competing creditors prevail in asserting
              prevail in asserting their claims, the     their claims, the Exchange Consideration
              payments may be forfeitable. See           may be forfeitable. See "Priorities of
              "Priorities of Securities and Other        Securities and Other Considerations
              Considerations Relating to Any Future      Relating to Any Future Bankruptcy of the
              Bankruptcy of the Company."                Company."



REDEMPTION    Debentures are redeemable at any time in   The Exchange Consideration includes
              whole or in part at the option of the      Common Stock, which has no redemption
              Company at the principal amount,           rights.
              together with accrued interest.

</TABLE>


                                        5
<PAGE>   13
                                   THE COMPANY

         Comprehensive Care Corporation (the "Company") was incorporated in
Delaware in 1969. The Company, directly or through subsidiaries, engages in
providing behavioral health care and substance abuse treatment on a managed-care
or contract basis. The Company owns and operates one freestanding hospital
facility, and owns three other freestanding hospital facilities that are closed
and held for sale.

   
         In response to continuing changes in the behavioral health care
industry, the Company has made significant changes in its operations, including
the divestiture of many freestanding facilities, so that the Company can focus
on its network solutions related to managed care and behavioral medicine
contract management operations. During fiscal 1996, managed care operations 
experienced significant growth through internal development and the expansion
into new behavioral health managed care markets and products. The Company's
primary use of available cash resources is to expand its behavioral medicine
managed care and contract management businesses and fund operations while it
seeks to restore profitability to certain of its freestanding facilities.

         The outstanding Debentures were originally issued pursuant to an April
25, 1985 public offering, and all principal and interest thereunder is due on
account of acceleration. In the third quarter of fiscal 1997, the Company is
expecting to complete the Exchange Offer with respect to the Debentures. The
Exchange Offer and the related Debenture Consent Solicitation are intended to
rescind the acceleration of the Debentures. If effected, the rescission of the
acceleration could improve the Company's financial condition. To the extent
Debentures are converted into Common Stock of the Company, the subordinated
debt related thereto is retired and some portion of that amount becomes part of
stockholders' equity. However, the rescission of acceleration could have the
effect of impairing the rights of Debentureholders who do not tender relative
to other creditors of the Company, now or in the future. Also completion of the
Exchange Offer is subject to a high degree of risk. See "Risk Factors."
 
         The Company generated losses from operations in fiscal 1996 and relied
for its cash requirements on funds generated by a tax refund in the amount of
$9.4 million (less certain amounts described under "Risk Factors-- Taxes" below)
for the fiscal 1995 tax year, and a sale of a $1.0 million Secured Conditional
Exchangeable Note, which was converted into 132,560 shares of the Company's
Common Stock on May 31, 1996. During the first quarter of fiscal 1997, the
Company has utilized the proceeds from the sale of assets, a $5.4 million
fiscal 1996 Federal income tax refund received in October 1996, and other
available cash on hand to fund its working capital deficit. The Company will
principally rely for cash financing of the Exchange Offer on its cash
reserves.
    

                              FINANCIAL INFORMATION

   
         The information under the captions "Selected Financial Data,"
"Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations," "Risk Factors," "Consolidated Financial Statements," and "Notes to
Consolidated Financial Statements" included in the Company's Form 10-K/A-2, for
the fiscal year ended May 31, 1996, on approximately pages 17 through 65
thereof, as filed on or about November 7, 1996 with the Commission, is
incorporated herein by this reference.

         The information under the captions "Management's Discussion and
Analysis of Results of Operations," "Risk Factors," "Condensed Consolidated
Financial Statements," and "Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial 
Statements" included in the Company's Form 10-Q, for the fiscal quarter ended 
August 31, 1996, on pages 2 through 25 thereof, as filed October 15, 1996 with 
the Commission, is incorporated herein by this reference.
    


                                        6
<PAGE>   14
                 EXCHANGE OFFER FUNDING REQUIREMENTS AND SOURCES

   
         The proposed Exchange Offer will require, if accomplished at all, a
maximum of $5,532,040 to pay the cash portion of the Exchange Consideration and
the issuance of up to 228,912 shares of the Company's Common Stock to fund the
stock portion of the Exchange Consideration. Debentures that are accepted in the
Exchange will become the property of the Company, along with all rights or
claims thereunder, and each Debentureholder who surrendered the Debenture will
immediately become the holder of a right to receive the Exchange Consideration,
in exchange for cancellation of such principal and interest. Therefore, the
Exchange of all outstanding Debentures would require no additional funding for
interest payments. In the Exchange, the Company offers $500 in cash and sixteen
(16) shares of Common Stock (designated principal portion of the Exchange
Consideration) for each $1,000 of principal amount of Debentures and $80 in cash
plus eight (8) shares of Common Stock per $1,000 principal amount of Debentures
(designated interest portion of the Exchange Consideration) in exchange for all
accrued interest and default interest on such $1,000 of principal amount
(estimated at $208.98 as of November 15, 1996).
    

         Assuming that a majority in principal amount of Debentures consent to
rescission of acceleration, then the acceleration will be rescinded if and only
if the Company's financing is then adequate to complete the Exchange, including
both (i) payment of the Exchange Consideration in exchange for the Debentures
that are tendered, and (ii) payment of interest that is currently due and
unpaid, plus interest accrued on all overdue amounts, in respect to all
Debentures that are not tendered in order to effect a rescission of acceleration
of the Debentures. The Trustee has undertaken to accept the deposit of funds and
thereafter such funds will be held for the benefit of Senior Debt (to the extent
described elsewhere and dealt with specifically), Debentureholders, and
satisfaction of Indenture-related obligations to pay the Trustee's fees and
costs generally. The Company believes that no Senior Debt will mature and be
unpaid. However, such costs or expenses shall be provided for and added to the
amount of funding.

   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                        FUNDING
                                As of November 1, 1996
                                     (in millions)

                          Requirements        Sources          Funding (Deficit)
<S>                    <C>                 <C>                <C>
Cash on hand            $     (1.0)(1)       $       8.0        $       7.0

Cash Consideration            (5.5)(2)                --               (5.5)
Costs                         (0.1)                   --               (0.1)
                        ----------           -----------        -----------
Cash Position                 (6.6)(3)               8.0                1.4

Committed Funding               --                   5.0                5.0
                        ----------           -----------        -----------

    Total:              $     (6.6)          $      13.0        $       6.4
</TABLE>

(1)      The requirement for cash on hand includes cash to operate and pay all
         indebtedness that is or becomes due before the Exchange is consummated
         (excluding the Debentures).

(2)      The requirement for cash consideration is equal to the cash portion of
         the Exchange consideration for 100% of the outstanding Debentures
         ($580/$1,000 x $9,538,000 = $5,532,040).
    

(3)      The costs of the Exchange are estimated at approximately $75,000.

   
         The Company, in the case of non-tendered Debentures, will cure the
interest default by payment of interest due and interest on such default
interest, under all of the Debentures that are not tendered and exchanged (other
than interest due only on account of acceleration). Such interest payable
(excluding interest due only on account of acceleration) will be comprised of
the following five overdue semi-annual interest installments: (1) interest at
the rate of 7 1/2% per year on the $9,538,000 outstanding principal amount for
the 6 months commencing April 15, 1994 due October 15, 1994, (2) interest at the
rate of 7 1/2% per year on the $9,538,000 outstanding principal amount for the 6
months commencing October 15, 1994 due April 15, 1995, (3) interest at the rate
of 7 1/2% per year on the $9,538,000 outstanding principal amount for the 6
months commencing April 15, 1995 due October 15, 1995, (4)


                                        7
<PAGE>   15

interest at the rate of 7 1/2% per year on the $9,538,000 outstanding principal
amount for the 6 months commencing October 15, 1995 due April 15, 1996, and (5)
interest at the rate of 7 1/2% per year on the $9,538,000 outstanding principal
amount for the 6 months commencing April 15, 1996 due October 15, 1996--plus
interest on the foregoing respective default interest installments from the due
date until the date that the interest is paid (the "Interest Payment Date"). At
November 15, 1996, the aggregate interest payable to Debentures in order to
rescind acceleration , as described in the preceding sentence, will be
approximately $1,933,681, which is approximately $202.73 per $1,000 of principal
amount. This amount of interest due only on account of acceleration, as of
November 15, 1996, will be aggregately $59,613, payment of which will be due on
April 15, 1997 (along with the balance of the regular semi-annual installment of
interest then due for the period from October 15, 1996 to April 15, 1997). 
    

         In addition, the Company's Senior Debt, as defined in the Indenture, is
payable to the extent Senior Debt has matured. Senior Debt generally includes
all indebtedness (whether incurred directly or assumed or guaranteed) for
borrowed money, any debt that is evidenced by a note or similar instrument, or
evidenced by a lease which appears on the Company's consolidated balance sheets
and in which the Company is the lessee, or evidenced an obligation for deferred
purchase price for property. The Company estimates that the amount of such
Senior Debt that will mature prior to November 30, 1996 is $500,000 or less and
will be satisfied by the Company when due.

   
         At November 1, 1996, the Company had approximately $8.0 million in
short-term cash equivalent investments. The Company estimates that approximately
$3.0 million would be sufficient to exchange approximately 30% of the
outstanding principal amount of Debentures and pay overdue interest due on the
70% Debentures remaining (calculated as of November 15, 1996). If 100% of the
outstanding principal amount of Debentures were exchanged, the Company estimates
that approximately $5.5 million in cash would be required. To provide funds for
the Debenture Exchange and/or additional operating needs, in addition to cash on
hand, the Company also anticipates utilizing one or more of the following
potential sources of cash to provide funds for additional needs: 
    

         -        The Company has received a firm commitment, expiring in August
                  1997, from Lindner Funds, a mutual fund, to purchase in a
                  private placement at least $5.0 million of 15% fully secured
                  Company notes due no earlier than 15 months from the date of
                  issuance, if offered by the Company.

   
         -        The Company filed its fiscal 1995 Federal tax return, and a
                  Form 1139 "Corporate Application for Tentative Refund" in the
                  amount of $9.4 million. The Company received the full refund
                  claim for fiscal 1995 in October 1995. In September 1996, the
                  Company filed its fiscal 1996 Federal tax return and also
                  filed a Form 1139. These 1996 filings indicate a refund to the
                  Company in the amount of $5.5 million. The Company received a
                  refund in the amount of $5.4 million during the second quarter
                  of fiscal 1997. The Company has also filed amended Federal tax
                  returns for prior years to claim refunds for an additional
                  $7.7 million. These refund claims have been made under Section
                  172(f) of the Internal Revenue Code, an area of the tax law
                  with little guiding legal precedent, and there may be
                  substantial opposition by the IRS to the Company's refund
                  claims. The Company is currently under audit by the IRS
                  regarding its 1995 Federal tax return and the amended returns
                  for prior years. Accordingly, no assurances can be made to the
                  Company's entitlement to such refunds or the timing of the
                  receipt thereof. 
    

   
         -        Included in property and equipment held for sale is one
                  hospital facility currently under contract to be sold. The
                  sale of this facility is scheduled to close during the second
                  or third quarter of fiscal 1997. The proceeds from the sale 
                  are expected to be $1.3 million.
    

         -        Included in assets held for sale (non-current) are two
                  hospital facilities designated as property and equipment held
                  for sale with a total carrying value of $4.7 million. The
                  Company expects to sell these facilities during fiscal 1997.
                  In addition, the Company sold a non-operating facility during
                  the first quarter of fiscal 1997. As part of this transaction,
                  the Company took back a note on the property with provisions
                  that allow the buyer a discount if the note is paid in the
                  first six months. In the event the buyer exercises this
                  option, the proceeds to the Company would be $1.55 million.
                  Proceeds from the sales of such assets may not be available by
                  the time the Debenture Exchange is expected to occur.
                  Accordingly, Management expects to use such cash proceeds, if
                  received during fiscal 1997, to fund expansion of the
                  Company's operations
   
    


                                        8
<PAGE>   16
         All of these potential sources of additional cash in fiscal 1997 are
subject to variation due to business and economic influences outside the
Company's control. There can be no assurance that during fiscal 1997 the Company
will complete the transactions required to fund its working capital deficit.

   
         Further, the Exchange will not occur until after the rescission of
acceleration has been funded fully. The Expiration Date of the Exchange Offer is
December 23, 1996, unless extended, and the Exchange Date is scheduled as
December 31, 1996. The rescission of Acceleration will be effective between
December 16, 1996 and December 31, 1996 when Consent is given on the Proposals
and the Company has funded the default interest payment and the delivery of the
Exchange Consideration. If and only if the Acceleration is successfully
rescinded, the Company will be able to substantially fund an Exchange. The
Exchange Offer will be extended until at least five (5) business days after the
Consent is given and the Company substantially funds the maximum transactions.
See "Risk Factors."
    

   
         On July 20, 1995, the Company filed its Federal income tax return for
fiscal 1995. On August 4, 1995, the Company filed Form 1139 "Corporate
Application for Tentative Refund" to carry back losses under Section 172(f)
requesting a refund to the Company in the amount of $9.4 million. On August 30,
1995, the Company also filed amended Federal tax returns for several prior years
to carry back losses under Section 172(f). The refunds claimed on the amended
returns are approximately $6.2 million for 1986; $0.4 million for 1985; $0.7
million for 1983 and $0.4 million for 1982. On September 20, 1996, the Company
filed its Federal income tax return for fiscal 1996, and subsequently filed Form
1139 "Corporate Application for Tentative Refund" to carry back losses described
in Section 172(f) requesting a refund to the Company in the amount of $5.5
million. On October 4, 1996, the Company received $5.4 million related to its
1996 Federal income tax return. The total refunds applied for are $22.6 
million, comprised of $7.7 million for amended prior years' returns, 
$9.4 million for fiscal year 1995, and $5.5 million for fiscal year 1996. 
Section 172(f) is an area of the tax law with little guiding legal precedent. 
There may be opposition by the Internal Revenue Service ("IRS") as to the 
Company's ability to obtain benefits from refunds claimed under this section. 
Therefore, no assurances can be made as to the Company's entitlement to the 
claimed refunds.

         In October 1995, the Company received a $9.4 million refund for fiscal
1995. Of this refund, $2.4 million was recognized as a tax benefit during the
second quarter of fiscal 1996. Receipt of the 1995 Federal tax refund does not
imply IRS approval. Due to the lack of legal precedent regarding Section 172(f),
the remaining amount, $7.0 million, is reflected on the Company's consolidated
balance sheets in unbenefited tax refunds received. In addition, during the
second quarter of fiscal 1996, the Company recorded a tax benefit of $0.2
million, which is related to prior years returns. The Company paid a contingency
fee of $1.9 million related to the 1995 refund. In the event the IRS Appeals
Office determines that the Company is not entitled to all or a portion of the
deductions under Section 172(f), this fee is reimbursable to the Company
proportionately. Of the $1.9 million, the Company expensed $0.5 million during
the second quarter of fiscal 1996, which is the amount of fees related to the
tax benefit recognized by the Company. The remaining $1.4 million is reflected
in the Company's financial statements as other receivables.
    

         The Company is currently under audit by the IRS related to its 1995
Federal income tax return and the amended returns for prior years.


                                        9
<PAGE>   17
   
         The Company currently anticipates that between 30% and 100% of the
principal amount of Debentures outstanding will be tendered in the Exchange
Offer. If 30% of the Debentures were exchanged and 70% were not exchanged on
November 15, 1996, the Exchange Consideration would include approximately $1.7
million payable in cash, and the interest due on the unexchanged 70% of the
outstanding Debentures would be approximately $1.4 million in addition. If 100%
of the Debentures were exchanged, the Exchange Consideration would include
approximately $5.5 million in cash.
    

         In the event that financing is unavailable or is available only on
terms that are unacceptable in the Company's reasonable judgment, then the
Company may elect not to Exchange, if the Company reasonably determines that the
Exchange is not in the best interests of the Company, or in all likelihood would
amend the Exchange Offer, in order to announce that it will amend the Exchange
Offer in order to seek a maximum of less than 100% of the outstanding
Debentures. This will permit the Company to accept less than all of the
Debentures tendered and prorate acceptances of the offer among all tendering
holders in accordance with Rule 13e-4 under the Securities Exchange Act ("Rule
13e-4"), subject to leaving such amended offer open for at least then (10)
business days, and compliance with all applicable requirements to give notice or
otherwise in accordance with Rule 13e-4.

                       RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES

         The following table sets forth the ratio of earnings to fixed charges
for the Company for the periods indicated. Adjusted Net Earnings represent
consolidated earnings (loss), before provision (benefit) for income taxes, and
the cumulative effect of accounting changes and before fixed charges (excluding
capitalized interest). Fixed charges consist of interest expense, amortized
issuance cost of debt, and a one-third portion of rental expense which is deemed
representative of the interest factor. The Company has no Preferred Stock
outstanding.

   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                               YEAR ENDED MAY 31,
                                                                                             3 Months Ended
                             1992          1993         1994          1995          1996     August 31, 1996
                             ----          ----         ----          ----          ----     ---------------
                                                                 (in thousands)
<S>                       <C>       <C>             <C>          <C>            <C>            <C>
Adjusted Net Earnings       $   80       $(9,222)      $(5,889)     $(9,614)     $(5,045)        $(1,313)

Total Fixed Charges         $4,392       $ 2,183       $ 1,662      $ 1,739      $ 1,675         $   457

Ratio of earnings to
  fixed charges             0.02:1            (a)           (a)          (a)          (a)             (a)
</TABLE>
    

- -----------------
   
(a)      The difference between Adjusted Net Earnings and
         Total Fixed Charges results in deficiencies of
         $11,406,000, $7,551,000, $11,353,000 and $6,720,000
         for the 1993, 1994, 1995 and 1996 fiscal years,
         respectively, and $1,770,000 for the three months
         ended August 31, 1996, which in turn would have
         resulted in negative ratios of earnings to fixed
         charges for such fiscal periods.
    

                RECENT TRANSACTIONS IN SECURITIES OF THE COMPANY

         There have been no transactions in the Debentures by
the Company or any of its executive officers, directors, affiliates or any
associate or subsidiary thereof during the forty (40) business days of the
Company immediately preceding the date of this Offering Circular.


                                       10
<PAGE>   18
                            PRICE RANGE OF DEBENTURES

   
         The Debentures are traded over-the-counter. The Debentures are sparsely
or thinly traded. The Debentures are not included in any automated quotation
system. As of November 4, 1996, the reported bid price per $1,000 face amount
was $470.20 and the reported asked price was $472.70 according to Merrill Lynch
& Co., Inc., as based only on trades made by such broker. The following table
sets forth the range of reported high and low bid prices per $1,000 of face
amount reported from the trading records at Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc. for the
Debentures for the fiscal quarters indicated.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                     1995                          HIGH           LOW
<S>                                              <C>          <C>
First Quarter...............................      $483.10       $481.30
Second Quarter..............................       484.90        483.20
Third Quarter...............................       486.70        479.30
Fourth Quarter..............................       487.50        453.80

                     1996
First Quarter...............................      $483.40       $464.40
Second Quarter..............................       491.50        457.70
Third Quarter...............................       487.50        468.40
Fourth Quarter..............................       496.40        462.10

                     1997
First Quarter...............................      $492.20       $472.50
Second Quarter to November 4, 1996..........       501.30        466.90
</TABLE>


The quotations reflected in the high and low bid range were reported to the
Company by Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc. The Debenture are not quoted in any
automated quotation system. The high and low bid range information is
necessarily based on a small subset of the actual Debenture transactions. Such
over-the-counter market quotations reflect inter-dealer prices, without retail
mark-up, mark-down or commission and may not necessarily represent actual
transactions.
    

         There is only sporadic trading of the Debentures. The existence of a
reported price does not imply that an active trading market exists or in the
future will exist. In the event that a substantial portion of the Debentures are
exchanged by the holders thereof, the trading, if any, may become more sporadic.

                    PRICE OF SECURITIES PRIOR TO ANNOUNCEMENT

   
         As of March 2, 1995, the date preceding the public announcement of the
intention to make the Exchange Offer, the bid price for Debentures per $1,000 of
principal amount was $360 and the asked price was $390 as reported by a broker
based on its own trading records. The Debentures are not quoted on any automated
quotation system. Trading in the Debentures is limited and sporadic. Also on
March 2, 1995, the closing sales price for the Company's Common Stock reported
on the NYSE Composite tape was $5 3/4.

         As of November 4, 1996, the bid and asked prices for the Debentures
were $470.20 and $472.70, respectively, as reported by Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc.
based on its own trading records, and as of November 4, 1996 the low and high
sales prices for the Company's Common Stock were $11 3/8 and $11 3/4,
respectively, and the closing price was $11 1/2, as reported on the NYSE
Composite tape.
    

                          INTERESTS OF CERTAIN PERSONS

         The directors and executive officers who served the Company since June
1, 1994 have no substantial interest, direct or indirect, by security holdings
or otherwise, in the Exchange Offer and the approval or disapproval of
rescission of Acceleration, except as holders of Common Stock generally.


                                       11
<PAGE>   19
                               THE EXCHANGE OFFER

TERMS OF THE EXCHANGE OFFER

         The Company hereby offers, upon the terms and subject to the conditions
set forth herein and in the accompanying Letter of Transmittal (the "Letter of
Transmittal"), to exchange the Exchange Consideration for each $1,000 principal
amount of its outstanding Debentures, including a waiver of the interest accrued
thereon, the interest accrued on default interest, and all other rights, claims
(known or unknown)or interests therein as of the time of a consummation of the
Exchange. The Letter of Transmittal, and the Exchange by Debentureholders
itself, results in Debentureholders' Exchanging all the rights to receive
anything of value in Exchange for designated principal and interest as Exchange
Consideration.

   
         Based on the Exchange of $1,000 in principal amount, a Debentureholder
that takes the Exchange Consideration and surrenders a Debenture in the Exchange
would experience a loss for accounting purposes of $(629) partially offset by
the value of 24 shares of Common Stock. The total value, principal and interest,
that is represented by the Exchange Consideration depends on how the Common
Shares are valued.
    


                             EXCHANGE CONSIDERATION
                        DISCOUNT TO DEBENTURE FACE VALUE
                     (AMOUNTS ARE PER $1,000 OF FACE VALUE)

   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                        Exchange                        Debentures                Net Face
                                      Consideration                     Cancelled                   Value
                             -----------------------------          ---------------       ----------------------------
                                                 Shares                                                   Shares
                                                of Common                                                of Common
                               Cash              Stock               Face Value               Cash         Stock
                             ----------        -----------          ---------------       ------------   -------------
<S>                        <C>                <C>                  <C>                   <C>            <C>
Principal                     $ 500               + 16                $ (1,000)              $ (500)         + 16
Interest                         80               +  8                    (209)(1)             (129)         +  8
                              -----                ---                --------                 -----          ---
Total                         $ 580               + 24                $ (1,209)              $ (629)         + 24
</TABLE>
    


(1)      Estimated to November 15, 1996.

         See also "Potential Federal Income Tax Consequences -
         Effects on Debentureholders."

   
         The portion of the principal amount to be waived ($1,000 of principal
amount of Debentures in Exchange for Exchange Consideration principal of $500 in
cash and 16 shares) would be approximately $315, for example based on the
average high and low sales prices of Common Stock on November 4, 1996, or would
be approximately $324, for example, based on an assumed $11.00 value per share.
As of November 15, 1996 the amount of interest waived ($208.98 of interest
Exchanged for Exchange Consideration interest of $80 in cash and 8 shares) would
be $37, for example, based on the average high and low sales price of Common
Stock on November 4, 1996,or would be $41, for example, based on an assumed
value of $11.00 value per share. The average of the high and low sales prices of
the Common Stock on November 4, 1996 was $11 9/16 as reported on the NYSE
Composite tape. Nothing herein is intended to imply any estimate or projection
of the fair market value of the Common Stock as of any future date. 
    

         Approximately $1,993,294 of interest and interest on default interest
will have accrued to and including November 15, 1996 on the $9,538,000 principal
amount of Debentures. The total of principal and interest due on account of
acceleration per $1,000 principal amount of Debentures will be, as of November
15, 1996, approximately $208.98.

   
         The Exchange Consideration is comprised of a principal payment of $500
in cash plus 16 shares of Common Stock and an interest payment of $80 in cash
plus 8 shares of Common Stock per $1,000 of principal amount, interest accrued
per $1,000 of principal amount estimated at approximately $208.98 and every
other thing of value receivable or claimable under the Debentures. Accrued and
unpaid interest will not be paid on Debentures exchanged, except for the
    

                                       12
<PAGE>   20
   
above-described designated interest payment of $80 in cash and 8 shares of
Common Stock which is included in the Exchange Consideration.

         Although the Company has no present intention to do so, if it should
modify the consideration offered for the Debentures in the Exchange Offer, such
modified consideration would be paid with regard to all Debentures accepted in
the Exchange Offer. If the consideration is modified, or if the amount of
Debentures sought is changed, the Exchange Offer will remain open at least 10
business days from the date the Company first gives notice, by public
announcement or otherwise, of such modification. Modified consideration may
provide for different alternatives for Debentureholders, provided that the
modified consideration would be paid in regard to all Debentures electing the
alternative.

         There is $9,538,000 in aggregate principal amount of the Debentures
outstanding. This Offering Circular, together with the Letter of Transmittal, is
being sent to all record holders of the Debentures and is being forwarded by
certain record holders to beneficial holders. The Company is paying the costs of
distribution and printing of this information. The Company will reimburse costs
of transmitting documents.

         The Company intends to conduct the Exchange Offer in accordance with
Section 3(a)(9) of the Securities Act, in order that the issuance of Common
Shares in connection with the Exchange will not require Securities Act
registration. The Debentures were originally issued in a public offering that
was registered under the Securities Act; and, therefore, the Debentures would be
treated as unrestricted securities for purposes of the Securities Act so long as
they are held by, or are traded by and among, Debentureholders who are other
than the Company or its affiliates or any persons deemed to be underwriters.
Debentures that, after the public offering, are acquired by the Company, or any
persons deemed affiliates of the Company, or any persons deemed underwriters of
the Company, would nevertheless be considered to be restricted for purposes of
the Securities Act, and any Debentures acquired from any such persons in a
transaction not involving a public offering also would be considered restricted
until held by a nonaffiliate for three years. The Common Shares exchanged for
unrestricted Debentures would also be unrestricted for Securities Act purposes
provided that the Section 3(a)(9) exemption from Securities Act registration
applies.
    

   
         The Company intends to obtain approval from the NYSE for listing upon
notice of issuance prior to consummation of the Exchange of 228,912 shares of
its common stock representing the maximum number of shares issuable.
    

   
         The Company has filed a definitive Proxy Statement/Debenture Consent
Solicitation Statement (the "Consent Solicitation Statement"), as amended, with
the Commission pursuant to the Exchange Act, which is incorporated by reference
herein. The purpose of the Consent Solicitation Statement is to obtain the
consent (the "Consent") of the Debentureholders to the following four proposals:

                  A.       To consent to rescind, and to notify the Trustee of
                           a rescission of, an acceleration of $9,538,000 of
                           principal due under the Debentures and all of the
                           effects thereof (Proposal 1);

                  B.       To consent to waive, and to notify the Trustee of a
                           waiver of, the Event of Default (other than
                           nonpayment of any interest due) that exists, and the
                           interest payable on it (the "Default Interest Payment
                           Date") if the Default Interest Payment Date occurs
                           within 30 calendar days after the termination of the
                           consent solicitation period (Proposal 2);


                                       13
<PAGE>   21
                  C.       To consent to instruct the Trustee not to pursue any
                           remedy available at law or in equity upon anything
                           less than future directions given by a majority in
                           outstanding principal amount of Debentures during the
                           consent solicitation period and a period ending at
                           the close of business on the Default Interest Payment
                           Date if the Default Interest Payment Date occurs
                           within 30 calendar days after the termination of the
                           consent solicitation period (Proposal 3); and

                  D.       To consent to the waiver under the Indenture of
                           formal notice from the Company to the Trustee with
                           respect to the cancellation of the Company's sinking
                           fund payment obligations that the Company was
                           entitled to reduce (Proposal 4) if the Default
                           Interest Payment Date occurs within the Consent
                           Solicitation Period.

    
         The Company does not presently contemplate completion of the Exchange
unless the Consent requested in Proposals No. 1, No. 2, No. 3 and No. 4 in the
Consent Solicitation is granted by the Debentureholders. The Issuer may be able
to proceed with the Exchange notwithstanding that approval is not received on
Proposal No. 2 or No. 3 because Proposal No. 2 waives unknown defaults that in
all likelihood do not exist anyway and Proposal No. 3 instructs the Trustee not
to interfere with the Company which in all likelihood will be unnecessary.
Although the Company does not concede that the Event of Default exists that
Proposal No. 4 would waive, the waiver of this Event of Default is believed by
the Company to be necessary unless the Trustee were to withdraw its notice
declaring this Event of Default. Provided that the rescission of acceleration
can be effected under the circumstances then existing, the Company may waive the
Consent on Proposals No. 2 or No. 3. In the event that the Trustee were to
withdraw the Event of Default relating to the sinking fund, the Company would
also be able to proceed with the Exchange notwithstanding lack of Consent on
Proposal No. 4. Under the Indenture, approval of each of Proposals No. 1 and No.
3 requires consent of at least a majority of the outstanding principal amount of
Debentures, and approval of each of Proposals No. 2 and No. 4 requires consent
of the holders of at least 66 2/3% of the outstanding principal amount of
Debentures.

         All other notices given or authorized under the Indenture that the
Trustee and the management and Board of Directors of the Company solicit will be
solicited pursuant to a Debentureholder Proxy Statement filed as a proxy
statement and additional proxy materials on Schedule 14A under the Exchange Act.

         Various documents and actions required to be delivered or taken
pursuant to the Indenture are subject to approval by the Trustee under the
Indenture as to proper form and substance and as to compliance with the
Indenture. The Indenture contains terms and provisions regarding, among other
things, defaults and cures which may affect, directly and indirectly, the
Exchange Offer.

         The consummation of the Exchange Offer is intended to be concurrent
with the rescission of the Debenture acceleration. If the Debenture acceleration
is continuing, there may be a material adverse effect on the Company's ability
to consummate the Exchange Offer. If the acceleration cannot be rescinded with
the payment of Exchange Consideration to tendering Debentureholders and default
interest to non-tendering Debentureholders, the conditions of the Exchange will
be unsatisfied.

         Debentures are tendered by properly executing and delivering a Letter
of Transmittal, with the tendered Debentures, and a Consent, to the Exchange
Agent. It is a condition of the Exchange that to tender Debentures requires
approval of the Proposals, as indicated by a Consent.

         The Debentureholders, are required to return to the Trustee a Consent
for the purposes of submitting notice of rescission of the acceleration of the
Debentures; waiver of known or unknown defaults (other than
nonpayment);instructing the Trustee not to pursue collection remedies against
the Company during the Exchange Offer in order to permit completion of the
Exchange Offer; and the reinstatement of April 15, 2010 as the maturity date as
to the entire principal amount of Debentures outstanding after the Exchange.


                                       14
<PAGE>   22
   
         There is no single record date for purposes of giving a Consent in this
Consent Solicitation. The Indenture provides for each respective waiver and
consent to be made by the record holder of the particular Debenture on the date
of executing the same. See the Consent Solicitation Statement, page 2, under
"Record Date." For the Consent Solicitation, therefore, there is a Record Date
for every Consent, so to speak. The transferee of a record holder after the
commencement of the Consent Solicitation Period can Consent and tender
concurrently with registering the transfer by submitting a Consent, a Letter of
Transmittal and documents evidencing the transfer as customary.
    

         Most transfers are not recorded by the Debenture Registrar. Instead,
transfers are made by book entry in the records of a depository holding for
banks or broker-dealers. The beneficial holders may (and are encouraged to)
instruct the fiduciary or nominee holder to Consent and/or tender Debentures on
behalf of such beneficial holder. This is generally preferable to having
Debentures transferred from street name into the name of the beneficial owner,
although this is acceptable also. Because of delays possibly resulting from
registration of a transfer to the beneficial owner, it is recommended that a
beneficial holder instruct the broker or nominee holder to Consent and to tender
Debentures if the Debentures are already held in street name on behalf of the
beneficial holder. This recommendation would seem to be particularly appropriate
if the Debentures were transferred to the beneficial holder during the Consent
Solicitation Period itself.

         Inherently, the tender of Debentures pursuant to the Letter of
Transmittal serves as a waiver of the accrued interest in excess of the interest
portion of the Exchange Consideration, and waiver of all other claims under or
pursuant to the Debentures, other than for the payment of the Exchange
Consideration. Unless the condition is waived or modified by the Company, in the
Company's discretion, none of the Debentures will be accepted for exchange if
the Debentureholders do not appropriately consent to the Proposals set forth in
the Consent Solicitation Statement.


         Tendering holders of Debentures will not be required to pay brokerage
commissions or fees or, subject to the instructions in the Letter of
Transmittal, transfer taxes with respect to the exchange of Debentures pursuant
to the Exchange Offer. The Company will pay all charges and expenses, other than
certain possibly applicable transfer taxes, in connection with the Exchange
Offer. See "Payment of Expenses" below.


EXPIRATION DATE; EXTENSIONS; TERMINATION; AMENDMENTS

   
         The Exchange Offer will expire at 2:00 p.m., St. Paul, Minnesota time,
on December 23, 1996, subject to extension by the Company by notice to the
Exchange Agent as herein provided. The Company reserves the right to so extend
the Exchange Offer at its discretion, in which event the term "Expiration Date"
shall mean the time and date on which the Exchange Offer as so extended shall
expire. The Company will notify the Exchange Agent and the Trustee of any
extension by oral or written notice and will make a public announcement thereof,
each prior to 9:00 a.m., St. Paul, Minnesota time, on the next business day
after the previously scheduled Expiration Date.
    

         The Exchange Offer will be extended to at least the fifth (5th)
business day after the Company obtains Consent for approval of all Proposals.
Once Consent is given on all of the Proposals, the Company will commit its funds
to the interest and Exchange consideration payments; and when these amounts are
deposited with the Trustee, acting as a Paying Agent and Exchange Agent, the
Acceleration would be rescinded and the Company would be obligated to accept all
properly tendered Debentures. The Company will issue a notice, if not previously
given, that the Exchange Offer's Expiration Date will follow in five (5)
business days, or as soon thereafter as possible, and will give notice, if not
previously given, that the Default Interest Payment Record Date will follow in
fifteen (15) calendar days, or as soon thereafter as possible.


                                       15
<PAGE>   23
         While it does not foresee doing so, the Company reserves the right (i)
to delay accepting any Debentures for exchange and to extend or to terminate the
Exchange Offer and not accept for exchange any Debentures if any of the events
set forth under the caption "Conditions of the Exchange Offer" shall have
occurred and shall not have been waived by the Company, by giving oral or
written notice of such delay or termination to the Exchange Agent and the
Trustee or (ii) to amend the terms of the Exchange Offer to reduce the amount of
Debentures to be sought, or otherwise, provided that the Exchange Offer remains
open ten (10) business days thereafter. Any such delay in acceptance for
exchange, extension, termination or amendment will be followed as promptly as
practicable by public announcement thereof. If the Exchange Offer is amended in
a manner determined by the Company to constitute a material change, the Company
will promptly disclose such amendment in a manner reasonably calculated to
inform the holders of such amendment, and the Company will extend the applicable
Exchange Offer for a period of five to 10 business days, depending upon the
significance of the amendment and the manner of disclosure to holders of the
Debentures, if the Exchange Offer would otherwise expire during such five to 10
business-day period. See the termination rights set forth below under the
caption "Conditions of the Exchange Offer."

         The Company may be permitted at least 10 business days after the
expiration of the Exchange Offer to purchase or make offers for any Debentures
that remain outstanding subsequent to the Expiration Date. The Company will
comply with Rule 13e-4(f)(6) promulgated by the Securities and Exchange
Commission under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "1934
Act"), which requires among other things that such purchases after the Exchange
Offer only be made at least 10 business days after the expiration of the
Exchange Offer. The Company has no present intention to make an offer for any
Debentures after the Exchange Offer is completed or terminated.


THE DEBENTURE ACCELERATION

         A group of holders and purported holders of Debentures declared an
acceleration of the principal amount outstanding under the Debentures in the
aggregate amount of $9,538,000 plus interest and default interest, and such
amount became immediately due and payable as of approximately February 10, 1995.
On February 24, 1995, three of such persons filed an involuntary petition in
United States Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Texas under Chapter
7 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code. The petition was dismissed without protest from
the bankruptcy petitioners on March 6, 1995. The representative of this subset
of the Debentureholders agreed and consented to the dismissal of the petition
before any bankruptcy case had commenced against the Company.

         While the acceleration and any Event of Default continue, the Trustee
also can pursue any remedy at law or in equity to recover the full outstanding
principal amount of the Debentures plus unpaid interest and costs, either in the
judgment of the Trustee or at the instruction of Debentureholders holding 25
percent or more of the outstanding principal amount. Subject to certain
limitations, holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding
Debentures may direct the Trustee regarding the time, method and place of
exercising any trust or power conferred on it. Therefore, a majority in interest
of the Debentures are entitled to direct the Trustee not to pursue any remedy
that may be requested by less than a majority of Debentureholders.

         The rescission of the acceleration of the Debentures (which requires
both Consent by at least two-thirds of the Debentures and funding sufficient to
consummate the Exchange and the default interest payment under any Debentures
not Exchanged) will be a condition of the Company's offer, as described herein,
to Exchange any cash or property (other than capital stock) to Debentureholders
because the Indenture prohibits any payment that does not result in the cure or
waiver of all existing Events of Default.


                                       16
<PAGE>   24
   
         In order to restore the Debentures to the status before having suffered
Events of Default and acceleration, a majority in principal amount of the
Debentureholders must give notice to rescind the acceleration, and the Company
must cure payment defaults as to any Debentures not tendered in the Exchange
Offer, and the past due interest, along with interest on all overdue
installments of principal and interest, must be paid on non-tendered Debentures.
Debentures tendered in the Exchange Offer will receive Exchange Consideration,
and all payments otherwise due will be waived as to all tendered Debentures
(except as to the designated principal and interest payments included in the
Exchange Consideration) effective upon completion of the Exchange. Upon the cure
or waiver of all Events of Default under the Debentures, assuming a majority in
principal amount has given (and not revoked) notice of rescission of
acceleration, the original terms of the Debentures will be reinstated with all
of the then outstanding principal due April 15, 2010 and interest thereafter
payable semi-annually at the rate of 7 1/2% per annum. The next regular interest
payment, due April 15, 1997, would include interest on the outstanding principal
accruing from October 15, 1996. The Company's future-year sinking fund
obligations will have been effectively extinguished by subtracting a portion of
the principal amount of Debentures converted into Common Stock in 1991. 
    

         The Company is a party to a letter agreement dated March 3, 1995 (the
"Letter Agreement") with Mr. Jay H. Lustig, an individual who represented that
he was a representative of certain holders of at least 25% of the outstanding
principal amount of Debentures (therein called the "Participating
Securityholders"). The Letter Agreement provided for the Company offering an
exchange for all of the Debentures that were outstanding and properly tendered
by the Debentureholders, but such proposed exchange offer was not effected. The
Letter Agreement provided that the Company could condition the proposed exchange
offer on at least $2.5 million in principal amount of Debentures being tendered
by Debentureholders represented by Mr. Lustig.

         The amount of the Exchange Consideration was first determined according
to the Letter Agreement, an agreement that arose from negotiations between the
Company and Mr. Jay H. Lustig, an individual purportedly representing holders of
a $2.5 million portion of the outstanding $9,538,000 principal amount of
Debentures, and purportedly including Sohail Masoud, purportedly one of the
Debentureholders who had filed an involuntary petition to commence a bankruptcy
liquidation of the Company. The bankruptcy petition was filed on February 24,
1995. The Participating Securityholders supported the dismissal of the
bankruptcy, as provided in the Letter Agreement, by executing a written consent
with advice from their legal counsel on the form and substance of the consent.
The petition was dismissed on March 6, 1995.

   
         The Letter Agreement provided that the Company would offer the
Debentureholders an exchange. The exchange was to have been that, for each
$1,000 in outstanding principal amount of Debentures and a waiver of whatever
portion of the accrued interest on such Debentures exceeded $80 in cash, the
Company was to offer cash of $500 as principal and cash of $80 as interest and a
number of shares of Common Stock calculated based on an average (including every
round-lot trade) of the reported prices on the NYSE Composite Tape during a
defined trading period (March 6, 1995 through May 19, 1995), such that their
total defined worth was $120. The Letter Agreement provided for a manner of
calculation to have been based on the average price of each of the many
round-lot trades (100 shares or more) during the entire trading period. However,
the calculation of the number of shares to be paid as a portion of the amount of
the initially proposed exchange consideration was not based on that kind of
average. Instead, a $7.50 defined worth per share was calculated over the
trading period based on the daily closing prices, weighted for daily composite
volume, as reported on the NYSE Composite Tape. The average of $7.47 was rounded
up to $7.50, which is the closest even divisor of $120. This method of assigning
worth is believed to approximate the Letter Agreement method as well as
reasonably possible. The Company was unable to utilize the trading prices during
the defined trading period because such data was not available for the full
trading period.
    

                                       17
<PAGE>   25
   
         In a letter dated March 21, 1996 to Mr. Marvin Feigenbaum, the Vice
Chairman of the Board of the Company, Mr. Lustig expressed his opinion that
aggregate Exchange Consideration of $580 in cash and 24 shares of Common Stock
would be acceptable to Debentureholders, assuming the Exchange could be
completed by May 1, 1996. To the Company's knowledge, no subsequent
correspondence or other communication has been received from Mr. Lustig. The
Company believes that it is not responsible for the delay in completing an
exchange as contemplated by the Letter Agreement. However, the Company intends
to offer eight (8) shares of Common Stock as interest in addition to previously
proposed Exchange Consideration of $500 in cash and 16 shares of Common Stock as
principal and $80 in cash as interest per $1,000 in principal amount of the
Debentures. The Company may modify or terminate the Exchange Offer and pursue
alternative transactions, subject to rights of Debentureholders pursuant to the
Indenture.
    

         The March 3, 1995 Letter Agreement provided for an agreement in favor
of Mr. Lustig and all of the Debentureholders that the Company was not to pledge
the shares of Comprehensive Care Integration, Inc., formerly called CareUnit,
Inc., a Delaware corporation ("CCI") and a wholly-owned subsidiary of the
Company, after the date of the Letter Agreement in order for the Company to be
prepared to satisfy a future obligation to pledge those shares for the benefit
of Participating Securityholders, but only if the Participating Securityholders
performed all of their material obligations (with opportunity for cure if cure
were possible) under the Letter Agreement. Such pledge would have been to secure
the Company's obligation to purchase the Debentures on and subject to the terms
and conditions of the Letter Agreement or otherwise. Management believes that
the Company's obligations to perform the pledge of CCI shares did not arise
because Mr. Lustig and the Participating Securityholders did not use best
efforts to provide proper notices of rescission of acceleration signed by
Participating Securityholders and at least a majority in principal amount of the
outstanding Debentures. The Letter Agreement also provided that a disposition of
pledged CCI shares would have been permitted at any time after approximately
September 3, 1995, or 180 days from March 3, 1995, if the Participating
Securityholders had performed all of their material obligations (with
opportunity to cure if cure were possible). The Company has honored its covenant
not to encumber the CCI shares otherwise than as contemplated by the Letter
Agreement, and no pledge of the CCI shares is contemplated by the Company.

         The Letter Agreement provided that the proposed exchange would be
consummated within 180 days; provided, however, the Company's promise to use
"best efforts" and its obligation to consummate the proposed exchange were
expressly conditioned upon the satisfaction of the Participating
Securityholders' obligations, including a best-efforts obligation to cause
notices of rescission of acceleration to be delivered by a majority in principal
amount of the Debentureholders. The efforts, if any, made by or on behalf of the
Participating Securityholders, or otherwise, resulted in the delivery of notices
of rescission that were insufficient in amount. Management attributes the
Company's delay beyond the prescribed 180 days to the failure to cause a
rescission of acceleration. Management believes that the continuance of the
acceleration of the Debentures has adversely affected the Company's ability to
perform its obligation, if any, to make an exchange offer and that the time
expended by the Company has been reasonable in the circumstances.

         The Participating Securityholders undertook responsibility for
obtaining notices of rescission of acceleration pursuant to the Letter
Agreement, in the Company's opinion. Subsequent to executing the Letter
Agreement, the Company understands that the Trustee received copies or originals
of notices of rescission of acceleration purportedly executed by
Debentureholders of record representing 44.1% of the Debentures in outstanding
principal amount. All of the notices were addressed to the Trustee and the
Company and purported to notify the Trustee to rescind acceleration of the
Debentures. Such notices were signed (although executed originals were not
always properly delivered) by holders of record of less than half of the
outstanding principal amount of Debentures, and therefore were insufficient in
quantity (a majority of the outstanding principal amount being necessary to
rescind acceleration); and unless it were sufficient, the so-called
Participating Securityholders would have, and would have had, a "best efforts"
obligation to provide such majority consent evidenced by one or more written
notices to the Trustee and the Company.


                                       18
<PAGE>   26
CONSENT TO MATTERS DESCRIBED IN CONSENT SOLICITATION STATEMENT

         Each Debentureholder will be requested, pursuant to a Debenture Consent
Solicitation Statement, to consent to certain specified proposals related to
rescinding the Debenture acceleration in writing (by signing and dating a
consent card and forwarding it to the Trustee). The Company's management and
Board of Directors requests that each Debentureholder execute and return a
consent card. Pursuant to the Indenture, the consent card may itself be revoked
until all of the conditions to rescission of acceleration are met. The Company's
purpose in requesting Debentureholder consent is to complete the Exchange with
every tendering Debentureholder and cure the Event of Default by paying the
default interest to the non-tendering Debentureholders. In order to tender
Debentures, a Debentureholder must also consent as requested by the Board of
Directors and management pursuant to the Debenture Consent Solicitation
Statement.

PROCEDURES FOR TENDERING

         The acceptance of the Exchange Offer by a holder of the Debentures
pursuant to one of the procedures set forth below will constitute an agreement
between such holder and the Company in accordance with the terms and subject to
the conditions set forth herein or in the Letter of Transmittal.

         To be tendered effectively, the Debentures, in integral multiples of
$1,000, together with the properly completed Letter of Transmittal (or facsimile
thereof), executed by the registered holder thereof, as well as the consent card
and any other documents required by the Letter of Transmittal, must be received
by the Exchange Agent at the address set forth below prior to 2:00 p.m., St.
Paul, Minnesota time, on the Expiration Date, except as otherwise provided below
under the caption "Guaranteed Delivery Procedure." LETTERS OF TRANSMITTAL AND
DEBENTURES SHOULD NOT BE SENT TO THE COMPANY.

         Signatures on a Letter of Transmittal or a notice of withdrawal, as the
case may be, must be guaranteed unless the Debentures tendered pursuant thereto
are tendered (i) by a registered holder of the Debentures who has not completed
the box entitled "Special Issuance and Delivery Instructions" on the Letter of
Transmittal or (ii) for the account of an Eligible Institution. In the event
that signatures on a Letter of Transmittal or a notice of withdrawal, as the
case may be, are required to be guaranteed, such guarantee must be by a firm
that is a member of a registered national securities exchange or a member of the
NASD or by a commercial bank or trust company having an office in the United
States (an "Eligible Institution").

         The method of delivery of Debentures and other documents to the
Exchange Agent is at the election and risk of the holder. If such delivery is by
mail it is suggested that the mailing be made sufficiently in advance of the
Expiration Date to permit delivery to the Exchange Agent before the Expiration
Date.The Exchange Agent will make a request to establish accounts with respect
to the Debentures at the Depository Trust Company ("DTC"), the Midwest
Securities Transfer Company ("MSTC") and the Philadelphia Depository Trust
Company ("PHILADEP" and, together with DTC and MSTC, collectively referred to
herein as the "Book-Entry Transfer Facilities") for the purpose of the Exchange
Offer promptly after the date of this Offering Circular.

         Any financial institution that is a participant in any of the
Book-Entry Transfer Facilities' systems may make book-entry transfer of the
Debentures by causing DTC, MSTC or PHILADEP to transfer such Debentures into the
Exchange Agent's account in accordance with such Book-Entry Transfer Facility's
procedure for such transfer. Although delivery of Debentures may be effected
through book-entry transfer in the Exchange Agent's account at DTC, MSTC or
PHILADEP, the Letter of Transmittal (or facsimile thereof), with all required
signature guarantees and any other required documents, must, in any case, be
transmitted to and received or confirmed by the Exchange Agent its addresses set
forth below prior to 2:00 p.m., St. Paul, Minnesota time, on the Expiration
Date, except as provided below under the caption "Guaranteed Delivery
Procedure." DELIVERY OF DOCUMENTS TO A BOOK-ENTRY TRANSFER FACILITY IN
ACCORDANCE WITH ITS PROCEDURES DOES NOT CONSTITUTE DELIVERY TO THE EXCHANGE
AGENT.

         If the Letter of Transmittal is signed by a person other than a
registered holder of any certificate(s) listed, such certificate(s) must be
endorsed or accompanied by appropriate bond powers, in either case signed
exactly as the name or names of the registered holder or holders appear on the
certificate(s).

                                       19
<PAGE>   27
         If the Letter of Transmittal or Guaranteed Delivery Form or any
certificates or bond powers are signed by trustees, executors, administrators,
guardians, attorneys-in-fact, officers of corporations or others acting in a
fiduciary or representative capacity, such persons should so indicate when
signing, and, unless waived by the Company, proper evidence satisfactory to the
Company of their authority to so act must be submitted.

         All questions as to the validity, form, eligibility (including time of
receipt), acceptance and withdrawal of tendered Debentures will be resolved by
the Company, whose determination will be final and binding. The Company reserves
the absolute right to reject any or all tenders that are not in proper form or
the acceptance of which would, in the opinion of counsel for the Company, be
unlawful. The Company also reserves the right to waive any irregularities or
conditions of tender as to particular Debentures. The Company's interpretation
of the terms and conditions of the Exchange Offer (including the instructions in
the Letter of Transmittal) will be final and binding. Unless waived, any
irregularities in connection with tenders must be cured within such time as the
Company shall determine. Neither the Company nor the Exchange Agent shall be
under any duty to give notification of defects in such tenders or shall incur
liabilities for failure to give such notification. Tenders of Debentures will
not be deemed to have been made until such irregularities have been cured or
waived.

         Any Debentures received by the Exchange Agent that are not properly
tendered and as to which the irregularities have not been cured or waived will
be returned by the Exchange Agent to the tendering holder, unless otherwise
provided in the Letter of Transmittal, as soon as practicable following the
Expiration Date.

GUARANTEED DELIVERY PROCEDURE

         If a holder of the Debentures desires to tender his Debentures and the
certificate(s) representing such Debentures are not immediately available, or
time will not permit such holder's certificate(s) or any other required
documents to reach the Exchange Agent before 2:00 p.m., St.
Paul, Minnesota time, on the Expiration Date, a tender may be effected if:

         (a)      The tender is made by or through an Eligible Institution;

   
         (b)      Prior to 2:00 p.m., St. Paul, Minnesota time, on the
                  Expiration Date, the Exchange Agent receives from such
                  Eligible Institution a properly completed and duly executed
                  Guaranteed Delivery Form (by facsimile transmission, mail or
                  hand delivery), setting forth the name and address of the
                  holder of the Debentures and the principal amount of the
                  Debentures tendered, stating that the tender is being made
                  thereby and guaranteeing that, within three trading days after
                  the Expiration Date, the certificate(s) representing the
                  Debentures, accompanied by a properly completed and duly
                  executed Letter of Transmittal and any other documents
                  required by the Letter of Transmittal, will be deposited by
                  the Eligible Institution with the Exchange Agent; and
    

         (c)      The certificate(s) for all tendered Debentures, or a
                  confirmation of a book-entry transfer of such Debentures into
                  the Exchange Agent's applicable account at a Book-Entry
                  Transfer Facility as described above, as well as a properly
                  completed and duly executed Letter of Transmittal and all
                  other documents required by the Letter of Transmittal, are
                  received by the Exchange Agent within three trading days after
                  the Expiration Date.


                                       20
<PAGE>   28
CONDITIONS OF THE EXCHANGE OFFER

         Notwithstanding any other term of the Exchange Offer, the Company will
not be required to accept for exchange, or to exchange the Exchange
Consideration for, any Debentures not theretofore accepted for exchange or
exchanged, and may terminate or amend the Exchange Offer as provided herein
before the acceptance of such Debentures, if any of the following conditions
exist:

         (a)      any action or proceeding is instituted or threatened in any
                  court or by or before any governmental agency with respect to
                  the Exchange Offer which, in the reasonable judgment of the
                  Company, if successful could be reasonably considered likely
                  to materially impair the ability of the Company to proceed
                  with the Exchange Offer or have a material adverse effect on
                  the contemplated benefits of the Exchange Offer to the
                  Company; or

         (b)      there shall have been approved, adopted or enacted any law,
                  statute, rule or regulation which, in the reasonable judgment
                  of the Company, if invoked could reasonably be considered
                  likely to materially impair the ability of the Company to
                  proceed with the Exchange Offer or have a material adverse
                  effect on the contemplated benefits of the Exchange Offer to
                  the Company; or

         (c)      there shall not have occurred a rescission of the acceleration
                  of the Debentures; or

         (d)      there shall not have occurred the effective cure or waiver of
                  all then-known Events of Default; or

         (e)      under then prevailing circumstances, financing is unavailable
                  or is available only on terms that are unacceptable in the
                  Company's reasonable judgment, and the Company elects not to
                  proceed with or effect the Exchange, and the Company
                  reasonably determines that under such circumstances the
                  Exchange is not in the best interests of the Company; or


         (f)      any Senior Debt, as defined in the Indenture, (i) shall have
                  matured as to principal or interest and remain unpaid, or (ii)
                  shall entitle the holder to accelerate its maturity if the
                  holder gives notice of default or commences a proceeding
                  related thereto, or (iii) shall threaten to interfere with or
                  regarding payment of the Exchange Consideration to holders of
                  the Debentures.

         The foregoing conditions are for the sole benefit of the Company and
may be asserted by the Company regardless of the circumstances giving rise to
such conditions or may be waived by the Company in whole or in part at any time
and from time to time in its sole discretion. If the Company waives or amends
the foregoing conditions, the Company will, if required by applicable law,
extend the Exchange Offer for a minimum of five business days from the date that
the Company first gives notice, by public announcement or otherwise, of such
waiver or amendment, if the Exchange Offer would otherwise expire within such
five business-day period. Any determination by the Company concerning the events
described above will be final and binding upon all parties.


                                       21
<PAGE>   29
ACCEPTANCE OF DEBENTURES FOR EXCHANGE; DELIVERY OF EXCHANGE CONSIDERATION

         Tenders will be accepted only in principal amounts of $1,000 and
integral multiples thereof.

         Upon the terms and subject to the conditions of the Exchange Offer,
promptly after the Expiration Date the Company will accept all Debentures
validly tendered and not withdrawn on or prior to the Expiration Date. The
Company will deliver the Exchange Consideration in exchange for Debentures
promptly.

         For purposes of the Exchange Offer, the Company shall be deemed to have
accepted validly tendered Debentures when, as and if the Company has given oral
or written notice thereof to the Exchange Agent. The Exchange Agent will act as
agent for the tendering holder of Debentures for the purposes of receiving
Exchange Consideration from the Company. Under no circumstances will interest be
paid by the Company by reason of any delay in making such payment or delivery.

         If any tendered Debentures are not accepted for exchange because of an
invalid tender, the occurrence of certain other events set forth herein or
otherwise, certificates for any such unaccepted Debentures will be returned,
without expense, to the tendering holder thereof (or, in the case of Debentures
tendered by book-entry transfer, to an account maintained at such Book-Entry
Transfer Facility), as promptly as practicable after the expiration or
termination of the Exchange Offer.

WITHDRAWAL RIGHTS

   
         Any registered holder of Debentures who has tendered Debentures may
withdraw the tender at any time prior to 2:00 p.m., St. Paul, Minnesota time, on
the Expiration Date, and, unless previously accepted for exchange by the
Company, at any time after 2:00 p.m., St. Paul, Minnesota time, December 30,
1996, by delivery of written notice of withdrawal to the Exchange Agent.
    

         To be effective, a written, telegraphic, telex or facsimile
transmission notice of withdrawal must (a) be timely received by the Exchange
Agent at the address set forth herein, (b) specify the name of the person having
tendered the Debentures to be withdrawn, (c) indicate the Debentures to which it
relates (or if the tender was by book-entry transfer, information sufficient to
enable the Exchange Agent to identify the Debentures so tendered) and the
aggregate principal amount of Debentures to be withdrawn and (d) be (i) signed
by the holder in the same manner as the original signature on the Letter of
Transmittal (including a guarantee of signature, if required) or (ii)
accompanied by evidence satisfactory to the Company that the holder withdrawing
such tender has succeeded to beneficial ownership of such Debentures. If
certificates have been delivered or otherwise identified to the Exchange Agent,
the name of the registered holder and the serial numbers of the particular
certificate(s) evidencing the Debentures withdrawn must also be so furnished to
the Exchange Agent as aforesaid prior to the physical release of the
certificates for the withdrawn Debentures. If Debentures have been tendered
pursuant to the procedures for book-entry transfer as set forth herein, any
notice of withdrawal must also specify the name and number of the account at
DTC, MSTC or PHILADEP to be credited with the withdrawn Debentures. Withdrawals
of tenders of Debentures may not be rescinded, and any Debentures withdrawn will
thereafter be deemed not validly tendered for purposes of the Exchange Offer;
provided, however, that withdrawn Debentures may be re-tendered by again
following one of the procedures described herein at any time prior to 2:00 p.m.,
St. Paul, Minnesota time, on the Expiration Date.

         All questions as to the validity (including time of receipt) of notices
of withdrawal will be determined by the Company, whose determination will be
final and binding. None of the Company, the Exchange Agent nor any other person
will be under any duty to give notification of any defects or irregularities in
any notice of withdrawal or incur any liability for failure to give any such
notification.


                                       22
<PAGE>   30
EXCHANGE AGENT

   
         First Trust of California National Association, the Trustee, has been
appointed as Exchange Agent for the Exchange Offer. Debentures, Letters of
Transmittal, and any other required documents thereunder, should be sent to the
Exchange Agent, at the address set forth on the back cover hereof.

         The Exchange Agent will in turn requisition Common Share certificates
from the Company's transfer agent, dividend disbursing agent, and registrar for
its Common Stock, which is Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company (the
"Common Stock Registrar").
    

         Requests for additional copies of this Offering Circular or the Letter
of Transmittal or for additional information should be directed to Kerri
Ruppert, Senior Vice President, Secretary/Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer
of the Company, at (800) 678-2273.

       LETTERS OF TRANSMITTAL AND DEBENTURES SHOULD NOT BE SENT TO THE COMPANY.

PAYMENT OF EXPENSES

         The Company has not retained any dealer-manager or similar agent in
connection with the Exchange Offer and will not make any payments to brokers,
dealers or others soliciting acceptances of the Exchange Offer. The Company,
however, will pay the Trustee, in its capacity as such and for services as the
Exchange Agent, and the Common Stock Registrar reasonable and customary fees for
its respective services and will reimburse it for reasonable out-of-pocket
expenses in connection therewith. The Company will also pay brokerage houses and
other custodians, nominees and fiduciaries the reasonable out-of-pocket expenses
incurred by them in forwarding copies of this Offering Circular and related
documents to the beneficial owners of the Debentures, and in handling or
forwarding tenders for their customers to the Exchange Agent.

   
         The cash expenses to be incurred in connection with the Exchange Offer,
including the fees and expenses of the Exchange Agent and the Common Stock
Registrar and printing, accounting and legal fees, will be paid by the Company
and are estimated at $0.1 million.
    

         The Company will pay all transfer taxes, if any, applicable to the
transfer and sale of Debentures to it or its order pursuant to the Exchange
Offer. If, however, the Exchange Consideration and/or substitute Debentures for
principal amounts not exchanged are to be delivered or paid to, or are to be
registered or issued in the name of, any person other than the registered holder
of the Debentures tendered hereby, or if tendered certificates are registered in
the name of any person other than the person signing the Letter of Transmittal,
or if a transfer tax is imposed for any reason other than the transfer and sale
of Debentures to the Company or its order pursuant to the Exchange Offer, the
amount of any such transfer taxes (whether imposed on the registered holder or
any other persons) will be payable by the tendering holder. If satisfactory
evidence of payment of such taxes or exemption therefrom is not submitted
herewith, the amount of such transfer taxes will be billed directly to such
tendering holder.

EXCHANGE OF DEBENTURE CERTIFICATES

   
         The Exchange Agent will act for holders of Debentures in implementing
the Exchange of their Debenture certificates. Do not send Debenture certificates
except as requested pursuant to the Company's Offering Circular and Letter of
Transmittal, which will be mailed to each Debentureholder registered in the
Trustee's register of holders, including sufficient copies for the
redistribution to each beneficial owner thereof. The Company reimburses brokers
and nominees for the costs of mailing or other customary commercial delivery
charges or fees.
    


                                       23
<PAGE>   31
BOARD OF DIRECTORS' DISCRETION AND RESERVATION OF RIGHTS

         The Board of Directors retains the authority to take or to authorize
discretionary incidental actions on behalf of the Company or the Consenting
Debentureholders as may be necessary and appropriate to carry out the purposes
and intentions of the Exchange and Consent received on each of the four
Proposals.

NO DISSENTER'S RIGHTS

         Under Delaware law, Debentureholders are not entitled to dissenter's
rights of appraisal with respect to the Exchange Offer. The rights of
Debentureholders include the right to sue on the obligation. The
Debentureholders are referred to the Indenture for a complete statement of such
rights.


                                       24
<PAGE>   32
                        PRICE RANGE OF THE COMMON SHARES

   
         The Common Stock is listed on the NYSE. See paragraph (d), below.
Listing on the NYSE, upon official notice of issuance, of the Common Shares
issuable in the Exchange has been approved as to 152,608 of the total 228,912
Common Shares that are the maximum issuable in the Exchange. Listing on the
NYSE, upon official notice of issuance, has been approved as to the
approximately 38,152 shares of Common Stock that are the maximum issuable upon
conversion of all outstanding Debentures. The following table sets forth the
range of reported high and low prices on the NYSE Composite Tape for the Common
Shares for the fiscal quarters indicated.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                1994                                   HIGH               LOW
                ----                                   ----               ---
<S>                                                <C>                <C>       
First Quarter...............................         $11 1/4            $ 6 1/4
Second Quarter..............................           8 3/4              6 1/4
Third Quarter...............................          12 1/2              5
Fourth Quarter..............................           8 3/4              5

                1995
                ----
First Quarter...............................         $ 8 3/4            $ 2 1/2
Second Quarter..............................           7 3/4              5
Third Quarter...............................           9 3/8              5 1/4
Fourth Quarter..............................           8 3/4              5

               1996
               ----
First Quarter...............................         $ 9 1/2            $ 5 3/4
Second Quarter..............................          10                  7 3/4
Third Quarter...............................          10 3/4              8
Fourth Quarter..............................          10                  7 1/4


               1997
               ----
First Quarter...............................         $ 9 3/8            $ 6 7/8
Second Quarter to November 4, 1996..........          15 5/8              8 3/8
</TABLE>


On November 4, 1996, the closing sales price per share of the Common Shares as
reported on the NYSE Composite Tape was $11 1/2.

         (a)      At November 1, 1996, there were 2,958,185 issued and
                  outstanding shares of Common Stock (calculated as described in
                  paragraph (c) below), and the Company had 1,768 stockholders
                  of record of Common Stock. These included 557 record holders
                  who have exchanged their old stock certificates pursuant to
                  the reverse stock split and 1,211 holders who have not yet
                  surrendered old certificates, which entitle the holder to a
                  certificate representing one share of Common Stock for every
                  10 old shares surrendered, plus a payment of cash in lieu of
                  any resultant fraction of a share of Common Stock).

         (b)      No cash dividend was declared during any quarter of fiscal
                  1997, 1996, 1995, 1994 or 1993, as a result of the Company's
                  operating losses and restrictions contained in the Company's
                  loan agreements and the Indenture. The Company does not expect
                  to resume payment of cash dividends in the foreseeable future.
                  Dividend payments are restricted also, while the acceleration
                  of the Debentures continues, by the Indenture.
    

         (c)      On May 16, 1994, the stockholders of the Company authorized
                  and approved an amendment to the Company's Certificate of
                  Incorporation to effect a reverse stock split. The
                  stockholders also approved amendments to the Certificate of
                  Incorporation reducing the par value of the Company's Common
                  Stock to $.01 per share and reducing the number of authorized
                  shares of Common Stock to five times the number of shares
                  outstanding, reserved or otherwise committed for future
                  issuance but not less than

                                       25
<PAGE>   33
                  12.5 million. The reverse stock split was authorized to be in
                  any ratio selected by the Board of Directors; and all of the
                  actions were to become effective on any date selected by the
                  Board of Directors, provided that the actions were completed
                  prior to February 16, 1995.

                  Pursuant to the May 16, 1994 approval, the Board of Directors
                  effected a one-for-ten reverse stock split effective October
                  21, 1994. On the effective date of the reverse stock split,
                  the Certificate of Incorporation was amended to effect the
                  reverse split, to change the par value of the Common Stock to
                  $.01 per share and to reduce the number of authorized shares
                  of Common Stock to 12.5 million. Pursuant to the amendment,
                  the old Common Stock was converted into a right to receive,
                  upon surrender of ten old shares, one new share of Common
                  Stock, and to receive payment in lieu of fractions of a share
                  of new Common Stock. The share figures contained in this
                  statement reflect the effect of the reverse stock split, which
                  would be to reduce the number of shares set forth by a factor
                  of ten, with each stockholder's proportionate ownership
                  interest remaining constant, subject to payment in cash in
                  lieu of fractional shares (at the rate of $.75 per one-tenth
                  of one share) and escheat laws applicable to unclaimed new
                  stock certificates. The number of shares outstanding as
                  reported herein includes an estimate of the whole shares of
                  the Company's Common Stock, par value $.01 per share,
                  represented by old stock certificates nominally representing
                  shares of the Company's Common Stock, par value $.10 per
                  share, issued before the effective time of the October 21,
                  1994 one-for-ten reverse stock split.

         (d)      In October 1994, the NYSE notified the Company that it was
                  below certain quantitative and qualitative listing criteria in
                  regard to continued listing of the Common Stock for trading on
                  the NYSE. Continued listing of the Common Stock for trading on
                  the NYSE is dependent upon factors including the improvement
                  of the Company's financial condition and results of operations
                  as well as the level of activity and breadth of the trading in
                  the shares. No assurance is possible of continued NYSE
                  listing. No assurances can be given by the Company, whether or
                  not the Exchange is effected, of the Company's ability to
                  improve its financial position sufficiently, or that if
                  improved, such financial position can be maintained, so as to
                  satisfy the listing criteria once again and in the future. The
                  NYSE may, in its discretion, delist the Common Stock. See
                  "Risk Factors - Continued Listing on NYSE."

                         SHARES ELIGIBLE FOR FUTURE SALE

         Future sales of substantial amounts of Common Stock in the public
market could adversely affect prevailing market prices and the liquidity of an
investment in the Common Stock. Lower public market prices may also adversely
affect the Company's ability to raise additional capital in the capital markets
at prices favorable to the Company. The Company has issued or committed
approximately 266,000 shares related to business acquisitions, notes convertible
or exchangeable into approximately 566,000 shares, and options or other rights
to purchase approximately 1,409,000 shares and contemplates issuing substantial
additional amounts of equity in private transactions. Issuance of this equity,
and such shares becoming free of restrictions on resale pursuant to Rule 144 or
upon registration thereof pursuant to registration rights granted on almost all
of these shares, and additional sales of equity, could adversely affect the
trading price of the Common Stock. These shares will be restricted initially
under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), because the
shares were acquired from the Company, an underwriter or an "affiliate" of the
Company in a transaction not involving a public offering. Even restricted shares
may be sold privately; however, restricted shares that become unrestricted can
be resold publicly.

         The foregoing outstanding shares would be "restricted securities" as
defined in Rule 144 under the Securities Act ("Restricted Shares"). Restricted
Shares will become eligible for sale (subject to the volume limitation and other
provisions of Rule 144 as then in effect) in the public market after certain
holding periods are met. Moreover, certain shares could immediately cease to be
Restricted Shares if registered by the Company, at its expense, under the
Securities Act upon demand by any or all of the holders pursuant to the
Company's previously granted registration rights.


                                       26
<PAGE>   34
         The Company has filed Forms S-8 under the Securities Act to register up
to 1,435,000 shares of Common Stock as and when authorized by the Board of
Directors. The shares are reserved for issuance under its 1988 Incentive Stock
Option Plan ("ISO Plan") and 1988 Nonstatutory Stock Option Plan ("NSO Plan"),
Non-Employee Directors' Stock Option Plan (as amended and restated, "Directors'
Plan"), and 1995 Incentive Plan ("Incentive Plan"), and registration of the
shares would permit the immediate resale of any shares issued under these plans
in the public market without restriction under the Securities Act.

         Although there can be no assurances that the Company will be able to
register shares for purposes of a public offering under the Securities Act, in
the event that there is an opportunity to do so, the Company may sell
substantial amounts of shares for its own account and may register shares held
or purchasable by others, which may further adversely affect the market price of
the Common Stock. Issuance of shares sold in a public offering for cash does not
require stockholder approval pursuant to the NYSE Shareholder Approval Policy.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

 When Restrictions                       Shares Eligible
       Lapse                             for Future Sale                              Comment
       -----                             ---------------                              -------
<S>                             <C>                                         <C>
Upon the Exchange                Up to approximately 228,912 shares          Freely tradeable in compliance
                                 of Common Stock that may be                 with Section 3(a)(9) under the
                                 exchanged as a portion of the               Securities Act and assuming
                                 Exchange Consideration for                  the Debentures were freely
                                 Debentures                                  tradeable by their respective
                                                                             holders

Upon filing registration         Up to approximately 1,435,000               Freely tradeable
statements on Form S-8           shares of Common Stock issuable
                                 under the 1988 ISO Plan, the 1988
                                 NSO Plan, the Directors' Plan,
                                 or the 1995 Incentive Plan

Upon effectiveness of a          Up to approximately 1,250,000               Freely tradeable
public offering                  shares held by or issuable to
                                 holders with registration rights

When Restricted Shares           All Restricted Shares                       Saleable under Rule 144,
have been held for two                                                       subject to certain numeric
years or more                                                                restrictions

When Restricted Shares           All Restricted Shares held by               Saleable under Rule 144(k) by
have been held three             non-affiliates                              non-affiliates without numeric
years or more                                                                restriction
</TABLE>


                    POTENTIAL FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES

         The following discussion, except as otherwise indicated, expresses the
Company's understanding as to all material federal income tax consequences of
the Exchange. This discussion contains information regarding federal income tax
consequences to a typical taxpayer and does not consider all aspects of United
States federal income tax that may be relevant to a Debentureholder receiving
Exchange Consideration in the Exchange Offer in light of his, her or its
particular circumstances. This discussion does not address the tax consequences
to taxpayers subject to special tax treatment under the federal income tax laws
(including dealers in securities, foreign persons, life insurance companies,
tax-exempt organizations, financial institutions and any taxpayers subject to
the alternative minimum tax). The following discussion does not describe any tax
consequences arising out of the tax laws of any state, local or foreign
jurisdiction. The discussion assumes that the Debentures are properly classified
as indebtedness for federal income tax purposes and that each Debentureholder
holds the Debenture as a capital asset. In addition, the discussion assumes that
the Exchange Offer is consummated outside of a reorganization under the
Bankruptcy Code.

         The summary is based upon the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended
(the "Code"), existing and proposed regulations thereunder, and current
administrative rulings and court decisions. All of the foregoing are subject to
change, which change may be retroactive, and any such change could affect the
continuing validity of this discussion.


                                       27
<PAGE>   35
         The Company is not requesting a tax opinion or a tax ruling from the
Internal Revenue Service ("IRS") on any issue connected with the Exchange. No
assurance can be given that the IRS would agree with any of the tax consequences
described herein. EACH DEBENTUREHOLDER IS URGED TO SEEK HIS, HER OR ITS OWN TAX
ADVICE. All Debentureholders are urged to consult their own tax advisors
concerning the federal, state, local and foreign tax consequences of the
Exchange to them in their particular circumstances.

EFFECTS ON THE DEBENTUREHOLDERS

         The transaction is taxable for federal income tax purposes, and tax
would be due in the year of the Exchange. The Exchange Consideration specifies
an amount as interest which is less than the actual interest accrued through the
date of the Exchange. The specified interest should be respected as interest for
federal income tax purposes. The accrual or receipt of interest results in
ordinary income. Accrual basis taxpayers should consult their tax advisors
regarding accrued but unpaid interest. Assuming that the Debentures are held as
a capital asset, the Exchange will result in capital gain or loss to the extent
of the difference between (a) the fair market value as of the date of the
Exchange of the Common Shares plus the amount of cash received by the
Debentureholder as Exchange Consideration (excluding any portion treated as
interest for federal income tax purposes) and (b) the Debentureholder's tax
basis in such Debentures. In the event a Debentureholder acquired Debentures
with "Market Discount," the gain recognized on the transaction will be treated
as ordinary income to the extent that the gain does not exceed the accrued
Market Discount on the Debentures. Market Discount is defined as the excess of a
debt instrument's stated redemption price at maturity over its basis immediately
after its acquisition. Such ordinary income (if any) should be treated as
interest by the Debentureholders.

         Unless a Debentureholder provides its correct taxpayer identification
number to the Company and certifies that such number is correct, generally under
the federal income tax backup withholding rules an amount equal to 31% of the
fair market value of the Exchange Consideration must be withheld and remitted to
the IRS. Therefore each Debentureholder should complete and sign the Substitute
Form W-9 included in the Letter of Transmittal, so as to provide the information
and certification necessary to avoid backup withholding. However, corporations
and certain other Debentureholders are not subject to these backup withholding
and reporting requirements. Withholding is not an additional federal income
tax. Rather, the federal income tax liability of a person subject to withholding
will be reduced by the amount of tax withheld. If withholding results in an
overpayment of taxes, a refund may be obtained from the IRS.

EFFECTS ON THE COMPANY

         In connection with the Exchange Offer, the Company will realize gross
income from the discharge of indebtedness ("DOD Income") to the extent that the
adjusted issue price of the Debentures exceeds the cash (excluding any portion
of the cash treated as interest for federal income tax purposes) and the fair
market value of the Common Shares exchanged for the Debentures in the Exchange
Offer. Such DOD Income will be excluded from taxable income to the extent that
the Company is considered to be insolvent immediately before the Exchange Offer
occurs (the "Insolvency Exclusion"). The Company would be considered insolvent
for purposes of the Insolvency Exclusion to the extent that its liabilities
exceed the fair market value of its assets immediately before the Exchange. The
exclusion of DOD Income based on the Insolvency Exclusion is limited to the
amount of such excess. Section 108(b) of the Code requires the Company to reduce
certain tax attributes (including net operating loss carryovers unless an
election is made to reduce only the adjusted tax basis of depreciable assets) to
the extent of income excluded under the Insolvency Exclusion.

         If the Insolvency Exclusion does not apply to the Company, any net
operating losses ("NOLs") of the Company (see discussion below) are available to
offset DOD Income based on certain assumptions made by the Company that it
considers to be reasonable (including, but not limited to, the assumption that
the Company did not have a net unrealized built-in loss at the time the Exchange
Offer is completed and the assumption that the Company's actual net operating
losses will be in excess of the DOD Income, as discussed below). The Company
believes that it will not recognize any DOD Income in excess of available NOLs
as a consequence of the Exchange Offer. The amount of DOD Income would depend in
part upon the deemed issue price of the Common Shares, which would equal the
fair market value thereof on the date the Exchange Offer is completed.

         Section 382 of the Code provides rules limiting the utilization of a
corporation's NOL carryovers following a more than 50% change in ownership of a
corporation's equity by 5% shareholders and certain segregated public groups (an
"ownership change"). Upon the occurrence of an ownership change, the amount of
post-ownership change annual

                                       28
<PAGE>   36
taxable income of the Company and its affiliated subsidiaries (the "Company
Group") that can be offset by the Company Group's pre-ownership change
consolidated NOL carryovers generally cannot exceed an amount equal to the
product of (i) the fair market value of the Company's stock immediately before
the ownership change (subject to various adjustments) multiplied by (ii) the
highest federal long-term tax-exempt rate in effect for any month in the
three-calendar-month period ending with the calendar month of the ownership
change (the "Annual Limitation"). In addition, in the event that the Company
Group has a net unrealized built-in loss at the time of the ownership change,
the deduction of certain built-in losses recognized during the five-year
recognition period following the date of the ownership change will be subject to
the Annual Limitation. In the event of multiple ownership changes, the
applicable Annual Limitation for pre-ownership change NOLs may result in a lower
Annual Limitation.

   
         The Company had an NOL carryover into fiscal and tax year 1997 of
approximately $26.8 million. In the event that the Company's tax refunds (as
described under the heading "Risk Factors -- Taxes") are disallowed, the
disallowed amount of carrybacks of specified liability losses would be
recharacterized as NOLs. The resultant NOLs could increase the NOLs aggregately
to approximately $76.8 million. In the event that a substantial portion of the 
$50.0 million aggregate tax deductions forming the basis for the Company's tax
refund claims shall have been reclassified as NOLs, a change of ownership (as
defined above) would likely have the effect of disallowing the use of a
substantial portion of the Company's NOLs by the Company under any circumstances
during the limited carryover periods applicable thereto. All of such NOLs may be
limited by Section 382 of the Code (as described above) as a consequence of the
occurrence of one or more ownership changes. The Company believes that, as of
the start of fiscal 1997 and before this Exchange Offer, the Company's NOLs were
not subject to an Annual Limitation on their utilization.

         As a consequence of the Exchange and other financial restructuring,
there is a substantial risk that the Company will incur an ownership change (as
defined above). In the event that an ownership change occurs, it is likely that
the Annual Limitation will materially reduce the amount of annual taxable income
that can be offset with NOLs. At June 28, 1996, the federal long-term tax-exempt
rate was 5.75%.

         In addition, the Company may be unable to utilize some or all of its
allowable tax deductions or losses, which depend upon factors including the
availability of sufficient net income from which to deduct such losses during
limited carryback and carryover periods.
    


                                       29
<PAGE>   37
                          DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK

         The authorized capital stock of the Company consists of 12,500,000
shares of Common Stock, $.01 par value per share (the "Common Stock"), and
60,000 shares of Preferred Stock, $50.00 par value per share.

COMMON STOCK

   
         At November 1, 1996, there were 2,958,185 issued and outstanding
shares of Common Stock, and the Company had 1,768 holders of record of Common
Stock. These included 1,211 record holders of certificates nominally
representing shares of old Common Stock, par value $.10 per share, which
represent one share of Common Stock for every 10 old shares, plus a payment of
cash in lieu of any resultant fraction of a share of Common Stock at the rate of
$.75 per old share. 
    

         Holders of Common Stock are entitled to one vote per share on all
matters to be voted upon by the stockholders. The Company's Restated Certificate
of Incorporation grants the Board of Directors express authority to fix the
designations, powers, preferences, rights, qualifications, limitations,
restrictions, dividend rates, and, if any, the redemption rights, liquidation
rights, sinking fund provisions, conversion rights and voting rights of any
future series of Preferred Stock which may be issued. Thus, the Board of
Directors may create one or more series of Preferred Stock which may adversely
affect the holders of shares of Common Stock. Subject to preferences that may be
applicable to the holders of outstanding shares of Preferred Stock, if any, the
holders of Common Stock are entitled to receive such lawful dividends as may be
declared by the Board of Directors. In the event of liquidation, dissolution or
winding up of the Company, and subject to the rights of the holders of
outstanding shares of Preferred Stock, if any, the holders of shares of Common
Stock shall be entitled to receive pro rata all of the remaining assets of the
Company available for distribution to its stockholders. The holders of Common
Stock are entitled to cumulative voting rights in the election of directors, and
one vote per share in all other matters. There are no redemption or sinking fund
provisions applicable to the Common Stock. There are no preemptive or conversion
rights applicable to the Common Stock. All outstanding shares of Common Stock
are fully paid and nonassessable, and the Common Shares to be issued pursuant to
this offering shall be fully paid and nonassessable.

         See "Other Factors to Consider -- Price Range of the Common Shares."

COMMON STOCK PURCHASE RIGHTS

         On the terms, and subject to the conditions, of the Restated and
Amended Rights Agreement dated April 19, 1988, as restated and amended on
October 21, 1994, between the Company and Continental Stock Transfer & Trust
Company, each share of Common Stock includes a right to purchase an additional
share of Common Stock or shares of any acquiring company at a formula price
generally less than the prevailing price thereof in certain defined events, such
as an acquisition by a third party of a substantial portion of the shares of
Common Stock, unless in each such case the transaction is approved by the Board
of Directors excluding any directors that are affiliated with the acquiring
person.

REGISTRATION RIGHTS

         The Company has granted registration rights to certain private
investors. The private placement agreements all provide for demand registration
by the investors and other incidental registration rights. If registration
rights are exercised, any substantial number of shares that are registered at
one time would be likely to have an adverse effect on the market price of the
Common Stock. See "Other Factors to Consider--Shares Eligible for Future Sale."
The Company has not been able to comply with registration provisions, which
could result in claims against the Company for any monetary damages suffered by
the investors.


                                       30
<PAGE>   38
COMMON STOCK TRANSFER AGENT, DIVIDEND DISBURSING AGENT AND REGISTRAR

         The stock transfer agent, dividend disbursing agent and registrar for
the Company's Common Stock is Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company.

PREFERRED STOCK

         No shares of Preferred Stock are outstanding. The Board of Directors
has the authority, without further action by the stockholders, to issue the
shares of Preferred Stock in one or more series and to fix the rights,
preferences and privileges thereof, including voting rights, terms of
redemption, redemption prices, liquidation preferences, number of shares
constituting any series or the designation of such series, without further vote
or action by the stockholders. The Board of Directors, without stockholder
approval, could issue Preferred Stock with voting and conversion rights which
could adversely affect the voting power of the holders of Common Stock.

         These provisions may be deemed to have a potential anti-takeover effect
and the issuance of Preferred Stock in accordance with such provisions may delay
or prevent a change of control of the Company.

DELAWARE LAW AND CERTAIN CHARTER PROVISIONS

         The Company is subject to the provisions of Section 203 of the Delaware
General Corporation Law and anti-takeover law. In general, the statute prohibits
a publicly-held Delaware corporation from engaging in a "business combination"
with an "interested stockholder" for a period of three years after the date of
the transaction in which the person became an interested stockholder, unless
either (i) prior to the date at which the person becomes an interested
stockholder, the Board of directors approves such transaction or business
combination, (ii) the stockholder acquires more than 85% of the outstanding
voting stock of the corporation (excluding shares held by directors who are
officers or held in certain employee stock plans) upon consummation of such
transaction, or (iii) the business combination is approved by the Board of
Directors and by two-thirds of the outstanding voting stock of the corporation
(excluding shares held by the interested stockholder) at a meeting of
stockholders (and not by written consent). A "business combination" includes a
merger, asset sale or other transaction resulting in a financial benefit to such
interested stockholder. For purposes of Section 203, "interested stockholder" is
a person who, together with affiliates and associates, owns (or within three
years prior, did own) 15% or more of the corporation's voting stock.

         The Company's Restated Certificate of Incorporation includes a
provision that allows the Board of Directors to issue Preferred Stock in one or
more series with such voting rights and other provisions as the Board of
Directors may determine. This provision may be deemed to have a potential
anti-takeover effect and the issuance of Preferred Stock in accordance with such
provisions may delay or prevent a change of control of the Company. See
"Preferred Stock."

                            DESCRIPTION OF DEBENTURES

   
         An aggregate of $46,000,000 principal amount, at a price of 100% of
face amount plus accrued interest, of the Company's Debentures were issued under
the Indenture between the Company and the Trustee. At November 14, 1996,
$9,538,000 in principal amount remained outstanding.

         The terms of the Debentures include those stated in the Indenture and
those made part of the Indenture by reference to the Trust Indenture Act of 1939
(the "1939 Act") as in effect on the date of the Indenture. The Debentures are
subject to all such terms, and persons interested in such terms are referred to
the Indenture and the 1939 Act for a statement thereof. This summary makes use
of terms defined in the Indenture and does not purport to be complete, and is
qualified in its entirety by references to the Indenture and the 1939 Act. All
references to "Section," "Article" or "Paragraph" in this section refer to
the applicable Section or Article of the Indenture or the applicable Paragraph
in the form of Debenture included in the Indenture, as the case may be.
    


                                       31
<PAGE>   39
GENERAL

   
         The Debentures represent general unsecured obligations of the Company,
subordinate in right of payment to certain other obligations of the Company as
described below under "Subordination of Debentures." The Debentures are
convertible into the Company's Common Stock as described below under "Conversion
of Debentures." The Debentures are issued in fully registered form only in
denominations of $1,000 or any whole multiple thereof, and will mature on April
15, 2010. The Debentures are traded in the over-the-counter market and trading 
is sporadic. The bid and asked prices of Debentures are not quoted on any
automated quotation service. Bid quotations vary from broker-dealer to
broker-dealer. 

         The Company pays interest on the Debentures at the rate of 7 1/2% per
annum to the persons who are registered holders of Debentures at the close of
business on the April 1 or October 1 next preceding the interest payment date.
Interest is payable semi-annually on April 15 and October 15 of each year.
Interest is computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months. The
Company may pay principal and interest by its check and may mail interest checks
to a holder's registered address. Principal and premium, if any, will be
payable, and the Debentures may be presented for conversion, registration or
transfer and exchange, without service charge, at the office of the Trustee in
St. Paul, Minnesota.
    

CONVERSION OF DEBENTURES

   
         The holder of any Debenture will be entitled at any time prior to the
close of business on April 15, 2010, subject to prior redemption, to convert the
Debentures or portions thereof which are $1,000 or whole multiples thereof, at
the principal amount thereof, into shares of Common Stock of the Company, at the
adjusted conversion price of $248.12 per share, subject to further adjustment as
described below. On each semi-annual interest payment date, interest will be
paid to the registered holder as of the record date for payment. Debentures that
are surrendered for conversion after the record date for the payment of interest
would receive the interest payable. (Paragraph 2) No other payment or adjustment
will be made on conversion of any Debenture for interest accrued thereon or
dividends on any Common Stock issued. (Section 10.02) The Company will not issue
fractional shares of Common Stock upon conversion of Debentures and, in lieu
thereof, will pay a cash adjustment based upon the market price of the Common
Stock on the last business day prior to the date of conversion. (Section 10.03
and Paragraph 8) In the case of Debentures called for redemption, conversion
rights will expire at the close of business on the redemption date. (Section
3.03 and Paragraph 8)

         The conversion price, which, as adjusted, was $248.12 per share as of
November 14, 1996, is subject to adjustment as set forth in the Indenture in
certain events, including: the issuance of stock of the Company as a dividend or
distribution on the Common Stock; subdivisions and combinations of the Common
Stock; the issuance of stock of the Company upon certain reclassifications of
its Common Stock; the issuance to all holders of Common Stock of certain rights
or warrants entitling them to subscribe for Common Stock at less than the
current market price (as defined); the distribution to all holders of Common
Stock of debt securities or assets of the Company or rights or warrants to
purchase assets or securities of the Company (excluding cash dividends or
distributions paid out of current or retained earnings); the issuance of shares
of Common Stock (with certain exceptions) for less consideration than the
current market price; and the issuance of securities convertible into or
exchangeable for shares of Common Stock (other than pursuant to transactions
described above and with certain exceptions) for a consideration per share of
Common Stock deliverable on such conversion or exchange that is less than the
current market price of the Common Stock. No adjustment in the conversion price
will be required unless such adjustment would require a change of at least 1% in
the price then in effect; but any adjustment that would otherwise be required to
be made shall be carried forward and taken into account in any subsequent
adjustment. No adjustment need be made for rights to purchase Common Stock
pursuant to a Company dividend or interest reinvestment plan. In addition, no
adjustment need be made if holders of Debentures are to participate in such
transactions on a basis and with notice that has been determined to be fair and
appropriate in light of the basis and notice on which holders of Common Stock
participate in the transaction. The Company may at any time reduce the
conversion price by any amount, provided that any such reduction must be
effective for a minimum period of 15 days. If the Company consolidates or merges
into or transfers or leases all or substantially all of its assets to any
person, the Debentures will become convertible into the kind and amount of
securities, cash or other assets which the holders of the Debentures would have
owned immediately after the transaction if the holders had converted the
Debentures immediately before the effective date of the transaction. (Sections
10.06-10.18)
    

                                       32
<PAGE>   40
         If the Company makes a distribution resulting in an adjustment to the
conversion price and such adjustment is considered to result in an increase in
the proportionate interests of the holders of the Debentures in the assets or
earnings and profits of the Company, holders of the Debentures may be viewed as
receiving a "deemed distribution" that is taxable as a dividend under Sections
301 and 305 of the Code.

OPTIONAL REDEMPTION

         The Company may, at its option, redeem all or part of the Debentures,
on at least 15 days' but not more than 60 days' notice to each holder of
Debentures to be redeemed at the holder's registered address, at the redemption
price (expressed as a percentage of principal amount) of 100%, plus accrued
interest to the redemption date.

SINKING FUND

   
         Subject to certain conditions, the Company was required to redeem,
through operation of a sinking fund, 5% of the aggregate principal amount of
Debentures on April 15, 1996, and on each April 15 thereafter through April 15,
2009, at a redemption price of 100% of principal amount thereof, plus accrued
interest to the redemption date. Such sinking fund payments are calculated to
retire prior to maturity 70% of the Debentures outstanding on April 15, 1996.
Provided, however, the Company may reduce the principal amount of Debentures to
be redeemed by subtracting 100% of the principal amount of any Debentures that
holders of the Debentures have converted on or before such April 15 or any
Debentures that the Company has delivered to the Trustee for cancellation or
that the Company has redeemed other than through operation of the sinking fund
on or before such April 15. Approximately $36 million in principal amount of
Debentures was converted by Debentureholders in 1991, which the Company has
elected to utilize to extinguish the sinking fund obligations at April 15, 1996
and in all subsequent years. (Paragraph 6) See the Debentureholder Consent
Solicitation Statement for further information.
    

SUBORDINATION OF DEBENTURES

         The payment of the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the
Debentures is subordinated in right of payment, as set forth in the Indenture,
to the prior payment in full of all Senior Debt, as defined in the Indenture,
whether outstanding on the date of the Indenture or thereafter created,
incurred, assumed or guaranteed. Upon (i) the maturity of Senior Debt, including
by acceleration or otherwise, or (ii) any distribution of the assets of the
Company upon any dissolution, winding up, liquidation or reorganization of the
Company, the holders of Senior Debt will be entitled to receive payment in full
before the holders of Debentures are entitled to receive any payment. (Sections
11.03-11.04)

   
         "Senior Debt" means all defined Debt (present or future) created,
incurred, assumed or guaranteed by the Company (and all renewals, extensions or
refundings thereof), unless the instrument governing such Debt expressly
provides that such Debt is not senior or superior in right of payment to the
Debentures. The principal amount of Senior Debt at August 31, 1996 was estimated
at $2.0 million.
    

         "Debt" means any indebtedness, contingent or otherwise, in respect of
borrowed money (whether or not the recourse of the lender is to the whole of the
assets of the Company or only to a portion thereof), or evidenced by bonds,
notes, debentures or similar instruments or letters of credit, or representing
obligations of the Company as lessee under leases of real or personal property,
or representing the deferred and unpaid balance of the purchase price of any
property or interest therein, except any such balance that constitutes a trade
payable, if and to the extent such indebtedness would appear as a liability upon
a balance sheet of the Company in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles. (Section 11.02)

         In addition, the claims of third parties to the assets of the Company's
subsidiaries incurring such obligations will be superior to those of the Company
as a stockholder, and, therefore, the Debentures may be deemed to be effectively
subordinated to the claims of such third parties. Certain substantial operations
of the Company are conducted through such subsidiaries, and the Debentures are
effectively subordinated to repayment of the Company's liabilities arising from
those operations. The Indenture does not limit the amount of additional
indebtedness, including Senior Debt, which the Company or any subsidiary can
create, incur, assume or guarantee. As a result of these subordination
provisions, in the event of insolvency, holders of the Debentures may recover
less ratably than other creditors of the Company or its subsidiaries.

                                       33
<PAGE>   41
EVENTS OF DEFAULT AND REMEDIES

   
         An Event of Default is: default for 30 days in payment of interest on
the Debentures; default in payment when due of principal and premium, if any, on
the Debentures; failure by the Company, continuing for 30 days after notice and
opportunity to cure, to comply with any of its other agreements in the Indenture
or the Debentures; and certain events of bankruptcy or insolvency. (Section
6.01)
    

         If any Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee by notice
to the Company, or the holders of at least 25% in the principal amount of the
Debentures then outstanding by notice to the Company and the Trustee, can
accelerate the Debentures and declare all principal and interest under the
Debentures to be due and payable immediately, except that in the case of an
Event of Default arising from certain events of bankruptcy or insolvency, and
subject to applicable law, all outstanding Debentures become due and payable
without further action or notice.
(Section 6.02)

         If an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may pursue
any available remedy to collect the payment of principal or interest on the
Debentures or to enforce the performance of any provision of the Indenture or
the Debentures. A delay or omission by the Trustee or any Debentureholder in
exercising any right or remedy shall not impair the right or remedy or
constitute a waiver of or acquiescence in the Event of Default. (Section 6.03)

         Holders of the Debentures may not enforce the Indenture or the
Debentures except as provided in the Indenture. A holder of Debentures may
enforce a remedy with respect to the Indenture or the Debentures only if the
holder gives notice to the Trustee of a continuing Event of Default, the holders
of at least 25% in principal amount of then outstanding Debentures make a
request to the Trustee to pursue the remedy, such holders offer to the Trustee
an indemnity satisfactory to the Trustee against loss, liability or expense, the
Trustee does not comply with the request within 60 days after receipt of the
request and the offer of indemnity, and during such 60-day period the holders of
a majority in principal amount of then outstanding Debentures do not give the
Trustee a direction inconsistent with the request. (Section 6.06) Subject to
certain limitations, holders of a majority in principal amount of the then
outstanding Debentures may direct the Trustee regarding the time, method and
place of exercising any trust or power conferred on it. (Section 6.05)

         The Trustee is required, within 90 days after the occurrence of any
default which is known to the Trustee and continuing, to give the holders of the
Debentures notice of such default. The Trustee may withhold from holders of the
Debentures notice of any continuing Default or Event of Default (except a
Default or Event of Default in payment of principal or interest) if it
determines that withholding notice is in their interest. (Section 7.05) The
Company is required to deliver to the Trustee annually a statement regarding
compliance with the Indenture, and upon becoming aware of any Default or Event
of Default, a statement specifying such Default or Event of Default. (Section
4.03)

                                       34
<PAGE>   42
MERGER, CONSOLIDATION, OR SALE OF ASSETS

         The Company may not consolidate or merge into, or transfer all or
substantially all of its assets to, another corporation, person or entity unless
(i) the successor is a United States corporation, (ii) it assumes all the
obligations of the Company under the Debentures and the Indenture, and (iii)
after such transaction no Default or Event of Default exists. (Article 5)

AMENDMENT, SUPPLEMENT AND WAIVER

         Subject to certain exceptions, the Indenture or the Debentures may be
amended or supplemented with the consent of the holders of at least two-thirds
in principal amount of the then outstanding Debentures, and any existing default
or compliance with any provision may be waived with the consent of the holders
of at least two-thirds in principal amount of the then outstanding Debentures.
(Sections 9.02 and 6.04) Without the consent of any holder of the Debentures,
the Company and the Trustee may amend or supplement the Indenture or the
Debentures to cure any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency, to provide for
uncertificated Debentures in addition to or in place of certificated Debentures,
to provide for the assumption of the Company's obligations to holders of the
Debentures in the case of a merger or acquisition, or to make any change that
does not adversely affect the rights of any holder of the Debentures. (Section
9.01 and Paragraph 12) Without the consent of each Debenture holder affected,
the Company may not reduce the principal amount of Debentures, reduce the rate
or change the interest payment time of any Debenture; reduce the principal of or
change the fixed maturity of any Debenture; make any Debenture payable in money
other than stated in the Debenture; make any change in the provisions concerning
waiver of Defaults or Events of Default by holders of the Debentures or rights
of holders to receive payment of principal or interest; or make any change that
adversely affects conversion rights or certain subordination rights. (Section
9.02)

TRANSFER AND EXCHANGE

         A holder may transfer or exchange Debentures in accordance with the
Indenture. The Registrar may require a holder, among other things, to furnish
appropriate endorsements and transfer documents, and to pay any taxes and fees
required by law or permitted by the Indenture. The Registrar is not required to
transfer or exchange any Debenture selected for redemption. Also, the Registrar
is not required to transfer or exchange any Debenture for a period of 15 days
before a selection of Debentures to be redeemed. (Section 2.06 and Paragraph 10)

         The registered holder of a Debenture may be treated as the owner of it
for all purposes.

CONCERNING THE TRUSTEE

   
         The Trustee acts as Conversion Agent, Paying Agent and Registrar for
the Debentures and is also to act as Exchange Agent for the Exchange Offer.
(Section 12.10)
    

         The Indenture contains certain limitations on the rights of the
Trustee, should it become a creditor of the Company, to obtain payment of claims
in certain cases, or to realize on certain property received in respect of any
such claim as security or otherwise. The Trustee is permitted to engage in other
transactions; however, if it acquires any conflicting interest (as defined) it
must eliminate such conflict or resign. (Article 7)

         The holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding
Debentures will have the right to direct the time, method and place of
conducting any proceeding for exercising any remedy available to the Trustee.
The Indenture provides that in case an Event of Default shall occur (which shall
not be cured), the Trustee is required, in the exercise of its power, to use the
degree of care of a prudent man in the conduct of his own affairs. The Trustee
is under no obligation to exercise any of its rights or powers under the
Indenture at the request of any of the holders of the Debentures, unless they
shall have offered to the Trustee security and indemnity satisfactory to it.
(Section 7.01)


                                       35
<PAGE>   43
                                  RISK FACTORS

         In addition to the other information set forth in this Offering
Circular, the following factors should be considered carefully:

FAILURE TO CONSUMMATE EXCHANGE OFFER

         If the Exchange Offer is not consummated, the Company does not
anticipate that it will likely be able to address the acceleration of
Debentures. The Debentureholders may file an involuntary petition to commence a
Chapter 7 liquidation.

         The Company believes that any protracted bankruptcy case would have
material adverse effects on the Company possibly including:

         (a)      disruption of business activities by diverting the attention
                  of the Company's senior management to the bankruptcy case or
                  resultant disputes, and eventually terminations, of its
                  contracts with third parties;

         (b)      potential for substantial diminution in the value of the
                  Company's assets and its revenues, earnings and cash flow;

         (c)      potential adverse impact upon the ability of the Company to
                  obtain the financing necessary for its future operations;

         (d)      substantial increase in the cost of restructuring the Company,
                  including the increase in the expenses of professionals
                  normally associated with a bankruptcy case commenced without
                  prior agreement with the Company's major creditors;

         (e)      uncertainty as to the ability of the Company to effectuate any
                  such restructuring and, if it is effectuated, the timing
                  thereof;

         (f)      interference and delay regarding payments to holders of
                  Debentures and risks associated with subordinated unsecured
                  debt;

         (g)      potential for forced liquidation of some of the Company's
                  assets at substantially reduced values and the resulting loss
                  to creditors and others; and

         (h)      increased uncertainty and suspicions among the Company's
                  employees and vendors.

         In addition, the Company believes that, because of the importance of
continuing stable relations with medical and health professionals and other
service and goods providers in the behavioral treatment industry, the Company is
particularly susceptible to any adverse reactions these highly sought after
constituencies may have to the filing of a bankruptcy petition affecting the
Company.

IMPORTANT FACTORS RELATED TO FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS AND ASSOCIATED RISKS

   
         This Offering Circular contains certain forward-looking statements
that are based on current expectations and involve a number of risks and
uncertainties. Factors that may materially affect revenues, expenses or
operating results include, without limitation, the Company's success in (i)
implementing its Debenture restructuring plans, (ii) the timely filing of
documents with the Securities and Exchange Commission that may be requisite to
the consummation of the Debenture exchange transactions described herein; (iii)
disposing of certain remaining facilities on acceptable terms, (iv) expanding
the behavioral medicine managed care and contract management portions of the
Company's business, (v) securing and retaining certain refunds from the Internal
Revenue Service and certain judgments from adverse parties in legal proceedings,
(vi) maintaining the listing of the Company's Common Stock on the New York Stock
Exchange, and (vii) securing any requisite stockholder and debentureholder
approval and consent to the Debenture transactions described herein. 
    

                                       36
<PAGE>   44
         The forward-looking statements included herein are based on current
assumptions that the Company will be able to proceed with the proposed Exchange
Offer or otherwise reach a settlement with the debentureholders, that
competitive conditions within the healthcare industry will not change materially
or adversely, that the Company will retain existing key management personnel,
that the Company's forecasts will accurately anticipate market demand for its
services, and that there will be no material adverse change in the Company's
operations or business. Assumptions relating to the foregoing involve judgments
that are difficult to predict accurately and are subject to many factors that
can materially affect results. Budgeting and other management decisions are
subjective in many respects and thus susceptible to interpretations and periodic
revisions based on actual experience and business developments, the impact of
which may cause the Company to alter its budgets, which may in turn affect the
Company's results. In light of the factors that can materially affect the
forward-looking information included herein, the inclusion of such information
should not be regarded as a representation by the Company or any other person
that the objectives or plans of the Company will be achieved.

GENERAL

   
         In response to continuing changes in the behavioral health care
industry, the Company has made significant changes in its operations, including
the divestiture of many freestanding facilities, so that the Company can focus
on its network solutions related to managed care and behavioral medicine
contract management operations. During fiscal 1996, managed care operations
experienced significant growth through internal development and the expansion
into new behavioral health managed care markets and products.

         As a result of the Company's continued negative results from
operations, the Company has had difficulty generating sufficient cash flows from
operations to meet its obligations and sustain its operations. During the first
quarter of fiscal 1997, the Company has utilized the proceeds from the sale of
assets, and available cash on hand to fund its working capital deficit.
    

   
    

   
    

                                       37
<PAGE>   45
   
GLOBAL RESTRUCTURING

         In early fiscal 1995, Management developed a "global restructuring"
plan intended to address the Company's immediate challenges and to return to a
base of profitability for future success. Management has achieved all of the
stated objectives in the global restructuring plan except the restructuring of
the Company's financial obligations represented by the Debentures.

         During fiscal 1996, the Company recorded $0.1 million in restructuring
charges related to the Company's planned closure and disposition of its
freestanding facility in Cincinnati, Ohio which occurred during the first
quarter of fiscal 1997. The components of this charge are predominately
severance to hospital employees. Closure of this facility is consistent with
the Company's global restructuring plans and will eliminate the funding of
operating losses and cash flow deficits required by this facility.

         In addition, in July 1996, the Company closed the administrative
offices of CCI located in San Ramon, California. Closure of this office and
several non-performing contract units are part of the planned restructuring of
these operations. The impact of this restructuring was approximately $0.2
million and is reflected in the Company's statements of operations for the
first quarter of fiscal 1997. The components of this charge are severance to
administrative and clinical staff and other related cash outlays. Closure of
this office and contract units will reduce the funding by the Company to meet
operating losses and cash flow deficits required by these operations.

         In August 1996, the Company sold its non-operating freestanding
facility in Costa Mesa, California which had been closed in November 1995 due
to poor performance. The Company utilized the proceeds received from the sale
to reduce secured debt and other working capital purposes. One of the three
non-operating freestanding facilities is currently under contract to be sold
and is scheduled to close escrow during the second quarter of fiscal 1997.

         The Company is seeking to restructure its obligations under the
Debentures, and is currently in default as a result of the Company's failure to
make schedule payments of interest (see Note 2 to the Company's Consolidated 
Financial Statements).

         During the fourth quarter of fiscal 1995, the Company entered into a
letter of agreement with a representative of holders of the Debentures. The
agreement provides, among other things, that the Company provide an opportunity
to holders of the Debentures to tender their Debentures to the Company pursuant
to an exchange offer to be made by the Company to the holders of the
Debentures. In connection with the offer, the Company is seeking to rescind 
the Debenture acceleration from the holders of a majority in principal amount 
of the Debentures. Failure to consummate the Debenture exchange offer may 
result in the Company considering alternative actions including filing for 
voluntary protection from creditors.
    

   
    

ABILITY OF THE COMPANY TO CONTINUE AS A GOING CONCERN; EXPLANATORY PARAGRAPH IN
AUDITORS' REPORT

         The Company's independent auditors have included an explanatory
paragraph in their report stating that the Company's history of losses,
consolidated financial position and uncertainties resulting from the Company's
existing default in the terms of its Debentures raise substantial doubt about
its ability to continue as a going concern.

   
TAX MATTERS

         On July 20, 1995, the Company filed its Federal income tax return for
fiscal 1995. On August 4, 1995, the Company filed Form 1139 "Corporate
Application for Tentative Refund" to carry back losses under Section 172(f)
requesting a refund to the Company in the amount of $9.4 million. On August 30,
1995, the Company also filed amended Federal tax returns for several prior years
to carry back losses under Section 172(f). The refunds claimed on the amended
returns are approximately $6.2 million for 1986; $0.4 million for 1985; $0.7
million for 1983 and $0.4 million for 1982. On September 20, 1996, the Company
filed its Federal income tax return for fiscal 1996, and subsequently filed Form
1139 "Corporate Application for Tentative Refund" to carry back losses described
in Section 172(f) requesting a refund to the Company in the amount of $5.5
million. In October 1996, the Company received a $5.4 million refund for fiscal
1996. The total refunds applied for are $22.6 million, comprised of $7.7
million for amended prior years' returns, $9.4 million for fiscal year 1995, and
$5.5 million for fiscal year 1996. Section 172(f) is an area of the tax law with
little guiding legal precedent. On October 21, 1996, the U.S. Tax Court rendered
an opinion in Sealy Corp. v. Commissioner, No. 18761-92, 107 T.C. No. 11,
October 21, 1996, in which the application of certain deductions claimed
pursuant to Section 172(f) was denied. The period for which that case may be
appealed has not yet expired, so the precedential value of that case is not yet
certain. There may be opposition by the Internal Revenue Service ("IRS") as to
the Company's ability to obtain benefits from refunds claimed under this
section. Therefore, no assurances can be made as to the Company's entitlement to
the claimed refunds.

         In October 1995, the Company received a $9.4 million refund for fiscal
1995. Of this refund, $2.4 million was recognized as a tax benefit during the
second quarter of fiscal 1996. Receipt of the fiscal 1995 Federal tax refund
does not imply IRS approval. Due to the uncertainty regarding Section 172(f),
the remaining amount, $7.0 million, is reflected on the Company's consolidated
balance sheets in unbenefited tax refunds received. In addition, during the
second quarter of fiscal 1996, the Company recorded a tax benefit of $0.2
million, which is related to prior years returns. The Company

                                       38
<PAGE>   46
paid a contingency fee of $1.9 million related to the 1995 refund. In the event
the IRS Appeals Office determines that the Company is not entitled to all or a
portion of the deductions under Section 172(f), this fee is reimbursable to the
Company proportionately. Of the $1.9 million, the Company expensed $0.5 million
during the second quarter of fiscal 1996, which is the amount of fees related to
the tax benefit recognized by the Company. The remaining $1.4 million is
reflected in the Company's financial statements as other receivables.

         In October 1996, the Company received a $5.4 million refund for fiscal
1996. Of such refund, some portion, not known at the present time, will be
recognized as a tax benefit. Receipt of the fiscal 1996 Federal tax refund does
not imply IRS approval. Due to the uncertainty regarding Section 172(f), the
unbenefited amount will be reflected on the Company's consolidated balance
sheets in unbenefited tax refunds received. The Company also paid a contingency
fee of $1.1 million related to the fiscal 1996 refund. In the event that the IRS
Appeals Office determines that the Company is not entitled to all or a portion
of the deductions under Section 172(f), this fee is


                                       39
<PAGE>   47
 reimbursable to the Company proportionately. During the second quarter of
fiscal 1997, the Company will expense a certain portion of the fee paid in
proportion to the amount of the fiscal 1997 Federal tax refund that is
recognized by the Company as a tax benefit in the second quarter of fiscal 1997.
The remaining amount of fees paid will be reflected in the Company's second
quarter financial statements as other receivables.
    

         The Company is currently under audit by the IRS related to its 1995
Federal income tax return and the amended returns for prior years. Neither the
Company nor the IRS will be foreclosed from raising other tax issues in regard
to any audits of any such returns, which could also ultimately affect the
Company's tax liability.

         The Company's ability to use any NOLs may be subject to limitation in
the event that the Company issues or agrees to issue substantial amounts of
additional equity (see "Potential Federal Income Tax Consequences - Effects on
the Company"). The Company monitors the potential for "change of ownership" and
believes that presently contemplated private placements of stock and the recent
exchange of an outstanding promissory note for shares of stock will not cause a
"change of ownership;" however, no assurances can be made that future events
will not act to limit the Company's tax benefits.

   
         The Company had a carryover of $26.8 million of NOLs into fiscal 1997.
In the event that the Company's tax refunds (as described above) are disallowed,
the disallowed amount of carrybacks of specified liability losses would be
recharacterized as NOLs. The resultant NOLs could increase the NOLs aggregately
to approximately $76.8 million. In the event that a substantial portion of the
$50.0 million aggregate tax deductions forming the basis for the Company's tax
refund claims are reclassified as NOLs, a change of ownership (as defined above)
would likely have the effect of disallowing the use of a substantial portion of
the Company's NOLs by the Company under any circumstances during the limited
carryover periods applicable thereto.

         In addition, the Company may be unable to utilize some or all of its
allowable tax deductions or losses, which depend upon factors including the
availability of sufficient net income from which to deduct such losses during
limited carryback and carryover periods.
    

PRIORITIES OF SECURITIES AND OTHER CONSIDERATIONS RELATING TO ANY FUTURE
BANKRUPTCY OF THE COMPANY

         Implementation of the Exchange Offer will have significant consequences
for the holders of the Company's debt and equity securities in the event of any
future bankruptcy of the Company. Certain of these consequences are summarized
below. Holders of debt and equity securities are encouraged to seek the advice
of their own counsel or advisors with respect to such matters.

         RELATIVE PRIORITIES OF DEBT CLAIMS AND EQUITY INTERESTS

         The relative rankings of the Company's debt claims and equity interests
as of August 31, 1996, both before and after giving effect to the Exchange for
all of the outstanding Debentures (without reflecting any other transactions),
are summarized in the following table. The relative priority of claims of
holders of Debentures who do not tender such Debentures pursuant to the Exchange
Offer may worsen because new debt or convertible securities, whether secured or
unsecured,may, in each case, rank senior to the Debentures. In the event that
the Company incurs additional indebtedness that is senior to the Debentures, the
position of the Debentures relative to the new senior indebtedness will worsen.
The relative priority of claims of holders of Debentures who tender them for
acceptance by the Company, to the extent that such holders receive and retain
cash, would improve in position relative to other creditors; to the extent that
they exchange their Debentures for Common Stock, their relative position may
worsen because all secured and unsecured debt ranks ahead of equity.


                                       40
<PAGE>   48
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                    Priority                       Pre-Restructuring                       Post-Restructuring
                                                     Type and Amount                         Type and Amount
                                                       Outstanding                             Outstanding
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                             <C>                                    <C>
Secured Debt (a)

  Parent's Secured Creditors...................       $ 2,042,000                              $2,042,000

Subsidiaries' Unsecured Liabilities (b)               $ 8,646,000                              $8,646,000

Subsidiaries' Senior Equity (c)................       $ 1,040,000                              $1,040,000

Parent's Unsecured Debt (b)

  General Creditors............................       $ 2,011,000                              $2,011,000

  Subordinated Debentures......................       $11,570,000                              $       --

Parent Shares of Common Stock
Outstanding (c)                                  2,864,684 Shares                        3,093,596 Shares
</TABLE>
    

(a)      All "secured debt" ranks ahead of all "equity" and, to the extent of
         the value of the security interest securing any such "secured debt,"
         all "unsecured debt," except to the extent subordination agreements
         among creditors specify otherwise. To the extent any amount of the
         "secured debt" is undersecured or becomes unsecured, any such amount
         will have the relative priority of other "unsecured debt."

(b)      All "unsecured debt" ranks ahead of all "equity." Debentures rank pari
         passu in right of payment with all "unsecured debt," which would
         include trade payables and other general creditors of the Company
         (except for debts which are, by their terms, subordinated to
         indebtedness owed under the Debentures). The term pari passu means that
         such securities rank at the same level of priority for distributions in
         liquidation and/or bankruptcy, absent other bankruptcy considerations.

(c)      Preferred Stock has priority over Common Stock in right of payment of
         dividends and in any distribution upon the liquidation, dissolution or
         winding up of the Company. Preferred Stock may be issued with rights
         determined by the Board of Directors from time to time.

         AVOIDABLE PREFERENCES

         If a case were to be commenced by or against the Company under the
Bankruptcy Code following the consummation of the Exchange Offer, a bankruptcy
trustee or the Company, as debtor in possession, could avoid as a preference any
transfer of property made by the Company to or for the benefit of a creditor
which was made on account of an antecedent debt if such transfer (i) was made
within 90 days prior to the date of the commencement of the bankruptcy case or,
if the creditor is found to have been an "insider" (as defined in the Bankruptcy
Code), within one year prior to the date of commencement of the bankruptcy case;
(ii) was made when the Company was insolvent; and (iii) permitted the creditor
to receive more than it would have received in a liquidation under Chapter 7 of
the Bankruptcy Code had the transfer not been made. Under the Bankruptcy Code, a
debtor is presumed to be insolvent during the 90 days preceding the date of
commencement of a bankruptcy case. To overcome this presumption, it would need
to be shown that at the time the transfers were made, the sum of the Company's
debts was less than the fair market value of all of its assets.


                                       41
<PAGE>   49
                  Under the Bankruptcy Code, all or a portion of the property
transferred, including any cash payments, to tendering holders of Debentures, as
well as any subsequent payment to non-tendering holders of Debentures, could be
found to constitute preferences if a bankruptcy case were commenced within the
applicable time period following such payments and if the other elements
discussed above are present. If, following the commencement of a bankruptcy case
within the applicable time period, such transfers were found to be preferential
transfers, transferees could be ordered to return the full value of such
transfers. In such event, transferees would have a general unsecured claim in
the Company's bankruptcy case equal to the value of the property returned.

                  POTENTIAL TO BE SUBJECTED TO AUTOMATIC BANKRUPTCY STAY

                  In the event that the Company does not retire the Debentures
or rescind the acceleration, a majority of Debentureholders by principal amount
can request the Trustee to seek any remedies for non-payment, including
potentially the filing of a bankruptcy petition. The filing of a petition would
not affect the relative priority of creditors. Senior creditors may also file
such a petition, or institute other actions against the Company, in order to
enforce the subordination provisions of the Indenture that prevent the
Debentureholders from collecting on their debts in advance of payment to any
senior creditors.

                  A bankruptcy debtor could, after an involuntary petition is
filed, seek voluntary protection under Chapter 11. Chapter 11 is the principal
reorganization chapter of the Bankruptcy Code. Pursuant to Chapter 11, a debtor
in possession attempts to reorganize its business for the benefit of the debtor,
its creditors, and other parties-in-interest.

                  If the acceleration of principal and interest under the
Debentures is not rescinded and the Debentureholders or the Trustee pursue
remedies for collection of the aggregate of principal and interest due on all
outstanding Debentures, it may result in the Company, as its only viable
alternative, commencing a bankruptcy case.

                  Involuntary bankruptcy petitions do not result in an immediate
Event of Default and acceleration under the Debentures. During the period
beforehand, the Company would, absent a contrary bankruptcy court order,
continue to manage its own assets, and may incur additional debtor obligations.
A voluntary petition, or the order for relief under an involuntary petition as
described above, does result in an Event of Default and an acceleration under
the terms of the Indenture. A Chapter 11 petition is treated like a voluntary
petition under the Indenture.

                  The filing of a bankruptcy petition also triggers the
automatic stay provisions of the Bankruptcy Code. Section 362 of the Bankruptcy
Code provides, among other things, for an automatic stay of all attempts to
collect pre-petition claims from the debtor or otherwise interfere with its
property or business. Except as otherwise ordered by the bankruptcy court, the
automatic stay remains in full force and effect until confirmation of a plan of
reorganization.

                  There is a substantial risk that the bankruptcy case will be
protracted and costly and disruptive to the Company's business and there can be
no assurance that a plan favorable to Debentureholders will be proposed and
confirmed. The Company believes that any protracted bankruptcy case would have a
material adverse effect on the Company including:

                  (a)      disruption of business activities by diverting the
                           attention of the Company's senior management;

                  (b)      potential for substantial diminution in the value of
                           the Company's assets;

                  (c)      potential adverse impact upon the ability of the
                           Company to obtain the financing necessary for its
                           future operations;


                                       42


<PAGE>   50
                  (d)      substantial increase in the cost of restructuring the
                           Company, including the increase in the expenses of
                           professionals normally associated with a bankruptcy
                           case commenced without prior agreement with the
                           Company's major creditors;

                  (e)      uncertainty as to the ability of the Company to
                           effectuate any such restructuring and, if it is
                           effectuated, the timing thereof;

                  (f)      interference and delay regarding payments to holders
                           of Debentures and other creditors;

                  (g)      potential for forced liquidation of some of the
                           Company's assets at substantially reduced values and
                           the resulting loss to creditors and others; and

                  (h)      increased uncertainty among the Company's employees,
                           business partners and associates.

                  In addition, the Company believes that, because of the
importance of continuing stable relations with the health care industry, the
Company is particularly susceptible to any adverse reactions such constituencies
may have to the filing of a bankruptcy petition, particularly if the bankruptcy
case is long in duration. As a result, and for other reasons, any commencement
of a bankruptcy case could adversely affect the Company's business operations.

                  To determine what holders in each impaired class of creditors
would receive if the Company were liquidated or the least they can receive in a
Chapter 11 reorganization, one must determine the dollar amount that would be
generated from the liquidation of the Company's assets and properties in the
context of a Chapter 7 liquidation case. Secured claims and the costs and
expenses of the liquidation case would be paid in full from the liquidation
proceeds before the balance of those proceeds would be made available to pay
pre-petition unsecured claims and interests.

                  Under Chapter 7, absent subordination in accordance with
Section 510 of the Bankruptcy Code, the rule of absolute priority of
distribution would apply. Under that rule, no junior creditor would receive any
distribution until the allowed claims of all senior creditors are paid in full,
and no holder of an Interest would receive any distribution until the allowed
claims of all creditors are paid in full.

                  The Company has not performed any analysis of its
reorganization or liquidation values and has not obtained an independent
valuation of the Company's assets or liabilities and there can be no assurance
that the Company would receive in liquidation the value for its assets set forth
in the Company's financial statements. The Company's financial statements do not
include any adjustments to reflect possible future effects on the recoverability
and classification of assets and liabilities that may result from the outcome of
this uncertainty as to its ability to continue as a going concern.

                  PROHIBITIONS ON PAYMENT TO DEBENTUREHOLDERS

                  The payment of cash or property (other than capital stock of
the Company) would be prohibited, and the Company does not intend to make such
payment, if there exists at such time any law, rule or order which would be
violated by such payment or a law that would under the circumstances existing at
the time be violated by such payment. The Company cannot determine at this time
whether the payment to Debentureholders will be permitted by law. Certain of the
laws affecting the Company's ability to make such payments are described
elsewhere herein.


                                       43

<PAGE>   51
                  FRAUDULENT CONVEYANCES

                  If a court in a lawsuit by or on behalf of an unpaid creditor
or a representative of creditors, such as a bankruptcy trustee, or the Company,
as debtor in possession, were to find that, at the time of consummation of the
Exchange Offer (a) the Company received less than reasonably equivalent value in
exchange for the consideration given by the Company for property surrendered by
the tendering holders of Debentures, and (b) the Company (i) was insolvent or
was rendered insolvent as a result of such transfers, (ii) had unreasonably
small remaining assets or capital for its business, or (iii) intended to incur,
or believed or reasonably should have believed it would incur, debts beyond its
ability to pay such debts as they become due, then such court could determine
that all or a portion of such transfers were avoidable as a "constructive"
fraudulent transfer and require the transferees to return to the Company or its
bankruptcy trustee the consideration given. The Company believes that, because
of the reduction in the Company's outstanding indebtedness that will result from
each of the other exchanges or transfers described above, a bankruptcy court
should find that the Company received reasonably equivalent value for the
consideration given by the Company. There can be no assurance, however, that a
bankruptcy court would make such a determination.

NO FAIRNESS OPINION

                  The Company has not advised Debentureholders on the value of
the Debentures that would be surrendered in the Exchange because, among other
reasons, the Company has not obtained a fairness opinion from any investment
banking firm or an appraisal or any other investigation of the fairness to
Debentureholders from a financial point of view, of the Exchange Consideration.

HISTORY OF LOSSES AND ANTICIPATED FUTURE LOSSES; UNCERTAINTY OF FUTURE
PROFITABILITY

   
                  As of August 31, 1996, the Company had a stockholders'
deficiency of $8.5 million, a working capital deficiency of approximately $22.4
million and a negative current ratio (a measure of liquidity comparing current
assets to current liabilities). The net loss for the 3 months ended August 31,
1996 was $1.8 million, and the loss for the same 3-month period in fiscal 1996
was $1.3 million. The Company's cash position declined over the first quarter of
fiscal 1997 from $4.4 million to $2.4 million. In October 1996, the Company
received a $5.4 million related to its 1996 Federal tax refund. This is the
primary source of funds which the Company intends to utilize to pay the cash
portion of the Exchange Offer. The Company believes that the increasing role of
HMO's, reduced benefits from employers and indemnity companies, and a shifting
to outpatient programs continue to impact utilization of its facilities and
services. 
    

                  There can be no assurance that the Company will be able to
achieve profitability and positive cash flows from operations or that
profitability and positive cash flow from operations, if achieved, can be
sustained on an ongoing basis. Moreover, if achieved, the level of that
profitability or that positive cash flow cannot accurately be predicted.

CONTINUED LISTING ON NYSE

   
                  In October 1994, the NYSE notified the Company that it was 
below certain quantitative and qualitative listing criteria in regard to 
net tangible assets available to common stock and three year average net 
income among other items. The Listing and Compliance Committee of the 
NYSE has determined to monitor the Company's progress toward returning to
continuing listing standards. Management anticipates success in "global
restructuring" (see Note 2 to the Company's Condensed Consolidated Financial
Statements filed with its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended
February 29, 1996, incorporated herein by reference) will be necessary in order
to satisfy the Committee of the Company's progress. The Company met with
representatives of the NYSE during the third quarter of fiscal 1995 and during
the first and fourth quarters of fiscal 1996, to discuss the Company's financial
condition and intention to issue shares without seeking approval of shareholders
pursuant to the exception to the NYSE policy for financially distressed
companies.
    


                                       44

<PAGE>   52
ADDITIONAL RISK FACTORS WITH RESPECT TO HOLDERS OF DEBENTURES NOT TENDERED IN
THE EXCHANGE OFFER

                  SUBORDINATION

                  The Debentures represent the subordinated indebtedness of the
Company. The Company may incur indebtedness that is senior to the Debentures in
unlimited amounts. The Debentures are general unsecured obligations exclusively
of the Company. Since a substantial portion of the Company's and its
consolidated subsidiaries' business is conducted through certain of such
subsidiaries, the cash flow and consequent ability of the Company to satisfy its
indebtedness to Debentureholders are dependent, in part, upon the earnings of
such subsidiaries and a distribution of those earnings to the Company. The
Company's subsidiaries are distinct legal entities and have no obligation,
contingent or otherwise, to make any payment on the Debentures or to make funds
therefor available. Any rights of the Company to receive assets of any
subsidiary (and the consequent right of Debentureholders to possibly benefit
from participating therein) in any liquidation or reorganization of the
subsidiary will be effectively subordinated to the creditors of the subsidiary
(including trade creditors) in any liquidation or reorganization of the
subsidiary.

                  REDEMPTION; MATURITY

                  The Indenture permits the Company, at its election, to redeem
the Debentures at 100% of the original principal amount (the "face value") at
any time before maturity. The original maturity date of the Debentures was April
15, 2010. Provided that the acceleration of Debentures is effectively rescinded,
the maturity date will once again become April 15, 2010, subject to any future
conditions affecting maturity. The Company may determine whether or not to
redeem Debentures based on interest rates that prevail at future times or other
economic factors as they affect the Company's interests. See "Description of
Debentures."

                  CONVERSION PRICE FAR ABOVE SHARE PRICES

                  The Debentures are convertible into Common Stock at a price so
far in excess of the current market price of Common Stock as to be unattractive
to Debentureholders in today's market.

                  INVOLUNTARY BANKRUPTCY PETITION; ACCELERATION OF INDEBTEDNESS

                  Despite the dismissal on March 6, 1995 of the involuntary
bankruptcy petition filed against the Company on February 24, 1995 by or on
behalf of three Debentureholders, no assurance may be made that such or other
persons whom the Company owes any debt could not file another involuntary
petition in bankruptcy court. The Company's 7 1/2% Convertible Subordinated
Debentures continue to be in default, including the payment default involving
interest accruing from April 1994 on approximately $9.5 million of outstanding
face amount, and interest on all overdue installments, and the Debentures
continue to be accelerated, and immediately payable in full. To rescind the
acceleration of the Debentures would require written consent of a majority of
the Debentures and the cure of all existing defaults. No assurances can be made
that the holders of Debentures will consent to rescission of the acceleration or
that the defaults can be cured. The Company's ability to solicit consent of
Debentureholders may be subject to Rule 14a under the Exchange Act, which may
require that the Company provide audited and unaudited financial information to
holders. Debentureholders who filed the earlier involuntary petition on February
24, 1995 may file another such petition. Other creditors may also file such a
petition, or institute other actions against the Company, in order to prevent
the Debentureholders from collecting on their debts in advance of payment to
themselves.


                                       45

<PAGE>   53
                  SPORADIC TRADING

                  The Debentures are not listed on any securities exchange or
quoted on NASDAQ or any other automated quotation system. The trading, if any,
in the Debentures is limited and sporadic. The Company believes that presently
there are fewer than 50 registered holders of Debentures. Because the Debentures
may be, after consummation of the Exchange Offer, held by a more limited number
of registered holders, the trading market will become even more limited. These
events are likely to have an adverse effect on the overall liquidity and market
value of the Debentures.

UNCERTAINTY OF FUTURE FUNDING

   
                  The Company's negative cash flow from operations has consumed
substantial amounts of cash. Also, the retiring of Debentures, which the Company
has agreed to use its best efforts to do, will require substantial amounts of
cash. Issuance of additional equity securities by the Company could result in
substantial dilution to then-existing stockholders. The Company is liable for
the entire $9,538,000 principal amount plus approximately, as of November 15,
1996, $1,847,988 of overdue semi-annual interest installments, $145,306 of
interest on default interest, and $59,614 of interest due only on account of
acceleration of the April 15, 1997 interest installment, which will aggregate
approximately $1,993,294 at November 15, 1996.
    

   
                  During fiscal 1995 and 1996, a principal source of liquidity
has been the private sale of debt securities convertible into equity. Under the
shareholder approval policies of the NYSE, with certain exceptions, a listed
company may not effect sales or a series of sales of securities involving more
than 20% of the amount of Common Stock previously outstanding without prior 
shareholder approval. Compliance with the NYSE shareholder approval policy
may adversely affect the Company's ability to sell large amounts of
securities. This NYSE requirement does not apply to issuances in a public
offering for cash.
    

DISPOSITION OF ASSETS

                  The Company has been required to dispose of various properties
in order to raise working capital, and no assurance can be made that such
dispositions will not have adverse effects on the Company's financial condition
and results of operations or that the Company has sufficient additional assets
that could be disposed of in order to fund its current or future capital
requirements.

                  A $2.0 million secured promissory note has been issued by the
Company, the collateral for which constitutes two of the remaining freestanding
facilities of the Company.

   
                  In connection with the March 3, 1995 Letter Agreement with Mr.
Lustig, the Company conditionally agreed to pledge all of the shares of
Comprehensive Care Integration, Inc., ("CCI"), formerly called CareUnit, Inc.
The Letter Agreement provided that "At 150 days after the date of this
Agreement, provided that the Participating Securityholders have in each material
respect performed (with opportunity to cure if a cure is possible) their
obligations required to be performed hereunder on or prior to such date, and if
the Offer has not then been consummated, the Company shall pledge (with the
Trustee, or an alternate acceptable to the Company, to act as pledgeholder on
terms of a written agreement containing standard terms reasonably acceptable to
the Participating Securityholders) all of the Shares as collateral for its
obligation to purchase the Securities pursuant to the Offer or otherwise." No
pledge of the CCI shares is contemplated by the Company in the currently
proposed Exchange Offer, because, in the Company's view, the particular
provision of the Letter Agreement related thereto is not binding upon the
Company because of the failure on the part of the other parties thereto to
perform under the conditions thereof. However, the Company is using certain
concepts from the Letter Agreement as a framework for the proposed Exchange
described in this Offering Circular.
    

DEPENDENCE ON REIMBURSEMENT BY THIRD-PARTY PAYORS

                  The Company's ability to succeed in increasing revenues may
depend in part on the extent to which reimbursement of the cost of the treatment
provided by the Company will be available from government health administration
authorities, private health insurers and other organizations. Third-party payors
are increasingly challenging the price of medical products and services. As a
result of reimbursement changes and competitive pressures, the contractual
obligations of the Company have been subject to intense evaluation.

                                       46

<PAGE>   54
UNCERTAINTY OF PRICING; HEALTHCARE REFORM AND RELATED MATTERS

                  The levels of revenues and profitability of healthcare
companies may be affected by the continuing efforts of governmental and third
party payors to contain or reduce the costs of healthcare through various means.
In the United States, there have been, and the Company expects that there will
continue to be, a number of federal and state proposals to implement
governmental controls on the price of healthcare. It is uncertain what
legislative proposals will be adopted or what actions federal, state or private
payors for healthcare goods and services may take in response to any healthcare
reform proposals or legislation. The Company cannot predict the effect
healthcare reforms may have on its business, and assurances cannot be made that
any such reforms will not have material adverse effects on the Company.

MANAGEMENT OF EXPANSION

                  The Company's anticipated growth and expansion into areas and
activities requiring additional medical and administrative expertise, such as
behavioral medicine managed care, are expected to place increased demands on the
Company's resources. These demands are expected to require the retention of some
or all of current management and the addition of new management personnel and
the development of additional expertise by some or all existing and new
management personnel. The failure to retain or acquire such services or to
develop such expertise could have a material adverse effect on the prospects for
the Company's success.

MANAGEMENT OF TRANSITION

                  The Company's prospects for success depend, to a degree, on
its ability to successfully implement its current restructuring plans. The
failure of the Company to successfully transition, or any unanticipated or
significant delays in such transition, could have a material adverse effect on
the Company's business. There can be no assurance that the Company will be able
to achieve its planned transition without disruption to its business or that the
transitioned Company resulting from the planned business transition will be
adequate to sustain future growth by the Company.

PRICE VOLATILITY IN PUBLIC MARKET

                  The securities markets have from time to time experienced
significant price and volume fluctuations that may be unrelated to the operating
performance of particular companies. Trading prices of securities of companies
in the managed care sector have experienced significant volatility.


                                       47

<PAGE>   55
                             PRINCIPAL STOCKHOLDERS

   
                  The following information is given as of November 1, 1996 (the
"reporting date") and concerns beneficial ownership of the Common Stock by all
of the directors of the Company, certain present or former executive officers as
named in the table below, and all of the directors and all of the executive
officers as a group. According to rules adopted by the Commission, "beneficial
ownership" of securities for this purpose is the power to vote them or to direct
their investment, and includes the right to acquire beneficial ownership within
60 days. Except as otherwise noted, the indicated owners have sole voting and
investment power with respect to shares beneficially owned, and their mailing
address is the Company's principal office, such address being 1111 Bayside
Drive, Suite 100, Corona del Mar, CA 92625. A total of 2,958,185 shares of
Common Stock were outstanding on the reporting date, each whole share of Common
Stock outstanding entitled to one vote. An asterisk in the percent of class
column indicates beneficial ownership of less than 1% of the outstanding Common
Stock.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                    Amount and Nature of      Percent
Name of Beneficial Owner            Beneficial Ownership      of Class
- ------------------------            --------------------      --------
<S>                                  <C>        <C>          <C>             
William H. Boucher                      17,500    (1)            *
J. Marvin Feigenbaum                    24,166    (2)            *
Stuart J. Ghertner, Ph.D.                5,000    (3)            *
Lindner Funds (4)                      586,700    (4)          17.8
Ronald G. Hersch, Ph.D.                 38,666    (5)           1.3
Drew Q. Miller (6)                          --                   *
W. James Nicol                          17,556    (7)            *
Kerri Ruppert                           42,250    (8)           1.4
Chriss W. Street                       166,560    (9)           5.3
All executive officers and 
  directors as a group (8 persons)     311,698   (10)           9.6
</TABLE>
    

- ---------------- 
(1)      Includes 17,500 shares subject to options that are presently
         exercisable or exercisable within 60 days after the reporting date.
(2)      Includes 24,166 shares subject to options that are presently
         exercisable or exercisable within 60 days after the reporting date.
(3)      Includes 5,000 shares subject to options that are presently exercisable
         or exercisable within 60 days after the reporting date. Dr. Ghertner
         was appointed Interim Chief Operating Officer of the Company on August
         15, 1996; and on September 3, 1996, was named Interim President of the
         Company's majority-owned subsidiary, Comprehensive Behavioral Care,
         Inc.
(4)      The mailing address of Lindner Funds is c/o Ryback Management
         Corporation, 7711 Carondelet Avenue, Suite 700, St. Louis, Missouri
         63105. Includes 336,700 shares currently reserved for issuance upon
         conversion of a Secured Convertible Note dated January 9, 1995 and
         250,000 shares sold under an Amended Common Stock Purchase Agreement
         dated June 29, 1995. Lindner Funds, as described in its Schedule 13G,
         holds the shares and convertible debt in more than one fund.
(5)      Includes 8,334 shares held directly and 30,332 shares subject to
         options that are presently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days
         after the reporting date. Dr. Hersch served as the President of
         Comprehensive Behavioral Care, Inc. as of the end of the 1996 fiscal
         year and until September 3, 1996. On September 3, 1996, Dr. Hersch was
         named Vice President - Strategic Planning and Development for the
         Company. On October 15, 1996, Dr. Hersch resigned this position and
         announced his separation from the Company effective January 15, 1997.
(6)      Mr. Drew Q. Miller was an executive officer of the Company as of the
         end of the 1996 fiscal year. He served until July 14, 1996 as Senior
         Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer,
         and served as Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer until
         August 14, 1996, at which time he resigned as Senior Vice President and
         Chief Operating Officer. Mr. Miller's mailing address is 775 Oakwood
         Street, Orange, California 92669.
(7)      Includes 56 shares held by Mr. Nicol's spouse as custodian for his
         three minor children, all of whom reside with Mr. Nicol, and 17,500
         shares subject to options that are presently exercisable or exercisable
         within 60 days after the reporting date.
(8)      Consists of 42,250 shares subject to options that are presently
         exercisable or exercisable within 60 days after the reporting date.


                                       48

<PAGE>   56
   
(9)      Includes 6,560 shares held directly and 60,000 shares subject to
         options that are presently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days
         after the reporting date. Also includes 5,000 vested shares and 95,000
         restricted shares under a restricted stock agreement over which the
         holder has sole voting power, the issuance of which is pending
         administerial matters.
(10)     Includes a total of 196,748 shares subject to outstanding options that
         are presently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days after the
         reporting date and 5,000 vested and 95,000 restricted shares over which
         the holder has sole voting power, the issuance of which is pending.
    


                                       49

<PAGE>   57
   
    
                                 USE OF PROCEEDS

   
         Up to approximately $5,607,000 ($5,532,000 in cash and estimated costs
of $75,000) could be used to retire 100% of the outstanding balance of
indebtedness under the Debentures. See "Exchange Offering Funding Requirements
and Sources."
    

                                 DIVIDEND POLICY

         The Company anticipates that all future earnings will be retained to
finance future growth. The Company does not anticipate paying any cash dividends
on the Common Stock in the foreseeable future. While the Debentures are due and
unpaid, payments of dividends in cash or property to holders of capital stock is
prohibited.


                                       50

<PAGE>   58
       PRO FORMA CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS AND STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

   
         The following tables set forth (1) the pro forma consolidated balance
sheets of the Company as of August 31 and May 31, 1996, respectively, each of
which give effect to the Exchange for 100% of the outstanding Debentures and 30%
of the outstanding Debentures, respectively, after adding the Company's
non-recurring gains attributable to the Exchange and deducting the Company's
estimated expenses; and (2) the pro forma consolidated statements of operations
of the Company for the three months ended August 31, 1996 and the fiscal year
ended May 31, 1996, respectively, each of which give effect, as of the beginning
of the Company's fiscal year, to the Exchange for 100% of the outstanding
Debentures and 30% of the outstanding Debentures, respectively, and reports only
in the notes thereunder, and does not include in the pro forma consolidated
statements of operations, the pro forma results of the Exchange in terms of
earnings after the effect of the non-recurring gains to be recognized by the
Company upon such Exchange.

         For purposes of the presentation in the following pro forma financial
statements, an assumed value of $11.00 per share ("Assumed Value Per Share") has
been assigned to the Company's Common Stock to be issued and delivered to
Debentureholders in the Exchange. The Assumed Value Per Share is not intended to
reflect any opinion or prediction as to the actual fair market value of the
Common Stock at any particular date.

         These pro forma consolidated financial statements are unaudited and do
not include all information and footnotes necessary for a complete presentation
of financial position, results of operations and cash flows in conformity with
generally accepted accounting principles. The audited consolidated financial
statements and notes to consolidated financial statements included in the Form
10-K/A-2 for the fiscal year ended May 31, 1996 as filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission (the "Commission") on November 7, 1996 (the "1996 Form
10-K") and the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements for the
three months ended August 31, 1996 included in the Form 10-Q as filed with the
Commission on October 15, 1996 (the "August 31, 1996 Form 10-Q"), respectively,
provide additional disclosures and a further description of accounting policies.

         The Company's accompanying pro forma financial statements are presented
on the basis that the Company will continue as a going concern which
contemplates the realization of assets and satisfaction of liabilities in the
normal course of business. The Company has incurred significant recurring losses
and negative cash flows from operations which raises substantial doubt about the
Company's ability to continue as a going concern. The continuation of the
Company's business is dependent upon the resolution of operating and short-term
liquidity problems and the realization of the Company's plans in regard to these
matters, and the consolidated financial statements do not include any
adjustments that might result from an unfavorable outcome of this uncertainty.
See further description of such uncertainty and the Company's plans as to such
matters in "Note 2 -- Operating Losses and Liquidity," in the Company's 1996
Form 10-K/A2 and August 31, 1996 Form 10-Q, respectively. 
    



                                       51

<PAGE>   59
   
                         COMPREHENSIVE CARE CORPORATION
                      Pro Forma Consolidated Balance Sheets
                              As of August 31, 1996
                             (dollars in thousands)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                     Pro Forma
                                                                             ------------------------------------------------------
                                                           August 31, 1996   Adjustments       100%      Adjustments        30%
                                                           ---------------   -----------    ----------   -----------   ------------
ASSETS
Current assets:
<S>                                                           <C>             <C>            <C>          <C>              <C>     
  Cash and cash equivalents ...............................   $  2,355        $ (5,532)(1)   $ (3,177)    $ (2,748)(6)     $  (393)
  Accounts receivable, less allowance
    for doubtful accounts of $947 .........................      3,208              --          3,208           --           3,208
  Other receivables .......................................      1,478              --          1,478           --           1,478
  Property and equipment held for sale ....................      1,221              --          1,221           --           1,221
  Other current assets ....................................        202              --            202           --             202
                                                              --------        --------       --------     --------         -------
Total current assets ......................................      8,464          (5,532)         2,932       (2,748)          5,716
                                                              --------        --------       --------     --------         ------- 
Property and equipment at cost ............................     10,122              --         10,122           --          10,122
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization ............     (3,703)             --         (3,703)          --          (3,703)
                                                              --------        --------       --------     --------         ------- 
Net property and equipment ................................      6,419              --          6,419           --           6,419
                                                              --------        --------       --------     --------         ------- 
Property and equipment held for sale ......................      4,716              --          4,716           --           4,716
Notes receivable ..........................................      2,147              --          2,147           --           2,147
Other assets ..............................................      2,610              --          2,610           --           2,610
                                                              --------        --------       --------     --------         ------- 
Total assets ..............................................   $ 24,356        $ (5,532)      $ 18,824     $ (2,748)        $21,608
                                                              ========        ========       ========     ========         =======
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
   Accounts payable and accrued liabilities ...............   $ 11,556        $ (1,749)(2)   $  9,807     $ (1,561)(7)     $ 9,995
   Long-term debt in default ..............................      9,538          (9,538)(3)         --       (9,538)(8)          --
   Current maturities of long-term debt ...................      2,374              --          2,374           --           2,374
   Unbenefited tax refund received ........................      7,018              --          7,018           --           7,018
   Income taxes payable ...................................        390              --            390           --             390
                                                              --------        --------       --------     --------         ------- 
Total current liabilities .................................     30,876         (11,287)        19,589      (11,099)         19,777
                                                              --------        --------       --------     --------         ------- 
Long-term debt, excluding current maturities ..............         --              --             --        6,677(9)        6,677
Other liabilities .........................................        877              --            877           --             877
Minority interest .........................................      1,050              --          1,050           --           1,050
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES 
  (See Note 6 to the Company's Condensed
  Consolidated Financial Statements included in 
  its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal 
  quarter ended August 31, 1996)

Stockholders' equity:
   Preferred stock, $50.00 par value;
     authorized 60,000 shares .............................         --              --             --           --              --
   Common stock, $.01 par value;
     authorized 12,500,000 shares;
     issued and outstanding 2,864,684 .....................         28               2(4)          30            1(10)          29
   Additional paid-in capital .............................     44,051           2,516(4)      46,567          755(10)      44,806
   Accumulated deficit ....................................    (52,526)          3,237(5)     (49,289)         918(11)     (51,608)
                                                              --------        --------       --------     --------         ------- 
Total stockholders' equity (deficit) ......................     (8,447)          5,755         (2,692)       1,674          (6,773)
                                                              --------        --------       --------     --------         ------- 
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity ................   $ 24,356        $ (5,532)      $ 18,824     $ (2,748)        $21,608
                                                              ========        ========       ========     ========         =======
</TABLE>
    

                      (footnotes begin on following page)


                                       52

<PAGE>   60
   
- -------------------------------------

(1)      Represents payment of $4,769,000 in principal ($500 payable in cash per
         $1,000 of principal amount) and $763,000 in interest ($80 payable in
         cash per $1,000 of principal amount).

(2)      Represents cancellation of $1,699,000 in accrued interest and $125,000
         in default interest, each at the rate of 7 1/2% per year, partially
         offset by the accrual of $75,000 in related filing expenses.

(3)      Represents Debenture payoff of $4,769,000 in cash, the issuance of
         $1,679,000 in common stock, and the realization of $3,090,000 of
         cancellation of debt (non-recurring gain).

(4)      Using the $11.00 Assumed Value Per Share, less the $.01 par value per
         share of common stock: (a) the aggregate par value is computed by
         multiplying 228,912 shares of common stock by the $.01 par value per
         share; and (b) the additional paid in capital is derived by multiplying
         the remaining $10.99 per share ($11.00 less $.01) by 228,912 shares.

(5)      Represents non-recurring gains of $3,090,000 and $222,000 in the
         exchange of Exchange Consideration for principal and total interest and
         default interest, respectively, partially offset by the accrual of
         $75,000 in related filing expenses.

(6)      Represents payment of $1,431,000 in principal ($500 payable in cash per
         $1,000 of principal amount), $1,230,000 in interest, plus $87,000 in
         default interest (the sum of $80 payable in cash per $1,000 of 30% of
         the outstanding principal amount plus the interest on 70% of the
         outstanding principal amount at the rate of 7 1/2% per year from April
         15, 1994 to June 1, 1996 plus interest on default interest at the same
         rate of 7 1/2%).

(7)      Represents cancellation of $1,511,000 in accrued interest and 
         $125,000 in default interest, each at the rate of 7 1/2% per year, 
         partially offset by the accrual of $75,000 in related filing expenses.

(8)      Represents Debenture payoff of $1,431,000 in cash, $503,000 in common
         stock (at the $11.00 Assumed Value Per Share), and $927,000 forgiveness
         of debt (non-recurring gain), and reclassification of $6,677,000 from a
         long-term debt in default to a long-term debt.

(9)      Reclassification of $6,677,000 unexchanged Debentures from a long-term
         debt in default to a long-term debt.

(10)     Additional paid-in capital of $10.99 (at the $11.00 Assumed Value Per
         Share less the $0.01 par value per share) multiplied by 68,674 shares
         of common stock = $754,723. Aggregate par value of 68,674 shares of
         common stock multiplied by $.01 per share = $687.

(11)     Represents non-recurring gains of $927,000 and $66,000 in the exchange
         of Exchange Consideration for principal and total interest and default
         interest, respectively, partially offset by the accrual of $75,000 in
         related filing expenses.
    


                                       53

<PAGE>   61
   
                         COMPREHENSIVE CARE CORPORATION
                      Pro Forma Consolidated Balance Sheets
                               As of May 31, 1996
                             (dollars in thousands)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                       Pro Forma
                                                                 -----------------------------------------------------   
                                                   May 31, 1996  Adjustments      100%        Adjustments       30%
                                                  -------------  -----------   ----------     -----------    ---------

<S>                                                  <C>         <C>            <C>             <C>             <C>   
ASSETS
Current assets:
  Cash and cash equivalents .....................    $  4,433    $ (5,532)(1)   $ (1,099)       $ (2,730)(6)   $ 1,703
  Accounts receivable, less allowance
    for doubtful accounts of $877 ...............       2,476          --          2,476              --         2,476
  Other receivables .............................       1,478          --          1,478              --         1,478
  Property and equipment held for sale ..........       1,233          --          1,233              --         1,233
  Other current assets ..........................         352          --            352              --           352
                                                     --------    --------       --------        --------       -------
Total current assets ............................       9,972      (5,532)         4,440          (2,730)        7,242
                                                     --------    --------       --------        --------       -------
Property and equipment ..........................       9,863          --          9,863              --         9,863
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization ..      (3,590)         --         (3,590)             --        (3,590)
                                                     --------    --------       --------        --------       -------
Net property and equipment ......................       6,273          --          6,273              --         6,273
                                                     --------    --------       --------        --------       -------
Property and equipment held for sale ............       6,915          --          6,915              --         6,915
Other assets ....................................       1,958          --          1,958              --         1,958
                                                     --------    --------       --------        --------       -------
Total assets ....................................    $ 25,118    $ (5,532)      $ 19,586        $ (2,730)      $22,388
                                                     ========    ========       ========        ========       =======
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

Current liabilities:
   Accounts payable and accrued liabilities .....    $ 10,714    $ (1,543)(2)   $  9,171        $ (1,481)(7)   $ 9,233
   Long-term debt in default ....................       9,538      (9,538)(3)         --          (9,538)(8)        --
   Current maturities of long-term debt .........       2,464          --          2,464              --         2,464
   Unbenefited tax refund received ..............       7,018          --          7,018              --         7,018
   Income taxes payable .........................         410          --            410              --           410
                                                     --------    --------       --------        --------       -------
Total current liabilities .......................      30,144     (11,081)        19,063         (11,019)       19,125
                                                     --------    --------       --------        --------       -------
Long-term debt, excluding current maturities ....          24          --             24           6,677 (9)     6,701
Other liabilities ...............................         749          --            749              --           749
Minority interest ...............................       1,000          --          1,000              --         1,000

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

(See Note 15 to the Company's Consolidated
Financial Statements included in its Annual
Report on Form 10-K/A-2 for the fiscal year ended
May 31, 1996)

Stockholders' equity:
   Preferred stock, $50.00 par value;
     authorized 60,000 shares ...................          --          --             --              --            --
   Common stock, $.01 par value;
     authorized 12,500,000 shares;
     issued and outstanding 2,848,685 ...........          28           2(4)          30               1(10)        29
   Additional paid-in capital ...................      43,931       2,516(4)      46,447             755(10)    44,686
   Accumulated deficit ..........................     (50,758)      3,031(5)     (47,727)            856(11)   (49,902)
                                                     --------    --------       --------        --------       -------
Total stockholders' equity (deficit) ............      (6,799)      5,549         (1,250)          1,612        (5,187)
                                                     --------    --------       --------        --------       -------
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity ......    $ 25,118    $ (5,532)      $ 19,586        $ (2,730)      $22,388
                                                     ========    ========       ========        ========       =======
</TABLE>
    

                       (footnotes begin on following page)


                                       54

<PAGE>   62
   
- -------------------------------------
(1)      Represents payment of $4,769,000 in principal ($500 payable in cash per
         $1,000 of principal amount) and $763,000 in interest ($80 payable in
         cash per $1,000 of principal amount).

(2)      Represents cancellation of $1,520,000 in accrued interest and $98,000
         in default interest, each at the rate of 7 1/2% per year, partially
         offset by the accrual of $75,000 in related filing expenses.

(3)      Represents Debenture payoff of $4,769,000 in cash, the issuance of
         $1,679,000 in common stock, and the realization of $3,090,000 of
         cancellation of debt (non-recurring gain).

(4)      Using the $11.00 Assumed Value Per Share, less the $.01 par value per
         share of common stock: (a) the aggregate par value is computed by
         multiplying 228,912 shares of common stock by the $.01 par value per
         share; and (b) the additional paid in capital is derived by multiplying
         the remaining $10.99 per share ($11.00 less $.01) by 228,912 shares.

(5)      Represents non-recurring gains of $3,090,000 and $16,000 in the
         exchange of Exchange Consideration for principal and total interest and
         default interest, respectively, partially offset by the accrual of
         $75,000 in related filing expenses.

(6)      Represents payment of $1,431,000 in principal ($500 payable in cash per
         $1,000 of principal amount), $1,230,000 in interest, plus $69,000 in
         default interest (the sum of $80 payable in cash per $1,000 of 30% of
         the outstanding principal amount plus the interest on 70% of the
         outstanding principal amount at the rate of 7 1/2% per year from April
         15, 1994 to June 1, 1995 plus interest on default interest at the same
         rate of 7 1/2%).

(7)      Represents cancellation of $1,458,000 in accrued interest and $98,000 
         in default interest, each at the rate of 7 1/2% per year, partially 
         offset by the accrual of $75,000 in related filing expenses.

(8)      Represents Debenture payoff of $1,431,000 in cash, $503,000 in common
         stock (at the $11.00 Assumed Value Per Share), and $927,000 forgiveness
         of debt (non-recurring gain), and reclassification of $6,677,000 from a
         long-term debt in default to a long-term debt.

(9)      Reclassification of $6,677,000 unexchanged Debentures from a long-term
         debt in default to a long-term debt.

(10)     Additional paid-in capital of $10.99 (at the $11.00 Assumed Value Per
         Share less the $0.01 par value per share) multiplied by 68,674 shares
         of common stock = $754,727. Aggregate par value of 68,674 shares of
         common stock multiplied by $.01 per share = $687.

(11)     Represents non-recurring gains of $927,000 and $4,000 in the exchange
         of Exchange Consideration for principal and total interest and default
         interest, respectively, partially offset by the accrual of $75,000 in
         related filing expenses.
    


                                       55

<PAGE>   63
   
                         COMPREHENSIVE CARE CORPORATION
                 Pro Forma Consolidated Statements of Operations
                       Three Months Ended August 31, 1996
                (dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                          Pro Forma
                                                                      -------------------------------------------------
                                                     August 31, 1996  Adjustments     100%       Adjustments      30%
                                                     ---------------  -----------   --------     -----------   --------
<S>                                                      <C>            <C>         <C>             <C>        <C>     
Revenues:
  Operating revenues...............................      $ 8,993        $  --       $  8,993        $ --       $  8,993

Costs and expenses:
  Direct healthcare operating expenses .............       8,169           --          8,169          --          8,169
  General and administrative expenses ..............       1,654           75(1)       1,729          75(1)       1,729
  Restructuring expenses ...........................         195           --            195          --            195
  Provision for doubtful accounts ..................          47           --             47          --             47
  Depreciation and amortization ....................         162           --            162          --            162
                                                         -------        -----       --------        ----       --------
Total Costs and Expenses ...........................      10,227           75         10,302          75         10,302
                                                         -------        -----       --------        ----       --------

Loss from operations ...............................      (1,234)         (75)        (1,309)        (75)        (1,309)
                                                         -------        -----       --------        ----       --------

  Gain on sale of assets ...........................           6           --              6          --              6
  Loss on sale of assets ...........................        (250)          --           (250)         --           (250)
  Interest income ..................................          45           --             45          --             45
  Interest expense .................................        (336)         206(2)        (130)         81(3)        (255)
                                                         -------        -----       --------        ----       --------
Loss before income taxes ...........................      (1,769)         131         (1,638)          6         (1,763)

  Provision (benefit) for income taxes .............          (1)          --             (1)         --             (1)
                                                         -------        -----       --------        ----       --------

  Loss before extraordinary item...................      $(1,768)       $ 131       $ (1,637)       $  6       $ (1,762)
                                                         =======        =====       ========        ====       ========

Loss per common share:
  Loss before extraordinary item...................      $ (0.62)       $0.05       $  (0.57)       $ --       $  (0.62)
                                                         =======        =====       ========        ====       ========
</TABLE>

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

(1)      Represents legal, accounting, printing, distribution and filing fees
         related to the Exchange.
(2)      Represents $179,000 of Debenture interest accruing at 7 1/2% on
         $9,538,000 of principal amount and $27,000 of default interest which is
         calculated at an interest rate of 7 1/2% of unpaid interest and would
         not have accrued assuming the Exchange occurred effective June 1, 1996.
(3)      Represents $54,000 of Debenture interest accruing at 7 1/2% on
         $9,538,000 of principal amount and $27,000 of default interest which is
         calculated at an interest rate of 7 1/2% of unpaid interest and would
         not have accrued assuming the Exchange occurred effective June 1, 1996.

         The Pro Forma Consolidated Statements of Operations do not reflect the
non-recurring gain resulting from the Debenture Exchange, which is estimated to
be approximately $3,312,000 and $994,000, respectively, before taxes, on a 100%
or 30% Exchange of the outstanding $9,538,000 in principal amount of Debentures.

         Assuming 100% of the Debentures are exchanged, the portion of the gain
attributable to unpaid principal and interest is $3,090,000 and $222,000,
respectively. The principal gain is computed by subtracting from the $9,538,000
of outstanding principal, $4,769,000 of cash ($500 per $1,000 of outstanding
principal) and the issuance of $1,679,000 of common stock (16 shares per $1,000
of outstanding principal multiplied by the $11.00 Assumed Value Per Share). The
interest gain is computed by multiplying 7 1/2% by the $9,538,000 of principal
amount outstanding for the period from April 15, 1994 to August 31, 1996 plus
interest at 7 1/2% on the unpaid default interest amount for the period from
October 15, 1994 to August 31, 1996 based on an increasing default balance as
additional payments became due less $80 per $1,000 of $9,538,000 (100% of
outstanding principal amount) for an amount of $763,000 of cash and the issuance
of $839,000 of common stock (8 shares per $1,000 of the outstanding principal
amount exchanged multiplied by the $11.00 Assumed Value Per Share).


                                       56

<PAGE>   64
                  Assuming 30% of the Debentures are exchanged, the portion of
the gain attributable to unpaid principal and interest is $927,000 and $66,000,
respectively. The principal gain is computed by subtracting from the 30% of the
$9,538,000 of outstanding principal equaling $2,861,000, $1,431,000 of cash
($500 per $1,000 of 30% of the outstanding principal) and the issuance of
$504,000 of common stock (16 shares per $1,000 of 30% of the outstanding
principal multiplied by the $11.00 Assumed Value Per Share). The interest gain
is computed by multiplying 7 1/2% by 30% of the $9,538,000 principal amount
outstanding for the period of April 15, 1994 to August 31, 1996 plus interest of
7 1/2% on the unpaid default interest amount for the period from October 15, 
1994 to August 31, 1996 due under the exchanged 30% of the $9,538,000 principal
amount outstanding, based on an increasing default balance as additional
payments became due, less $80 per $1,000 of $2,861,000 (30% of outstanding
principal), for an amount of $229,000 of cash and the issuance of $252,000 of
common stock (8 shares per $1,000 of principal amount exchanged multiplied by
the $11.00 Assumed Value Per Share).

                  The total of default interest installments overdue on the
$9,538,000 principal amount outstanding was $357,675 from October 15, 1994 to
April 15, 1995; $715,350.00 from April 15, 1995 to October 15, 1995; $1,073,025
from October 15, 1995 to April 15, 1996; and $1,430,700 from April 15, 1996
through August 31, 1996. 
    


                                       57

<PAGE>   65
   
                         COMPREHENSIVE CARE CORPORATION
                 Pro Forma Consolidated Statements of Operations
                         Fiscal Year Ended May 31, 1996
                (dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                    Pro Forma
                                                                               -------------------------------------------------
                                                                May 31, 1996   Adjustments     100%       Adjustments      30%
                                                                ------------   -----------   --------     -----------   --------
<S>                                                                <C>           <C>        <C>             <C>         <C>     
Revenues:
  Operating revenues...........................................    $32,488       $  --      $ 32,488        $  --       $ 32,488

Costs and expenses:
  Direct healthcare operating expenses .........................    29,208          --        29,208           --         29,208
  General and administrative expenses ..........................     7,632          75(1)      7,707           75(1)       7,707
  Provision for doubtful accounts ..............................       934          --           934           --            934
  Depreciation and amortization ................................     2,099          --         2,099           --          2,099
  Restructuring expenses .......................................        94          --            94           --             94
  Equity in loss of unconsolidated affiliates ..................       191          --           191           --            191
                                                                   -------       -----      --------        -----       --------
Total Costs and Expenses .......................................    40,158          75        40,233           75         40,233
                                                                   -------       -----      --------        -----       --------

Loss from operations ...........................................    (7,670)        (75)       (7,745)         (75)        (7,745)
                                                                   -------       -----      --------        -----       --------

  Gain on sale of assets .......................................     1,336          --         1,336           --          1,336
  Loss on sale of assets .......................................       (82)         --           (82)          --            (82)
  Interest income ..............................................       210          --           210           --            210
  Interest expense .............................................    (1,374)        791(2)       (583)         237(3)      (1,137)
  Non-operating gain ...........................................       860          --           860           --            860
                                                                   -------       -----      --------        -----       --------
Loss before income taxes .......................................    (6,720)        716        (6,004)         162         (6,558)

  Provision (benefit) for income taxes .........................    (2,478)         --        (2,478)          --         (2,478)
                                                                   -------       -----      --------        -----       --------

  Loss before extraordinary item...............................    $(4,242)      $ 716      $ (3,526)       $ 162       $ (4,080)
                                                                   =======       =====      ========        =====       ========

Loss per common share:
  Loss before extraordinary item...............................    $ (1.60)      $0.27      $  (1.33)       $0.06       $  (1.54)
                                                                   =======       =====      ========        =====       ========
</TABLE>

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

(1)      Represents legal, accounting, printing, distribution and filing fees
         related to the Exchange.
(2)      Represents $715,000 of Debenture interest accruing at 7 1/2% on
         $9,538,000 of principal amount and $76,000 of default interest which is
         calculated at an interest rate of 7 1/2% of unpaid interest and would
         not have accrued assuming the Exchange occurred effective June 1, 1995.
(3)      Represents $214,000 of Debenture interest accruing at 7 1/2% on
         $9,538,000 of principal amount and $23,000 of default interest which is
         calculated at an interest rate of 7 1/2% of unpaid interest and would
         not have accrued assuming the Exchange occurred effective June 1, 1995.

         The Pro Forma Consolidated Statements of Operations do not reflect the
non-recurring gain resulting from the Debenture Exchange, which is estimated to
be approximately $3,106,000 and $932,000, respectively, before taxes, on a 100%
or 30% Exchange of the outstanding $9,538,000 in principal amount of Debentures.

         Assuming 100% of the Debentures are exchanged, the portion of the gain
attributable to unpaid principal and interest is $3,090,000 and $16,000,
respectively. The principal gain is computed by subtracting from the $9,538,000
of outstanding principal, $4,769,000 of cash ($500 per $1,000 of outstanding
principal) and the issuance of $1,679,000 of common stock (16 shares per $1,000
of outstanding principal multiplied by the $11.00 Assumed Value Per Share). The
interest gain is computed by multiplying 7 1/2% by the $9,538,000 principal
amount outstanding for the period from April 15, 1994 to May 31, 1996 plus
interest at 7 1/2% on the unpaid default interest amount for the period from
October 15, 1994 to May 31, 1996 based on an increasing default balance as
additional payments became due less $80 per $1,000 of $9,538,000 (100% of
outstanding principal amount) for an amount of $763,000 of cash and the issuance
of $839,000 of common stock (8 shares per $1,000 of the outstanding principal
amount exchanged multiplied by the $11.00 Assumed Value Per Share). 


                                       58


<PAGE>   66
                  Assuming 30% of the Debentures are exchanged, the portion of
the gain attributable to unpaid principal and interest is $927,000 and $5,000,
respectively. The principal gain is computed by subtracting from the 30% of the
$9,538,000 of outstanding principal equaling $2,861,00, $1,431,000 of cash ($500
per $1,000 of 30% of the outstanding principal) and the issuance of $504,000 of
common stock (16 shares per $1,000 of 30% of the outstanding principal
multiplied by the $11.00 Assumed Value Per Share). The interest gain is computed
by multiplying 7 1/2% by 30% of the $9,538,000 principal amount outstanding for
the period of April 15, 1994 to May 31, 1996 plus interest of 7 1/2% on the
unpaid default interest amount for the period from October 15, 1994 to May 31,
1996 due under the exchanged 30% of the $9,538,000 principal amount outstanding,
based on an increasing default balance as additional payments became due, less
$80 per $1,000 of $2,861,000 (30% of outstanding principal), for an amount of
$229,000 of cash and the issuance of $252,000 of common stock (8 shares per
$1,000 of principal amount exchanged multiplied by the $11.00 Assumed Value Per
Share).

                  The total of default interest installments overdue on the
$9,538,000 principal amount outstanding was $357,675 from October 15, 1994 to
April 15, 1995; $715,350.00 from April 15, 1995 to October 15, 1995; $1,073,025
from October 15, 1995 to April 15, 1996; and $1,430,700 from April 15, 1996
through May 31, 1996. 
    

                                       59

<PAGE>   67
                             CHANGES IN ACCOUNTANTS

                  Arthur Andersen LLP ("Arthur Andersen") had been the principal
independent auditors of the financial statements for the Company. On May 22,
1995, that firm advised the Company that the Company did not meet Arthur
Andersen's client profile. In connection with the audits of the fiscal year
ended May 31, 1994, and the subsequent interim period through the date of
resignation (the "Period"), there were no disagreements with Arthur Andersen on
any matter of accounting principles or practices, financial statement disclosure
or audit scope or procedures, which disagreements if not resolved to their
satisfaction would have caused them to make reference in connection with their
audit report to the subject matter of the disagreement.

                  Arthur Andersen advised the Company that Arthur Andersen might
permit (without commitment) its 1994 audit report to be used in the Company's
filings with the Commission, but the appropriate form that such audit report may
take, if reissued at a future time, would depend upon the results of post-audit
review procedures that Arthur Andersen would perform as it considers necessary
in the circumstances. An auditor's reports must be included in all Securities
and Exchange Act filings with the Commission, and a consent to use such report
must be included in all Securities Act filings.

                  The audit reports of Ernst & Young LLP, the independent
auditors of the Company, on the consolidated financial statements of the Company
and subsidiaries as of and for the fiscal years ended May 31, 1995 and 1996 did
not contain any adverse opinion or disclaimer of opinion, nor were they
qualified or modified as to uncertainty, audit scope or accounting principles,
other than that such auditor's reports contained a paragraph that stated that:

                  The accompanying consolidated financial statements for the
                  years ended May 31, 1996 and 1995 have been prepared assuming
                  the Company will continue as a going concern. As more fully
                  described in Note 2, the Company has reported annual net
                  losses for each of the last five fiscal years and has working
                  capital deficiencies of $20.2 million and $15.3 million and
                  deficits in total stockholders' equity of $6.8 million and
                  $4.9 million as of May 31, 1996 and May 31, 1995,
                  respectively. Approximately $9.5 million of the working
                  capital deficiency at May 31, 1996, arises from presentation
                  of the Company's convertible subordinated debentures as
                  currently payable due to default in the payment of interest on
                  this obligation commencing October 1994, and an additional
                  $1.6 million of the working capital deficiency results from
                  accrued unpaid interest on this obligation. The Company is
                  seeking to remedy this default through the debenture exchange
                  offer described in Note 10. Among other terms this proposed
                  transaction requires the holders of a majority of the
                  debentures to give their approval to rescind the debt
                  acceleration, and the Company to obtain and expend up to $5.5
                  million in cash during fiscal 1997 over and above cash
                  required to fund other financing, operating and investing
                  needs. No assurance can be given that the debenture exchange
                  will be successfully accomplished, and the failure to reach a
                  settlement with the holders of the Company's debentures
                  through the debenture exchange or otherwise may cause the
                  debenture holders to pursue the involuntary bankruptcy of the
                  Company and/or the Company to take alternative actions
                  including filing for voluntary protection from creditors.
                  These conditions raise substantial doubt about the Company's
                  ability to continue as a going concern. Management's plans in
                  regard to these matters are described in Note 2. The 1996 and
                  1995 consolidated financial statements do not include any
                  adjustments to reflect the possible future effects on the
                  recoverability and classification of assets or the amounts and
                  classification of liabilities that may result from the outcome
                  of this uncertainty.



                                       60

<PAGE>   68
                         COMPREHENSIVE CARE CORPORATION

       THE EXCHANGE AGENT: FIRST TRUST OF CALIFORNIA, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

                By Mail:                                  By Hand:
     FIRST TRUST OF CALIFORNIA, N.A.           FIRST TRUST OF CALIFORNIA, N.A.
    180 EAST FIFTH STREET, SUITE 200          180 EAST FIFTH STREET, SUITE 200
        ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA 55101                 ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA 55101

   
    REQUESTS FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION SHOULD BE DIRECTED TO KERRI RUPPERT,
    SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT, SECRETARY/TREASURER AND CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER,
          COMPREHENSIVE CARE CORPORATION, 1111 BAYSIDE DR., SUITE 100,
      CORONA DEL MAR, CALIFORNIA 92625, OR BY TELEPHONE TO (800) 678-2273.
    


                                TABLE OF CONTENTS

   
<TABLE>
<S>                                                                          <C>
PURPOSE OF THE EXCHANGE OFFER...............................................  1

OFFERING SUMMARY............................................................  1

SUMMARY COMPARISON OF TERMS OF DEBENTURES AND EXCHANGE CONSIDERATION........  4

THE COMPANY.................................................................  6

FINANCIAL INFORMATION.......................................................  6

EXCHANGE OFFER FUNDING REQUIREMENTS AND SOURCES.............................  7

RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES.......................................... 10

RECENT TRANSACTIONS IN SECURITIES OF THE COMPANY............................ 10

PRICE RANGE OF DEBENTURES................................................... 11

PRICE OF SECURITIES PRIOR TO ANNOUNCEMENT................................... 11

INTERESTS OF CERTAIN PERSONS................................................ 11

THE EXCHANGE OFFER.......................................................... 12

PRICE RANGE OF THE COMMON SHARES............................................ 25

SHARES ELIGIBLE FOR FUTURE SALE............................................. 26

POTENTIAL FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES................................... 27

DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK................................................ 30

DESCRIPTION OF DEBENTURES................................................... 31

RISK FACTORS................................................................ 36

PRINCIPAL STOCKHOLDERS...................................................... 48

USE OF PROCEEDS   .......................................................... 50

DIVIDEND POLICY   .......................................................... 50

PRO FORMA CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS AND STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS.......... 51

CHANGES IN ACCOUNTANTS...................................................... 60
</TABLE>
    


<PAGE>   1
                                                                    EXHIBIT 99.9
                             LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL

                                      FOR
                         COMPREHENSIVE CARE CORPORATION
                  OFFER TO EXCHANGE THE EXCHANGE CONSIDERATION
                             FOR ANY AND ALL OF ITS
                   7 1/2% CONVERTIBLE SUBORDINATED DEBENTURES
                               DUE APRIL 15, 2010

   
THE EXCHANGE OFFER WILL EXPIRE AT 2:00 P.M., ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA TIME, ON
DECEMBER 23, 1996 UNLESS THE EXCHANGE OFFER IS EXTENDED (THE "EXPIRATION DATE").
TENDERS OF DEBENTURES MAY BE WITHDRAWN AT ANY TIME PRIOR TO 2:00 P.M. ON THE
EXPIRATION DATE OR AFTER 2:00 P.M., ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA TIME, ON DECEMBER 30,
1996, IF NOT PREVIOUSLY EXCHANGED.
    

         TO: FIRST TRUST OF CALIFORNIA, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, EXCHANGE AGENT

              By Mail:                                   By Hand:
   FIRST TRUST OF CALIFORNIA, N.A.            FIRST TRUST OF CALIFORNIA, N.A.
  180 EAST FIFTH STREET, SUITE 200           180 EAST FIFTH STREET, SUITE 200
      ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA 55101                  ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA 55101

         DELIVERY OF THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL TO AN ADDRESS, OR TRANSMISSION
VIA TELEGRAM, TELEX OR FACSIMILE, OTHER THAN AS SET FORTH ABOVE WILL NOT
CONSTITUTE A VALID DELIVERY. THE INSTRUCTIONS CONTAINED HEREIN SHOULD BE READ
CAREFULLY BEFORE THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL IS COMPLETED.

         DEBENTUREHOLDERS WILL BE REQUIRED TO CONSENT PURSUANT TO THE
DEBENTUREHOLDER CONSENT SOLICITATION STATEMENT IN ORDER TO TENDER A DEBENTURE,
AND REVOCATION OF CONSENT WILL DISQUALIFY THE TENDER OF A DEBENTURE, IN EACH
CASE UNLESS THE ISSUER DETERMINES TO WAIVE THIS CONDITION IN ITS OWN DISCRETION
BY ACCEPTING SUCH A DEBENTURE FOR EXCHANGE. THE CONSENT BY A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF
DEBENTURES IS A CONDITION TO THE EXCHANGE.

         HOLDERS WHO WISH TO BE ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE EXCHANGE CONSIDERATION FOR
THEIR DEBENTURES PURSUANT TO THE EXCHANGE OFFER MUST VALIDLY TENDER (AND NOT
WITHDRAW)THEIR DEBENTURES TO THE EXCHANGE AGENT PRIOR TO THE EXPIRATION DATE. 

   
         By execution hereof, the undersigned acknowledges receipt of the
Offering Circular dated November 14, 1996 (the "Offering Circular"), of
Comprehensive Care Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), which,
together with this Letter of Transmittal and the instructions hereto (the
"Letter of Transmittal"), constitute the Company's offer (the "Exchange Offer")
to exchange, as principal, $500 in cash plus 16 shares of Common Stock, subject
to payment of cash in lieu of any fractional shares, and, as interest, $80 in
cash plus 8 shares of Common Stock (the "Exchange Consideration"), for each
$1,000 of original principal amount of its outstanding 7 1/2% Convertible
Subordinated Debentures Due April 15, 2010 (the "Debentures"), and the waiver
by the Debentureholder of all interest accrued and unpaid as of the date of the
Exchange in excess of such designated interest payment included in the Exchange
Consideration, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the
Exchange Offer. 
    

         This Letter of Transmittal is to be used by Holders (as defined below)
if: (i) certificates representing Debentures are to be physically delivered to
the Exchange Agent herewith by Holders; (ii) tender of Debentures is to be made
by book-entry transfer to the Exchange Agent's account at The Depository Trust
Company ("DTC") pursuant to the procedures set forth in the Offering Circular
under "The Exchange Offer -- Procedures for Tendering" by any financial
institution that is a participant in DTC and whose name appears on a security
position listing as the owner of Debentures (such participants, acting on behalf
of Holders are referred to herein, together with such Holders, as "Acting
Holders"); or (iii) tender of Debentures is to be made according to the
guaranteed delivery procedures set forth in the Offering Circular under "The
Exchange Offer -- Guaranteed Delivery Procedure." Delivery of documents to DTC
does not constitute delivery to the Exchange Agent.

         The term "Holder" with respect to the Exchange Offer means any person:
(i) in whose name Debentures are registered on the books of the Company or any
other person who has obtained a properly completed bond power from the
registered Holder; or (ii) whose Debentures are held of record by DTC who
desires to deliver such Debentures by book-entry transfer at DTC.

                  The undersigned has completed, executed and delivered this
Letter of Transmittal to indicate the action the undersigned desires to take
with respect to the Exchange Offer. Holders who wish to tender their Debentures
must complete this Letter of Transmittal in its entirety.

         All capitalized terms used herein and not defined shall have the
meanings ascribed to them in the Offering Circular.

         The instructions included with this Letter of Transmittal must be
followed. Questions and requests for assistance or for additional copies of the
Offering Circular, this Letter of Transmittal and the Notice of Guaranteed
Delivery may be directed to the Exchange Agent. See Instruction 8 herein.


                                       1

<PAGE>   2

<PAGE>   3
   
                  Subject to the terms of the Exchange Offer, the undersigned
hereby tenders to the Company the principal amount of Debentures indicated
above. Subject to and effective upon the acceptance for exchange of the
principal amount of Debentures, and all interest accrued, including default
interest and interest on default interest, and all other rights or claims under
the Debentures, tendered in accordance with this Letter of Transmittal, the
undersigned sells, assigns and transfers to the Company all right, title and
interest in and to the Debentures tendered hereby. The undersigned hereby
irrevocably constitutes and appoints the Exchange Agent its agent and
attorney-in-fact (with full knowledge that the Exchange Agent also acts as the
agent of the Company) with respect to the tendered Debentures with full power of
substitution to deliver certificates for such Debentures for cancellation in
accordance with the Indenture for the Debentures, all in accordance with the
terms of the Exchange Offer. The power of attorney granted in this paragraph
shall be deemed irrevocable and coupled with an interest.
    

                  The undersigned hereby represents and warrants that he or she
has full power and authority to tender, sell, assign and transfer the Debentures
tendered hereby and that the Company will acquire good and unencumbered title
thereto, free and clear of all liens, restrictions, charges and encumbrances and
not subject to any adverse claim, when the same are acquired by the Company.

                  The undersigned will, upon request, execute and deliver any
additional documents deemed by the Exchange Agent or the Company to be necessary
or desirable to complete the assignment and transfer of the Debentures tendered
hereby.

                  For purposes of the Exchange Offer, the Company shall be
deemed to have accepted validly tendered Debentures when the Company has given
oral or written notice thereof to the Exchange Agent. If any tendered Debentures
are not accepted for exchange pursuant to the Exchange Offer for any reason,
certificates for any such unaccepted Debentures will be returned (except as
noted below with respect to tenders through DTC), without expense, to the
undersigned at the address shown below or at a different address shown below or
at a different address as may be indicated under "Special Issuance Instructions"
as promptly as practicable after the Expiration Date.

                  All authority conferred or agreed to be conferred by this
Letter of Transmittal shall survive the death, incapacity or dissolution of the
undersigned and every obligation under this Letter of Transmittal shall be
binding upon the undersigned's heirs, personal representatives, successors and
assigns.

                  The undersigned understands that tenders of Debentures
pursuant to the procedures described under the caption "The Exchange Offer --
Procedures for Tendering" in the Offering Circular and in the instructions
hereto will constitute a binding agreement between the undersigned and the
Company upon the terms and subject to the conditions of the Exchange Offer.

                  Unless otherwise indicated under "Special Issuance
Instructions," in exchange for the Debentures accepted for exchange, please pay
the cash portion of the Exchange Consideration by check made payable in the
name(s) of the undersigned (or in the case of Debentures tendered by DTC, to
DTC), and issue the certificates representing the Common Shares, in the name(s)
of the undersigned (or in the case of Debentures tendered by DTC, by credit to
the account at DTC). Similarly, unless otherwise indicated under "Special
Delivery Instructions," please send the Exchange Consideration in exchange for
the Debentures accepted for exchange and any certificates for Debentures not
tendered or not exchanged (and accompanying documents, as appropriate) to the
undersigned at the address shown below the undersigned's signature(s), unless,
in either event, tender is being made through DTC. In the event that both
"Special Issuance Instructions" and "Special Delivery Instructions" are
completed, please pay and issue the Exchange Consideration due in exchange for
the Debentures accepted for exchange and return any Debentures not tendered or
not exchanged in the name(s) of, and send said certificates to, the person(s) so
indicated. The undersigned recognizes that the Company has no obligation
pursuant to the "Special Issuance Instructions" and "Special Delivery
Instructions" to transfer any Debentures from the name of the registered
holder(s) thereof if the Company does not accept for exchange any of the
Debentures so tendered.


                                        3




<PAGE>   4
                                PLEASE SIGN HERE

                  (TO BE COMPLETED BY ALL TENDERING HOLDERS OF
        DEBENTURES REGARDLESS OF WHETHER DEBENTURES ARE BEING PHYSICALLY
                               DELIVERED HEREWITH)

                  This Letter of Transmittal must be signed by the Holder(s) of
Debentures exactly as their name(s) appear(s) on certificate(s) for Debentures
or, if tendered by a participant in DTC, exactly as such participant's name
appears on a security position listing as the owner of Debentures, or by
person(s) authorized to become registered Holder(s) by endorsements and
documents transmitted with this Letter of Transmittal. If signature is by a
trustee, executor, administrator, guardian, attorney-in-fact, officer or other
person acting in a fiduciary or representative capacity, such person must set
forth his or her full title below under "Capacity" and submit evidence
satisfactory to the Company of such person's authority to so act. See
Instruction 3 herein.

                  If the signature appearing below is not of the registered
Holder(s) of the Debentures, then the registered Holder(s) must sign a valid
proxy.

X_______________________________       Date:_______________________________

X_______________________________       Date:_______________________________
  Signature(s) of Holder(s) or
  Authorized Signatory

Name(s):________________________       Address:____________________________

        ________________________               ____________________________
             (Please Print)                         (Including Zip Code)

Capacity:_______________________       Area Code and Telephone No.:________

Social Security No.:____________

                   PLEASE COMPLETE SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9 HEREIN

                 SIGNATURE GUARANTEE (SEE INSTRUCTION 3 HEREIN)
        CERTAIN SIGNATURES MUST BE GUARANTEED BY AN ELIGIBLE INSTITUTION

________________________________________________________________________________
             (Name of Eligible Institution Guaranteeing Signatures)

________________________________________________________________________________
               (Address (including zip code) and Telephone Number
                         (including area code) of Firm)

________________________________________________________________________________
                             (Authorized Signature)

________________________________________________________________________________
                                 (Printed Name)


                                     (Title)

Date:___________________


                                        4


<PAGE>   5
                          SPECIAL ISSUANCE INSTRUCTIONS
                           (SEE INSTRUCTION 4 HEREIN)

To be completed ONLY if certificates for the Common Shares issued pursuant to
the Exchange Offer or for any principal amount of Debentures not tendered for
exchange are to be issued in the name of someone other than the person or
persons whose signature(s) appear(s) within this Letter of Transmittal or issued
to an address different from that shown in the box entitled "Description of
Debentures" within this Letter of Transmittal, or if Debentures tendered by
book-entry transfer that are not accepted for purchase are to be credited to an
account maintained at DTC.

Name:___________________________________________________________________________
                                 (Please Print)

Address:________________________________________________________________________
                                 (Please Print)

_______________________________________________________________________________
                                                                        Zip Code

________________________________________________________________________________
                           Taxpayer Identification or
                             Social Security Number
                        (See Substitute Form W-9 herein)

________________________________________________________________________________
                          SPECIAL DELIVERY INSTRUCTIONS
                           (SEE INSTRUCTION 4 HEREIN)

To be completed ONLY if certificates for the Common Shares issued pursuant to
the Exchange Offer or for any principal amount of Debentures not tendered for
exchange are to be sent to someone other than the person or persons whose
signature(s) appear(s) within this Letter of Transmittal or issued to an address
different from that shown in the box entitled "Description of Debentures" within
this Letter of Transmittal.


Name:___________________________________________________________________________
                                 (Please Print)

Address:________________________________________________________________________
                                 (Please Print)

_______________________________________________________________________________
                                                                        Zip Code

________________________________________________________________________________
                           Taxpayer Identification or
                             Social Security Number
                        (See Substitute Form W-9 herein)

________________________________________________________________________________


                                        5


<PAGE>   6
                                  INSTRUCTIONS
                    FORMING PART OF THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS
                   OF THE EXCHANGE OFFER AND THE SOLICITATION

                  1. DELIVERY OF THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL AND DEBENTURES. The
certificates for the tendered Debentures (or a confirmation of a book-entry
transfer into the Exchange Agent's account at DTC of all Debentures delivered
electronically), as well as a properly completed and duly executed copy of this
Letter of Transmittal or facsimile hereof and any other documents required by
this Letter of Transmittal must be received by the Exchange Agent at its address
set forth herein prior to 2:00 p.m., St. Paul, Minnesota time, on the Expiration
Date. The method of delivery of the tendered Debentures, this Letter of
Transmittal and all other required documents to the Exchange Agent is at the
election and risk of the Holder and, except as otherwise provided below, the
delivery will be deemed made only when actually received by the Exchange Agent.
Instead of delivery by mail, it is recommended that the Holder use an overnight
or hand delivery service. In all cases, sufficient time should be allowed to
assure timely delivery. No Letter of Transmittal or Debentures should be sent to
the Company.

                  Holders who wish to tender their Debentures and (i) whose
Debentures are not immediately available or (ii) who cannot deliver their
Debentures, this Letter of Transmittal or any other documents required hereby to
the Exchange Agent prior to the Expiration Date must tender their Debentures and
follow the guaranteed delivery procedure set forth in the Offering Circular.
Pursuant to such procedure: (i) such tender must be made by or through an
Eligible Institution; (ii) prior to the Expiration Date, the Exchange Agent must
have received from the Eligible Institution a properly completed and duly
executed Notice of Guaranteed Delivery (by facsimile transmission, mail or hand
delivery) setting forth the name and address of the Holder of the Debentures,
the certificate number or numbers of such Debentures and the principal amount of
Debentures tendered, stating that the tender is being made thereby and
guaranteeing that, within five business days after the Expiration Date, this
Letter of Transmittal (or facsimile hereof) together with the certificate(s)
representing the Debentures (or a confirmation of electronic delivery of
book-entry delivery into the Exchange Agent's account at DTC) and any required
documents will be deposited by the Eligible Institution with the Exchange Agent;
and (iii) such properly completed and executed Letter of Transmittal (or
facsimile hereof), as well as all other documents required by this Letter of
Transmittal and the certificate(s) representing all tendered Debentures in
proper form for transfer (or a confirmation of electronic mail delivery of
book-entry delivery into the Exchange Agent's account at DTC), must be received
by the Exchange Agent within five business days after the Expiration Date, all
as provided in the Offering Circular under the caption "Guaranteed Delivery
Procedure." Any Holder of Debentures who wishes to tender his Debentures
pursuant to the guaranteed delivery procedure described above must ensure that
the Exchange Agent receives the Notice of Guaranteed Delivery prior to 2:00
p.m., St. Paul, Minnesota time, on the Expiration Date.

                  All questions as to the validity, form, eligibility (including
time of receipt), acceptance and withdrawal of tendered Debentures will be
determined by the Company in its sole discretion, which determination will be
final and binding. The Company reserves the absolute right to reject any and all
Debentures not properly tendered or any Debentures the Company's acceptance of
which would, in the opinion of counsel for the Company, be unlawful. The Company
also reserves the right to waive any irregularities or conditions of tender as
to particular Debentures. The Company's interpretation of the terms 

and conditions of the Exchange Offer (including the instructions in this Letter
of Transmittal) will be final and binding on all parties. Unless waived, any
defects or irregularities in connection with tenders of Debentures must be cured
within such time as the Company shall determine. Neither the Company, the
Exchange Agent nor any other person shall be under any duty to give notification
of defects or irregularities with respect to tenders of Debentures, nor shall
any of them incur any liability for failure to give such notification. Tenders
of Debentures will not be deemed to have been made until such defects or
irregularities have been cured or waived. Any Debentures received by the
Exchange Agent that are not properly tendered and as to which the defects or
irregularities have not been cured or waived will be returned without cost by
the Exchange Agent to the tendering Holders of Debentures, unless otherwise
provided in this Letter of Transmittal, as soon as practicable following the
Expiration Date.

                  2. PARTIAL TENDERS. Tenders of Debentures will be accepted in
all denominations of $1,000 and integral multiples in excess thereof. If less
than the entire principal amount of any Debentures is tendered, the tendering
Holder should fill in the principal amount tendered in the third column of the
chart entitled "Description of Debentures." The entire principal amount of
Debentures delivered to the Exchange Agent will be deemed to have been tendered
unless otherwise indicated. If the entire principal amount of all Debentures is
not tendered or accepted, a certificate or certificates representing Debentures
not tendered or accepted will be issued and sent to the Holder at his or her
registered address, unless a different address is provided in the appropriate
box on this Letter of Transmittal or unless tender is made through DTC, promptly
after the Debentures are accepted for exchange.

                  3. SIGNATURES ON THE LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL; BOND POWERS AND
ENDORSEMENTS; GUARANTEE OF SIGNATURES. If this Letter of Transmittal (or
facsimile hereof) is signed by the registered Holder(s) of the Debentures
tendered hereby, the signature must correspond with the name(s) as written on
the face of the Debentures without alteration, enlargement or any change
whatsoever.

                  If this Letter of Transmittal (or facsimile hereof) is signed
by the registered Holder(s) of Debentures tendered and the certificate(s) for
Common Shares issued in exchange therefor is to be issued (or any untendered
principal amount of Debentures is to be reissued) to the registered Holder, such
Holder need not and should not endorse any tendered Debentures, nor provide a
separate bond power. In any other case, such Holder must either properly endorse
the Debentures tendered or transmit a properly completed separate bond power
with this Letter of Transmittal,


                                        6


<PAGE>   7
with the signatures on the endorsement or bond power guaranteed by an Eligible
Institution.

                  If this Letter of Transmittal (or facsimile hereof) is signed
by a person other than the registered Holder(s) of any Debentures listed, such
Debentures must be endorsed or accompanied by appropriate bond powers signed as
the name of the registered Holder(s) appears on the Debentures.

                  If this Letter of Transmittal (or facsimile hereof) or any
Debentures or bond powers are signed by trustees, executors, administrators,
guardians, attorneys-in-fact, or officers of corporations or others acting in a
fiduciary or representative capacity, such persons should so indicate when
signing, and unless waived by the Company, evidence satisfactory to the Company
of their authority to so act must be submitted with this Letter of Transmittal.

                  Endorsements on Debentures or signatures on bond powers
required by this Instruction 3 must be guaranteed by an Eligible Institution.

   
                  All signatures on this Letter of Transmittal (or facsimile
hereof) must be guaranteed by an Eligible Institution unless the Debentures
tendered pursuant thereto are tendered by or for the account of an Eligible
Institution. 
    

                  4. SPECIAL ISSUANCE AND DELIVERY INSTRUCTIONS. Tendering
Holders should indicate, in the applicable spaces, the name and address to which
Debentures or substitute Debentures reissued for principal amounts not tendered
or not accepted for exchange are to be issued or sent, if different from the
name and address of the person signing this Letter of Transmittal (or in the
case of tender of the Debentures through DTC, if different from DTC). In the
case of issuance in a different name, the taxpayer identification or social
security number of the person named must also be indicated.

                  5. TRANSFER TAXES. The Company will pay all transfer taxes, if
any, applicable to the exchange of Debentures pursuant to the Exchange Offer.
If, however, certificates representing New Debentures or Debentures for
principal amounts not tendered or accepted for exchange are to be delivered to,
or are to be registered or issued in the name of, any person other than the
registered Holder of the Debentures tendered hereby, or if tendered Debentures
are registered in the name of any person other than the person signing this
Letter of Transmittal, or if a transfer tax is imposed for any reason other than
the exchange of Debentures pursuant to the Exchange Offer, then the amount of
any such transfer taxes (whether imposed on the registered Holder or any other
person) will be payable by the tendering Holder. If satisfactory evidence of
payment of such taxes or exemption therefrom is not submitted with this Letter
of Transmittal, the amount of such transfer taxes will be billed directly to
such tendering Holder.

                  Except as provided in this Instruction 5, it will not be
necessary for transfer tax stamps to be affixed to the Debentures listed in this
Letter of Transmittal.

         6. WAIVER OF CONDITIONS. The Company reserves the absolute right to
amend, waive or modify specified conditions in the Exchange Offer in the case of
any Debentures tendered.

         7. MUTILATED, LOST, STOLEN OR DESTROYED DEBENTURES. Any tendering
Holder whose Debentures have been mutilated, lost, stolen or destroyed should
contact the Exchange Agent at the address indicated herein for further
instruction.

         8. REQUEST FOR ASSISTANCE OR ADDITIONAL COPIES. Questions and requests
for assistance and requests for additional copies of the Offering Circular or
this Letter of Transmittal may be directed to the Exchange Agent at the address
specified in the Offering Circular or to Kerri Ruppert, Senior Vice President,
Secretary/Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer of the Company, 1111 Bayside
Drive, Suite 100, Corona del Mar, California 92625, (800) 678-2273.

                          (DO NOT WRITE IN SPACE BELOW)
________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________
CERTIFICATE SURRENDERED        Debentures TENDERED           Debentures ACCEPTED

________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________
Delivery Prepared by                Checked by                              Date


________________________________________________________________________________


                                        7



<PAGE>   8
                            IMPORTANT TAX INFORMATION

                  Under federal income tax laws, a Holder whose tendered
Debentures are accepted pursuant to the Exchange Offer is required to provide
the Exchange Agent (as payer) with such Holder's correct Taxpayer Identification
Number ("TIN") or Substitute Form W-9 below or otherwise establish a basis for
exemption from backup withholding. If such Holder is an individual, the TIN is
his social security number. If the Exchange Agent is not provided with the
correct TIN, a $50 penalty may be imposed by the Internal Revenue Service, and
payments made with respect to Debentures purchased pursuant to the Exchange
Offer may be subject to backup withholding.

                  Certain Holders (including, among others, all corporations and
certain foreign persons) are not subject to these backup withholding and
reporting requirements. Exempt Holders should indicate their exempt status on
Substitute Form W-9. A foreign person may qualify as an exempt recipient by
submitting to the Exchange Agent a properly completed U.S. Treasury Form W-8,
signed under penalties of perjury, attesting to that Holder's exempt status. A
Form W-8 can be obtained from the Exchange Agent. See the enclosed "Guidelines
for Certification of Taxpayer Identification Number on Substitute Form W-9" for
additional instructions.

                  If backup withholding applies, the Exchange Agent is required
to withhold 31% of any payments made to the Holder or other payee. Backup
withholding is not an additional federal income tax. Rather, the federal income
tax liability of persons subject to backup withholding will be reduced by the
amount of tax withheld. If withholding results in an overpayment of taxes, a
refund may be obtained from the Internal Revenue Service.

PURPOSE OF SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9

                  To prevent backup withholding on payments made with respect to
the Exchange Offer, the Holder is required to provide the Exchange Agent with
either: (i) the Holder's correct TIN by completing the form below, certifying
that the TIN provided on Substitute Form W-9 is correct (or that such Holder is
awaiting a TIN) and that (A) the Holder has not been notified by the Internal
Revenue Service that the Holder is subject to backup withholding as a result of
failure to report all interest or dividends or (B) the Internal Revenue Service
has notified the Holder that the Holder is no longer subject to backup
withholding; or (ii) an adequate basis for exemption.

WHAT NUMBER TO GIVE THE EXCHANGE AGENT

                  The Holder is required to give the Exchange Agent the TIN
(e.g., social security number or employer identification number) of the
registered Holder of the Debentures. If the Debentures are held in more than one
name or are held not in the name of the actual owner, consult the enclosed
"Guidelines for Certification of Taxpayer Identification Number on Substitute
Form W-9" for additional guidance on which number to report.


                                        8


<PAGE>   9
________________________________________________________________________________
SUBSTITUTE                    PART 1 -- PLEASE PROVIDE YOUR TIN IN THE BOX AT  
FORM W-9                      RIGHT AND CERTIFY BY SIGNING AND DATING BELOW
DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE




                                     ____________________________________
                                            Social Security Number

                                  OR ____________________________________

                                     ____________________________________
                                        Employer Identification Number






PAYER'S REQUEST FOR TAXPAYER       PART 2 -- CERTIFICATION -- Under penalties of
IDENTIFICATION NUMBER (TIN)        perjury, I certify that:

                                   (1) The number shown on this form is my
                                       correct Taxpayer Identification Number
                                       (or I am waiting for a number to be
                                       issued to me), and

                                   (2) I am not subject to backup withholding
                                       because (a) I am exempt from backup
                                       withholding or (b) I have not been
                                       notified by the Internal Revenue Service
                                       ("IRS") that I am currently subject to
                                       backup withholding as a result of failure
                                       to report all interest or dividends, or
                                       (c) the IRS has notified me that I am no
                                       longer subject to backup withholding.

                                   PART 3
                                   Awaiting TIN / /


                                   _____________________________________________
                                   CERTIFICATE INSTRUCTIONS -- You must cross
                                   out item (2) in Part 2 above if you have been
                                   notified by the IRS that you are subject to
                                   backup withholding because of underreporting
                                   interest or dividends on your tax return.
                                   However, if after being notified by the IRS
                                   that you were subject to backup withholding
                                   you received another notification from the
                                   IRS stating that you are no longer subject to
                                   backup withholding, do not cross out item
                                   (2).


                                     ____________________________________
                                                    SIGNATURE


                                     ____________________________________
                                                NAME (PLEASE PRINT)

                                     ____________________________________
                                                     DATE

________________________________________________________________________________
NOTE:    FAILURE TO COMPLETE AND RETURN THIS FORM MAY RESULT IN BACKUP
         WITHHOLDING OF 31% OF ANY PAYMENTS MADE TO HOLDERS OF DEBENTURES
         PURSUANT TO THE EXCHANGE OFFER. PLEASE REVIEW THE ENCLOSED GUIDELINES
         FOR CERTIFICATION OF TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION NUMBER ON SUBSTITUTE FORM
         W-9 FOR ADDITIONAL DETAILS.

         YOU MUST COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING CERTIFICATE IF YOU CHECKED THE BOX IN
         PART 3 OF SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9.

             CERTIFICATE OF AWAITING TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION NUMBER

         I certify under penalties of perjury that a taxpayer identification
number has not been issued to me, and either (a) I have mailed or delivered an
application to receive a taxpayer identification number to the appropriate
Internal Revenue Service Center or Social Security Administration Office or (b)
I intend to mail or deliver an application in the near future. I understand that
if I do not provide a taxpayer identification number within 60 days, 31% of all
reportable payments made to me thereafter will be withheld until I provide a
number.

________________________________             __________________________________
Signature                                    Date


                                       9


<PAGE>   10
                 THE EXCHANGE AGENT FOR THE EXCHANGE OFFER IS:

                FIRST TRUST OF CALIFORNIA, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

               By Mail:                                    By Hand:
    FIRST TRUST OF CALIFORNIA, N.A.             FIRST TRUST OF CALIFORNIA, N.A.
   180 EAST FIFTH STREET, SUITE 200            180 EAST FIFTH STREET, SUITE 200
       ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA 55101                   ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA 55101


                                       10


<PAGE>   1
                                                                   EXHIBIT 99.10

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


GUIDELINES FOR DETERMINING THE PROPER IDENTIFICATION NUMBER TO GIVE THE PAYOR --
Social Security numbers have nine digits separated by two hyphens: i.e.
000-00-0000. Employer identification numbers have nine digits separated by one
hyphen: i.e. 00-0000000. The table below will help determine the number to give
the payor.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FOR THIS TYPE OF ACCOUNT:                                    GIVE THE
                                                         SOCIAL SECURITY
                                                         NUMBER OF --
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                <C>              
 1.    An individual's account                           The individual

 2.    Two or more individuals (joint                    The actual owner of the account
       account)                                          or, if combined funds, the first
                                                         individual on the account(1)

 3.   Custodian account of a minor                       The minor(2)
      (Uniform Gift to Minors Act)

4a.  The usual revocable savings trust                  The grantor-trustee(1)
     account (grantor is also trustee)

 b.  So-called trust account that is not                The actual owner(1)
     a legal or valid trust under State
     Law

5.   Sole proprietorship account                        The owner(3)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

FOR THIS TYPE OF ACCOUNT:                                GIVE THE EMPLOYER
                                                         IDENTIFICATION
                                                         NUMBER OF --
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 6.   A valid trust, estate, or pension                  The legal entity (Do not furnish the
      trust                                              identifying number of the personal 
                                                         representative or trustee unless
                                                         the legal entity itself is not 
                                                         designated in the account title)(4)

 7.   Corporate account                                  The corporation

 8.   Association, club, religious,                      The organization
      charitable, educational or other
      tax-exempt organization

 9.   Partnership account                                The partnership

10.   A broker or registered nominee                     The broker or nominee

11.   Account with the Department of                     The public entity
      Agriculture in the name of a public
      entity (such as a State or local
      government, school district or
      prison) that receives agricultural
      program payments
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
(1)   List first and circle the name of the person whose number you furnish.
(2)   Circle the minor's name and furnish the minor's social security number.
(3)   Show the name of the owner.
(4)   List first and circle the name of the valid trust, estate, or pension 
      trust.

NOTE: If no name is circled when there is more than one name, the number will be
considered to be that of the first name listed. 


                                       1


<PAGE>   2
             GUIDELINES FOR CERTIFICATION OF TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION
                       NUMBER (TIN) ON SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9
              (SECTION REFERENCES ARE TO THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE)
                                     Page 2

NAME -- If you are an individual, generally provide the name shown on your
social security card. However, if you have changed your last name, for instance,
due to marriage, without informing the Social Security Administration of the
name change, please enter your first name and both the last name shown on your
social security card and your new last name.

OBTAINING A NUMBER -- If you don't have a taxpayer identification number
("TIN"), apply for one immediately. To apply, obtain Form SS-5, Application for
a Social Security Number Card, or Form SS-4, Application for Employer
Identification Number, at the local office of the Social Security Administration
or the Internal Revenue Service (the "IRS").

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

 (1) A corporation.

 (2) An organization exempt from tax under section 501(a), or an individual
retirement plan ("IRA"), or a custodial account under section 403(b)(7).

 (3) The United States or any agencies or instrumentalities.

 (4) A state, the District of Columbia, a possession of the United States, or
any of their political subdivisions or instrumentalities.

 (5) A foreign government or any of its political subdivisions, agencies or 
instrumentalities.

 (6) An international organization or any of its agencies or instrumentalities.

 (7) A foreign central bank of issue.

 (8) A dealer in securities or commodities required to register in the U.S. or a
possession of the U.S.

 (9) A futures commission merchant registered with the Commodity Futures Trading
Commission.

(10) A real estate investment trust.

(11) An entity registered at all times during the tax year under the Investment
Company Act of 1940.

(12) A common trust fund operated by a bank under section 584(a).

(13) A financial institution.

(14) A middleman known in the investment community as a nominee or listed in the
most recent publication of the American Society of Corporate Secretaries, Inc.
Nominee List.

(15) A trust exempt from tax under Section 664 or described in section 4947.


                                        2



<PAGE>   3
             GUIDELINES FOR CERTIFICATION OF TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION
                       NUMBER (TIN) ON SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9
              (SECTION REFERENCES ARE TO THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE)
                                     Page 3

Payments of dividends generally not subject to backup withholding also include
the following:

  - Payments to nonresident aliens subject to withholding under section 1441.

  - Payments to partnerships not engaged in a trade or business in the U.S. and 
which have at least one nonresident partner.

  - Payments made by certain foreign organizations.

    Payments of interest generally not subject to backup withholding include the
following:

  - Payments of interest on obligations issued by individuals.

    NOTE: YOU MAY BE SUBJECT TO BACKUP WITHHOLDING IF THIS INTEREST IS $600 OR
MORE AND IS PAID IN THE COURSE OF THE PAYOR'S TRADE OR BUSINESS AND YOU HAVE NOT
PROVIDED YOUR CORRECT TIN TO THE PAYOR.

  - Payments of tax-exempt interest (including exempt-interest dividends under
section 852).

  - Payments described in section 6049(b)(5) to nonresident aliens.

  - Payments on tax-free covenant bonds under section 1451.

  - Payments made by certain foreign organizations.

  - Mortgage interest paid by you.

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

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

PENALTIES

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

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

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


                           FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
                     CONTACT YOUR TAX CONSULTANT OR THE IRS


                                        3



<PAGE>   1
                                                                   EXHIBIT 99.16

                          NOTICE OF EXCHANGE OFFER FOR
                         ANY AND ALL OF THE OUTSTANDING
                   7 1/2% CONVERTIBLE SUBORDINATED DEBENTURES
                                       OF
   
                         COMPREHENSIVE CARE CORPORATION

            THE OFFER AND WITHDRAWAL RIGHTS WILL EXPIRE AT 2:00 P.M.,
             ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA TIME, ON FRIDAY, DECEMBER 23, 1996,
                         UNLESS EXTENDED BY THE COMPANY.

                                                               November 14, 1996
    

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

   
                  We are enclosing the material listed below relating to the
offer by Comprehensive Care Corporation (the "Company"), upon the terms and
subject to the conditions set forth in the enclosed Offering Circular dated
November 14, 1996 and Letter of Transmittal and related documents (the "Exchange
Offer"), to exchange for aggregate Exchange Consideration (defined below) all
Debentures (defined below) that are properly tendered and exchanged from the
date of the Offer through 2:00 p.m., St. Paul, Minnesota time, on Monday,
December 23, 1996, unless extended (the "Offer Period"). A holder of Debentures
who elects to exchange during the Offer Period will receive the aggregate
exchange consideration comprised of $500 in cash and 16 shares of the Company's
Common Stock, $.01 par value per share (the "Common Stock") as principal plus
$80 in cash and 8 shares of Common Stock as interest (the "Exchange
Consideration") for the surrender of each $1,000 of outstanding principal amount
of the Company's 7 1/2% Convertible Subordinated Debentures Due April 15, 2010
(the "Debentures") and waiver and forgiveness of excess interest (over $80 in
cash and the fair value of 8 shares of Common Stock) accrued since April 15,
1994 and all other claims. The payment of the exchange consideration in the
Exchange Offer will be treated by the Company for accounting and tax purposes as
principal to the extent of $500 plus the fair value of 16 shares of Common Stock
and as interest to the extent of $80 plus the fair value of 8 shares of Common
Stock. Accordingly for most taxpayers, the aggregate amount of principal
payments, less tax basis, will be gain or loss to the holder, and the aggregate
amount of interest payments will be ordinary income. At November 15, 1996, the
aggregate amount of interest accrued, including interest on overdue
installments, will be $208.98 per $1,000 of outstanding principal amount of
Debentures. The Debentures are currently due and payable in full on account of
acceleration resulting from payment defaults. The purpose of the Exchange Offer
is to provide incentive to rescind the Debenture acceleration. CompCare is
concurrently soliciting Debentureholders for the purpose of rescinding the
acceleration. Through November 15, 1996, $202.73 will be payable per $1,000
principal amount of Debentures prior to rescission of acceleration, comprised of
$187.50 of overdue interest (5 semi-annual installments) plus $15.23 of interest
on these overdue installments. Debentureholders can either receive accrued
amounts and retain the balance due under Debentures or can exchange them for
$580 in cash plus 24 shares of Common Stock. The Company does not intend to
complete the Exchange unless the acceleration is rescinded. Immediately before
the Debenture acceleration is rescinded, the Company will accept all of the
Debentures tendered in the Exchange and as to all non-tendered Debentures will
pay accrued interest, including interest on all overdue installments thereon, as
required under the Debentures. The Company will thereafter make semi-annual
interest payments (April 15 -- October 15) until maturity of the outstanding
Debentures on April 15, 2010. At the conclusion of the Offer Period, a holder of
Debentures who did not exchange those Debentures in the Exchange Offer will no
longer be entitled to the Exchange Consideration.
    

                  The Company will pay no commission or other consideration to
solicit exchanges of Debentures so that the Common Stock issuable in the
Exchange will be exempt from registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended (the "Securities Act") under Section 3(a)(9) of the Securities Act, and
be exempt from qualification or registration under applicable U.S. state
securities laws. The Common Shares to be issued upon exchange of the Debentures
pursuant to this offer by the holders thereof should be freely tradeable to the
same extent that tendered and exchanged Debentures were freely tradeable.
Comprehensive Care Corporation Common Stock to be issued in the Exchange Offer
has been approved for listing upon notice of issuance on the New York Stock
Exchange.

                  Holders of Debentures who elect to tender and exchange their
Debentures pursuant to the Exchange Offer will not receive future, regular
principal or interest payments with respect to the Debentures, including any
amount in respect of periods since October 15, 1996, the last record date prior
to the date hereof for payment of regularly scheduled interest payments.

                  The offer is made on the terms and subject to the conditions
set forth in the enclosed Offering Circular and any supplements or amendments
thereto (the "Offering Circular"), in the related Letter of Transmittal and in
the related documents (which together constitute the "Exchange Offer").

                  For your information and for forwarding to your clients who
hold Debentures, whether registered in your name, in the name of your nominee,
or in their own names, we are enclosing the following documents:

                   1.       The Offering Circular;

                   2.       The Letter of Transmittal to be used by holders of
                            Debentures in accepting the Exchange Offer 
                            (facsimile copies of the Letter of Transmittal may 
                            be used to tender Debentures for exchange);


                                       1



<PAGE>   2
                  3.       Notice of Guaranteed Delivery to be used to accept
                           the Exchange Offer if any Debentures to be tendered
                           are represented by certificates and those
                           certificates are not immediately available;

                  4.       A suggested form of letter that may be sent to your
                           clients for whose accounts you hold Debentures in
                           your name or in the name of a nominee, with space
                           provided for obtaining the clients' instructions
                           about the Exchange Offer;

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

                  6.       A return envelope addressed to First Trust of
                           California, the Exchange Agent; and

                  7.       The Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
                           Fiscal Year Ended May 31, 1996.

   
                  WE URGE YOU TO CONTACT YOUR CLIENTS PROMPTLY. PLEASE NOTE THAT
THE OFFER PERIOD EXPIRES AT 2:00 P.M., ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA TIME, ON MONDAY,
DECEMBER 23, 1996, UNLESS EXTENDED BY THE COMPANY.
    

                   No fees or commissions will be payable to brokers, dealers or
other persons for soliciting tenders of Debentures pursuant to the Exchange
Offer. However, the Company will, upon request, reimburse brokers, dealers,
commercial banks and trust companies for reasonable and necessary costs incurred
by them in forwarding the Offering Circular and the related documents to the
beneficial owners of Debentures held by them as nominee or in a fiduciary
capacity. The Company will pay all transfer taxes, if any, on the exchange of
the Debentures, other than those resulting from a request to issue Common Stock
to a person other than the registered holder of the Debentures.

                  Any questions or requests for assistance or additional copies
of the enclosed materials may be obtained from the Company, the Trustee or the
Exchange Agent at the addresses set forth in the Offering Circular.

                                         Very truly yours,

                                         COMPREHENSIVE CARE CORPORATION

   
                                         /s/ KERRI RUPPERT
    

                                         Kerri Ruppert,
                                         Senior Vice President, Secretary/
                                         Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer


                  NOTHING CONTAINED HEREIN OR IN THE ENCLOSED DOCUMENTS SHALL
CONSTITUTE YOU OR ANY PERSON AS AN AGENT OF THE COMPANY, ANY AFFILIATE OF THE
COMPANY, OR THE EXCHANGE AGENT OR AUTHORIZE YOU OR ANY OTHER PERSON TO MAKE ANY
STATEMENTS ON BEHALF OF ANY OF THEM IN CONNECTION WITH THE EXCHANGE OFFER EXCEPT
FOR STATEMENTS EXPRESSLY MADE IN THE OFFERING CIRCULAR AND THE RELATED
DOCUMENTS.
                                        2





<PAGE>   1
                                                                   EXHIBIT 99.17


                          NOTICE OF EXCHANGE OFFER FOR
                         ANY AND ALL OF THE OUTSTANDING
                   7 1/2% CONVERTIBLE SUBORDINATED DEBENTURES
                                       OF
                         COMPREHENSIVE CARE CORPORATION

   
            THE OFFER AND WITHDRAWAL RIGHTS WILL EXPIRE AT 2:00 P.M.,
             ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA TIME, ON MONDAY, DECEMBER 23, 1996,
                         UNLESS EXTENDED BY THE COMPANY.

                                                               November 14, 1996
    


To Our Clients:

   
                  Enclosed for your consideration is a copy of the Offering
Circular of Comprehensive Care Corporation (the "Company") dated November 14,
1996, with respect to the offer by the Company upon the terms and subject to the
conditions set forth in the Offering Circular to pay aggregate exchange
consideration for each $1,000 principal amount of the Company's 7 1/2%
Convertible Subordinated Debentures Due April 15, 2010 (the "Debentures") that
is properly tendered for exchange from the date of the Offering Circular through
2:00 p.m., St. Paul, Minnesota time, on Monday, December 23, 1996, unless
extended (the "Offer Period"). A holder of Debentures who elects to exchange
during the Offer Period will receive aggregate exchange consideration comprised
of $500 in cash and 16 shares of the Company's Common Stock, $.01 par value per
share (the "Common Stock") as principal plus $80 in cash and 8 shares of Common
Stock as interest (the "Exchange Consideration") for the surrender of each
$1,000 of outstanding principal amount of Debentures and waiver and forgiveness
of excess interest (over $80 in cash plus the fair value of 8 shares of Common
Stock) accrued since April 15, 1994 and all other claims. At November 15, 1996,
the amount of interest, and interest on overdue installments, that will have
accrued is $208.98 per $1,000 of outstanding principal amount of Debentures. At
the conclusion of the Offer Period, a holder of Debentures who did not tender
Debentures for exchange during the Offer Period will no longer be entitled to
the Exchange Consideration. 
    

                  The Company will pay no commission or other consideration to
solicit exchanges of Debentures so that the Common Stock issuable in the
Exchange will be exempt from registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended (the "Securities Act") under Section 3(a)(9) of the Securities Act, and
be exempt from qualification or registration under applicable U.S. state
securities laws. The Common Shares to be issued upon exchange of the Debentures
pursuant to this offer by the holders thereof should be freely tradeable to the
same extent that tendered and exchanged Debentures were freely tradeable.
Comprehensive Care Corporation Common Stock to be issued in the Exchange Offer
has been approved for listing upon notice of issuance on the New York Stock
Exchange.

                  Holders of Debentures who elect to tender Debentures for
exchange pursuant to the Exchange Offer will not receive future, regular
interest payments with respect to the Debentures, including any amount in
respect of periods since April 15, 1996, the last record date prior to the date
hereof for payment of regularly scheduled interest payments.

                  Assuming all of the outstanding Debentures are exchanged
during the Offer Period, the holders of Debentures will receive an aggregate of
approximately 228,912 shares of Common Stock and $5,532,040 in cash.

                  THE ENCLOSED OFFERING CIRCULAR AND LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL AND
RELATED DOCUMENTS, TOGETHER WITH THE INFORMATION INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
THEREIN, CONSTITUTE THE COMPANY'S OFFER AND DISCLOSURE MATERIALS AND SHOULD BE
REVIEWED BY YOU IN THEIR ENTIRETY.

                  We are the record owner of Debentures held by us for your
account, and the Offering Circular and related materials are being forwarded to
you as the beneficial owner of those Debentures. The exchange of those
Debentures can be made only by us as the holder of record and pursuant to your
instructions. The enclosed Letter of Transmittal is furnished to you for your
information only and cannot be used by you to exchange Debentures held by us for
your account.

                  We request your instructions as to whether you wish us to
exchange on your behalf any or all the principal amount of Debentures held by us
for your account, pursuant to the terms and subject to the conditions of the
Offering Circular.

                  Your attention is called to the following:

                  1.       Pursuant to the Exchange Offer, the Exchange
                           Consideration will be paid by the Company for each
                           $1,000 principal amount of Debentures exchanged
                           during the Offer Period.

                  2.       The Exchange Offer is being made for all of the
                           outstanding Debentures. The Exchange Offer is not
                           conditioned upon any minimum amount of Debentures
                           being tendered.

   
                  3.       The Offer Period commenced as of Thursday, November
                           14, 1996, and will remain in effect until and will
                           expire at 2:00 p.m., St. Paul, Minnesota time, on
                           Monday, December 23, 1996, unless terminated sooner
                           by the Company.
    

                  4.       Holders electing to exchange Debentures pursuant to
                           the Exchange Offer will not be obligated to pay
                           brokerage fees or commissions.


                                        1





<PAGE>   2
                  5.       Holders of Debentures may convert less than the
                           entire stated principal amount represented by
                           surrendered Debenture certificates provided they
                           appropriately indicate this fact on the Instructions
                           with Respect to the Exchange Offer by Comprehensive
                           Care Corporation attached hereto.

                  If you wish us to exchange any or all of your Debentures,
please so instruct us by completing, executing, and returning to us the form
attached hereto entitled Instructions with respect to the Exchange Offer by
Comprehensive Care Corporation. If you authorize an exchange of your Debentures,
the total principal amount of your Debentures will be tendered for exchange
unless otherwise indicated. If you do not instruct us to exchange your
Debentures, they will not be tendered for exchange. The Exchange Offer is not
being made, nor will deliveries of Debentures for exchange pursuant to the
Exchange Offer be accepted from or on behalf of, holders of Debentures residing
in any jurisdiction in which the making of the Exchange Offer or the acceptance
thereof would not be in compliance with the laws of such jurisdiction. YOUR
INSTRUCTIONS SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO US IN AMPLE TIME TO PERMIT US TO SUBMIT A
LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL ON YOUR BEHALF TO THE EXCHANGE AGENT PRIOR TO THE
EXPIRATION OF THE OFFER PERIOD.


                                        2

<PAGE>   3
                                  INSTRUCTIONS
                               WITH RESPECT TO THE
                                 EXCHANGE OFFER
                                       BY
                         COMPREHENSIVE CARE CORPORATION


   
                  The undersigned acknowledge(s) receipt of your letter, dated
November 14, 1996, and the Offering Circular, in connection with the Exchange
Offer by Comprehensive Care Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the "Company")
to pay the Exchange Consideration for each $1,000 principal amount of the
Company's 7 1/2% Convertible Subordinated Debentures (the "Debentures") that are
tendered for exchange from the date of the Offering Circular through 2:00 p.m.,
St. Paul, Minnesota time, on Monday, December 23, 1996, unless extended (the
"Offer Period").
    

                  You are hereby instructed to deliver to the Exchange Agent for
exchange pursuant to the Exchange Offer the principal amount of Debentures
indicated below (or, if no number is indicated below, all Debentures) which are
held by you for the account of the undersigned, upon the terms and subject to
the conditions set forth in the Offering Circular.

Dated __________________, 1996









                                                Please print name(s) here

Principal Amount of 7 1/2% Convertible
Subordinated Debentures to be exchanged
pursuant to the Exchange Offer*



                                           ____________________________________
                                           Address(es)

                                           (_____) ____________________________
                                           Area Code and Day Telephone Number
                                                
                                           ____________________________________
                                           Tax Identification or Social Security
                                           No(s).


_________________
*        If the principal amount of Debentures is not indicated, the total
         number of Debentures held by us for your account will be delivered for
         conversion pursuant to the Exchange Offer.


                                        3


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