OMNICOM GROUP INC
S-3, 1998-02-27
ADVERTISING AGENCIES
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    As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 27, 1998

                                                      Registration No. 333-_____

================================================================================

                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549
                                  -------------
                                    FORM S-3
             REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
                                  -------------
                               OMNICOM GROUP INC.
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

            New York                                    13-1514814
 (State or other jurisdiction of            (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
 incorporation or organization)
                                  -------------
                               437 Madison Avenue
                            New York, New York 10022
                                 (212) 415-3600
(Address,  including zip code,  and telephone  number,  including  area code, of
                   registrant's principal executive offices)

      BARRY J. WAGNER, ESQ.                           Please send copies of all
         Secretary                                        communications to:
       Omnicom Group Inc.                              MICHAEL D. DITZIAN, ESQ.
       437 Madison Avenue                                  Davis & Gilbert
     New York, New York l0022                               1740 Broadway  
  (Name,  address,including zip code,                  New York, New York 10019 
   and telephone number,including                           (212) 468-4800    
   area code, of agent for service)

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

     If the only  securities  being  registered  on this form are being  offered
pursuant to dividend or interest  reinvestment plans, please check the following
box: [_]

     If any of the securities being registered on this form are to be offered on
a delayed or continuous  basis  pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of
1933, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or interest
reinvestment plans, check the following box: [X]

     If this form is filed to  register  additional  securities  for an offering
pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box
and list  the  Securities  Act  registration  statement  number  of the  earlier
effective registration statement for the same offering: [_]

     If this form is a  post-effective  amendment  filed pursuant to Rule 462(c)
under the  Securities  Act,  check the following box and list the Securities Act
registration  statement number of the earlier effective  registration  statement
for the same offering.

     If delivery of the  prospectus is expected to be made pursuant to Rule 434,
please check the following box:

                         CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

=====================================================================================================================
                                                       Proposed             Proposed
                                                        maximum              maximum
  Title of securities             Amount  to be      offering price     aggregate offering         Amount of
    being registered               registered          per unit(1)           price(1)           registration fee(2)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                    <C>               <C>                   <C>                    <C>   
2 1/4% Convertible Subordinated
  Debentures due 2013 .........   $230,000,000           100%              $230,000,000             $67,850
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Common Stock, $.50 par value ..      4,615,694(3)        N/A                    N/A                   N/A
=====================================================================================================================
</TABLE>

(1)  Estimated solely for the purposes of calculating the registration fee.

(2)  Pursuant to Rule 457(i)  there is no filing fee with  respect to the shares
     of Common Stock  issuable  upon  conversion  of the  Debentures  because no
     additional  consideration  will be received in connection with the exercise
     of the conversion privilege.

(3)  Plus such additional  indeterminate number of shares as may become issuable
     upon conversion of the Debentures  being  registered  hereunder by means of
     adjustment of the conversion price.

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

     THE REGISTRANT  HEREBY AMENDS THIS  REGISTRATION  STATEMENT ON SUCH DATE OR
DATES AS MAY BE NECESSARY TO DELAY ITS EFFECTIVE DATE UNTIL THE REGISTRANT SHALL
FILE A FURTHER  AMENDMENT  WHICH  SPECIFICALLY  STATES  THAT  THIS  REGISTRATION
STATEMENT SHALL  THEREAFTER  BECOME EFFECTIVE IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 8(a) OF
THE SECURITIES  ACT OF 1933 OR UNTIL THIS  REGISTRATION  STATEMENT  SHALL BECOME
EFFECTIVE ON SUCH DATE AS THE COMMISSION,  ACTING PURSUANT TO SAID SECTION 8(a),
MAY DETERMINE.
================================================================================


<PAGE>

Information   contained  herein  is  subject  to  completion  or  amendment.   A
Registration  Statement  relating  to these  securities  has been filed with the
Securities  and Exchange  Commission.  These  securities may not be sold nor may
offers to buy be accepted prior to the time the Registration  Statement  becomes
effective.  This  Prospectus  shall  not  constitute  an  offer  to  sell or the
solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of these  securities
in any State in which such offer, solicitation,  or sale would be unlawful prior
to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such State.

                 SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED FEBRUARY 27, 1998

P R O S P E C T U S

                               OMNICOM GROUP INC.

               $230,000,000 Principal Amount of 2 1/4% Convertible
                        Subordinated Debentures due 2013
                     (Interest payable January 6 and July 6)
                        4,615,694 Shares of Common Stock

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

     This Prospectus relates to (i) $230,000,000  aggregate  principal amount of
2 1/4%  Convertible  Subordinated  Debentures  due 2013  (the  "Debentures")  of
Omnicom Group Inc., a New York  corporation  ("Omnicom" or the  "Company"),  and
(ii)  4,615,694  shares of common  stock,  par value $.50 per share (the "Common
Stock"),  of the Company  which are initially  issuable  upon  conversion of the
Debentures plus such additional  indeterminate  number of shares of Common Stock
as may  become  issuable  upon  conversion  of the  Debentures  as a  result  of
adjustments  to the  conversion  price (the  "Shares").  The  Debentures and the
Shares that are being registered hereby are to be offered for the account of the
holders thereof (the "Selling  Securityholders").  The Debentures were initially
acquired  from the Company by Morgan  Stanley & Co.  Incorporated  (the "Initial
Purchaser")  in  January  1998  in  connection  with  a  private  offering.  See
"Description of the Debentures."

     The Debentures are convertible into Common Stock of the Company at any time
after April 6, 1998 and prior to maturity, unless previously redeemed or repaid,
at a conversion  price of $49.83 per share,  subject to  adjustments  in certain
events.  Interest on the  Debentures  is payable on January 6 and July 6 of each
year  commencing  July 6,  1998 at a rate of 2 1/4% per  annum of the  principal
amount.  The  Debentures may be repaid at the option of the holder on January 6,
2004.  On February [ ], 1998,  the closing price of the Common Stock as reported
on the New York Stock Exchange (the "NYSE") was $[ ] per share. The Common Stock
is traded under the symbol "OMC."

     The  Debentures  do not  provide for a sinking  fund.  The  Debentures  are
redeemable at the option of the Company,  in whole or in part, at the redemption
prices set forth in this Prospectus, together with accrued interest, except that
no redemption may be made prior to December 31, 2001. Upon a Fundamental  Change
(as defined  herein),  each holder of  Debentures  shall have the right,  at the
holder's option, to require the Company to repay such holder's Debentures at the
repayment prices set forth in this Prospectus, subject to adjustments in certain
events,  together  with accrued  interest.  See  "Description  of  Debentures --
Optional Redemption by the Company" and " -- Repayment at Option of Holders."

     The   Debentures   are  unsecured   obligations  of  the  Company  and  are
subordinated to all present and future Senior  Indebtedness  (as defined herein)
of the Company and will be  effectively  subordinated  to all  indebtedness  and
liabilities of  subsidiaries  of the Company.  The Indenture (as defined herein)
does not restrict the incurrence of any other indebtedness or liabilities by the
Company or its subsidiaries.  See "Description of Debentures -- Subordination of
Debentures."

     The Initial  Purchaser  has  advised the Company  that it intends to make a
market in the Debentures. The Initial Purchaser, however, is not obligated to do
so and any such market making may be discontinued at any time without notice, in
the sole  discretion  of the Initial  Purchaser.  The Company does not intend to
apply to list any of the Debentures on any securities exchange. No assurance can
be given that any market for the Debentures will develop or be maintained.

     The  Debentures  and the  Shares  are being  registered  to  permit  public
secondary trading of the Debentures and, upon conversion,  the underlying Common
Stock,  by the  holders  thereof  from  time  to  time  after  the  date of this
Prospectus.  The Company has agreed  among other  things,  to bear all  expenses
(other than  underwriting  discounts  and  commissions  and fees and expenses of
counsel and other  advisors to the holders of the  Debentures or the  underlying
Common Stock) in connection with the registration and sale of the Debentures and
the underlying Common Stock covered by this Prospectus;  provided,  however, the
Company has not agreed to provide,  or incur any  expenses in  connection  with,
accountants'  "cold  comfort"  letters,  opinions of  counsel,  or to enter into
underwriting agreements, such as would be customary in an underwritten offering.

     The Company will not receive any of the proceeds  from sales of  Debentures
or the Shares by the Selling Securityholders.  The Debentures and the Shares may
be offered in negotiated  transactions or otherwise at market prices  prevailing
at the time of sale or at negotiated  prices.  See "Plan of  Distribution."  The
Selling  Securityholders  may be deemed to be  "underwriters"  as defined in the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"). If any broker-dealers
are used by the Selling Securityholders,  any commissions paid to broker-dealers
and, if  broker-dealers  purchase any  Debentures or Shares as  principals,  any
profits  received  by such  broker-dealers  on the resale of the  Debentures  or
Shares  may be deemed to be  underwriting  discounts  or  commissions  under the
Securities Act. In addition, any profits realized by the Selling Securityholders
may be deemed to be underwriting commissions.

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

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

               The date of this Prospectus is _____________, 1998

<PAGE>

                                TABLE OF CONTENTS

                                                                            Page
                                                                            ----

Available Information ................................................         3

Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference ......................         3

The Company ..........................................................         4

Use of Proceeds ......................................................         4

Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges ...................................         4

Description of Debentures ............................................         4
         General .....................................................         5
         Conversion of Debentures ....................................         5
         Optional Redemption by the Company ..........................         7
         Repayment at Option of Holders ..............................         8
         Subordination of Debentures .................................        10
         Form, Denomination and Registration .........................        11
         Events of Default and Remedies ..............................        12
         Modification of the Indenture ...............................        13
         Registration Rights of the Debentureholders .................        13
         Information Concerning the Trustee ..........................        14

Description of Capital Stock .........................................        14

Certain Federal Income Tax Considerations ............................        14
         Tax Consequences to United States Holders ...................        15
         Tax Consequences to United States Alien Holders .............        16

Selling Securityholders ..............................................        19

Plan of Distribution .................................................        19

Legal Matters ........................................................        20

Experts ..............................................................        21


                                       2
<PAGE>

                              AVAILABLE INFORMATION

     The Company has filed with the  Securities  and  Exchange  Commission  (the
"Commission") a Registration Statement on Form S-3 under the Securities Act with
respect to the Debentures and the Shares offered  hereby.  This  Prospectus does
not contain all the information set forth in the Registration  Statement and the
exhibits and  schedules  thereto.  For further  information  with respect to the
Company and the Debentures and the Shares offered  hereby,  reference is made to
the  Registration  Statement and to the exhibits and schedules filed  therewith.
Statements  contained in this  Prospectus  as to the contents of any contract or
other document are not  necessarily  complete and in each instance  reference is
made to the copy of such contract or other  document  filed as an exhibit to the
Registration  Statement,  each such statement being qualified in all respects by
such reference.

     The Company is subject to the informational  requirements of the Securities
Exchange  Act of 1934,  as  amended  (the  "Exchange  Act"),  and in  accordance
therewith  files  reports,  proxy  statements  and  other  information  with the
Commission. Copies of such reports, proxy statements, the Registration Statement
and exhibits  thereto and other  information may be inspected  without charge at
the offices of the  Commission  at  Judiciary  Plaza,  450 Fifth  Street,  N.W.,
Washington,  D.C. 20549 and at the regional offices of the Commission located at
7 World Trade Center,  New York,  New York 10048 and Citicorp  Center,  500 West
Madison  Street,  Suite  1400,  Chicago,  Illinois  60661,  and  copies  of such
documents may be obtained from the Public Reference Section of the Commission at
its Washington, D.C. or regional offices upon the payment of the fees prescribed
by the  Commission.  The  Commission  maintains  a World  Wide  Web  site on the
Internet at  http://www.sec.gov  that contains  reports,  proxy and  information
statements and other information  regarding registrants that file electronically
with  the  Commission,  including  the  Company.  In  addition,  reports,  proxy
statements  and other  information  concerning  the Company may be inspected and
copied at the offices of the New York Stock Exchange, Inc., 20 Broad Street, New
York, New York 10005.

                 INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE

     The following  documents have been filed by the Company with the Commission
and are incorporated herein by reference:

          (a) the  Company's  Annual  Report  on Form  10-K for the  year  ended
     December 31, 1996;

          (b) the  Company's  Unaudited  Quarterly  Reports on Form 10-Q for the
     quarters ended March 31, 1997, June 30, 1997 and September 30, 1997;

          (c) the  Company's  Report on Form 8-K dated January 17, 1997 relating
     to the issuance of its 4 1/4% Convertible  Subordinated Debentures due 2007
     and the Company's Report on Form 8-K dated January 20, 1998 relating to the
     issuance of its 2 1/4% Convertible Subordinated Debentures due 2013; and

          (d) the  description  of the Company's  Common Stock  contained in the
     Registration Statement filed pursuant to Section 12 of the Exchange Act and
     any amendment or report filed for purposes of updating that description.

     All documents filed with the Commission  pursuant to Section 13(a),  13(c),
14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act after the date of this  Prospectus  and prior to
the  termination  of the  offering  being  made  hereby  shall be  deemed  to be
incorporated  by reference into this Prospectus and to be a part hereof from the
date of  filing of such  documents.  Any  statement  contained  in any  document
incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference herein shall be deemed to
be modified or superseded  for purposes of this  Prospectus to the extent that a
statement  contained  herein or in any other  subsequently  filed document which
also  is or is  deemed  to be  incorporated  by  reference  herein  modifies  or
supersedes  such statement.  Any such statement so modified or superseded  shall
not be deemed,  except as modified or  superseded,  to constitute a part of this
Prospectus.

     The Company  hereby  undertakes to provide  without  charge to each person,
including any  beneficial  owner,  to whom this  Prospectus  is delivered,  upon
written or oral request of such person,  a copy of any and all of the  documents
that have been or may be incorporated  by reference  herein (other than exhibits
to such documents which are not specifically incorporated by reference into such
documents).  Written or telephone requests for such copies should be directed to
Barry J. Wagner,  Secretary and General Counsel, Omnicom Group Inc., 437 Madison
Avenue, New York, New York 10022; telephone number (212) 415-3600.


                                       3
<PAGE>

                                   THE COMPANY

     The Company, through its wholly and partially-owned  companies (hereinafter
collectively referred to as the "Omnicom Group"),  operates advertising agencies
which plan,  create,  produce  and place  advertising  in various  media such as
television, radio, newspaper and magazines. The Omnicom Group offers its clients
such additional  services as marketing  consultation,  consumer market research,
design  and  production  of  merchandising  and  sales  promotion  programs  and
materials, direct mail advertising,  corporate identification,  public relations
and  interactive  marketing.  The Omnicom Group offers these services to clients
worldwide on a local, national,  pan-regional or global basis.  Operations cover
the major regions of North America, the United Kingdom,  Continental Europe, the
Middle East,  Africa,  Latin America,  the Far East and  Australia.  In 1996 and
1995, 51% and 53%,  respectively,  of the Omnicom Group's billings came from its
non-U.S. operations.

     According to the unaudited  industry-wide  figures published in 1997 in the
trade  journal,  Advertising  Age,  Omnicom  was  ranked as the  second  largest
advertising agency group worldwide.

     The Omnicom Group operates as three separate,  independent agency networks:
The BBDO  Worldwide  Network,  the DDB  Needham  Worldwide  Network and the TBWA
International Network. The Omnicom Group also operates two independent agencies,
Cline Davis & Mann and Goodby, Silverstein & Partners, certain marketing service
and specialty  advertising  companies  through its  Diversified  Agency Services
division   ("DAS")  and  certain   interactive   marketing   companies   through
Communicade.

     The principal  executive  offices of the Company are located at 437 Madison
Avenue, New York New York 10022. Its telephone number is (212) 415-3600.

                                 USE OF PROCEEDS

     The  Company  will  not  receive  any of the  proceeds  from  sales  of the
Debentures or the Shares by the Selling Securityholders.

                       RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES

     The  following  table sets forth the ratio of earnings to fixed  charges of
the Company for the periods indicated:

                                                               Nine       Nine  
                                                              months     months 
                                                              Ended      Ended  
                                Year Ended December 31,      Septem-    Septem- 
                             ----------------------------    ber 30,    ber 30, 
                             1992  1993  1994  1995  1996     1996       1997
                             ----  ----  ----  ----  ----     ----       ----
Ratio of earnings                                                      
  to fixed charges ......... 2.28  2.32  3.15  3.59  4.17     3.80       4.01
                                                                     
     The ratio of  earnings  to fixed  charges is  computed  by  dividing  fixed
charges into  earnings  before  income taxes plus fixed  charges.  Fixed charges
consist of  interest  expense  and that  portion of net  rental  expense  deemed
representative of the interest factor.

                            DESCRIPTION OF DEBENTURES

     The Debentures were issued under an indenture,  dated as of January 6, 1998
(the "Indenture"),  between the Company and The Chase Manhattan Bank, as trustee
(the "Trustee").  Copies of the Indenture and the Registration  Rights Agreement
(as defined  below) are available  from the Trustee upon request by a registered
holder of the Debentures.  The following  summaries of certain provisions of the
Debentures,  the Indenture and the Registration  Rights Agreement do not purport
to be  complete  and are  subject  to, and are  qualified  in their  entirety by
reference  to, all the  provisions  of the  Debentures,  the  Indenture  and the
Registration  Rights  Agreement,  including the  definitions  therein of certain
terms which are not otherwise  defined in this Prospectus.  Wherever  particular
provisions or defined terms of the Indenture (or of the Form of Debentures which
is a part thereof) or the  Registration  Rights  Agreement are referred to, such
provisions or defined terms are incorporated herein by reference.


                                       4
<PAGE>

General

     The  Debentures  represent  unsecured  general  obligations  of the Company
subordinate  in right of payment to certain other  obligations of the Company as
described under  "Subordination of Debentures" and convertible into Common Stock
as described  under  "Conversion of  Debentures."  The Debentures are limited to
$230,000,000  aggregate  principal amount, are issuable only in denominations of
$1,000 or  multiples  thereof and unless  redeemed,  repaid or  converted  prior
thereto, will mature on January 6, 2013 at their principal amount.

     The  Indenture  does  not  contain  any  restrictions  on  the  payment  of
dividends,  the  repurchase  of  securities  of the  Company  or  any  financial
covenants.

     Interest  is  payable  semiannually  on  January 6  and July 6 at a rate of
2 1/4% per annum of the principal amount, commencing July 6, 1998, to holders of
record  at the  close of  business  on the  preceding  December  22 and June 21,
respectively.  Debentures which are repaid or redeemed on or prior to January 6,
2004 will have a yield from the original issue date of 5%. The  Debentures  will
be treated for tax purposes as having been issued with original issue  discount.
See "Certain Federal Income Tax Considerations."

Conversion of Debentures

     The holders of Debentures will be entitled at any time on or after April 6,
1998  through  the close of  business  on  January  6,  2013,  subject  to prior
redemption  or  repayment,  to convert any  Debentures  or portions  thereof (in
denominations of $1,000 or multiples  thereof) into Common Stock of the Company,
at the conversion price set forth on the cover page of this Prospectus,  subject
to adjustment as described below. Except as described below, no payment or other
adjustment  will be made on conversion of any  Debentures  for interest  accrued
thereon or for dividends on any Common Stock issued upon such conversion. If any
Debentures not called for  redemption are converted  after a record date for the
payment of interest and prior to the next succeeding interest payment date, such
Debentures  must be accompanied  by funds equal to the interest  payable on such
succeeding  interest payment date on the principal amount so converted.  Holders
who convert  Debentures on or after December 26, 2001 but before January 6, 2002
in advance of the redemption of such  Debentures on a redemption  date occurring
on or after December 31, 2001 but on or before January 6, 2002, will receive, in
addition to the Common Stock  otherwise  payable upon such  conversion,  accrued
interest to January 6, 2002 on the principal  amount of Debentures so converted.
The Company is not  required  to issue  fractional  shares of Common  Stock upon
conversion of Debentures and, in lieu thereof,  will pay a cash adjustment based
upon the  market  price of  Common  Stock on the close of  business  on the last
business day prior to the date of conversion.  In the case of Debentures  called
for  redemption or submitted for payment,  conversion  rights will expire at the
close of business on the Business Day (as defined in the Indenture)  immediately
preceding  the  redemption  or repayment  date,  unless the Company  defaults in
making the payment due upon  redemption or repayment.  A Debenture in respect of
which a holder is exercising its option to require  repayment on January 6, 2004
or upon a Fundamental  Change may be converted only if such holder withdraws its
election to exercise  its option to require  repayment  in  accordance  with the
terms of the Indenture.  The Company's delivery of the fixed number of shares of
Common Stock into which the Debentures are convertible will be deemed to satisfy
the Company's  obligation to pay the principal  amount of the Debentures and all
accrued interest and original issue discount that has not previously been (or is
not  simultaneously  being) paid. The Common Stock is treated as issued first in
payment of accrued  interest and original  issue discount and then in payment of
principal.  Thus,  accrued  interest and original  issue discount are treated as
paid rather than cancelled, extinguished or forfeited.

     The initial conversion price of $49.83 per share of Common Stock is subject
to adjustment as set forth in the Indenture in certain events, including:

          (i) the  issuance  of Common  Stock of the  Company as a  dividend  or
     distribution on the Common Stock;

          (ii) certain subdivisions and combinations of the Common Stock;

          (iii) the issuance to all holders of Common Stock of certain rights or
     warrants  entitling them to subscribe for or purchase  Common Stock at less
     than the Current Market Price (as defined in the Indenture);


                                       5
<PAGE>

          (iv) the  distribution to all holders of Common Stock of capital stock
     (other than Common Stock) or evidences of indebtedness of the Company or of
     assets  (including  securities,   but  excluding  those  rights,  warrants,
     dividends and distributions referred to above or paid in cash);

          (v)  distributions  consisting of cash,  excluding any quarterly  cash
     dividend on the Common Stock to the extent that the aggregate cash dividend
     per share of Common Stock in any quarter does not exceed the greater of (x)
     the amount per share of Common Stock of the next  preceding  quarterly cash
     dividend on the Common  Stock to the extent that such  preceding  quarterly
     dividend did not require an adjustment of the conversion  price pursuant to
     this clause (v) (as adjusted to reflect subdivisions or combinations of the
     Common  Stock),  and (y) 3.75  percent of the average of the last  reported
     sales price of the Common  Stock  during the ten trading  days  immediately
     prior  to the date of  declaration  of such  dividend,  and  excluding  any
     dividend or distribution in connection with the liquidation, dissolution or
     winding up of the Company.  If an  adjustment is required to be made as set
     forth in this clause (v) as a result of a distribution  that is a quarterly
     dividend,  such  adjustment  will be based  upon the  amount by which  such
     distribution exceeds the amount of the quarterly cash dividend permitted to
     be excluded pursuant to this clause (v). If an adjustment is required to be
     made as set forth in this clause (v) as a result of a distribution  that is
     not a  quarterly  dividend,  such  adjustment  would be based upon the full
     amount of the distribution;

          (vi)  payment in respect of a tender  offer or  exchange  offer by the
     Company or any subsidiary of the Company for the Common Stock to the extent
     that the cash and value of any other consideration included in such payment
     per share of Common  Stock  exceeds the Current  Market  Price per share of
     Common  Stock on the  trading  day next  succeeding  the last date on which
     tenders or exchanges may be made pursuant to such tender or exchange offer;

          (vii)  payment  in respect of a tender  offer or  exchange  offer by a
     person other than the Company or any subsidiary of the Company in which, as
     of  the  closing  date  of  the  offer,  the  Board  of  Directors  is  not
     recommending  rejection of the offer.  The  adjustment  referred to in this
     clause (vii) will only be made if the tender offer or exchange offer is for
     an amount which  increases the offeror's  ownership of Common Stock to more
     than 25% of the total shares of Common Stock  outstanding,  and if the cash
     and value of any other consideration  included in such payment per share of
     Common Stock exceeds the Current  Market Price per share of Common Stock on
     the  business  day next  succeeding  the  last  date on  which  tenders  or
     exchanges  may be made  pursuant  to such  tender or  exchange  offer.  The
     adjustment  referred to in this clause  (vii) will  generally  not be made,
     however,  if, as of the closing of the offer,  the offering  documents with
     respect to such offer  disclose a plan or an intention to cause the Company
     to engage in a  consolidation  or merger of the Company or a sale of all or
     substantially all of the Company's assets; and

          (viii) the issuance of Common Stock or securities convertible into, or
     exchangeable for, Common Stock at a price per share (or having a conversion
     or  exchange  price per share)  that is less than the then  Current  Market
     Price of the Common Stock (but  excluding,  among other things,  issuances:
     (a) pursuant to any bona fide plan for the benefit of employees, directors,
     consultants  or other  individuals  in connection  with employee  incentive
     plans, of the Company now or hereafter in effect; (b) to acquire all or any
     portion of a business in an arm' s-length  transaction  between the Company
     and an unaffiliated  third party including,  if applicable,  issuances upon
     exercise  of  options  or  warrants  assumed  in  connection  with  such an
     acquisition;  (c)  in a  bona  fide  public  offering  pursuant  to a  firm
     commitment  underwriting  or sales at the market  pursuant to a  continuous
     offering  stock program;  (d) pursuant to the exercise of warrants,  rights
     (including,  without  limitation,  earnout rights) or options,  or upon the
     conversion of convertible  securities,  which are issued and outstanding on
     the date  hereof,  or which may be issued in the  future at fair  value and
     with an exercise  price or  conversion  price at least equal to the Current
     Market Price of the Common  Stock at the time of issuance of such  warrant,
     right,  option or  convertible  security;  and (e)  pursuant  to a dividend
     reinvestment  plan or other plan hereafter  adopted for the reinvestment of
     dividends or interest  provided that such Common Stock is issued at a price
     at least equal to 95% of the market  price of the Common  Stock at the time
     of such issuance).

     In the case of (i) any  reclassification  of the  Common  Stock,  or (ii) a
consolidation,  merger  or  combination  involving  the  Company  or a  sale  or
conveyance to another  corporation  of the property and assets of the Company as
an entirety or substantially  as an entirety,  in each case as a result of which
holders of Common Stock shall be entitled to receive  stock,  other  securities,
other  property or assets  (including  cash) with  respect 


                                       6
<PAGE>

to or in exchange  for such Common  Stock,  the holders of the  Debentures  then
outstanding  will  generally be entitled  thereafter to convert such  Debentures
into the kind and amount of shares of stock,  other securities or other property
or assets  which they would have  owned or been  entitled  to receive  upon such
reclassification,  consolidation,  merger,  combination,  sale or conveyance had
such  Debentures  been  converted  into Common Stock  immediately  prior to such
reclassification,   consolidation,   merger,  combination,  sale  or  conveyance
assuming  that a holder of  Debentures  would not have  exercised  any rights of
election  as to  the  stock,  other  securities  or  other  property  or  assets
receivable in connection therewith.

     In the event of a taxable  distribution  to holders  of Common  Stock or in
certain other circumstances requiring conversion price adjustments,  the holders
of  Debentures  may,  in  certain  circumstances,  be deemed to have  received a
distribution subject to United States income tax as a dividend; in certain other
circumstances,  the  absence  of such an  adjustment  may  result  in a  taxable
dividend  to the  holders  of Common  Stock.  See  "Certain  Federal  Income Tax
Considerations" below.

     Before  taking any action which would cause an  adjustment  decreasing  the
conversion  price  below the then par value,  if any, of the Common  Stock,  the
Company will take any corporate action which may, in the opinion of its counsel,
be necessary in order that the Company may validly and legally issue  fully-paid
and  non-assessable  shares  of  Common  Stock  at the  conversion  price  as so
adjusted.

     The Company from time to time may to the extent permitted by law reduce the
conversion price by any amount for any period of at least 20 days, in which case
the Company shall give at least 15 days' notice of such reduction,  if the Board
of Directors has made a  determination  that such reduction would be in the best
interests of the Company,  which determination shall be conclusive.  The Company
may, at its option, make such reductions in the conversion price, in addition to
those set forth  above,  as the Board of Directors  deems  advisable to avoid or
diminish any income tax to holders of Common Stock  resulting  from any dividend
or  distribution of stock (or rights to acquire stock) or from any event treated
as  such  for  income   tax   purposes.   See   "Certain   Federal   Income  Tax
Considerations."

     No  adjustment  in the  conversion  price  will  be  required  unless  such
adjustment would require a change of at least 1% in the conversion price then in
effect;  provided that any adjustments which by reason of this provision are not
required  to be made shall be  carried  forward  and taken  into  account in any
subsequent adjustment.  Except as stated above, the conversion price will not be
adjusted for the issuance of Common Stock or any securities  convertible into or
exchangeable  for Common  Stock or  carrying  the right to  purchase  any of the
foregoing.

Optional Redemption by the Company

     Except as provided  below,  the  Debentures  may not be  redeemed  prior to
December 31, 2001. The Debentures are not entitled to any sinking fund.

     The  Debentures  will be  redeemable  at any time on or after  December 31,
2001,  on at least 30 but not more than 60 days'  notice,  at the  option of the
Company,  as a  whole  or  in  part,  at  the  following  prices  (expressed  as
percentages  of the principal  amount),  together  with accrued  interest to and
including  the date fixed for  redemption,  if  redeemed  during the three month
period beginning:

              Date                                      Percentage
              ----                                      ---------
         January 6, 2002                                 112.841%
         April 6, 2002                                   113.687%
         July 6, 2002                                    114.537%
         October 6, 2002                                 115.404%
         January 6, 2003                                 116.275%
         April 6, 2003                                   117.164%
         July 6, 2003                                    118.057%
         October 6, 2003                                 118.968%
    

                                       7
<PAGE>

and at  118.968%  if  redeemed  on  January  6,  2004,  and at 100% if  redeemed
thereafter; provided that any semiannual payment of interest becoming due on the
date fixed for redemption shall be paid to the holders of record on the relevant
record date of the Debentures  being redeemed.  If the date fixed for redemption
is on or after  December  31, 2001 but before  January 6, 2002,  the  redemption
price shall be at  112.841% of the  principal  amount with  accrued  interest to
January 6, 2002.

     If less than all of the  outstanding  Debentures  are to be  redeemed,  the
Trustee  shall  select the  Debentures  to be redeemed in  principal  amounts of
$1,000 or multiples  thereof by lot,  pro rata or by another  method the Trustee
considers  fair and  appropriate.  If a  portion  of a  holder's  Debentures  is
selected  for  partial  redemption  and such  holder  converts a portion of such
Debentures, such converted portion shall be deemed to be of the portion selected
for  redemption.  Debentures  must be presented for  redemption.  If the Company
shall acquire any of the Debentures, such acquisition shall not operate as or be
deemed for any purpose to be a redemption or  satisfaction  of the  indebtedness
represented  by such  Debentures  unless and until the same are delivered to the
Trustee for cancellation.

Repayment at Option of Holders

     Notwithstanding  the  Company's  right  of  redemption,  the  holder  of  a
Debenture may elect to have that Debenture or portions thereof (in the principal
amount of $1,000 or any  multiple  thereof)  repaid by the Company on January 6,
2004 (the "Holder Repayment  Date").  Any such repayment shall be at a repayment
price of 118.968% of the principal  amount thereof with accrued  interest to the
Holder Repayment Date on the repaid Debentures.  For a Debenture to be so repaid
at the option of the holder,  the Company  must  receive at the office of one of
the Company's paying agents a notice (the "Holder Redemption Notice"),  which is
not subsequently withdrawn, at any time from the opening of business on the date
that is 20  Business  Days (as  defined  in the  Indenture)  prior to the Holder
Repayment  Date until the close of  business  on the  Business  Day  immediately
preceding the Holder Repayment Date.

     Any Holder Repayment  Notice may be withdrawn,  in whole or in part, by the
holder by a written notice of withdrawal  delivered to the paying agent prior to
the close of business  on the  Business  Day  immediately  preceding  the Holder
Repayment Date. All questions as to the validity, eligibility (including time of
receipt) and  acceptance of any  Debenture for repayment  shall be determined by
the Company, whose determination shall be final and binding.

     Payment of the repayment price for a Debenture for which a Holder Repayment
Notice has been  delivered  and not  withdrawn is  conditioned  upon  book-entry
transfer or delivery of such Debenture (together with necessary endorsements) to
the paying agent at its office at 55 Water Street, Room 234, North Building, New
York,  NY 10041,  or any other  office of the paying agent  maintained  for such
purpose,  at any time (whether prior to, on or after the Holder  Repayment Date)
after delivery of such Holder Repayment  Notice.  Payment of the repayment price
for such  Debenture  will be made  promptly  following  the later of the  Holder
Repayment Date or the time of book-entry transfer or delivery of such Debenture.
If the paying agent holds, in accordance with the terms of the Indenture,  money
sufficient to pay the repayment price of such Debenture on the Holder  Repayment
Date,  then on and after such date, such Debenture will cease to be outstanding,
and interest on such  Debenture  shall cease to accrue,  and all other rights of
the holder shall terminate  (other than the right to receive the repayment price
at the time of book-entry transfer or delivery of the Debentures).

     If a  Fundamental  Change  (as  defined  below)  occurs  at any time  while
Debentures are  outstanding,  each holder of Debentures shall have the right, at
such holder's  option,  to require the Company to repay such holder with respect
to all (and  not less  than  all)  such  holder's  Debentures  on the date  (the
"Fundamental  Change Repayment Date ") that is the 45th day (or if such 45th day
is not a Business Day, the next  succeeding  Business Day) after the date of the
first  publication  of the Company's  notice of such  Fundamental  Change.  Such
repayment shall be made at the following prices (expressed as percentages of the
principal  amount) in the event of a  Fundamental  Change  occurring  during the
three-month period beginning:


                                       8
<PAGE>

                 Date                                    Percentage
                 -----                                  ------------
            January 6, 1998                                100.679%
            April 6, 1998                                  101.375%
            July 6, 1998                                   102.071%
            October 6, 1998                                102.784%
            January 6, 1999                                103.498%
            April 6, 1999                                  104.229%
            July 6, 1999                                   104.961%
            October 6, 1999                                105.709%
            January 6, 2000                                106.460%
            April 6, 2000                                  107.227%
            July 6, 2000                                   107.997%
            October 6, 2000                                108.783%
            January 6, 2001                                109.571%
            April 6, 2001                                  110.377%
            July 6, 2001                                   111.186%
      
and at a repayment  price of 112.012% of the  principal  amount if a Fundamental
Change  occurs on or after  October 6, 2001 but before  December 31,  2001,  and
thereafter at the redemption price set forth under `'Optional  Redemption by the
Company" which would be applicable to a redemption at the option of the Company;
provided in each case that if the  Applicable  Price (as defined  below) is less
than the Reference Market Price (as defined below), the Company shall repay such
Debentures at a price equal to the foregoing  repayment price  multiplied by the
fraction  obtained by dividing  the  Applicable  Price by the  Reference  Market
Price.  In each case,  the Company shall also pay accrued  interest,  if any, on
such Debentures to the Fundamental Change Repayment Date; provided that, if such
Fundamental  Change  Repayment  Date is  January 6 or July 6, then the  interest
payable on such date shall be paid to the holder of record of the  Debentures on
the next preceding  record date. The Company shall mail to all holders of record
of the Debentures a notice of the occurrence of a Fundamental  Change and of the
repayment right arising as a result thereof on or before the tenth day after the
occurrence of such  Fundamental  Change.  The Company shall promptly furnish the
Trustee a copy of such notice. For a Debenture to be repaid at the option of the
holder  resulting  from a  Fundamental  Change,  the Company must receive at the
office of one of the Company's paying agents a notice (the  "Fundamental  Change
Repayment Notice"),  which is not subsequently  withdrawn,  at any time from the
opening of business on the date that is on or before the 43rd day after the date
of the notice from the Company (or if such 43rd day is not a Business  Day,  the
immediately preceding Business Day).

     Any Fundamental Change Repayment Notice may be withdrawn by the holder by a
written notice of withdrawal delivered to the paying agent prior to the close of
business on the  Business  Day  immediately  preceding  the  Fundamental  Change
Repayment  Date.  The notice of withdrawal  shall state the principal  amount at
maturity  and  the  certificate  numbers  of  the  Debentures  as to  which  the
withdrawal  notice  relates.  All  questions  as to  the  validity,  eligibility
(including time of receipt) and acceptance of any Debentures for repayment shall
be determined by the Company, whose determination shall be final and binding.

     Payment of the  repayment  price for a  Debenture  for which a  Fundamental
Change Repayment Notice has been delivered and not withdrawn is conditioned upon
book-entry  transfer or  delivery of such  Debenture  (together  with  necessary
endorsements)  to the paying agent at its office at 55 Water  Street,  Room 234,
North  Building,  New York,  NY 10041,  or any other  office of the paying agent
maintained  for such  purpose,  at any time  (whether  prior to, on or after the
Fundamental  Change  Repayment Date) after delivery of such  Fundamental  Change
Repayment Notice. Payment of the repayment price for such Debenture will be made
promptly  following the later of the  Fundamental  Change  Repayment Date or the
time of book-entry  transfer or delivery of such Debenture.  If the paying agent
holds,  in accordance with the terms of the Indenture,  money  sufficient to pay
the repayment price of such Debenture on the Fundamental  Change Repayment Date,
then on and after such date such  Debenture  will cease to be  outstanding,  and
interest on such Debenture  shall cease to accrued,  and all other rights of the
holder shall terminate (other than the right to receive the repayment price upon
the time of book-entry transfer or delivery of the Debentures).


                                       9
<PAGE>

     The term  "Fundamental  Change" means the occurrence of any  transaction or
event in connection  with which all or  substantially  all Common Stock shall be
exchanged for,  converted into,  acquired for or constitute the right to receive
consideration (whether by means of an exchange offer, liquidation, tender offer,
consolidation,  merger,  combination,   reclassification,   recapitalization  or
otherwise) which is not all or  substantially  all common stock listed (or, upon
consummation of or immediately  following such transaction or event,  which will
be listed) on a national  securities  exchange in the United  States or approved
for quotation on the Nasdaq  National  Market or any similar system of automated
dissemination of quotations of securities prices in the United States.  The term
"Applicable  Price" means (i) in the event of a Fundamental  Change in which the
holders of the Common Stock  receive only cash,  the amount of cash  received by
the  holder  of one  share of  Common  Stock  and (ii) in the event of any other
Fundamental  Change,  the arithmetic average of the last reported sale price for
the Common  Stock during the ten trading  days  immediately  prior to the record
date for the  determination  of the holders of Common Stock  entitled to receive
cash,  securities,  property or other assets in connection with such Fundamental
Change,  or, if there is no such record date, the date upon which the holders of
the Common Stock shall have the right to receive such cash, securities, property
or other assets in connection with the Fundamental  Change.  The term "Reference
Market Price" shall initially mean $25.165 and in the event of any adjustment to
the conversion  price, the Reference Market Price shall also be adjusted so that
the ratio of the  Reference  Market Price to the  conversion  price after giving
effect to any such  adjustment  shall always be the same as the ratio of $25.165
to the conversion price specified on the cover page of this Prospectus  (without
regard to adjustment thereto).

     The Company will comply with the provisions,  to the extent applicable,  of
Rule 13e-4 and any other  tender  offer rules under the  Exchange  Act which may
then be applicable in connection with the repayment  rights of  Debentureholders
in the event of a Fundamental  Change.  The  repayment  rights of the holders of
Debentures could discourage a potential acquiror of the Company. The Fundamental
Change repayment feature,  however, is not the result of management's  knowledge
of any  specific  effort to obtain  control of the Company by means of a merger,
tender  offer,  solicitation  or  otherwise,  or part of a plan by management to
adopt a series of anti-takeover provisions.

Subordination of Debentures

     The  indebtedness  evidenced by the  Debentures is subordinate to the prior
payment in full of all Senior Indebtedness (as defined in the Indenture). During
the continuance beyond any applicable grace period of any default in the payment
of  principal,  premium,  interest  or any  other  payment  due  on  any  Senior
Indebtedness, no payment of principal of, or premium, if any, or interest on the
Debentures shall be made by the Company.  In addition,  upon any distribution of
assets  of  the  Company  upon  any  dissolution,  winding  up,  liquidation  or
reorganization,  the  payment  of the  principal  of, or  premium,  if any,  and
interest on the Debentures is to be  subordinated  to the extent provided in the
Indenture  in  right of  payment  to the  prior  payment  in full of all  Senior
Indebtedness.  By reason of such subordination  provisions,  in the event of the
Company's dissolution, holders of Senior Indebtedness may receive more, ratably,
and  holders  of the  Debentures  may  receive  less,  ratably,  than the  other
creditors of the Company.  Such subordination will not prevent the occurrence of
any Event of Default under the Indenture.

     The term "Senior  Indebtedness"  means the principal of,  premium,  if any,
interest on, and any other payment due pursuant to any of the following: whether
outstanding on the date of the Indenture or thereafter incurred or created:

          (a) all indebtedness of the Company for money borrowed  (including any
     indebtedness  secured  by a  mortgage  or other  lien which is (i) given to
     secure  all or part of the  purchase  price of  property  subject  thereto,
     whether  given  to the  vendor  of such  property  or to  another,  or (ii)
     existing on property at the time of acquisition thereof);

          (b) all  indebtedness of the Company  evidenced by notes,  debentures,
     bonds or other securities sold by the Company for money;

          (c) all lease  obligations of the Company which are capitalized on the
     books of the  Company in  accordance  with  generally  accepted  accounting
     principles;


                                       10
<PAGE>

          (d) all indebtedness of others of the kinds described in either of the
     preceding clauses (a) or (b) or all lease obligations of others of the kind
     described  in the  preceding  clause (c)  assumed by or  guaranteed  in any
     manner by the Company or in effect  guaranteed  by the  Company  through an
     agreement to purchase, contingent or otherwise; and

          (e) all renewals,  extensions or  refundings  of  indebtedness  of the
     kinds  described  in any of the  preceding  clauses (a), (b) or (d) and all
     renewals or  extensions  of leases of the kinds  described in either of the
     preceding clauses (c) or (d);

unless, in the case of any particular indebtedness, lease, renewal, extension or
refunding,  the  instrument  or lease  creating  or  evidencing  the same or the
assumption or guarantee of the same expressly  provides that such  indebtedness,
lease,  renewal,  extension or refunding is not superior in right of payment to,
or is pari passu with, the Debentures.

     As  of  September  30,  1997,  the  Company  had   $482,884,000  of  Senior
Indebtedness  outstanding.  The amount of Senior  Indebtedness may change in the
future.  The  Indenture  contains no  limitations  on the  incurrence  of Senior
Indebtedness.

Form, Denomination and Registration

     The  Debentures are issued in fully  registered  form in  denominations  of
$1,000 principal amount and multiples thereof.

     Global  Debenture,  Book-Entry  Form.  Debentures  are  issuable  in  fully
registered form without coupons, in denominations of $1,000 principal amount and
multiples thereof.  Debentures sold by the Selling  Securityholders  pursuant to
the  Registration  Statement  of  which  this  Prospectus  forms a part  will be
represented by a global Debenture (the "Global Debenture"),  except as set forth
below under  "Certificated  Debentures."  The Global Debenture will be deposited
with, or on behalf of, The Depository Trust Company,  New York, New York ("DTC")
and registered in the name of Cede & Co.  ("Cede") as DTC's nominee.  Beneficial
interests  in  the  Global   Debenture  will  be  exchangeable   for  definitive
Certificated Debentures only in accordance with the terms of the Indenture.

     Purchasers of the Debentures offered hereby may hold their interests in the
Global Debenture directly through DTC or indirectly through  organizations which
are participants in DTC (the  "Participants").  Transfers  between  Participants
will be effected in the  ordinary way in  accordance  with DTC rules and will be
settled in clearing house funds.

     Persons who are not  Participants  may  beneficially  own  interests in the
Global  Debenture  held by DTC only  through  Participants,  or  certain  banks,
brokers,  dealers,  trust  companies  and other  parties  that clear  through or
maintain  a  custodial  relationship  with a  Participant,  either  directly  or
indirectly ("Indirect Participants"). So long as Cede, as the nominee of DTC, is
the  registered  owner of the Global  Debenture,  Cede for all purposes  will be
considered the sole holder of the Global  Debenture.  Except as provided  below,
owners of beneficial  interests in the Global  Debenture will not be entitled to
have certificates  registered in their names, will not receive or be entitled to
receive  physical  delivery of certificates in definitive  form, and will not be
considered the holders thereof.

     Payment of interest  on and the  redemption  price of the Global  Debenture
will be made to Cede, the nominee for DTC, as the registered owner of the Global
Debenture  by wire  transfer of  immediately  available  funds on each  interest
payment date or the  redemption or repayment  date, as the case may be.  Neither
the Company,  the Trustee nor any paying agent will have any  responsibility  or
liability for any aspect of the records  relating to or payments made on account
of beneficial  ownership  interests in the Global  Debenture or for maintaining,
supervising  or  reviewing  any records  relating to such  beneficial  ownership
interests.

      The Company has been informed by DTC that,  with respect to any payment of
interest  on, or the  redemption  or repayment  price of, the Global  Debenture,
DTC's practice is to credit Participants'  accounts on the payment date therefor
with payments in amounts  proportionate to their respective beneficial interests
in the  principal  amount  represented  by the Global  Debenture as shown on the
records  of DTC,  unless  DTC has  reason to  believe  that it will not  receive
payment on such payment date.  Payments by  Participants to owners of 


                                       11
<PAGE>

beneficial interests in the principal amount represented by the Global Debenture
held through such Participants will be the  responsibility of such Participants,
as is now the case with securities held for the accounts of customers registered
in "street name."

     Holders  who elect to have  their  Debentures  repaid or to  convert  their
Debentures into Common Stock should contact their brokers or other  Participants
or Indirect  Participants to obtain information on procedures,  including proper
forms and cut-off times, for submitting such request.

     Because  DTC can only act on  behalf  of  Participants,  who in turn act on
behalf of  Indirect  Participants  and  certain  banks,  the ability of a person
having a beneficial  interest in the principal amount  represented by the Global
Debenture to pledge such interest to persons or entitles that do not participate
in the DTC system,  or otherwise take actions in respect of such interest may be
affected by the lack of a physical certificate evidencing such interest.

     Neither the Company nor the  Trustee  (or any  registrar,  paying  agent or
conversion  agent  under the  Indenture)  will have any  responsibility  for the
performance  by  DTC or its  Participants  or  Indirect  Participants  of  their
respective   obligations   under  the  rules  and  procedures   governing  their
operations.  DTC has advised the Company that it will take any action  permitted
to be  taken by a holder  of  Debentures  (including,  without  limitation,  the
presentation  of  Debentures  for  exchange  as  described  below),  only at the
direction of one or more Participants to whose account with DTC interests in the
Global  Debenture are credited,  and only in respect of the principal  amount of
the Debentures  represented by the Global Debenture as to which such Participant
or Participants has or have given such direction.

     DTC has  advised the Company as  follows:  DTC is a limited  purpose  trust
company  organized  under  the laws of the  State of New  York,  a member of the
Federal  Reserve  System,  a  "clearing  corporation"  within the meaning of the
Uniform  Commercial  Code and a  "clearing  agency"  registered  pursuant to the
provisions  of  Section  17A of the  Exchange  Act.  DTC  was  created  to  hold
securities for its  Participants  and to facilitate the clearance and settlement
of securities  transactions between  Participants through electronic  book-entry
changes to the accounts of its  Participants,  thereby  eliminating the need for
physical movement of certificates.  Participants  include securities brokers and
dealers,  banks,  trust  companies  and  clearing  corporations  and may include
certain  other  organizations  such as the  Initial  Purchaser.  Certain of such
Participants (or their representatives),  together with other entities, own DTC.
Indirect access to the DTC system is available to others such as banks, brokers,
dealers  and trust  companies  that  clear  through,  or  maintain  a  custodial
relationship with, a Participant, either directly or indirectly.

     Although DTC has agreed to the foregoing  procedures in order to facilitate
transfers of interests in the Global Debenture among  Participants,  it is under
no  obligation  to perform or  continue  to perform  such  procedures,  and such
procedures may be  discontinued  at any time. If DTC is at any time unwilling or
unable to continue as depositary and a successor  depositary is not appointed by
the Company  within 90 days,  the Company will cause  Debentures to be issued in
definitive form in exchange for the Global Debenture.

     Certificated  Debentures.  Holders of Debentures  registered  hereunder may
take  physical  delivery of the  Debentures in  definitive  registered  form. In
addition, Holders may request that certificated Debentures be issued in exchange
for Debentures  represented by the Global Debenture.  Furthermore,  certificated
Debentures  may be issued in exchange for  Debentures  represented by the Global
Debenture,  if no successor  depositary is appointed by the Company as set forth
above under "Global Debenture, Book-Entry Form."

Events of Default and Remedies

     An Event of  Default  is  defined  in the  Indenture  as being:  default in
payment  of the  principal  of or  premium,  if  any,  on any of the  Debentures
(including any repayment of Debentures as provided under "Repayment at Option of
the  Holders"  above);  default  for 30 days in  payment of any  installment  of
interest on the  Debentures;  default by the Company for 45 days after notice in
the observance or performance of any other covenant in the Indenture; or certain
events involving  bankruptcy,  insolvency or reorganization of the Company.  The
Indenture  provides  that the Trustee may withhold  notice to the holders of the
Debentures  of any default  (except in payment of principal  of, or premium,  if
any, or interest on the Debentures) if the Trustee considers it in the interests
of the holders of the Debentures to do so.


                                       12
<PAGE>

     The Indenture  provides that if an Event of Default shall have occurred and
be  continuing,  the  Trustee or the  holders of not less than 25% in  principal
amount of the Debentures  then  outstanding may declare the principal of all the
Debentures to be due and payable immediately,  but if the Company shall cure all
defaults  (except  the  nonpayment  of  interest  and  premium,  if any,  on and
principal of any  Debentures  which shall have become due by  acceleration)  and
certain  other  conditions  are met, such  declaration  may be annulled and past
defaults may be waived by the holders of a majority of the  principal  amount of
the Debentures then outstanding.

     The  holders of a  majority  in  principal  amount of the  Debentures  then
outstanding  shall  have the  right to  direct  the  time,  method  and place of
conducting any proceedings for any remedy  available to the Trustee,  subject to
certain limitations specified in the Indenture.

Modification of the Indenture

     The Indenture contains  provisions  permitting the Company and the Trustee,
with the consent of the holders of not less than 66-2/3% in principal  amount of
the  Debentures  at  the  time  outstanding,  to  modify  the  Indenture  or any
supplemental  indenture or the rights of the holders of the  Debentures,  except
that no such modification  shall (i) extend the fixed maturity of any Debenture,
reduce the rate or extend the time for payment of interest  thereon,  reduce the
principal amount thereof or premium, if any, thereon,  reduce any amount payable
upon redemption thereof,  change the obligation of the Company to make repayment
of any  Debenture as described  under  "Repayment  at Option of Holders"  above,
impair  or  affect  the  right of a holder  to  institute  suit for the  payment
thereof,  change the currency in which the  Debentures are payable or impair the
right to convert the Debentures into Common Stock subject to the terms set forth
in the Indenture, without the consent of each holder of a Debenture so affected,
or (ii) reduce the aforesaid percentage of Debentures whose holders are required
to consent to any such  modification,  without the consent of the holders of all
of the Debentures then outstanding.

Registration Rights of the Debentureholders

     Pursuant  to the terms of the  Registration  Rights  Agreement  dated as of
January 6, 1998 between the Company and the Initial Purchaser (the "Registration
Rights  Agreement"),   the  Company  has  filed  with  the  Commission  a  shelf
registration  statement, of which this Prospectus forms a part, covering resales
by holders of the Debentures  and the Common Stock  issuable upon  conversion of
the  Debentures.  The Company has agreed to use  reasonable  efforts to keep the
registration  statement  effective until the earlier of (i) the sale pursuant to
the shelf registration statement of all the securities registered thereunder and
(ii) the expiration of the holding period  applicable to such  securities  under
Rule  144(k)  under  the  Securities  Act,  or  any  successor  provision.   The
Registration  Rights Agreement  provides that the Company may suspend the use of
this Prospectus for a period not to exceed 30 days in any three-month period, or
not to exceed an  aggregate  of 60 days in any  12-month  period  under  certain
circumstances  relating to pending corporate  developments,  public filings with
the Commission and similar events.  The Company has agreed to pay  predetermined
liquidated  damages to those holders of  Debentures  and those holders of Common
Stock  issued upon  conversion  of the  Debentures  who have  requested  to sell
pursuant to the  registration  statement  if the  registration  statement is not
timely filed or if the Prospectus is unavailable  for periods in excess of those
permitted  above.  The Company has further  agreed,  if such  failure to file or
unavailability   continues  for  an  additional   thirty-day   period,   to  pay
predetermined liquidated damages to all holders of Debentures and all holders of
Common  Stock  issued upon  conversion  of the  Debentures,  whether or not such
holder  has  requested  to sell  pursuant  to the  Registration  Statement.  The
Registration  Rights Agreement  provides for Selling  Securityholders  to (i) be
named as a Selling  Securityholder  in a supplement to this  Prospectus and (ii)
deliver this  Prospectus  together  with the relevant  Prospectus  Supplement to
purchasers,  and further  provides  for Selling  Securityholders  to be bound by
those  provisions of the  Registration  Rights Agreement which are applicable to
the Selling Securityholders (including indemnification  provisions). The Company
has agreed to pay all expenses of the  Registration  Statement,  provide to each
Selling  Securityholder  copies of this  Prospectus and the relevant  Prospectus
Supplement,  notify each Selling  Securityholder when the Registration Statement
has become  effective  and take certain other actions as are required to permit,
subject  to the  foregoing,  unrestricted  resales of the  Debentures  or Common
Stock.


                                       13
<PAGE>

Information Concerning the Trustee

     The  Chase  Manhattan  Bank,  the  Trustee  under the  Indenture,  has been
appointed  by the  Company as paying  agent,  conversion  agent,  registrar  and
custodian with regard to the Debentures.

                          DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK

     The Company's  authorized  capital stock consists of 300,000,000  shares of
$0.50 par value Common Stock, of which  161,969,510  shares were  outstanding on
January 2, 1998, and 7,500,000 shares of $1.00 par value Preferred  Stock,  none
of which is outstanding.  The foregoing  reflects the two-for-one stock split in
the form of a one hundred  percent stock  dividend on the Company's  outstanding
Common Stock payable to shareholders of record on December 16, 1997.

     Each share of Common Stock  entitles the holder  thereof to one vote on all
matters  submitted  to a vote of  shareholders.  All shares of Common Stock have
equal rights and are entitled to such  dividends as may be declared by the Board
of Directors out of funds legally  available  therefor and to share ratably upon
liquidation  in the assets  available  for  distribution  to  stockholders.  The
Company is not aware of any restrictions on its present or future ability to pay
dividends. However, in connection with certain borrowing facilities entered into
by the  Company  and  its  subsidiaries,  the  Company  is  subject  to  certain
restrictions  on the ratio of net cash flow to  consolidated  indebtedness,  the
ratio of total consolidated  indebtedness to total  consolidated  capitalization
and  on its  ability  to  make  investments  in  and  loans  to  affiliates  and
unconsolidated  subsidiaries.  The  Common  Stock  is not  subject  to  call  or
assessment,  has no preemptive conversion or cumulative voting rights and is not
subject to redemption.  The Company's  shareholders  elect a classified board of
directors,  and may not remove a director  except by an  affirmative  two-thirds
vote of all  outstanding  shares.  A  two-thirds  vote is also  required for the
Company's  shareholders to amend the Company's by-laws or certain  provisions of
its charter documents, and to change the number of directors comprising the full
board.

     The Company may issue  Preferred Stock in series having whatever rights and
preferences  the  Board  of  Directors  may  determine.  One or more  series  of
Preferred Stock may be made convertible into Common Stock at rates determined by
the Board of  Directors,  and  Preferred  Stock may be given  priority  over the
Common Stock in payment of dividends,  rights on  liquidation,  voting and other
rights. The Company has no current plans to issue any Preferred Stock. Preferred
Stock may be issued from time to time upon authorization of the Company Board of
Directors without action of the shareholders.

     The  transfer  agent and  registrar  for the  Common  Stock is  ChaseMellon
Shareholders  Services  L.L.C.,  450 West 33rd Street,  15th Floor, New York, NY
10001.

                    CERTAIN FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS

     In the  opinion  of  Davis &  Gilbert,  Tax  Counsel  to the  Company,  the
following  summary  accurately  describes  the principal  United States  federal
income tax  consequences of ownership and  disposition of the  Debentures.  This
summary is based on the Internal  Revenue  Code of 1986,  as amended to the date
hereof (the  "Code"),  administrative  pronouncements,  judicial  decisions  and
existing and proposed Treasury  Regulations,  changes to any of which subsequent
to the date of this Prospectus may affect the tax consequences  described herein
(possibly on a retroactive  basis).  This summary discusses only Debentures held
as capital  assets  within the meaning of Section 1221 of the Code.  It does not
discuss all of the tax consequences  that may be relevant in light of a holder's
particular circumstances or to holders subject to special rules, such as certain
financial   institutions,   insurance  companies,   dealers  in  securities  and
tax-exempt  organizations or persons holding Debentures as a hedge or as part of
a straddle.  Persons considering the purchase of Debentures should consult their
tax advisors with regard to the  application of the United States federal income
tax laws to their particular  situations as well as any tax consequences arising
under the laws of any state, local or foreign taxing jurisdiction.

     As used  herein,  the  term  "United  States  Holder"  means  an owner of a
Debenture that is (i) for United States federal income tax purposes a citizen or
resident of the United States,  (ii) a corporation,  partnership or other entity
created  or  organized  in or under  the  laws of the  United  States  or of any
political  subdivision  thereof, or (iii) an estate or trust the income of which
is subject to United States  federal income  taxation  regardless of its source.
The term also includes certain former citizens of the United States.


                                       14
<PAGE>

     As used herein,  the term "United  States Alien Holder" means an owner of a
Debenture  that is,  for  United  States  federal  income  tax  purposes,  (i) a
nonresident alien individual,  (ii) a foreign  corporation,  (iii) a nonresident
alien  fiduciary of a foreign estate or trust or (iv) a foreign  partnership one
or more of the  members  of which is,  for  United  States  federal  income  tax
purposes, a nonresident alien individual, a foreign corporation or a nonresident
alien fiduciary of a foreign estate or trust.

Tax Consequences to United States Holders

Qualified Stated Interest

     Interest on the  Debentures  is fixed  through  January 6, 2013 at a 2 1/4%
rate.  Such  interest  constitutes  "qualified  stated  interest"  which will be
taxable  to a holder as  ordinary  interest  income at the time it accrues or is
received in accordance with the holder's method of accounting for federal income
tax purposes.  The original issue discount ("OID") rules which are applicable to
the Debentures are described under "Original Issue Discount" below.

Original Issue Discount

     In general,  subject to a de minimis rule, a debt obligation that is issued
for an  amount  less  than  its  stated  redemption  price at  maturity  will be
considered to have been issued with OID for federal income tax purposes.

     The "issue  price" of a Debenture  will equal the first price to the public
(not including bond houses,  brokers or similar persons acting as  underwriters,
placement agents or wholesalers) at which a substantial amount of the Debentures
is sold for cash.  Under the  applicable  regulations,  the  "stated  redemption
price" at maturity of a Debenture will equal  118.968% of the principal  amount,
the price at which a holder may put the Debenture back to the Company on January
6, 2004,  and the maturity date of the Debenture will be deemed to be January 6,
2004.

     The Company expects that the OID with respect to the Debentures will exceed
the amount determined under the de minimis rule,  because the difference between
the  Debenture's  stated  redemption  price at maturity and its issue price will
exceed the de minimis amount.

     A holder of a  Debenture  will be  required  to  include  OID in income for
federal  income tax  purposes  as it accrues  for the period  from  issuance  to
January  6,  2004,  in  accordance  with a  constant  yield  method  based  on a
compounding of interest  whether or not he exercises the put option.  Under this
method,  a holder  generally will be required to include in income  increasingly
greater amounts of OID in successive accrual periods.

     If the put option is not exercised, the Debenture will be treated as if the
Debenture  were  reissued  (solely for  purposes of the OID rules) on January 6,
2004 for an amount equal to the Debenture's adjusted issue price on that date. A
holder will not recognize gain or loss by reason of such deemed reissuance.

     The  Company  will  furnish  annually  to the  IRS  and to  holders  of the
Debentures  information  regarding qualified stated interest and OID as required
under applicable Treasury regulations.

Conversion of Debentures into Common Stock

     In  general,  no gain or loss will be  recognized  for  federal  income tax
purposes on a conversion of the Debentures into shares of Common Stock. However,
a holder will recognize a capital gain or loss, as the case may be, equal to the
difference,  if any,  between  cash paid in lieu of a  fractional  share and the
portion of the adjusted  basis of the  Debenture  allocable  to such  fractional
share.

     A holder's basis in the Common Stock received upon  conversion  will be the
same  as such  holder's  basis  in such  Debenture  at the  time of  conversion,
excluding  the basis  allocated  to any  fractional  share as  described  above.
However,  the  holding  period of a  fractional  interest  in each full share of
Common  Stock  will  commence  on the day of  conversion.  Although  there is no
authority  precisely on point, the Company believes that the fractional interest
in each full share of Common  Stock that will have such a holding  period in the
hands of a holder will be equal to the ratio  determined by dividing (x) the sum
of any unpaid accrued interest and the amount of original issue discount accrued
on or after the date on which the holder  acquired the Debenture by 


                                       15
<PAGE>

(y) the fair market  value of the Common  Stock on the date of  conversion.  The
remainder of the interest in each full share of Common Stock will have a holding
period  commencing  on the day after the date on which the holder  acquired  the
Debenture.

     The  conversion  price of the  Debentures  is subject to  adjustment  under
certain  circumstances.  Holders  of the  Debentures  may be deemed to receive a
dividend to the extent of the  Company's  current or  accumulated  earnings  and
profits if the conversion price is adjusted to reflect a taxable distribution of
property to holders of Common Stock or in certain other circumstances  requiring
conversion price adjustments.  Such deemed dividend would be includible in gross
income although the holder would not receive any cash.

Sale, Exchange or Retirement of the Debentures

     Upon the  sale,  exchange  or  retirement  of a  Debenture,  a holder  will
recognize  taxable  gain or loss  equal to the  difference  between  the  amount
realized  and such  holder's  adjusted  tax  basis in the  Debenture.  For these
purposes,  the amount  realized  does not  include  any amount  attributable  to
accrued  qualified  stated  interest on the Debenture.  A holder's  adjusted tax
basis in a  Debenture  will  equal  the cost of the  Debenture  to such  holder,
increased by the amount of any market  discount and OID  previously  included in
income by the holder with respect to such Debenture and reduced by any amortized
bond premium.

     Gain or loss  realized on the sale,  exchange or  retirement of a Debenture
will be  capital  gain or loss  (except  to the  extent  of any  accrued  market
discount not previously  included in the holder's taxable  income),  and will be
long-term  capital gain or loss if the Debenture has been held for more than one
year.

     Recently enacted  legislation  includes  substantial changes to the federal
taxation of capital  gains,  including a 20% maximum tax rate for certain  gains
from the sale of capital assets held by individuals for more than 18 months. The
deduction  of capital  losses is subject  to  certain  limitations.  Prospective
investors  should consult their tax advisors  regarding the treatment of capital
gains and losses.

Market Discount and Bond Premium

     Holders that purchase the  Debentures at a price other than the issue price
may be  considered  to  have  acquired  the  Debentures  with  market  discount,
amortizable bond premium, or acquisition premium as such phrases are defined for
the United  States  federal  income tax  purposes.  Such  holders are advised to
consult their tax advisors as to the income tax consequences of the acquisition,
ownership and disposition of the Debentures.

Backup Withholding and Information Reporting

     Certain noncorporate holders may be subject to backup withholding at a rate
of 31% on payments of principal, premium and interest (including OID if any) on,
and the proceeds of disposition of, a Debenture.  Backup  withholding will apply
only if the holder  (i) fails to  furnish  its  Taxpayer  Identification  Number
("TIN") which,  for an individual,  would be the  individual's  Social  Security
number,  (ii)  furnishes  an  incorrect  TIN,  (iii) is notified by the Internal
Revenue Service that it has failed to report  properly  payments of interest and
dividends or (iv) under certain  circumstances,  fails to certify, under penalty
of perjury, that it has furnished a correct TIN and has not been notified by the
Internal Revenue Service that it is subject to backup withholding for failure to
report interest and dividend payments. Holders should consult their tax advisors
regarding  their  qualification  for exemption from backup  withholding  and the
procedure for obtaining such an exemption if applicable.

     The amount of any  backup  withholding  from a payment to a holder  will be
allowed as a credit  against such  holder's  United  States  federal  income tax
liability  and may entitle such holder to a refund,  provided  that the required
information is furnished to the Internal Revenue Service.

Tax Consequences to United States Alien Holders

     Under  present  United  States  federal law, and subject to the  discussion
below concerning backup withholding:

          (a) payments of principal, interest (including OID) and premium on the
     Debentures  by the Company or any paying  agent to any United  States Alien
     Holder  will not be  subject  to United  States  federal  withholding  tax,
     provided  that, in the case of interest  (including  OID),  (i) such holder
     does not own, actually or 


                                       16
<PAGE>

     constructively,  10% or more of the  total  combined  voting  power  of all
     classes  of stock of the  Company  entitled  to vote,  is not a  controlled
     foreign corporation related, directly or indirectly, to the Company through
     stock ownership,  and is not a bank receiving interest described in Section
     881(c)(3)(A)  of the Code and (ii) the statement  requirement  set forth in
     Section  871(h)  or  Section  881(c)  of the Code has been  satisfied  with
     respect to the beneficial owner, as discussed below;

          (b) a United  States  Alien Holder of a Debenture or Common Stock will
     not be subject to United States  federal income tax on gain realized on the
     sale,  exchange or other  disposition  of such  Debenture,  unless (i) such
     holder is an individual who is present in the United States for 183 days or
     more in the taxable year of disposition, and either (a) such individual has
     a "tax home" (as defined in Code Section  911(d)(3))  in the United  States
     (unless such gain is attributable to a fixed place of business in a foreign
     country  maintained by such  individual and has been subject to foreign tax
     of at least  10%) or (b) the gain is  attributable  to an  office  or other
     fixed place of business  maintained by such individual in the United States
     or (ii) such gain is effectively  connected with the conduct by such holder
     of a trade or business in the United States.

          (c)  Dividends  paid on shares of Common Stock held by a United States
     Alien  Holder  generally  will be subject to  withholding  of U.S.  federal
     income tax either at a rate of 30% of the gross amount of the  dividends or
     at such lower rate as may be specified by an applicable  tax treaty.  Under
     current law,  dividends paid prior to January 1, 1999 to an address outside
     the United  States are  presumed to be paid to a resident  of such  country
     (unless  the payer has  knowledge  to the  contrary)  for  purposes  of the
     withholding  discussed  in  the  previous  sentence  and  for  purposes  of
     determining  the  applicability  of  a  tax  treaty  rate.  Under  recently
     finalized  United States Treasury  regulations  (the "Final  Regulations"),
     however,  a United  States Alien Holder of Common Stock who wishes to claim
     the benefit of an applicable  treaty rate (and/or generally to avoid backup
     withholding,  as  discussed  below) with  respect to  dividends  paid after
     December 31, 1998 will be required to satisfy applicable  certification and
     other  requirements.  However,  if the dividends are effectively  connected
     with the conduct of a trade or business in the United  States by the United
     States  Alien  Holder,  such  dividends  will instead be subject to regular
     United  States  federal  income  tax  and  will  be  exempt  from  the  30%
     withholding tax.

          (d) Under Section 2105(b) of the United States federal estate tax law,
     a Debenture held by an individual  who is not (i) a citizen,  (ii) a former
     citizen who is treated as a citizen for tax  purposes,  or (iii) a resident
     of the United States at the time of his death will not be subject to United
     States federal estate tax as a result of such individual's death,  provided
     that the individual does not own, actually or  constructively,  10% or more
     of the total  combined  voting power of all classes of stock of the Company
     entitled to vote and, at the time of such individual's death, payments with
     respect to such Debenture would not have been effectively  connected to the
     conduct by such individual of a trade or business in the United States.

          (e) Shares of Common  Stock held by an  individual  at the time of his
     death (or  theretofore  transferred  subject to certain  retained rights or
     powers)  will be  subject  to  United  States  federal  estate  tax  unless
     otherwise provided by an applicable tax treaty.

     Sections  871(h) and 881(c) of the Code require  that,  in order to qualify
for the portfolio interest exemption from withholding tax described in paragraph
(a)  above,  either  the  beneficial  owner of the  Debenture,  or a  securities
clearing organization, bank or other financial institution that holds customers'
securities  in the  ordinary  course  of its  trade or  business  (a  "Financial
Institution")  and that is holding the  Debenture  on behalf of such  beneficial
owner,  file a  statement  with the  withholding  agent to the  effect  that the
beneficial  owner of the Debenture is not a United States Holder.  Under current
United  States  Treasury  regulations  which apply to stated  interest paid on a
Debenture  on or before  December 31, 1998 and to payment on or before such date
of proceeds  from a sale or exchange of a Debenture,  such  requirement  will be
fulfilled if the beneficial  owner of a Debenture  certifies on Internal Revenue
Service Form W-8,  under  penalties of perjury,  that it is not a United  States
Holder and provides its name and address, and any Financial  Institution holding
the  Debenture  on behalf of the  beneficial  owner files a  statement  with the
withholding  agent to the effect that it has received such a statement  from the
holder (and  furnishes the  withholding  agent with a copy  thereof).  The Final
Regulations, which apply to interest (including certain OID) paid on a Debenture
after  December 31, 1998 and to payments made after such date of proceeds from a
sale or exchange of a Debenture,  also provide that the  requirement  of Section
871(h) and 881(c) will  generally be fulfilled if beneficial  owners  (including
partners of certain  


                                       17
<PAGE>

partnerships)  as well as certain foreign  partnerships  meet the two conditions
set forth in the  preceding  sentence.  However,  a  beneficial  owner that is a
foreign estate or trust (or fiduciary  thereof),  a foreign partnership that has
entered into a withholding  agreement with the Internal  Revenue  Service,  or a
United States Alien Holder holding a Debenture  through its U.S.  branch will be
required to provide its "taxpayer  identification number" ("TIN") in addition to
its name and address on the Form W-8.  Foreign  partnerships  and their partners
should  consult their tax advisors  regarding  possible  additional  information
reporting requirements.

     If a United  States  Alien  Holder of a Debenture  is engaged in a trade or
business in the United States, and if interest  (including OID) on the Debenture
is effectively connected with the conduct of such trade or business,  the United
States Alien Holder,  although  exempt from the withholding tax discussed in the
preceding  paragraph,  will generally be subject to regular United States income
tax on interest  (including any OID or market discount) and on any gain realized
on the sale,  exchange or other disposition of a Debenture in the same manner as
if it were a United  States  Holder.  See "Tax  Consequences  to  United  States
Holders" above. In lieu of the certificate described in the preceding paragraph,
such a holder will be  required  to provide to the  Company a properly  executed
Internal  Revenue  Service  Form  4224 in  order  to  claim  an  exemption  from
withholding  tax on stated interest paid on the Debentures on or before December
31, 1998 and payments  made on or before such date of proceeds  from the sale or
exchange of a Debenture. Under the Final Regulations, such a United States Alien
Holder will be required to provide a Form W-8 to the withholding  agent on which
such Holder  provides  its name,  address and TIN and states,  under  penalty of
perjury,  that the interest  (including certain OID) paid on a Debenture and the
gain on the sale or exchange of a Debenture is  effectively  connected with such
Holder's  United  States trade or business in order to obtain an exemption  from
withholding  tax on payments made after December 31, 1998. In addition,  if such
United  States  Alien  Holder is a foreign  corporation,  it may be subject to a
branch  profits tax equal to 30% (or such lower rate  provided by an  applicable
treaty) of its effectively  connected earnings and profits for the taxable year,
subject to certain adjustments. For purposes of the branch profits tax, interest
(including  OID or  market  discount)  on and any gain  recognized  on the sale,
exchange or other disposition of a Debenture will be included in the effectively
connected  earnings  and  profits of such  United  States  Alien  Holder if such
interest or gain, as the case may be, is effectively  connected with the conduct
by the United States Alien Holder of a trade or business in the United States.

Backup Withholding and Information Reporting

     Under current  Treasury  Regulations,  backup  withholding at a rate of 31%
will not apply to payments of  principal,  premium or interest  made outside the
United  States by the Company or any paying agent  thereof on a Debenture if the
certifications  required by Sections  871(h) and 881(c) are  received,  provided
that the Company or such paying agent,  as the case may be, does not have actual
knowledge  that the payee is a United  States  person.  Under  current  Treasury
Regulations,  backup  withholding at the rate of 31% generally will not apply to
dividends  paid prior to January 1, 1999 to a United  States  Alien Holder at an
address outside the United States (unless the payer has knowledge that the payee
is a U.S. person). Under the Final Regulations,  however, a United States Holder
will generally be subject to backup  withholding  with respect to dividends paid
after December 31, 1998 unless applicable certification requirements are met.

     Under current Treasury Regulations, payments on the sale, exchange or other
disposition  of a  Debenture  made to or  through a  foreign  office of a broker
generally will not be subject to backup withholding.  However, if such broker is
a United States person, a controlled  foreign  corporation for United States tax
purposes or a foreign  person 50% or more of whose gross  income is  effectively
connected  with a United  States  trade or business  for a specified  three-year
period,  or in the case of payments  made after  December  31,  1998,  a foreign
partnership (i) at least 50 percent of the capital or profit  interests in which
are owned by United  States  persons or (ii) that has a United  States  trade or
business,  information  reporting will be required  unless the broker has in its
records  documentary  evidence that the beneficial  owner is not a United States
person and certain other  conditions are met or the beneficial  owner  otherwise
establishes an exemption.  Under the Final  Regulations,  backup withholding may
apply to any payment made after  December 31, 1998 which such broker is required
to report if such broker has actual  knowledge that the payee is a United States
person.  Payments  to or through  the United  States  office of a broker will be
subject  to backup  withholding  and  information  reporting  unless  the holder
certifies,  under penalties of perjury, that it is not a United States person or
otherwise establishes an exemption.


                                       18
<PAGE>

     United States Alien Holders of Debentures should consult their tax advisors
regarding the  application  of information  reporting and backup  withholding in
their particular situations, the availability of an exemption therefrom, and the
procedure for obtaining such an exemption,  if available.  Any amounts  withheld
from a payment to a United  States  Alien  Holder  under the backup  withholding
rules will be allowed as a credit  against such Holder's  United States  federal
income tax liability and may entitle such holder to a refund,  provided that the
required information is furnished to the IRS.

     THE UNITED STATES FEDERAL INCOME TAX DISCUSSION SET FORTH ABOVE IS INCLUDED
FOR GENERAL INFORMATION ONLY AND MAY NOT BE APPLICABLE DEPENDING UPON A HOLDER'S
PARTICULAR SITUATION.  HOLDERS SHOULD CONSULT THEIR TAX ADVISORS WITH RESPECT TO
THE TAX  CONSEQUENCES TO THEM OF THE PURCHASE,  OWNERSHIP AND DISPOSITION OF THE
DEBENTURES, INCLUDING THE TAX CONSEQUENCES UNDER STATE, LOCAL, FOREIGN AND OTHER
TAX LAWS AND THE  POSSIBLE  EFFECT  INCLUDING  POSSIBLE  RETROACTIVE  EFFECT  OF
CHANGES IN UNITED STATES FEDERAL OR OTHER TAX LAWS.

                             SELLING SECURITYHOLDERS

     The Debentures were originally acquired on January 6, 1998 from the Company
by the Initial  Purchaser.  The Initial  Purchaser  advised the Company that the
Initial  Purchaser  has resold the  Debentures in  transactions  exempt from the
registration  requirements  of the  Securities  Act to "qualified  institutional
buyers"  (as  defined  in Rule 144A of the  Securities  Act).  These  subsequent
purchasers, or their transferees,  pledgees, donees or successors, may from time
to time offer and sell any or all of the  Debentures  and/or Shares  pursuant to
this Prospectus.

     The  Debentures  and  the  Shares  are  being  registered  pursuant  to the
Registration   Rights   Agreement   which  provides  that  the  Company  file  a
registration  statement  with regard to the  Debentures and the Shares within 90
days  of  the  date  of  original  issuance  of the  Debentures  and  keep  such
registration  statement  effective until the earlier of (i) the sale pursuant to
the registration  statement of all the securities registered thereunder and (ii)
the expiration of the holding period  applicable to such  securities  under Rule
144(k) under the Securities Act or any successor provision. Although none of the
Selling  Securityholders  has advised the Company that it  currently  intends to
sell all or any of the  Debentures or Shares  pursuant to this  Prospectus,  the
Selling  Securityholders  may choose to sell the  Debentures  and/or Shares from
time to time upon notice to the Company. See "Plan of Distribution."

     Prior to any use of this  Prospectus in connection  with an offering of the
Debentures and/or Shares,  this Prospectus will be supplemented to set forth the
name and  number  of shares  beneficially  owned by the  Selling  Securityholder
intending to sell such  Debentures  and/or  Shares and the number of  Debentures
and/or  Shares to be  offered.  The  Prospectus  Supplement  will also  disclose
whether any Selling  Securityholder  selling in connection  with such Prospectus
Supplement  has held any position or office with,  been employed by or otherwise
has had a material  relationship  with,  the  Company  or any of its  affiliates
during the three years prior to the date of the Prospectus Supplement.

                              PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

     The  Debentures  and the  Shares  are being  registered  to  permit  public
secondary  trading of such  securities by the holders  thereof from time to time
after the date of this Prospectus.  The Company has agreed,  among other things,
to bear all expenses (other than underwriting  discounts and selling commissions
and fees and expenses of counsel and other advisors to holders of the Debentures
and the underlying Common Stock) in connection with the registration and sale of
the Debentures and the Shares covered by this Prospectus; provided, however, the
Company has not agreed to provide,  or incur any  expenses in  connection  with,
accountants'  "cold  comfort"  letters,  opinions of  counsel,  or to enter into
underwriting agreements, such as would be customary in an underwritten offering.

     The  Company  will not  receive any of the  proceeds  from the  offering of
Debentures  and  the  Shares  by  the  Selling   Securityholders.   The  Selling
Securityholders  may  sell  all  or a  portion  of  the  Debentures  and  Shares
beneficially  owned by them and offered  hereby from time to time in one or more
transactions  on any  exchange  on  which  the  securities  are  listed  at then
prevailing  market  prices.  The Selling  Securityholders  may also make private
sales  directly or through a broker or brokers on terms to be  determined at the
time of such sales.


                                       19
<PAGE>

     The  outstanding  Common  Stock is  publicly  traded on the New York  Stock
Exchange.  The Initial  Purchaser  has advised the Company that it is making and
currently intends to continue making a market in the Debentures;  however, it is
not obligated to do so and any such  market-making  may be  discontinued  at any
time without notice in the sole discretion of the Initial Purchaser. The Company
does  not  intend  to  apply to list  any of the  Debentures  on any  securities
exchange.  Accordingly,  no assurance  can be given as to the  liquidity  of, or
trading markets for, the Debentures.

     In  order  to  comply  with  the  securities  laws of  certain  states,  if
applicable,  the Debentures and Shares will be sold in such  jurisdictions  only
through  registered  or licensed  brokers or dealers.  In  addition,  in certain
states  the  Debentures  and  Shares  may  not be sold  unless  they  have  been
registered or qualified for sale in the  applicable  state or an exemption  from
the registration or qualification requirement is available and is complied with.

     The  Selling   Securityholders   and  any  broker-dealers  or  agents  that
participate  with  the  Selling  Securityholders  in  the  distribution  of  the
Debentures or the Shares may be deemed to be  "underwriters"  within the meaning
of the  Securities  Act,  in  which  event  any  commissions  received  by  such
broker-dealers or agents and any profits realized by the Selling Securityholders
on the resales of the  Debentures or the Shares  purchased by them may be deemed
to be underwriting commissions or discounts under the Securities Act.

     In addition,  any securities  covered by this Prospectus  which qualify for
sale  pursuant  to Rule 144,  Rule 144A or any other  available  exemption  from
registration  under the  Securities Act may be sold under Rule 144, Rule 144A or
such other available exemption rather than pursuant to this Prospectus. There is
no  assurance  that  any  Selling  Securityholder  will  sell  any or all of the
Debentures  or Shares  described  herein,  and any  Selling  Securityholder  may
transfer, devise or gift such securities by other means not described herein.

     The   Company   has   advised   the   Selling   Securityholders   that  the
anti-manipulative  rules of  Regulation  M under the  Exchange  Act may apply to
their sales in the market.

     The Debentures were originally sold by the Company to the Initial Purchaser
on January 6, 1998 in a private  placement,  to persons  reasonably  believed by
such Initial  Purchaser to be  "qualified  institutional  buyers" (as defined in
Rule 144A of the Securities Act). In connection with the private placement,  the
Debentures  were  designated for trading in the Private  Offerings,  Resales and
Trading through  Automated  Linkages  ("PORTAL")  Market.  The Company agreed to
indemnify and hold the Initial  Purchaser  harmless against certain  liabilities
under the  Securities  Act that could arise in  connection  with the sale of the
Debentures by the Initial Purchaser.  The Registration Rights Agreement provides
for the Company and the Selling  Securityholders to indemnify each other against
certain liabilities arising under the Securities Act.

     The  Company has agreed to use its best  efforts to cause the  Registration
Statement to which this Prospectus relates to become effective as promptly as is
practicable and to keep the Registration  Statement  effective until the earlier
of (i) the sale  pursuant to the  Registration  Statement of all the  securities
registered thereunder and (ii) the expiration of the holding,  period applicable
to such  securities  under Rule 144(k) under the Securities Act or any successor
provision.  The  Registration  Rights  Agreement  provides  that the Company may
suspend the use of this  Prospectus in connection  with sales of Debentures  and
Shares by holders for a period not to exceed 30 days in any three-month  period,
or not to exceed an aggregate of 60 days in any 12-month  period,  under certain
circumstances  relating to pending corporate  developments,  public filings with
the  Commission  and  similar  events.  Expenses  of  preparing  and  filing the
Registration  Statement and all  post-effective  amendments will be borne by the
Company.

                                  LEGAL MATTERS

     The  validity of the  Debentures  and the  underlying  Common Stock will be
passed upon for the Company by Davis & Gilbert,  New York, New York.  Members of
Davis & Gilbert  participating  in such matters own an aggregate of 7,550 shares
of Common Stock of the Company.

     Davis & Gilbert, New York, New York, Tax Counsel to the Company, is passing
on the federal income tax considerations relevant to the purchase, ownership and
disposition  of the Debentures as set forth under the caption  "Certain  Federal
Income Tax Considerations".


                                       20
<PAGE>

                                     EXPERTS

     The consolidated  financial statements and the financial statement schedule
of the Company and its subsidiaries incorporated by reference in this prospectus
and elsewhere in the registration statement have been audited by Arthur Andersen
LLP, independent public accountants,  as indicated in their reports with respect
thereto,  and are included herein in reliance upon the authority of said firm as
experts in accounting and auditing in giving said reports.


                                       21
<PAGE>

                                     PART II
                     INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS

Item 14. Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution.

     The estimated  expenses  payable by the  Registrant in connection  with the
distribution of the securities being registered are as follows:

      SEC Registration Fee ..................................  $67,850 
      Legal Fees And Expenses ...............................  $10,000*
      Miscellaneous Expenses ................................  $ 4,150*
                                                               -------
        Total ...............................................  $82,000*
                                                               =======
- ----------
*Estimated

Item 15. Indemnification of Directors and Officers

     The Registrant's Certificate of Incorporation contains a provision limiting
the  liability  of  directors  (except  for  approving  statutorily   prohibited
dividends,  share  repurchases  or  redemptions,   distributions  of  assets  on
dissolution or loans to directors) to acts or omissions in bad faith,  involving
intentional  misconduct  or a knowing  violation  of the law,  or  resulting  in
personal gain to which the director was not legally  entitled.  The Registrant's
By-Laws  provide  that an officer or director  will be  indemnified  against any
costs or  liabilities,  including  attorneys fees and amounts paid in settlement
with the  consent of the  registrant  in  connection  with any claim,  action or
proceeding to the fullest extent permitted by the New York Business  Corporation
Law.

     Section  722(a) of the New York  Business  Corporation  Law provides that a
corporation  may  indemnify  any officer or director,  made or  threatened to be
made, a party to an action other than one by or in the right of the corporation,
including  an  action  by or on the  right  of any  other  corporation  or other
enterprise,  which any  director  or  officer of the  corporation  served in any
capacity at the request of the corporation, because he was a director or officer
of the corporation,  or served such other corporation or other enterprise in any
capacity,  against judgments,  fines,  amounts paid in settlement and reasonable
expenses,  including  attorneys'  fees  actually and  necessarily  incurred as a
result of such action, or any appeal therein, if such director or officer acted,
in good faith,  for a purpose which he  reasonably  believed to be in, or in the
case of service for any other corporation or other  enterprise,  not opposed to,
the best interests of the corporation and, in criminal actions, in addition, had
no reasonable cause to believe that his conduct was unlawful.

     Section  722(c) of the New York  Business  Corporation  Law provides that a
corporation  may  indemnify  any officer or director  made,  or threatened to be
made,  a party to an action by or in the right of the  corporation  by reason of
the fact that he is or was a director of the  corporation,  or is or was serving
at the  request  of the  corporation  as a  director  or  officer  of any  other
corporation of any type or kind, or other  enterprise,  against  amounts paid in
settlement  and  reasonable  expenses,  including  attorneys'  fees actually and
necessarily incurred by him in connection with the defense or settlement of such
action,  or in connection  with an appeal  therein,  if such director or officer
acted, in good faith,  for a purpose which he reasonably  believed to be in, or,
in the case of service for another corporation or other enterprise,  not opposed
to, the best interests of the  corporation.  The corporation  may not,  however,
indemnify any officer or director pursuant to Section 722(c) in respect of (1) a
threatened  action,  or a pending action which is settled or otherwise  disposed
of, or (2) any claim,  issue or matter as to which such  person  shall have been
adjudged to be liable to the corporation, unless and only to the extent that the
court in which the action was brought or, if no action was brought, any court of
competent jurisdiction,  determines in its discretion, that the person is fairly
and  reasonably  entitled to indemnity  for such portion of the  settlement  and
expenses as the court deems proper.

     Section  723 of the New York  Business  Corporation  Law  provides  that an
officer or director  who has been  successful  on the merits or otherwise in the
defense of a civil or criminal  action of the character set forth in Section 722
is entitled to indemnification as permitted in such section.  Section 724 of the
New York Business  Corporation Law permits a court to award the  indemnification
required by Section 722.


                                      II-1
<PAGE>

     The Company has entered  into  agreements  with its  directors to indemnify
them for  liabilities  or costs  arising out of any alleged or actual  breach of
duty, neglect, errors or omissions while serving as a director. The Company also
maintains and pays premiums for  directors'  and officers'  liability  insurance
policies.

Item 16. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules

          4.1       Indenture  dated as of January 6, 1998  between  the Company
                    and The Chase  Manhattan  Bank, as trustee (filed as Exhibit
                    4.1 to the  Company's  Report on Form 8-K dated  January 20,
                    1998, and such exhibit is incorporated herein by reference)
                    
          4.2       Form of Debentures (included in Exhibit 4.1)
                    
          4.3       Registration  Rights  Agreement  dated as of January 6, 1998
                    between the Company  and Morgan  Stanley & Co.  Incorporated
                    (filed as Exhibit  4.3 to the  Company's  Report on Form 8-K
                    dated  January 20, 1998,  and such  exhibit is  incorporated
                    herein by reference)
                    
          5.1       Opinion of Davis & Gilbert
                    
          8.1       Opinion of Davis & Gilbert
                    
          12.1      Statement  re:  calculation  of ratio of  earnings  to fixed
                    charges
                    
          23.1      Consent of Arthur Andersen LLP
                    
          23.2      Consent of Davis & Gilbert (included in Exhibit 5.1)
                    
          23.3      Consent of Davis & Gilbert (included in Exhibit 8.1)
                    
          24.1      Power of Attorney (included on Signature Page)
                    
          25.1      Statement of Eligibility of the Trustee on Form T-1
               
Item 17. Undertakings

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

     The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:

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

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

          (ii) To reflect in the  prospectus  any facts or events  arising after
     the  effective  date of the  Registration  Statement  (or the  most  recent
     post-effective amendment thereof) which,  individually or in the aggregate,
     represent  a  fundamental  change  in the  information  set  forth  in this
     Registration  Statement.  Notwithstanding  the  foregoing,  any increase or
     decrease  in volume of  securities  offered (if the total  dollar  value of
     securities  


                                      II-2
<PAGE>

     offered would not exceed that which was  registered) and any deviation from
     the  low or  high  end of  the  estimated  maximum  offering  range  may be
     reflected in the form of prospectus  filed with the Commission  pursuant to
     Rule  424 (b) if,  in the  aggregate,  the  changes  in  volume  and  price
     represent no more than a 20% change in the maximum aggregate offering price
     set forth in the  "Calculation of Registration  Fee" table in the effective
     Registration Statement; and

          (iii) To include any material  information with respect to the plan of
     distribution not previously disclosed in this Registration Statement or any
     material change to such information in this Registration Statement.

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

     (2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities
Act of 1933, as amended,  each such post-effective  amendment shall be deemed to
be a new registration  statement relating to the securities offered therein, and
the offering of such  securities  at that time shall be deemed to be the initial
bona fide offering thereof.

     (3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective  amendment any
of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the
offering.

     (4) For purposes of determining  any liability  under the Securities Act of
1933, each filing of the registrant's annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or
Section 15(d) of the  Securities  Exchange Act of 1934,  as amended (and,  where
applicable,  each filing of an employee benefit plan's annual report pursuant to
Section  15(d) of the  Securities  Exchange  Act of 1934,  as  amended)  that is
incorporated by reference in the Registration  Statement shall be deemed to be a
new registration  statement relating to the securities offered therein,  and the
offering of such  securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona
fide offering thereof.


                                      II-3
<PAGE>

                                   SIGNATURES

     Pursuant to the  requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant
certifies  that it has  reasonable  grounds to believe  that it meets all of the
requirements  for  filing  on Form S-3 and has  duly  caused  this  Registration
Statement  to be  signed  on its  behalf  by  the  undersigned,  thereunto  duly
authorized, in the City of New York, State of New York on February 27, 1998.

                                                     OMNICOM GROUP INC.
                                                         Registrant

                                                     By:   /s/ John D. Wren
                                                     ---------------------------
                                                             John D. Wren
                                                        Chief Executive Officer

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

      KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS,  that each person whose signature  appears
below  constitutes  and appoints  John D. Wren and Barry J. Wagner,  and each of
them,  his true and lawful  attorney-in-fact  and agent,  with full and  several
power of substitution  and  resubstitution,  for him and in his name,  place and
stead,  in any  and  all  capacities,  to sign  any or all  amendments,  to this
Registration  Statement,  and to file the same, with all exhibits  thereto,  and
other  documents  in  connection  therewith,  with the  Securities  and Exchange
Commission,  granting  unto  said  attorneys-in-fact  and agent  full  power and
authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary
to be done in and about the  premises,  as fully to all intents and  purposes as
they or he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that
said attorneys-in-fact and agents or his substitute or substitutes, may lawfully
do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.


                                      II-4
<PAGE>

     Pursuant  to  the   requirements  of  the  Securities  Act  of  1933,  this
Registration  Statement  has been signed below by the  following  persons in the
following capacities on February 27, 1998.

            Signature                                  Title
            ---------                                  -----

        /s/ John D. Wren                    Chief Executive Officer
- -----------------------------------           and Director (Principal
           John D. Wren                       Executive Officer)     

        /s/ Fred J. Meyer                   Chief Financial Officer
- -----------------------------------           (Principal Financial Officer)
           Fred J. Meyer                          

      /s/ Jonathan E. Ramsden               Controller
- -----------------------------------           (Principal Accounting Officer)
         Jonathan E. Ramsden                       

      /s/ Bernard Brochand                  Director
- -----------------------------------
         Bernard Brochand

     /s/ Robert J. Callander                Director 
- -----------------------------------
        Robert J. Callander

      /s/ James A. Cannon                   Director
- -----------------------------------
        James A. Cannon

    /s/ Leonard S. Coleman, Jr.             Director
- -----------------------------------
      Leonard S. Coleman, Jr.

        /s/ Bruce Crawford                  Director
- -----------------------------------
          Bruce Crawford

       /s/ Susan S. Denison                 Director
- -----------------------------------
         Susan S. Denison

                                            Director
- -----------------------------------
          John R. Murphy

        /s/ John R. Purcell                 Director
- -----------------------------------
          John R. Purcell

       /s/ Keith L. Reinhard                Director
- -----------------------------------
         Keith L. Reinhard

       /s/ Allen Rosenshine                 Director
- -----------------------------------
         Allen Rosenshine

        /s/ Gary L. Roubos                  Director
- -----------------------------------
          Gary L. Roubos

     /s/ Quentin I. Smith, Jr.              Director
- -----------------------------------
       Quentin I. Smith, Jr.

       /s/ William G. Tragos                Director
- -----------------------------------
         William G. Tragos

      /s/ Egon P. S. Zehnder                Director
- -----------------------------------
        Egon P. S. Zehnder


                                      II-5
<PAGE>

                                  EXHIBIT INDEX

 Exhibit No.                          Description
- ------------                         -------------

     4.1          Indenture  dated as of January 6, 1998 between the Company and
                  The Chase  Manhattan Bank, as trustee (filed as Exhibit 4.1 to
                  the Company's  Report on Form 8-K dated January 20, 1998,  and
                  such exhibit is incorporated herein by reference)

     4.2          Form of Debentures (included in Exhibit 4.1)

     4.3          Registration  Rights  Agreement  dated as of  January  6, 1998
                  between  the  Company  and Morgan  Stanley & Co.  Incorporated
                  (filed  as  Exhibit  4.3 to the  Company's  Report on Form 8-K
                  dated  January  20,  1998,  and such  exhibit is  incorporated
                  herein by reference)

     5.1          Opinion of Davis & Gilbert

     8.1          Opinion of Davis & Gilbert

    12.1          Statement  re:  calculation  of  ratio  of  earnings  to fixed
                  charges

    23.1          Consent of Arthur Andersen LLP

    23.2          Consent of Davis & Gilbert (included in Exhibit 5.1)

    23.3          Consent of Davis & Gilbert (included in Exhibit 8.1)

    24.1          Power of Attorney (included on Signature Page)

    25.1          Statement of Eligibility of the Trustee on Form T-1



                                                                     Exhibit 5.1

                                 DAVIS & GILBERT
                                  1740 Broadway
                            New York, New York 10019

                                                               February 27, 1998

Omnicom Group Inc.
437 Madison Avenue
New York, NY 10022

         Re: Registration Statement on Form S-3

Gentlemen:

     In our capacity as counsel to Omnicom  Group Inc.,  a New York  corporation
(the "Company"),  we have been asked to render this opinion in connection with a
Registration Statement on Form S-3 (the "Registration Statement") being filed by
the  Company  contemporaneously   herewith  with  the  Securities  and  Exchange
Commission  under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended,  covering an aggregate
of  (i)  $230,000,000  Principal  Amount  of  2  1/4%  Convertible  Subordinated
Debentures due 2013 (the "Debentures") of the Company, and (ii) 4,615,694 shares
of  common  stock,  $.50 par  value,  of the  Company  initially  issuable  upon
conversion of such Debentures plus such indeterminate amount of shares of Common
Stock as may become  issuable upon  conversion of the  Debentures as a result of
adjustments  to the  conversion  price (the  "Shares").  The  Debentures and the
Shares  registered  by the  Registration  Statement  are to be  offered  for the
respective accounts of the holders thereof.

     In that connection,  we have examined the Certificate of Incorporation  and
the By-Laws,  both as amended, of the Company, the Indenture dated as of January
6, 1998 (the  "Indenture")  between the Company and The Chase Manhattan Bank, as
trustee,  the Registration  Rights Agreement dated as of January 6, 1998 between
the Company and Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated,  the Registration  Statement,
corporate proceedings relating to the issuance of the Debentures and the Shares,
and such  other  instruments  and  documents  as we  deemed  relevant  under the
circumstances.

     In making the aforesaid  examinations,  we have assumed the  genuineness of
all signatures and the conformity to original  documents of all copies furnished
to us as original or photostatic copies. We have also assumed that the corporate
records  furnished to us by the Company include all corporate  proceedings taken
by the Company to date.

     Based upon and subject to the foregoing, we are of the opinion (i) that the
Debentures  have been duly  authorized and are valid and binding  obligations of
the Company and (ii) that the Shares have been duly  authorized and, when issued
upon conversion of the Debentures in accordance with the terms of the Indenture,
will be validly  issued,  fully paid and  nonassessable  shares of common stock,
$.50 par value, of the Company.

     We hereby  consent  to the use of our  opinion  as  herein  set forth as an
exhibit  to the  Registration  Statement  and to the use of our name  under  the
caption  "Legal  Matters" in the  Prospectus  forming  part of the  Registration
Statement.

                                                           Very truly yours,

                                                           DAVIS & GILBERT


                                                                     Exhibit 8.1

                                 DAVIS & GILBERT
                                  1740 Broadway
                            New York, New York 10019

                                                               February 27, 1998

Omnicom Group Inc.
437 Madison Avenue
New York, NY  10022

      Re:  Registration Statement on Form S-3

Gentlemen:

     In  our  capacity  as  Tax  Counsel  to  Omnicom  Group  Inc.,  a New  York
corporation  (the  "Company"),  we have been  asked to render  this  opinion  in
connection with the preparation of the  Registration  Statement on Form S-3 (the
"Registration   Statement")   being  filed  with  the  Securities  and  Exchange
Commission under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended covering an aggregate of
(i) $230,000,000  aggregate principal amount of 2 1/4% Convertible  Subordinated
Debentures due 2013 (the  "Debentures") of the Company and (ii) 4,615,694 shares
of  common  stock,  $.50 par  value,  of the  Company  initially  issuable  upon
conversion of such Debentures plus such indeterminate amount of shares of common
stock as may become  issuable upon  conversion of the  Debentures as a result of
adjustments to the conversion price.

     For  purposes of this letter,  we have  examined,  among other  items,  the
Registration   Statement  and  originals  or  copies,   certified  or  otherwise
identified to my satisfaction, of such documents relating to the issuance of the
Debentures as we have deemed relevant and necessary.

     We hereby confirm the opinion set forth in the Registration Statement under
the heading  "Certain Federal Income Tax  Considerations".  We hereby consent to
the use of our  opinion as herein  set forth as an  exhibit to the  Registration
Statement and to the use of our name under the caption  "Certain  Federal Income
Tax   Considerations"  in  the  Prospectus  forming  part  of  the  Registration
Statement.

     The discussion of tax considerations in the Registration Statement is based
on the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended to the date of the Registration
Statement (the "Code"),  administrative pronouncements,  judicial decisions, and
existing and proposed Treasury  Regulations,  changes to any of which subsequent
to the date hereof may affect the tax consequences described in the Registration
Statement  (possibly on a retroactive  basis). The discussion does not deal with
all aspects of federal  income  taxation  that may be  relevant to a  particular
investor's  decision to purchase  the  Debentures,  and it is not intended to be
wholly applicable to all categories of investors. In addition, the discussion is
limited to persons who hold the  Debentures as capital assets within the meaning
of section 1221 of the Code.

     All prospective  purchasers of the Debentures  should consult their own tax
advisors regarding the federal, state, local and foreign tax consequences of the
purchase, ownership and disposition of the Debentures.

                                                       Very truly yours,

                                                       Davis & Gilbert



                                                                    Exhibit 12.1

                               OMNICOM GROUP INC.
                       Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges
                                    1992-1997
                                    ($000's)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                         1996       1997
                                             1992        1993        1994        1995         1996      Q3 YTD     Q3 YTD
                                             ----        ----        ----        ----         ----      -------    -------
<S>                                       <C>          <C>         <C>         <C>          <C>        <C>        <C>     
Earnings as defined:
Profit before tax as reported .......     $116,196     $121,678    $188,914    $242,653     $305,231   $205,276   $260,614
Add: Dividends from affiliates ......        5,833        6,357       7,838      15,146       15,442     10,167      6,386
   Interest expense .................       51,390       47,105      40,485      43,271       34,067     26,745     30,923
   Interest factor re: rentals
   (as calculated below) ............       44,106       49,888      50,851      56,357       67,023     50,251     57,910
                                          --------     --------    --------    --------     --------   --------    -------
Total earnings ......................     $217,525     $225,028    $288,088    $357,427     $421,763   $292,439   $355,833
                                          ========     ========    ========    ========     ========   ========    =======
Fixed charges as defined:
Interest expense (1) ................     $ 51,390     $ 47,105    $ 40,485    $ 43,271      $34,067  $  26,745  $  30,923
Interest factor re: rentals
   (as calculated below) ............       44,106       49,888      50,851      56,357       67,023     50,251     57,910
                                          --------     --------    --------    --------     --------   --------    -------
Total fixed charges .................     $ 95,496     $ 96,993    $ 91,336    $ 99,628     $101,090  $  76,996   $ 88,833
                                          ========     ========    ========    ========     ========   ========    =======
Ratio of earnings/
   Fixed charges ....................         2.28         2.32        3.15        3.59         4.17       3.80       4.01

Total rent ..........................      132,317      149,664     152,553     169,072      201,069    150,752    173,731
Interest factor (1/3 of total) ......       44,106       49,888      50,851      56,357       67,023     50,251     57,910
</TABLE>

Notes:

1)   Amortization  of debt  issuance  costs and put  premiums  are  included  in
     interest expense.



                                                                    Exhibit 23.1

                    CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS

     As independent public  accountants,  we hereby consent to the incorporation
by reference in this  Registration  Statement of our reports dated  February 18,
1997 included in Omnicom Group Inc.'s Form 10-K for the year ended  December 31,
1996 and to all references to our Firm included in this Registration Statement.

                                                          ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP

New York, New York
February 26, 1998



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

                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                            Washington, D. C. 20549

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

                                    FORM T-1

                            STATEMENT OF ELIGIBILITY
                    UNDER THE TRUST INDENTURE ACT OF 1939 OF
                   A CORPORATION DESIGNATED TO ACT AS TRUSTEE

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

               CHECK IF AN APPLICATION TO DETERMINE ELIGIBILITY OF
                A TRUSTEE PURSUANT TO SECTION 305(b)(2) ________

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

                            THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK
              (Exact name of trustee as specified in its charter)

New York                                                              13-4994650
(State of incorporation                                         (I.R.S. employer
if not a national bank)                                      identification No.)

270 Park Avenue
New York, New York                                                         10017
(Address of principal executive offices)                              (Zip Code)

                               William H. McDavid
                                 General Counsel
                                 270 Park Avenue
                            New York, New York 10017
                               Tel: (212) 270-2611
            (Name, address and telephone number of agent for service)

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

                               OMNICOM Group Inc.
               (Exact name of obligor as specified in its charter)

New York                                                              13-1514814
(State or other jurisdiction of                                 (I.R.S. employer
incorporation or organization)                               identification No.)

437 Madison Avenue
New York, New York                                                         10022
(Address of principal executive offices)                              (Zip Code)

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

                                 Debt Securities
                       (Title of the indenture securities)

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

<PAGE>

                                    GENERAL

Item 1.  General Information.

      Furnish the following information as to the trustee:

      (a)   Name and address of each examining or supervising authority to which
            it is subject.

            New York State Banking  Department,  State House,  Albany,  New York
            12110.

            Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, Washington,  D.C.,
            20551

            Federal Reserve Bank of New York, District No. 2, 33 Liberty Street,
            New York, N.Y.

            Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, Washington, D.C., 20429.

      (b)   Whether it is authorized to exercise corporate trust powers.

            Yes.

Item 2.  Affiliations with the Obligor.

      If  the  obligor  is an  affiliate  of the  trustee,  describe  each  such
affiliation.

      None.


                                      -2-
<PAGE>

Item 16.   List of Exhibits

      List below all exhibits filed as a part of this Statement of Eligibility.

      1. A copy of the Articles of  Association of the Trustee as now in effect,
including the  Organization  Certificate and the Certificates of Amendment dated
February 17,  1969,  August 31,  1977,  December  31,  1980,  September 9, 1982,
February 28, 1985, December 2, 1991 and July 10, 1996 (see Exhibit 1 to Form T-1
filed  in  connection  with  Registration  Statement  No.  333-06249,  which  is
incorporated by reference).

      2. A copy of the  Certificate  of  Authority  of the  Trustee to  Commence
Business  (see  Exhibit  2 to Form T-1  filed in  connection  with  Registration
Statement No. 33-50010, which is incorporated by reference. On July 14, 1996, in
connection  with the  merger  of  Chemical  Bank and The  Chase  Manhattan  Bank
(National  Association),  Chemical Bank, the surviving corporation,  was renamed
The Chase Manhattan Bank).

      3. None,  authorization to exercise corporate trust powers being contained
in the documents identified above as Exhibits 1 and 2.

      4. A copy of the  existing  By-Laws of the Trustee  (see Exhibit 4 to Form
T-1 filed in connection  with  Registration  Statement No.  333-06249,  which is
incorporated by reference).

      5. Not applicable.

      6. The consent of the Trustee  required by Section  321(b) of the Act (see
Exhibit  6 to Form T-1  filed in  connection  with  Registration  Statement  No.
33-50010,  which is incorporated  by reference.  On July 14, 1996, in connection
with  the  merger  of  Chemical  Bank and The  Chase  Manhattan  Bank  (National
Association),  Chemical Bank, the surviving  corporation,  was renamed The Chase
Manhattan Bank).

      7. A copy of the latest  report of  condition  of the  Trustee,  published
pursuant to law or the requirements of its supervising or examining authority.

      8. Not applicable.

      9. Not applicable.

                                   SIGNATURE

      Pursuant  to the  requirements  of the  Trust  Indenture  Act of 1939  the
Trustee,  The Chase Manhattan  Bank, a corporation  organized and existing under
the laws of the State of New York, has duly caused this statement of eligibility
to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, all in
the City of New York and State of New York, on the 12th day of February, 1998.

                                                 THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK

                                                 By /s/ Glenn G. McKeever
                                                    ----------------------------
                                                      Glenn G. McKeever
                                                      Vice President


                                      -3-
<PAGE>

                             Exhibit 7 to Form T-1

                                Bank Call Notice

                             RESERVE DISTRICT NO. 2
                       CONSOLIDATED REPORT OF CONDITION OF

                            The Chase Manhattan Bank
                  of 270 Park Avenue, New York, New York 10017

                     and Foreign and Domestic Subsidiaries,
                     a member of the Federal Reserve System,

           at the close of business September 30, 1997, in accordance
          with a call made by the Federal Reserve Bank of this District
             pursuant to the provisions of the Federal Reserve Act.

                                                                  Dollar Amounts
                     ASSETS                                       in Millions

Cash and balances due from depository institutions:
     Noninterest-bearing balances and
     currency and coin ...........................................   $ 11,760
     Interest-bearing balances ...................................      4,343
Securities:
Held to maturity
     securities ..................................................      2,704
Available for sale securities ....................................     37,885
Federal funds sold and securities purchased under
     agreements to resell ........................................     27,358
Loans and lease financing receivables:
     Loans and leases, net of unearned income       $127,370
     Less: Allowance for loan and lease losses         2,760
     Less: Allocated transfer risk reserve .......        13
                                                    --------
     Loans and leases, net of unearned income,
     allowance, and reserve ......................................    124,597
Trading Assets ...................................................     64,630
Premises and fixed assets (including capitalized
     leases) .....................................................      2,925
Other real estate owned ..........................................        286
Investments in unconsolidated subsidiaries and
     associated companies ........................................        232
Customers' liability to this bank on acceptances
     outstanding .................................................      2,212
Intangible assets ................................................      1,480
Other assets .....................................................     11,117
TOTAL ASSETS .....................................................   $291,529
                                                                     ========


                                      -4-
<PAGE>

                                  LIABILITIES

Deposits
     In domestic offices .........................................   $ 86,574
     Noninterest-bearing ............................   $ 31,818
     Interest-bearing ...............................     54,756
                                                          ------
     In foreign offices, Edge and Agreement subsidiaries,
     and IBF's ...................................................     69,887
     Noninterest-bearing ............................   $  3,777
     Interest-bearing ...............................     66,110

Federal funds purchased and securities sold under agree-
     ments to repurchase .........................................     45,307
Demand notes issued to the U.S. Treasury .........................        161
Trading liabilities ..............................................     47,406
Otherborrowed money (includes mortgage indebtedness and 
     obligations under capitalized leases):
     With a remaining maturity of one year or less ...............      4,578
     With a remaining maturity of more than one year
            through three years ..................................        261
     With a remaining maturity of more than three years ..........        131
Bank's liability on acceptances executed and outstanding .........      2,212
Subordinated notes and debentures ................................      5,715
Other liabilities.................................................     12,355
TOTAL LIABILITIES ................................................    274,587
                                                                      -------

                                 EQUITY CAPITAL

Perpetual preferred stock and related surplus ....................          0
Common stock .....................................................      1,211

Surplus  (exclude all surplus related to preferred stock) ........     10,294
Undivided profits and capital reserves ...........................      5,414
Net unrealized holding gains (losses)
     on available-for-sale securities ............................          7
Cumulative foreign currency translation adjustments ..............         16

TOTAL EQUITY CAPITAL .............................................     16,942
                                                                     --------
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY CAPITAL .............................   $291,529
                                                                     ========

I, Joseph L. Sclafani, E.V.P. & Controller of the above-named
bank, do hereby declare that this Report of Condition has 
been prepared in conformance  with the instructions issued 
by the appropriate Federal regulatory  authority and is true
to the best of my knowledge and belief.

                               JOSEPH L. SCLAFANI

We, the undersigned directors, attest to the correctness  
of this Report of Condition and declare that it has been  
examined by us, and to the best of our knowledge and 
belief has been prepared in conformance with the in-
structions issued by the appropriate Federal regulatory 
authority and is true and correct.

                               WALTER V. SHIPLEY       )
                               THOMAS G. LABRECQUE     ) DIRECTORS
                               WILLIAM B. HARRISON, JR.)

                                      -5-



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