DONNELLEY R R & SONS CO
10-K405, 1998-03-04
COMMERCIAL PRINTING
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<PAGE>
 
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                                UNITED STATES
                      SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                            WASHINGTON, D. C. 20549
 
                                   FORM 10-K
 
    [X]      ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
                        SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
                  For the fiscal year ended December 31, 1997
 
                                      OR
 
    [_]    TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
                        SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
            For the transition period from            to
                                          ------------  ----------
 
                         COMMISSION FILE NUMBER 1-4694
 
                        R. R. DONNELLEY & SONS COMPANY
            (EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER)
 
              DELAWARE                                 36-1004130
   (STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION OF                  (I.R.S. EMPLOYER
   INCORPORATION OR ORGANIZATION)                  IDENTIFICATION NO.)
 
        77 WEST WACKER DRIVE,
          CHICAGO, ILLINOIS                               60601
   (ADDRESS OF PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE                     (ZIP CODE)
              OFFICES)
 
                 REGISTRANT'S TELEPHONE NUMBER--(312) 326-8000
 
          SECURITIES REGISTERED PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(b) OF THE ACT:
 
       TITLE OF EACH CLASS           NAME OF EACH EXCHANGE ON WHICH REGISTERED
- -----------------------------      ---------------------------------------------
   COMMON (PAR VALUE $1.25)        NEW YORK, CHICAGO AND PACIFIC STOCK EXCHANGES
PREFERRED STOCK PURCHASE RIGHTS    NEW YORK, CHICAGO AND PACIFIC STOCK EXCHANGES
 
  INDICATE BY CHECK MARK WHETHER THE REGISTRANT (1) HAS FILED ALL REPORTS
REQUIRED TO BE FILED BY SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF
1934 DURING THE PRECEDING 12 MONTHS (OR FOR SUCH SHORTER PERIOD THAT THE
REGISTRANT WAS REQUIRED TO FILE SUCH REPORTS), AND (2) HAS BEEN SUBJECT TO THE
FILING REQUIREMENTS FOR THE PAST 90 DAYS.
                                                 YES  X         NO
                                                     ---           ---

  INDICATE BY CHECK MARK IF DISCLOSURE OF DELINQUENT FILERS PURSUANT TO ITEM
405 OF REGULATION S-K IS NOT CONTAINED HEREIN, AND WILL NOT BE CONTAINED, TO
THE BEST OF REGISTRANT'S KNOWLEDGE, IN DEFINITIVE PROXY OR INFORMATION STATE-
MENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE IN PART III OF THIS FORM 10-K OR ANY AMENDMENT
TO THIS FORM 10-K. [X]
 
  AS OF JANUARY 30, 1998, 144,870,461 SHARES OF COMMON STOCK WERE OUTSTANDING,
AND THE AGGREGATE MARKET VALUE OF THE SHARES OF COMMON STOCK (BASED ON THE
CLOSING PRICE OF THESE SHARES ON THE NEW YORK STOCK EXCHANGE--COMPOSITE TRANS-
ACTIONS ON JANUARY 30, 1998) HELD BY NONAFFILIATES WAS $5,102,941,328.
 
                      DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
 
  PORTIONS OF THE REGISTRANT'S DEFINITIVE PROXY STATEMENT DATED FEBRUARY 18,
1998 ARE INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE INTO PART III OF THIS FORM 10-K.
 
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<PAGE>
 
                               TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
    FORM 10-K
    ITEM NO.                          NAME OF ITEM                         PAGE
    ---------                         ------------                         ----
 <C>           <S>                                                         <C>
 Part I
    Item  1.   Business.................................................     3
    Item  2.   Properties...............................................     5
    Item  3.   Legal Proceedings........................................     5
    Item  4.   Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders......     6
               Executive Officers of R. R. Donnelley & Sons Company.....     6
 Part II
    Item  5.   Market for Registrant's Common Equity and Related
                Stockholder Matters.....................................     7
    Item  6.   Selected Financial Data..................................     7
    Item  7.   Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
                Condition and Results of Operations.....................     8
    Item  7A.  Quantative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk.     8
    Item  8.   Financial Statements and Supplementary Data..............    15
    Item  9.   Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on
                Accounting and Financial Disclosure.....................    15
 Part III
    Item 10.   Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant.......    15
    Item 11.   Executive Compensation...................................    15
    Item 12.   Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and
                Management..............................................    15
    Item 13.   Certain Relationships and Related Transactions...........    15
 Part IV
    Item 14.   Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules, and Reports on
                Form 8-K................................................    16
               Signatures...............................................    17
               Index to Financial Statements and Financial Statement
  Item 14(a).   Schedules...............................................   F-1
               Index to Exhibits........................................   E-1
</TABLE>
 
                                       2
<PAGE>
 
                                    PART I
 
ITEM 1. BUSINESS
 
  R.R. Donnelley & Sons Company operates in a single industry segment as the
largest commercial printer in North America. The company is a leading provider
of printing and related services to the merchandising, magazine, book,
directory and financial markets. The company applies its superior skills,
scale and technology to deliver solutions that efficiently meet customers'
strategic business needs. The company was founded in 1864 in Chicago by
Richard Robert Donnelley, and its common stock has been publicly traded since
1956. Today, the company has approximately 26,000 employees in 19 countries on
four continents.
 
  The United States print industry is a large, fragmented industry with more
than 52,000 firms and over 1 million employees generating approximately $140
billion in revenue. The company has market-leading positions in five
categories of the market served by its business units: Merchandise Media ($1.3
billion or 27% of 1997 consolidated net sales), which serves the catalog,
retail insert and direct-mail markets; Magazine Publishing Services ($1.3
billion or 26% of 1997 consolidated net sales), which serves the consumer and
the trade and specialty magazine markets; Book Publishing Services ($768
million or 16% of 1997 consolidated net sales), which serves the trade and
educational book markets; Telecommunications ($789 million or 16% of 1997
consolidated net sales), which serves the domestic and international directory
markets; and Financial Services ($498 million or 10% of 1997 consolidated net
sales), which serves the communication needs of the capital markets and the
mutual fund and healthcare industries. In addition to its domestic operations,
the company has operations in Europe, Latin America and Asia.
 
  For most of 1997, the company owned approximately 80% of Stream
International Holdings Inc. (SIH), which included three business units: Modus
Media International (software replication, documentation, and kitting and
assembly), Corporate Software & Technology (licensing and fulfillment,
customized documentation, license administration and user training) and Stream
International (technical and help-line support). SIH was formed in April 1995
by a merger of the company's Global Software Services business with Corporate
Software Inc.
 
  In December 1997, SIH was reorganized into three separate businesses, and
the company's interest was restructured such that the company now owns 87% of
the common stock of Stream International Inc., 86% of the common stock of
Corporate Software & Technology Holdings, Inc. (CS&T) and non-voting preferred
stock of Modus Media International Holdings, Inc. (MMI). As a result of the
restructuring and the company's intention to dispose of its interest in CS&T,
the company has reported its interests in CS&T and MMI as discontinued
operations and reclassified the prior years' consolidated financial results.
The financial results of Stream International are reported in the consolidated
results of the company's continuing operations.
 
  The commercial print marketplace continues to be competitive. Consolidation
in the company's customer base and in the printing market has resulted in
pressure on pricing and increased competition for market share. These industry
trends are expected to continue. The company will manage these trends by
capitalizing on its market-leading positions, by leveraging its capabilities
and by controlling costs.
 
  A significant portion of the company's sales are made pursuant to term
contracts with customers, with the remainder being made on a single-order
basis.  For some customers, the company prints and provides related services
for several different publications under different contracts.  The company's
contracts with its larger customers normally run for a period of years
(usually three to five years, but longer in the case of contracts requiring
significant capital investment) or for an indefinite period subject to
termination on specified notice by either party. Such sales contracts
generally provide for timely price adjustments to reflect price changes for
materials, wages and utilities. No single customer has a relationship with the
company that accounted for 5% or more of the company's sales in 1997. The
company's dependence for sales from its ten largest customers has declined in
the past ten years to approximately 22% of sales in 1997, from 27% of sales in
1987.
 
  In each of the fiscal years ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995,
international operations represented less than 9% of consolidated net sales,
less than 4% of earnings from operations (excluding 1997 and 1996
restructuring charges) and approximately 10% of consolidated assets.
 
                                       3
<PAGE>
 
  The various phases of the commercial printing industry in which the company
is involved are highly competitive. While the company has contracts with many
of its customers as discussed above, there are numerous competing companies
and renewal of such contracts is dependent, in part, on the ability of the
company to continue to differentiate itself from the competition.
Differentiation results, in part, from the company's broad range of value-
added services, which include: conventional and digital preproduction,
computerized printing, Selectronic(R) imaging and gathering, and sophisticated
pool shipping and distribution services for printed products; information
content repackaging into multiple formats, including print, magnetic and
optical media; and graphic design and editorial services. Although the company
believes it is the largest commercial printer in the United States, it
estimates that its revenues represent approximately 6% of total sales in the
commercial print industry. Although the company's plants are well located for
the global, national or regional distribution of its products, competitors in
some areas of the United States have a competitive advantage in some instances
due to such factors as freight rates, wage scales and customer preference for
local services. In addition to location, other important competitive factors
are price and quality as well as the range of available services.
 
  The primary raw materials used by the company are paper and ink. In 1997,
the company spent approximately $1.9 billion on raw materials. The company is
a large purchaser of paper and focuses to improve materials performance and
total cost management for its customers and it believes this is a competitive
advantage. The company negotiates with leading suppliers to maximize its
purchasing efficiencies, but does not rely on any one supplier. The company
has existing paper supply contracts (at prevailing market prices) to cover
substantially all of the company's requirements through 1998; and management
believes extensions and renewals of these purchase contracts will provide
adequate paper supplies in the future. Ink and ink materials are currently
available in sufficient amounts, and the company believes that it will have
adequate supplies in the future. Purchasing activity at both the local plant
and corporate levels are coordinated to increase economies of scale.
 
  The company estimates that its capital expenditures in 1998 and 1999, to
comply with federal, state and local provisions for environmental controls, as
well as expenditures, if any, for the company's share of costs to clean
hazardous waste sites that have received waste from the company, will not have
a material effect upon its earnings or its competitive position.
 
  The company employed an average of approximately 25,800 persons in 1997
(26,000 persons at December 31, 1997), of whom more than 9,400 had been with
the company for 10 to 24 years and more than 3,200 for 25 years or longer. As
of December 31, 1997, the company employed approximately 25,000 people in the
United States, approximately 800, or 3%, of whom were covered by collective
bargaining agreements. In addition, the company employed approximately 1,000
people in its foreign operations, the majority of whom were covered by
collective bargaining agreements, as is customary in those markets.
 
  Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements. The company's Annual
Report to Shareholders and this Form 10-K are among certain communications by
the company that contain forward-looking statements, including statements
regarding the company's financial position, results of operations, market
position, product development and regulatory matters. In addition, when used
in such communications, the words "believes," "anticipates," "expects" and
similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These
forward-looking statements are based on the company's estimates, assumptions,
projections and current expectations and are subject to a number of risks and
uncertainties. Actual results in the future could differ materially from those
described in the forward-looking statements as a result of many factors
outside the control of the company, including, without limitation, competition
with other printers based on pricing and other factors, fluctuations in the
cost of paper and other raw materials used by the company, changes in postal
rates, seasonal fluctuations in overall demand for printing, changes in
customer demand, changes in the advertising and printing markets, changes in
capital market which affect demand for commercial printing, the financial
condition of the company's customers, the general condition of the United
States economy, changes in the rules and regulations to which the company is
subject, including environmental regulation, and other factors set forth in
this Form 10-K and other company communications generally. The company does
not undertake and specifically declines any obligation to publicly release the
results of any revisions to these forward-looking statements that may be made
to reflect any future events or circumstances after the date of such
statements or to reflect the occurrence of anticipated or unanticipated
events.
 
                                       4
<PAGE>
 
ITEM 2. PROPERTIES
 
  The company's corporate office is located in a leased office building in
Chicago, Illinois. As of December 31, 1997, the company and its subsidiaries
operated 8 plants encompassing approximately 6.3 million square feet of
manufacturing and warehouse space and constituting its gravure printing
platform in the United States; 40 other U.S. facilities encompassing
approximately 11.2 million square feet of manufacturing, operations and
warehouse space; and 8 plants encompassing approximately 1.4 million square
feet in Latin America, Europe and Asia. Of the total manufacturing and
warehouse facilities, approximately 17.0 million square feet of space is owned
by the company and its subsidiaries, while the remaining 1.9 million square
feet of space is leased. In addition, the company has sales offices across the
U.S., Latin America, Europe and Asia.
 
  The company has historically followed the practice of adding capacity to
meet customer requirements, and has retained a substantial portion of its
earnings for reinvestment in plant and equipment for this purpose. The company
will continue to manage its assets in order to meet its customers' needs and
growth objectives, while focusing on the generation of maximum value for its
shareholders.
 
ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
 
  On November 25, 1996, a purported class action was brought against the
company in federal district court in Chicago, Ill., on behalf of current and
former African-American employees, alleging that the company racially
discriminated against them. The complaint seeks declaratory and injunctive
relief, and asks for actual, compensatory, consequential and punitive damages
in an amount not less than $500 million. Although plaintiffs seek nationwide
class certification, most of the specific factual assertions of the original
complaint related to the closing by the company of its Chicago, Ill., catalog
production operations begun in 1993. Other general claims relate to other
company locations. The company has filed a motion for partial summary judgment
as to all claims relating to its Chicago catalog operations on the grounds
that those claims are untimely and plaintiffs have filed a motion for class
certification. Both motions are pending.
 
  On December 18, 1995, a purported class action was filed against the company
in federal district court in Chicago, Ill., alleging that older workers were
discriminated against in selection for termination upon closing of the Chicago
catalog operations. The suit also alleges that the company violated the
Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) in determining benefits
payable to retiring or terminating employees. On October 8, 1996, plaintiffs
filed a motion to maintain the ERISA claims as a class action on behalf of all
company retirement plan participants who were eligible for early retirement
benefits at the time of their termination. On August 14, 1997, the court
denied plaintiffs' motion and certified classes in both the age discrimination
and ERISA claims limited to former employees of the Chicago catalog
operations.
 
  Both cases relate at least in part to the circumstances surrounding the
closure of the Chicago catalog operations. The company believes that it acted
properly in the closing of the operations, has a number of valid defenses to
all of the claims made and is vigorously defending its actions. However,
management is unable to make a meaningful estimate of any loss that could
result from an unfavorable outcome of either case.
 
  In February 1998, the company entered into a Consent Agreement and Consent
Order with the U.S. EPA, settling an administrative enforcement action which
was filed against the company in January 1995 for alleged violations of the
Resource Conservation and Recovery Act at its Warsaw, Ind., facility. The
company agreed to pay $29,000 in civil penalties and to complete designated
environmental projects by year end 2000.
 
                                       5
<PAGE>
 
ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS
 
  No matters were submitted to a vote of security holders during the quarter
ended December 31, 1997.
 
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF R. R. DONNELLEY & SONS COMPANY
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
        NAME, AGE AND           OFFICER            BUSINESS EXPERIENCE DURING
POSITIONS WITH THE COMPANY(1)    SINCE                 PAST FIVE YEARS(2)
- -----------------------------   -------            --------------------------
 <S>                            <C>     <C>
 William L. Davis                1997   Management responsibilities as Chairman of the
 54, Chairman                           Board and Chief Executive Officer. Prior
 of the Board and                       experience as Senior Executive Vice President of
 Chief Executive Officer(2)             Emerson Electric Company, manufacturer of
                                        electrical, electronic and related products.
 James R. Donnelley              1983   Management responsibilities as Vice Chairman of
 62, Director, Vice Chairman            the Board and for Corporate Communication,
 of the Board                           Community Relations and Government Affairs.
                                        Prior management responsibility for Corporate
                                        Development.
 Cheryl A. Francis               1995   Management responsibilities for Corporate
 44, Executive Vice President           Development, Investor Relations, Treasury,
 and Chief Financial Officer(2)         Financial Reporting and Accounting, Real Estate,
                                        Internal Audit and Taxes. Prior management
                                        responsibilities for Purchasing. Prior
                                        experience as Treasurer at FMC Corporation, a
                                        diversified manufacturer of chemicals and
                                        machinery.
 W. Ed Tyler                     1989   Management responsibilities for Manufacturing
 45, Executive Vice President           and Information Technologies and Environmental
 and Chief Technology Officer           Affairs. Prior management responsibilities for
                                        Financial Services, Telecommunications, Book
                                        Publishing Services, Global Software Services,
                                        R.R. Donnelley Europe, R.R. Donnelley Latin
                                        America and R.R. Donnelley Asia Operations;
                                        prior sales and manufacturing responsibility for
                                        Global Software Services.
 Jonathan P. Ward                1991   Management responsibilities for Merchandise Me-
 43, President and                      dia, Magazine Publishing Services, Telecommuni-
 Chief Operating Officer                cations, Financial Services, Book Publishing
                                        Services, Worldwide Procurement, Donnelley Lo-
                                        gistic Services and International Operations.
                                        Prior sales and manufacturing responsibility for
                                        Merchandise Media and Financial Services.
</TABLE>
- --------
(1) Each officer named is a member of the company's Office of the Chairman.
 
(2) Each officer named has carried on his principal occupation and employment
    in the company for more than five years with the exception of William L.
    Davis and Cheryl A. Francis as noted in the table above.
 
                                       6
<PAGE>
 
                                    PART II
 
ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
 
  The common stock is listed and traded on the New York Stock Exchange,
Chicago Stock Exchange and Pacific Stock Exchange.
 
  As of January 30, 1998, there were 10,498 stockholders of record.
Information about the quarterly prices of the common stock, as reported on the
New York Stock Exchange-Composite Transactions, and dividends paid during the
two years ended December 31, 1997, is contained in the chart below:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                      COMMON STOCK PRICES
                                                --------------------------------
                                     DIVIDENDS
                                       PAID           1997            1996
                                    ----------- ---------------- ---------------
                                    1997  1996    HIGH     LOW    HIGH     LOW
                                    ----- ----- -------- ------- ------- -------
<S>                                 <C>   <C>   <C>      <C>     <C>     <C>
First Quarter...................... $0.19 $0.18 $36 7/8  $29 5/8 $39 5/8 $34 1/2
Second Quarter.....................  0.19  0.18  39 3/4   32 5/8  37 1/2  34 1/8
Third Quarter......................  0.20  0.19  41 1/16  34 3/8  35 1/8  30 1/4
Fourth Quarter.....................  0.20  0.19  37 5/8   32 5/8  34 1/8  29 5/8
Full Year..........................  0.78  0.74  41 1/16  29 5/8  39 5/8  29 5/8
</TABLE>
 
ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
 
                            SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
                       (NOT COVERED BY AUDITORS' REPORT)
                 (THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                          YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31
                          --------------------------------------------------------
                             1997        1996        1995       1994       1993
                          ----------  ----------  ---------- ---------- ----------
<S>                       <C>         <C>         <C>        <C>        <C>
INCOME STATEMENT DATA:
Net sales...............  $4,850,033  $5,033,185  $5,049,597 $4,213,060 $3,861,160
Income (loss) from
 continuing operations*.     206,525     (71,483)    275,952    249,327     89,353
Loss on disposal of
 discontinued
 operations.............     (60,000)        --          --         --         --
(Loss) income from
 discontinued
 operations.............     (15,894)    (86,142)     22,841     19,276     20,067
Net income (loss)*......     130,631    (157,625)    298,793    268,603    109,420
PER COMMON SHARE:
Income (loss) from
 continuing operations*.        1.42       (0.47)       1.80       1.62       0.58
Loss on disposal of
 discontinued
 operations.............       (0.41)        --          --         --         --
(Loss) income from
 discontinued
 operations.............       (0.11)      (0.57)       0.15       0.13       0.13
Net income (loss)*......        0.90       (1.04)       1.95       1.75       0.71
Dividends...............        0.78        0.74        0.68       0.60       0.54
<CAPTION>
                                               DECEMBER 31
                          --------------------------------------------------------
                             1997        1996        1995       1994       1993
                          ----------  ----------  ---------- ---------- ----------
<S>                       <C>         <C>         <C>        <C>        <C>
BALANCE SHEET DATA:
Total assets............  $4,134,166  $4,443,828  $5,030,680 $4,318,787 $3,678,100
Noncurrent liabilities..   1,730,047   2,044,818   2,012,635  1,669,984  1,120,382
</TABLE>
- --------
*  Net income in 1997 includes a $70.7 million restructuring and impairment
   charge ($42.4 million after-tax, or $0.29 per share). Net income in 1996
   includes restructuring charges of $441.7 million ($374.4 million after
   taxes and a minority interest benefit, or $2.47 per share) and gains from
   partial divestitures of two subsidiaries of $80.0 million ($48.0 million
   after-tax, or $0.32 per share). Net income in 1993 includes the following
   one-time items: a restructuring charge primarily related to the closure of
   the company's Chicago facility ($60.8 million after-tax, or $0.39 per
   share), a deferred income tax charge ($6.2 million, or $0.04 per share) and
   the cumulative effect of accounting changes ($69.5 million after-tax, or
   $0.45 per share).
 
                                       7
<PAGE>
 
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND
        RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
OPERATING RESULTS
 
  Highlights--In conjunction with the company's 1997 restructuring of its
ownership in SIH, the company reported its interests in CS&T and MMI as
discontinued operations and recorded an after-tax provision of $60 million, to
adjust the carrying cost of the businesses to their estimated net realizable
value.
 
  1997 net income was $131 million, or $0.90 per basic share, compared with a
1996 net loss of $158 million, or $1.04 per basic share. 1997 net income
included a $71 million pre-tax impairment and restructuring charge ($42
million after-tax), the $60 million after-tax provision to adjust the carrying
cost of discontinued operations and a $16 million after-tax loss from
discontinued operations.
 
  The 1996 net loss included the effect of two restructuring charges totaling
$442 million ($374 million after taxes and minority interest), $80 million in
gains ($48 million after-tax) resulting from the partial divestitures of
Metromail Corporation and Donnelley Enterprise Solutions Incorporated (DESI)
and an $86 million after-tax loss from discontinued operations. Excluding the
charges and gains, earnings from continuing operations were $249 million, or
$1.71 per share in 1997, compared with 1996 net income from continuing
operations of $255 million, or $1.68 per share. Net sales from continuing
operations were $4.9 billion, down 4% from 1996.
 
  In the fourth quarter of 1997, the company lost $9 million, reflecting the
impairment and restructuring charges and the provision to adjust the carrying
value of discontinued operations discussed above, compared with 1996 earnings
of $97 million, which included a $36 million pre-tax gain ($22 million after-
tax) on the partial divestiture of DESI. Excluding the charges and gains,
earnings from continuing operations were $88 million, a $4 million increase
from 1996's fourth quarter, and earnings per share increased by $0.03, to
$0.60.
 
  In 1996, the company earned $230 million, or $1.51 per share, excluding the
restructuring charges and gains discussed above, compared with 1995 net income
of $299 million, or $1.95 per share. 1996 earnings from continuing operations,
net of restructuring charges and gains, were $255 million, or $1.68 per share,
compared with 1995 net income from continuing operations of $276 million, or
$1.80 per share. Net sales from continuing operations were $5 billion in 1996
and 1995.
 
  In the fourth quarter, excluding the gain from the partial divestiture of
DESI, the company earned $76 million, down 21% from 1995's fourth quarter, and
earnings per share declined to $0.51 cents.
 
REVENUE
 
  Net sales for 1997 declined 4%, to $4.9 billion. Decreases in the cost of
materials (primarily paper; see discussion of materials below), declines in
international revenue due to the discontinuation of commercial printing in the
United Kingdom ($59 million), and the deconsolidation of Metromail and DESI
due to the company's reduced ownership ($206 million) following the 1996
public offerings, offset revenue gains in most business units of approximately
4%, net of the impact of paper.
 
  Driving the revenue increases in 1997 were increased advertising pages in
magazines, high consumer confidence resulting in increased demand for catalogs
and retail inserts, the adoption cycle for textbooks and the strength of the
capital markets.
 
  Net sales for 1996 were unchanged from 1995 at $5 billion. The impact of
decreased paper prices ($293 million) and the partial divestiture of Metromail
($122 million) offset increases in volume, principally in Telecommunications
and Financial Services.
 
EXPENSES
 
  Gross profit for 1997 declined 2%, to $951 million. The decline was due to
the company's reduced ownership in Metromail and DESI ($70 million), price and
volume declines in Telecommunications, and
 
                                       8
<PAGE>
 
expenses associated with developing the company's logistics and fulfillment
businesses and starting up a short-run, four-color book printing facility in
Roanoke, Va. In addition, the indirect costs of restructuring activities led
to temporarily higher manufacturing costs in the company's gravure platform
and in the United Kingdom during the first half of the year. These increased
costs were partially offset by manufacturing cost improvements in most
business units.
 
  Gross profit as a percentage of net sales improved to 19.6% in 1997,
compared with 19.3% in 1996. The improvement was due primarily to declines in
the cost of paper supplied to customers.
 
  Gross profit for 1996 declined 4%, to $971 million, reflecting lower by-
product paper recovery ($60 million) and the company's reduced ownership of
Metromail ($49 million), partially offset by increased volume in Financial
Services and a lower LIFO inventory provision ($15 million). Gross profit as a
percentage of net sales was 19.3% in 1996, compared with 20.0% in 1995.
 
  The company spent $1.9 billion, $2.1 billion and $2.2 billion on raw
materials in 1997, 1996 and 1995, respectively. The primary raw materials used
by the company are paper and ink. Because the price of paper is volatile, in
periods of rising prices, the company's revenues increase, and in periods of
falling prices, revenues decline. Paper used in the printing process is either
purchased by the company or supplied by the customer. Customer-supplied paper
is not reflected in the company's revenue or in the cost of sales. The cost of
paper purchased for customer use is recovered as a pass-through cost, at a
margin that is lower than the margin earned for printing and related services.
 
  In 1997, the average cost of paper for grades used in manufacturing (coated
No. 5, uncoated supercalendered and uncoated white directory, among others)
increased between 5% and 10% per short ton over 1996 prices. However, a larger
portion of paper was supplied directly by the company's customers, causing an
overall decline in the materials component of the cost of sales.
 
  Short-ton prices on paper grades used by the company declined between 5% and
20% in 1996. In 1995, the average cost of paper grades used rose between 20%
and 40% from 1994 short-ton prices. The dramatic swing in price depressed
customer demand for the company's services in 1996 (primarily in its catalog
and magazine businesses).
 
  The company's results are affected by the price of scrap (by-product) paper,
which it sells. In 1997, the company began to record income from the sales of
by-products as a recovery of the cost of materials, and reclassified prior-
years' financial results to more accurately reflect the impact of by-products
on operations. In 1997, by-products recovery declined by $1 million from 1996.
In 1996, by-products recovery declined by $60 million, due to the return to
normal price levels following substantial increase in the price of by-products
experienced during the first half of 1995.
 
  Selling and administrative expenses in 1997 declined 1%, to $511 million.
Declines due to the deconsolidation of Metromail and DESI were partially
offset by volume-related increases in most business units. The ratio of
selling and administrative expenses to net sales increased to 10.5% from 10.3%
in 1996.
 
  In 1996, selling and administrative expenses increased 4% to $518 million,
primarily due to volume-related expenses in Financial Services, partially
offset by the deconsolidation of Metromail. The ratio of selling and
administrative expenses to net sales increased to 10.3% from 9.9% in 1995.
 
NONOPERATING ITEMS
 
  Net interest expense for 1997 declined 5%, to $91 million, due to lower
average debt balances associated with improvements in balance-sheet
management, resulting in lower working capital and capital investments. In
1996, net interest expense declined 13%, to $95 million, reflecting lower
average interest rates and lower average debt balances.
 
                                       9
<PAGE>
 
  Other income for 1997 increased $9 million, to $26 million. The increase is
due to lower corporate-owned life insurance (COLI) expense, partially offset
by lower gains on the sale of investments in the company's venture capital
portfolio and the decision by Metromail, in which the company has a 37%
ownership interest, to expense as in-process research and development $23
million pre-tax ($14 million after-tax) of the purchase price of Saxe, Inc.,
which Metromail acquired in the third quarter. This charge resulted in a $5
million reduction in the equity earnings reported by the company during 1997.
 
  Other income for 1996 increased by $23 million, primarily due to a $13
million increase in gains on the sale of investments, mainly in the company's
venture capital portfolio.
 
EVENTS AFFECTING COMPARABILITY
 
  Restructuring/Impairment Charges--On December 16, 1997, the company
announced a $71 million pre-tax restructuring and impairment charge to cover
the cessation of activities no longer aligned with the company's strategic
focus, including the development of certain manufacturing information systems,
the pending sale of its Coris content-management software subsidiary, the
shutdown of its book fulfillment operations and the closing of a development
office in Singapore. Cash outlays associated with this charge are expected to
total approximately $18 million, of which $1 million was incurred in 1997.
 
  During 1996, the company recorded two restructuring charges to continuing
operations, totaling $442 million ($374 million after taxes and minority
interest benefit), to restructure various operations and write down certain
impaired assets, including equipment, intangibles and investments in non-core
businesses. Approximately $195 million of the charges were related to the
restructuring and realignment of gravure operations in North America,
including the costs of closing facilities in Newton, N.C., and Casa Grande,
Ariz. Approximately $122 million was related to other manufacturing
restructuring, including: the discontinuation of catalog and magazine printing
in the United Kingdom, leading to the consolidation of two facilities into a
single directory printing facility; the discontinuation of book prepress
operations in Barbados; and the consolidation of a stand-alone book bindery in
Scranton, Pa., into an existing facility. The charges include $125 million in
write-downs of equipment, intangibles and investments in non-core businesses
in accordance with SFAS 121, Accounting for Impairment of Long-Lived Assets.
Pre-tax cash outlays associated with the 1996 restructuring and realignment
charges are expected to be $110 million (approximately $71 million of this
amount has been paid through December 31, 1997). The remaining $39 million is
expected to be incurred in 1998.
 
  Divestitures--On June 19, 1996, Metromail completed an initial public
offering of its common stock. As a result of the offering, the company's
interest in Metromail was reduced to approximately 38% (37% as of December 31,
1997). The transaction resulted in a pre-tax gain of approximately $44 million
($26 million after-tax). Metromail had net sales and operating earnings of
$126 million and $13 million, respectively, through the date of the public
offering. In 1995, Metromail had net sales and operating earnings of $247
million and $36 million, respectively. As a result of the initial public
offering, the company received $250 million in proceeds that were used to
repurchase its shares.
 
  On November 4, 1996, DESI completed an initial public offering of its common
stock. As a result of the offering, the company's interest in DESI was reduced
to approximately 43%. The transaction resulted in a pre-tax gain of $36
million ($22 million after-tax). DESI's net sales and operating earnings were
not material to the consolidated results of the company.
 
  Prior to the initial public offerings, the company accounted for Metromail
and DESI under the consolidation method. Following these offerings, the
company accounts for them under the equity method. Under the equity method,
the company recognizes its proportionate share of any income or loss from both
entities.
 
  COLI--In 1996, the United States Health Care Reform Act was passed,
eliminating the deduction for interest from loans borrowed against COLI
programs. The company has used COLI to fund employee benefits for several
years and expects the company's effective tax rate to rise over the next two
years.
 
                                      10
<PAGE>
 
  The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has disallowed the interest deductions
claimed by other corporate taxpayers that have COLI programs similar to the
company's. Although the IRS has not taken an official position regarding the
COLI program of the company, it is expected that it will disallow the
company's past interest deduction. However, the company would challenge such a
position and would expect to resolve the issue in a manner that does not
materially impact its financial position and results of operations.
 
  Share Repurchases--In January 1998, the board of directors authorized a
program to repurchase up to $500 million of the company's common stock in
privately negotiated or open-market transactions over an 18-month period. The
program will include shares purchased for issuance under various stock option
plans.
 
  In 1997, the company purchased approximately 2.3 million shares for issuance
under various stock option plans. The number of shares outstanding at December
31, 1997, was 145 million, with an average outstanding number of shares for
the year of 146 million.
 
  In 1996, the company announced and completed the repurchase of $250 million,
or 7.7 million shares of its common stock, which was in addition to the
company's ordinary purchases of approximately 2.3 million shares for issuance
under various stock option plans. The number of shares outstanding at December
31, 1996, was 146 million, with an average outstanding number of shares for
the year of 152 million. In 1995, the average outstanding number of shares was
153 million.
 
EARNINGS FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS
 
  Net income from continuing operations for 1997 was $1.42 per share,
including the effects of the restructuring and impairment charge taken in the
fourth quarter. Excluding the charge, the company earned $249 million, or
$1.71 per share, compared with 1996 net income from continuing operations of
$255 million (excluding restructuring charges and divestiture gains discussed
below), or $1.68 per share.
 
  In 1996, the net loss from continuing operations was $71 million, or $0.47
per share, including the effects of restructuring charges, as well as the
gains resulting from the partial divestitures of Metromail and DESI. Excluding
the restructuring charges and the gains, the company earned $255 million from
continuing operations, or $1.68 per share, compared with 1995 net income from
continuing operations of $276 million, or $1.80 per share.
 
DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS
 
  The operating results of MMI and CS&T are reported as discontinued
operations in conjunction with the restructuring of the company's ownership
interest in SIH, discussed above. The net assets of CS&T were included in net
assets of discontinued operations as of December 31, 1997 and 1996. The non-
voting preferred stock in MMI was included in other noncurrent assets as of
December 31, 1997; the net assets of MMI were reclassified to net assets of
discontinued operations for periods prior to December 1997.
 
  After-tax losses from discontinued operations in 1997 were $76 million, or
$0.52 per share, including the effects of a $60 million after-tax provision to
adjust the carrying value of the businesses to their estimated net realizable
value. Excluding the provision, losses from discontinued operations were $16
million, or $0.11 per share, compared with a 1996 net loss from continuing
operations of $25 million (net of restructuring charges), or $0.17 per share.
The improvement reflects increased volume in both the MMI and CS&T businesses
and an improved cost structure due to the restructuring activities initiated
in 1996, offset by the increased cost of managing the businesses as separate
entities.
 
  In 1996, losses from discontinued operations were $86 million, or $0.57 per
share, including the effects of two restructuring charges. In March 1996, an
$86 million pre-tax charge ($44 million after taxes and a minority interest
benefit) was recorded to reposition the worldwide operations of MMI and CS&T,
including the closing of a plant in Wetherby, England, as well as MMI's
Crawfordsville, Ind., documentation printing and diskette replication
operations. In July 1996, an additional $33 million pre-tax charge ($17
million after taxes and a
 
                                      11
<PAGE>
 
minority interest benefit) was taken to further restructure MMI's operations.
Excluding the restructuring charges, losses from discontinued operations in
1996 were $25 million, or $0.17 per share, compared with 1995 net income from
discontinued operations of $23 million, or $0.15 per share.
 
  The 1997 fourth-quarter net income (excluding the provision to adjust the
carrying value of the businesses) from discontinued operations was $6 million,
or $0.04 per share, compared with the 1996 fourth-quarter net loss from
discontinued operations of $8 million, or $0.06 per share.
 
CASH FLOW
 
  Operating Activities--The company's main source of liquidity is cash from
operating activities. In 1997, cash provided from operating activities was
$742 million, a 31% increase from 1996. The increase was principally due to
favorable changes in working capital, which provided cash of $117 million in
1997, versus using cash of $20 million in 1996.
 
  The decrease in working capital in 1997 was a result of increased focus
throughout the organization. The net cash conversion cycle (days sales
outstanding plus days inventory on hand minus days purchases outstanding)
decreased by four days to 43 days.
 
  In 1996, cash provided by operating activities was $568 million, a 38%
increase from 1995. The improvement was primarily due to favorable changes in
working capital, which used only $20 million of cash in 1996 versus $195
million in 1995.
 
  Investing Activities--The principal recurring investing activities for the
company are capital expenditures to restructure and improve the productivity
of operations and to expand in specific markets. In 1997, capital expenditures
totaled $360 million, an $11 million decline from 1996. Expenditures included
$114 million for the restructuring of the gravure platform and $45 million for
the Roanoke facility. In 1996, capital expenditures were $371 million, a $66
million decline from 1995. In 1998, the company currently expects to spend
between $325 million and $350 million, including capital expenditures
associated with the company's Year 2000 compliance effort.
 
  During 1997 and 1996, the company initiated activities to sell operations
and assets no longer aligned with its strategic priorities. In 1997, the
company generated $51 million from these actions, including $21 million from
the sale of the company's interests in three European joint ventures and $13
million from the disposition of interests from the company's venture capital
portfolio.
 
  In 1996, the company generated $249 million and $52 million from
transactions related to its partial disposition of its ownership in Metromail
and DESI, respectively, and an additional $32 million from other dispositions.
 
  Financing Activities--Financing activities include net borrowings, share
repurchases and dividend payments. The company's net borrowings declined by
$226 million and $160 million in 1997 and 1996, respectively, and increased by
$196 million in 1995. The decline in 1997 was a result of strong working
capital management, lower capital spending and cash generated from the
disposition of assets no longer aligned with the company's strategic
priorities.
 
  Commercial paper is the company's primary source of short-term financing. On
December 31, 1997, the company had $258 million outstanding in commercial
paper borrowings. In addition, at December 31, 1997 and 1996, the company had
an unused revolving credit facility of $550 million with a number of banks.
This facility provides support for the issuance of commercial paper and other
credit needs. Management believes the company's cash flow and borrowing
capacity are sufficient to fund its operations.
 
  Net cash used to purchase common stock for treasury, primarily to cover
options granted to employees, was $36 million in 1997. In 1996, $274 million
net cash was used to repurchase shares.
 
                                      12
<PAGE>
 
  Dividends to shareholders totaled $115 million, $113 million and $104
million in 1997, 1996 and 1995, respectively.
 
FINANCIAL CONDITION
 
  The financial position of the company is strong, as evidenced by the
December 31, 1997, balance sheet. The company's total assets are $4.1 billion,
a $310 million decline from 1996, due to the increased focus on managing
working capital and reducing capital expenditures, as well as the disposition
of assets no longer aligned with the strategic focus of the organization. 1997
average invested capital (total debt and equity, computed on a 12-month
average) was $3 billion, a $258 million decline from 1996. Increased earnings
from continuing operations (net of impairment and restructuring charges and
one-time gains) in conjunction with decreased invested capital have
contributed to a 180-basis point improvement in return on invested capital to
11.4%.
 
  At year-end 1997, the total debt-to-capital ratio decreased to 43%, from 47%
at year-end 1996, and the overall debt-to-total-market-value of the company
declined to 22% from 27%. Over longer periods of time, the goal of the company
is to manage the ratio within a range of 20% to 25%.
 
OTHER INFORMATION
 
  Human Resources--As of December 31, 1997, the company employed approximately
26,000 people worldwide in its continuing operations. Of that number,
approximately 96% were employed in the United States, approximately 3% of whom
are covered by collective bargaining agreements. Of the total, the company
employed approximately 1,000 people in its foreign operations, the majority of
whom were covered by collective bargaining agreements, as is customary in
those markets.
 
  From 1996 to 1997, the number of domestic employees in continuing operations
decreased by 8%. Despite this decline, minority representation increased as a
percentage of total employees by 1%, to 14%, and increased as a percentage of
managers and professionals by 2%, to 11%. Females represent 31% of total
employees and 32% of managers and professionals. Minorities represent 16% of
the female workforce and 13% of female managers and professionals.
 
  Technology--The company remains a technology leader, investing not only in
print-related technologies, such as computer-to-plate and digital printing,
but also in areas such as distribution of content and images over the
Internet. Technology is applied to enhance customers' products across the
entire manufacturing process. The company's recent investments have been
focused on a digital infrastructure to support the movement of work from
customers' desktops across the company's manufacturing process, enabling
output in multiple media. The company is focused on investing in technologies
that contribute to its financial performance and help it deliver products,
services and solutions its competitors cannot easily duplicate.
 
  Process control and information systems are becoming increasingly important
to the effective management of the company. Increased spending on new systems
and updating of existing systems will be necessary. In the near term, these
efforts will be focused on ensuring that processes and systems are Year 2000
compliant, and the company will defer other infrastructure and systems
initiatives that would support continuous productivity improvements and
enhanced service capabilities until after the company is Year 2000 compliant.
 
  The Year 2000 compliance issues stem from the computer industry's practice
of conserving data storage by using two digits to represent a year. Systems
and hardware using this format may process data incorrectly or fail with the
use of dates in the next century. These types of failures can influence
applications that rely on dates to perform calculations (such as an accounts
receivable aging report), as well as systems such as building security and
heating.
 
  The company's effort to address Year 2000 compliance issues is under way.
The effort consists of evaluating internal computing infrastructure, business
applications and shop-floor systems for Year 2000 compliance and replacing or
renovating systems and applications as necessary to assure such compliance.
This
 
                                      13
<PAGE>
 
effort will be completed by mid-1999. In addition, the company will evaluate
compliance by external companies and systems that interact with those of the
company, and test to ensure all systems work together. Company employees,
assisted by the expertise of external consultants where necessary, staff the
Year 2000 compliance effort.
 
  Management believes currently that the cost of the Year 2000 initiative is
not a material issue that would cause reported financial information not to be
indicative of future operating results or financial condition.
 
  Litigation--On November 25, 1996, a purported class action was brought
against the company in federal district court in Chicago, Ill., on behalf of
current and former African-American employees, alleging that the company
racially discriminated against them. The complaint seeks declaratory and
injunctive relief, and asks for actual, compensatory, consequential and
punitive damages in an amount not less than $500 million. Although plaintiffs
seek nationwide class certification, most of the specific factual assertions
of the complaint relate to the closing by the company of its Chicago catalog
production operations begun in 1993. Other general claims relate to other
company locations. The company has filed a motion for partial summary judgment
as to all claims relating to its Chicago catalog operations on the grounds
that those claims are untimely and plaintiffs have filed a motion for class
certification. Both motions are pending.
 
  On December 18, 1995, a purported class action was filed against the company
in federal district court in Chicago alleging that older workers were
discriminated against in selection for termination upon closing of the Chicago
catalog operations. The suit also alleges that the company violated the
Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) in determining benefits
payable to retiring or terminating employees. On October 8, 1996, plaintiffs
filed a motion to maintain the ERISA claims as a class action on behalf of all
company retirement plan participants who were eligible for early retirement
benefits at the time of their termination. On August 14, 1997, the court
denied plaintiffs' motion and certified classes in both the age discrimination
and ERISA claims limited to former employees of the Chicago catalog
operations.
 
  Both pending cases relate at least in part to the circumstances surrounding
the closing of the Chicago catalog operations. The company believes that it
acted properly in the closing of the operations, has a number of valid
defenses to all of the claims made and is vigorously defending its actions.
However, management is unable to make a meaningful estimate of any loss that
could result from an unfavorable outcome of either pending case.
 
  Environmental Regulations--The company is subject to various laws and
regulations relating to employee health and safety and to environmental
protection. The company's policy is to be in compliance with all such laws and
regulations that govern protection of the environment and employee health and
safety. The company does not anticipate that compliance with such
environmental, safety and health laws and regulations will have a material
adverse effect upon the company's competitive or consolidated financial
position.
 
  Outlook--The commercial printing business in North America (the company's
primary geographic market) is highly competitive in most product categories
and geographic regions. Industry analysts consider most of the commercial
printing markets to suffer from overcapacity, and competition, therefore, is
fierce. Competition is based largely on price, quality and servicing the
special needs of customers.
 
  The company is a large consumer of paper, acquired for customers and by
customers. The cost and supply of certain paper grades consumed in the
manufacturing process will continue to affect the company's financial results.
However, management currently does not foresee any disruptive conditions
affecting prices and supply of paper in 1998.
 
  Postal costs are a significant component of the cost structure of the
customers of the company. Changes anticipated in postal rates in 1998,
however, are expected to be manageable for most key customer segments, and
favorable U.S. Postal Service financial performance could possibly delay the
implementation of any new rates beyond 1998.
 
                                      14
<PAGE>
 
  Additionally, proposed changes to the Postal Service's legislative charter
also could affect the postal communication and commerce environment. While the
proposed legislative changes are controversial, aspects of the proposal could
strengthen the company's position as a postal intermediary. Even in the
absence of legislative reform, the company's ability to improve the cost
efficiency of mail processing and distribution will enhance its positioning in
the postal business marketplace.
 
  In addition to paper and postage costs, consumer confidence and economic
growth are key drivers of print demand. Most experts expect continued strength
in the domestic economy; however, a significant change in the economic outlook
could affect demand for the company's products, particularly in the financial
printing market.
 
  Management believes the company's competitive strengths--including its
comprehensive service offerings, depth of customer relationships, technology
leadership, management experience and economies of scale--should result in
profitable growth throughout the next year and well into the future.
 
ITEM 7A. QUANTATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
 
  The company is exposed to market risk from changes in interest rates and
foreign exchange rates. However, since approximately 70% of the company's debt
is at fixed interest rates, the company's exposure to interest rate
fluctuations is immaterial to the consolidated financial statements of the
company as a whole. The company's exposure to adverse changes in foreign
exchange rates is also immaterial to the consolidated financial statements of
the company as a whole, although the company occasionally enters into
financial instruments to hedge what exposure to foreign exchange rate changes
it may have. The company does not use financial instruments for trading
purposes and is not a party to any leveraged derivatives. Further disclosure
relating to financial instruments is included in the Debt Financing and
Interest Expense note in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
 
  The financial information required by Item 8 is contained in Item 14 of Part
IV and listed on page F-1.
 
ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND
        FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE
 
  None
 
                                   PART III
 
ITEM 10. DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT
 
  Information concerning the directors and officers of the company is
contained on pages 2-6 and 8 of the company's definitive Proxy Statement dated
February 18, 1998, and is incorporated herein by reference. See also the list
of the company's executive officers and related information under "Executive
Officers of R. R. Donnelley & Sons Company" at the end of Part I of this
Report.
 
ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
 
  Information concerning executive compensation for the year ended December
31, 1997, and, with respect to certain of such information, prior years, is
contained on pages 8-16 of the company's definitive Proxy Statement dated
February 18, 1998, and is incorporated herein by reference.
 
ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
 
  Information concerning the beneficial ownership of the company's common
stock is contained on pages 6-8 of the company's definitive Proxy Statement
dated February 18, 1998 and is incorporated herein by reference.
 
ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
 
  None
 
                                      15
<PAGE>
 
                                    PART IV
 
ITEM 14. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES, AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K
 
(a)1. Financial Statements
    The financial statements listed in the accompanying index (page F-1) to
    the financial statements are filed as part of this annual report.
  2. Financial Statement Schedule
    The financial statement schedule listed in the accompanying index (page
    F-1) to the financial statements is filed as part of this annual
    report.
  3. Exhibits
    The exhibits listed on the accompanying index to exhibits (pages E-1
    through E-2) are filed as part of this annual report.
(b)Reports on Form 8-K
    A Current Report on Form 8-K was filed on December 15, 1997, and
    included Item 5, "Other Events" and Item 7, "Financial Statements, Pro
    Forma Financial Information and Exhibits." An amendment to such Current
    Report on Form 8-K/A was filed on February 18, 1998.
(c)Exhibits
    The exhibits listed on the accompanying index (Pages E-1 through E-2)
    are filed as part of this annual report.
(d)Financial Statements omitted--
    Separate financial statements of the parent company have been omitted
    since it is primarily an operating company and the minority interest
    and indebtedness to persons other than the parent of the subsidiaries
    included in the consolidated financial statements are less than 5% of
    total consolidated assets.
 
    Certain schedules have been omitted because the required information is
    included in the consolidated financial statements or notes thereto or
    because they are not applicable or not required.
 
                                      16
<PAGE>
 
                                  SIGNATURES
 
  PURSUANT TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE SECURITIES
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, THE REGISTRANT HAS DULY CAUSED THIS REPORT TO BE SIGNED
ON ITS BEHALF BY THE UNDERSIGNED, THEREUNTO DULY AUTHORIZED, ON THE 4TH DAY OF
MARCH, 1998.
 
                                          R. R. DONNELLEY & SONS COMPANY
 
                                                  /s/ Peter F. Murphy
                                          By __________________________________
                                                      Peter F. Murphy,
                                               Vice President and Controller
 
  PURSUANT TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, THIS
REPORT HAS BEEN SIGNED BELOW BY THE FOLLOWING PERSONS ON BEHALF OF THE
REGISTRANT AND IN THE CAPACITIES INDICATED, ON THE 4TH DAY OF MARCH, 1998.
 
         SIGNATURE AND TITLE                       SIGNATURE AND TITLE
 
 
      /s/ William L. Davis                      /s/ Thomas S. Johnson
- -------------------------------------     -------------------------------------
          William L. Davis                          Thomas S. Johnson
      Chairman of the Board and                         Director
  Chief Executive Officer, Director
 
    (Principal Executive Officer)                /s/ George A. Lorch
                                          -------------------------------------
 
      /s/ Cheryl A. Francis                          George A. Lorch
- -------------------------------------                   Director
          Cheryl A. Francis
 
    Executive Vice President and               /s/ M. Bernard Puckett
       Chief Financial Officer            -------------------------------------
    (Principal Financial Officer)                  M. Bernard Puckett
                                                        Director
 
 
       /s/ Peter F. Murphy
- -------------------------------------          /s/ William D. Sanders
           Peter F. Murphy                -------------------------------------
    Vice President and Controller                  William D. Sanders
   (Principal Accounting Officer)                       Director
 
 
    /s/ Martha Layne Collins                   /s/ Oliver R. Sockwell
- -------------------------------------     -------------------------------------
        Martha Layne Collins                       Oliver R. Sockwell
              Director                                  Director
 
 
     /s/ James R. Donnelley                      /s/ Bide L. Thomas
- -------------------------------------     -------------------------------------
         James R. Donnelley                          Bide L. Thomas
              Director                                  Director
 
 
   /s/ Charles C. Haffner III                    /s/ Stephen M. Wolf
- -------------------------------------     -------------------------------------
       Charles C. Haffner III                        Stephen M. Wolf
              Director                                  Director
 
     /s/ Judith H. Hamilton
- -------------------------------------
         Judith H. Hamilton
              Director
 
                                      17
<PAGE>
 
ITEM 14(A). INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                         PAGE(S)
                                                                         -------
<S>                                                                      <C>
Consolidated Statements of Income for each of the three years ended
 December 31, 1997.....................................................    F-2
Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31, 1997 and 1996..............    F-3
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for each of the three years ended
 December 31, 1997.....................................................    F-4
Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity for each of the three
 years ended December 31, 1997.........................................    F-5
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.............................    F-6
Report of Independent Public Accountants...............................   F-18
Unaudited Interim Financial Information................................   F-19
Report of Independent Public Accountants on Financial Statement
 Schedule..............................................................   F-20
Financial Statement Schedule
  II--Valuation and Qualifying Accounts................................   F-21
</TABLE>
 
                                      F-1
<PAGE>
 
                 R.R. DONNELLEY & SONS COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
                       CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
 
                              THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                 YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31
                                            ----------------------------------
                                               1997        1996        1995
                                            ----------  ----------  ----------
<S>                                         <C>         <C>         <C>
Net sales.................................  $4,850,033  $5,033,185  $5,049,597
Cost of sales.............................   3,899,428   4,062,259   4,037,525
                                            ----------  ----------  ----------
Gross profit..............................     950,605     970,926   1,012,072
Selling and administrative expenses.......     511,115     518,288     497,402
Restructuring and impairment charges......      70,702     441,709         --
                                            ----------  ----------  ----------
Earnings from operations..................     368,788      10,929     514,670
Other income (expense):
  Interest expense........................     (90,765)    (95,482)   (109,759)
  Gain on stock offerings of subsidiaries.         --       80,041         --
  Other, net..............................      25,742      16,821      (5,871)
                                            ----------  ----------  ----------
Earnings from continuing operations before
 income taxes.............................     303,765      12,309     399,040
Income taxes..............................      97,240      83,792     123,088
                                            ----------  ----------  ----------
Income (loss) from continuing operations..     206,525     (71,483)    275,952
Loss on disposal of discontinued
 operations, net of income taxes..........     (60,000)        --          --
(Loss) income from discontinued
 operations, net of income taxes..........     (15,894)    (86,142)     22,841
                                            ----------  ----------  ----------
    Net Income (Loss).....................  $  130,631  $ (157,625) $  298,793
                                            ==========  ==========  ==========
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations
 per Share of Common Stock
  Basic...................................  $     1.42  $    (0.47) $     1.80
  Diluted.................................        1.40       (0.47)       1.77
Net Income (Loss) per Share of Common
 Stock
  Basic...................................  $     0.90  $    (1.04) $     1.95
  Diluted.................................        0.89       (1.04)       1.92
</TABLE>
 
 
          See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
                                      F-2
<PAGE>
 
                 R.R. DONNELLEY & SONS COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
                          CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                              THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                             DECEMBER 31
                                                        ----------------------
                                                           1997        1996
                                                        ----------  ----------
<S>                                                     <C>         <C>
Assets
  Cash and equivalents................................. $   47,814  $   21,317
  Receivables, less allowances for doubtful accounts of
   $16,259 in 1997 and $14,205 in 1996.................    814,664     919,042
  Inventories..........................................    201,402     197,905
  Prepaid expenses.....................................     82,691      87,807
                                                        ----------  ----------
    Total Current Assets...............................  1,146,571   1,226,071
  Net property, plant and equipment, at cost, less
   accumulated depreciation of $2,426,649 in 1997 and
   $2,228,378 in 1996..................................  1,788,116   1,836,620
  Goodwill and other intangibles, net of accumulated
   amortization of $149,782 in 1997 and $108,194 in
   1996................................................    385,512     436,306
  Other noncurrent assets..............................    659,260     558,698
  Net assets of discontinued operations................    154,707     386,133
                                                        ----------  ----------
    Total Assets....................................... $4,134,166  $4,443,828
                                                        ==========  ==========
Liabilities
  Accounts payable..................................... $  291,666  $  285,416
  Accrued compensation.................................    152,235     121,889
  Short-term debt......................................     45,000      33,296
  Current and deferred income taxes....................     58,888      53,766
  Other accrued liabilities............................    264,833     273,362
                                                        ----------  ----------
    Total Current Liabilities..........................    812,622     767,729
                                                        ----------  ----------
  Long-term debt.......................................  1,153,226   1,430,671
  Deferred income taxes................................    229,538     256,819
  Other noncurrent liabilities.........................    347,283     357,328
                                                        ----------  ----------
    Total Noncurrent Liabilities.......................  1,730,047   2,044,818
                                                        ----------  ----------
Shareholders' Equity
  Common stock at stated value ($1.25 par value)
   Authorized shares: 500,000,000; Issued: 150,889,050
   in 1997 and 1996....................................    320,962     320,962
  Retained earnings, net of cumulative translation
   adjustments of $45,782 in 1997 and $26,580 in 1996..  1,482,624   1,486,215
  Unearned compensation................................     (9,414)     (5,402)
  Reacquired common stock, at cost.....................   (202,675)   (170,494)
                                                        ----------  ----------
    Total Shareholders' Equity.........................  1,591,497   1,631,281
                                                        ----------  ----------
    Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity......... $4,134,166  $4,443,828
                                                        ==========  ==========
</TABLE>
 
          See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
                                      F-3
<PAGE>
 
                 R.R. DONNELLEY & SONS COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
                     CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
 
                              THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                  YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31
                                               -------------------------------
                                                 1997       1996       1995
                                               ---------  ---------  ---------
<S>                                            <C>        <C>        <C>
Cash flows provided by (used for) operating
 activities:
  Net income (loss)........................... $ 130,631  $(157,625) $ 298,793
  Loss (income) from discontinued operations,
   net of income taxes........................    15,894     86,142    (22,841)
  Loss on disposal of discontinued operations,
   net of income taxes........................    60,000        --         --
  Restructuring and impairment charges, net of
   tax and minority interest..................    42,421    374,449        --
  Depreciation................................   327,770    316,290    298,879
  Amortization................................    42,675     43,205     57,798
  Gain on stock offerings of subsidiaries.....       --     (80,041)       --
  Gain on sale of assets......................   (16,028)   (17,758)       --
  Net change in operating working capital.....   117,386    (20,355)  (194,784)
  Net change in other assets and liabilities..    27,508     36,516    (21,080)
  Other.......................................    (6,019)   (12,856)    (5,813)
                                               ---------  ---------  ---------
    Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities.   742,238    567,967    410,952
                                               ---------  ---------  ---------
Cash flows provided by (used for) investing
 activities:
  Capital expenditures........................  (360,195)  (370,906)  (436,730)
  Proceeds from collection of advances to
   affiliates.................................       --     277,013        --
  Proceeds from sale of DESI shares...........       --      23,492        --
  Other investments, including acquisitions,
   net of cash acquired.......................   (47,526)   (24,165)   (68,216)
  Disposition of assets.......................    51,276     31,563        --
                                               ---------  ---------  ---------
    Net Cash Used for Investing Activities....  (356,445)   (63,003)  (504,946)
                                               ---------  ---------  ---------
Cash flows provided by (used for) financing
 activities:
  Net (decrease) increase in borrowings.......  (225,967)  (160,329)   195,637
  Disposition of reacquired common stock......    45,762     53,058     45,597
  Acquisition of common stock.................   (82,041)  (327,130)   (34,429)
  Cash dividends paid.........................  (114,934)  (112,645)  (104,364)
                                               ---------  ---------  ---------
    Net Cash (Used for) Provided by Financing
     Activities...............................  (377,180)  (547,046)   102,441
                                               ---------  ---------  ---------
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and
 equivalents..................................      (775)      (395)      (230)
                                               ---------  ---------  ---------
Net Increase (Decrease) in Cash and
 Equivalents from Continuing Operations.......     7,838    (42,477)     8,217
Net Increase (Decrease) in Cash from
 Discontinued Operations......................    18,659     41,551    (11,680)
Cash and Equivalents at Beginning of Year.....    21,317     22,243     25,706
                                               ---------  ---------  ---------
Cash and Equivalents at End of Year........... $  47,814  $  21,317  $  22,243
                                               =========  =========  =========
 
  Changes in operating working capital, net of acquisitions and divestitures:
 
<CAPTION>
                                                 1997       1996       1995
                                               ---------  ---------  ---------
<S>                                            <C>        <C>        <C>
Decrease (increase) in assets:
  Receivables--net............................ $ 103,077  $ 149,048  $(249,372)
  Inventories--net............................    (3,496)    42,919    (20,429)
  Prepaid expenses............................     5,116    (78,086)    18,659
Increase (decrease) in liabilities:
  Accounts payable............................     6,249    (81,477)    52,147
  Accrued compensation........................    30,347     17,606     12,562
  Other accrued liabilities...................   (23,907)   (70,365)    (8,351)
                                               ---------  ---------  ---------
    Net Change in Operating Working Capital... $ 117,386  $ (20,355) $(194,784)
                                               =========  =========  =========
</TABLE>
 
          See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
                                      F-4
<PAGE>
 
                 R.R. DONNELLEY & SONS COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
                CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
                              THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                      REACQUIRED          UNEARNED
                              COMMON STOCK           COMMON STOCK       COMPENSATION
                          ---------------------  ---------------------   RESTRICTED   RETAINED
                            SHARES      AMOUNT     SHARES     AMOUNT       STOCK      EARNINGS     TOTAL
                          -----------  --------  ----------  ---------  ------------ ----------  ----------
<S>                       <C>          <C>       <C>         <C>        <C>          <C>         <C>
Balance at December 31,
 1994...................  158,608,800  $330,612  (5,523,482) $(155,020)   $   --     $1,802,777  $1,978,369
Net income..............                                                                298,793     298,793
Treasury stock
 purchases..............                           (996,464)   (34,429)                             (34,429)
Cash dividends..........                                                               (104,364)   (104,364)
Cost of common shares
 issued under stock
 programs...............                          1,863,685     47,206     (9,297)        7,688      45,597
Translation adjustments.                                                                (10,796)    (10,796)
                          -----------  --------  ----------  ---------    -------    ----------  ----------
Balance at December 31,
 1995...................  158,608,800   330,612  (4,656,261)  (142,243)    (9,297)    1,994,098   2,173,170
Net loss................                                                               (157,625)   (157,625)
Treasury stock
 purchases..............                         (2,333,691)   (77,131)                             (77,131)
Cash dividends..........                                                               (112,645)   (112,645)
Cost of common shares
 issued under stock
 programs...............                          1,654,697     48,880      3,895           283      53,058
Cost of common shares
 retired under
 repurchase plan........   (7,719,750)   (9,650)                                       (240,349)   (249,999)
Translation adjustments.                                                                  2,453       2,453
                          -----------  --------  ----------  ---------    -------    ----------  ----------
Balance at December 31,
 1996...................  150,889,050   320,962  (5,335,255)  (170,494)    (5,402)    1,486,215   1,631,281
Net income..............                                                                130,631     130,631
Treasury stock
 purchases..............                         (2,293,757)   (82,041)                             (82,041)
Cash dividends..........                                                               (114,934)   (114,934)
Cost of common shares
 issued under stock
 programs...............                          1,857,792     49,860     (4,012)          (86)     45,762
Translation adjustments.                                                                (19,202)    (19,202)
                          -----------  --------  ----------  ---------    -------    ----------  ----------
Balance at December 31,
 1997...................  150,889,050  $320,962  (5,771,220) $(202,675)   $(9,414)   $1,482,624  $1,591,497
                          ===========  ========  ==========  =========    =======    ==========  ==========
</TABLE>
 
          See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
                                      F-5
<PAGE>
 
                R.R. DONNELLEY & SONS COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
                  NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
 
  Basis of Consolidation--The consolidated financial statements include the
accounts of the company and its majority-owned subsidiaries. Minority
interests in the income (loss) of consolidated subsidiaries ($6 million of
expense, $2 million of income and $5 million of expense in 1997, 1996 and
1995, respectively) are included in other expense on the Consolidated
Statements of Income. Intercompany items and transactions are eliminated in
consolidation. The company held investments in unconsolidated affiliates of
$275 million and $218 million at Dec. 31, 1997 and 1996, respectively.
 
  Nature of Operations--The company provides a wide variety of print and
print-related services and products for specific customers, virtually always
under contract. Some contracts provide for progress payments from customers as
certain phases of the work are completed; however, revenue is not recognized
until the earnings process has been completed in accordance with the terms of
the contracts. Some customers furnish paper for their work, while in other
cases the company purchases and sells the paper.
 
  Cash and Equivalents--The company considers all highly liquid debt
instruments purchased with original maturities of three months or less to be
cash equivalents.
 
  Inventories--Inventories include material, labor and factory overhead and
are stated at the lower of cost or market. The cost of approximately 80% and
84% of the inventories at Dec. 31, 1997 and 1996, respectively, has been
determined using the Last-In, First-Out (LIFO) method. This method reflects
the effect of inventory replacement costs in earnings; accordingly, charges to
cost of sales reflect recent costs of material, labor and factory overhead.
The remaining inventories are valued using the First-In, First-Out (FIFO) or
specific identification methods.
 
  Foreign Currency Translation--Gains and losses arising from the translation
of the company's international subsidiaries' financial statements are
reflected in retained earnings.
 
  Capitalization, Depreciation and Amortization--Property, plant and equipment
are stated at cost. Depreciation is computed principally on the straight-line
method based on useful lives of 15 to 33 years for buildings and 3 to 15 years
for machinery and equipment. Maintenance and repair costs are charged to
expense as incurred. Major overhauls are capitalized as reductions to
accumulated depreciation. When properties are retired or disposed, the costs
and accumulated depreciation are eliminated and the resulting profit or loss
is recognized in income. Goodwill ($145 million and $147 million, net of
accumulated amortization, at Dec. 31, 1997 and 1996, respectively) is
amortized over periods ranging from 10 to 40 years. Other intangibles
represent primarily the cost of acquiring print contracts and volume
guarantees and are amortized over the periods in which benefits will be
realized.
 
  Use of Estimates--The preparation of financial statements in conformity with
generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates
and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities,
disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial
statements and of the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the
reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
 
DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS
 
  Effective April 1, 1995, the company merged its Global Software Services
business (GSS) with Corporate Software Inc. (CSI) and formed Stream
International Holdings Inc. (SIH), a software manufacturer, distributor and
technical-support organization. From the date of the merger through Dec. 15,
1997, the company owned
 
                                      F-6
<PAGE>
 
                R.R. DONNELLEY & SONS COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
approximately 80% of the capital stock of SIH. The remaining 20% was owned by
the former owners of CSI and management.
 
  During 1996, SIH reorganized into three independent businesses: Stream
International, which provides outsource technical support services; Corporate
Software & Technology (CS&T), a software distribution company; and Modus Media
International (MMI), a global manufacturing and fulfillment business. CS&T and
MMI comprise the majority of the company's investment and net income in SIH.
 
  On Dec. 15, 1997, SIH's businesses became separate companies and the
company's ownership interest in SIH was restructured. The company converted
its equity and debt positions in Stream International into 87% of the common
stock of that business. Additionally, the company converted its equity and
debt positions in CS&T into 86% of the common stock of CS&T and sold its
equity and debt positions in MMI for non-voting preferred stock of MMI. The
disposition of the company's interest in CS&T will be effected through the
sale of the business, which is planned to occur during 1998.
 
  In connection with the planned disposition of CS&T and the restructuring of
the company's interest in MMI, the company has reported its interests in CS&T
and MMI as discontinued operations. The net assets of CS&T were included in
net assets of discontinued operations, as of Dec. 31, 1997. The non-voting
preferred stock in MMI was included in other noncurrent assets as of Dec. 31,
1997; and the net assets of MMI were reclassified to net assets of
discontinued operations for periods prior to December 1997. Additionally, the
company recorded a fourth-quarter 1997 charge for the loss on disposal of
discontinued operations of $60 million ($40 million net of taxes) to adjust
the carrying cost of these businesses to their estimated net realizable
values.
 
  Summary financial information of discontinued operations was as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                 1997        1996        1995
                                              ----------  ----------  ----------
                                                    THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS
      <S>                                     <C>         <C>         <C>
      Net sales.............................. $1,546,211  $1,526,369  $1,363,616
      (Loss) income before income taxes......    (22,216)   (122,789)     40,492
      (Loss) Income..........................    (15,894)    (86,142)     22,841
      Net current assets..................... $   44,269  $  146,968
      Net noncurrent assets..................    110,438     239,165
                                              ----------  ----------
      Total Net Assets....................... $  154,707  $  386,133
                                              ==========  ==========
</TABLE>
 
  As part of the restructuring program announced in the first half of 1996,
the company recorded pre-tax charges of $119 million ($61 million after-tax)
for discontinued operations. The charges primarily related to the
repositioning of MMI and CS&T's worldwide operations and the restructuring of
its software manufacturing, printing, kitting and fulfillment operations.
 
  The SIH merger, which was effective April 1, 1995, was accounted for using
the purchase method. Accordingly, amounts assigned in the net assets of
discontinued operations to the assets and liabilities of CS&T were based on
their estimated fair market values. The cost in excess of net assets acquired
of $109 million is being amortized on a straight-line basis over 15 years. No
gain or loss was recognized on the merger, as the book value of GSS
approximated its fair market value on the date of the transaction.
 
  Liabilities incurred and assumed in connection with acquisitions totaled
$387 million for the year ended Dec. 31, 1995.
 
                                      F-7
<PAGE>
 
                R.R. DONNELLEY & SONS COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
 
DIVESTITURES
 
  On June 19, 1996, Metromail Corporation (the company's previously wholly-
owned subsidiary, which is a leading provider of market-oriented consumer
information and reference services) completed an initial public offering of
13.8 million shares of its common stock at $20.50 per share. As a result of
the offering, the company's interest in Metromail was reduced to approximately
38% (37% as of Dec. 31, 1997). Approximately $250 million of the proceeds from
the completed offering were used by Metromail to retire certain indebtedness
owed to the company. The company in turn used the payment from Metromail to
pay down debt and for general corporate purposes. The transaction resulted in
a pre-tax gain for the company of $44 million and a tax provision of $18
million. As a result of this transaction, the company changed its method of
accounting for Metromail from consolidation to the equity method, effective
July 1, 1996. Under the equity method, the company recognizes in income its
proportionate share of the net income of Metromail. Metromail's 1996 net sales
and operating earnings were $126 million and $13 million, respectively,
through the date of the initial public offering. Metromail had net sales and
operating earnings of $247 million and $36 million, respectively, in 1995.
 
  On Nov. 4, 1996, Donnelley Enterprise Solutions Incorporated (DESI),
formerly a wholly-owned subsidiary of the company and a single-source provider
of integrated information-management services to professional service
organizations, completed an initial public offering of 2.9 million shares of
its common stock at $25.00 per share, of which 1.0 million were offered by the
company. As a result of the offering, the company's interest in DESI was
reduced to approximately 43%. The company received approximately $52 million
from the net proceeds of the shares sold and from repayment of amounts owed by
DESI, which was used for general corporate purposes. The transaction resulted
in a pre-tax gain of $36 million, or $22 million after taxes. As a result of
this transaction, the company changed its method of accounting for DESI from
consolidation to the equity method, effective Nov. 1, 1996. DESI's net sales
and operating earnings were not material to the consolidated operating results
or financial condition of the company.
 
RESTRUCTURING AND IMPAIRMENT CHARGES
 
  In December 1997, the company provided for the impairment of assets and
restructuring costs related to the elimination of activities that no longer
support the company's strategic focus. These included the development of
certain manufacturing systems, the pending sale of Coris, the company's
content-management software subsidiary and the shutdown of book fulfillment
operations in Crawfordsville, Ind. These actions resulted in pre-tax charges
of $71 million ($42 million after taxes). Pre-tax cash outlays associated with
the charges are expected to total approximately $18 million, of which $1
million was incurred in 1997. The remaining $17 million is expected to be
incurred in 1998.
 
  In the first half of 1996, the company provided for the restructuring and
realignment of its gravure printing operations in North America, the
repositioning of other businesses, the write-down of certain equipment and the
impairment of intangible assets and investments in non-core businesses. These
actions resulted in pre-tax charges of $442 million ($374 million after taxes
and a minority interest benefit). Approximately $195 million of the charges
were related to its gravure platform realignment and approximately $122
million were related to other manufacturing restructuring. The charges also
included $125 million in write-downs of equipment, intangibles and investments
in non-core businesses. Pre-tax cash outlays associated with the restructuring
and realignment charges are expected to total approximately $110 million, of
which $71 million was incurred through 1997 and the remaining $39 million will
be incurred in 1998.
 
  Impairment losses were calculated based on the excess of the carrying amount
of assets over the asset's fair values. The fair value of an asset is
generally determined as the discounted estimate of future cash flows generated
by the asset.
 
                                      F-8
<PAGE>
 
                R.R. DONNELLEY & SONS COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
 
 
  The following table presents the components of the company's restructuring
reserves along with charges against these reserves, from their establishment
until Dec. 31, 1997:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                        WRITE-DOWN OF           RESTRUCTURING
                             INITIAL    PROPERTY AND            RESERVES AS OF
                          RESTRUCTURING  INVESTMENTS    CASH     DECEMBER 31,
                            RESERVES    TO FAIR VALUE PAYMENTS       1997
                          ------------- ------------- --------  --------------
                                         THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS
<S>                       <C>           <C>           <C>       <C>
Restructuring loss on
 write-down of property,
 plant and equipment, and
 other assets............   $220,323      $(220,323)  $    --      $   --
Restructuring
 expenditures to
 reposition operations
 and close facilities....    127,922            --     (72,055)     55,867
Impairment loss on
 intangible assets and
 investments.............    164,166       (164,166)       --          --
                            --------      ---------   --------     -------
    Total Restructuring
     Reserves............   $512,411      $(384,489)  $(72,055)    $55,867
                            ========      =========   ========     =======
</TABLE>
 
INVENTORIES
 
  The components of the company's inventories were as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                DECEMBER 31
                                                             ------------------
                                                               1997      1996
                                                             --------  --------
                                                               THOUSANDS OF
                                                                  DOLLARS
      <S>                                                    <C>       <C>
      Raw materials and manufacturing supplies.............. $123,280  $128,445
      Work in process.......................................  153,142   153,451
      Finished goods........................................    1,047       155
      Progress billings.....................................  (31,715)  (40,132)
      LIFO reserve..........................................  (44,352)  (44,014)
                                                             --------  --------
          Total............................................. $201,402  $197,905
                                                             ========  ========
</TABLE>
 
  The company's cost of sales was increased by LIFO provisions of $0.6 million
in 1997 and $7.7 million in 1995, and decreased by $7.5 million in 1996. In
the third quarter of 1995, the company changed from the double-extension
method of valuing LIFO inventories to the external-index method. The company
believes that this change will result in a better measurement of operating
results by properly reflecting the effect of productivity improvements in the
company's cost of sales. Because the cumulative effect of this change on
periods prior to 1995 cannot be determined, the impact has been reflected in
1995 operations. This accounting change was adopted effective Jan. 1, 1995.
Net income for 1995 was approximately $22 million ($0.15 per basic share)
higher than it would have been had the change not been made.
 
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT
 
  The following table summarizes the components of property, plant and
equipment (at cost):
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                DECEMBER 31
                                                           ---------------------
                                                              1997       1996
                                                           ---------- ----------
                                                           THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS
      <S>                                                  <C>        <C>
      Land................................................ $   33,755 $   34,032
      Buildings...........................................    634,114    584,734
      Machinery and equipment.............................  3,546,896  3,446,232
                                                           ---------- ----------
          Total........................................... $4,214,765 $4,064,998
                                                           ========== ==========
</TABLE>
 
                                      F-9
<PAGE>
 
                R.R. DONNELLEY & SONS COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
 
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
 
  As of Dec. 31, 1997, authorized expenditures on incomplete projects for the
purchase of property, plant and equipment totaled $161 million. Of this total,
$73 million has been contractually committed. The company has a variety of
commitments with suppliers for the purchase of paper, ink and other materials
for delivery in future years at prevailing market prices.
 
  The company has operating lease commitments totaling $281 million extending
through various periods to 2009. The lease commitments total $42 million for
1998, range from $26 million to $35 million in each of the years 1999-2002 and
total $117 million for years 2003 and thereafter.
 
  The company is not exposed to significant accounts receivable credit risk,
due to the diversity of industry classification, distribution channels and
geographic location of its customers.
 
  On Nov. 25, 1996, a purported class action was brought against the company
in federal district court in Chicago, Ill., on behalf of all current and
former African-American employees, alleging that the company racially
discriminated against them. The complaint seeks declaratory and injunctive
relief, and asks for actual, compensatory, consequential and punitive damages
in an amount not less than $500 million. Although plaintiffs seek nationwide
class certification, most of the specific factual assertions of the complaint
relate to the closing by the company of its Chicago catalog production
operations in 1993. Other general claims relate to other company locations.
The company has filed a motion for partial summary judgment as to all claims
relating to its Chicago catalog operations on the grounds that those claims
are untimely and plaintiffs have filed a motion for class certification. Both
motions are pending.
 
  On Dec. 18, 1995, a purported class action was filed against the company in
federal district court in Chicago alleging that older workers were
discriminated against in selection for termination upon the closing of the
Chicago catalog operations. The suit also alleges that the company violated
the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) in determining benefits
payable to retiring or terminated employees. On Oct. 8, 1996, plaintiffs filed
a motion to maintain the ERISA claims as a class action on behalf of all
company retirement plan participants who were eligible for early retirement
benefits at the time of their termination. On Aug. 14, 1997, the court denied
plaintiff's motion and certified classes in both the age discrimination and
ERISA claims limited to former employees of the Chicago catalog operations.
 
  Both pending cases relate at least in part to the circumstances surrounding
the closure of the Chicago catalog operations. The company believes that it
acted properly in the closing of the operations, has a number of valid
defenses to all of the claims made and is vigorously defending its actions.
However, management is unable to make a meaningful estimate of any loss that
could result from an unfavorable outcome of either pending case.
 
  In addition, the company is a party to certain litigation arising in the
ordinary course of business which, in the opinion of management, will not have
a material adverse effect on the operations or financial condition of the
company. The company also has future commitments totaling $54 million to
invest in various affordable housing limited partnerships that provide
cumulative annual tax benefits and credits in amounts greater than the
investments.
 
RETIREMENT BENEFIT PLAN
 
  The company's restated Retirement Benefit Plan (the Plan) is a non-
contributory defined benefit plan. Substantially all U.S. employees age 21 or
older are covered by the Plan. Normal retirement age is 65, but reduced early
retirement benefits are paid to fully vested participants at or after age 55.
As required, the company uses the projected unit credit actuarial cost method
to determine pension cost for financial reporting purposes. In
 
                                     F-10
<PAGE>
 
                R.R. DONNELLEY & SONS COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
 
conjunction with this method, the company amortizes deferred gains and losses
(using the corridor method) and prior service costs over the average remaining
service life of its active employee population. In addition, a transition
credit (the excess of Plan assets plus balance sheet accruals over the
projected obligation as of Jan. 1, 1987) is amortized over 19 years. For tax
and funding purposes, the entry age normal actuarial cost method is used.
 
  Net pension credits included in operating results for the Plan were:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                 1997       1996       1995
                                               ---------  ---------  ---------
                                                   THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS
<S>                                            <C>        <C>        <C>
Service cost.................................. $  31,886  $  32,619  $  23,393
Interest cost on the projected benefit
 obligation...................................    61,337     58,121     54,524
Actual return on Plan assets..................  (233,509)  (169,301)  (217,662)
Amortization of excess Plan net assets at
 adoption of SFAS 87 and deferrals--net.......   119,546     63,332    120,698
                                               ---------  ---------  ---------
    Net Pension Credit........................ $ (20,740) $ (15,229) $ (19,047)
                                               =========  =========  =========
</TABLE>
 
  The actuarial computations that derived the above amounts assumed a discount
rate on projected benefit obligations of 7.0% (7.5% at Dec. 31, 1996, and
7.25% at Dec. 31, 1995), an expected long-term rate of return on Plan assets
of 9.5% and annual salary increases averaging 4% for 1997, 1996 and 1995.
 
  Plan assets include primarily government and corporate debt securities and
marketable equity securities, and, to a lesser extent, commingled funds and a
group annuity contract purchased from a life insurance company. The funded
status and prepaid pension cost (included in other noncurrent assets on the
accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets) are as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                              DECEMBER 31
                                                         ----------------------
                                                            1997        1996
                                                         ----------  ----------
                                                         THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS
<S>                                                      <C>         <C>
Fair value of Plan assets..............................  $1,421,849  $1,238,315
Actuarial present value of benefit obligations:
  Vested...............................................    853, 986     743,133
  Non-vested...........................................      10,022      10,389
                                                         ----------  ----------
Total accumulated benefit obligations..................     864,008     753,522
Additional amounts related to projected wage increases.      86,215      84,483
                                                         ----------  ----------
Projected benefit obligations for services rendered to
 date..................................................     950,223     838,005
                                                         ----------  ----------
Excess of Plan assets over projected benefit
 obligations...........................................     471,626     400,310
Unrecognized net deferrals.............................    (169,654)   (109,228)
Unrecognized net excess Plan assets to be amortized
 through the year 2005.................................     (78,798)    (88,648)
                                                         ----------  ----------
Prepaid Pension Costs..................................  $  223,174  $  202,434
                                                         ==========  ==========
</TABLE>
 
  In the event of Plan termination, the Plan provides that no funds can revert
to the company and any excess assets over Plan liabilities must be used to
fund retirement benefits.
 
OTHER RETIREMENT BENEFITS
 
  In addition to pension benefits, the company provides certain healthcare and
life insurance benefits for retired employees. Substantially all of the
company's regular full-time U.S. employees become eligible for these benefits
upon reaching age 55 while working for the company and having 10 years
continuous service at
 
                                     F-11
<PAGE>
 
                R.R. DONNELLEY & SONS COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
retirement. The company funds a portion of the liabilities associated with
these plans through a tax-exempt trust. The assets of the trust are invested
primarily in life insurance covering some of the company's employees.
 
  The net (credit) expense for postretirement benefits during 1997, 1996 and
1995 included the following components:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                    1997      1996      1995
                                                  --------  --------  --------
                                                     THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS
<S>                                               <C>       <C>       <C>
Service cost..................................... $  8,585  $  8,626  $  9,492
Interest cost on the projected benefit
 obligations.....................................   16,010    14,712    17,319
Actual return on assets..........................  (43,094)  (28,676)  (34,626)
Deferrals--net...................................   18,326     1,247    16,503
                                                  --------  --------  --------
Net Post-retirement (Credit) Cost................ $   (173) $ (4,091) $  8,688
                                                  ========  ========  ========
</TABLE>
 
  The liability (included in Other Noncurrent Liabilities on the accompanying
Consolidated Balance Sheets) for post-retirement benefits, net of the partial
funding, is as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                               DECEMBER 31
                            ------------------
                              1997      1996
                            --------  --------
                              THOUSANDS OF
                                 DOLLARS
<S>                         <C>       <C>
Actuarial present value of
 benefit obligations:
  Retirees................  $141,807  $139,341
  Fully eligible active
   Plan participants......    45,019    38,819
  Other active Plan
   participants...........    46,611    42,810
                            --------  --------
Total Accumulated Benefit
 Obligations..............   233,437   220,970
Fair value of Plan assets.  (262,813) (219,719)
Unrecognized net
 deferrals................    68,588    52,155
                            --------  --------
Excess of Accumulated
 Benefit Obligations Over
 Plan Assets..............  $ 39,212  $ 53,406
                            ========  ========
</TABLE>
 
  The actuarial computations to determine the accumulated post-retirement
benefit obligation assumed a discount rate of 7.0% (7.5% at Dec. 31, 1996), an
expected long-term rate of return on plan assets of 9.0% and a health-care
cost trend rate of 7.8% initially, declining gradually to 5.0% in 2008 and
thereafter. The medical cost trend assumed can have a significant effect on
the amounts reported. A one percentage point increase in the assumed
healthcare cost trend rate would increase the 1997 post-retirement benefit
expense (service cost and interest cost) by $0.5 million and the accumulated
post-retirement benefit obligation as of Dec. 31, 1997, by $6.1 million.
 
INCOME TAXES
 
  Cash payments for income taxes were $60 million, $76 million and $98 million
in 1997, 1996 and 1995, respectively. The components of income tax expense for
the years ending Dec. 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995, were as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                        1997    1996      1995
                                                       ------- -------  --------
                                                         THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS
<S>                                                    <C>     <C>      <C>
Federal
  Current............................................. $66,609 $84,340  $ 85,225
  Deferred............................................  14,725  (6,664)   16,480
State.................................................  15,906   6,116    21,383
                                                       ------- -------  --------
    Total............................................. $97,240 $83,792  $123,088
                                                       ======= =======  ========
</TABLE>
 
                                     F-12
<PAGE>
 
                R.R. DONNELLEY & SONS COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
 
  The significant deferred tax assets and liabilities were as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                 DECEMBER 31
                                                              -----------------
                                                                1997     1996
                                                              -------- --------
                                                                THOUSANDS OF
                                                                   DOLLARS
<S>                                                           <C>      <C>
Deferred tax liabilities:
  Accelerated depreciation................................... $160,779 $207,001
  Investments................................................   61,303   55,471
  Pensions...................................................   84,710   86,606
  Other......................................................   42,290   39,451
                                                              -------- --------
    Total deferred tax liabilities...........................  349,082  388,529
                                                              -------- --------
Deferred tax assets:
  Post-retirement benefits...................................   15,685   21,362
  Accrued liabilities........................................   78,832  120,773
  Investments................................................   49,036       81
  Other......................................................   49,679   47,529
                                                              -------- --------
    Total deferred tax assets................................  193,232  189,745
                                                              -------- --------
Valuation allowance..........................................   15,980   17,112
                                                              -------- --------
Net Deferred Tax Liabilities................................. $171,830 $215,896
                                                              ======== ========
</TABLE>
 
  The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has disallowed the interest deductions
claimed by other corporate taxpayers that have corporate-owned life insurance
(COLI) programs similar to the company's. Although the IRS has not taken an
official position regarding the COLI program of the company, it is expected
that it will disallow the company's past interest deduction. However, the
company would challenge such a position and would expect to resolve the issue
in a manner that does not materially impact its financial position and results
of operations.
 
  The following table outlines the reconciling of differences between the U.S.
statutory tax rates and the rates used by the company in the determination of
income from continuing operations:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                            1997   1996   1995
                                                            ----  ------  ----
<S>                                                         <C>   <C>     <C>
Federal statutory rate..................................... 35.0%   35.0% 35.0%
Restructuring and impairment charges.......................  --    696.4   --
Foreign tax rates.......................................... (1.6)    4.0  (1.2)
State and local income taxes, net of U.S. federal income
 tax benefit...............................................  3.4   127.1   3.7
Goodwill amortization......................................  0.2    19.1   1.3
Benefits resulting from corporate-owned life insurance
 programs.................................................. (4.4)  (67.4) (5.7)
Affordable housing investment credits...................... (6.5) (157.9) (4.3)
Change in valuation allowance..............................  1.8    10.4   0.8
Other......................................................  4.1    14.0   1.2
                                                            ----  ------  ----
    Total.................................................. 32.0%  680.7% 30.8%
                                                            ====  ======  ====
</TABLE>
 
                                     F-13
<PAGE>
 
                R.R. DONNELLEY & SONS COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
 
DEBT FINANCING AND INTEREST EXPENSE
 
  The company's debt consisted of the following:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                               DECEMBER 31
                                                          ---------------------
                                                             1997       1996
                                                          ---------- ----------
                                                          THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS
<S>                                                       <C>        <C>
Commercial paper......................................... $  258,020 $  404,500
Medium-term notes due 1998-2005 at a weighted average
 interest rate of 6.86%..................................    409,000    500,000
9.125% debentures due Dec. 1, 2000.......................    199,790    199,718
8.875% debentures due April 15, 2021.....................    149,692    149,678
7.0% notes due Jan. 1, 2003..............................    109,804    109,764
Other....................................................     71,920    100,307
                                                          ---------- ----------
    Total................................................ $1,198,226 $1,463,967
                                                          ========== ==========
</TABLE>
 
  Based upon the interest rates currently available to the company for
borrowings with similar terms and maturities, the fair value of the company's
debt exceeds its book value at Dec. 31, 1997, by approximately $68 million.
The company's notes and debentures are not actively traded and contain no call
provisions.
 
  At Dec. 31, 1997, the company had an available credit facility of $550
million with a group of domestic and foreign banks that expires Dec. 21, 1999.
The credit arrangement provides support for the issuance of commercial paper
and other credit needs. Borrowings under the facility (none during the past
two years) bear interest at various rates not exceeding the banks' prime
rates. The company pays an annual fee of 0.08% on the total unused credit
facility.
 
  At Dec. 31, 1997, the company had $345 million of commercial paper and
short-term debt outstanding, of which $300 million is classified as long-term
since the company has the ability and intent to maintain such debt on a long-
term basis. The weighted average interest rate on all commercial paper debt
outstanding during 1997 was 5.48% (5.63% at Dec. 31, 1997). Annual maturities
of long-term debt (excluding commercial paper and short-term debt) are as
follows: 1999--$111 million, 2000--$246 million, 2001--$3 million, 2002--$68
million and thereafter $425 million.
 
  The following table summarizes interest expense included in the Consolidated
Statements of Income:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                    1997      1996      1995
                                                  --------  --------  --------
                                                     THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS
<S>                                               <C>       <C>       <C>
Interest incurred................................ $100,724  $107,198  $120,658
Amount capitalized as property, plant and
 equipment.......................................   (9,959)  (11,716)  (10,899)
                                                  --------  --------  --------
    Total........................................ $ 90,765  $ 95,482  $109,759
                                                  ========  ========  ========
</TABLE>
 
  Interest paid, net of capitalized interest, was $90 million, $93 million and
$102 million in 1997, 1996 and 1995, respectively.
 
                                     F-14
<PAGE>
 
                R.R. DONNELLEY & SONS COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
 
EARNINGS PER SHARE
 
  In accordance with SFAS 128, Earnings per Share, the company has computed
basic and diluted earnings per share (EPS), using the treasury stock method:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                     1997      1996       1995
                                                   --------  ---------  --------
                                                    IN THOUSANDS (EXCEPT PER
                                                           SHARE DATA)
<S>                                                <C>       <C>        <C>
Average shares outstanding.......................   145,929    151,830   153,483
Effect of dilutive securities--options...........     1,579      1,811     2,452
                                                   --------  ---------  --------
Average shares outstanding, adjusted for dilutive
 effects.........................................   147,508    153,641   155,935
                                                   ========  =========  ========
Income (loss) from continuing operations.........  $206,525  $ (71,483) $275,952
  Basic EPS......................................      1.42      (0.47)     1.80
  Diluted EPS....................................      1.40      (0.47)     1.77
(Loss) income from discontinued operations.......  $(15,894) $ (86,142) $ 22,841
Loss on disposal of discontinued operations......   (60,000)       --        --
  Basic EPS......................................     (0.52)     (0.57)     0.15
  Diluted EPS....................................     (0.51)     (0.57)     0.15
Net income (loss)................................  $130,631  $(157,625) $298,793
  Basic EPS......................................      0.90      (1.04)     1.95
  Diluted EPS....................................      0.89      (1.04)     1.92
</TABLE>
 
STOCK AND INCENTIVE PROGRAMS FOR EMPLOYEES
 
  Restricted Stock Awards--At Dec. 31, 1997 and 1996, the company had
outstanding 542,000 and 301,000, respectively, restricted shares of its common
stock granted to certain officers. These shares are registered in the names of
the recipients, but are subject to conditions of forfeiture and restrictions
on sale or transfer for one to seven years from the grant date. Dividends on
the restricted shares are paid currently to the recipients and, accordingly,
the restricted shares are treated as outstanding shares. The expense of the
grant is recognized evenly over the vesting period.
 
  The value of the restricted stock awards was $20 million and $9 million,
based upon the closing price of the company's stock at each year end ($37.25
and $31.38 at Dec. 31, 1997 and 1996, respectively). During 1997, a total of
328,000 shares of restricted stock were issued with a grant date fair value of
$10 million. Charges to expense for this stock plan were $5 million, $2
million and $1 million in 1997, 1996 and 1995, respectively.
 
  Stock Purchase Plan--The company has a stock purchase plan for selected
managers and key staff employees. Under the plan, the company is required to
contribute an amount equal to 70% of participants' contributions, of which 50%
is applied to the purchase of stock and 20% is paid in cash. In 1996 and 1997,
the company failed to meet performance targets required under the plan, and no
contributions were incurred. Amounts charged to expense for this plan were $6
million in 1995.
 
  Incentive Compensation Plans--The company has incentive compensation plans
covering selected officers. Amounts charged to expense for supplementary
compensation ($2 million in 1997, $4 million in 1996 and $4 million in 1995)
are determined from the level of achievement of performance measures related
to earnings, margins and returns applied to the participants' base salaries.
Similar incentive and gainsharing compensation plans exist for other officers,
managers, supervisors and production employees.
 
  Stock Options--The company has incentive stock option plans for its
employees. Under these plans, the options vest from three to nine and one-half
years after date of grant and may be exercised, once vested, up to
 
                                     F-15
<PAGE>
 
                R.R. DONNELLEY & SONS COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
10 years from the date of grant. Under authorized Stock Incentive Plans, a
maximum of 4.1 million shares were available for future grants of stock
options and restricted stock awards as of Dec. 31, 1997. The company accounts
for employee stock options under APB Opinion No. 25, Accounting for Stock
Issued to Employees, under which no compensation cost has been recognized. Had
compensation cost been determined consistent with SFAS 123, Accounting for
Stock-Based Compensation, the company's net income from continuing operations
and respective earnings per share would have been reduced to the following pro
forma amounts:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                     1997     1996      1995
                                                   -------- --------  --------
<S>                                                <C>      <C>       <C>
Income (loss) from continuing operations
 (thousands):
  As reported..................................... $206,525 $(71,483) $275,952
  Pro forma.......................................  191,331  (85,191)  267,614
Basic earnings (loss) per share:
  As reported..................................... $   1.42 $  (0.47) $   1.80
  Pro forma.......................................     1.31    (0.56)     1.74
Diluted earnings (loss) per share:
  As reported..................................... $   1.40 $  (0.47) $   1.77
  Pro forma.......................................     1.30    (0.56)     1.72
</TABLE>
 
  Because the SFAS 123 method of accounting has not been applied to options
granted prior to Jan. 1, 1995, the pro forma compensation cost may not be
representative of the pro forma cost to be expected in future years.
 
  A summary of the status of the company's stock option plans at Dec. 31,
1997, 1996 and 1995, and changes during the years then ended, is presented in
the following table and narrative:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                 1997                 1996                 1995
                         -------------------- -------------------- --------------------
                                     WEIGHTED             WEIGHTED             WEIGHTED
                                     AVERAGE              AVERAGE              AVERAGE
                           SHARES    EXERCISE   SHARES    EXERCISE   SHARES    EXERCISE
                         (THOUSANDS)  PRICE   (THOUSANDS)  PRICE   (THOUSANDS)  PRICE
                         ----------- -------- ----------- -------- ----------- --------
<S>                      <C>         <C>      <C>         <C>      <C>         <C>
Options outstanding at
 beginning of year......   14,916     $31.68    14,246     $30.98    11,057     $25.79
Options granted.........    1,485      40.28     3,320      34.09     4,979      39.58
Options exercised.......   (1,535)     25.25    (1,245)     21.41    (1,238)     19.88
Options forfeited.......     (908)     35.60    (1,405)     39.39      (552)     29.57
                           ------     ------    ------     ------    ------     ------
Options outstanding at
 end of year............   13,958     $33.05    14,916     $31.68    14,246     $30.98
                           ======     ======    ======     ======    ======     ======
Options exercisable at
 end of year............    6,397     $28.57     6,618     $27.18     4,832     $23.52
                           ======     ======    ======     ======    ======     ======
Weighted average fair
 value of options
 granted with:
  Exercise price equal
   to stock price on
   grant date...........              $11.20               $11.64               $13.42
  Exercise price
   exceeding stock price
   on grant date........              $ 8.10               $ 7.74               $ 5.81
</TABLE>
 
  Of the options outstanding at Dec. 31, 1997, 12.4 million had exercise
prices between $17.72 and $38.06, with a weighted average exercise price of
$31.03 and a weighted average remaining contractual life of 6.8 years; 6.4
million of these options were exercisable at a weighted average exercise price
of $28.57. The remaining 1.6 million options had exercise prices between
$39.00 and $76.96, with a weighted average exercise price of $48.70 and a
weighted average remaining contractual life of 8.5 years; none of these
options were exercisable at Dec. 31, 1997.
 
                                     F-16
<PAGE>
 
                R.R. DONNELLEY & SONS COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONCLUDED)
 
  The fair value of each option grant was estimated on the date of grant using
the Black-Scholes option pricing model, using the following assumptions for
grants in 1997, 1996 and 1995, respectively: risk-free interest rates of
6.32%, 6.39% and 6.58%; expected dividend yields of 2.24%, 2.16% and 1.89%;
and expected volatility of 25.10%, 22.92% and 21.18%. A 10-year estimated life
was used for all grants.
 
  Other Information--Under the stock programs, authorized unissued shares or
treasury shares may be used. If authorized unissued shares are used, not more
than 11.3 million shares may be issued in the aggregate. The company intends
to reacquire shares of its common stock to meet the stock requirements of
these programs in the future.
 
PREFERRED STOCK
 
  The company has 2 million shares of $1.00 par value preferred stock
authorized for issuance. The board of directors may divide the preferred stock
into one or more series and fix the redemption, dividend, voting, conversion,
sinking fund, liquidation and other rights. The company has no present plans
to issue any preferred stock. One million of the shares are reserved for
issuance under the Shareholder Rights Plan discussed below.
 
SHAREHOLDER RIGHTS PLAN
 
  The company maintains a Shareholder Rights Plan (the Plan) designed to deter
coercive or unfair takeover tactics, to prevent a person or group from gaining
control of the company without offering fair value to all shareholders and to
deter other abusive takeover tactics that are not in the best interest of
shareholders.
 
  Under the terms of the Plan, each share of common stock is accompanied by
one right; each right entitles the shareholder to purchase from the company
one one-thousandth of a newly issued share of Series A Junior Preferred Stock
at an exercise price of $140.
 
  The rights become exercisable 10 days after a public announcement that an
acquiring person (as defined in the Plan) has acquired 15% or more of the
outstanding common stock of the company (the Stock Acquisition Date), 10
business days after the commencement of a tender offer that would result in a
person owning 15% or more of such shares or 10 business days after an adverse
person (as defined in the Plan) has acquired 10% or more of such shares and
such ownership interest is likely to have a material adverse impact on the
company. The company can redeem the rights for $0.01 per right at any time
until 10 days following the Stock Acquisition Date (under certain
circumstances, the 10-day period can be shortened or lengthened by the
company). The rights will expire on Aug. 8, 2006, unless redeemed earlier by
the company.
 
  If, subsequent to the rights becoming exercisable, the company is acquired
in a merger or other business combination at any time when there is a 15% or
more holder, the rights will then entitle a holder (other than a 15% or more
shareholder or an adverse person) to buy shares of the acquiring company with
a market value equal to twice the exercise price of each right. Alternatively,
if a 15% holder acquires the company by means of a merger in which the company
and its stock survives, if any person acquires 15% or more of the company's
common stock or if an adverse person acquires 10% or more of the company's
common stock and such ownership is likely to have a material adverse impact on
the company, each right not owned by a 15% or more shareholder or an adverse
person would become exercisable for common stock of the company (or, in
certain circumstances, other consideration) having a market value equal to
twice the exercise price of the right.
 
                                     F-17
<PAGE>
 
                   REPORT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
 
To the Shareholders of
R. R. Donnelley & Sons Company:
 
  We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of R. R.
Donnelley & Sons Company (a Delaware corporation) and Subsidiaries as of
December 31, 1997 and 1996, and the related consolidated statements of income,
shareholders' equity and cash flows for each of the three years ended December
31, 1997. These financial statements are the responsibility of the company's
management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial
statements based on our audits.
 
  We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to
obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of
material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence
supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit
also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant
estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial
statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis
for our opinion.
 
  In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly,
in all material respects, the financial position of R. R. Donnelley & Sons
Company and Subsidiaries as of December 31, 1997 and 1996, and the results of
its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years ended December
31, 1997, in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.
 
  As explained in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, effective
January 1, 1995, the company changed its method of accounting for LIFO
inventories.
 
                                          Arthur Andersen LLP
 
Chicago, Illinois
January 22, 1998
 
                                     F-18
<PAGE>
 
                    UNAUDITED INTERIM FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 
                   THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                          YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31
                          ----------------------------------------------------------
                            FIRST       SECOND      THIRD       FOURTH       FULL
                           QUARTER     QUARTER     QUARTER     QUARTER       YEAR
                          ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
<S>                       <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>
1997
Net sales...............  $1,102,647  $1,136,775  $1,208,618  $1,401,993  $4,850,033
Gross profit............     193,103     208,837     260,529     288,136     950,605
Income from continuing
 operations.............      35,078      44,958      81,305      45,184     206,525
Loss from disposal of
 discontinued
 operations.............         --          --          --      (60,000)    (60,000)
Loss (income) from
 discontinued
 operations.............      (5,737)     (7,282)     (9,148)      6,273     (15,894)
Net income (loss).......      29,341      37,676      72,157      (8,543)    130,631
Per common share:
  Income from continuing
   operations...........        0.24        0.31        0.56        0.31        1.42
  Net income (loss).....        0.20        0.26        0.49       (0.06)       0.90
1996
Net sales...............  $1,177,622  $1,202,153  $1,248,702  $1,404,708  $5,033,185
Gross profit............     202,144     246,333     250,746     271,703     970,926
(Loss) income from
 continuing operations..    (326,323)     73,368      75,893     105,579     (71,483)
(Loss) from discontinued
 operations.............     (50,596)    (19,093)     (8,025)     (8,428)    (86,142)
Net (loss) income.......    (376,919)     54,275      67,868      97,151    (157,625)
Per common share:
  (Loss) income from
   continuing
   operations...........       (2.12)       0.48        0.50        0.72       (0.47)
  Net (loss) income.....       (2.45)       0.35        0.45        0.66       (1.04)
</TABLE>
 
                                      F-19
<PAGE>
 
                  REPORT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS ON
 
                         FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULE
 
To the Shareholders of R. R. Donnelley & Sons Company:
 
  We have audited, in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards,
the financial statements included in the Company's Annual Report to
Shareholders included in this Form 10-K, and have issued our report thereon
dated January 22, 1998. Our audit was made for the purpose of forming an
opinion on those statements taken as a whole. The schedule listed in the index
to the financial statements and financial statement schedules is the
responsibility of the Company's management and is presented for purposes of
complying with the Securities and Exchange Commission's rules and is not part
of the basic financial statements. This schedule has been subjected to the
auditing procedures applied in the audit of the basic financial statements
and, in our opinion, fairly states in all material respects the financial data
required to be set forth therein in relation to the basic financial statements
taken as a whole.
 
                                          Arthur Andersen LLP
 
Chicago, Illinois
January 22, 1998
 
                                     F-20
<PAGE>
 
                                  SCHEDULE II
 
VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS
 
  Transactions affecting the allowances for doubtful accounts during the years
ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995 were as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                     1997     1996      1995
                                                    -------  -------  --------
                                                      THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS
      <S>                                           <C>      <C>      <C>
      Allowance for trade receivable losses:
       Balance, beginning of year.................. $14,205  $18,059  $ 17,285
       Balance, companies (sold) acquired during
        year.......................................     --    (4,834)    1,055
       Provisions charged to income................  10,676    9,877    16,819
                                                    -------  -------  --------
                                                     24,881   23,102    35,159
       Uncollectible accounts written off, net of
        recoveries.................................  (8,622)  (8,897)  (17,100)
                                                    -------  -------  --------
       Balance, end of year........................ $16,259  $14,205  $ 18,059
                                                    =======  =======  ========
</TABLE>
 
                                     F-21
<PAGE>
 
INDEX TO EXHIBITS*
 
                                  DESCRIPTION                        EXHIBIT NO.
                                  -------                              --------
    Agreement between R.R. Donnelley & Sons Company and Bain Capi-       2
     tal, Inc......................................................
    Restated Certificate of Incorporation(1).......................      3(i)
    By-Laws(2).....................................................      3(ii)
    Form of Rights Agreement, dated as of April 25, 1996 between
     R. R. Donnelley & Sons Company and First Chicago Trust Com-
     pany of New York(3)...........................................
                                                                         4(a)
 
    Instruments Defining the Rights of Security Holders(4).........      4(b)
 
    Indenture dated as of November 1, 1990 between the Company and
     Citibank, N.A. as Trustee(5)..................................
                                                                         4(c)
 
    Credit Agreement dated December 21, 1994 among R. R. Donnelley
     & Sons Company, the Banks named therein and Citibank, N.A.,
     as Administrative Agent(6)....................................
                                                                         4(d)
 
    Retirement Policy for Directors(7)**...........................     10(a)
 
    Directors' Deferred Compensation Agreement(8)**................     10(b)
 
    Donnelley Shares Stock Option Plan, as amended(7)..............     10(c)
 
    1993 Stock Ownership Plan for Non-Employee Directors, as            10(d)
    amended(9)**...................................................
 
    Senior Management Annual Incentive Plan, as amended(5)**.......     10(e)
 
    Form of Severance Agreement for Senior Officers, as amend-          10(f)
     ed(8)**.......................................................
 
    1993 Stock Purchase Plan for Selected Managers and Key Staff
     Employees, as amended(9)**....................................
                                                                        10(g)
 
    1986 Stock Incentive Plan, as amended(9)**.....................     10(h)
 
    1991 Stock Incentive Plan, as amended(9)**.....................     10(i)
 
    1995 Stock Incentive Plan, as amended(10)**....................     10(j)
 
    Forms of option agreement with certain executive officers and
     directors, as amended(11)**...................................
                                                                        10(k)
 
    Unfunded Supplemental Benefit Plan(5)**........................     10(l)
 
    Amendment to Unfunded Supplemental Benefit Plan adopted on          10(m)
     April 25, 1991(12)**..........................................
 
    Employment Agreement between R. R. Donnelley & Sons Company
     and William L. Davis(13)**....................................
                                                                        10(n)
 
    Premium-Priced Option Agreement between R. R. Donnelley & Sons
     Company and William L. Davis(13)**............................
                                                                        10(o)
 
    Employment Agreement between R. R. Donnelley & Sons Company
     and Cheryl A. Francis(7)**....................................
                                                                        10(p)
 
    Agreement between R. R. Donnelley & Sons Company and Steven J.      10(q)
     Baumgartner**.................................................
 
    Agreement between R. R. Donnelley & Sons Company and W. Ed Ty-      10(r)
     ler**.........................................................
 
    Subsidiaries of R. R. Donnelley & Sons Company.................     21
 
    Consent of Independent Public Accountants dated March 4, 1998..     23
 
    Financial Data Schedule........................................     27
- --------
    *Filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.  Each such exhibit
    may be obtained by a shareholder of the Company upon payment of $5.00
    per exhibit.
    **Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.
 
 
    (1) Filed as Exhibit to Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly
    period ended March 31, 1996, filed on May 3, 1996, and incorporated
    herein by reference.
 
 
                                      E-1
<PAGE>
 
    (2) Filed as Exhibit to Current Report on Form 8-K filed on December
    15, 1997, and incorporated herein by reference.
 
    (3) Filed as Exhibit to Form 8-A filed on June 5, 1996, and
    incorporated herein by reference.
 
    (4) Instruments, other than that described in 4(c) and 4(d), defining
    the rights of holders of long-term debt not registered under the
    Securities Exchange Act of 1934 of the registrant and of all
    subsidiaries for which consolidated or unconsolidated financial
    statements are required to be filed are being omitted pursuant to
    paragraph (4)(iii)(A) of Item 601 of Regulation S-K. Registrant agrees
    to furnish a copy of any such instrument to the Commission upon
    request.
 
    (5) Filed as Exhibit with Form SE filed on March 26, 1992, and
    incorporated herein by reference.
 
    (6) Filed as Exhibit to Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
    December 31, 1994, filed on March 27, 1995, and incorporated herein by
    reference.
 
    (7) Filed as Exhibit to Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
    December 31, 1996, filed on March 10, 1997, and incorporated herein by
    reference.
 
    (8) Filed as Exhibit to Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
    December 31, 1993, filed on March 28, 1994.
 
    (9) Filed as Exhibit to Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly
    period ended September 30, 1996, filed on November 1, 1996, and
    incorporated herein by reference.
 
    (10) Filed as Exhibit to Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the
    quarterly period ended June 30, 1997, filed on August 5, 1997, and
    incorporated herein by reference.
 
    (11) Filed as Exhibit to Form S-3 filed on January 15, 1998, and
    incorporated herein by reference.
 
    (12) Filed as Exhibit with Form SE filed on May 9, 1991 and
    incorporated herein by reference.
 
    (13) Filed as Exhibit to Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the
    quarterly period ended March 31, 1997, filed on May 7, 1997, and
    incorporated herein by reference.
 
                                      E-2

<PAGE>
 
                                                                       Exhibit 2

                                   AGREEMENT
                                   ---------

     AGREEMENT dated as of December 15, 1997 between R.R. Donnelley & Sons
Company ("RRD") and Bain Capital, Inc. ("Bain").

     WHEREAS, RRD and affiliates of Bain are principal stockholders of Stream
International Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation ("Stream"); and
 
     WHEREAS, RRD, in its capacity as a significant stockholder and lender, and
Bain, on behalf of its affiliates in their capacity as significant stockholders,
desire to take steps to reorganize Stream and its subsidiaries and thus maximize
potential values for all stockholders of Stream.

     NOW, THEREFORE, for valuable consideration, receipt of which is
acknowledged, RRD and Bain agree as follows:

1.   Certain Definitions.
 
     "CST" shall mean Corporate Software and Technology, Inc., a Delaware
corporation and wholly-owned subsidiary of CST Holdings.

     "CST Assets" shall have the meaning set forth in the CST Contribution
Agreement.

     "CST Assumed Liabilities" shall have the meaning set forth in the CST
Contribution Agreement.

     "CST Compensation Agreement" shall have the meaning set forth in the CST
Contribution Agreement.
 
     "CST Contribution Agreement" shall mean the Contribution Agreement among
Stream, SII, CST and CST Holdings in the form appended hereto as Exhibit A.

     "CST Holdings" shall mean Corporate Software & Technology Holdings, Inc., a
Delaware corporation.

     "CST Letter Agreement" shall mean the Letter Agreement referred to in the
CST Contribution Agreement.

     "CST Per Share Value" shall mean the amount determined by subtracting from
$150 million all Third Party Debt directly attributable to CST as of September
30, 1997 and 33.3333% of the Net RRD Debt as of September 30, 1997 and then
dividing such remainder by the sum of (i) the Number of Stream Outstanding
Shares as of the Effective Date, and (ii) the number of shares of
<PAGE>
 
non-voting Common Stock of CST Holdings to be issued to Bain pursuant to Section
4.1 of this Agreement.

     "Effective Date" shall mean the effective date of the MMI Drop-Down and CST
Drop-Down (as defined in Subsection 3.1 and 4.1, respectively).

     "MMI" shall mean Modus Media International, Inc., a Delaware corporation
and a wholly-owned subsidiary of MMI Holdings.

     "MMI Assets" shall have the meaning set forth in the MMI Contribution
Agreement.

     "MMI Assumed Liabilities" shall have the meaning set forth in the MMI
Contribution Agreement.

     "MMI Compensation Agreement" shall have the meaning set forth in the MMI
Contribution Agreement.

     "MMI Contribution Agreement" shall mean the Contribution Agreement among
Stream, MMI and MMI Holdings in the form appended hereto as Exhibit B.

     "MMI Equity Value" shall mean the amount determined by subtracting from $99
million all Third Party Debt directly attributable to MMI as of September 30,
1997 and 22.2222% of the Net RRD Debt as of September 30, 1997.

     "MMI Holdings" shall mean Modus Media International Holdings, Inc., a
Delaware corporation.

     "MMI Letter Agreement" shall mean the Letter Agreement referred to in the
MMI Contribution Agreement.

     "MMI Per Share Value" shall mean the amount determined by subtracting from
$100 million all Third Party Debt directly attributable to MMI as of September
30, 1997, and 22.2222% of the Net RRD Debt as of September 30, 1997, and then
dividing such remainder by the sum of (i) the Number of Stream Outstanding
Shares as of the Effective Date and (ii) the number of shares of non-voting
Common Stock of MMI Holdings to be issued to Bain pursuant to Section 3.1 of
this Agreement.

     "MMI Holdings Preferred Stock" shall mean the 9.50% Series Senior
Cumulative Preferred Stock of MMI Holdings established upon effectiveness of the
Certificate of Designation referred to in Section 3.8.

                                       2
<PAGE>
 
     "Net RRD Debt" shall mean all indebtedness of Stream and its subsidiaries
to RRD and its subsidiaries, net of any indebtedness from RRD and its
subsidiaries to Stream and its subsidiaries.  In determining Net RRD Debt,
intercompany amounts currently in dispute as detailed in the RRD mark-up of the
memorandum dated August 8, 1997 from Mark Nunnelly to Steve Baumgartner and Dan
Malina (totalling $25.9 million) shall be split 50/50 so that only half of all
such amounts shall be included in the calculation of Net RRD Debt.  No
adjustments to the intercompany account will be made in respect of items arising
prior to December 31, 1996 other than those items already reflected in the
December 31, 1996 audit of the intercompany account, and any other adjustments
shall be made to accurately reflect intercompany transactions arising in the
ordinary operations of the businesses of OTS, CST and MMI after December 31,
1996.  The total Net RRD Debt as of September 30, 1997 is $182,905,104, of which
$81,291,259 is attributable to OTS, $40,645,538 to MMI Holdings and $60,968,307
to CST Holdings.  Such determination of the amount of Net RRD Debt as of
September 30, 1997 shall be final and binding on RRD, Stream, MMI Holdings, MMI,
CST Holdings and CST.

     "Net RRD Ownership Percentage" shall mean a fraction, the numerator of
which shall be the number of shares of Class A Common Stock of Stream owned by
RRD and its affiliates (excluding any shares of Class A-1 Common Stock) and the
denominator of which shall be the Number of Stream Outstanding Shares.

     "Number of Stream Outstanding Shares" shall mean the total number of
outstanding shares of Class A Common Stock of Stream (excluding any shares of
Class A-1 Common Stock), giving effect to the assumed mandatory conversion of
all outstanding shares of Class B-V and Class B-N Common Stock of Stream into
shares of Class A Common Stock at the conversion rate set forth in the
Certificate of Incorporation of Stream and also giving effect to the assumed
exercise of all outstanding options to purchase shares of Class B-V Common Stock
of Stream.

     "OTS" shall mean Stream, as its business shall exist after the MMI Spin-Off
and CST Spin-Off.

     "OTS Per Share Value" shall mean the amount determined by subtracting from
$200 million all Third Party Debt (if any) directly attributable to OTS as of
September 30, 1997 and 44.4445% of the Net RRD Debt as of September 30, 1997 and
then dividing the remainder by the Number of Stream Outstanding Shares as of the
Effective Date.

     "Portland Assets" shall mean those assets set forth on Exhibit C appended
hereto.

                                       3
<PAGE>
 
     "Reorganization" shall mean the transactions and events referred to in
Sections 3, 4, 5 (other than Subsection 5.4), 6, 7, 11 and 12 of this Agreement.

     "SII" shall mean Stream International, Inc., a Delaware corporation and
wholly-owned indirect subsidiary of Stream (the name of which shall be changed
to Stream International Services Corp.).

     "Spin-Off Date" shall mean the date on which Stream effects the MMI Spin-
Off (as defined in Section 3.3) and CST Spin-Off (as defined in Section 4.3).

     "Stream IPO" shall mean the initial underwritten public offering of Common
Stock of Stream.

     "Third Party Debt" shall mean all outstanding indebtedness for borrowed
money (including obligations under capital leases) of Stream and its
subsidiaries, other than indebtedness to RRD and its affiliates.  The amounts of
Third Party Debt directly attributable to OTS, MMI Holdings and CST Holdings as
of September 30, 1997 shall be as set forth on Schedule G to the MMI Letter
Agreement, Schedule C to the MMI Letter Agreement and Schedule C to the CST
Letter Agreement, respectively, and such determination of the amount of Third
Party Debt as of September 30, 1997 shall be final and binding on RRD, Stream,
MMI Holdings, MMI, CST Holdings and CST.

2.   Reorganization.  RRD and Bain shall each use reasonable efforts to cause
Stream to effect the Reorganization and other transactions set forth herein.  It
is understood that Stream, MMI Holdings, MMI, CST Holdings and CST are not
parties to this Agreement.  Accordingly, any transactions comprising part of the
Reorganization or otherwise set forth herein that require approval by the Board
of Directors of Stream shall be subject to approval by the Board of Directors of
Stream and, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, Stream
shall have no obligation to effect any such transaction unless and until such
approval of its Board of Directors is obtained.

3.   MMI.

     3.1  MMI Contribution Agreement; MMI Drop-Down.  Prior to the earlier of
(1) the consummation of the Stream IPO and (2) December 31, 1997, Stream, MMI
Holdings and MMI shall enter into the MMI Contribution Agreement pursuant to
which Stream shall transfer all of the MMI Assets and MMI Assumed Liabilities to
MMI Holdings, and MMI Holdings shall issue voting common stock and preferred
stock to Stream in a taxable transaction. Stream shall transfer to MMI Holdings:
(i) all then outstanding Third-Party Debt directly attributable to the MMI
business, and (ii) 40% of the increase in the Net RRD Debt from October 1, 1997
through the Effective Date, and MMI Holdings shall transfer to MMI the MMI
Assets and the MMI Assumed

                                       4
<PAGE>
 
Liabilities (collectively, the "MMI Drop-Down").  Immediately prior to, or
simultaneously with, the MMI Drop-Down, MMI Holdings shall issue to Bain, which
is not, directly or indirectly a stockholder of Stream, pursuant to the MMI
Compensation Agreement, a number of shares of non-voting Common Stock of MMI
Holdings equal to $1 million divided by the amount determined by (i) subtracting
from $99 million all Third Party Debt directly attributable to MMI as of
September 30, 1997 and 22.2222% of the Net RRD Debt as of September 30, 1997 and
(ii) dividing such remainder by the Number of Stream Outstanding Shares at such
time.

     3.2  Exchange of Net RRD Debt.  Immediately following the MMI Drop-Down,
RRD shall surrender to Stream 22.2222% of the Net RRD Debt as of September 30,
1997 for cancellation in exchange for a number of shares of MMI Holdings
Preferred Stock determined by dividing 22.2222% of such Net RRD Debt by $1,000.

     3.3  MMI Spin-Off.  Prior to the earlier of (i) the consummation of the
Stream IPO and (2) January 10, 1998, Stream shall distribute all of the shares
of MMI Holdings Common Stock held by it to the stockholders of Stream in a
taxable transaction (the "MMI Spin-Off").  Such shares shall be distributed on a
pro rata basis to holders of Class A Common Stock and Class B-V and Class B-N
Common Stock (collectively, "Class B Common Stock") of Stream, giving effect to
the assumed mandatory conversion of all Class B Common Stock into Class A Common
Stock at the conversion rate set forth in the Certificate of Incorporation of
Stream.  No such distribution shall be made with respect to shares of Class A-1
Common Stock of Stream.

     3.4  Exchange of RRD Equity in MMI Holdings.  Immediately after the MMI
Spin-Off, RRD shall exchange all of the shares of Common Stock of MMI Holdings
held by it and its affiliates for a number of shares of MMI Holdings Preferred
Stock determined by multiplying the MMI Equity Value by the Net RRD Ownership
Percentage at such time, and then dividing such product by $1,000.

     3.5  Indemnification.  Upon the Effective Date, all indemnification
obligations of RRD set forth in the Contribution Agreement dated April 21, 1995
among RRD, Software Holdings, Inc. and others shall terminate.

     3.6  Letter Agreement.  Upon the Effective Date, MMI Holdings, CST Holdings
and certain stockholders affiliated with Bain shall enter into a letter
agreement in the form appended hereto as Exhibit Y.

     3.7  Bain Management Agreement.  Upon the Effective Date, MMI Holdings and
an affiliate of Bain shall enter into a Management Agreement in the form
appended hereto as Exhibit D.

                                       5
<PAGE>
 
     3.8  Amendment to MMI Holdings Charter.  Upon the Effective Date, the
Certificate of Incorporation of MMI Holdings shall be amended and restated as
set forth in Exhibit F-1 appended hereto, and the Certificate of Designation as
set forth in Exhibit F-2 appended hereto shall have become effective.

     3.9  RRD Investor Rights Agreements.  Upon the Effective Date, MMI Holdings
and RRD shall enter into an Investor Rights Agreement concerning information
rights and quarterly reviews, in the form appended hereto as Exhibit E.

     3.10  Transition Services Agreement.  RRD shall use its reasonable best
efforts to negotiate a transition services agreement between RRD and MMI to be
executed and delivered on or prior to the Spin-Off Date.

4.   CST.

     4.1  CST Drop-Down.  Prior to the earlier of (1) the consummation of the
Stream IPO and (2) December 31, 1997 and concurrently with the MMI Drop-Down,
Stream, SII, CST Holdings and CST shall enter into the CST Contribution
Agreement pursuant to which SII shall transfer all of the CST Assets and CST
Assumed Liabilities to CST Holdings, and CST Holdings will issue voting common
stock to SII in a taxable transaction.  Stream shall transfer to CST Holdings
(as a deemed transfer to SII and then by SII to CST Holdings) (i) all then
outstanding Third-Party Debt directly attributable to the CST business, and (ii)
60% of any increase in the Net RRD Debt from October 1, 1997 through the
Effective Date, and CST Holdings shall transfer to CST the CST Assets and the
CST Liabilities (collectively, the "CST Drop-Down"). Immediately prior to, or
simultaneously with, the CST Drop-Down, CST Holdings shall issue to Bain,
pursuant to the CST Compensation Agreement, a number of shares of non-voting
Common Stock of CST Holdings equal to $1,000,000 divided by the amount
determined by (i) subtracting from $149 million all Third Party Debt directly
attributable to CST as of September 30, 1997 and 33.3333% of the Net RRD Debt as
of September 30, 1997 and (ii) dividing such remainder by the Number of Stream
Outstanding Shares at such time.  SII shall then transfer to Stream all of the
shares of CST Holdings Common Stock held by it.

     4.2  Exchange of Net RRD Debt.  Immediately following the CST Drop-Down,
RRD shall surrender to Stream 33.3333% of the Net RRD Debt as of September 30,
1997 for cancellation in exchange for a number of shares of CST Holdings Common
Stock equal to 33.3333% of the Net RRD Debt divided by the CST Per Share Value.

     4.3  CST Spin-Off.  Prior to the earlier of (1) the consummation of the
Stream IPO and (2) January 10, 1998 and concurrently with the MMI Spin-Off,

                                       6
<PAGE>
 
Stream shall distribute all of its shares of CST Holdings Common Stock to the
stockholders of Stream in a taxable transaction (such distribution by Stream,
the "CST Spin-Off").  Such shares shall be distributed on a pro-rata basis to
the holders of Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock, giving effect to
the assumed mandatory conversion of all Class B Common Stock into Class A Common
Stock at the conversion rate set forth in the Certificate of Incorporation of
Stream.  No such distribution shall be made with respect to shares of Class A-1
Common Stock of Stream.

     4.4  Bain Management Agreement.  Upon the Effective Date, CST Holdings and
an affiliate of Bain shall enter into a Management Agreement in the form
appended hereto as Exhibit G.

     4.5  Amendment to CST Holdings Charter.  Upon the Effective Date, the
Certificate of Incorporation of CST Holdings shall be amended and restated, as
set forth in Exhibit H appended hereto.

     4.6  Irrevocable Stockholders' Voting Agreement and Proxy.  Upon the
Effective Date, RRD and certain stockholders shall enter into an Irrevocable
Stockholders' Voting Agreement and Proxy, in the form appended hereto as Exhibit
I.

     4.7  RRD Investor Rights Agreement.  Upon the Effective Date, CST Holdings
and RRD shall enter into an Investor Rights Agreement, in the form appended
hereto as Exhibit J, which shall provide for preemptive rights to RRD with
respect to the issuance of any securities by CST Holdings and certain rights to
information and quarterly management reviews.

     4.8  CST Indemnity to RRD.  Upon the Effective Date, CST shall enter into a
Reimbursement Agreement with RRD in the form appended hereto as Exhibit K.

     4.9  Sharing of Proceeds Upon Sale of CST.  After the Effective Date, CST
Holdings  shall enter into an agreement with members of management of CST
providing for the payment of an amount equal to 1% of any proceeds received upon
a sale of all or substantially all of the business or assets of CST Holdings and
its subsidiaries (by merger, sale of stock, sale of assets or otherwise) prior
to June 30, 1999.  Such agreement shall be in such form and upon such terms as
shall be approved by the Board of Directors of CST.

5.   OTS.

     5.1  Exchange of RRD Debt in OTS.  Upon the Effective Date, RRD shall
surrender 44.4445% of any Net RRD Debt as of September 30, 1997 for cancellation
in exchange for a number of shares of Class A-1 Common Stock of Stream
determined by dividing 44.4445% of the Net RRD Debt as of

                                       7
<PAGE>
 
September 30, 1997 by the OTS Per Share Value.  The terms of the Class A-1
Common Stock shall be as set forth in Exhibit L-1.

     5.2  Amendment to Stream Charter.  Upon the Effective Date, the Certificate
of Incorporation of Stream shall be amended and restated substantially as set
forth on Exhibit L-1 appended hereto.  The Certificate of Incorporation of
Stream shall be further amended and restated immediately prior to the closing of
the Stream IPO as set forth on Exhibit L-2 appended hereto.

     5.3  Irrevocable Stockholders' Voting Agreement and Proxy.  Upon the
Effective Date, RRD and certain stockholders shall enter into an Irrevocable
Stockholders' Voting Agreement and Proxy in the form appended hereto as Exhibit
M.

     5.4  Fee Upon Stream IPO.  Upon the earlier of the closing of the Stream
IPO or any sale of all or substantially all of the business of Stream, MMI shall
pay to Bain (or an affiliate thereof) a fee of $296,000 and CST shall pay to
Bain (or an affiliate thereof) a fee of $440,000.

     5.5  Shared Appreciation Agreement.  Upon the Effective Date, RRD and Bain,
on behalf of the Class B Holders, shall enter into a Shared Appreciation
Agreement in the form appended hereto as Exhibit N.

     5.6  RRD Investor Rights Agreement.  Upon the Effective Date, Stream and
RRD shall enter into an Investor Rights Agreement, in the form appended hereto
as Exhibit O.

     5.7  Working Capital.

          (a)  Bain will use reasonable efforts to arrange for working capital
               and related lines of credit (the "Credit Lines") for each of MMI,
               CST and OTS on or prior to the Effective Date. The Credit Lines
               shall be in full force and effect upon the Effective Date.

          (b)  Prior to the Effective Date, the businesses of MMI, CST and OTS
               will be operated in the ordinary course.

          (c)  Upon the Effective Date and immediately prior to the events set
               forth in Sections 3.2 and 4.2, all cash of MMI, CST and OTS in
               excess of $25,000,000 in the aggregate, as reflected on the
               Stream balance sheet as of October 31, 1997, shall be applied
               toward the repayment of the Net RRD Debt.

                                       8
<PAGE>
 
          (d)  From and after the Effective Date, RRD shall have no obligation 
               to advance funds to MMI, CST or OTS to finance their respective
               businesses. In addition, upon the Effective Date, RRD, Stream,
               MMI, and R.R. Donnelley Receivables, Inc. ("DRI"), shall enter
               into an agreement relating to the Operating Agreement dated as of
               April 21, 1995, among Stream, RRD and DRI in the form set forth
               on Exhibit T.

     5.8  Potential Surrender of Class A-1 Common Stock.  Pursuant to Section
5.1 hereof, RRD shall receive shares of Class A-1 Common Stock of Stream prior
to the Spin-Off Date.  The percentage ownership interest in Stream represented
by such shares of Class A-1 Common Stock is intended to represent an interest
solely in OTS, and not in MMI or CST.  Accordingly, if all or substantially all
of the business of Stream is sold to a third party (by merger, sale of assets or
otherwise) prior to such time as Stream has distributed to its stockholders or
otherwise disposed of all of the outstanding shares of common stock of MMI and
CST held directly or indirectly by Stream, RRD agrees that it shall, immediately
prior to such sale, surrender to Stream for cancellation, without consideration,
a number of shares of Class A-1 Common Stock such that the consideration
otherwise to be received by RRD with respect to its shares of Class A-1 Common
Stock upon such sale does not include the portion of any such consideration
attributable to the value of Stream's then ownership interest in MMI and/or CST,
as the case may be.  The portion of any such consideration attributable to the
value of MMI and/or CST shall be determined by agreement of RRD and the Board of
Directors of Stream and, if the parties are unable to agree upon such portion,
the matter shall be submitted to an investment banking firm mutually selected by
RRD and the Board of Directors of Stream, whose determination shall be final and
binding on RRD and the Board of Directors of Stream.

6.   Post-Effective Date Adjustment for Net RRD Debt.

          (a)  Within 60 days following the Effective Date, RRD and Bain shall
               determine the amount of any indebtedness incurred by Stream and
               its subsidiaries, including MMI and CST, to RRD and its
               subsidiaries from October 1, 1997 through the Effective Date
               ("Debt to RRD") and the amount of any indebtedness incurred by
               RRD and its subsidiaries to Stream and its subsidiaries,
               including MMI and CST, from October 1, 1997 through the Effective
               Date ("Debt to Stream"). If the parties are unable to agree upon
               the amount of such indebtedness, the amount of such indebtedness
               shall be determined by Arthur Andersen, whose determination shall
               be binding on the parties.

                                       9
<PAGE>
 
          (b)  To the extent the Debt to Stream exceeds the Debt to RRD, (i) RRD
               shall pay 60% of such excess to CST Holdings in cash or, at its
               election, surrender to CST Holdings for cancellation a number of
               shares of CST Holdings Common Stock equal to such excess divided
               by the CST Per Share Value, and (ii) RRD shall pay 40% of such
               excess to MMI Holdings in cash or, at its election, surrender to
               MMI Holdings for cancellation a number of shares of MMI Holdings
               Preferred Stock equal to such excess divided by $1,000.

          (c)  To the extent the Debt to RRD exceeds the Debt to Stream (such
               excess being referred to as the "Excess Debt"), (i) CST Holdings
               shall, in exchange for the cancellation of 60% of the Excess
               Debt, at its election, pay to RRD an amount in cash equal to 60%
               of the Excess Debt or issue to RRD a number of shares of CST
               Holdings Common Stock equal to 60% of the Excess Debt divided by
               the CST Per Share Value, and (ii) MMI Holdings shall, in exchange
               for the cancellation of 40% of the Excess Debt, agree to reduce
               the purchase price payable by RRD for the Portland Assets
               pursuant to Section 9 by an amount equal to 40% of the Excess
               Debt and, to the extent 40% of the Excess Debt exceeds such
               reduction, issue to RRD a number of shares of MMI Holdings
               Preferred Stock equal to such remaining excess divided by $1,000.

          (d)  RRD's sole right with respect to any Excess Debt shall be as set
               forth in Subsection 6(c) above, and, from and after the Effective
               Date, Stream shall have no liability for any Debt to RRD.

7.   Options.

          (a)  The options for shares of Common Stock of Stream held by 
               employees and others (other than options held by Messrs. Leahy,
               Moore, Rosenthal and Cowan and certain options held by Mr.
               Morphis) shall be amended as of the Effective Date so that the
               exercise price of such options shall equal the sum of the CST Per
               Share Value, MMI Per Share Value and OTS Per Share Value,
               provided that options with an exercise price lower than such sum
               shall not be so amended.

          (b)  After the CST Spin-Off and the MMI Spin-Off, each holder of an
               option to purchase shares of Stream Common Stock outstanding
               immediately thereto shall receive options for an

                                       10
<PAGE>
 
               equal number of shares of MMI Holdings and CST Holdings, and the
               exercise prices of the options held by each employee for the
               purchase of shares of Common Stock of MMI Holdings, CST Holdings
               and Stream shall be equal to the MMI Per Share Value, CST Per
               Share Value and OTS Per Share Value, respectively.

8.   Tax Loans.  MMI and CST will offer to make tax loans in an aggregate amount
of not more than $7,500,000 to employee stockholders of Stream in order to
enable such stockholders to pay taxes incurred by them in connection with the
CST Spin-Off and MMI Spin-Off.  Such loans shall be made on a non-recourse
basis, secured by the shares of Common Stock of CST Holdings, MMI Holdings and
OTS held by such stockholders, and shall bear interest at a rate not less than
5% (which such interest shall accrue until the principal is due and payable).
The terms of such loans shall otherwise be determined by the Board of Directors
of OTS.

9.   Portland Assets.  Upon the Effective Date, R.R. Donnelley Norwest, Inc. and
Stream shall enter into the Portland Asset Purchase Agreement, in the form set
forth on Exhibit U, and effect the transactions contemplated thereby.  The
proceeds of the sale of assets effected thereby shall be distributed 60% to CST
Holdings and 40% to MMI Holdings.

10.  RRD, CST and MMI Covenants.

     10.1  Indemnity.  On the Effective Date, RRD and Stream shall enter into
Guaranties and a Tax Reimbursement Agreement, in the forms attached hereto as
Exhibits P, Q and R, respectively.

     10.2  Sale of Shares.  In the Stream IPO, RRD will sell sufficient shares 
of its Stream Common Stock so that its beneficial ownership of Stream Common
Stock after such offering shall be below 50%, on a primary basis.

     10.3  Standstill.  RRD agrees that, from the effective date of the Stream
IPO until the third anniversary of such effective date, RRD and its affiliates
will not purchase or otherwise acquire any securities that would cause RRD or
its affiliates to beneficially own (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934) more than 49.9%, by voting power, of the
outstanding capital stock of Stream.

                                       11
<PAGE>
 
11.  Bain Purchase Option.  RRD hereby grants to Bain an option to acquire from
RRD all of the indebtedness which it holds in Stream and all of its (and its
affiliates') shares of Class A Common Stock and Class A-1 Common Stock of Stream
for the Option Price.  The Option Price shall be paid in cash.  Such option must
be irrevocably exercised prior to the earlier of (i) the first date on which
preliminary prospectuses for the Stream IPO are circulated to prospective
investors and (ii) January 20, 1998 and, if such option is exercised, the
closing of the purchase must take place no later than March 31, 1998.  The
exercise of such option must be without any financing condition, but the
exercise may be conditioned upon the satisfaction of conditions in any financing
relating to force majeure events, a material decline in the stock market and any
material adverse change in the business of Stream and its subsidiaries. The
Option Price shall be equal to the sum of: (A) the amount of the Net RRD Debt as
of the closing date, plus (B) the amount determined by subtracting from
$450,000,000 the then Net RRD Debt and the then Third Party Debt and by
multiplying such remainder by the Net RRD Ownership Percentage.  At the closing
of any such option exercise, RRD shall assign and deliver to Bain all its rights
to the Net RRD Debt and certificates representing all of its (and its
affiliates') shares of Class A Common Stock and Class A-1 Common Stock of
Stream, against payment of the Option Price by certified check or wire transfer
to RRD.  RRD shall make customary representations and warranties to Bain as to
the amount of the Net RRD Debt and its ownership of its shares of Class A Common
Stock and Class A-1 Common Stock.

12.  Reorganization Documents.  The consummation of the MMI Drop-Down and CST
Drop-Down shall be subject to the execution and delivery of (i) a Contribution
Agreement among Stream, SII, CST Holdings and CST, in the form appended hereto
as Exhibit A; (ii) a Contribution Agreement among Stream, MMI Holdings and MMI
in the form appended hereto as Exhibit B; (iii) a Tax Sharing Agreement among
Stream, MMI Holdings, and MMI, CST Holdings in the form appended hereto as
Exhibit S, and (iv) the other exhibits hereto to be executed and delivered on or
prior to the Effective Date, in each case with such changes as may be approved
by RRD and the other parties thereto.  The MMI Drop-Down and CST Drop-Down shall
be subject to such other documentation as shall be approved by the Boards of
Directors of Stream, MMI and CST.

13.  Coris.  On or after the Effective Date, MMI and RRD shall enter into an
agreement with respect to Coris upon the terms set forth on Exhibit X hereto.

13.A  Insurance.  Following the Effective Date, RRD, Stream, MMI Holdings and 
CST Holdings will negotiate in good faith an agreement regarding insurance
generally in accordance with the provisions of the draft Insurance Claims
Processing Agreement attached hereto as Exhibit W. Prior to, or in the absence
of, the execution of such an agreement, Stream, MMI and CST shall

                                       12
<PAGE>
 
continue to pay RRD for its actual losses and premium expenses for workers'
compensation claims made in respect of their employees prior to the Spin-Off
Date, such payments to be in accordance with current practice in effect on the
date hereof except that payments shall be in cash instead of as adjustments to
inter-company accounts.

14.  Miscellaneous.

     14.1  Rules of Construction.  In the event and to the extent there shall be
any conflict between the provisions of this Agreement and the provisions of any
of the agreements appended hereto as Exhibits, the terms of such Exhibits, as
executed by the parties, shall govern and control.

     14.2  Governing Law.  This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in
accordance with the domestic substantive laws of the State of Delaware.

     14.3  Notices.  Any notice, request, demand, claim or other communication
hereunder shall be in writing and shall be delivered by registered or certified
mail, return receipt requested, and shall be deemed to have been duly given
three days after mailing if sent to the following addresses:

     If to Stream:
     ------------ 

          Stream International Inc.
          245 Dan Road
          Canton, MA 02021
          Attn: President

     If to RRD:
     --------- 

          R.R. Donnelley & Sons Company
          77 West Wacker Drive
          Chicago, IL 60601
          Attn: Corporate Secretary

     If to Bain:
     ---------- 

          Bain Capital, Inc.
          Two Copley Place
          Boston, MA 02116
          Attn: Jonathan S. Lavine

Notwithstanding the foregoing, any party may send any notice, request, demand,
claim or other communication hereunder to the intended recipient at the address
set forth above using any other means (personal delivery, expedited

                                       13
<PAGE>
 
courier, messenger service, telecopy, ordinary mail or electronic mail), but no
such notice, request, demand, claim or other communication shall have been
deemed to have been duly given unless and until it is actually received by the
intended recipient.

     14.4  Amendments.  This Agreement may not be modified or amended, except by
an agreement in writing, signed by RRD and Bain.

     14.5  Third Party Beneficiaries.  This Agreement is solely for the benefit
of the parties hereto and shall not be deemed to confer upon any third party any
remedy, claim, liability, reimbursement, claim or other right in excess of those
existing without reference to this Agreement, provided that, after the Effective
Date, Stream, CST and MMI may enforce the provisions of Section 6 and the
provisions set forth on the definition of "Net RRD Debt" and Stream may enforce
the provisions of Section 5.8.

     14.6  Counterparts.  This Agreement may be executed in any number of
counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be original, and all of which
together shall be deemed to be one and the same instrument.

     14.7  Entire Agreement.  This Agreement represents the entire agreement
between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes
both the Agreement in Principle between the parties dated April 17, 1997 and the
Agreement in Principle between the parties dated September 17, 1997.


                              R.R. DONNELLEY & SONS COMPANY


                              By: /s/ C. A. Francis
                                 ----------------------------------------
                              Title: Executive Vice President & CFO


                              BAIN CAPITAL, INC.

 
                              By: /s/ Jonathan S. Lavine
                                 ----------------------------------------
                              Title: Principal

                                       14

<PAGE>
                                                                   Exhibit 10(q)

                       SEPARATION AND RELEASE AGREEMENT


     This Agreement is made and entered into on this 19th day of November, 1997
between Steven J. Baumgartner of 1247 Hinman, Evanston, Illinois 60202 (the
"Executive") and R. R. Donnelley & Sons Company, a Delaware corporation, with
its principal office at 77 West Wacker Drive, Chicago, Illinois 60601 (the
"Company").

                             W I T N E S S E T H:

     WHEREAS, the Executive is an Executive Vice President and Sector President
of the Company; and

     WHEREAS, the Company and the Executive have agreed to end the Executive's
active employment relationship, to provide for a leave of absence, to secure the
Executive's availability in the future to assist in the prosecution or defense
of matters in which the Executive has been involved, to limit certain
competitive activities, and to settle potential claims, all on the terms and
conditions and for the consideration stated in this Agreement;

     NOW, THEREFORE, the Executive and the Company, in consideration of the
agreements, covenants and conditions contained herein, hereby agree as follows:

1.   Leave of Absence and Termination of Employment.
     ----------------------------------------------

     The Executive hereby resigns as a Sector President, effective upon his
execution of this Agreement, but he shall continue to serve as an Executive Vice
President of the Company with such responsibilities as may be assigned to him
from time to time by the Chairman of the Company. Effective upon the close of
business on December 31, 1997, or such earlier date as may be agreed to by the
Executive and the Company (the "Leave Date"), the Executive shall resign as an
Executive Vice President of the Company but shall remain an employee of the
Company and shall commence a paid leave of absence which shall continue through
December 31, 1999. The Executive's employment relationship with the Company
shall terminate as of the close of business on December 31, 1999 (the
"Termination Date"). The Executive's compensation and benefits for the period
from the date hereof through the Termination Date shall be as described in
Section 2, below. Effective upon the Leave Date, or such respective later date
or dates as the Company may from time to time specify, the Executive shall also
resign from any directorships or other positions with other organizations which
the Executive currently holds as a designated representative of the Company.

2.   Consideration.
     -------------

     In consideration of the covenants and commitments of the Executive in this
Agreement, including but not by way of limitation the release set forth in
Section 5, below, the Company agrees
<PAGE>
 
to provide the Executive with the following compensation and benefits, with all
of the payments and benefits described below being subject to tax withholding to
the extent required by law and to all applicable benefit expense withholding and
to all other withholding elections made by the Executive, to the extent that
such elections remain in effect:

     (a)  From the date hereof through the Termination Date, the Executive shall
continue to receive base salary at his current rate of $368,004 annually,
payable in accordance with the regular payroll practices of the Company.

     (b)  Except as otherwise specifically provided in this Agreement, the
Executive shall continue to participate through the Termination Date in all of
those employee benefit plans of the Company (including, but not by way of
limitation, the health insurance plan) in which the Executive was participating
immediately prior to the Leave Date; provided, however, that the Executive shall
participate in such plans on the same basis as active employees who are then
participating in the plans, including making any applicable employee
contributions; and provided further that such continued participation by the
Executive shall be subject to termination or modification, in the same manner
and to the same extent as the participation of then active employees, in the
event that the Company terminates or modifies any of such plans prior to the
Termination Date. However, while the Executive shall, in accordance with the
applicable plans, retain the executive life and disability insurance policies
currently in effect for him, the Company shall not, after the Leave Date, pay
any further premiums on those policies.
 
     (c)  As soon as practical after the Leave Date, the Company shall pay to
the Executive the amount of $29,723 for 21 days of vacation accrued but not
taken by the Executive to and through the Leave Date. No further vacation shall
accrue for the Executive after the Leave Date.

     (d)  For the period from the Leave Date through the Termination Date, the
Executive shall continue to vest in the outstanding options to purchase shares
of the Company as set forth in Exhibit A attached hereto and the outstanding
restricted stock awards as set forth in Exhibit A attached hereto, except that
the restricted stock award of 15,000 shares which was granted in 1995 and would
not vest until after the Termination Date shall be canceled immediately upon the
execution of this Agreement and shall be replaced by a new restricted stock
award of 6,000 shares which shall vest on the Termination Date. The rights of
the Executive with respect to that new restricted stock award and with respect
to his other outstanding option awards and restricted stock awards shall be as
provided by the respective plans under which they were granted; provided,
however, that any of such outstanding options (other than the options identified
in Exhibit A as granted on January 1, 1995 or on January 1, 1997) which have not
otherwise vested shall in any event fully vest on the Termination Date. In
accordance with the applicable plans, options which are outstanding and vested
as of the Termination Date shall remain exercisable for ninety (90) days
thereafter, after which time any unexercised options shall be canceled.
 
     (e)  If the Executive remains actively employed by the Company until the
Leave Date, the Company shall grant to the Executive a special restricted stock
award of 1,500 shares which shall vest

                                       2
<PAGE>
 
on the Termination Date if the Executive fulfills his obligations under Sections
4, 5 and 12 of this Agreement.

     (f)  Without regard to whether the Leave Date precedes January 1, 1998, the
Company shall pay the Executive a bonus for 1997 which shall be determined and
paid in accordance with the criteria, procedures and time schedule applicable to
other senior officer bonuses for 1997, which shall be applied to the Executive
as if he were actively employed by the Company through December 31, 1997. The
Executive shall not receive an annual bonus for any period after 1997.
 
     (g)  Without regard to whether the Leave Date precedes January 1, 1998, the
Company shall pay to the Executive the amount, if any, which may be earned under
the Long-Term Incentive Plan award which was granted to the Executive for the
1995-97 performance period. However, the Executive acknowledges that, based on
performance to date, no payout has been earned with respect to that award and
further acknowledges that no payment is expected to be earned for the 1995-97
performance period applicable to that award.

     (h)  Subsequent to the Leave Date, the Executive shall not be eligible to
make further purchases under the Employee Stock Purchase Plan of the Company.
The rights and benefits of the Executive under that plan shall, after the Leave
Date, be determined in accordance with the provisions of that plan which are
applicable to employees whose employment has terminated.

     (i)  Any benefits accrued under the Section 401(k) plan of the Company as
of the Termination Date shall be paid to the Executive in accordance with the
terms of that plan. To the maximum extent permitted under the qualified
retirement benefit plan of the Company, the benefits payable to the Executive
under that plan shall take into account the compensation paid to the Executive
by the Company through the Termination Date and shall treat the Executive's
period of service as continuing through the Termination Date. To the extent that
any portion of the benefits calculated on that basis under the said qualified
plan cannot be paid under that plan, the Company shall pay to the Executive, as
a nonqualified supplemental retirement benefit, the difference between the
benefits so calculated and the benefits which are permitted to be paid to the
Executive under the qualified retirement benefit plan of the Company. The time
and manner of payment of such benefits shall be determined in accordance with
the terms of the said qualified retirement plan.

     (j)  The Executive may use the remaining balance in his financial planning
account (which was $21,832.50 as of October 27, 1997, based upon all charges
posted to the account by that date) for fees incurred prior to the Termination
Date, but the Company shall make no further contributions to that account after
the Leave Date.

     (k)  To the same extent that the Company has previously provided
outplacement services to other senior executives, the Company shall pay the fees
of an outplacement service provider selected jointly by the Company and the
Executive for assistance to the Executive in obtaining new employment.

                                       3
<PAGE>
 
     (l)  The Company shall reimburse the Executive for the attorneys' fees
incurred by him, up to a maximum of $10,000, in connection with the review of
this Agreement.

     (m)  As soon as practical after the Leave Date, the Executive shall submit
all expense account records and vouchers relating to his active employment with
the Company, and the Company shall reimburse the Executive in accordance with
its standard practices and procedures for such expenses.

     (n)  The Executive shall be entitled to retain, without any payment
therefor, the laptop computer and the desktop computer which have been provided
to him by the Company and the standard software which has been installed on
those computers (except to the extent, if any, that the Company is prohibited,
by agreement with any third party, from permitting such retention of that
software), but after the Leave Date the Executive shall no longer have access to
the computer system of the Company or to any customized software developed for
use by the Company.

     Upon the death of the Executive, any benefits payable with respect to the
Executive's participation in any employee benefit plans or programs shall be
paid in accordance with the applicable terms of such plans and programs, and any
other payment remaining to be made pursuant this Section 2 shall be paid to such
person(s) or trust(s) as shall have been designated by written notice delivered
to the Company by the Executive. If no such person(s) or trust(s) have been so
designated, such payments shall be made to the Executive's estate.

3.   Cooperation During Leave of Absence.

     From the Leave Date through the Termination Date, the Executive shall
cooperate with the Company in the truthful and honest prosecution and/or defense
of any claim in which the Released Company Parties (as defined in Section 5,
below) may have an interest (subject to reasonable limitations concerning time
and place), which may include without limitation making himself available to
participate in any proceeding involving any of the Released Company Parties,
allowing himself to be interviewed by representatives of the Company, appearing
for depositions and testimony without requiring a subpoena, and producing and/or
providing any documents or names of other persons with relevant information. The
Executive shall provide such services during the period from the Leave Date
through the Termination Date for up to two hundred (200) hours without
additional compensation, and thereafter at the rate of $1,500 per day, but the
Company shall in any event pay the Executive's expenses incurred at the
Company's prior and specific request.

4.   Confidentiality, Non-Solicitation and Non-Competition.

     (a)  Executive reaffirms and agrees to comply with the terms of the
Agreement Regarding Confidential Information, Intellectual Property and Non-
Solicitation of Employees signed by the Executive, a copy of which is attached
hereto as Exhibit B and incorporated herein by reference. Executive represents
that he has delivered (or will as requested, but no later than the Leave Date,

                                       4
<PAGE>
 
deliver) all Company papers, books, records, computer programs, or like
materials in his possession or control and all copies thereof to the Company.

     (b)  In consideration of the covenants and agreements of the Company herein
contained, the payments to be made by the Company pursuant to this Agreement,
the positions of trust and confidence he has occupied with the Company and the
information of a highly sensitive and confidential nature he has received as a
result of such positions, the Executive agrees that he will not, during the
period commencing on the date of this Agreement and ending on the Termination
Date, without the prior written consent of the Company, either directly or
indirectly accept employment by or serve as a consultant, agent, substantial
stockholder, corporate officer, or director of, or in any other representative
capacity for, any entity which is engaged in a line of business in which the
Company (either directly or through a subsidiary or affiliate) is engaged on the
Leave Date and which is a competitor of the Company or any of its subsidiaries,
or assist in the solicitation of any work or engage in any other activity in
competition with the business then being conducted by the Company or any of its
subsidiaries. Executive acknowledges that the business conducted by the Company
is worldwide and that it is reasonably necessary for the protection of the
Company and its subsidiaries and their goodwill, in view of his knowledge of its
and their worldwide operations, that he not provide to competitors of the
Company or any of its subsidiaries anywhere in the world the benefit of his
knowledge of the Company and its subsidiaries and its and their business.
Executive further acknowledges that a breach by him of his agreements contained
in this Section 4 would cause irreparable harm to the Company which is not
adequately measurable by money damages and that, accordingly, in the event of
such a breach, in addition to any and all other rights the Company may have,
including, without limitation, rights at law and in equity, and the right of the
Company to terminate certain payments to the Executive, the Company shall be
entitled to equitable remedies in the nature of injunctive relief to stop any
existing breaches and to prohibit any future breaches.

     (c)  The following additional provisions shall apply to the covenants of
the Executive contained in this Section 4.

          (i)  It is the intent and understanding of each party hereto that if,
in action before any court or agency legally empowered to enforce the covenants
contained in this Section 4, any term, restriction, covenant or promise
contained herein is found to be unreasonable and for that reason unenforceable,
then such term, restriction, covenant or promise shall be deemed modified to the
extent necessary to make it enforceable by such court or agency.

          (ii)  In the event of any material breach by the Executive of any
provision of this Section 4, the Company may, by written notice, elect to
terminate its obligations under this Agreement. In such event, all payments and
other benefits to the Executive otherwise required to be provided by the Company
under the provisions of Section 2 shall immediately cease, and the Executive
shall thereafter cease to be entitled to receive any amounts not already paid by
the Company and he shall be required to return any payments previously received
but relating to periods after the date of such breach; provided that the
Executive shall be entitled to receive or retain any

                                       5
<PAGE>
 
payment or benefit which is based upon a right which had fully accrued
(including any stock options or similar rights which had fully vested) as of the
date of such breach.

          (iii)  The Executive understands that, in addition to the restrictions
contained herein, pursuant to the terms of the Company's retirement benefit
plan, the payment of certain retirement benefits may be affected should the
Executive become employed by or perform work for a competitor or supplier of the
Company.

5.   Release and Covenant Not to Sue.

     (a)  The Executive, on behalf of himself, his heirs, executors, attorneys,
administrators, successors and assigns, hereby fully and forever, to the full
extent permitted by law, releases and discharges the Company, and each of its
subsidiaries and affiliated companies and entities and each of their partners,
principals, members, shareholders, directors, officers, trustees, employees,
contractors, consultants, agents and attorneys, past, present and future, and
all predecessors, successors and assigns thereof (collectively "Released Company
Parties") from any and all claims, demands, agreements, actions, suits, causes
of action, damages, injunctions, restraints and liabilities of whatever kind or
nature, in law, equity or otherwise, whether now known or unknown or which have
ever existed or which may now exist (except to enforce the terms of this
Agreement), including, but not limited to, any and all claims, liabilities,
demands or causes of action relating to or arising out of Executive's
employment, resignation from the positions of Executive Vice President and
Sector President or separation from employment with the Company, including (but
not by way of limitation) claims under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of
1964, as amended, 42 U.S.C. (S) 2000e et al., 42 U.S.C. (S) 1981, the Civil
Rights Act of 1991, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Family and Medical
Leave Act, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, as amended by the Older
Workers Benefit Protection Act, the anti-trust and restraint of trade statutes
and common law, the federal and state (including, without limitation, Illinois)
statutes or common law, or claims for breach of contract, for misrepresentation,
for violation of any other federal, state or local statute, ordinance or
regulation or common law dealing in any respect with discrimination in
employment or otherwise, defamation, retaliatory or wrongful discharge under the
common law of any state, infliction of emotional distress or any other tort
under the common law of any state or for attorney's fees. Executive acknowledges
and agrees that this release and the covenant not to sue set forth in paragraph
(c), below, are essential and material terms of this Agreement and that without
such release and covenant not to sue no agreement would have been reached by the
parties. Executive understands and acknowledges the significance and
consequences of this release and this Agreement.

     (b)  The following provisions are applicable to, and made a part of, this
Agreement and the foregoing release:

          (i)  Executive does not release or waive any right or claim that
arises after the date of execution of this Agreement which he may have under the
Age Discrimination in Employment Act, as amended by the Older Workers Benefits
Protection Act, provided that any claim based upon his resignation from the
positions of Executive Vice President and Sector President and his separation

                                       6
<PAGE>
 
from the Company has, for all purposes relating to this Agreement, arisen prior
to the execution of this Agreement.

          (ii)  Executive does not waive any right to the receipt of payments or
benefits not yet due and owing, whether under this Agreement or under the
Company benefit and compensation plans in which Executive is a participant or
beneficiary.

          (iii)  In exchange for the general release and waiver hereunder,
Executive hereby acknowledges that he has received separate consideration beyond
that to which he is otherwise entitled under the Company's policy or applicable
law.

          (iv)  The Company has advised, and hereby again expressly advises,
Executive to consult with an attorney of his choosing regarding, and prior to
executing, this Agreement, which contains a general release and waiver.

          (v)  This release shall not apply to workers' compensation claims, or
to claims under state and federal unemployment insurance laws.

     (c)  To the maximum extent permitted by law, the Executive covenants not to
sue or to institute or cause to be instituted any kind of claim or action
(except to enforce this Agreement) in any federal, state or local agency or
court against any of the Released Company Parties relating to the matters
covered by the foregoing release.

     (d)  The Company, on behalf of itself and its subsidiaries and affiliated
companies and entities, hereby fully and forever, to the full extent permitted
by law, releases and discharges the Executive and his heirs, executors,
attorneys, administrators, successors and assigns (collectively "Released
Executive Parties") from any and all claims, demands, agreements, actions,
suits, causes of action, damages, injunctions, restraints and liabilities of
whatever kind or nature, in law, equity or otherwise, which have ever existed or
which may now exist (except to enforce the terms of this Agreement), including,
but not limited to, any and all claims, liabilities, demands or causes of action
relating to or arising out of the Executive's employment, resignation from the
positions of Executive Vice President and Sector President or separation from
employment with the Company, including (but not by way of limitation) claims
under federal and state (including, without limitation, Illinois) statutes or
common law, or claims for breach of contract, misrepresentation, defamation, or
any other tort under the common law of any state or for attorneys' fees;
provided, however, that this release and discharge does not apply to any rights
or claims based upon information which is not, as of the date hereof, known to
the Board of Directors of the Company, the Chief Executive Officer of the
Company or legal counsel for the Company, including, but not by way of
limitation, information relating to possible embezzlement, fraud or other theft
from the Company by the Executive. The Company acknowledges and agrees that this
release and the covenant not to sue set forth in paragraph (e), below, are
essential and material terms of this Agreement and that without such release and
covenant not to sue no agreement would have been reached by the parties. The
Company understands and acknowledges the significance and consequences of this
release and this Agreement.

                                       7
<PAGE>
   
     (e)  To the maximum extent permitted by law, the Company covenants not to
sue or to institute or cause to be instituted any kind of claim or action
(except to enforce this Agreement) in any federal, state or local agency or
court against any of the Released Executive Parties relating to the matters
covered by the foregoing release.

     (f)  On or promptly after the Leave Date, (i) the Executive shall execute
and deliver to the Company a further release and covenant not to sue with terms
equivalent to those of paragraphs (a), (b) and (c), above, but effective through
the Leave Date and (ii) the Company shall execute and deliver to the Executive a
further release and covenant not to sue with terms equivalent to those of
paragraphs (d) and (e), above, but effective through the Leave Date.

6.   No Admission of Liability.

     The Executive agrees that neither this Agreement nor performance hereunder
constitutes an admission by the Company of any violation of any federal, state
or local law, regulation, common law, of any breach of any contract, or of any
other wrongdoing of any type.

7.   COBRA Rights.

     The Executive acknowledges that the Company has advised him that pursuant
to the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 ("COBRA"), he has
the right to elect continued coverage under the Company's group health plans, at
his own expense, for a statutory period after the date of termination of his
employment. Prior to or promptly after the Termination Date, the Company will
advise the Executive as to the rights, if any, which the Executive then has
under COBRA in light of the benefits provided by the Company under Section 2(b),
above.

8.   Confidentiality of Agreement.

     The Executive and the Company agree that they will keep confidential, to
the full extent permitted by law, the terms of this Agreement, all performance
hereunder and all circumstances relating to the Executive's separation from the
Company; provided, however, that the Executive and the Company may disclose the
same as required by law (including, but not by way of limitation, the filing of
this Agreement with the Securities and Exchange Commission), for purposes of tax
reporting, pursuant to legal process, in an action to enforce this Agreement, to
claim benefits under this Agreement or under Company benefit plans in which the
Executive is a participant or beneficiary, to members of the Executive's
immediate family, legal advisors, and to persons from whom the Executive seeks
financial advice.

9.   Indemnification.

     The Company further agrees that, if the Executive is sued individually
concerning any act, omission or conduct which he undertook in his capacity as an
employee, officer, director or agent of the Company or any of its subsidiaries,
then the Company shall defend the Executive from the claim

                                       8
<PAGE>
 
and indemnify the Executive for any judgment, fine or settlement resulting
therefrom to the same extent as is then authorized by the Company's By-Laws
and/or Certificate of Incorporation for employees as of that time. The Company
hereby represents and warrants that the Executive is currently covered by
director and officer liability insurance maintained by the Company which
provides coverage on an occurrence basis. To the extent that the Company
maintains director and officer liability insurance in the future, the Executive
will be covered by such insurance on the same basis as and to the same extent as
all other senior officers of the Company employed by the Company during the
period of the Executive's employment with the Company.

10.  Agreement Binding.

     In executing this Agreement, the Executive acknowledges that he has read
this Agreement carefully, that he fully understands its terms and conditions,
that he has been advised of his rights and has been advised to consult counsel
prior to the execution hereof. The Executive intends that this Agreement shall
be legally binding on him.

11.  Approval Required.

     Any other provision of this Agreement notwithstanding, this Agreement shall
not become effective and binding until it has been approved by the Human
Resources Committee of the Board of Directors of the Company. Promptly after
such approval, the Company shall provide the Executive with written notice that
such approval has been obtained and that this Agreement has become fully
effective and binding.

12.  Revocation.

     The Executive acknowledges that he has had the opportunity to have at least
twenty-one (21) days within which to decide whether or not to sign this
Agreement. He further acknowledges having been given the right to revoke this
Agreement by serving, within a seven (7)-day period after signing, a written
notice of revocation. The Agreement shall become effective on the eighth day
following its execution by the Executive. If the Executive revokes the
Agreement, the Company shall have no obligation under it.

13.  References.

     If any prospective employer of the Executive requests a reference, the
Company shall report only the fact that the Executive worked for the Company,
the positions held and salary earned. No further information will be provided
unless the Company receives a written release from the Executive or is otherwise
required to do so by law. Neither the Company nor the Executive shall at any
time disparage the other party.
 
14.  Notices.

                                       9
<PAGE>
 
     All notices or other communications required or permitted hereunder shall
be sufficient if in writing and delivered personally or by reputable commercial
delivery service or sent by registered mail, return receipt requested, to the
respective address hereinabove set forth or to any other address designated by
the relevant party by notice similarly given. Such notice shall be deemed to
have been given upon such delivery or three (3) days after deposit in the U.S.
mail, as the case may be.

15.  Assignment and Succession.

     The rights and obligations of the Company under this Agreement shall inure
to the benefit of and be binding upon its successors and assigns, and the
Executive's rights and obligations hereunder shall inure to the benefit of and
be binding upon his legal representatives or designated beneficiaries; provided,
however, that the Executive may not assign during his lifetime any of his rights
and obligations hereunder.

16.  Attorneys' Fees and Costs.

     The prevailing party (as determined by the court of adjudication) in any
action or proceeding brought to enforce any provision of this Agreement or in
any action or proceeding on account of the breach of any term hereof shall be
paid by the non-prevailing party an amount equal to the costs and reasonable
attorneys' fees incurred by the prevailing party in connection with such action
or proceeding.

17.  Entire Agreement.

     This Agreement contains the entire agreement between the Company and the
Executive with respect to the subject matter contained herein and supersedes all
prior oral or written communications relating thereto. This Agreement may not be
changed or amended orally.

18.  Applicable Law.

     This Agreement shall at all times be construed, interpreted and enforced in
accordance with the laws of the State of Illinois as applicable to agreements
entered into in, and to be performed entirely within, the State of Illinois.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Agreement to be signed by
its duly authorized officer and the Executive has signed this Agreement as of
the day and year first above written.


                                       /s/ Steven J. Baumgartner
                                       ----------------------------------------
                                       Steven J. Baumgartner
                                    
                                       R.R. DONNELLEY & SONS COMPANY

                                      10
<PAGE>
 
                                    By: /s/ William L. Davis
                                        ----------------------------------------
                                            William L. Davis
                                    Its:    Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

                                      11

<PAGE>
                                                                   Exhibit 10(r)
                                   AGREEMENT


     This Agreement is made and entered into on this 13th day of February, 1998
between W. Ed Tyler of 631 North Lincoln, Hinsdale, Illinois 60521 (the
"Executive") and R. R. Donnelley & Sons Company, a Delaware corporation, with
its principal office at 77 West Wacker Drive, Chicago, Illinois 60601 (the
"Company").

                              W I T N E S S E T H:

     WHEREAS, the Executive is an Executive Vice President and Chief Technology
Officer of the Company; and

     WHEREAS, the Company and the Executive wish to provide for a leave of
absence on certain terms and conditions in the event that the Executive's active
employment relationship with the Company terminates during 1998 other than for
cause;

     NOW, THEREFORE, the Executive and the Company, in consideration of the
agreements, covenants and conditions contained herein, hereby agree as follows:

1.   Continued Employment.
     --------------------

     The Executive is currently an Executive Vice President and the Chief
Technology Officer of the Company and shall continue as such during his active
employment with the Company. For such service the Executive is currently
receiving a base salary of $386,000, which will be subject to review and
possible increase by the Company as of April 1, 1998. The Executive will also be
eligible to participate in the bonus plan of the Company for senior officers and
will continue to participate in the general employee benefits plans and programs
of the Company in accordance with their respective terms. The Executive's active
employment with the Company may be terminated at any time by either the
Executive or the Company upon ten (10) days written notice to the other party.

2.   Term of this Agreement.
     ---------------------- 

     The term of this Agreement shall commence on the date hereof and shall end
on December 31, 1998. If the Executive continues as an active employee of the
Company after December 31, 1998, this Agreement shall be of no further force or
effect, and any such further active service by the Executive shall be entirely
as an employee at will.

3.   Termination of Employment and Leave of Absence.
     ---------------------------------------------- 

     (a) If the Executive's active employment with the Company is terminated
during 1998 by the Executive's resignation for any reason or by the Company
terminating such active employment
<PAGE>
 
for any reason other than Cause (as defined below), then as of the effective
date of such termination (the "Leave Date"), the Executive shall remain an
employee of the Company but shall commence a paid leave of absence which shall
continue through the third anniversary of the Leave Date and shall be subject to
extension pursuant to Section 4(c), below. The Executive's employment
relationship with the Company shall terminate as of the close of business on the
later of (i) the third anniversary of the Leave Date or (ii) the date to which
the end of the leave of absence is extended pursuant to Section 4(c), below
(such later date being hereinafter referred to as the "Termination Date"). For
purposes of this Agreement, the period beginning on the Leave Date and ending on
the Termination Date is referred to as the "Leave Period." The Executive's
compensation and benefits for the Leave Period shall be as described in Section
4, below. Effective upon the Leave Date, or such respective later date or dates
as the Company and the Executive may agree upon from time to time, the Executive
shall resign from any directorships or other positions with other organizations
which the Executive then holds as a designated representative of the Company.

     (b) For purposes of this Agreement, "Cause" for termination by the Company
of the Executive's active employment with the Company shall mean (i) the
Executive engages in conduct that constitutes gross neglect or willful gross
misconduct in carrying out his duties as an officer of the Company or (ii) the
Executive is convicted of a felony involving moral turpitude, fraud or
embezzlement.

4.   Consideration.

     In consideration of the covenants and commitments of the Executive in this
Agreement, including but not by way of limitation the release referred to in
Section 7, below, the Company agrees to provide the Executive during the Leave
Period with the following compensation and benefits, with all of the payments
and benefits described below being subject to tax withholding to the extent
required by law and to all applicable benefit expense withholding and to all
other withholding elections made by the Executive, to the extent that such
elections remain in effect. The Executive shall not be obligated to seek other
employment or take any other action by way of mitigation of the amounts payable
to the Executive under this Agreement, and such amounts shall not be reduced
whether or not the Executive obtains other employment, provided that the
Executive fulfills his obligations under Section 6 of this Agreement.

     (a) For the Leave Period, the Executive shall receive salary in an
aggregate amount (the "Salary Continuation Amount") equal to two (2) times his
annual base salary at the rate in effect immediately prior to the Leave Date
(e.g., If his annual salary rate immediately prior to the Leave Date is
$386,000, then the Salary Continuation Amount payable for the Leave Period shall
be $772,000.), but subject to increase pursuant to Section 4(c), below. Such
salary during the Leave Period shall be payable in accordance with the regular
payroll practices of the Company at the following rates: (i) the excess of the
Salary Continuation Amount over $120,000 shall be payable in equal monthly
installments over the first twenty-four (24) months (increased by any increase
in the Leave Period to reflect available unused vacation pursuant to Section
4(c) hereof) of the Leave

                                       2
<PAGE>
 
Period and (ii) during the last twelve (12) months of the Leave Period, salary
shall be paid at the rate of $10,000 per month.
 
     (b) Except as otherwise specifically provided in this Agreement, (i) the
Executive shall continue to participate during the Leave Period in all of those
employee benefit plans of the Company (including, but not by way of limitation,
the health insurance plan) in which the Executive was participating immediately
prior to the Leave Date, and (ii) the Leave Period shall constitute an
additional period of employment for purposes of calculating retirement benefits
and all other benefits to which the Executive would be entitled as an employee
of the Company. In particular, but not by way of limitation, the Executive
shall, in accordance with the applicable plans, retain the executive life and
disability insurance policies currently in effect for him, and the Company
shall, during the Leave Period, continue to pay premiums on those policies.
 
     (c) As soon as practical after the Leave Date, the Company shall pay to the
Executive a cash lump sum for any days of vacation accrued by him as of the
Leave Date but not yet available to be taken. No further vacation shall accrue
for the Executive after the Leave Date. In addition, if, as of the Leave Date,
the Executive has days of vacation which are available but unused, then the
length of the Leave Period shall be increased by a time period equal to the
calendar period of vacation which would elapse upon the Executive taking
vacation equal to the number of such available but unused vacation days, and the
amount of vacation pay for those available but unused vacation days shall not be
paid separately but shall be added to the aggregate Salary Continuation Amount
payable pursuant to Section 4(a), above.

     (d) For the period from the Leave Date through the Termination Date, the
Executive shall continue to vest in the outstanding options to purchase shares
of the Company as set forth in Exhibit A attached hereto and the outstanding
restricted stock awards as set forth in Exhibit A attached hereto, and any
additional stock options and/or restricted stock awards which may be granted to
the Executive during 1998, except that the restricted stock award of 15,000
shares which was granted in 1995 shall be canceled immediately upon the Leave
Date and shall be replaced by a new restricted stock award for a number of
shares determined in accordance with the immediately following sentence and with
a vesting schedule as described in the immediately following sentence. The
number of shares covered by the new restricted stock award referred to in the
immediately preceding sentence shall be equal to the sum of (i) 9,000 and (ii)
the product obtained by multiplying (A) 200 by (B) the number of full calendar
months which have elapsed from October 1, 1997 until the Leave Date; and of that
total number of restricted shares, 6,000 shall vest on December 31, 2000 and the
balance shall vest on the Termination Date. The rights of the Executive with
respect to that new restricted stock award and with respect to his other
outstanding option awards and restricted stock awards shall be as provided by
the respective plans under which they were granted; provided, however, that any
of such outstanding options (other than the options identified in Exhibit A as
granted January 1, 1995) which have not otherwise vested shall in any event
fully vest on the Termination Date. In accordance with the applicable plans,
options which are outstanding and vested as of the Termination Date shall remain
exercisable for ninety (90) days thereafter, after which time any unexercised
options shall be canceled.

                                       3

<PAGE>
 
     (e) The Company shall pay the Executive a prorated bonus for 1998 which
shall be determined and paid in accordance with this paragraph (e). The total
amount of that bonus for 1998 shall be determined by multiplying (i) the full
bonus amount to which the Executive would be entitled for all of 1998 under the
applicable bonus plan by (ii) a fraction the denominator of which is 365 and the
numerator of which is the number of days which have elapsed from January 1, 1998
until the Leave Date. Fifty percent (50%) of that prorated 1998 bonus amount
shall be paid to the Executive in accordance with the time schedule applicable
to other senior officer bonuses for 1998, and the other fifty percent (50%)
shall be paid to the Executive on the Termination Date.

     (f) As of the Leave Date, the Executive shall not be eligible to make
further purchases under the Employee Stock Purchase Plan of the Company. The
rights and benefits of the Executive under that plan shall, after the Leave
Date, be determined in accordance with the provisions of that plan which are
applicable to employees whose employment has terminated.

     (g) Any benefits accrued under the Section 401(k) plan of the Company as of
the Termination Date shall be paid to the Executive in accordance with the terms
of that plan. To the maximum extent permitted under the qualified retirement
benefit plan of the Company, the benefits payable to the Executive under that
plan shall take into account the compensation paid to the Executive by the
Company through the Termination Date and shall treat the Executive's period of
service as continuing through the Termination Date. To the extent that any
portion of the benefits calculated on that basis under the said qualified plan
cannot be paid under that plan, the Company shall pay to the Executive, as a
nonqualified supplemental retirement benefit, the difference between the
benefits so calculated and the benefits which are permitted to be paid to the
Executive under the qualified retirement benefit plan of the Company. The time
and manner of payment of such benefits shall be determined in accordance with
the terms of the said qualified retirement plan.
 
     (h) During the Leave Period, the Executive may use the remaining balance in
his financial planning account for fees incurred prior to the Termination Date,
but the Company shall make no further contributions to that account after the
Leave Date.

     (i) To the same extent that the Company has previously provided
outplacement services to other senior executives, the Company shall pay the fees
of an outplacement service provider selected jointly by the Company and the
Executive for assistance to the Executive in obtaining new employment.

     (j) The Company shall reimburse the Executive for the attorneys' fees
incurred by him, up to a maximum of $10,000, in connection with the review of
this Agreement.

     (k) As soon as practical after the Leave Date, the Executive shall submit
all expense account records and vouchers relating to his active employment with
the Company, and the Company shall reimburse the Executive in accordance with
its standard practices and procedures for such expenses.

                                       4
<PAGE>
 
     Upon the death of the Executive, any benefits payable with respect to the
Executive's participation in any employee benefit plans or programs shall be
paid in accordance with the applicable terms of such plans and programs, and any
other payment remaining to be made (determined as though the Executive continued
to live through the remainder of the Leave Period) pursuant to this Section 4
(including but not by way of limitation any payments remaining due pursuant to
Section 4(a)) shall be paid to such person(s) or trust(s) as shall have been
designated by written notice delivered to the Company by the Executive. If no
such person(s) or trust(s) have been so designated, such payments shall be made
to the Executive's estate.

5.   Cooperation During Leave of Absence.

     From the Leave Date through the Termination Date, the Executive shall
cooperate with the Company in the truthful and honest prosecution and/or defense
of any claim in which the Released Parties (as defined in the release referred
to in Section 7, below) may have an interest (subject to reasonable limitations
concerning time and place, and provided that such cooperation shall not
unreasonably interfere with other obligations which the Executive has then
undertaken), which may include without limitation making himself available to
participate in any proceeding involving any of the Released Parties, allowing
himself to be interviewed by representatives of the Company, appearing for
depositions and testimony without requiring a subpoena, and producing and/or
providing any documents or names of other persons with relevant information. The
Executive shall provide such services during the period from the Leave Date
through the Termination Date for up to one hundred (100) hours without
additional compensation, and thereafter at the rate of $2,500 per day, but the
Company shall in any event pay the Executive's expenses incurred at the
Company's prior and specific request.

6.   Confidentiality, Non-Solicitation and Non-Competition.

     (a) Executive reaffirms and agrees to comply with the terms of the
Agreement Regarding Confidential Information, Intellectual Property and Non-
Solicitation of Employees signed by the Executive on November 16, 1988, a copy
of which is attached hereto as Exhibit B and incorporated herein by reference;
provided, however, that if the Executive's active employment with the Company is
terminated during 1998 by the Executive's resignation for any reason or by the
Company terminating such active employment for any reason other than Cause, then
paragraph 10 of the Agreement attached hereto as Exhibit B shall be deemed
amended, effective as of such termination of employment, so that each reference
to "competitor(s), supplier(s) or customer(s) of Donnelley" shall be deemed
deleted and replaced by a reference to "Competitor(s)," as that term is defined
in Section 6(b), below. Executive represents that he will, prior to the Leave
Date, deliver all Company papers, books, records, computer programs, or like
materials in his possession or control and all copies thereof to the Company,
except that the Executive will be permitted to retain copies of documents
describing the terms and conditions of those arrangements between the Executive
and the Company which survive the termination of the Executive's active
employment with the Company.

                                       5

<PAGE>
 
     (b) In consideration of the covenants and agreements of the Company herein
contained, the payments to be made by the Company pursuant to this Agreement
after the Leave Date, the positions of trust and confidence he has occupied and
currently occupies with the Company and the information of a highly sensitive
and confidential nature he has received and will receive as a result of such
positions, the Executive agrees that he will not, during the period commencing
on the date of this Agreement and ending on the Termination Date, without the
prior written consent of the Company, either directly or indirectly (i) own,
manage, operate, control or participate in any manner in the ownership,
management, operation or control of, or be connected as an officer, employee,
partner, director, principal, consultant, agent or otherwise with, or have any
financial interest in, or aid or assist any Competitor (as defined below). For
purposes of this Section 6, "Competitor" shall mean any entity which conducts
any business, venture or activity which competes with the business of the
Company, or any group, division or subsidiary of the Company, as described in
the Company's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities
and Exchange Commission prior to the Leave Date (hereinafter referred to as the
"Company Business") in the United States or any other geographic area where the
Company Business is being conducted as of the Leave Date or (ii) recruit or
otherwise seek to induce any employees of the Company or any of its subsidiaries
to terminate their employment or violate any agreement with or duty to the
Company or any of its subsidiaries. It is understood and agreed that, for the
purposes of the foregoing provisions of this Section 6, (iii) no business,
venture or activity shall be deemed to be a part of the Company Business unless
not less than ten percent (10%) of the Company's consolidated gross sales or
operating income is derived from, or not less than ten percent (10%) of the
Company's consolidated assets are devoted to, such business, venture or
activity; provided, however, that any business, venture or activity conducted by
an entity (A) in which the Company holds an ownership interest as part of the 77
Capital portfolio of the Company or (B) for which the Executive has served as a
director or in any other executive position as a representative of the Company,
shall be deemed to be a part of the Company Business if at least ten percent
(10%) of that particular entity's gross sales or operating income is derived
from, or not less than ten percent (10%) of that particular entity's assets are
devoted to, such business, venture or activity; and (iv) no business, venture or
activity conducted by any entity which is not affiliated with the Company and by
which the Executive is employed or in which the Executive is interested or with
which the Executive is connected or associated shall be taken into account
unless it is one from which ten percent (10%) or more of such entity's
consolidated gross sales or operating income is derived, or to which ten percent
(10%) or more of such entity's consolidated assets are devoted; provided,
however, that if the actual gross sales or operating income or assets of such
entity derived from or devoted to such business, venture or activity is equal to
or in excess of ten percent (10%) of the most nearly comparable figure for the
Company, such business, venture or activity of such entity shall be taken into
account. Further, ownership of not more than five percent (5%) of the voting
stock of any publicly held corporation shall not, of itself, constitute a
violation of this Section 6. Executive acknowledges that the business conducted
by the Company is worldwide and that it is reasonably necessary for the
protection of the Company and its subsidiaries and their goodwill, in view of
his knowledge of its and their worldwide operations, that he not provide to
competitors of the Company or any of its subsidiaries anywhere in the world the
benefit of his knowledge of the Company and its subsidiaries and its and their
business. Executive further acknowledges that a breach by him of his agreements
contained in this

                                       6

<PAGE>
 
Section 6 would cause irreparable harm to the Company which is not adequately
measurable by money damages and that, accordingly, in the event of such a
breach, in addition to any and all other rights the Company may have, including,
without limitation, rights at law and in equity, and any right of the Company to
terminate certain payments to the Executive, the Company shall be entitled to
equitable remedies in the nature of injunctive relief to stop any existing
breaches and to prohibit any future breaches.

     (c) The following additional provisions shall apply to the covenants of the
Executive contained in this Section 6.

          (i) It is the intent and understanding of each party hereto that if,
in action before any court or agency legally empowered to enforce the covenants
contained in this Section 6, any term, restriction, covenant or promise
contained herein is found to be unreasonable and for that reason unenforceable,
then such term, restriction, covenant or promise shall be deemed modified to the
extent necessary to make it enforceable by such court or agency.

          (ii) In the event of any material breach by the Executive of any
provision of this Section 6, the Company may, by written notice, elect to
terminate its obligations under this Agreement; provided, however, that the
Executive shall have the opportunity to cure, within five (5) business days
after such notice, any inadvertent or unwillful breach by the Executive, and in
the event of such a cure by the Executive, the termination by the Company
pursuant to this paragraph (ii) shall not take effect. In the event that
termination by the Company under this paragraph (ii) becomes effective, all
payments and other benefits to the Executive otherwise required to be provided
by the Company under the provisions of Section 4 shall cease, and the Executive
shall thereafter cease to be entitled to receive any amounts not already paid by
the Company and he shall be required to return any payments previously received
but relating to periods after the date of such breach; provided that the
Executive shall be entitled to receive or retain any payment of a benefit which
had fully accrued as of the date of such breach.

          (iii) If the Executive's active employment with the Company is
terminated during 1998 by the Executive's resignation for any reason or by the
Company terminating such active employment for any reason other than Cause, then
the Company shall waive those terms of the Company's retirement benefit plan
pursuant to which the payment of certain retirement benefits can be affected
adversely should a retired former employee become employed by or perform work
for a competitor or supplier of the Company.

7.   Releases  and Covenants Not to Sue.

     (a) In consideration of, and as a condition of receiving, the payments and
benefits described in Section 4, above, the Executive shall, on or promptly
after the Leave Date, execute and deliver to the Company a release and covenant
not to sue in the form attached hereto as Exhibit C.

                                       7
<PAGE>
 
     (b) In consideration of the Executive's release and covenant not to sue
which is referred to in Section 7(a), above, the Company shall, on or promptly
after the Leave Date, execute and deliver to the Executive a release and
covenant not to sue in the form attached hereto as Exhibit D.

     (c) The Company and the Executive acknowledge that the mutual releases and
covenants not to sue which are described above will not affect adversely any
rights which the Executive may have to (i) indemnification from the Company
(whether under this Agreement or otherwise) or under director and officer
liability insurance which is applicable to the Executive or (ii) any recovery
under any benefit plan in which the Executive is participating as of the Leave
Date.

8.   No Admission of Liability.

     The Executive agrees that neither this Agreement nor performance hereunder
constitutes an admission by the Company of any violation of any federal, state
or local law, regulation, common law, of any breach of any contract, or of any
other wrongdoing of any type.

9.   COBRA Rights.

     The Executive acknowledges that the Company has advised him that pursuant
to the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 ("COBRA"), he has
the right to elect continued coverage under the Company's group health plans, at
his own expense, for a period of eighteen (18) months from the earlier of (a)
the Termination Date or (b) such earlier date as shall be the date of
termination of the Executive's employment for purposes of COBRA. Prior to or
promptly after the Termination Date, the Company will advise the Executive as to
the rights, if any, which the Executive then has under COBRA in light of the
benefits provided by the Company under Section 4(b), above.

10.  Confidentiality of Agreement.

     The Executive and the Company agree that they will keep confidential, to
the full extent permitted by law, the terms of this Agreement, all performance
hereunder and all circumstances relating to the Executive's separation from the
Company; provided, however, that the Executive and the Company may disclose the
same as required by law (including, but not by way of limitation, the filing of
this Agreement with the Securities and Exchange Commission), for purposes of tax
reporting, pursuant to legal process, in an action to enforce this Agreement, to
claim benefits under this Agreement or under Company benefit plans in which the
Executive is a participant or beneficiary, to members of the Executive's
immediate family, legal advisors, and to persons from whom the Executive seeks
financial advice.

11.  Indemnification.

     The Company further agrees that, if the Executive is sued individually
concerning any act, omission or conduct which he undertook in his capacity as an
employee, officer, director or agent of

                                       8

<PAGE>
 
the Company or any of its subsidiaries, then the Company shall defend the
Executive from the claim and indemnify the Executive for any judgment, fine or
settlement resulting therefrom to the same extent as is then authorized by the
Company's By-Laws and/or Certificate of Incorporation for employees as of that
time; provided, however, that during any period after the Leave Date, the
protection provided for the Executive by the Company under this Section 11 shall
in no event be less favorable to the Executive than that which was in effect
immediately prior to the Leave Date.

12.  Agreement Binding.

     In executing this Agreement, the Executive acknowledges that he has read
this Agreement carefully, that he fully understands its terms and conditions,
that he has been advised of his rights and has been advised to consult counsel
prior to the execution hereof. The Executive intends that this Agreement shall
be legally binding on him.

13.  Revocation.

     The Executive acknowledges that he has had the opportunity to have at least
twenty-one (21) days within which to decide whether or not to sign this
Agreement. He further acknowledges having been given the right to revoke this
Agreement by serving, within a seven (7)-day period after signing, a written
notice of revocation. The Agreement shall become effective on the eighth day
following its execution by the Executive. If the Executive revokes the
Agreement, the Company shall have no obligation under it.

14.  References.

     If, after the termination of the Executive's active employment with the
Company, any prospective employer of the Executive requests a reference, the
Company shall report only the fact that the Executive worked for the Company,
the positions held and salary earned. No further information will be provided
unless the Company receives a written release from the Executive or is otherwise
required to do so by law. Neither the Company nor the Executive shall at any
time disparage the other party.

15.  Notices.

     All notices or other communications required or permitted hereunder shall
be sufficient if in writing and delivered personally or by reputable commercial
delivery service or sent by registered mail, return receipt requested, to the
respective address hereinabove set forth or to any other address designated by
the relevant party by notice similarly given. Such notice shall be deemed to
have been given upon such delivery or three (3) days after deposit in the U.S.
mail, as the case may be.

16.  Assignment and Succession.

                                       9
<PAGE>
 
     The rights and obligations of the Company under this Agreement shall inure
to the benefit of and be binding upon its successors and assigns, and the
Executive's rights and obligations hereunder shall inure to the benefit of and
be binding upon his legal representatives or designated beneficiaries; provided,
however, that the Executive may not assign during his lifetime any of his rights
and obligations hereunder.

17.  Interest

     If the Company fails to pay any amount provided under this Agreement within
five (5) business days of the due date therefor, the Company shall pay interest
on such amount at an annual rate of seven percent (7%), calculated from the
original due date for such payment.

18.  Entire Agreement.

     This Agreement contains the entire agreement between the Company and the
Executive with respect to the subject matter contained herein and supersedes all
prior oral or written communications relating thereto. This Agreement may not be
changed or amended orally.

19.  Applicable Law.

     This Agreement shall at all times be construed, interpreted and enforced in
accordance with the laws of the State of Illinois as applicable to agreements
entered into in, and to be performed entirely within, the State of Illinois.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Agreement to be signed by
its duly authorized officer and the Executive has signed this Agreement as of
the day and year first above written.

                                    /s/ W. Ed Tyler
                                    --------------------------------------------
                                    W. Ed Tyler



                                    R.R. DONNELLEY & SONS COMPANY


                                    By: /s/ William L. Davis
                                        ----------------------------------------
                                            William L. Davis
                                    Its:    Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

                                       10
<PAGE>
 
                                   Exhibit C
                                   ---------


                        Release and Covenant Not to Sue
                        -------------------------------


     1.   The undersigned W. Ed Tyler (the "Executive"), on behalf of himself,
his heirs, executors, attorneys, administrators, successors and assigns, hereby
fully and forever, to the full extent permitted by law, releases and discharges
R.R. Donnelley & Sons Company (the "Company") and each of its subsidiaries and
affiliated companies and entities and each of their partners, principals,
members, shareholders, directors, officers, trustees, employees, contractors,
consultants, agents and attorneys, past, present and future, and all
predecessors, successors and assigns thereof (collectively "Released Parties")
from any and all claims, demands, agreements, actions, suits, causes of action,
damages, injunctions, restraints and liabilities of whatever kind or nature, in
law, equity or otherwise, whether now known or unknown or which have ever
existed or which may now exist (except to enforce the terms of the agreement
dated January _____, 1998 between the Executive and the Company (the
"Agreement")), including, but not limited to, any and all claims, liabilities,
demands or causes of action relating to or arising out of Executive's
employment, resignation from the positions of Executive Vice President and Chief
Technology Officer of the Company or separation from employment with the
Company, including (but not by way of limitation) claims under Title VII of the
Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended, 42 U.S.C. (S) 2000e et al., 42 U.S.C. (S)
1981, the Civil Rights Act of 1991, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the
Family and Medical Leave Act, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (the
"ADEA"), as amended by the Older Workers Benefit Protection Act, the anti-trust
and restraint of trade statutes and common law, the federal and state
(including, without limitation, Illinois) statutes or common law, or claims for
breach of contract, for misrepresentation, for violation of any other federal,
state or local statute, ordinance or regulation or common law dealing in any
respect with discrimination in employment or otherwise, defamation, retaliatory
or wrongful discharge under the common law of any state, infliction of emotional
distress or any other tort under the common law of any state or for attorneys'
fees. Executive acknowledges and agrees that this release and the covenant not
to sue set forth in paragraph 3, below, are essential and material terms of the
Agreement and that without such release and covenant not to sue the Agreement
would not have been reached by the parties. Executive understands and
acknowledges the significance and consequences of this release and the
Agreement.

     2.   The following provisions are applicable to, and made a part of, the
Agreement and the foregoing release:

          (a) Executive does not release or waive any right or claim that arises
after the date of execution of this release which he may have under the ADEA, as
amended by the Older Workers Benefits Protection Act, provided that any claim
based upon the termination of his service in the positions of Executive Vice
President and Chief Technology Officer or upon his separation from the Company
has, for all purposes relating to this release, arisen prior to the execution of
this release.
<PAGE>
 
          (b) Executive does not waive any right to the receipt of payments and
benefits not yet due and owing, whether under the Agreement or under the Company
benefit and compensation plans in which Executive is a participant or
beneficiary.

          (c) In exchange for the general release and waiver hereunder,
Executive hereby acknowledges that he has received, or will receive, under the
Agreement separate consideration beyond that to which he is otherwise entitled
under the Company's policy or applicable law.

          (d) The Company has advised, and hereby again expressly advises,
Executive to consult with an attorney of his choosing regarding, and prior to
executing, this general release and waiver.

          (e) This release shall not apply to workers' compensation claims or to
claims under state and federal unemployment insurance laws.

     3.   To the maximum extent permitted by law, the Executive covenants not to
sue or to institute or cause to be instituted any kind of claim or action
(except to enforce the Agreement) in any federal, state or local agency or court
against any of the Released Parties relating to the matters covered by the
foregoing release.

     4.   The Executive further acknowledges that (a) the Company has given him
adequate time to review and consider this release; (b) the Executive understands
that the terms of this release are legally enforceable; (c) the Executive has
entered into this release freely and voluntarily and was in no manner coerced
into signing it; (d) neither this release nor the discussion and negotiation
leading to it are or were, in any manner, discriminatory; and (e) the Executive
was, and hereby is, encouraged to discuss any questions, problems, or issues
concerning this release with the Company before signing it.

     5.   The Executive further acknowledges that it is his intent that his
waiver with regard to the ADEA fully complies with the Older Workers Benefit
Protection Act, and, accordingly, he further acknowledges and agrees that (a) he
has been given at least twenty-one (21) days within which to consider this
release (but he may sign this release and return it to the Company before the
end of those twenty-one (21) days if he elects to do so) and (b) he has the
right to revoke this release in full within seven (7) calendar days after his
execution hereof and that after such time this release shall become enforceable
and irrevocable. If the Executive revokes this release, the Company shall have
no obligation under the Agreement.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Executive has signed this Release and Covenant Not
to Sue on the day and year written below.

Date:__________________             ____________________________________
                                    W. Ed Tyler

                                       2
<PAGE>
 
                                   Exhibit D
                                   ---------


                        Release and Covenant Not to Sue
                        -------------------------------


     1.   R.R. Donnelley & Sons Company (the "Company"), on behalf of itself and
its subsidiaries and affiliated companies and entities, hereby fully and
forever, to the full extent permitted by law, releases and discharges W. Ed
Tyler (the "Executive") and his heirs, executors, attorneys, administrators,
successors and assigns (collectively "Released Executive Parties") from any and
all claims, demands, agreements, actions, suits, causes of action, damages,
injunctions, restraints and liabilities of whatever kind or nature, in law,
equity or otherwise, which have ever existed or which may now exist (except to
enforce the terms of the agreement dated January _____, 1998 between the Company
and the Executive (the "Agreement")), including, but not limited to, any and all
claims, liabilities, demands or causes of action relating to or arising out of
the Executive's employment, resignation from the positions of Executive Vice
President and Chief Technology Officer of the Company or separation from
employment with the Company, including (but not by way of limitation) claims
under federal and state (including, without limitation, Illinois) statutes or
common law, or claims for breach of contract, misrepresentation, defamation, or
any other tort under the common law of any state or for attorneys' fees;
provided, however, that this release and discharge does not apply to any rights
or claims based upon (a) information which is not, as of the date hereof, known
to the Board of Directors of the Company, the Chief Executive Officer of the
Company or legal counsel for the Company, including, but not by way of
limitation, information relating to possible embezzlement, fraud or other theft
from the Company by the Executive, (b) criminal behavior or intentional
wrongdoing by the Executive, or (c) reconciliation of business expenses of the
Executive not yet fully substantiated as of the date hereof. The Company
acknowledges and agrees that this release and the covenant not to sue set forth
in paragraph 2, below, are essential and material terms of the Agreement and
that without such release and covenant not to sue the Agreement would not have
been reached by the parties. The Company understands and acknowledges the
significance and consequences of this release and the Agreement.

     2.   To the maximum extent permitted by law, the Company covenants not to
sue or to institute or cause to be instituted any kind of claim or action
(except to enforce the Agreement) in any federal, state or local agency or court
against any of the Released Executive Parties relating to the matters covered by
the foregoing release.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has signed this Release and Covenant Not to
Sue on the day and year written below.

Date:__________________________     R.R. DONNELLEY & SONS COMPANY


                                    By:_______________________________________
                                    Its:______________________________________

<PAGE>
 
                                                             Form 10-K
                                                             Year-Ended 12/31/97
                                                             Exhibit 21


                SUBSIDIARIES OF R. R. DONNELLEY & SONS COMPANY
                             (As of March 2, 1998)

Subsidiaries of R. R. Donnelley & Sons Company          Place of Incorporation
- ----------------------------------------------          ----------------------
<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 

<S>                                                     <C>   
77 Capital Corporation                                       Delaware  
                                                                        
77 Capital Partners L.P.                                     Delaware  

Allentown S.H. Leasing Company                               Delaware 
                                                                        
C & E Transport, Inc.                                        Delaware 
                                                                        
Caslon Incorporated                                          Delaware 
                                                                        
Chemical Equipment S.H. Leasing Company                      Delaware 
                                                                        
DPA Printing Company, SP. Zo.o.                              Poland   

Donnelley Caribbean Graphics, Inc.                           Delaware  
                                                                        
Donnelley Satellite Services, Limited                        Delaware 
                                                                        
Donnelley Satellite Graphics, Limited                        Delaware 
                                                                        
Editorial Lord Cochrane, S.A.                                Chile    

European-American Ink Sales Corporation                      Iowa      
                                                                         
FFH Corporation                                              Delaware  
                                                                         
HCI Holdings                                                 Delaware  
                                                                         
Haddon Craftsmen, Inc.                                       Delaware   

Heritage Preservation Corporation                            South Carolina

Impresora Donneco Internacional, S.A. de C.V.                Mexico

Kittyhawk S.H. Leasing Company                               Delaware
</TABLE> 

 
<PAGE>
 
                                                             Page 2
                                                             Form 10-K
                                                             Year-Ended 12/31/97
                                                             Exhibit 21
 

Subsidiaries of  R. R. Donnelley & Sons Company         Place of Incorporation
- -----------------------------------------------         ----------------------
<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
<S>                                                     <C> 
Housenet, Inc.                                               Maryland

Laboratorio Lito Color S.A. de C.V.                          Mexico

M/B Companies, Inc.                                          Iowa   
                                                                    
Mobium Corporation                                           Delaware
                                                                    
Pan Associates L.P.                                          Delaware

R. R. Donnelley Far East, Limited                            Delaware

R. R. Donnelley Deutschland GmbH                             Frankfort

R. R. Donnelley Printing (France) SARL                       France

R. R. Donnelley Financial (Hong Kong) Limited                Hong Kong

R. R. Donnelley Limited                                      United Kingdom

R. R. Donnelley Mendota, Inc.                                Delaware

R. R. Donnelley Marketing Services Group Limited             United Kingdom

R. R. Donnelley Nederland B.V.                               The Netherlands

R. R. Donnelley Norwest Inc.                                 Oregon

R. R. Donnelley Printing Company                             Delaware

R. R. Donnelley Printing Company L.P.                        Delaware

R. R. Donnelley Receivables, Inc.                            Nevada 
                                                                    
R. R. Donnelley Sales Corporation                            Barbados

R. R. Donnelley Seymour, Inc.                                New Jersey

R. R. Donnelley U.K. Marketing Services Limited              United Kingdom
</TABLE> 

<PAGE>
 
                                                             Page 3
                                                             Form 10-K
                                                             Year-Ended 12/31/97
                                                             Exhibit 21


Subsidiaries of R. R. Donnelley & Sons Company          Place of Incorporation
- ----------------------------------------------          ----------------------
<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 

<S>                                                     <C>  
R. R. Donnelley (Chile) Holdings, Inc.                       Delaware

R. R. Donnelley (Europe) Limited                             Delaware

R. R. Donnelley (India) Pvt Ltd                              India

R. R. Donnelley (Santiago) Holdings Inc. y Compania          Chile

R. R. Donnelley (Mauritius) Holdings Ltd                     Mauritius

R. R. Donnelley (Mexico) S.A. de C.V.                        Mexico

R. R. Donnelley (Santiago), Inc.                             Delaware

R. R. Donnelley (U.K.) Limited                               United Kingdom

Shenzhen Donnelley Bright Sun Printing Co.                   Republic of China

Siegwerk Sales & Services L.P.                               Delaware
 
Wyoming Avenue Holdings, Inc.                                Delaware

Winfield Avenue Holdings, Inc.                               Delaware
</TABLE> 


<PAGE>
 
                                                                  Exhibit No. 23

                   CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS


As independent public accountants, we hereby consent to the incorporation by 
reference of our reports dated January 22, 1998, included in this Annual Report 
of R.R. Donnelley & Sons Company on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 
1997, into the Company's previously filed Registration Statements on Form S-8 
(File Nos. 33-19803, 33-43632, 33-49431, 33-49809, 33-52805 and 33-61387), Form 
S-3 (File Nos. 33-57807 and 333-44303) and previously filed post-effective 
amendments thereto.

                                         ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP

Chicago, Illinois
March 4, 1998

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
 
<ARTICLE> 5
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                         DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                            JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                              DEC-31-1997
<CASH>                                         47,814
<SECURITIES>                                        0         
<RECEIVABLES>                                 830,923
<ALLOWANCES>                                   16,259
<INVENTORY>                                   201,402
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                            1,146,571 
<PP&E>                                      4,214,765
<DEPRECIATION>                              2,426,649
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              4,134,166
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                         812,622
<BONDS>                                     1,153,226
                               0
                                         0
<COMMON>                                      320,962
<OTHER-SE>                                  1,270,535
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                4,134,166
<SALES>                                     4,850,033 
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                            4,850,033
<CGS>                                       3,899,428         
<TOTAL-COSTS>                               4,481,245 
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                             (25,742)
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                    0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             90,765
<INCOME-PRETAX>                               303,765
<INCOME-TAX>                                   97,240
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                           206,525
<DISCONTINUED>                                 75,894 
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                     0
<CHANGES>                                           0 
<NET-INCOME>                                  130,631
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    0.90
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    0.89
        

</TABLE>


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